3rd International Research Conference Proceedings Chuka University, 2016

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Effects of Natural Licks On Feed Intake, Nutrient Digestibility, Milk Production and Quality in Kenya Alpine Dairy Goat Ration.
(Chuka University, 2017) Nderi, O. Musalia, L. and Ombaka, O
Consumption of natural licks is common among domestic animals under natural circumstances, and as a substitute to commercial mineral licks among smallholder livestock keepers in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya, with a believe that animals obtain potential nutritional benefits. However, this has never been established through an experimental research using natural licks from the study area. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining feed intake, nutrient digestibility and milk production performance in dairy goats fed on natural licks. Four lactating Kenya Alpine Dairy Goats (KADG) in their second lactation stage and weighing 47.5 ± 3 kg were randomly assigned four treatment diets that consisted of three natural licks from Kang’au, Nagundu and Kabariange, and a standard commercial lick (control) in a 4 by 4 Latin square design. A basal diet of Boma Rhodes grass hay and a standard concentrate were fed to the animals, and feed intake, fecal output and milk yield were measured. One-way Analysis of Variance model was used for the lick intake, nutrient intake, and apparent digestibility and milk parameters. Correlation analysis was carried out to establish the relationship between natural lick sources and milk parameters. There was no significant difference on dry matter intake, nutrient intake, apparent digestibility and milk yield and quality (P>0.05) among goats consuming natural licks compared to commercial lick. However, there was a positive correlation (r) with a value of 0.70 between milk production and lick intake. Natural licks can be an alternative source of mineral supplementation where commercial mineral licks are not available.
Adaptability of Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata) Lines in Kenya Coastal Region
(Chuka University, 2017) Weru, S.M. Owuoche, J.O and Kiplagat,
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) is one of the most important grain legumes grown in sub-Saharan Africa. About 12.5 million tonnes of cowpea grain are produced worldwide each year with the majority (over 94%) of the production taking place on low input, subsistence farms. This crop is most important in the semi-arid and warm areas of Africa where other crops may fail due to poor adaptation to heat, drought and low soil fertility conditions. The objective of this study is to contribute to increased food production in coastal Kenya through development of high yielding, drought tolerant and farmer acceptable cowpea lines. The experiment was conducted Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Mtwapa and its sub-centres at Msabaha and Mariakani. The agroecological zones for the sites are; coastal Lowland 3 for Mtwapa, coastal lowland 4 for Msabaha and coastal lowland 5 for Mariakani. The sites have sandy soils with pH of 5.3 to 6.9. Fifteen cowpea lines were sourced from the KARI Gene bank which included three improved cultivars that have been tested in central and eastern regions of Kenya. These genotypes have varying agronomic traits and were collected from various regions of Kenya. They are; K033057, K033073, K003731, K005169, K026753, K027092, K003962, K046781, K028613, K047079, K047078, K047121, KVU 27-1, M 66 and K 80. The checks were the local variety and improve variety K 80. Planting was done in the short rains season of 2012 and in the long rains season of 2013. Planting was done at a spacing of 60 cm × 30 cm. The trial was randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The data collected included both qualitative and quantitative traits. At maturity the different lines were harvested, weighed with the pods, then threshed and the grain yield per plot measured. 100 seed weight was also recorded per plot. The net plot was the two middle rows of the plot. The year effects were clearly manifested in the agronomic traits and seed quality of the cowpea evaluated. The superiority of K005169 in all the agroecological zones in high grain yield production is observed making the genotype a candidate for consideration in the breeding with others to introgress the genes for high yield potential. The 16 genotypes attained maturity within 70 to 76 days after planting and can therefore be classified as early maturing type. Of the 16 genotypes tested in the three agroecological zones of the lowland coast region, five have shown outstanding performance across the test environments. They are K005169, KVU 27-1, M66, K003962 and K046781. These genotypes have manifested their adaptability and stability across test
Endogenous Chlorogenic Acid and Caffeine Associated with in Vitro Somatic Embryogenesis of Coffee (Coffea Arabica L.)
(Chuka University, 2017) ayoli, R.N. Lubabali, A.H. Isutsa, D.K. Nyende, A.B. Mweu, C.M. Njoroge
Coffee plays a central role in Kenyan economy through foreign exchange and income earnings. However, its production has been constrained by factors like high production cost, inappropriate technology and inadequate seedlings. Coffee somatic embryogenesis is another vegetative propagation method, besides cuttings and grafting. Its main use is for F1 hybrid propagation to avoid manual hybrid seed production. Developmental processes and factors related to coffee somatic embryogenesis are not well established, resulting in poor induction or few embryos and low subsequent seedling regeneration. This study identified and quantified endogenous chlorogenic acid (CGA) and caffeine phenols and alkaloids associated with Coffea arabica ‘Ruiru 11’ somatic embryogenesis. Third leaf pairs of greenhouse-grown mother plants were cultured in half-strength Murashige and Skoog, 1962 media. Both green and brown leaf discs with and without embryos constituted treatments, and embryos with fresh culture media and leaf explants constituted controls. A completely random design replicated thrice and repeated once in 2014 was used. Chlorogenic acid and caffeine were extracted and analyzed using a Knuer HPLC system and identified by comparing their retention time with that of standards. Fresh leaves had high 6.51 mg/g FW CGA and 1.14 mg/g FW caffeine. Chlorogenic acid amounting 5.34 mg/g FW was significantly (P<0.05) high in embryos on green leaf discs. Embryos on brown leaf discs had significantly (P<0.05) high 0.5778 mg/g FW caffeine. Green leaf discs with embryos had 0.004 mg/g FW highest endogenous CGA. Culture media with embryos on green leaf discs had 0.6935 mg/g FW highest caffeine. Generally, higher CGA was in non-embryogenic brown and green leaf discs, compared to embryogenic brown and green leaf discs. Embryogenic capacity seemed to be associated with a balance of phenolics. High caffeine in embryos formed on brown leaf discs was a result of accumulation during embryogenesis. The inference that high caffeine in culture media allowed development of somatic embryos when embryos avoided caffeine auto-toxicity through space and time separation will be presented and discussed.
Performance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) Fed Diets Containing Blood Meal as A Replacement of Fish Meal.
(Chuka University, 2017) Kirimi, J.G. Musalia, L.M.Magana, A. and Munguti, J.M.
A 100 days’ experiment was conducted to determine the effect of feeding blood meal (BM) as a replacement of fish meal (FM), as the main source of animal protein, on growth rate and economic performance of Nile tilapia in fertilized pond. Three isonitrogenous diets (35% crude protein) were formulated using either FM as the main source of animal protein (Diet 1); 50% replacement of FM with blood meal (Diet 2); or 100% replacement of FM with BM (Diet 3). Three hundred Nile tilapia fingerlings (12±3 g) were randomly distributed into three groups of four replicates of 25 fingerlings per cage. The groups were randomly assigned the 3 diets which were fed at 2% of their biomass at 10 am and 4pm every day. Percentage daily weight gain (DWG), relative growth rate (RGR), specific growth rate (SGR), survival rate and feed utilisation efficiency were measured. Fish fed diet 1 were larger (50.69 g) (P < 0.05) than those fed diet 2 (48.47 g) and 3 (40.37 g). Replacement of FM with 50% and 100% BM reduced the incidence cost (45.55, 37.83 and 31.88, respectively). The profit index was highest with 100% (9.42) replacement of FM, compared to 50% (7.95) and 0% (6.69). Although replacing FM with BM was associated with reduced growth, the economic return was better (P < 0.05). Based on the present results, it was economical to use BM as a major protein source instead of FM in formulating fish feed.
Effect of Replacing Fish Meal with Blood Meal on Chemical Composition of Supplement for Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus).
(Chuka University, 2017) Kirimi, J.G. Musalia, L.M. and Munguti, J.M
The objective of the work was to evaluate the effect on the nutrient content of replacing fish meal (FM) with blood meal (BM) in fish supplement. Three isonitrogenous diets (35% crude protein) were formulated using FM as the main source of animal protein (BM0); 50% replacement of FM with blood meal (BM50); or 100% replacement of FM with BM (BM100). The chemical composition (ash, crude protein, crude fat and crude fibre) and amino acids composition were determined. Replacement of FM with BM did not affect the proximate composition of the diet apart from ash content which decreased with the level of substitution. Substituting fish meal with blood meal reduced the level of methionine, lysine, isoleucine, leucine, proline, valine and increased the levels of arginine, phenylanine and alanine in the diet. Amino acid indices revealed that BM0 had more amino acids with highest chemical scores followed by BM50 and BM100. In all the diets, methionine was the most limiting amino acid. The essential amino acid index of the diets reduced with the level of replacement of FM (0.94, 0.88 and 0.77). The study showed substitution of up to 50% FM with BM gave a useful protein diet and 100% gave almost a poor protein diet.
Re-Inventing Conservation Agriculture Practices Beyond 21st Century.
(Chuka University, 2017) Michura, E.G
Conservation agriculture (CA) is gaining prominence and has been found to be a better option in solving food scarcity and biodiversity loss. Industrial agriculture (conventional) for a long time has been practiced with the view of maximizing food production under economic gains without environmental integrity. Approximately, 30% of the greenhouse gases emissions are produced from agricultural activities and this has contributed to environmental degradation and poor human health. To save the world from losing its potential to feed the increasing human population and interrupting ecosystem services, there is greater need to reinvent agricultural practices and develop more environmentally friendly ways of producing food and saving biodiversity. This research paper examined reinventing conservation agriculture practices beyond the 21st century by studying CA practices in two different settings both in developed and developing countries. The aim is to showcase the importance of CA as a means of saving the world from further degradation and recommend to the farmers, policy makers, researchers, scientists, politicians, economists, ecologists among others the dire need to adopt CA technologies. CA is undoubtedly an option that can result in substantial benefits for certain types of farmers in certain locations. However, benefits from CA at field level do not necessarily overcome the economic constraints at farm scale and many of these benefits are only realized in the longer term. CA profoundly alters the flow of resources (nutrients, labour and cash) at the scale of the farm and above, and hence strong trade-offs exist when implementing CA. A survey design was employed to collect data through questionnaire and interviews. The results were discussed and descriptive analysis was used. The study found that CA is a better option to improve human health through feeding on nutritious food products, protecting biodiversity and balancing ecosystem services.
Evaluation of Released Maize Hybrids to Hasten Their Commercialization in Coastal Lowland Kenya.
(Chuka University, 2017) uli, M. Karanja, J. Makumbi, D. and Beyene, Y
The coastal region of Kenya is a food deficit area with households purchasing one third of their food requirements. Although maize is the most important food crop, the region produces 1.56 million bags, while the demand is 3.80 million bags. This could be attributed to inadequate number of improved hybrids adaptable to the region and also to poor crop management practices including planting patterns. Several high yielding hybrids have been released for the region over the last few years but they have not been commercialized to be accessible to farmers in the region. A study was conducted to evaluate the performance of selected released hybrids under two maize planting patterns (one and two seeds per hill respectively) in a split plot design with planting pattern as the main plots and maize hybrids as the sub-plots. Five maize hybrids (CKH08069, pH4, WE1101, WE2109 and WE2111) were evaluated under the two planting patterns. The results indicated that hybrids WE1101 and CKH08069 had significantly higher (P<0.05) grain yield than the other hybrids including the local check (PH4). Hybrid CKH08069 had significantly higher ear height than all the other hybrids including the local check. The same trend was observed for ear length with an exception of the local check. The planting pattern had no significant influence, except for grain yield where the pattern of one plant per hill had significantly higher grain yield than that of two plants per hill.
Affecting Access to Extension Service Among Cashew Nut Farmers in Kilifi County, Kenya.
(Chuka University, 2017) Koech, R. and Karani, C.G
The main aim of the paper was to determine the factors that affect access of extension service among smallholder cashew nut producers. The study was conducted in Kilifi County in coastal Kenya which has favourable climatic conditions and a long history of cashew nut production. A structured interview guide was used to collect data from 123 cashew nut farmers which were then analyzed using logistic regression model. Results show that the determinants of access of extension service include gender, education, age, household size and the size of land area cultivated. The study established management neglect of cashew nut plantations which would otherwise be amended through access of extension services. It is thus imperative that favourable policies based on the identified variables be formulated.
Evaluation of Sensory Acceptability of Baked Products of Blended Pumpkin Fruit and Wheat Flours.
(Chuka University, 2017) Kiharason, J.W. Isutsa, D.K. and Ngoda, P
The pumpkin fruit of the species Cucurbita moschata Duchesne has great nutritional potential, but remains under-utilized in Kenya. Its fruits have diverse health enhancing properties. This vegetable- fruit has potential to be processed into various products both for home and industrial use. Despite these benefits, the fruit is underutilized as characterized by the few available pumpkin fruit flour products’ recipes and little contribution to food security in Kenyan households. The present study determined sensory acceptability of baked products of blended pumpkin and wheat flours. Uniform mature pumpkin fruits grown on the Chuka University farm were harvested and processed into flour using a previously developed protocol. Pumpkin flour was augmented at 0%, 5%, 20%, 50% and 80% into wheat flour and baked to make cake, bread, mandazi, scones and cookies. The products were then subjected to sensory acceptability tests using a 5-scale hedonic rating, with 1 being least preferred and 5 most preferred by trained and untrained panelists at KALRO-Njoro and consumer groups in Nyeri County, Kenya. The ANOVA showed that products significantly (P<0.05) differed in acceptability. Among Nyeri consumers, 50% cake and 5% mandazi and scone formulations were highly preferred for colour, texture and flavour. In Njoro, there were significant differences (P<0.05) among the trained and untrained panelists, but overall in all products, the 0% and 5% formulations scored highest across all test parameters. Value addition and commercial utilization of any food product greatly increases its demand. This study shows the great potential of value-added pumpkin flour, in enhancing and enriching textural and sensory qualities of different commercial food p
Spatial-Temporal Changes in Land Use Land Cover and Impacts On Wildlife Conservation in Meru Conservation Area
(Chuka University, 2017) Kiria, M.E.; Magana, A.M.; and Njue, C.
Habitat conversion is a major threat to biodiversity. Recent and current levels of human activities on landscapes appear to be overriding the natural changes to ecosystems brought about by climate variations in the past several thousand years. The impact of anthropogenic activities on wildlife habitat and species vary depending on the spatial and temporal scales considered and the persistence of the activities in the landscape. The study carried out in Meru Conservation Area (MCA) examined land use land cover changes (LULC) that have taken place within and around the Protected Area (PA) between 1985 and 2015 with an emphasis of anthropogenic activities that have altered wildlife habitat and species depending on spatial and temporal scales. The distribution of land use types within and around MCA has produced land use patterns which the study seeks to establish their extent and effects in relation to wildlife conservation. To establish the land use land cover changes (LULC), Landsat satellite images of medium resolution were acquired and interpretation done using ArchGIS as the basic tool for analysis. In this study, four satellite images with a span of 10 years from 1985 to 2015 were acquired for analysis as a post-classification comparison for change detection. The results revealed significant changes in MCA ecosystem over the 30 year study period, accounting for 9.9% and 6.1% increase in grassland and bareland respectively. This could be an indication that agricultural activities are encroaching towards the protected areas in the land that was formerly used as wildlife corridors and dispersal areas. It is also an indication that there is a significant change in the forestland and shrubland which has respectively reduced accounting to 2.3% and 15.7% decline resulting to bareland and grassland. The results of the study provide a threat to the future survival of wildlife in their ecosystems due to decline in ecosystems productivity as well as socioeconomic livelihood of communities living around MCA. This therefore calls for an integrated planning approach towards management of protected areas to meet wildlife and human needs in view of the changing climate regimes.
Socio-Economic Impacts of Invasive Alien Plant Species of Cactus (Opuntia Stricta) In Ewaso Nyiro Area in Narok County, Kenya.
(Chuka University, 2017) Githae, E.W.; and Magana, A.M.
Several plants have been introduced in Kenya for various purposes. Some have become aggressive and rapidly colonize and out-compete the indigenous vegetation. Among them are the Opuntia (Cactus pear) species, one of them being Opuntia stricta Haworth, which was introduced as an ornamental but has spread widely in natural ecosystems especially in the drylands. However, information about its impacts to livelihoods and the sources of spread has not been well documented. This study investigated the challenges faced as a result of invasion and the factors that contribute to the spread. It was done in Ewaso Nyiro, one of the most invaded areas in Narok County, using questionnaires where a sample size of 50 was purposively selected since the area is not densely populated. Impacts caused by Opuntia stricta invasion included denied access to land, injury to both human and livestock and reduced farm- land and pasture-land, land productivity and the well-being of the community. Although majority of the respondents were not aware of how the species got into their farms, some thought that the main source of spread was due to planting the species as an ornamental and a fence. Others thought that it was spread mostly by floods since new invasions occurred immediately after the rainy season. The most common plants affected by O. stricta invasion were indigenous vegetables such as terere (Amaranthus), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica), African nightshade (Solanum), spider plant (Cleome gynandra) and pumpkins (Cucurbita pepo) since they were mostly found on the fence and farm edges and this heavily impacted on the food security. The main methods used to control were chopping, burning, burying and use of herbicides. These methods posed challenges in terms of practicality, expense and environmental impacts and therefore other sustainable methods should be identified that can assist in control as well as improve livelihoods. This should integrate the reported benefits such as source of food, fodder and medicine in order to sustainably manage the species.
Modeling Hiv/Aids Co Infection with Malaria and Tuberculosis: The Role of Treatment and Counseling.
(Chuka University, 2017) Okongo, M.K.; George, L.; Musundi, S.W; and Magana, A.M.
HIV/AIDS remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide with its effects most devastating in Sub-Saharan Africa due to its dual infection with malaria and tuberculosis. This study presents a co infection deterministic model defined by a system of ordinary differential equations for HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. The HIV/AIDS model is analysed to determine the conditions for the stability of the equilibria points and assess the role of treatment and counseling in controlling the spread of co infections. This study shows that effective counseling reduces the value of the reproduction number for HIV/AIDS ( H R ) to less than unity eliminating the problem. Numerical simulations show that applying anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment without effective counseling increases the value of H
Morphological Characterization of Hypoxylon Wood Rot Fungus in Kenyan Tea.
(Chuka University, 2017) Langat, J.K; , Ramkat, R.C.; Muoki, R.C.
Hypoxylon fungi species causes Hypoxylon wood rot disease in tea (Camellia sinensis (L) O. Kuntze). It exists in both asexual and sexual states. To assess the diversity of the fungi in Kenya, 58 fungus isolates were collected from different tea growing regions in Kenya and characterized based on cultural and morphological features. Radial growth of the different isolates on PDA differed significantly. Based on visual assessment of cultural similarity, 10 groupings were observed. The characteristics were mainly effused pulvinate stromata, composed of mainly spherical perithesia and amyloid asci with brown ellipsoid in-equilateral ascospores. Hypoxylon fungi were prevalent (disease index 0.76 to 0.82) in clonal as compared to seedling teas (0.05-0.36). The disease was fairly prevalent at elevated tea growing areas (2100-2250 m asl) than at 1826-1969 m asl. Morphological characteristics of the stromata did not show much variation with respect to tea growing areas; however, treatment of stomatal bodies with 10% KOH released extractable pigments (brown), indicating that H. species is infecting tea in Kenya.
A Local Online Repository for Source Codes and Computing Research Projects.
(Chuka University, 2017) Tuei, K.K.
Open Source Software are fast becoming popular and threatening to overtake the conventional commercial applications. The convenience offered by open source applications is ease of access, learning, download and vast communities of users who collaboratively and instinctively help other users solve issues while using software. Technology enthusiasts, practitioners, programmers, software engineers and even end users with minimal computer literacy find it easier to try out a software without the restrictions of time that come with trials of commercial software. Improving on open source software is key towards the viability of that product in the market as it progresses in time in the ever dynamic IT industry. The proliferation of users on a web-based version-control and collaboration platform for developers such as GitHub is evidence enough that even modern age software developers have moved from re-inventing the wheel by coding from scratch to forking repositories to have a starting point for their own ideas. A local repository for source codes would help local developers be more efficient in their software projects, save time on completing them and also share ideas with other like-minded developers that would help solve specific local problems or use technology to bridge gaps as well as avoid redundancy in terms of starting out on a project that has already been done by another developer and ultimately attain sustainable development. CodeRepo is a web-based repository that allows local developers to deploy a localized repository to register and post links to their code repositories or create one as well as have a forum to network local developers.
2-D Inversion of Gravity Data of Nyabisawa-Bugumbe Area of Migori Greenstone Belt, Kenya.
(Chuka University, 2017) Odek, A.; and Githiri, J
With the continuous extraction of minerals in Migori greenstone belt exploration is currently evolving from surface based exploration to subsurface exploration. This necessitates a good understanding of the geophysical features in the subsurface which are likely to have a direct bearing on the distribution of minerals. In this study, a 2-D litho-prediction model of Nyabisawa-Bugumbe area was developed from geologically constrained inversion of gravity field data. The measured gravity field data were subjected to cleaning process to remove perturbations which were not of geophysical interest, and later enhanced by removing long wavelength anomalies which are as a result of regional trend. The density variations were then inverted for the geometrical parameters of the model. Gravity high trending NW-SE around Nyabisawa, Kirengo towards Nyambeche was delineated. The gravity high is bounded by two major faults along rivers Migori and Munyu. Integrating the 2-D inversion of gravity data and the geology of the area, the gravity field perturbation is associated with banded iron formations.
nformation Seeking Behaviour Of Computer Science Students In Kenya: Case Of Chuka University.
(Chuka University, 2017) Tuei, N; and Kiruki, J.
Information centers such as libraries and research centers offer various services to their clients. This calls for a shift by information professionals from common daily activities and focus on the information needs of their clients. Computer scientists are very resourceful and contribute to the sustainability of the society. The computer scientist creates networks where people can acquire, use and manage Information Technology through innovations and social networks. This is an indication that Computer scientists have potentials, which can provide the drive needed for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The objectives of the study were: 1) Determine the information needs of computer science students at Chuka University. 2) Identify the information sources they consult 3).Find out problems the students face while seeking information. Descriptive design was used for the study. Stratified random sampling was used to select 50 students studying computer Science at Chuka University. A questionnaire was used for data collection. Data analysis was carried out using the statistical packages for social science (SPSS). They sought information mainly for preparing for examinations and assignments. Among the main information sources used were the Internet, friends, lecturers and books. Few used journal articles. Some of the challenges they highlighted include difficulty accessing some websites and failed connections to databases. The library should make more effort to reach out to the computer science students to encourage them to ask for help while seeking for information.
Tips On Technology Commercialization and Leveraging of Intellectual Property Rights: An Eye Opener for University Academia
(Chuka University, 2017) Isutsa, D.K; Amin, F.M
Technology commercialization is the process of transforming an idea or scientific discovery into new or improved product, process or service. Technology commercialisation process is complex, non-linear, with false starts, dead ends, changes in direction and feedback loops. It requires different skill sets, namely: scientific, technical, business and marketing. There are various options for realizing value, namely: licensing, start-up and alliance. An idea or discovery, by itself, has no direct economic value, but rather economic value is created when an idea or discovery finds an application and gets translated into a product, process or service. Commercialization provides returns to public investment in research and ensures that new and promising ideas become seeds to innovative products and services. Commercialization leads to creation of new ventures which are needed for competitiveness and economic growth. Technology commercialisation happens post-research and has about 6 major steps: discovery, proof of concept, product development, market-ready product, marketed innovation, and demand for innovation. The circle repeats once it reaches this end. Discovery/conceptualisation phase has shown that ideas evolve through constant iteration between a new technological capability and market need. Researchers generate new technological possibilities that are embodied in new discoveries and methods. Research could be triggered by real or perceived market needs or by researcher’s own convictions or interests. Proof of concept entails evaluation of the technological feasibility and commercial viability of a technology. Product development refers to the entire process of: identifying a market opportunity; creating a product to appeal to the identified market; testing/trials; and modifying and refining the product. This paper will present tips on how University academia could move fro
). Ultra-Low Noise Fibre Optic Sensor for Low Limit of Detection in Aqueous Medium.
(Chuka University, 2017) Kirwa, A.T.; Williams, N.H; Grell, M
Water from some sources contains waterborne pollutants (e.g lead or cadmium cations) toxic to both human beings and animals even at low concentrations. This calls for sensitive, low cost and portable instruments that can be applied for on-site detection of these pollutants, e.g. ‘optrodes’ (optical sensors). The limit of detection of existing optical sensors is still higher than the recommended safety standards, which is attributed to the detector noise superimposed to the low level signal. In our quest to solve this problem, we introduced a self- referenced evanescent wave optical fibre as a transducer, and a ‘light balance’ with lock- in read- out for minimum noise levels. We coated a thin film of 1-(2-pyridylazo)- 2-naphthol as a Zn2+ sensitizer on a 2 cm stripped section of a 20 cm long sensing fibre optic and run through a sample vessel. We report low noise levels of 64 nV due to lock-in detection and a lower LoD as compared to earlier transducers. This was demonstrated with a clear signal response of ~10 μV from to very low levels (50 nM) of dissolved Zn2+. With suitable sensitizer, our transducer has a potential application to field measurements of low concentrations of waterborne pollutants.
Terotechnology: Remote Patient Monitoring.
(Chuka University, 2017) Ndung’u,; Murerwa, E.G.
Gerontechnology is coined from two words; Gerontology which means the study of old age as well as Technology. Research in the field aims at identifying the needs of the people in their old age as well as encouraging and promoting technological innovations in products and services that address older peoples’ needs; in order to enhance personal independence, maintain health, prevent diseases and enhance leisure. Improvement in diet, health care as well as environment factors has seen an increase in the life expectancy of people. But as people become older challenges among them frail health arises. Traditionally families lived together such that it was expected as one grows old there will be his/her children who will take care of them. But in recent times there has been an upsurge in rural urban migration where the young move to urban areas in search of employment leaving their old parents behind. These are people who may not know when to take prescribed medications or monitor other vital signals. Left on their own health deteriorates very fast and at times results with preventable death. The importance for gerontechnology is increasing because of the high ageing population. This paper attempts to awareness on technological responses to monitoring health of old people. The use of remote monitoring tools to address health issues of the aged is considered.
The Relevance of Education Expansion to Development in Kenya.
(Chuka University, 2017) Ngunjiri, J.N
In many developing countries, formal education is the largest "industry" and the greatest consumer of public revenues. Consequently, poor nations have invested huge sums in education for numerous reasons: Literate farmers with primary education are thought to be more productive and more responsive to new agricultural technologies, trained literate artisans are better able to keep up to date with changing products and materials, while secondary school graduates with arithmetic and clerical skills are needed to perform technical and administrative functions in growing public and private bureaucracies. In former colonial countries, many people with such skills are replacing departing expatriates. University graduates with advanced training are needed to provide the professional and managerial expertise necessary for a modernized public and private sector. The people themselves have exerted tremendous political pressure for the expansion of schools in developing countries. Parents have realized that in an era of scarce skilled manpower, more schooling and certificates increases their children’s chances of securing well-paying jobs. More years of schooling have been perceived as the only avenue for poor children to escape poverty. As a result of these forces acting on both demand and supply, there has been a tremendous acceleration in LDC public expenditures on education during the past three decade. The proportion of national income and budgets spent on education has increased rapidly. Unfortunately, there has been a growing awareness in many developing nations that the expansion of formal schooling is not always associated with an improved ability to undertake productive work, and that too much investment in formal schooling, especially in higher levels, can divert scarce resources from more socially productive activities and drag national development. It is on the basis of this growing reality that this paper seeks to explore the relevance of education expansion to development.

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