ABSTRACT Payment for Environmental Services is a concept that is increasingly being adopted as anincentive-basedapproach in natural resource management. It links the suppliers and consumers of environmental goods and services in a way that both parties can contribute to improved delivery. The main environmental goods and services traded are carbon, biodiversity, aesthetics and water. The predominant attitude towards watershed management in many parts of the world is that water will always fl...
Nakuru municipality has serious water resource problem brought about by contamination and pollution of the drinking water. The Water source within most of the schools in Nakuru municipality is from piped water mains, rain / boreholes, roof catchment, dams and pans and shallow wells. This study was on impact of communication of water quality information on awareness creation within primary schools in Nakuru Municipality. The purpose of the study was to find out whether information on wate...
ABSTRACT Motivation is considered as an important tool for enhancing worker’ productivity. Construction sector is not an exception. It has been empirically established that motivation has positive impact on construction worker’s productivity. Moreover, empirical studies have shown that productivity in the sector has been decreasing globally. This study therefore aims at examining the relationship between motivation, resistance and productivity and develops a model of this relationship as...
Wetlands are continuously degraded via agricultural activities, pollution and settlement. In Lari sub-county for example, increase in population pressure, decline in soil fertility, unreliable rainfall plus quest for food security is forcing the farmers to encroach on the seemed idle Upland wetland. Opportunity for conservation of this wetland lies on the participatory approaches that can be embraced at local level helping in conservation of this vital natural resource. Ruiru river main ...
ABSTRACT Crop production in Central and Western Kenya is mainly restricted by nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) deficiency and limited investment capacity in N and P inputs by smallholder farmers. Nutrient inputs to the soil are often utilised inefficiently due to environmental factors, soil related factors (e.g., P fixation by sesquioxides) and management factors. Integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) practices aim at maximizing the use efficiency of applied nutrients. This study sought ...
Abstract At present, fruit consumption in Kenya is well below Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recommendations, and promotion of a diversity of indigenous fruit tree species could thereby bring significant enhancements in nutritional security, especially in rural areas. Despite the importance of IFTs in the livelihoods of rural communities and wide natural occurrence in dry areas of Kenya, their promotion has not been adequately fostered. Consequently, they remain underutilized. A surv...
ABSTRACT Over-dependence on unsustainable wood fuel and other forms of biomass energy as the primary source of fuel to meet household energy needs has contributed to environmental drawbacks. Adoption of biogas as alternative source of energy has many advantages including conserving trees, being cheap and clean. Biomass energy contributes 68% of the national energy requirements and is expected to remain the main source of energy in the foreseeable future. The main purpose of the study was to a...
ABSTRACT This research was carried out to investigate the challenges and opportunities of incorporating and teaching Environmental Education in adult literacy curriculum in Kisau Division in Mbooni-East District. The study was extended to the entire Makueni County to acquire comprehensive data regarding general administrative and management practices of the curriculum. A total of 100 adult education learners, 18 adult literacy teachers, 10 Division Adult Education Supervisors, and 3 District...
Abstract Information on heavy metals in sewage sludge is important as it forms a vital baseline for among others the detection of undesirable effects when used in agriculture as a fertilizer. The aim of this study was to determine the suitability of waste water sludge from Ruai waste water treatment plant for agricultural use. The study was carried out over a period of four months from November 2012 to February 2013. The objective of the study was to find out the levels and variations of heav...
ABSTRACT Soil micro-organisms play a key role in determining soil quality. Over 70% of small holder farmers in the central high lands of Kenya are using crop manure, animal wastes and mineral fertilizers to increase their farms fertility and subsequent productivity. The dilemma with these practices is that less is known on the impact of these resources on the below ground biodiversity particularly the microbial communities. A field study was conducted at a site in Kabete where a long-term e...
ABSTRACT Information on wetland function in waste water treatment is very important as the information can be used to detect undesirable qualities of water. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of natural wetlands in the treatment of waste water. The study was carried out for a period of four months (November 2012 to February 2013). The objectives of the study was to find out the physico-chemical parameters of water from Limuru water and Sewerage Company and Bata Shoes Company...
ABSTRACT The ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is one of the parasite globally reported affecting honeybee health and causing high colony losses. Of notable importance is the association of the mite with viruses and their transmission to honeybees which causes great harm to bees. Kenyan beekeepers have reported that bee populations have been on decline in recent years and therefore the need for research to establish whether Varroa destructor is negatively affecting honeybee survival and d...
ABSTRACT Amaranths are African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) that have recently gained importance as a food source in Africa owing to the high nutritional value of their leaves and grains. Production of this crop is, however, limited by arthropod pests especially the lepidopteran leaf-webbers, leaf-worms and stem weevils. The use of insecticides for their management is uneconomical and also present health and environmental concerns. Host plant resistance (HPR) to insects is an effective, econ...
ABSTRACT Stakeholder participation has been shown to be an effective approach in increasing access to safe water and sanitation in many parts of the world. This study investigated stakeholder participation in management of water resources in Machakos Sub-County of Machakos County, Kenya. Specifically, it sought to assess the level of community participation in water resources management, collaboration between stakeholders, stakeholder contribution in increasing access to reliable water resou...
ABSTRACT Rapid urban population growth has led to not only an increasing demand for more land, more so for residential use. This land is not available within the city but at the peri-urban areas where parcels of fertile agricultural land are being converted into residential use at an alarming rate. This is because of the expanding urban area to its urban fringes that is accompanied by an increasing demand for land to accommodate the increasing urban developments. The specific objectives of th...