Laikipia University Journals
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Item Relationship between Household Size and Access to Improved Water Sources and Basic Sanitation in Bomet Municipality, Kenya(Laikipia University, 2013) Koskei E.C.,; Ondimu K. N.,; Obwoyere G. O.Improved water sources, sanitation facilities and good hygiene are fundamental to health, survival, growth and development. The principal sources of water in Bomet municipality as well as sanitation are unimproved. As a result, diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid cases are still reported in the area. This study was conducted to determine if there is a relationship between household size and household access to improved water sources and basic sanitation in Bomet municipality. Multi-stage random sampling method was used to obtain the sample. 151 households were selected for the study. The questionnaire was the main instrument for data collection. Analysis of data was done using the SPSS. Data on household size and household level of access to basic sanitation and water were summarized using frequencies and percentages. Correlations at 5% level of significance were used to assess the relationship between household size and household access to improved water sources and basic sanitation. Results from the study indicated that there was a negative relationship between household size and household access to improved water sources as indicated by the correlation coefficient of -0.532 and that there was no relationship between household size and household access to basic sanitation as indicated by the correlation coefficient of - 0.072. The amount of water used per person per day significantly decreases as the household size increases. Shifting from larger to smaller households can bring a reduction in household water use. There is need for a study to establish what impacts on household access to basic sanitation in Bomet municipality. Keywords: household size, improved water sources, basic sanitationItem Identification, Characterization and Distribution of Aspergillus and Fusarium Species Isolated from Maize Kernels from Western Part of Kenya.(Laikipia University, 2013) Nyukuri, N. J.,; Wagara, I. N.,; Matasyoh, J. C.Moulds destroy more than 30% of crop yields and produce potentially poisonous mycotoxins. The most prevalent on foods are Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Rhizopus and Mucor. Kenya has experienced dramatic outbreaks of mycotoxin poisoning resulting in loss of lives. The aim of the study was, to isolate and characterize moulds associated with maize from Lake Victoria Basin (LVB). Thirty samples of unaffected maize and mouldy maize were collected from Trans-nzoia, Kakamega and Kuria districts to determine the mould’s distribution. These areas are in mid altitude agroecological zones with warm and humid conditions which favors development of moulds and mycotoxins. Aspergillus and Fusarium were isolated and identified from these areas. Among the genus Aspergillus, twelve mycotoxigenic species and two atoxigenic species were identified and among the genus Fusarium, fourteen mycotoxigenic species were identified. In all the three districts, the most frequent Aspergillus and Fusarium species on maize were A. flavus at 23.1% and F. proliferatum at 20.3% frequency. The quantity of the moulds from mouldy and good maize was compared using T- test for each of the district but they were not significantly different. Key words: Mycotoxins, moulds, maize, Aspergillus and FusariumItem Evaluation of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies among Smallholder Farmers in Bungoma County, Kenya(Laikipia University, 2013) Ngigi, Margaret.,; Mshenga, Patience.,; Oloo, George Idi.Climate change exacerbates the already daunting challenge facing the agricultural sector, and this is particularly the case in developing countries. Innovations in agriculture have always been important and will even be more vital in the context of climate change as it allows farmers to adapt efficiently to the changing climate. There are roughly 800 million food insecure people in the world today, each having this status because food is unavailable, unaffordable or they are too unhealthy to make use of it or some combination of the three. Assessing the potential effect of climate change on food production requires understanding the underlying determinants of climate change adaptation strategies in Bungoma County and how they have affected smallholder farming. The objectives of the study were to identify and evaluate indigenous and emerging climate change strategies currently in use by smallholder farmers in the study area. Quality extension services, credit facilities and access to information are usually vital in facilitating adoption of better and affordable climate change coping strategies which enhances small holder’s food production. The study identified various indigenous and emerging adaptation strategies and evaluated socio-economic and institutional factors influencing the choice of these strategies. The theory of utility, stated and revealed preference were used in the study. Purposive, multistage and systematic random sampling methods were used to select a sample of 150 smallholder farmers. Structured questionnaires and Participatory Rural Appraisal approach were the techniques used to collect data. The method of data analysis was both qualitative and quantitative. Mulching and soil fertility management were the most common coping and emerging strategies respectively. Unpredictable rainfall pattern and high temperatures were found to have adversely affected food production and rural livelihoods. Adaptations outside of agriculture were also important for livelihood diversification and increasing resilience to climate variability in study area. Government, research institutions and stakeholder need to provide climate change information to farmers through training. Soil fertility and water management were crucial in ensuring farmers adapted to climate change. Investments in infrastructure such as roads and irrigation systems, extension services, credit schemes, and climate information systems would help create the enabling conditions for adaptation to climate change. Key words: Climate change, adaptation, adaptation strategies, food security and smallholderItem Use of Microbiotest Assay and Membrane Filtration Plate Culture Methods in Screening of Microbiological Well Water Quality, Uasin Gishu County- Kenya(Laikipia University, 2013) Mbeke Alexander .,; Odipo, O.,; Misire, C...(et .al)Residents of many urban centers including Eldoret are increasingly dependent on groundwater for drinking purposes. This study examined the microbiological suitability of well water available for drinking purposes among residents within Eldoret town. Fifteen sampling stations were established in three residential estates and sampling was done during the wet and dry seasons of the year. The samples were analyzed for the presence of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), using the ATP Microbiotest ® method and confirmed with membrane filtration plate culture method. Results showed that there was a significant difference in the number of bacterial colonies in the sampled sites using the two analytical methods (χ2=0.867, p=<0.001, χ2=3.200, p<0.001) in both the dry and wet seasons respectively. This paper reports high levels of bacterial count during the wet season than in dry season and no significant correlation between relative light units(RLU), Escherichia coliform (E. coli) and distance of the pit latrine from the wells in all three sampled residential estates (p>0.05). The ATP Microbiotest ® method produced relative light unit (RLU) values which correlated positively with colony forming units from plate culture method (r=0.64, p=<0.001). The study also showed that wells in the high density residential areas had the greatest number of bacterial contaminants expressed as ATP than the wells in the low density residential areas. Thus the ATP Microbiotest ® method should adequately be applied in the household rapid screening of microbial well water contaminants. Key words: Microbiotest, RLU, ATP, E. coli, cultureItem Phase Transition in High Temperature Superconductivity(Laikipia University, 2013) Kandie, D. K.,; Khanna, M. K...(et .al)The onset of superconductivity is accompanied by abrupt changes in various thermodynamic properties, which is the hallmark of a phase transition. At the superconducting transition, it suffers a discontinuous jump and, therefore, ceases to be linear resulting in change of volume, specific heat and entropy at the critical temperatureTC . Phase transitions are of first order when the latent heat L 0 , and are of the second-order phase transition when there is a specific heat jump at the transition temperature TC . In this study the variation of specific heat capacity with temperature for high temperature superconductors changes discontinuously but does not become infinite at TC showing a finite specific heat jump at the transition temperature and hence the phase transition is of second order. Keywords: Phase Transition, Superconductivity, Critical TemperatureItem Effect of Antiretroviral Drugs on Cd4 Cells and Viral Load in HIV Patients Attending Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital, Nakuru, Kenya(Laikipia University, 2013) Mugwe N Jane.,; Gicheru M Michael.,; Ng’ang’a Zipporah.CD4 count and viral load are part of laboratory data, which give guidelines on commencement and subsequent monitoring of chemotherapy. Among the primary goals of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) are optimal and durable suppression of viral load and the preservation and /or restoration of immunologic function. The objective of the current study was to assess the virological and immunological responses of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) -infected individuals with administration of ART and establish the relationship between CD4 count and viral load in the study population, assessing the effect of chemotherapy. The study was conducted on 80 individuals who attended the Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) centre in the Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital, Nakuru, and who consented to the study. Parallel testing for HIV was performed using Determine and Uni-Gold HIV ½ test kits, and discordant results were confirmed by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). CD3, CD4 and CD8 counts were determined using Beckton Dickson (BD) FACScount while viral loads measured using Exavir load kit prior to commencement of ART regimens. Virologic and immunologic responses were determined by measuring CD4 counts and viral load at two weeks following commencement of chemotherapy and monthly for three months thereafter. Viral loads and CD4 counts for the study population were found to be highly inversely correlated (r=0.948, p<0.001). Key words: Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Viral loads, CD4 counts, antiretroviral therapyItem Effect of Harvest and Postharvest Practices on Seed Quality of Jute Mallow Vegetables(Laikipia University, 2013) Maina, Faith N.W.,; Muasya, Reuben M...(et .al)African leafy vegetables (ALVs) are an important source of nutrients, income and traditional medicines in Kenya. However, their production has been constrained by lack of high quality seed due to varied farmers’ harvest and post harvest practices. Limited research has been undertaken on the production of quality ALVs seed on farmers’ fields. This study was carried out to investigate to identify optimal harvest and post harvest practices as far as seed quality of jute mallow (an ALV) is concerned. Field experiments were established in Kakamega and Siaya districts using Random Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 3 replicates. Agronomic, harvest and post harvest practices identified during a farmers’ survey were used in these field experiments. Seed viability (measured by % germination) and vigour (measured by speed of germination index) was determined for the seeds obtained from the field experiments. Data obtained from field experiments was subjected to ANOVA and T-tests using Statistical Analysis Software (SAS). In Kakamega, seeds harvested at black pod stage from non defoliated plants, which were hand shelled and dried in the sun had higher percent germination and speed of germination indices for both seasons. In Siaya, jute mallow seeds harvested from non defoliated plants at black pod stage had significantly higher percent germination and speed of germination indices than other combinations. Season and site significantly affected percent germination and speed of germination index of the seeds harvested during field experiments. It was concluded that seasons, harvest and post harvest practices need to be considered by farmers in their quest to obtain good quality jute mallow seeds. Key words: Jute mallow; Seed quality, germination indices, vigourItem Effects of selected plant materials on the whole body compositions and hepatosomatic index of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.)(Laikipia University, 2013) Obwanga B.O.,; Liti D...(et .al)An eight week study was carried out to determine the effect of substituting freshwater shrimps Caridenea niloticus with 2 plant materials on the whole body composition and the hepatosomatic index in diets used to feed the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus in diets. Cassava leaves (CLM) and Boiled tea leaf residues (BTLR) were used to replace freshwater shrimps from diets used to culture the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.). The study was carried out in Sagana Aquaculture Centre both in aquaria set up in a hatchery and in hapas set up earthen ponds where 10 post fingerling fish were used in triplicates. The following were used in the experiments: CLM in aquaria (initial mean weight 10.90±0.64g fish-1; mean length 6.20±0.25cm fish-1) and in hapas set up in fertilized earthen ponds (initial mean weight 10.55g fish-1 mean length 8.17±0.23cm fish-1) and BTLR in aquaria (initial mean weight 12.36±1.1g fish-1; mean length 8.43±0.27 cm fish-1) and hapas (initial mean weight 10.98±0.75g fish-1 and mean length 8.77±0.3 cm fish-1). Four (300g/kg) practical diets were formulated to contain 0%, 25%, 50% or 100% of the test ingredient. The 0% test ingredient (Sagana diet) was used as the control and the performance of fish fed on the other diets were compared to it. The diets were fed to fish in glass aquaria and in hapas in a pond at 10% of their body weight in triplicates. Carcass chemical composition showed similar effect of diets on body moisture content at 25% CLM and 100% CLM in hapas. At 50% CLM the diets caused a significant (P<0.05) increase in the whole body moisture level. Substitution up to 50% CLM showed similar effect on body moisture in fish cultured in aquaria. 100% CLM significantly (P<0.05) increased whole body moisture, significantly (P<0.05) decreased whole body crude protein and significantly decreased Hepatosomatic Indices (HSI) in fish grown in aquaria. HSI was similar at 0% CLM, 50% CLM and 100% CLM but increased significantly (P<0.05) in hapas. The diet had the same effect (P>0.05) on the whole body chemistry (moisture, total ash and crude protein) in the fish raised in hapas. In glass aquaria total body ash increased (P<0.05) significantly with increase in BTLR inclusion. Crude protein decreased significantly at 100% BTLR. The HSI was significantly (P>0.05) high at 100% BTLR in hapas, while in the aquaria there was a significant increase in hepatosomatic index with increase in BTLR inclusion. The study concluded that the two ingredients could be used with limited success in aquaria due to their effect on the O. niloticus. However the ingredients can be used to replace freshwater shrimps from diets used to culture O. niloticus in fertilized earthen ponds. Key word: Oreochromis niloticus, whole body composition, hepatosomatic indexItem Determination of Maximum Residue Levels (Mrls) Of Lambda-Cyhalothrin (Karate 1.75 Ec) and Pre-Harvest Interval (Phi) on Tea in Kenya(Laikipia University, 2013) Cheshari Emily C.,; Sudoi Vincent...(et. al)Globally, 1031 species of arthropods are associated with the intensively managed tea. All parts of the plant, leaf, stem, root, flower, and seed, are fed upon by at least one pest species, resulting in an 11%–55% loss in yield if left unchecked, hence the need for use of pesticides. With climate change and increasing temperatures the need is greater. Lambda-cyhalothrin is an insecticide currently registered and used in Kenya for control of several insect and mite pests in diverse crops. This study established residue levels for lambda-cyhalothrin in fresh tea leaves, black tea and brewed tea. The study evaluated the effect of tea preparation procedures on pesticide residue levels in tea and monitored the decline of pesticide residues under normal harvest time intervals. The samples were collected at various intervals after application of the pesticide at maximum proposed application rate of 3.0 Lha−1 (i.e. worst- case conditions allowable) according to instructions on the label. The study was carried out at Timbilil estate of Tea Research Foundation of Kenya in Kericho. Extraction of lambda-cyhalothrin from Karate treated samples was accomplished using 50% acetone in hexane. Analysis of the samples was done by Gas Chromatography (GC). The pesticide residue concentrations in the tea samples were calculated using the power curve fit; y = bxm. Results show that the levels of the pesticide residues decrease with increase in the pre-harvest interval days. The processing and brewing of tea appear to affect the residues of lambda-cyhalothrin most significantly. The residue levels from the study were lower than the maximum residue levels (MRLs) allowed within the European Union. Therefore, if this pesticide is used according to the established pattern it will pose no risk to the consumers of tea. Key Words: Residue levels, lambda-cyhalothrin, PHI, MRLs Tea, KenyaItem Going beyond Numbers: the Need for a Paradigm Shift in Understanding Women’s Political Participation in Kenya(Laikipia University, 2013) Ndambuki, Jacinta.Women continue to lag behind in many countries in the South in terms of political representation and efforts to understand this have mainly focused on the form of democracy such as numerical aspects of women’s participation in the political process. Numerical aspects of women’s representation though undoubtedly important in understanding women’s political participation does not seem to adequately address women’s lack of participation in politics. It is in view of this that I argue that there is need for a paradigm shift to give more attention to the substance of democracy i.e. the discursive aspect in the study of women’s political participation in Kenya. Drawing on findings from research on the representation of women’s issues in Kenya carried out in Makueni District, the argument in paper is that since language plays a critical role in the construction of reality, a study of language is critical to understanding women’s political participation. The study draws on an eclectic model that cuts across language, gender and politics. The findings of the study indicate that at the level of representation, women, politicians and other community leaders use deficit discourses to talk about women’s issues. They all draw on the prevailing discourses about women. This language reflects and reproduces the exclusion of women in the political process because it is hard for women to believe that they have a contribution to make when they are interpellated by these deficit discourses; it might explain the relatively low voices of women in the democratization process in Kenya. A dual focus on the form and substance of democracy illuminates the importance of participation in democracy as a means to social justice. Key words: Women’s agency, Deficit discourses, Participation, Democracy, Social justice.