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Assessment of River Nzoia Basin Morphometric Characteristics and Flooding Risks in Budalang’i Area, Busia County
No full textFlooding continues to be a common environmental hazard in both developed and developing countries. River Nzoia experiences perennial flooding in its lower reaches especially in Budalangi area of Busia county. The mean annual discharge of the River Nzoia is estimated at 1777Mm3 /year. From a physiographic and land use point of view the basin has four distinct zones: a mountain zone, plateau zone, transition zone and lowland zone. The mountain zone is forested but suffers severe land degradation; the plateau zone is the major farming zone. Small scale farming continues in the transition and flood prone lowland areas. The flood prone area is generally flat and swampy. There are two rainfall peaks in the catchment; the first peak comes in the months of April to June, while the other occurs in July to September. Comparatively to other parts in Kenya, the basin receives high rainfalls, whose average annual values vary between 1,000 to 1,500 mm. Several studies (JICA, 1987; JICA, 1992; APFM, 2004; ADCL, 2006) have been carried out in Nzoia basin with a view to characterizing the basin on the basis of climatic data and land use information but none has incorporated landform parameters because geomorphologic studies have not been attempted. River morphometric information is very important in any undertaking to control incidence of flooding in an area. In Kenya Few studies have been carried out on River morphometrics in relation to flooding. This study therefore seeks to analyze the characteristics of River Nzoia basin and how they contribute to flooding of Budalang’i flood plains. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; to examine the drainage basin morphometrics characteristics of the River Nzoia, to determine the influence of rainfall intensity and duration on flooding in Budalang’i flood plains and to assess approaches of managing floods in Budalang’i flood plains. Descriptive research design was used for the study. The target population in this study was drawn from two components of the unit of analysis, namely the geophysical (River Nzoia basin) and the social (households). Simple random sampling technique was used to sample the respondents for the study. A sample size of 71 respondents was sampled from the locations along River Nzoia in Budalang’i flood plains. Interviews and observation were used as methods of data collection. Qualitative data analysis techniques were used to analyze the data where thematic and content analysis was carried out based on the study objectives. The major datasets that were used for this study include Landsat Satellite Imageries, Digital Elevation Data (DEM) and Auxiliary data that included Roads, administrative boundaries, ground truth data for land use land cover classes and topographic map of the area. The study found out that high volumes in upper catchment areas during heavy rains of long rain seasons are at higher velocity due to sudden change of river gradient. This result in higher volumes received at the lower catchment areas known as flood plains (in-flow) against that volume expected to be released to the lake (out flow). This volume difference causes the river to break its normal banks in the lower zones. Land use land cover analysis between 1986-2018 shows that there is an increase in size of the bare ground area which is an indication of wetland degradation and a consequent replacement of wetland vegetation with bare soil that is prone to erosion. Increased farming activities along the Nzoia River has resulted to deforestation in search of cultivation areas increasing the vulnerability of the area to flooding. The rapid expansion of urban centres in the lower parts of the catchment (Rwambwa, Kakamega, and Bungoma) can be said to be a major contributing factor to the annual devastating floods. Based on River morphometry, the study concluded that there is no consistent relationship between relief ratio and basin order in this basin due to high variance in relief on the divide line. However, high relief ratios of above 0.03 are observed as characteristics of upland sub-basins and low value of about 0.01 for sub-basins at the lowlands. This change has explained the flooding phenomena at the lowlands. The computation of bifurcation ratio shows that the values ranged
from 1.5 and 3.4 which are within Strahler’s range. The average value of Bifurcation ratio is 2.2 which is closer to the lower value of 2. Based on bifurcation ratio, River Nzoia basin flows may encounter delayed time to peak and this is a good characteristic for planning and conveying flood forecasts. The drainage pattern of this basin can be classified as fern-shape. This presents a lower concentration time, and it generates higher flow. The major flooding risks that were identified during the study include; Displacement of households, Damage to Farmlands, Damage to Bridges and Roads, Disruption of learning programmes, Economic and Environmental aspects. Approaches to flood management will include both Community non-structural measures and Structural measures for flood control. The study recommends that there is need to undertake further research in land-use land cover changes, river morphometrics and review of the existing flood control and /or mitigation measure
Factors Influencing Mergers and Acquisitions on the Performance of Commercial Banks in Kenya: Case of Cfc Stanbic Bank, Nairobi County
No full textMergers and acquisition refers to where two or more financial entities combine corporate resources to operate as a unit with an aim of improving their performance. Previous study on this topic give conflicting findings on how commercial banks performance react to merger and acquisition The objective of the study is to investigate the effects of merger and acquisition on the performance of commercial banks in Kenya being guided by the following objectives; to examine the influence of capital base of the mergers and acquisitions; to determine the influence of customer service delivery on the performance of commercial banks; to establish the influence on customer base on the performance of commercial banks and to examine whether cost of the process has influence on the performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The study intended to address challenges and problems faced in the Mergers and Acquisition process in relation to commercial banks from to reinstating public trust and to ways of increasing profitability and also to examine if merger and acquisition will facilitate economic growth and stability in the banking sector in Kenya. The study was guided by Free Cash Flow Theory with the conceptual framework displaying the relationship between the independent variables and the dependent variable; this study adopted the use of descriptive survey research design and involved a population of 159 respondents that brought about a sample size of 112 using stratified random sampling. Data analysis was done and findings presented in frequency and percentage tables. The study found out that bank‟s usually go through the M&A process because one of them is not being profitable hence not guaranteeing profitability after the process, that from respondent‟s experience the banks should adopt a hybrid mode of communication and so they still use the same platforms to communicate whereas the cost of legal counsel influences the budget for the overall M&A Process. The study recommends that commercial banks involved in M&A‟s should always consider their customers‟ welfare, opinions and needs. The changes brought about by the process should not disrupt but rather enhance a friendlier affordable customer experience
Influence Of Contractor Capability On Performance Of Large Construction Projects; A Case Of West Pokot County, Kenya
No full textThe rising rate of poorly performed construction projects remains a serious problem affecting the construction industry in project delivery. Hence, this paper aims at investigating the influence of contractor capability on the performance of large construction projects in West Pokot County, Kenya. Time in this research has been used as the indicator for project performance. The objectives of this study were: to determine how Contractor planning, Contractor management capacity, Contractor resources and Contractor - Sub Contractor relationship influence the performance of large construction projects. A literature review was done where local, as well as global perspectives were looked into so as to fill a research gap. A conceptual framework was also provided as a guide to the study. The research adopted descriptive research design while using structured questionnaires and an interview guide to collect data. From a target population of 10 large construction projects in West Pokot County, 3 managers and site engineers from each of the project team (Contractor, Client, and Consultant) per project were selected as the sample. Therefore, a total sample of 90 respondents were used for the study with a 93.3% return rate. Data was collected using interviews and structured questionnaires. Questionnaire data was tallied and analyzed to frequencies, percentages, weighted mean and standard deviation and presented in tables. While data collected from interviews was analyzed using thematic analysis. In the findings, it was established that over 98.8%, 91.7%, 97.8% and 80.4% of the respondents indicated that contractor planning, contractor management capacity, contractor resources, and contractor-sub contractor relationship influenced performance of large projects. It was recommended that the government should formulate policies aimed at enhancing performance of contractors, and organize trainings for contractors to enhance their skills needed to use modern ways of reducing actual project completion time
Gender Analysis Of Gross Margin And Technical Efficiency In Irish Potato Value Chain: Case Study Of Kinangop Sub County, Nyandarua County
No full textIrish Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a very important food crop grown in Kenya mostly by small farm holders. Kenya has made concerted effort to improve agricultural productivity and to lower gender gaps in agriculture. In improving production however, men and women have been considered average farmers yet gender differences in regard to opportunities and constraints abound. This study analyzed gender differences in gross margins and technical efficiency in Irish potato value chain in Kinangop sub County. Data from a gender disaggregated sample of 288 farmers, 99 traders and 39 processors drawn from the production and marketing levels of potato value chains was collected using questionnaires. Data was then analyzed using gross margin and stochastic production frontier analysis. Findings reveal that women in agriculture were more marginalized than men. At the production level, they had lower gross margins of Ksh 5907 compared to men who had Ksh 9240. At the marketing levels, women are mainly small scale retailers whereas men are mainly wholesalers. In comparing gross margins across actors, farmers had the lowest gross margins of Ksh 7585 and processors realized the highest gross margins of Ksh 63513 on average. In terms of technical efficiency, female farmers are less technical efficient at 0.49 compared to their male counterparts who were 0.54 technical efficient. Stakeholders and policy makers should not only strive to focus on promoting efficiency and productivity but also focus on policies that strengthen market access especially at farmer level. Women should be highly integrated into agricultural programs through trainings and capacity building to help them enhance their efficiency, productivity and access to market for produce and hence improved earnings
Effect of Internal Controls on Operational Efficiency of Saccos Registered by Sacco Society Regulatory Authority in Nairobi County
No full textThe study sought to determine the effects of internal controls on operational efficiency of
SACCOs registered by SASRA in Nairobi County. The study is significant in that SACCOs
have an important role in social and economic development in our country. These SACCOs in
essence face many challenges including mismanagement, corruption and poor governance.
Operational efficiency of these SACCOs is greatly affected by lack of proper internal controls.
The research objective was to find the effect of internal controls on operational efficiency of
the SACCOs registered by SASRA in Nairobi County. The design adopted for this study was
descriptive research design. The target population was the 42 registered SACCOs. The study
used primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected using interviewer administered
questionnaires while secondary data were obtained from annual financial statements of
SACCOs. Data obtained was analysed using SPSS version 23. Linear regression model was
used to find the relationship between internal controls variables and operational efficiency
variable and the strength upon which the independent variables affect the dependent variable.
The conclusions from the findings indicate that employing control environment has a
significant and favourable impact on operational efficiency of the selected SACCOs. It was
also deduced that employing risk assessment has positive and significant relationship with
operational efficiency. There is also a positive and significant relationship between control
activities and operational efficiency of all the SACCOs. Lastly, the study also established a
significant and positive relationship between monitoring and operational efficiency. Overall
regression analysis established that internal controls have a strong positive correlation with
operational efficiency. The study recommends that to obtain the gains linked with successful
internal controls, the SACCOs in Nairobi County need to employ control environment. The
organization should ensure they adopt sound human resource practices, a strong presence of
tight controls of budgets, and the effectiveness of a well-functioning audit with suitable
members of staff in the audit committee, commitment to competence and structure of
organization and embrace the new practices brought about by new technology. Regardless of
the fact that some SACCOs don’t employ risk assessment, efforts should be taken into
consideration to have presence of mechanisms in place for minimizing risks, have risk and
compliance department in the SACCOS and make SACCO objectives known to everyone. To
improve the operational efficiency, there is need to employ control activities in SACCOs. This
should embrace practices such as conducting of reviews in regard to performance operations,
authorization and approval of transactions by relevant persons
The Impact Of China’S Soft Power Diplomacy On Sustainable Development In Africa
No full textAfrican states are in dire need of setting up infrastructure projects to spur economic growth and development. However, most of these countries lack the requisite capital and technical know-how to undertake these projects. It is for this reason that they have turned to China, which has the financial muscle, technical expertise and has presented itself as a willing partner to assist Africa.
However, states are driven by interests and China is not an exception. It has an elaborate plan to attract Africa through its soft power diplomacy with an eye on the continents vast reserves of natural resources. This study set out to investigate whether the partnership between China and Africa will at the expense of future generations. The study utilized dependency approach which postulates that developed or core countries impoverish periphery countries through the global economic system which is skewed in their favor. As a result ,the trade balance is heavily in favor of China, The environment continues to be massively degraded due to over exploitation of natural resources and young Africans continue to be agitated as a result of unemployment as Chinese multinationals employ their own citizens and outcompete local businesses. The study used purposive sampling and a questionnaire as the instrument of data collection.
The study found out that most African governments have no policies in place to protect their natural resources and ensure the benefits trickle down to the citizens rather than the big multinationals. It also found out that most local citizens in Africa feel that China is taking away their livelihoods due to flooding the market with cheap goods. It made a raft of recommendations such as setting up a sustainable development fund to cushion its citizens and coming up with tough policies to curb importation of products that can be made locally to protect the local industries and create jobs for sustainable development to occu
Determination Of Chemical And Microbiological Contaminants In Soils, Water And Kales (Brassica Oleracea) From Selected Sites In Eastern Nairobi Metropolitan
No full textThis study investigated the extent of pesticides residues, heavy metals and microbial
contaminants in Kales, water and soils from Nairobi metropolitan. Samples were collected from
six sites within Nairobi Metropolitan area namely, Kitengela, Mlolongo and Athi River farms
and open air markets, covering the wet and dry months between July 2015 and February 2016.
Pesticide residues were extracted using organic solvents and analyzed using Gas
Chromatography equipped with electron capture detector, whereas heavy metals were analyzed
using Atomic Absorption spectrometer. The microbial contaminants were analyzed using 3M kit.
Percentage recoveries for pesticides ranged from 70.00-114.83%, whereas the detection limits
ranged between 1.12 ng/L to 3.6 ng/L. The pesticides concentration in kales ranged from BDL to
322.55±9.64 μg/kg. p,p’-DDD was the highest detected pesticide during the month of February
2016 from Kitengela market. Soil pesticides concentration ranged from 0.001 to 170.53±3.03
μg/kg, with α-endosulphan recording the highest concentration in soil from Mavoko market.
Pesticides residues in water ranged from 0.001 to 3.53±0.02 μg/L, with aldrin recording the
highest concentration in February, 2016 from Mlolongo farm irrigation water.
Heavy metals concentrations in kales ranged from <0.01 to 0.74±0.00 mg/kg. Lead was the
highest heavy metal detected in vegetables from Mlolongo farm. Concentrations of heavy metals
in water ranged from <0.01 to 0.16±0.01 mg/L. Copper was the highest heavy metal detected in
Kitengela farm water. Heavy metal in soil ranged from <0.01 to 1.03±0.08 mg/kg, zinc was the
highest heavy metal detected in Kitengela market soil samples.
E-coli concentration ranged from 0 to 13±2 cfu/L. The highest levels in kales were measured
in samples from Mlolongo market during the month of December 2015. Soil E-coli
concentrations ranged from 0 to 145±8 cfu/g detected in soils from Kitengela farm. The
concentrations in water ranged from 4 to 89 cfu/ml, with the highest levels measured in water
samples from Mlolongo farm irrigation water.
Coliform concentrations in vegetables ranged from 8±2 to 353±19 cfu/g, with the highest
detected in samples from Mlolongo market in the month of December 2015. For soil, the
coliform concentration ranged from 1±0 to 3,214±284cfu/g and the highest detected was from
vi
Mlolongo market during the month of February 2016. For water, the concentration ranged
from 81±3 to 3,797±119 cfu/ml, with the highest detected in water from Mlolongo farm in the
month of February 2016.
The results showed that organochlorine pesticides such as aldrin, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor,
DDT and its metabolites are still present in samples from Nairobi metropolitan. The presence of
high levels of lead, E. coli and total coliform in vegetables should be taken seriously by public
health sector, and also the kales should not be consumed raw since they expose people to dangers
caused by the contaminants
Influence Of Community Involvement On Performance Of Wildlife Conservation Project: A Case Of The Loisaba Community Trust In Laikipia County In Kenya
No full textInvolving the community within which a wildlife conservation has been regarded as a key factor in resolving conflicts between humans and wildlife and creating a management that ensures that the benefits due to future generations from wildlife is not compromised. Thus, the study examined the interaction between community involvement and performance of wildlife conservation projects with reference to Laikipia County. Specifically, the focus of the study was determining how community involvement in project identification, design, implementation as well as the monitoring and evaluation phases on performance of wildlife conservation projects. The community development theory, stakeholder theory and the program theory provided anchorage to the study. A descriptive design was adopted. Information for this study was gathered from primary sources with aid of questionnaires and interview guides. Inferential data included correlation and regression analysis. A total of 144 respondents including managers, community leaders, community, members and NEMA official from Loisaba Community Trust in Laikipia County were targeted. The target population was stratified into four groupings, the managers from the community trust, the community leaders, community members and NEMA officials. The researcher picked the managers on a snow-balling method, where one manager of conservancy participated in the study and point to the next conservancy manager until all the 5 were reached, the same was done for community leaders, community members and NEMA officials. Content analysis was done on the open-ended questionnaires. The work was presented using figures and tables. It was shown that community involvement in project identification (p=0.000<0.05); community involvement in project design (p=0.003<0.05); community involvement in project implementation p=0.018<0.05) and community involvement in project monitoring and evaluation (p=0.000<0.05) all have positive and significant effect on performance of wildlife conservation projects. The study concludes that community involvement positively and significantly predicts the ability of projects to perform. It 8is recommended that the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) should make it compulsory for all wildlife conservation projects to state how they would involve the community at the identification stage before approval. There should specific legislations requiring all projects in Kenya to involve the community at the design phase before they are approved by NEMA and other relevant bodies. All project managers and other practitioners in the field of Project Planning and Management should realize the need to involve the community in the implementation of projects so as to improve on performance of their projects
Factors Influencing Uptake of Free Maternity Services in Kakamega County 5 Years After Introduction
No full textBackground: Delivery with skilled birth attendance and access to basic and emergency obstetric care is the most crucial intervention for reducing maternal and new-born deaths. A significant proportion of women in Kenya especially those in rural settings deliver at home alone or with the help of TBAs. Health care charges are a significant barrier to access to skilled maternal health services. In June 2013 free maternity services was introduced in Kenya to encourage women to deliver in a public health facility .However, according to the KDHS 2014, 38% of women in Kenya still had home deliveries.In Kakamega County home deliveries were at 50.6 % Objective: To determine the factors influencing choice of place of delivery among women in Kakamega county five years after the introduction of free maternity services in public hospitals in Kenya. Methodology: This was an analytical study carried out at Kakamega County Referral Hospital MCH clinic among 416 women attending the MCH clinic for post-natal care services. Descriptive statistics in form of percentages were used to summarize the data values for the study variables. Chi-square test was used with p-value <0.05 considered significant. The analysis was done using the SPSS computer software version 24. Results:Most of the respondents had facility based deliveries with 85% having hospital deliveries. Women who delivered at home were significantly older than those who delivered in a health facility (32.5yrs versus 25.8 yrs.) p< 0.003. Being single was associated with delivery from a health facility (p < 0.0001). Women who stayed more than 5km from the facility were more likely to deliver at home p< 0.004. ANC attendance especially in the first trimester was associated with more facility delivery, p<0.0001. Conclusion: Based on the study results the proportion of women delivering in a health facility is higher than the national average.There is need to improve access and transport to health facility as it is a major reason given for home delivery based on the study findingsa
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny
Radiographic Assessment of Coronal Alignment of the Lower Limb in End Stage Osteoarthritis of the Knee
No full textThe position of the femoral component in the coronal plane is one of the determinants of postoperative alignment of the lower limb in the coronal plane which influences the survival of the prosthesis. Ideally the femoral component should be implanted perpendicular to the femoral mechanical axis. To do this, the valgus correction angle used to perform the distal femoral cut should be equal to the angle subtended by the mechanical and distal anatomical axes of the femur in the coronal plane. This angle can be accurately determined using preoperative whole lower limb (hip knee ankle) radiographs. Alternatively a presumptive distal femoral cut can be executed using a valgus correction angle of between 50 and 70. This assumes an ideal relationship between the mechanical and distal anatomical axes of the femur however this relationship is influenced by variations in femoral anatomy specifically the neck shaft angle and bowing of the femur in the coronal plane. Variation of these determinant factors between populations may make the use of presumptive cuts inaccurate resulting in incorrect positioning of the femoral component which contributes to post-operative malalignment of the limb in the coronal plane. These variations may explain the lack of consensus between authors on the safety of use of presumptive cuts and the need to perform routine preoperative whole lower limb radiographs to accurately determine the valgus correction angle to use when performing the distal femoral cut. The objective of this study was to establish the pattern of variation of the valgus correction angle as well as its determinants,coronal femoral bowing and neck shaft angle, in Kenyan patients with end stage osteoarthritis of the knee. The findings have implications for operative practice including the use of preoperative whole lower limb radiographs in routine total knee replacements as well as the choice of valgus correction angle to use in the event of performing presumptive distal femur cuts in the study population.
Objective:
To determine the pattern of variation of the valgus correction angle, bowing of the femur in the coronal plane and the neck shaft angle in patients with end stage osteoarthritis presenting in four orthopaedic centres for total knee replacement.
Design
Cross-sectional observational study
Setting
The study was conducted at four orthopaedic centres namely Kenyatta national hospital, St. Francis community hospital, PCEA Kikuyu and the Aga Khan hospitals.
Patients and Methods
The patients were screened in the orthopaedic clinics of the respective hospitals and those with end stage osteoarthritis were selected for inclusion in the study. Patients were recruited until the target of 80 lower limbs with end stage osteoarthritis was reached. This resulted in the inclusion of 48 patients into the study. Data on the patient age, height, weight, time up and go and stair climbing test was collected. Weight bearing-whole lower limb radiographs were taken with each patient positioned with the lower limbs in 150 of internal rotation. Radiographic land marks described by Mullaji et al(1) were used to draw axes in the coronal plane and measurement of the angles of interest: the valgus correction angle, angle of coronal femoral bowing and the neck shaft angle were made.
Data was keyed into the Statistical Package for Social Scientists and analysed. p values less than 0.05 were taken to be statistically significant.
Results
The valgus correction angle predicted by the whole lower limb radiographs averaged 6.290±1.800 for all limbs regardless of alignment and 6.50 ± 1.950 for patients with varus lower limb alignment. Of the lower limbs studied, 9.8% (8) had a predicted valgus correction angle greater than or equal to 90. Bowing of the femur averaged 2.450 ± 3.140 in all lower limbs regardless of alignment and 2.540 ± 3.390 in limbs with varus lower limb alignment. There was a strong positive correlation between bowing of the femur and the valgus correction angle r = 0.857 p <
0.01 for all lower limbs and r = 0.907 p < 0.01 for the limbs in varus alignment. Analysis of the impact of the neck shaft angle on the valgus correction angle in patients with varus lower limb
alignment demonstrated a significant difference between patients with coxa vara from those with coxa valga p < 0.05.
Conclusions
The average valgus correction angle in the population studied is significantly less than that reported by Mullaji et al ,7.30 ± 1.60, but significantly greater than that reported by Kharwadkar et al, 5.40 ± 0.90. The average bow was lower than that reported by Mullaji et al however this difference was not significant. The demonstration of a significantly lower valgus correction angle in individuals with a coxa valga compared to those with coxa vara corroborated the findings of Bardakos et al. These findings show that coronal femoral bowing and the neck shaft angle affect the relationship between the anatomical and mechanical axes of the femur and given their variation between populations may influence the accuracy of use of presumptive distal femoral cuts and therefore the need to take preoperative whole lower limb radiographs to precisely determine the valgus correction angle.a
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny