ABSTRACT Tomato is rated the second most important horticultural crop after potato in most parts of the world. However, its cultivation is threatened by infestations of Tuta absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae). The pest originated from South America and is now invading fields and greenhouse production sites in the world. Tuta absoluta was first officially reported in Kenya in March 2014 at Isiolo and has spread to all parts where tomato is grown. The pest has been nicknamed tomato ‗Al–sha...
Drought adversely affects crop production worldwide leading to approximately 70% of yield reduction. Significant yield loss is common among the major cereals such as maize, wheat and barley due to frequent and severe drought as a result of climate change. Therefore, there is a great need for drought tolerant or escaping crops that still yield amidst erratic climatic manifestation. Sweetpotato is capable of producing high yield in a short period of time making it suitable for cultivation ...
ABSTRACT Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharziases is a parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (trematodes) of the genus Schistosoma. Both urinary schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma haematobium and intestinal schistosomiasis caused by S. mansoni occur in various regions of Kenya, including the coastal region. River Tana which flows through Garsen, offer breeding sites for Bulinus snails which are the fresh water snail vectors for S. haematobium. Despite the WHO recommending the strateg...
Kajiado town, the County headquarters for Kajiado County which is classified as semi-arid area, lacks adequate water supply systems. The town had a projected population of 16,003 in 2013 (KNBS, 2010) but no functional municipal water supply system. There is no permanent river near the town and the town has a formation with poor aquifer such that even bore holes have low water yields. Water is sold at an exorbitant price given that a twenty (20) litre jerry can cost on average Kshs 10 whi...
Despite the progress that has occurred in recent years in the development of therapy, there is still a need for effective and potent analgesics for pain. Pain is defined as unpleasant feeling essential for body‘s defense system. Pain is managed using analgesics such as aspirin,paracetamol, diclofenac, morphine, opioids, among others. Conventional antinociceptives are expensive and have many side effects. Continued use of these drugs may lead to tolerance. Medicinal plants have been use...
ABSTRACT Prunus africana (Hook.f.) is an evergreen tree that grows in African mountains. The species’ bark and bark extracts are used for the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia. The pharmacological efficacy of the extracts is said to be due to synergistic effect of several compounds such as phytosterols, pentacyclic triterpenoids and ferulic acid esters. High demand for the bark and bark extracts has led to over-exploitation of natural population of the species. As a result, P. africa...
Maize is an important staple food for most Kenyans. The increasing population trend in the face of declining yields in maize production has intensified food insecurity countrywide. The low grain yield can be attributed to foliar diseases mainly gray leaf spot and maize streak virus and expensive hybrid seeds. Hybrid testing is expensive and limited in number of hybrids that can be generated and tested each year. This has increased the need to improve maize production techniques to meet t...
Malaria causes the greatest public health burden in sub-Saharan Africa where high mortality mainly occurs in children under five years of age and pregnant women. Majority of Kenyan population are at risk of malaria infection. Traditionally, malaria has been studied mainly in Western and Coastal Kenya while the rift valley especially Baringo County few malaria studies have been conducted indicating seasonal transmission. This has resulted in scanty information on actual malaria prevalence...
ABSTRACT Human immunodeficiency virus or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome remains the leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya being one of them. Over 407,000 patients were on antiretroviral therapy by the year 2015 nationally. Despite sustained clinical benefits associated to usage of antiretroviral drugs, adverse effects are emerging as a major safety concern. Some of the factors that have been identified as having an influence on the effect of ARV in disease control include a...
ABSTRACT Prunus africana (Hook. f) Kalkman, 1965 (formerly Pygeum africanum Hook.f) is a geographically widespread tree restricted to highland forest of main land Africa and outlying islands. The species is commercially important for its bark, which is used in the treatment of prostate gland disorders. It also produces high quality timber used locally for building poles and furniture as well as fuel wood. The high demand for the bark has led to notable destruction of the species in natural f...
ABSTRACT Knowledge of differential and integral cross sections for electron scattering from atoms and molecules is very important for explanation and understanding of electron interaction with matter and for determining dynamics of collision processes. It is also important in the study of astrophysics, plasma physics and laser development. For the past three decades, experimental and theoretical results for electron-barium elastic scattering have been reported however, these results are inco...
ABSTRACT The disposal of untreated municipal wastes is a problem that challenges public and environmental health on global scale. In Kenya, the high population growth rates, urbanization and growth of the industrial sector have compounded the problem of environmental sustainability, notably, due to the large volumes of solid waste generated. The traditional dumping and land filling have been methods of choice for solid waste disposal for many municipalities; however, they lead to the polluti...
ABSTRACT The study investigated ingress of Clions and their effects on the compressive strength development of a pozzolana based cement. The cement was made by blending Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) with selected calcined clays. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) and flame photometry chemical analysis were carried out as a preliminary test to determine the chemical composition of the sampled clays. It was found that only one of the sampled clays had a sum of Al2O...
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to explore the various challenges and opportunities influencing integration of ICT in teaching and learning Mathematics in secondary schools in Nairobi County. The study sought to: Determine the levels of ICT integration in teaching and learning Mathematics; identify the challenges and opportunities of ICT use in teaching and learning Mathematics; and identify best pedagogical practices used in teaching Mathematics using ICT. The study adopted Rogers’s...
ABSTRACT Micro-fungi are microorganisms that can withstand very low water concentrations. This enables them to grow on substrates where most other microorganisms do not grow. Fish is sun dried to reduce post-harvest deterioration and to provide a microbiologically stable product. In humid climatic conditions like those found in Gucha South due to high amount of rainfall throughout the year, the growth of micro-fungi on sun dried Rastrineobola argentea (Omena) is accelerated due to absorption ...