Water scarcity remains a major development challenge in Kenya and particularly in the Arid and Semi-Arid lands (ASALs) like the Machakos County. Existence of few dams like Muooni dam, near the Kathiani market, has failed to deliver sustainable supply of water to the Mitaboni residents. Despite the emergence of small-scale water harvesting technologies, 54% of the households in Mitaboni still take more than one hour to carry water to their homes. This study sought to assess the existing ...
Increasing population in the developing world and associated needs for agricultural production, human settlement and industrialization have led to massive destruction of tree resources through deforestation and degradation of tree landscape. Countries have restricted access to forest resources by establishing forest reserves, causing communities to depend widely on Trees Outside the Forest (TOF). Therefore, TOF are diminishing and with them their protective and productive functions due ...
Climate change phenomenal is a trend that impacts the local communities by affecting their way of life. High demand for wood products to meet the demand of energy supply in Maasai-Mau region has seen the depletion of the forest cover thus increasing carbon dioxide emission and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. However, there is no extensive research on the benefits of alternative sources of energy like solar, biogas and biomass briquette in mitigating these impacts. The study ...
Meru National Park has witnessed a steady immigration of agricultural households from nearby high potential agro-ecological zones into its buffer zones. The situation has subjected natural habitats that formerly served as communal grazing lands and wildlife dispersal areas to fragmentation and alteration. To date, the most affected zones are wetlands of the western and southern buffer zones. These zones are most critical for livestock and wildlife, particularly as dry season grazing ar...
The state of the world’s waters remains fragile and the need for an integrated and sustainable approach to water resource management is as pressing as ever. Available supplies are under great duress as a result of high population growth, unsustainable consumption patterns, poor management practices, pollution, and inadequate investment in infrastructure and low efficiency in water-use. Wetlands which considered biologically diverse areas are sources of water that are also under threat...
Human activites have shaped the world over the years. Survival instincts prompted early man to explore his immediate natural surroundings and try many plants, animal products and minerals to develop a variety of therapeutical agents. W.H.O currently encourages, recommends and promotes research and inclusion of herbal drugs into national health care programmes. Indiscriminate destruction of forests and wood lands has led to reducing biodiversity that is increasingly causing disappearance...
This project reinforces waste water management in a holistic manner in order to have a minimal impact of waste water to the environment. This includes sources of water for use to disposal of used water in Mathare North and link between wastewater management in Mathare North in relation to Nairobi as a whole and globally in order to develop mechanisms to help address wastewater management. The project also explores potentials and challenges of wastewater management in Mathare North with...
Information on pesticide residue occurrence in hive products is scanty or lacking yet it is important so as to safeguard human health from effects of pesticides. The aim of the study was to identify and quantify neonicotinoid residues in hive products. The study was undertaken for 6 months between (March-August, 2015) at Kiambu and Nairobi Counties. The objectives of the study were to find out the pesticides used in the cultivation of crops, the frequency of use and the concentration of...
The study sought to find out the climate change effects on food security, and the community coping strategies in Gikindu Division in Murang’a County. The study was in response to the profound climate change effects over the years leading to depressed rainfall and increased temperatures exposing the farmers to the risk of diminished returns from the production activities. Gikindu area sits on a low agro-ecological zone five and six which is prone to persistent crop failure attributed t...
Agriculture sector in Kenya has remained pivotal to the national economy with a direct relationship between its performance and overall national economic growth. Agricultural production is nonetheless constrained by various diseases, insect pests, and low soil fertility thus necessitating mitigation by use of agrochemicals which are, however, potentially harmful to man and the environment. The broad objective of this research was to assess the human and environmental health risks ...
The purpose of this study was to assess the household management of domestic solid waste in the Makina area informal settlements, Kibera division of Nairobi city. This is because of the increasing sites of unattended solid wastes in its public places. The objectives of the study were: To establish the types of domestic solid waste generated in Makina area; to evaluate the effectiveness of the solid waste management at the household level and to examine the role-played by s...
Farmers in Laikipia West district like many other farmers living in wildlife dispersal areas have continued to suffer huge losses resulting from wildlife menace without adequate compensation. Land use has been changing with time making the area prone to crop destruction by elephants. While it is known that land use change contributes to human -wildlife conflict, it has never been quantified over time for Laikipia West District. The objective of the study was to assess...
Plant genetic resources are a key component of global biodiversity from which humanity derives most of its food and other essential goods and services. An understanding of the extent, distribution, and patterns of genetic variation is useful for several purposes, including selection for conservation, estimation of any possible loss of genetic diversity prior to conservation programs, understanding the genetic variability available and its potential use in breeding programs, and es...
ABSTRACT Currently the world is embracing renewable energy not only to enhance energy capacity but also to mitigate problems associated with green house gas emissions. North eastern Kenya region lagged behind others parts of the republic in social economic indices. This may be attributed to the fast distance between the region and the electricity generation areas. Therefore northern Kenya is not connected to national electricity grid. Renewable energy from the wind can be used to supply...
ABSTRACT Nutrient mining and mismanagement of farmers’ fields has led to a decline in soil fertility in smallholder farms. In order to increase the productivity and subsequently improve food security in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), there is a need to identify soil nutrients limiting maize growth and production. The objectives of the study were; (i) to determine the most limiting nutrients for maize production in Kandara and establish the effect of selected soil amendments (CaMgS, man...