East African Journal Of Science, Technology and Innovation
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Characterization and monetization of Mount Marsabit ecosystem watershed services, Marsabit County, Kenya
Get PDFThe study aimed at addressing Mount Marsabit ecosystem watershed service valuation information gap by: - a) analyzing the typology and mapping the spatial distribution of water supply points within the forest ecosystem, b) documenting types of water consumers and service beneficiaries and, c) undertaking monetary value estimation of the ecosystem watershed services in terms of the water supply market. The mapping of ecosystem water points involved a physical inventory of three target wards in Marsabit Sub-County, namely Marsabit Central, Sagante/Jaldesa, and Karare and recording of GPS locations and thereafter overlying the water sites on a map of the area using ArcGIS. The analysis of water consumers and valuation of the ecosystem watershed service was undertaken through the market price method (MPM) using existing secondary and primary data from relevant offices and from face-to-face interviews of 275 respondents. The findings showed that Marsabit forest ecosystem was supporting a total of 115 active water points which were dominated by shallow wells (68) followed by boreholes (21), water pans (14), springs (4), streams (6), and crater lakes (2). The overall pattern showed boreholes as the principal water access types (47.3%), followed by shallow wells (15.3%), springs (12%), water pans (8.7%), streams (2%), and crater lakes (0.7%). The mountain ecosystem was found to be more hydrologically active on the eastern windward side within the 1300-1300m elevation belt. The overall value of the Mount Marsabit ecosystem watershed service was estimated at Ksh 58,285,026 ($582,035) per year. It is recommended that the Water Resources Authority (WRA), the Kenya Water Towers Agency (KWTA), and the County Government of Marsabit should collaborate with local communities and the local water vendors to initiate a payment for ecosystems services (PES) that will plough back some of the revenue generated from the water market towards conservation of Mount Marsabit Forest ecosystem
Evaluating the efficacy of flashing lights in deterring livestock attacks by predators: a case study of Meibae Community Conservancy, Northern Kenya
Get PDFPastoralists living in the arid and semi-arid areas of Africa have for centuries coexisted with wildlife. They frequently share the same environmental resources with wildlife, are exposed to common risks including disease and drought, and in some cases, and are antagonistic to one another, particularly when competing for limited resources. In recent years, negative interactions between wildlife and humans have increased due to the decline of wildlife habitat, which has led to greater conflict. In the Meibae Community Conservancy, there has been a concern in recent years over increased human-wildlife conflict. Retaliatory killings raised concerns for the conservation of carnivore species. This study evaluated the effectiveness of non-lethal mitigation measures, in particular the use of predator deterrent lights, in reducing night attacks on livestock by large carnivores in Meibae Community Conservancy. The study assessed the effectiveness of the technique by determining the number of predator visits using tracks and sightings both at homesteads fitted with light units, and those without deterrents. The findings indicate that homesteads fitted with flashing deterrent lights recorded a lower number of visits by predators (2.4 visits/homestead) compared to those without lights (3.4 visits/homestead). Despite finding no significant difference (p>0.05) in the number of visits for homesteads with lights and those without lights, this study concluded that flashing deterrent lights have the potential in reducing cases of successful livestock attacks at bomas even though predators remained inquisitive. Flashing lights can contribute to the conservation of large carnivores by reducing conflicts between predators and livestock owners
Cost-effective banana (musa paradisiaca) waste management and the welfare of banana farmers in Kakamega county Kenya
Get PDFHorticultural waste management is global war that must be won particularly in Kenya. Utilisation of banana waste can mitigate the dwindling welfare of banana farmers in Kakamega County. Unlike India’s preferred processing approach, on-farm management of banana waste was a cost-effective strategy compatible to Kenya given the Climate change and Covid-19 pandemics. Unfortunately, knowledge on fitting 7Rs denoted by reducing, rethinking, refusing, recycling, reusing, repairing and refilling strategy onto the banana waste generated; banana waste utilisation technologies; and challenges of on-farm banana waste management was scanty in Kakamega County. Therefore, this paper examined the influence of cost-effective banana waste management on the welfare of banana farmers in Kakamega County, Kenya. It particularly established the: on-farm and off-farm weight of banana waste; appropriate innovative on-farm banana waste utilisation; and on-farm banana waste management challenges experienced in Kakamega County, Kenya. Across sectional design was adopted. A purposive sample of 150 from 600 banana farmers with at least 100 banana plants was studied. Frequency tables and plates were used to analyse data Kakamega County. Primary data was complemented by Key informants and secondary sources. The results revealed that out of the 7Rs, reuse, reduce and refill (3Rs) facilitated banana waste management. The weights of peeled banana fruit and waste were 10.1% and 89.9% of the entire banana plant respectively. Banana waste was the driver of integrated organic innovative crop farming, animal husbandry and agro-forestry. Dogmatic beliefs and low agricultural innovation adoption rate hindered banana waste utilization. It is concluded that 7Rs minimized the quantity; enhanced utilization; and mitigated challenges of banana waste, culminating to the improved welfare of banana farmers. Adoption of optimal innovative cleaner banana production technologies to streamline the 7Rs was recommended to achieve sustainable banana waste management and improve livelihoods in Kenya
Enhancing yellow maize production for sustainable food and nutrition security in Kenya
Get PDFMaize is a strategic staple crop serving both as human food and feed in the livestock sector. It therefore has a critical socioeconomic value safeguarding against food and nutrition insecurity. Maize yields are however low especially among smallholder farmers who rely on this crop for their livelihood and sustenance. This has rendered most Sub-Saharan Africa countries such as Kenya to be net importers and depended on food aid mainly in form of maize. Even though white maize variety is nutritionally inferior, it is the most produced and consumed with little regard placed on yellow maize. We reviewed 154 articles and reports to highlight challenges facing maize production and sustainable agricultural practices that should be embraced to overcome them, nutritional benefits of yellow maize, factors hindering its consumption and research gaps that need to be addressed to enhance its production and utilization. Key production challenges identified include shrinking land sizes, declining soil fertility, adverse and unpredictable weather patterns and the devastating striga weed. Intercropping especially cereals with legumes have great potential for efficient land, water and nutrient resource utilization, manage weeds and minimize crop failure and adverse weather effects. This combined with integrated soil fertility management will ensure increased yields. It was found that yellow maize has higher carotenoid content hence superior to white maize and when taken with grain legumes provides a low-cost balanced diet. Despite this, yellow maize utilization is low because it is regarded as poor man’s crop, associated with food aid and reserved as livestock feed. This negative perception can be changed through educational campaigns on its nutritional value in order to enhance local production and encourage social acceptability to aid alleviate vitamin A deficiency, a key limiting micronutrient. In conclusion, tapping in the nutritional superiority of yellow maize through legume intercropping should be enhanced
Essence of Water Governance for SMEs for Sustainable Consumption in Nairobi, Kenya
Get PDFWater governance is mostly faced with multifaceted uncertainties owing to rapid demographic changes, urbanization and climate change. Building on recent studies on water governance in urban areas, this study aims to shed light on the importance of water governance for sustainable consumption and posterity for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nairobi County. The paper discusses current trends in water governance and proposes policy solutions based on the existing OECD framework. It also highlights the critical role water governance plays in enhancing business bottom lines through institutional arrangements and policy implementation. Inadequacies in water supply and water infrastructure are significant challenges affecting sustainable water utilization for SMEs in Nairobi. Despite concerted efforts for reforms in water governance provided by the Water Act 2016, there still exist multi-level governance gaps in this sector. Weak regulatory arrangements, over-institutionalization, overlapping roles, and lack of coordinated approaches are some of the challenges that need to be addressed. Unseen players in the water sector in Nairobi also exist to determine the outcomes of the market forces that affect SMEs in this sector. Addressing some of the challenges facing this sector can be achieved by adopting the OECD Principles on Water Governance. These principles may promote and design tangible and outcome-oriented public policies through the facets of effectiveness, efficiency, trust and engagement; and enable better design and implementation of water governance in Nairobi that will enhance sustainable water consumption among the SMEs.
Evaluation of policies as drivers of energy transition and modeling of a low carbon emission scenario for the energy generation sector in Kenya
Get PDFEnergy transition is considered integral in seeing countries reduce their emissions and thus reduce the effects of global warming. Understanding the energy, food, and climate change nexus is important for the achievement of a green economy. This paper examines how energy transition plays a key role in the shift to a low-carbon economy and address greenhouse emissions in the country. The research objectives that this paper seeks to answer are (1) how the existing energy- climate change policies and legal frameworks are influencing renewable energy technology adoption and (2) how the increase in renewable energy in the energy mix impacts carbon emission and achieving the national determined contribution goal. Data were collected through interviews from identified key informants. The findings showed that government involvement through policies has significantly led to the increase in adoption of renewable energy technologies in the country. It was determined that clean energy technologies across the country have increased to 14% by 2016 after the implementation of various energy policies. Additionally, the increase of renewable energy sources in the national generating mix is modeled to have a significant reduction in greenhouse emissions in the country. The low-carbon scenario model estimates that emissions would be reduced to 0.1 metric tonnes by 2040 based on the government’s energy target plans. It was concluded that clean and affordable energy is vital but there is a need for public consultations and awareness of new infrastructure that come with energy transition as this plays a key role in the achievement of sustainable development goals in Kenya
Formulation, of cassava root - leaf flakes, acceptability evaluation and determination of nutritional value
Get PDFCassava is an important food crop grown for its roots to supply daily needed calories to households in the cassava growing communities including coastal Kenya. The region contributes up to 30 % of the national cassava production though it remains food insecure with a high prevalence of malnutrition. Cassava roots are deficient in most nutrients except carbohydrates while the leaves are rich in a range of nutrients including protein but are moderately consumed as vegetables. The study sought to establish the most acceptable cassava root-leaf blend/s with improved nutrients’ content. This involved formulation of blends of cassava flakes through mixing roots and leaves in varying levels ranging from 0 % to 50 % that led to 18 different blends, with most accepted being 20%. Fermented and unfermented flakes were developed. A total of 18 formulations were developed before consumer acceptability and nutritional content were determined in the most preferred blends. The results showed cassava root-leaf flakes were best accepted when fermented root material is blended with 20% leaf component. Percent leaf content above 40% was unacceptable as such blends exuded poor smell. A calculation from the nutrients contained in blend 100 5 cassava roots against the blend that contained leaf material showed that the nutritional value showed that cassava root-leaf flakes have vitamins A and C improved by 353% and 53%, minerals- iron and zinc by 5.6% and 85% respectively and protein by 430% when compared with flakes processed from 100% cassava root. It is recommended that more studies be carried out to determine the bioavailability and nutritional effect of consumption of the flakes on children and pregnant women.
Antibiotic profile of Staphylococcus aureus and Coagulase negative Staphylococci species isolated from raw camel milk from Garissa County, Kenya
No full textThe emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria in clinically challenging situations is a global concern. Staphylococcus resistance poses a threat to available therapeutic agents in management of camel diseases. S. aureus is often isolated from mastitic camel milk. Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CoNS) can be pathogenic in humans and animals. This cross-sectional study investigated the antimicrobial resistance phenotypes of Staphylococci species in raw camel milk from Garissa County, Kenya. A total of 231 raw camel milk samples from healthy camels were collected. Disk diffusion was used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. Bacteria were revived in Buffered Peptone Water (BPW). Staphylococcus isolates were cultured on Mannitol Salt agar (MSA) and Blood Agar (BA). Coagulase and catalase tests were used to biochemically characterize the isolates. Antibiotic disks were placed on Mueller Hinton Agar and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours and diameters of zones inhibition measured. The readings were recorded as either susceptible, intermediate, or resistant based on the interpretative breakpoints by the veterinary Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Antimicrobial agents tested included; Ampicillin, Streptomycin, Cephalexin, Erythromycin, Ciprofloxacin, Cefoxitin, Tetracycline and Chloramphenicol. Out of the 231 raw camel milk samples cultured, 52.8% (122/231) Staphylococci isolates were recovered. Among the Staphylococci isolates 83.6% (102) were S. aureus and 16.4% (20) were CoNS. Overall, 83 (68%) isolates were catalase positive and 122 (91.7%) showed β-haemolysis on BA culture. Highest resistance was observed against Cephalexin (81.9%) and Streptomycin (72.1%) while the lowest resistance was seen against Chloramphenicol (1.6%) and Tetracycline (3.3%). MRSA and MRCoNS were reported at 9.8% and 15% of the isolates respectively. MDR was recorded in 43.4% of the isolates resistant to at least 3 or more antimicrobial groups while 39.3% isolates were resistant to 1 or 2 antimicrobial tested. In conclusion, the study showed that CoNS and
Capacity building influence on waste management among horticultural processing medium and small microenterprises in Kenya
No full textWaste management includes those activities and actions required to manage wastes from inception to its final disposal. These include collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste together with monitoring and regulation of waste management process. Inadequate and inappropriate knowledge of handling of horticultural wastes may have serious health implications and a significant impact on the environment as well. This is so because, if people possess good knowledge towards waste management, they can protect themselves from infectious diseases and keep the environment clean. This affects people’s attitude and most people due to lack of capacity or training on how to handle wastes, do not bother to dispose wastes appropriately. This study therefore, assesses the influence of capacity building on waste management amongst horticultural processing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kenya. Using descriptive research design, the data were collected using structured questionnaires from 31 Certified Horticultural processing MSMEs in Kenya derived from Nairobi, Central and Western regions after undergoing various trainings on waste management. The results indicated that the majority of those engaged in horticultural processing MSMEs business are married (90.3%), affirming the family-oriented business tier. Further, the results showed that, before conducting training to the MSMEs, their level of knowledge on reduction in quantity of waste, waste management was at 58% and 68%, respectively. After training the result showed a high level of improvement at 87% and 83.9% on the same variables. The results further showed changes on waste management before and after capacity building with a mean of 9.29 and 16.70 respectively. Therefore, the study established a significant relationship with a p-value of 0.000 between capacity building and waste management in horticultural processing MSMEs in Kenya
Insecticidal potency of mixtures of plant powders and Actellic SuperTM (Pirimiphos-methyl + Permethrin) on Callosobruchus chinensis F. and Sitophilus zeamais Motch
Get PDFInsect pests still cause substantial quantitative and qualitative grain loss ranging from 20 to 100% in small holder farming systems in tropical countries. Synthetic pesticides are recommended as stop gap measures for the management of stored product insect pests. However, their application has not been fully exploited in small scale farming due to environmental, health, and economic concerns. As a result, new researches have shifted focus to exploiting pesticidal plants as alternatives to synthetic pesticides. Therefore, the current study evaluated mixtures of plant powders and reduced amount of Actellic superTM (pirimiphos-methyl + permethrin) as alternative insecticide formulation against Callosobruchus chinensis and Sitophilus zeamais. Green grams and wheat grains were mixed with a mixture of plant powders in the ratios of 1:1, 1:3 and 1:9 to obtain four rates (0.0, 2.0, 6.0 and 10%w/w). Grains and plant powders were also mixed with reduced amount (10, 25, and 50 %) of recommended rate of Actellic SuperTM to obtain dosages as above. Twenty unsexed adults, 1-5 day old S. zeamais and C. chinensis were introduced into treated grains. The mixture of C. lusitanica: T. vogelii powders in the ratios of 1:1, 1:3 and 1:9 caused mortality in C. chinensis of 55, 95 and 85%, respectively. At the same ratio, E. saligna: L. camara mixture produced mortality in S. zeamais of 77, 82, and 85% respectively. In mixture of C. lusitanica and T. vogelii and reduced amount of Actellic SuperTM by 50% the mortality of C. chinensis was 85 and 80 % respectively. Similarly, E. saligna and L. camara and reduced amount of Actellic SuperTM by 50% caused a mortality of S. zeamais of 48 and 97% respectively. The application of plant powders and reduced amounts of synthetic insecticide has the potential to be applied in stored product pest contro