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Evaluation of Performance of a Solar Tunnel Crop Dryer in Drying of Two African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs)
Get PDFTwo AIVs dried were the black night shade (solanum scabrum) and the spider plant (cleome gynandra) and were spread as a thin layer on the tray during the drying processes. The tray carrying the vegetable was placed next to the outlet section of the dryer and the side towards the inlet was left bare to act as absorber plate to preheat air before passing over the drying product. The hot air from the free absorber plate supplement the heat absorbed directly by the product from the solar radiation penetrating through the transparent cover hence enhances the drying rate. The results show that the area has over six hours of peak solar hours (6 PSH) when insolation is over 1000 W/m2; hence the site has sufficient solar energy to dry up the vegetables. The average efficiency of the dryer was determined as 24.3% and the moisture content of the spider vegetable was reduced from 88.4% to 21.0% in 2 days while that of black night shade reduced from 84.5% to 26.3%Â in 3 days. In addition, the drying profiles of the two vegetables consisted of four stages, with drying rates varying from 4.3 g/hr to 22.4 g/hr for spider vegetable and 2.4 g/hr to 23.7 g/hr in black night shade. Hence, the prototype dryer proved to be effective in drying both vegetables and has a relatively good efficiency
Students\u27 Perception of Quality of Lecture Hall Resources Used in Teacher Education Programmes in the Universities in Nakuru County, KENYA.
Get PDFQuality of Lecture Hall Resources usedin teacher education programs is central to provision of quality education in the universities in Kenya and other world nations. This research study is informed by the claim that quality of lecture hall resources used in teacher education programmes is low in the universities in Nakuru County, Kenya. The objective of this research study was therefore to determine how students enrolled in teacher education programmes actually perceive  quality of lecture hall resources in the universities in Nakuru County, Kenya. This study was premised on the Theory of Total Quality Management by Deming and Attributive Theory of Quality of Higher Education. The researcher adopted the cross-sectional survey research design. Data was collected from a study populationof 310 obtained from a total of 6 universities (Private and Public Chartered Universities) offering teacher education programmes. Stratified, purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used. Sample size was 257 respondents. Using Test Retest method, the questionnaire scored 0 .8 reliability coefficient. Instrument was validated and piloted. Data from students’ questionnaires were analyzed using statistical tools in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations were calculated. One- way Analysis of Variance, Post Hoc Test, T-tests were carried out to measure significant differences between means of samples. The study found out thatPrivate Y students (mean=3.26) perceived that quality attributes of Lecture Hall resources are  frequently available. Public Q (mean=3.12), Private X (mean=3.09) and Public P (mean=2.58) also reports that quality attributes of Lecture Hall resources are frequently available. This means that Private Y and Public Q leads in the prevalence of quality attributes of Lecture Hall resources. Students’ Perceived that Quality of Lecture Halls Resource was better in private universities (M = 3.17, SD = 0.60) than in public universities (M = 2.79, SD = 0.73). The results further indicate that the difference between the two means was statistically significant, t (225) = 4.263, p<.05). This is an indication that quality of lecture hall resources in private universities was higher than those of public universities. These findings could inform policy formulation on provision of quality Lecture Halls Resource in the universities offering teacher education programmes.The study recommends that universities should prioritize provision of quality lecture hall resources with a view to improving quality of teacher education programmes. All ethical concerns and procedures were observed
The socio-economic Impacts of Irrigated Smallholder Agriculture on Sustainable Household Food Security in Kenya.
Get PDFKenya has a total land area of 582,646 square kilometres of which, about 99,050 square kilometres (17%) is classified as medium to high agricultural potential experiencing at least 700mm of rainfall per annum. The remaining 83% is classified as ASAL and needs some irrigation for meaningful farming to take place. Irrigation is necessary in order to increase food production to provide food security to support the rapidly growing population, and ensure economic growth in the dwindling land holdings of high to medium potential areas (IDB, 1998). The Kenya Vision 2030 (2008-2030), targets the development and rehabilitation of irrigation schemes in the country to increase agricultural production and generate an additional Kshs. 80 – 90 billion increase in GDP. It also prescribes introduction of new land use policy through better utilisation of high and medium potential lands, prepare new lands for cultivation by strategically developing more irrigable areas in arid and semi-arid lands for both crops and livestock and by improving market access to smallholders through better marketing. However, participation of smallholder farmers in irrigation activities can be affected by socio-economic factors such as access to credit facilities, access to extension services and marketing of produce among others. The study investigated the socioeconomic factors of smallholder irrigation on household food security in Gem Rae irrigation scheme. The study used cross-sectional survey design in which a sample of 120 farmers was interviewed using structured questionnaire. The data was analysed descriptively using percentages and frequencies. The study revealed that factors such as access to credit, size and land ownership, level of education of the household head and access to extension services had impacted negatively on farmers’ participation in irrigation activities, thereby impacting on household food security and household incomes. The study concluded that future development of smallholder irrigation needs to factor in the socio-economic trade-offs of irrigation in its suitability criteria for its development
Linking Strategy Implementation with Organizational Performance in Kenyan Universities
Get PDFThe business environment is characterized by turbulence, unpredictability, and ever changing circumstances. This calls for organizations to position themselves in the ever changing environment the effort to remain competitively advantaged. Universities in Kenya are not an exception, and therefore have to adapt to the dynamic environment and create a competitive edge. For organizations to remain competitive they need to embrace strategy implementation which entails putting into place intented strategies towards organizational performance. This paper sought to establish whether strategy communication, organizational leadership, employee participation, and resource allocation had a positive influence on strategy implementation in Kenyan universities. This study also sought to establish whether Kenyan universities successfully implement their strategic plans and how this impacted on organizational performance. The study was conducted in 10 universities (5 public and 5 private universities). The paper studied a sample size of 384 university employees. The study found that all the four factors had a positive influence on strategy implementation. 
FOOD SAFETY RISK FACTORS IN SELECTED OUTSIDE CATERING ENTERPRISES IN NAIROBI, KENYA
Get PDFOutside catering requires preparation and service of food at a site away from the business establishment. The specialized requirements of this type of catering however produce many challenges in the preparation, production, transportation and service of food that may affect the safety of food exhibiting potential outbreak risks of food-borne illnesses. These procedures add to the increased risk of food contamination. The food safety risk factors exposed through these processes are what this study sought to investigate. The study focused on selected outside catering events in Nairobi targeting food handlers of outside catering events in the city. The sample size was 60 from which data was collected. The collected data was then subjected to Correlations and multiple linear regression and ANOVA for analysis. The results showed a significant positive relationship between the hygiene, food handling processes and personnel control of cross contamination habits; and food safety. The regression coefficient of the three independent variables: hygiene practices (-0.294), food handling process (0.042) and personnel control of cross contamination habits (-0.304)) were positively and significantly related. In conclusion a positive change in control of cross contamination, enhanced food handlers supervision, control of food handling processes in firms offering outside catering services would ensure provision of safe food
PARENTAL OCCUPATION AS A PREDICTOR OF STUDENT’S ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, IN KENYA CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION IN PUBLIC MIXED DAY SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NYAMIRA NORTH SUB-COUNTY, KENYA.
Get PDFThis study examined the influence of parental occupation on academic performance in Public Mixed Day Secondary Schools in Nyamira North Sub-County, Kenya. Performance of the sub-county in KCSE has been dismal over time. The study was carried out amongst 857 parents of KCSE candidates and 22 head teachers of Public Mixed Day Secondary Schools in Nyamira North sub-county. The objective of the study was: To establish how parental occupation influences students’ academic performance in selected public mixed day secondary schools in Nyamira North Sub-County. The study adopted ex- post facto research design. Validity was established during piloting and through expert’s opinion, while reliability was obtained through test-retest methodology and cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.753 obtained.  A randomly selected sample made up of 265 parents and 21 head teachers of Mixed Day Public Secondary Schools was used. Primary data were collected by use of questionnaires and interview schedules. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and non- parametric tests to establish relationships between variables. The analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20. The study findings revealed that parental occupation did not affect performance in KCSE examination in 2010. Notwithstanding these finding, the study revealed that most parents were involved in manual low paying occupations which attracted low payments and thence limiting parental participation and input in the education of children. From these findings, the study recommends that: the Government of Kenya to consider coming up with policies that lead to the uplifting of the living standards of the parents; for instance creation of job opportunities, and   capacity building. Parents should be involved in decision making in issues affecting their children. Finally, the findings may form a basis for policy formulation
The Efficacy of Career Counseling on Job Retention among Employees: An Analysis of Empirical Literature Review
Get PDFCareer-related decision-making, career erudition/progress and development are as a result of considered and enviable results from a broad array of interventions required to shore up individuals in making flourishing career transitions all the way through their lifetimes. However, achieving precision about the accurate nature of the interventions required to achieve these outcomes, and the conditions essential to support their thriving execution is not clear-cut. Even at a fundamental level, the nature of career decision-making and career counseling is, itself, contested this is due to the Changes in the labour market for instance the advancement of information technology and globalization which have challenged the relevance of the career counseling, the view of career change is a one-off experience in an individualâ\u27s development, substituting it with a wider indulgent of how transitions into, and throughout, career counseling, instruction and service are more multifaceted, more stretched and often span lifetimes Whereas the cutthroat benefit for organizations in the previous economy centered on pecuniary investment and expertise, the new market dictate stressing on investment in human capital, skills, and the dedication and zeal of the employees. The center of attention in the business world has shifted from corporeal assets to information and knowledge such as intellectual capital. Career guidance helps people to reflect on their aspiration, interests, experience and capability. It helps them to comprehend the labour market and edification systems, and to transmit this to what they discern in relation to themselves
Psycho-Therapeutic Concerns in Performance Arts and Community Development in Africa
Get PDFThis paper explores the position of art as a vehicle of socio-economic development; engineered by playwrights as mouth pieces of their societies. The arts domain has always been a contested field of experimentation in handling community-oriented issues concerning human life. Plato in The Republic, authoritatively condemned arts terming it a less important realm of education  as “artists begin from ideas advance further ideas and end up in ideas.†This view was however challenged by Aristotelian views, clearly stating the value of imitating the right actions. In contemporary societal disposition, there has emerged a new wave of correction ideas for community artists with the development concerns of a people. Art emerges as a mirror of society and so whatever is performed  for its good builds the psychological needs of the community members. The spirit of togetherness and cooperative movement is best expressed through performing arts while engaging, the people in development projects, for instance; building of community schools, cattle dips, police stations, water projects, social halls and churches among others. There is a great opportunity for developing a people’s future through the voice of the performers. Performance and education  emerge as important paradigms for shaping not only an individual but community goals, ambitions and aspirations. Ideally, the performance enhances psychotherapeutic ingredient in the audience. An active synergized  audience participates in creating an atmosphere of oneness, people’s  power, innovation and societal empowerment. A culture of brotherhood, sisterhood and  pacification entrenches itself in the minds of community members who are then able to participate in decision-making ventures especially that involve the youth and women  groups. In the long run, the ensuing differences and conflicts that rock the community are addressed harmoniously and courageously through dialogue captured in dramatic arts
Effect of Video mediated Instruction on Students’ Achievement, Attitudes and Motivation in Learning Kiswahili Proverbs in Kenya: A Literature Review
Get PDFThe importance of proverbs in enhancing the students’ mastery of a language is well documented.Over time, video-mediated-instructions have boosted students’ academic achievement and attitudes when compared with other methods. In Kenya, there is poor achievement by students in Kiswahili proverbs at the KCSE examinations due to the negative attitude towards proverbs instruction that are not motivating. In this paper, the authors review the literature on video-mediated-instructions drawn since 1990. The authors also review literature on how video-mediated-instructions affect students’ achievement, attitudes and motivation in learning. The author also discusses how Kiswahili proverbs are taught in Kenya. Although video-mediated-instructions affect students’ achievement, attitude and motivation, no studies capture its effect on Kiswahili proverbs teaching. Therefore, this review identifies a gap for future research to find out if the future of teaching Kiswahili proverbs in Kenya lies in video-mediated-instructions
EFFECTIVENESS OF CREDIT REFERENCE BUREAU ON ENHANCING FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE: A SURVEY OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN NAKURU COUNTY
Get PDFThe study examined the effectiveness of credit reference bureau on the financial Performance in financial institutions in Nakuru County. The Study used a survey study research design. The population of the study involved 210 employees of financial institutions in Nakuru County. The study obtained primary data by the use of self- administered Questionnaires while review of related literature was used to collect secondary Data. The Primary data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The researcher used the statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 in analysis for the Study. The findings of the study were expected to provide a source of information for banking professionals to understand, control and to reduce the impact of increasing non-performing loans from the economy due to credit risk. CRB has played a significant role in as far as risk identification and monitoring is concerned. Moreover, CRB has significantly helped reduce the rate of loan default in the economy as well as increasing credit access. Lastly, it has led to a reduction in the level of moral hazard in financial institutions in Nakuru county.It has been deduced that clients are not getting appropriately rewarded for having a good credit repayment history. Measures need to be put in place to ensure that clients get an advantage for promptly repaying their loans in terms of the interest rate they pay. It is hoped that this will help cushion those with a good credit rating from CRB hence increasing efficiency in the banking sector