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Synthesis, Characterisation and Application of Capped Chromic Oxide Nanoparticle (CCONP) for The Removal of Cd2+ and Pb2+ ion from Aqueous Solution
Get PDFThis research was designed to ascertain the removal efficiency of Cd2+ and Pb2+ ion from aqueous solution using capped chromic oxide nanoparticle (CCONP) synthesized by method of co-precipitation and thermal degradation of chromic hydroxide (Cr(OH)3), stabilized and capped using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The physicochemical characterization of the synthesized CCONP was evaluated using x-ray diffractograms (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier Transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR). The CCONP obtained was more of crystalline than amorphous, smooth and spherical in shape with very small particles in apparently soft agglomerates with a size of 7.7 nm. The amount of Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions before and after treatment of the aqueous solution was evaluated using atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Adsorption experiments were conducted in batches and the adsorption property of CCONP was studied using adsorption isotherm models and optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) Analysis. The adsorption isotherm models revealed that the adsorption process of Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions onto CCONP was a physical process, favorable and exothermic. The energy of affinity for Pb2+ ions on CCONP was higher. The adsorption process for Cd2+ ions on CCONP was spontaneous and the adsorption capacity of CCONP for Pb2+ ions was higher. However, optimisation analysis revealed that the cadmium ions were slightly more adsorbed on CCONP and removed from the aqueous solution compared to lead ions. This observation was in agreement with the kF values obtained from Freundlich isotherm in which the kF value for cadmium ions (59.52) was higher than that of lead (51.99)
Operationalizing Alternative Justice System through Grassroots National Government Administrative Structures: A Case of Nakuru North Sub-County
Get PDFAccess to justice is critical to the development of a society. In Kenya, access to justice for all Kenyans is emphasized in the Constitution. However, majority of Kenyans find it difficult to access justice due to high cost and time involved in disposing cases through the formal justice system. As a result, a debate on the use of alternative systems of dispensing justice has emerged but no tangible structures have been created to support this idea. This paper explores the effectiveness of grassroots National Government Administrative structures comprising of Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs and elders and the role they play in delivering alternative justice and the challenges that they encounter. Results showed that these structures are already involved in resolving disputes and are deeply entrenched within the community. The average time for disposing cases at the grassroots administrative structures is 5.8 days, which is significantly shorter than the average of 24 months that it takes to resolve dispute in formal judicial system. The average direct cost of resolving disputes is approximately Kshs.500 which is substantially lower than the average cost of resolving dispute through the formal court system, which is estimated to be between Kshs.6000 to Kshs.30,000. The resolution process is also characterised by flexible mechanism for summoning parties, flexible procedures for presenting cases, and less punitive remedies. The challenges that hamper the effectiveness of dispute resolution by these structures include lack of adequate training on dispute resolution, interference in the dispute resolution process, lack of adequate resources, and lack of cooperation. To enhance the effectiveness of these structures in resolving disputes, the government needs to provide trainings to the administrators and allocate more resources towards the dispute resolution function
Longitudinal trends in macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups in a high-altitude tropical stream (a case study of Gura River)
No full textFunctional feeding groups (FFGs) classification of aquatic macroinvertebrates is an important tool that enhance the knowledge of trophic dynamics in tropical streams by assigning the benthic community into trophic guilds.
The current study aimed at determining the longitudinal trends in macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups in Gura River. Macroinvertebrates were collected between November and December 2018 in seven sites along the Gura River from an altitude of 2977 to 1547 m a.s.l. At the same time, selected physical chemical variable were measured in situ at every site. Dissolved oxygen concentration (mgL-1), water temperature (oC), electrical conductivity (µScm-1), pH and turbidity (NTU) had a significant difference among the sites (p <0.05). Most of the nitrates and phosphate nutrients had a significant difference among sampled sites (p <0.05) except NO2-N as demonstrated by analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA, F (6,14) = 2, p=0.085).
A total of 4016 macroinvertebrates specimen were collected belonging to 9 orders and 28 families and assigned into 5 respective FFGs. Overall, Scrapers, dominated by Heptageniidae (Afronurus) had the high relative proportion of FFGs in all the sites with a proportion of 42%. Shredders and Predators were the least represented functional feeding groups with proportions of 6% and 3% respectively. This study is crucial in the Gura River because FFGs can be used as an indicator of aquatic ecosystems change in case there is alteration of ecosystem function due to environmental variables
The Potential of Traditional Justice Systems in Enhancing Access to Child-Friendly Justice
Get PDFAlthough the constitution of Kenya 2010 and other international human rights instruments provide for the right of access to justice, the same remain unattained for the most part especially among vulnerable groups. Children represent one of the groups which experience the highest number of human rights violations. Despite legislative and other policy attempts to secure children’s access to justice, many children do not report violations partly because their violators are usually their immediate guardians. The formal justice system fails to provide adequate safeguards to protect children from victimization should they report any violation by their guradians. Similarly, the formal justice system does provide sufficient redress for children in conflict with the law are also exposed to harsh penal systems that lack sufficient child sensitive procedures. Such systems increase their propensity to commit crimes in the future as opposed to the intended deterrent effect.
As one of the vulnerable groups in society, children encounter various hurdles in their quest to access justice within the formal justice system. In particular, many children: lack the requisite knowledge and resources to pursue a legal claim; lack legal capacity to initiate legal proceedings on their own; face financial constrints; suffer from language constraints; have to travel long distances to access formal justice institutions; fear ostracism by going to court; some find the formal justice system harsh and undesirable; do not see themselves victims; face heightened risk of stigmatization and retaliation; face the risk of institutionalization in the formal justice system; face pressure from failies to settle disputes out of court; and the fact that family support is essential to the successful participation of children in the justice system-all mean that the formal justice sytem is not well suited for processing disputes involving children thus hampering their access to justice.
This state of affairs impels the need of exploring alternatice justice system that can potentially provide child friendly justice procedure. Traditional justice systems, which are recognized under article 159 of the constitution of 2010, are closer to people and do not have the stringent formalities that are found in the formal justice system and therefore, potentially provide a friendly avenue for children to access justice. Traditional justice system could cure these chllenges by resolving dipsutes in a relatively shorter time and diverting children away from the harsh formal justice system. These systems are also significantly cheaper, more accessible, and less complicated than the formal justice system.
In recognition of the need to embrace traditional justice systems in dispute resolution, the chief justice recently launched the Alternative justice systems Policy 2020 which , among other things, seeks to mainstream customary and traditional justice systems that have for long been at the periphery of the Kenyan justice system. This policy document will potentially ease access to justice by children since it will do away with the rigidities of formal justice processes that make it difficult to access child friendly justice and embrace the more flexible and friendly traditional justice system
In Vitro Antiplasmodial Activities of Crude Extracts of Carissa edulis, Azadirachta indica, Cassia siamea and Harrisonia abyssinica against Plasmodium falciparum
Get PDFThe emerging resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine and sulfadoxine pyrimethamine drugs in Kenya has necessitated the need to look for new more effective antimalarial drugs. This study investigated the in vitro antiplasmodial activities of methanolic and aqueous crude extracts of Carissa edulis, Azadirachta indica, Cassia siamea and Harrisonia abyssinica on Plasmodium falciparum strains. Drug assays were conducted using SYBR Green 1 dye. Two Reference Plasmodium falciparum strains, 3D7 and W2 were assayed against two anti-malarial conventional drugs and crude extracts of Carissa edulis, Azadirachta indica, Cassia siamea and Harrisonia abyssinica to generate 50% inhibitory concentrations of chloroquine, mefloquine, methanolic and aqueous extracts. These extracts have potential for antimalarial activities that can be used to develop pure compounds for prospective antimalarial molecules for therapeutic uses. Methanolic and aqueous extracts of Carissa edulis, Azadirachta indica, Cassia siamea and Harrisonia abyssinica demonstrated in vitro antiplasmodial effect on the two Plasmodium falciparum strains. These findings support the hypothesis that these plants have antiplasmodial activities against Plasmodium falciparum strains through the active phytochemicals found in them. The extracts from these plants therefore have the potential to be harnessed for anti-malarial drug development
Assessment of Water Quality of Lotic and Lentic Ecosystems in Agbede Wetlands using a Multimetric Approach
Get PDFIn this study, an index method was adopted to grade the water quality of Agbede Wetlands for a period of 18 months (December, 2012 and May, 2014). On monthly basis, water samples were obtained from seven designated stations within the wetlands and analyzed for the classical parameters adopting standard methods. These parameters which included Water temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity , total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, chloride, sulphate, phosphate, nitrate, total hydrocarbon content, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, copper, cadmium, iron, lead, chromium, zinc, nickel and manganese contributed invariably to water quality of Agbede Wetlands when keyed into Water Quality Index (WQI). The mean WQI values at stations 1, 2 and 3 were in all cases <30.00, for station 5 and 6, 30< WQI <50 while for stations 4 and 7, 50< WQI <100. Thus based on the parameters characterized in this study while adopting Federal Ministry of Environment standard for surface water, the water quality at stations 1,2,3,5 and 6 were said to be excellent while those of stations 4 and 7 were good. An attempt to x-ray the contribution of individual parameter towards the WQI values showed that the principal parameters were pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and heavy metals which include copper, lead, zinc, cadmium and nickel. There is need to ascertain the level of microbial agents, pesticides and herbicides concentrations in Agbede Wetland as the activities witnessed at the watershed are likely to influence them
Control of Chickpea Root knot Nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) in Nakuru County, Kenya using Sudan Grass (Sorghum sudanese)
Get PDFChickpea is a source of food and nutrients to farmers. Chickpea growth and yield production is affected by root knot nematodes. Loss of yields from chickpeas are estimated billions of money annually. Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanese) was used to study the control of root knot disease in chickpea. The study was done in a glasshouse. Completely random design was used. Treatments had eight replicates and uninoculated control was treated with distilled water. The aim of the study was to control root knot nematodes using Sudan grass. There was significant reduction of root galling, gall index and number of juveniles in the soil at P=0.05 in Sudan grass treatment. Inoculated control recorded highest gall ratings, gall index and number of juveniles. There was a relationship between gall index and root weights. Roots with highest and lowest gall index were associated with high and low root fresh and dry weights respectively. The results of this study confirm the nematicidal effect of poultry manure and Sudan grass
Endo-helminths Infestation in Nile Perch, Lates niloticus, (L.,) and Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.,) in Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria, Kenya
Get PDFNile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L., 1758) and Nile perch, Lates niloticus (L., 1758) were introduced into Lake Victoria in 1950, mainly to boost the fishing economy. Parasitic infections remain a major concern to the fish industry. It has recently been identified as an important public health problem with considerable economic impact. Data on parasitic infections on the two fish species is scarce; particularly in the Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the prevalence, mean intensity and mean abundance of endo-helminths infecting O. niloticus and L. niloticus in the Gulf. A total of 320 fish comprising 151 O. niloticus and 169 L. niloticus were caught weekly and transported alive to Egerton University. Prior to examination, fish were killed humanely by cervical dislocation. The total length were taken using a calibrated dissecting board and weights were obtained using a sensitive weighing balance (Sartorius ED4202S). Fish were dissected immediately and subjected to parasitological examination using standard procedures. Eleven parasite taxa were recovered from O. niloticus, with Tylodelphys sp. dominating the community. On the other hand, six parasite taxa were recordedfrom L. niloticus, with Armithalingamia macracantha dominating (P =5.3% MI = 4.6 and MA = 0.2). We conclude that L. niloticus had a poor parasite fauna, while O. niloticus had a rich parasite fauna. Despite the low infection level of Bothriocephalus acheilognathi and Heterophyes sp., are still the major parasites of concern, especially considering their potential zoonotic effect
Recombinant Protein from Trypanosoma Congolense a Good Diagnostic Antigen in Immunochromatographic Test
Get PDFTrypanosomes are hemo-flagellate protozoan parasites that cause disease in humans and livestock called sleeping sickness and nagana, respectively. So far, a vaccine has been elusive because of the immunodominant variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) in a phenomenon known as antigenic variation. According to amino acid domains structure, Tc38630 was assumed as a Trypanosoma congolense orthologue of the T. brucei invariant surface glycoprotein (ISG) therefore, a potential diagnostic antigen. Recombinant protein Tc38630 was successfully expressed, characterized and found to be antigenic. Among other serological tests, immunochromatographic test (ICT) has an advantage as a one-step rapid analysis, thus making it a convenient and sensitive diagnostic test .BALB/c mice were immunized with rTc38630 protein and serum was collected for IgG polyclonal antibodies purification for use as control line in ICT. The antigen-antibody reaction was detected by colloidal gold conjugated rTc38630 protein at the test line. The ICT result was found to be consistent with rTc38630 protein-based ELISA. For vaccine studies, five groups of BALB/c mice, were randomized and assigned as recombinant protein, recombinant GST, MCF homogenate, BSF homogenate and PBS and immunized respectively. They were challenged with a lethal dose of T. congolense. The recombinant protein did not protect the mice (survival analysis, P=0.09)
Exploitation currency among artisanal bait fishers; are intertidal bait harvesters optimal foragers? Some consideration for holistic management
Get PDFOptimal foragers target prey with superior energetic returns, and such metrics underlie most management interventions. However, tropical artisanal bait harvested by intertidal excavation and collection, enhance fish landings, and hence determinants to choice remain conjectural. Fisher interview were used to infer bait preference, and monitoring bait and fish landings, to compute energetic and fishery profitability. Harvesting of hermit crabs, mangrove whelk and polychaetes from mangrove and mudflat, and subsequent fish landings, were quantified at Mida creek, Kenya. Deshelled hermit crab weight was estimated by regression, and documented energy content and fishing fixed costs, were used to compute energetic and fishery profitability. Results show that despite whelks being least targeted (<5%), they had significantly (P<0.0001), higher harvesting (0.87 kg.hr-1) and energetic returns (9750 kcal), compared to more popular, polychaete and hermit crabs. Mudflat polychaetes (preference > 25%), recorded the lowest harvest return (0.13 kg.hr-1) and harvest energetic conversion (0.87). Nonetheless, polychaete and hermit harvesters, had higher fish landings (>2 kg.d-1), corresponding to higher income (>3$.d-1) and profitability (>2.0), compared to whelk fishers. Therefore, fishery returns, rather than conventional harvesting metrics (e.g. energy), are important determinants to bait choice and harvesters may pursue preferred bait, due to perceived fishery gains, irrespective of harvesting constrains, with consequences on biota and ecosystem integrity. Bait management interventions that not only ignore the interrelatedness of the foraging and fishing grounds, but also the realities of fishery profitability, will inevitably impact lifestyle