ABSTRACT Malaria and lymphatic filariasis transmission along the coastal strip of Kenya is endemic. The predominant mosquito vectors of human malaria include Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Anopheles funestus. The same mosquitoes transmit lymphatic filariasis with an added role for Culex quinquefasciatus. Current control strategies for anthropophagic mosquitoes largely involve methods that sample for adult mosquitoes inside human dwellings before they are implemented. Despite the intensive interv...
ABSTRACT One of the greatest environmental challenges in the 21st century is ensuring successful implementation of participatory community based waste management practices in cities particularly in slums and informal settlements. This study aimed at investigating the relationship between socio-economic exclusion and community based waste management practices in Kibera informal settlements, Nairobi County. To achieve the study objectives this study was guided by Marxist theoretical framework o...
ABSTRACT Fresh water bodies constitute a vital component of a wide variety of living environments as integral water resource base in many human societies in the world. Water hyacinth has invaded Freshwater systems in over 50 countries on five continents and changes to its density have the potential to affect other ecological and human communities in areas where it is established either positively or negatively. The hyacinth, since its introduction in Kenya, has been a menace to the riparian c...
ABSTRACT A growing fish demand in Kenya, coupled with Government support from the Government has seen an upsurge in the aquaculture sub-sector. The Government’s Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) has been the main boost to Aquaculture development in the country. Despite the high growth, there is inadequate information on impact of the growth in aquaculture on water quality and livelihoods. The main objective of this study therefore was to establish the quality of water in the fish ponds and...
ABSTRACT Quarrying for limestone is an economic necessity that is not only hazardous to human but also one that invariably has deleterious effect on the environment. Information on the performance of trees species is important as plants are key in the revegetation of exhausted quarries. A comparison of field performance of Acacia xanthophloea, Schinus molle, Casuarina equisetifolia and Grevillea robusta was made in an exhausted limestone quarry, backfilled with limestone mine waste, in a semi...
ABSTRACT Post-harvest fisheries activities have been cited as contributors to environmental degradation. The current sanitary situation in urban fish markets is worrying and present threats to the public health and the surrounding environment. The research aimed to investigate and understand how the fish trader’s activities influence the environmental situation in fish markets. A descriptive survey design was used for the research. The target for the study was the fish traders of Gikomba fi...
ABSTRACT Commercial oil and gas was discovered in Kenya in 2012. Few academic studies have been done on the effects of the mentioned discovery to the environment.The oil and gas resources are expected to transform the economic wellbeing of the locals and the nation at large.However,land degradation, environmental pollution and socio-economic problems have always ensued oil and gas exporation ventures globally.This study aimed at determining the effects of oil and gas exploration on biophysica...
ABSTRACT Yushania alpina formerly known as Arundinaria alpina is the only species of native bamboo indigenous forests in Kenya. It plays an integral part in the indigenous forests in which it occurs. Bamboo is a fast growing, renewable, widespread, low cost, environment enhancing resource with great potential in environmental conservation and poverty alleviation. The lack of rules surrounding bamboo exploitation in Kenya has resulted in unsustainable harvesting and utilization of bamboo. Ther...
ABSTRACT French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important crop with high impact on rural employment and livelihood. In Kenya, the crop is grown for export by small scale farmers in high potential areas of Central, Rift valley and Western regions. These regions are densely populated leading to intensive farming and land fragmentation, which research has reported to be among the major threats of bee pollinators. However, amongst the known constraints, pollination has not featured amidst man...
ABSTRACT In Sub-Saharan Africa, acidic soils occupy 29% of the total area, while about 13% of the Kenyan total land area has acidic soils, widely distributed in croplands of the central regions. The high soil acidity coupled with soil nutrient depletion negatively affect performance and yields of maize in the region. This study was therefore carried out at Kirege in Tharaka Nithi County for two cropping seasons; short rains (SR) in 2016 and long rains (LR) in 2017 to determine the effects of ...
ABSTRACT The rapid increase in traffic intensity, axle loading, rigorous climatic changes and commercial road transport continues to impose severe demands of load and environment on the highway system. Bitumen mostly used as a binder for road construction, waterproofing agent, coating, and insulation among others has poor mechanical and thermal properties. Different synthetic binder modifies that are being used to improved performance lead to environmental pollution during disposal. Therefore...
ABSTRACT Contamination of fresh water sources with heavy metals found within the agricultural areas is largely contributed by amongst other factors, application of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides. Removal of heavy metals from the contaminated waters using conventional methods is cost prohibitive and more importantly less effective especially when concentration of heavy metals is low. As a result, use of alternative technologies such as phytoremediation is being promoted. Phytoremediation...
ABSTRACT The world population was at 7.3 billion people in 2015, and is projected to reach 9.7 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion people in 2100. Population in the developing countries which Kenya is part of is expected to rise from 5.9 billion in 2013 to 8.2 billion in 2050 to 9.6 billion in 2100. Increasing human population and the threats posed by climate change continue to put pressure on the already limited environmental resources that support life on earth. This is evident in the case of ...
ABSTRACT Geothermal energy could be Climate Change Resilient subject to technological interventions employed in production. Kenya seeks to safeguard herself from Climate Change and its cascading impacts through clean energy sources such as Geothermal. Possible interventions to Climate Change entail adaptation, mitigation and building resilience. Most geothermal resources are located in fragile yet vital ecosystems including Olkaria and Eburru where the study focused on. A benign geothermal t...
ABSTRACT Climate change poses a danger to the current and the future generations. Sad to note though is the fact that although developing countries have contributed the least to the current mess, they will be more impacted due to their limited technology to adapt to the consequences. As a remedy to the current situation, formal education has been identified as a major tool of passing the required knowledge, skills and changing people’s attitude towards climate change. However, most edu...