Factors affecting disaster preparedness at moi international airport, Mombasa county, Kenya

Abstract

The main aim of the research was to find out factors affecting disaster preparedness at Moi international airport, Mombasa County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were: To determine how communication and information management influence disaster preparedness at Moi international airport; To establish how availability of facilities and equipment influence disaster preparedness at Moi international airport; To determine how management, direction and coordination (MDC) influence the level of disaster preparedness at Moi international airport; and To assess how public education, staff training and rehearsals influence disaster preparedness at Moi international airport.The study adopted a correlational and regression design combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches so as to provide solutions to the research questions and to test and come up with the outcomes of the hypothesis. The sampling method was used since the researcher was interested in interviewing the staff with the required information. Questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions and Key Informants were interviewed to provide information needed for the study. The target population was the 277 Moi International Airport staff that is involved in disaster management from Air traffic control department; fire and rescue department; safety department; security department; the airline operators and the airport management. According to Yamane formulae (1967) the calculated sample size was 73 people, but due to the homogeneity of the target population, resource and time constraints, the researcher selected a sample size of 65 which is 89% of the calculated sample size.It is expected that findings from this research will be used to put measures in place to improve disaster preparedness in Kenyan airports and other key places of operation.