EANSO East African Nature and Science Organization Journals
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Evaluation of the Role of Green Infrastructure in Mitigating Stormwater Runoff: A Case Study of Kinamba Catchment, Kigali City
Get PDFFloods are the most common natural disaster worldwide, and failing to evacuate flooded areas or entering flood waters can lead to injury or death. Kinamba catchment faces severe flood events that have led to loss of lives, crop destruction, and infrastructure damage. This study evaluated the impact of Green Infrastructure (GI) on stormwater runoff in the Kinamba Catchment, Kigali City, addressing the escalating challenges of urban flooding and water pollution exacerbated by rapid urbanization and climate change. The research aimed to assess the presence and coverage of GI, determine key factors contributing to stormwater runoff and analyze the effectiveness of GI in managing stormwater, ultimately reducing sewer overflows. Employing a mixed-methods approach, including cross-sectional, descriptive, and scenario-based modelling, the study integrated quantitative data from rainfall-runoff monitoring, GIS mapping, and hydrological modelling using the Rational methods, with qualitative insights from field observations and documentary reviews. The findings revealed a consistently low mean infiltration rate (0.38831) and high discharge variability, indicating a catchment prone to high runoff volumes and extreme events. The key findings from the Kinamba catchment showed the relationship between infiltration and discharge highlighted the complexity of hydrological interactions, while rainfall data from Gitega station underscored the importance of accurate spatial data for modelling. Land use analyses demonstrated a significant loss of green spaces, exacerbating runoff and compromising urban well-being. The study concluded that GI plays a critical role in mitigating stormwater runoff, enhancing infiltration, and reducing peak discharges, but its effectiveness is contingent upon soil properties, rainfall intensity, and maintenance. Therefore, the study recommends a comprehensive GI strategy tailored to high-risk zones, robust data collection and hydrological modelling using Gitega rainfall data, the integration of GI principles into urban planning and policy frameworks, community engagement, and sustainable funding mechanisms to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the Kinamba Catchment
Effect of Unrelated Diversification Strategy on Organizational Performance among Star-Rated Hotels in the Kenyan Coast
Get PDFDespite its growth, potential contribution to the economy and being an integral part of tourism destinations, the performance of the hotel sector has remained susceptible to both domestic and global uncertainties. Most of the studies conducted in developed countries concentrate majorly on manufacturing firms. This creates a gap in developing countries. This study was guided by the following objective: To examine the effect of unrelated diversification strategies on organizational performance among star-rated hotels on the Kenyan coast. An embedded mixed method comprising a descriptive survey and explanatory research design was used. The study was conducted on the Kenyan coast. Stratified random sampling techniques were used to select the hotels, Purposive sampling was used to select Strategic managers and random sampling technique was adopted to select both middle and lower-level managers. Data was collected through a questionnaire and interview schedule. 383 questionnaires were distributed and 29 managers were interviewed. Descriptive statistics and simple linear regression were used to analyze data. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically. 354 questionnaires were dully filled representing a 92.7% return rate while 29 general managers interviewed represented 80.6%. The simple regression model result showed that R-squire = 0.558. This means that 55.8% of performance is explained by conglomerate and collaboration diversification strategies. The result indicated that conglomerate diversification strategies (p-value < 0.0001) and collaboration diversification strategies (p-value = 0.031) are significant predictors of the performance of star-rated hotels on the Kenyan Coast. The null hypothesis was tested and rejected. According to the findings, the study recommends that hotels wishing to increase or retain their financial position and market share and also achieve economy of scale even during business turbulence should employ an unrelated diversification strategy. This will ensure hotels' high performance and sustainability during business distress such as the COVID-19 pandemic or decline in product lifecycl
The Impact of Insecurity on Tourist Perception of Destination Choice in Selected States in Nigeria
Get PDFSecurity threats play a pivotal role in shaping tourist perceptions and the appeal of ecotourism destinations. This study assesses the impact of security concerns on travel decisions, safety perceptions, and destination appeal in Nigeria. Data were collected using a quantitative approach through structured questionnaires with domestic visitors and industry players in Ekiti, Niger, and Osun States. A stratified random sampling method that ensured diverse representation was used. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, including multiple regression, using the R statistical package. Results indicate that security factors explain 46.4% of the variation in visitation likelihood, 48% in safety concerns, and 22.7% in destination appeal. While terrorism and ethnic/religious conflict positively influence visitation, banditry and corruption deter tourists. Safety concerns are heightened by kidnapping and drug trafficking. The results show the need for improved governance, stronger law enforcement, and strategic crisis management to enhance security and restore confidence in ecotourism. Policymakers and stakeholders should implement proactive measures to mitigate security risks and ensure sustainable tourism development in Nigeri
Real Estate Investments and Firm Value of Investment Companies Listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange
Get PDFInvestment companies are a critical drive for wealth generation, however, in Kenya, these companies have been experiencing a decline in their firm value. For instance, as of May 2023, Centum Investment Co. Ltd’s market capitalization was at KES 5.34 billion, whereas in 2020 market capitalization was at KES 15.006 billion. Based on the declining market capitalization rate and limited research, this study sought to investigate how real estate investments affect firm value of investment firms listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The modern portfolio and resource-based view provided anchorage for this study. A longitudinal study technique and a quantitative research design were adopted targeting five listed investment firms at the Nairobi Securities Exchange. A panel regression model was used. Firm value was significantly impacted by real estate investments, suggesting that a unit rise in the value of real estate assets resulted in a unit increase in company value. Therefore, investment companies in Kenya can maximize their firms’ value through successful real estate investments. It was recommended that investment companies should adopt investment strategies that are geared towards investment in real estate assets. Future research should focus on capturing data from all investment firms in Kenya, to enhance the generalizability of dat
Evaluation of an Afrocentric Sexual Health Education Curriculum for Medical, Nursing and Midwifery Students in Tanzania
Get PDFBackground: Africa has the world’s highest rates of sexual health concerns, yet training programs to teach clinicians how to address sexual health concerns are rare. To address this gap, we developed a comprehensive sexual health curriculum tailored to Tanzania’s most common sexual health concerns. We use the curriculum to train sexual health education (SHE) to Tanzanian medical, nursing, and midwifery students. Aim: To evaluate training in sexual health in terms of structure, content, delivery, and cultural acceptability for medical, nursing, and midwifery professionals. Methods: First, we conducted a two-year formative research phase involving 18 Focused Group Discussions (FGD) with healthcare providers and students and 12 In-depth Interviews (IDIs) with sexual health stakeholders. The FGDs were stratified by discipline and working experience in years. The formative research phase was used to inform curriculum content and to tailor the SHE curriculum to the Tanzanian clinical context. Next, we developed a comprehensive sexual health curriculum tailored to Tanzania’s most common sexual health concerns. Given the lack of sex education that most students reported, we dedicated a day to normal sexual development and one to understanding the common sexual concerns of patients in Tanzania. We also had a strong emphasis on skills development by devoting one day for participants to practice skills. In addition, we ensured content to address cultural myths and taboos surrounding sexual health. We then trained a total of 206 students: the training was conducted in 2021. Immediately following the training evaluation was conducted as an online survey and qualitative responses were saved automatically in the Qualtrics database upon participants' completion. Results: Most participants (76.6%), evaluated the curriculum as culturally appropriate for Africa, personally valuable (96.1%) and would recommend it to a fellow student (98.5%). Furthermore, the curriculum was perceived as feasible, personally and culturally acceptable with endorsement of the training techniques employed, and suggestions on how to further improve the curriculum. Conclusion: Training the SHE curriculum is crucial to impact the core competencies of health professionals for addressing the sexual health concerns of their future clients. This study provides evidence that a sexual health curriculum tailored to the African context is highly needed, acceptable, and feasible
Why is stunting highest in Western Uganda?
Get PDFStunted children have a high risk of death, and over 30 percent of under-5 children in Sub-Saharan Africa are affected. In Uganda, 29 percent of children under five are stunted, and this has remained high over the last decade but is worse in the Western region of the country. We used pooled Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) data from 2001 to 2016, obtained from the measure DHS website, to establish factors that could explain stunting among children aged 24 to 59 months by applying a logistic regression model. Results show that children whose mothers had attained higher levels of education were significantly associated with reduced odds (0.2) of stunting compared to those with no education. Children whose mothers had not received health information were significantly associated with increased odds (1.3) of stunting. Children who had had diarrhoea two weeks before the survey were associated with higher odds (1.5) of stunting compared to those who did not have it. Male children were also significantly associated with increased odds (1.2) of stunting compared to females. Children from empowered mothers were significantly associated with reduced odds (0.7) of stunting compared to those who were not empowered. The findings call for increased education of the girl child, access to health information for mothers, prevention, prompt treatment of diarrhoea, care of the boy-child, and sensitization aimed at empowering women
Exploring Security and Privacy Implications of IoT Devices in Zambia’s Healthcare System
Get PDFThe integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in Zambia’s healthcare system presents transformative opportunities for improving patient care, operational efficiency, and data management. However, the rapid adoption of IoT also introduces significant security and privacy risks, including vulnerabilities in device authentication, data breaches, and regulatory compliance challenges. This study systematically reviews existing literature on IoT security and privacy in healthcare, with a particular focus on Zambia’s digital health landscape. It identifies key threats, including weak encryption mechanisms, unauthorized data access, and insufficient regulatory enforcement. The study further highlights best practices and emerging technologies, such as blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) that can enhance IoT security. By examining Zambia’s current regulatory framework in comparison to international standards, the study provides practical recommendations for strengthening cybersecurity policies, improving digital literacy, and fostering collaboration between stakeholders. Addressing these challenges is crucial for ensuring the secure and sustainable implementation of IoT in Zambia’s healthcare system
An Evaluation of Stakeholder Management Performance in County Government-Funded Construction Projects: A Case of Machakos County
Get PDFStakeholder management is a pivotal aspect of construction projects funded by county governments in Kenya. Effective stakeholder management is essential for aligning project objectives with the diverse needs of all the stakeholders involved. In Kenya, public infrastructure projects often face challenges such as delays and budget overruns. Therefore, robust stakeholder management practices are essential for ensuring successful project implementation. The specific objectives of this study were to determine the current state of stakeholder management performance in County government-funded construction projects, to establish the existing stakeholder management practices in County Government-funded construction projects, and to establish the influence of stakeholder management practices on stakeholder management performance in County Government-funded construction projects. The study adopted a survey research design. The data was collected using questionnaires and measured using a 5-point Likert scale. Simple stratified sampling was used to identify the 254 respondents. The respondents included contractors, project consultants, end users, ward development officers, PMC representatives, ward administrators, and village administrators. The collected data was coded and entered into Statistical Packages for Social Scientists (SPSS) and analysed using descriptive statistics. The multiple regression analysis method was used to determine if a relationship existed between the dependent and independent variables. The overall level of stakeholder management performance had a mean of 2.25. This research established that stakeholder management practices are statistically significant in explaining the stakeholder management performance in construction projects funded by the County in Machakos County. Additionally, this study concluded that the level of stakeholder management performance was low in Machakos County. Finally, the study recommended that counties should prioritise stakeholder management training through well-organised awareness campaigns
Electrochemical Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Formate by Tin-based Metal-Organic Frameworks
Get PDFThere is an urgent need to develop new technologies for converting greenhouse gas CO2 into useful products to address environmental and energy crises simultaneously. Electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (eCO2RR) driven by renewable electricity affords a capable route to realizing a carbon-neutral future and combating a global climate predicament. In determining the relationship between synthesis approach, catalyst structure and performance, two Sn-MOF electrocatalysts were produced with a bottom-up hydrothermal method. A two-dimensional catalyst 2D Sn-BDC was prepared by the open hydrothermal synthesis method, while a three-dimensional catalyst 3D Sn-BDC was prepared under the closed hydrothermal method. In CO2-saturated 0.5 M KHCO3 aqueous solution, 2D Sn-BDC catalyst displayed good performance compared with 3D Sn-BDC catalyst for CO2 reduction to formate with Faradaic efficiency of 96.3 %, partial current density of 10.0 mA cm-2 at an overpotential of 0.42 V, TOF of 4887 h-1, charge transfer resistance of 42.98 Ω and over a 10 h stability. It is recognized that the superiority of 2D Sn-BDC is assumed to originate from the ultrathin structure, enhanced surface area and presence of surface vacancies. Consequently, the improvement in mass transport, accessibility of Sn active sites and carrier concentration resulted in high catalytic performanc
Effects of Conflicts Between Political Leaders and Employees on the Performance of Local Government Authorities: A Survey of Kongwa District Council, Tanzania
Get PDFThis study examined the effects of conflict between political leaders and employees on the performance of local government authorities in Tanzania, based on the experience of Kongwa District Council. The study was conducted in 2021, involving the collection of both primary data through interviewing 5 key informants and through questionnaires from 72 respondents-; and secondary data through documentary review. Due to the mixed methods nature of the study, qualitative data were analysed through thematic analysis and quantitative data were summarized using simple descriptive statistics and summarizing the data in frequency tables with the use of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The findings indicate that there are conflicts between political leaders (councillors) and council staff mainly as a result of improper use of authority (political interference in administrative functions), scarcity of resources and an education gap between councillors and staff. From the study findings, it is evident that the conflicts negatively impact the performance of the council as they lead to low achievement of goals, delays in project implementation, low staff morale and inefficient service provision among others. The study recommends intensive and regular training for the councillors on the laws, rules, regulations and procedures governing the operation of council activities to clearly understand their areas of jurisdiction, which will minimize the prevalence of conflicts in the counci