Early-Warning Action and Community Resilience in Isiolo County, Kenya

Purpose of Study: This study investigated the effect of early-warning action on community resilience in Isiolo County, Kenya. It examined how timely disaster risk information dissemination and anticipatory response mechanisms influence communities’ ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from recurrent droughts, floods, and resource-based conflicts. Methodology: A descriptive survey research design was employed, targeting 154 households, county officials, community leaders, and humanitarian representatives. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and interview schedules, with stratified random sampling ensuring proportional representation. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson correlation and regression analysis, were used to determine relationships between variables. Findings: Regression analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between early-warning action and community resilience (R = 0.721), with early-warning action explaining approximately 61.4% of the variation in resilience outcomes (R² = 0.614). ANOVA results confirmed statistical significance (F = 11.382, p = 0.002). Descriptive findings showed high mean scores (4.21–4.25) indicating that early-warning systems effectively enhance disaster preparedness, reduce drought and flood impacts, improve community decision-making, and strengthen adaptive capacity. However, constraints including inadequate communication infrastructure, delayed dissemination, low community awareness, and limited accessibility in remote areas continue to undermine full effectiveness. Conclusion: Early-warning action significantly enhances community resilience in Isiolo County by improving preparedness, enabling timely response, reducing vulnerability, and strengthening adaptive capacity. Effectiveness remains constrained by weak communication infrastructure and limited community engagement. Strengthening dissemination systems, enhancing sensitization, and improving multi-stakeholder coordination are essential for transformative resilience.