2nd International Research Conference Proceedings Chuka University, 2015

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Role of on-farm rainwater harvesting in agriculture as a response to climate change in Kenya
(Chuka University, 2014-10-28) Kiguro, L.
The objective of this paper is to show the role of on-farm rain water harvesting in Agriculture as a response to climate change in Kenya. It is based on the fact that water harvesting is a promising technique widely accepted throughout the world to cope with water scarcity problems in agriculture. Micro-and macro-water harvesting techniques are implemented in arid, semi-arid, and tropical regions, depending on the purpose and circumstances. Water harvesting has been shown to have a positive impact on agricultural production by providing irrigation water during critical growth stages of crops, hence increasing yields. Water harvesting reduces runoff velocity, soil erosion and recharges ground water. This paper is based on literature review and practical field experiences and concludes that a significant gain in crop production can be made in agriculture through small-scale harvesting of water in combination with suitable water conserving irrigation technologies. Keywords: Global warming, Adaptation, Water resources, Food security
New information and communication technologies for dairy goat marketing: the case of Meru South Sub-County, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2015-10-25) Rwanda, C.B, Nyaga, S.M. and Imungi, J.
Dairy goat farming is a lucrative enterprise among the smallholder farmers due to its potential for socio-economic empowerment of the resource-poor. However, due to inefficient marketing systems, the smallholder farmers have not been able to realize maximum returns from their dairy goat enterprises. To resolve some of the market inefficiencies inherent in the conventional marketing approaches, smallholder farmers have shifted their attention to the use of new information and communication technologies. This study established awareness and use of the new ICTs in marketing of dairy goats among the smallholder farmers. The study was carried out in Meru South Sub-County. Chuka and Magumoni divisions were purposely selected. A sample of 97 dairy goat farmers was chosen through systematic random sampling from a population of 2,800 smallholder farmers. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data, while descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. The use of new ICTs was highest among the respondents aged between 21 and 40 years. Awareness of the use of mobile phones and internet for dairy goat marketing among the respondents was 87.5% and 12.5%, respectively. Generally, the awareness and use of the new ICTs in the marketing of the dairy goats was high; mobile phone was the most commonly known and widely used ICT. Keywords: Dairy goats, Awareness, Use, Meru South, New ICTs
Local community perception of the benefits and costs of conservation of the eastern Mt. Kenya forest, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2015-10-28) Njeru, J.M., Ngigi, W.M. and Soi, B.C.
Forests are crucial to a country’s health and development through soil and water conservation, wood and non-wood products production, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation and social benefits. Mount Kenya is a major water catchment area. Unfortunately, it is under serious pressure from local communities activities. It is necessary to seek active participation of the communities in the conservation of the forest. This study determined local community perception of the costs and benefits of conserving the Kiango’ndu forest East of Mt Kenya forest. Factors which influence communities’ attitudes towards forest conservation were investigated to enable forest and wildlife managers implement approaches that attract support of the communities. This was done using qualitative ethnographic questionnaires, interviews and observations. The target groups included the forest communities bordering Kiang’ondu forest and local level government forestry officials. Local community enjoys a diversity of economic, ecological, aesthetic and cultural benefits from the forest. However, they incur losses such as property and crop damage, loss of time spent chasing away wild animals, bodily injuries and fear of wild animals. Majority of the respondents feel frustrated but others were willing to participate in conserving the forest. Lack of effective communication between the local community and forest managers coupled with human-wildlife conflicts were major hindrances to participation in conservation. Initiatives should be set up to enlighten local residents and resolve the human-wildlife conflicts to create an environment conducive for community participation in conserving the forest. Keywords: Forest, Benefits, Community, Participation, Conservation
Potential of bioaugmentation for remediation of polluted environments
(Chuka University, 2015-10-28) Getenga, Z.M., Ngige, A., Kimosop, K., Mutua, G., Orata, F., Kowino, I., Were, H. and Onunga, D.
After repeated applications and long use of persistent pesticides in soils, a phenomenon known as enhanced (accelerated) degradation of some pesticides has been observed in soils. This has led to isolation of key microbes known to degrade these persistent pesticides in soils. The isolated microbes which are characterized and identified have been used to enhance the degradation of pesticides in contaminated soils and hence the term, bioaugmentation. In this paper we discuss various pesticide compounds which for so long were known to be recalcitrant, but later could be subject to accelerated degradation. Key degraders were isolated and characterized and are potential candidates for bioaugmentation for remediation of contaminated sites. We report the successes registered in studies of atrazine, terbuthylazine, hexazinone, diuron, carbofuran and chlorpyrifos and metribuzin.
Mainstreaming innovative traditional methods and techniques of food preservation and security for commercialisation and sustainable development among the Abagusii
(Chuka University, 2015-10-28) Okebiro, G.N. and Nyambane, A.K.
Abagusii had many effective techniques and methods for preservation of food, crops and liquid substances. The paper focuses on these methods and techniques for security and freedom from contamination. Most vital methods and techniques which were effective and free from chemical use in preservation of food have been forgotten or become extinct and there is no written research record for reference and academic purposes. This research aimed at mainstreaming and unearthing 27 methods and techniques for preservation of different types of foods and substances. Food was classified in four categories: cooked and preserved; uncooked and preserved; crops harvested and preserved; liquid and preserved. The research used practical experimental techniques and in-depth interviews of old people surviving among the Abagusii with the expertise of the methods and techniques. The key findings were: (i) vegetables were preserved for a long period and used during the occurrence of famine and droughts, (ii) crops especially beans and other cereals were preserved from attack by weevils and other rodents, (iii) cooked food and meat were preserved for long periods without contamination, and (iv) water, blood and other liquid substances were preserved for long periods effectively without contamination. Therefore, the research concludes that the methods were effective and free from chemical substances nowadays mixed in foods for preservation and security but that cause diseases. The traditional methods and techniques should be mainstreamed for the purpose of applied research, commercialization and sustainable development in the modern society. Keywords: Traditional methods; Food security; Food preservation.
Determinants of use of Kenya agricultural commodity exchange ict: the case of smallholder farmers in Bungoma county, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2015-10-28) Wawire, A.W., Okello, J. and Wangia, S.M.
Smallholder farmers’ access to markets has traditionally been constrained by lack of market information. Efforts to strengthen access of farmers to markets has triggered the mushrooming of a number of projects that embrace ICT tools in promoting access to competitive market information. Nevertheless, most farmers still lack access to accurate market information such as commodity prices. This study examines the determinants of the use of ICT tools by Kenya Agricultural Commodity Exchange (KACE) among smallholder farmers for agricultural transactions. The data used for this study were collected in 2011 from smallholder farmers in Bungoma South and Central Sub-Counties. The two Sub-Counties were purposively selected because of being the hub of KACE activities. Multi-stage sampling was used to select 136 households for interview using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Farmer characteristics, farm and capital endowment factors affected use of ICT tools, particularly mobile phones. Occupation, farming experience, age, literacy and crop income explained use of tools. Household size, crop income, gender, level of literacy, owning a mobile phone, nearness to output market, level of literacy and crop income explained intensity of use of the mobile phones. The paper further discusses the policy implications of the findings. Keywords: ICT, market, Mobile phones, Agriculture, Market access
Assessment of trace elements concentration in environmental and geological samples in selected areas of Igambang’ombe constituency in, Tharaka-Nithi county, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2015-10-28) Mutie, M.M., Njogu, S., Amanai, J.O. and Murigi, F.N
The nodiagnostic and ethnotherapeutic skills relevant in malaria management: a case study of Embu county,Kenya
(Chuka University, 2015-10-28) Waiganjo, B.W., Githae, E.W., Warui, C.M. and Opiyo, E.A.
Malaria tops the list of the most commonly encountered parasitic infections, and the most treatable disease by herbalists in Embu County. Indigenous knowledge relevant to disease diagnosis, treatment and prevention has not been documented in this region. The study was done between January and July, 2014 using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to herbalists who voluntarily shared information. A total of 48 herbalists (15 females and 33 males), aged between 25 and 92 years participated. Fourty nine species (distributed in 27 families) were used in malaria treatment and eight species (distributed in seven families) were used to prevent mosquito bites. The herbs were administered in form of decoction or concoction. The mosquito repellants were burned, applied on the skin or hanged strategically in the house. The symptoms concurred with widely acceptable malaria signs and symptoms such as headache, vomiting, loss of appetite, joint pains and fever. While 83.3% of the herbalists were aware that malaria is spread by mosquitoes, 4.1% believed that it was caused by consuming mangoes injected by infected mosquitoes. Barks (41.6%) and roots (37.5%) were the most commonly harvested parts, while trees (57.7%) and shrubs (25.9%) were the most commonly used growth forms. Plant species believed to decline in number were Caesalpinia volkensii (52%), Acacia tortilis (31%), Terminalia brownii (21%) and Strychnos henningsii (18%). Their scarcity was attributed to human activities like overexploitation, clearing land for agriculture and cutting trees for charcoal and timber. Medicinal plants play a significant role in malaria treatment and control and indigenous knowledge relevant in malaria diagnosis and prevention is in harmony with the widely acceptable malaria signs and symptoms. Keywords: Malaria, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Ethnodiagnostic, Herbalist
Application of response surface methodology for optimization of potato tuber yield.
(Chuka University, 2015-10-28) Muriithi, D.K
This study investigated the operating conditions required for optimal production of potato tuber yield in Kenya to help potato farmers to save extra cost of input in potato farming. The potato production process was optimized by the application of factorial design 23 and response surface methodology. The combined effects of water, nitrogen and phosphorus mineral nutrients were investigated and optimized using response surface methodology. It was found that the optimum production conditions for the potato tuber yield were 70.04% irrigation water, 124.75 kg/ha of nitrogen supplied as urea and 191.04 kg/ha phosphorus supplied as triple super phosphate. At the optimum condition, one can reach to a potato tuber yield of 19.36 kg/plot of 1.8 m x 2.25 m. Increased productivity of potatoes can improve the livelihood of smallholder potato farmers in Kenya and save costs of inputs. The approach applied in this study of potatoes can be useful for research on other commodities, leading to a better understanding of overall crop production. Keywords: Potato, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Factorial design, Experiment
Effectiveness of Guidance and Counselling Services in Enhancing Students’ Adjustment to School Academic Environment in Public Boarding Secondary Schools.
(Chuka University, 2016) Kanga, B.M.; Ngari, S.M.; Barchok, H.K.; Nyaga, V.K.
School adjustment is the process of coping in a new environment to attain the individual and school’s set goals and aspirations. Stakeholders have expressed the need to strengthen Guidance and Counselling services to enhance students’ adjustment to school environment. Public boarding secondary schools are expected to implement Guidance and Counselling policy of the Ministry of Education. This study investigated the effectiveness of Guidance and Counselling services in enhancing students’ adjustment to school academic environment in public boarding secondary schools in Kenya. It adopted a descriptive research survey design and targeted 36,671 students, comprising 35,659 Form 3 students, 506 Form 3 class teachers, and 506 Guidance and Counseling teachers from boarding secondary schools in Kitui, Nyeri and Nairobi Counties. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 756 respondents, comprising 720 Form 3 students, 18 Form 3 class teachers, and 18 Guidance and Counseling teachers from 18 secondary schools. Questionnaires were used to collect data from Form 3 students and their class teachers, while an interview schedule was used for Guidance and Counseling teachers. Pilot of 76 respondents was done in three public boarding secondary schools in Machakos, Kirinyaga and Thika Counties. Using Spearman Brown Prophesy formula by split half technique, reliability coefficients of 0.745, 0.746 and 0.736 were realized for students, class teachers and Guidance and Counseling teachers, respectively. This was accepted because values over 0.7 are considered suitable for making accurate group inferences. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 17. Guidance and Counseling was effective in helping students adjust to school environment. The issues that need to be addressed in Guidance and Counseling include strengthening individual counseling, training of peer counselors and gender balance in appointment of school counseling personnel to improve services.
Effect of Corporate Sustainability Disclosure on Financial Performance: Evidence from Firms Listed at Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2016) Gatimbu, K.K.
Corporate environmental disclosure entails reporting impact of company activities such as waste management, recycling, carbon management, emission, pollution, wetland and wildlife conservation in natural environment. Conventional accounting systems are limiting since they fail to directly address sustainability concerns, as well as economic growth against social and environmental needs of various stakeholders. Sustainability has become a major pillar of today’s business activities. Reporting is voluntary in Kenya but is gaining popularity by many companies to enhance reputation, increase brand visibility, and show commitment to environmental protection. However, the value of the practice is still contentious and what really motivates environmental disclosure becomes vital. The Kenyan investment community and other stakeholders lag behind America, Europe and Australia in their willingness and ability to cross-examine sustainability reports for risk and financial modelling. This study consequently aimed at assessing the effect of corporate environmental disclosure on financial performance of listed firms at the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The study established the effect of environmental disclosure on financial performance. It made use of longitudinal secondary data from the annual reports and financial statements. Content analysis of sampled reports was done to examine environmental disclosure practices. A checklist of environmental disclosure items and categories was developed and environmental disclosure indices computed. Casual research design was employed to determine the cause-effect relationship between corporate environmental disclosure and financial performance. Target population of the study was 61 listed companies. Purposive sampling was employed in selecting firms whose annual reports were available, resulting in 32 firms. Coefficient of Skewness was used to test the normality of data. Homoscedasticity and auto-correlation assumptions of the regression model were tested using scatter plots and Durbin Watson test. Linear regression model was used to determine the casual relationship between environmental disclosure and financial performance. The overall model was found to be significant with F=27.016, P˂0.05. The predictor variable explained 47.4% of changes in financial performance. Environmental disclosure with P˂0.05 had a positive significant effect in the mean financial performance. Thus firms should engage in environmental disclosure because it leads to increased financial performance. The findings are useful to the government and managers to ensure policies are put in place to ensure present generations meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs, and form a basis for further research and knowledge generation.
Cohesion and Coherence in High School Students’ Written Work in Chuka Division, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2016) Peter, C. A.
This paper reports the adherence to cohesion and coherence as an aspect of textuality in high school students’ written work. The study investigated the students’ written texts to establish the extent to which they conformed to cohesion and coherence as a requirement to be fulfilled for a written text to be considered as communicative. Coherence is a network of relations, which organizes and creates a text. This network is of surface relations, which link words and expressions to other words and expressions in a text. This aspect is achieved when many different factors are brought together to make every paragraph, sentence, and phrase give meaning to a text. Communication is paramount in any written text. For dissemination of information to take place, the meaning of the writer must be clear and complete. Coherence is a channel through which this objective can be achieved. Coherence in writing is much more difficult to sustain than coherent speech. This is because when one is writing, there is no room for paralinguistic features to enhance message clarity. Therefore, patterns of coherence should be explicit and carefully planned. Cohesion on the other hand refers to the ways in which texts and sentences are linked or connected by various linguistic and semantic ties. Use of cohesion in writing ensures that the elements in a sentence fit perfectly together to form a united and complete communication instance. It is a semantic concept that is achieved when the understanding of a section in the text is reliant on that of another. The study further examined the structure of the students’ written texts to find out whether they applied these two aspects as they indulged in writing exercises. Experimental research design was used. Thus there was an experimental and a control group. These two were subjected to pre-test and post-test. The experimental class was exposed to the aspects of cohesion and coherence and thereafter the two groups did a post-test. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. It established the effects that the use of these two aspects had on the performance of the students in writing.
Vowel Epenthesis as A Parameter Setting Strategy in Gichuka Loanwords.
(Chuka University, 2016) Mbaka, N.W.
Natural languages undergo changes at the phonological, morphological, lexical, grammatical and semantic levels. It is realised easily at lexical level occasioned by lexical borrowing. The study of loanwords has played an important role in the development of phonological theories and in cross-linguistic studies in recent years. Loanword phonology presents a rich empirical ground for examining topical question in phonology. Loanwords help linguists find more about native phonology, especially so in studying the role of native phonological contrasts in phonological processes. This study looked at vowel epenthesis as a phonological process used to adapt lexical items borrowed from English to Gichuka. The data were collected in Tharaka-Nithi County using interviews, observation and focused group discussions. The sample was based on 10 domains namely: education, agriculture, clothing, electrical goods and technology, religion, health, trade and industry, household goods, food and administration. The theory of Government Phonology was used in data analysis. The processes of vowel epenthesis in Gichuka loanwords can be explained using branching structure and domain-final empty nuclei. Vowel epenthesis is a parameter setting strategy in adapting lexical items that Gichuka has borrowed from English. Applicability of the theory of Government Phonology in the nativisation of loanwords will be reported.
Assessment of Utilization of Counselling Services Among Students in Kenyan Universities
(Chuka University, 2016) Karimi, J.
In Kenya, guidance and counselling has been appreciated as an integral part of education and it seeks to address and resolve problems so that one can live at peace with oneself in the environment. Despite the existence of guidance and counselling services in Kenyan universities, needs continue to be reported among students. This study assessed the level of utilization of counselling services among students in Kenyan universities. Descriptive survey research design was used. Student needs assessment questionnaire, peer counselors questionnaire and an interview schedule were used to collect data from 486 respondents. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The majority of the students did not utilize the counselling services offered in the universities. Thus universities should sensitize students on importance of seeking counselling services available.
National Philosophy and Sustainable Development in Educational Sector in Humanity
(Chuka University, 2016) Okebiro, G. N.; Sikanga, A.; Nyandika, N. M.; Onsomu, R.N.
Philosophies have been a starting point into sustainable development in educational sector in many parts of the world. Therefore, in one time Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania leaders applied a certain philosophy for the success of sustainable educational sector. In this sense, a national philosophy is a system of ideological beliefs and values championed within a country. In Kenya, three philosophies have been applied to steer sustainable development in educational sector since independence until 2000. This paper focuses on how the Kibaki and Uhuru governments have not applied any philosophy and there are glimpses of development in educational sector. The aim of the paper is to report the role of national philosophies and sustainable development in educational sector in Kenya. The paper uses content analysis and non-participant observation method in studying the development since independence to the present. The key results are: African socialism showed the social development in provision of education as a priority and discrimination in schools and residential areas was stopped and a uniform system was adopted. Secondly, “Harambee” philosophy was applied and promoted education as many schools, libraries and laboratories were built and buses purchased through “harambee” funds and even students were able to pursue further education through “harambee” funds. Thirdly, “Nyayo 2 philosophy saw the birth of Moi University as the third public university to be chartered in Kenya. Thus Kenyan national philosophies have promoted education, nationalism and patriotism. It is therefore recommended for the coming government and leadership in Kenya to have a national philosophy to direct and steer the wheel of development for sustainable education sector and prosperity.
Smart Classroom Content Delivery Using Ubiquitous Devices for Kenyan Learning Institutions
(Chuka University, 2016) Gogo, K.
Due to integration of ICT in educational and the evolution of e-learning, there has been a tremendous growth of big data in education. The data have left students with no precise relevant data with regard to their professional content requirements, making students sometimes take a lot of time accessing non-relevant data to their educational/professional needs. This study introduces a platform through which big educational data can be classified, and students’ professional requirements documented. The platform should be able to learn the students’ profession and then avail only relevant data to the profession. The student profession details should be kept within their mobile (ubiquitous) devices that they use to access educational data. This will in turn make learning enjoyable and not time wasting in accessing irrelevant data. The platform should also make it possible for the students’ devices to be located, giving a clear understanding on which classroom the student is based. In designing this system we used the standard system development life cycle, where we design intelligent database, which collects the students’ profession and then searches for the relevant data at the big educational data banks kept in the learning institutions. The education data and the professions were coded for easy matching. The prototype system resulted in 70% relevance during the searches.
Pesticide use knowledge, attitude and perception influence residue occurrence in french bean (phaseolus vulgaris) pods in Murang’a County, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2016) Njue, A.M.; Mucheru, M.; Maina, M
Some Kenyan horticultural products are rejected in export markets due to excess Maximum Residue Levels. Farmers need assistance on pesticide use to meet stringent quality crop, freedom from pests and pesticide residues standards. This study assessed farmers’ knowledge, attitude and practice that may influence pesticide residue occurrence on their crop and health. A cross-sectional survey was done among French bean farmers in Murang’a County. Stratified random sampling was done based on use of synthetics or biopesticides for organic production. Questionnaires were administered to 100 French bean farmers via face-to-face interview in Kikuyu language by trained enumerators. Pesticide use knowledge, attitudes, and practices were scored and dichotomized and Chi-square-tested at P=0.05. The pesticide use practices were significantly different across the demographics such as education level and years of practice. The knowledge on pesticide use was very high but there was ignorance of protective clothing use and proper pesticide container disposal, which strongly correlated with the health ailments such as headaches at R=0.6. The biopesticides from common plant extracts (Trichoderma, Azandchatra, Mexican marigold) were reported to have better protection against frost but they were slightly lower in crop pest protection than insecticides such as Aster, Cyrux and Extrim. The overall attitude towards biopesticide use was 76%, but most farmers were hindered by lack of knowledge on preparation. Most farmers require the knowledge on mixing, adoption of safer, less expensive and locally available biopesticides, which will catalyze the move towards organic production for good human and environmental health.
Impact of Using Scientific Calculators in Mathematics Instruction on Students Achievement in Secondary Schools in Embu County, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2016) Njagi, M. W.
Mathematics is universal part of human culture. It is used throughout the world as an essential tool in many fields. Mathematics is compulsory for all basic level students in Kenya and as such performance in it is of concern to everybody. Use of scientific calculators was introduced in 2005 to be used from Form Three level. However, its influence on students’ achievement has not been established. This study investigated the impact of using scientific calculators in teaching and learning mathematics on students’ achievement in mathematics in secondary schools in Embu County. The study sought to determine whether there was a difference in achievement in mathematics when students used calculators in assessment. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. The research was done in nine secondary schools in Embu County. The subjects were Form Three students and stratified random sampling technique was used to draw the participating schools. The sample size was 370 students. The research instrument used was the Mathematics Achievement Test. The raw data obtained were scored, coded and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics involving t-test. The hypothesis was tested at α=0.05 level of significance. There was no significant difference in achievement in mathematics when calculators were used or not used by students. The findings provide guidance in calculator use to instructors and policy makers undertaking the quest to improve students’ achievement. The findings may help the curriculum specialists and designers determine how calculators affect the curriculum.
2nd International Research Conference Theme: "Mainstreaming Research Commercialization for Sustainable Development" Proceedings
(Chuka University, 2016) Isutsa, D. K. and Githae, E. W. (Eds.)
Facile and Reliable Determination of Multilayer Graphene Thickness using Optical Microscopy
(Chuka University, 2016) John, B.M.; King’ondu, C.K.; Ngaruiya, J.; Timonah, S.; Mugo, S.W.; Ngei, K.; Ngumbi, P.K.
Optical transmittance of exfoliated multilayer graphene (MLG) was investigated and cross-referenced with a standard monolayer sample. Plots of grayscale values against position on the images were found to have step-like profiles. Step heights were extracted from the profiles and found to have peak points. The peaks occurred at approximately 80 layers region. These findings occurred due to interlayer interactions within the samples, with the layers being the transition from MLG to the bulk graphite. Contrast difference (Cd) on the samples was found to vary linearly with the number of graphene layers. These results showed optical transmittance of , and for a monolayer, bilayer, trilayer and tetralayer, respectively. The exponential decrease in transmittance with number of graphene layers has been attributed to variations in optical absorption of the incident light by the MLG samples.

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