Fisher-folk depend for a major part of their livelihood on natural resources whose distribution and productivity are known to be influenced by climate dynamics. Research has shown that small-scale fisher-folk in the developing countries are more vulnerable to climate variability due to their high reliance on fisheries and poor adaptive capacity. However most studies so far have concentrated on climate-driven changes in ocean productivity and its impact on fish distribution and production part...
In this study, the tectonic lineaments and permeability around Homa Hills geothermal prospect, Nyanzian rift were investigated in order to explore its geothermal potential using ground magnetic method. A proton-precession magnetometer model G-856 of accuracy of ±0.1nT was used to take total magnetic field intensity of the earth at every station. A total of 86 magnetic stations were established over an area of about 76km2. The magnetic data at each station was corrected for both diurnal varia...
Peri-urban agriculture of food crops is practiced in many cities in developing countries, often involving the use of contaminated water and soils, thereby posing health risks for the consumers. Chemical pollutants such as metals present in minute quantities become part of the food chain through occupational exposure in industrial activities, biomagnification and bioaccumulation. In Nairobi City, peri-urban agriculture is practiced in many slum areas, including Kibra slum. Kibra slum, is a de...
Natural radioactivity levels and radiation risks due to construction sand mined from Tharaka region of Tharaka-Nithi County in Kenya has been measured. The region is mostly rocky with majority of rocks being volcanic rocks and sedimentary rocks of volcanic origin; the area is occupationally characterized by sand mining for construction purposes within the County and also in some parts of the neibouring Meru and Embu Counties. The sand is mined along the river banks and also gullies that carry...
Adolescent overweight and obesity have been observed as one of serious public health challenges of the 21st century by the World Health Organization (WHO). Over the past few decades adolescent food consumption has undergone a great deal of transition from the starchy carbohydrates from roots and tubers to the highly refined cereals and sugary beverages. The highly refined cereals consumption contributes in no small measure to body adiposity. Physical inactivity further aggravates the calorie...
The present study was undertaken with the aim of producing Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) using air as a source of nitrogen and bones a source of phosphoric acid. Oxygen was removed from air by passing air over heated copper granules in the temperature range of 300oC – 500oC. Copper granules were heated using charcoal packed in a ceramic charcoal stove. The nitrogen was reacted with lithium to form lithium nitride which was hydrolysed to produce ammonia. The phosphoric acid extracted by boiling...
Kenya is the eighth highest producer of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) worldwide with a production of 529,265 tons annually. Climbing beans are highly productive, and can produce yields 2 to 3 times higher than bush beans and is therefore a promising option to increase bean yields in Kenya. However, climbing bean production is greatly affected by the decline in soil fertility, particularly low nitrogen levels in the soil. Replenishment of soil nitrogen using effective rhizobia inoculant...
Mixing water is very vital for development of concrete and /or mortar. It can also be a source of aggressive ions in the cured concrete/ mortar. This study investigated the effect of mixing water on performance of cement mortar made from selected Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and Portland pozzolana cement (PPC). Test cements were sampled from three local cement manufacturing plants while mixing water was randomly sampled from different construction sites in Kajiado, Machakos and Nairobi coun...
Essential elements are those elements which even in small amounts play important roles as far as healthy animal or plant life is concerned. Lead is a heavy metal with no known biological function in the body. Various biopsy materials for example teeth, scale, blood and other body fluids have for a long time been used to assess Pb exposure as well as the levels of essential elements in the body. Hair and nails are more attractive indicators since the analysis is economical and not susceptible ...
Highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) has been known to cause hepatotoxicity despite its benefit to improve the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infections. However, the impact of HAART on HIV subtypes, drug resistance mutations and cytokine profiles, is not yet fully elucidated especially in the Northwest Region (NWR) of Cameroon. Therefore, this study was carried out with aim of determining the effect of HIV-1 subtypes, drug resistance mutations, cytokine profiles and ris...
In recent years concerns over dwindling reserves of ground and surface water resources coupled with an overloaded or costly sewage treatment plants has generated much interest in the reuse or recycling of greywater. Greywater is untreated household wastewater which includes water from; showers, laundry, dishwashers and washing machines. Re-use of greywater offers several advantages that include a reduction in the water bill, reduced wastewater discharge, as well as reduction in the demand on ...
Maize production in Kenya is under threat due to infection by maize lethal necrosis disease (MLND). The disease is known to cause intensive complete yield loss. It is caused by a synergistic infection of maize by maize chlorotic mottle virus and sugarcane mosaic virus which are mainly vectored by corn thrips (Frankliniella williamsi, Hood) and corn leaf aphids (Rhopalosiphum maidis, Fitch) respectively. This study was carried out with the aim of investigating the following aspects; farme...
Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is an important African staple food crop in the tropics. The crop contains cyanogenic glycosides which can be readily converted to thiocyanate by glycosidases and sulfur transferase enzymes present in the plant or in the animal tissues. Thiocyanate inhibits the uptake of iodine by the iodide pump of the thyroid gland thus acting as a goitrogen which suppresses thyroid function leading to goiter. Goiter increases the risk of thyroid irradiation in the event o...
Salinity affects about 40% of the global area mainly the arid and semi-arid regions. In Kenya the ASALs cover approximately 80% of the total area where agricultural production constraints include water scarcity, salinity and sodicity. Sweetpotato Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam.) is the third most economically important root crop after potato and cassava in the world cultivated for human consumption, animal feed and industrial uses. The production of sweetpotato by smallholder farmers in the AS...
An estimated 1.8 billion people in the world use water coming from fecally contaminated sources. This is as a result of 80% of the human generated wastewater ending up in rivers and other reusable water bodies before treatment. The hygienic balance is locally complicated by the fact that 57% of people in informal settlements have no access to basic sanitation, including latrines and toilets. This study sought to evaluate alternative toileting in the name of “Peepoo”, as single use p...