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...
ABSTRACT The changes such as increases in urban dwellers and demand for high quality and safe products being witnessed in agrifood systems around the world present opportunities for farmers to orient production to meet the emerging needs. To this end, governments in SubSaharan Africa have been reconstituting new trading policies. In Kenya, banana farming is a prospective activity through which small-scale farmers could exploit the emerging opportunities. This study examines the banana value ...
ABSTRACT Newcastle Disease (ND) is a common occurrence in Suneka Division. ND is caused by Avian Paramyxovirus Type 1, is one of the most significant diseases for poultry producers around the world. This poultry disease is influenced directly or indirectly by weather as it affects the timing and the intensity of an outbreak. This thesis examined the factors influencing the outbreak and the spread of Newcastle disease in Suneka Division of Kisii County. The objectives of study were; to invest...
ABSTRACT This study examined Rotating Savings and Credit Associations’ (ROSCAs) socio- economic benefits to members who overcame the collective action challenges to significantly achieve ROSCA goals in Muthara Division Meru County, Kenya. The study objectives were to outline factors influencing women membership into ROSCAs; assess social economic benefits of ROSCAs that improve economic performance of women participants; determine opportunities and challenges affecting performance of ROSCAs...
ABSTRACT Farmers in central highlands of Kenya have been experiencing declining crop yields in the recent past. Low water availability caused by low and unreliable rainfall, and poor water harvesting techniques coupled with low soil fertility are key constraints to crop production in these regions. To increase crop yields, and reduce production risks, better use of available rainfall is required. The broad objective of the research was to enhance farmers' agricultural productivity through im...
ABSTRACT Drug and substance abuse is one of the most critical challenges facing Kenya today and is fast assuming alarming proportions among the young adults. A report on the findings of the 2007 rapid situation assessment of substance abuse in Kenya found that young adults had the highest substance abuse prevalence. This study was motivated by the fact that previous studies on the magnitude and impact of drugs and substance abuse have mainly focused on the youth in learning institutions; yet ...
ABSTRACT The world total fertility rate has dropped from 4.95 births per woman to 2.36 births per woman in the last 50 years. In developing countries the total fertility rate has dropped from 6.0 births per woman in the 1960s to 2.9 births per woman in 2005 and was expected to have dropped even further in 2015. Kenya‟s fertility has declined from 7.8 births per woman in 1979 to 4.6 births per woman in 2009 (KNBS, 2010). Despite the general drop in fertility, there are differentials where s...
ABSTRACT This study examined accommodation challenges facing seasonal commercial workers during tourism peak season in Malindi Town. Malindi Town is one of the major tourist destinations in Kenya with the tourism peak season starting from July to March each year. The town experiences an increase in population as a result of seasonal commercial workers who visit the area in search of employment and other income generating economic activities such as trade. This exerts pressure on the existing...
ABSTRACT Land-use and land-cover changes have negative consequences on watershed management in Pangani River Basin. They increase impervious ground surfaces, decrease infiltration rate and increase runoff rate, hence causing low base flow during the dry seasons. Comparatively, little is known on the driving forces that affect land-use change and their effects on the hydrology of Weruweru-Kiladeda Sub-catchment. This study, was undertaken to achieve four specific objectives, namely i) to deter...
ABSTRACT This study focused on finding the major factors explaining the decline in population in Mukurweini Region, Nyeri County, Kenya 2000-2015. The researcher used 1989, 1999 and 2009 censuses data to determine the trend. The study was hinged on education level, economic status, age and gender with emphasis on how they affect Outmigration in Mukurweini. The study was based on the neoclassical theory pioneered by Harris and Todaro (1970) which indicates that international migration is infl...
ABSTRACT The government of Kenya has put in place various strategies and policies to increase the uptake of family planning services and also increase the mean age at first marriage as a step towards reducing the fertility rate. This is the cornerstone of reducing poverty and improving the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Despite these policy measures, the Total Fertility Rates (TFR) of some regions still remains high above the country’s rate of 3.9, according to the Kenya Demogra...
ABSTRACT The study examines the effects of the „new‟ road safety regulations on the operations of PSVs in Nairobi. Specifically, the study sought to a) examine changes in the input and output of PSV in Nairobi, b) establish changes in the working conditions of PSV drivers and conductors, c) assess changes in the quality of service of public transport, and finally, d) examine the challenges and opportunities in implementing and enforcing the„new‟ regulations. The study was descriptive,...
ABSTRACT Current global rate of sand mining in river channels is unsustainable, and in Kenya the activity going on unregulated. This study established the morphological and socio-economic effects of sand mining in river Tyaa by addressing the following objectives: To determine the: extent of sand mining; morphological factors influencing abundance of sand; effects of sand mining on the morphology of River Tyaa and Socio-Economic effects of sand mining in river Tyaa. Random sampling technique ...
ABSTRACT Fisheries in the East Africa region have suffered due to less emphasis given to some fishery specifically Dagaa (Rastrineobolaargentea), whose quantity is the highest of all the species in the Lake Victoria. Despite the importance of this resource in Kenya, there has been a concern of gender parity and inequality in terms of roles played by both gender in harvesting, processing, trading and marketing in the Dagaa fishery. This study analyzed gender roles in Dagaa Fishery Value Chain ...
ABSTRACT Many are the challenges facing Emergency Medical Service (EMS) in the developing world including Sub-Saharan Africa. These challenges include insufficient resources in terms of vehicles (the ambulance itself), limited staff and equipment, poor communication and transportation network, just to mention a few. As a result, people resort to private and public transport (Taxis) in times of emergency health situations. It is however not certain that these public and private vehicles emplo...