Abstract: Capacity building has been identified as a cornerstone of disaster preparedness in education systems worldwide. In Kenya, the Education Sector Disaster Management Policy (ESDMP) highlights capacity building through training, awareness creation, disaster drills, and simulation exercises as key strategies for strengthening resilience in learning institutions. This study examined the influence of implementing capacity building strategies on disaster preparedness in Public Diploma Teacher Training Colleges (PDTTCs). Using a mixed-methods design, data were gathered from students, lecturers, principals, and Board of Management (BoM) chairpersons. Questionnaires provided quantitative data, analyzed through descriptive statistics and inferential tests (t-tests and ANOVA), while interviews supplied qualitative insights. Findings indicated that although training workshops, awareness programs, and drills were introduced in some colleges, implementation was inconsistent and participation uneven. Students rated capacity building efforts more positively than lecturers, though both groups agreed that preparedness remained limited. Thematic analysis of interviews revealed that capacity building was often constrained by inadequate resources, irregular scheduling, and lack of sustained follow-up. The study concludes that effective disaster preparedness in PDTTCs requires institutionalizing training programs, regularizing drills, and embedding awareness into routine teaching and learning. 

Keywords: Disaster Preparedness, Capacity Building Strategies, Education Sector, Disaster Management Policy, Teacher Training Colleges