Abstract: This thesis is organized in the following manner: First, chapter one presents the background of the study, the problem statement and research objectives the study is seeking to answer; justification of the study, and the scope of the study. It covers the background of Busia County, one of the 147 counties of Kenya and its County Water Department. The chapter also introduces the concept of Value for Money in project planning and management. Chapter two of this proposal examines avai...
Abstract: The existing historical economic and political accounts of Africa and Europe fails to fully explain the divergence of commerce, state power, and development between the two regions. The patterns of differences in these two regions have far more significant underlying factors. They go beyond historical experiences of Africa's of slavery and slave trade, colonialism and imperialism. The over-emphasis on unique history as the primary cause of the gap in state power and development vei...
Abstract: The main objective of this study was to make a contribution in the direction of efforts to lessen the vulnerability of the people of Kajiado County in light of the rising effects of global climate change taking place in their environments. The specific objectives included the following: To establish social-cultural adaptations necessitated by climate change in Kajiado County; to establish economic adaptations necessitated by climate change in Kajiado County; to assess the relevance...
Abstract: Vehicle exhaust fumes emission, as one of leading major source among smoke producing air pollutants, was examined in this study. Nairobi, a mega-city with increasingly high levels of air pollution was studied with special emphasis on one of its roads, Waiyaki Highway. Objectives were to find if there is air pollution, air pollution effects growth and stress of plants. This road was investigated to gain scientific understanding of the effects of vehicle fumes on plants. Hotspots (IC...
Abstract: Vehicle exhaust fumes emission, as one ofleading major source amongsmoke producing air pollutants, wasexamined in thisstudy. Nairobi,a mega-citywith increasingly high levels of air pollutionwas studied with special emphasison one of its roads,Waiyaki Highway. Objectives were to find if there is air pollution,air pollution effects growth and stress of plants. This roadwasinvestigated to gain scientific understanding of the effects of vehicle fumes on plants. Hotspots (ICEA building,...
Abstract: Kenya is one of the tobacco growing countries in Africa with most tobacco being produced in South Nyanza, Eastern and Western parts of Kenya. Despite the increasing deterioration of the environment caused by tobacco farming, very little is known about the measures in place to manage the situation. It is not clear to what extent the environmental management practices are employed in tobacco growing zones.Furthermore, it is not known how widespread the environmental degradation and e...
Abstract: Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to model the impacts of land cover changes on stream flow regime in the Thiba River basin a sub-catchment of Tana River Basin covering a surface area of 1648 km2 in central region of Kenya. The basin is characterized by intensive agricultural activities including the largest rice irrigation scheme in Kenya. A study was undertaken to test the capability of the model in predicting stream flow response under changing land use conditions i...
Abstract: The surface of the earth is undergoing rapid land use and land cover changes (LULCC) due to various socio-economic activities and natural phenomena. The main aim of this study was to gain a quantitative understanding of LULCC in Makueni County between 2000 and 2016, and analyze the relationship between these changes and their possible underlying drivers in the County. ArcGIS 10.3.1 and ERDAS IMAGINE 2014 were used for the digital image processing and GIS analyses. Image pre-process...
Abstract: The main aim of this study was to assess the suitability of the Athi River water for irrigation in Athi River area and its environs. The study area was within Athi River and Muthwani ward within Mavoko Constituency and in Machakos County, Kenya. Seven sampling points were selected along the study transect (about 8 km) and sampling was done once every week from 21 st January to 6 th March 2015 (dry season). The water samples collected were analyzed for selected physico-chemical and ...
Abstract: The presence of artificial light at night (ALAN) is one of many contributing factors to global change today. The spectral range of ALAN can also alter the potential effects of light pollution in certain contexts which creates an exceptionally complex cascade of impacts. The purpose of this thesis was to examine the interactions of various environmental factors including ALAN on biological variables, locomotor activity and corticosterone concentration, of two species of rodent. This...
Abstract: Light pollution is a key biodiversity threat and is defined as one of the global environmental problems threatening key species to extinction and posing a major challenge to biodiversity conservation. The absence of stringent law, good practice and nonexistent environmental standards on light pollution has been a major drawback to management of its effects on biodiversity. This study sought to establish the influence of light pollution and biodiversity awareness on hawk moth divers...
Abstract: Mining activities greatly contribute to economic growth and development in South Africa. However, post-mining soils have limited land-use potential due to low fertility, deficiency in organic matter content and poor physical, chemical, and microbiological properties. Mechanical methods to improve soil conditions, such as ripping, are expensive and provide temporary improvements. Alternatively, exploring biological methods could aid in creating arable land from degraded soils, where...
Abstract: The reproductive biology of spotted hyaenas was studied from a sample of 39 females and 36 males collected in game reserves in south~rn Africa. A method for age estimation, based on the relative attrition of PM2 was developed. Female spotted hyaenas attain sexual maturity at three years of age, are polyoestrus with recurring oestrous cycles throughout the lactation period. Females were still reproducing when 16 years old. Breeding was not restricted to a particular season, as bi...
Abstract: Mass tourism as the dominant form of tourism practice has for decades caused environmental, socio-economic and cultural impacts to tourist destinations. Responsible tourism which is underpinned by sound environmental, social and economic principles, offers a way to mitigate the impacts of conventional tourism. Certification as a toolhelps set standards, put benchmarks to be met by tourism actors and has been one of the strategies used to reduce these impacts. Certification is belie...
Abstract: Wote is a town in Eastern Kenya, Makueni County . Wote serves as the headq uarter of Makueni County and has a population of 9,875. The town has been experiencing rapid population growth. An increase in solid waste is observed due to increase in urbanization, population density and inco me, changing food habits, taste and pattern. T his study aimed at providing an alternative solution to the existing Solid Waste Management (SWM) systems . The study set out to investigate how Public ...