Masters Projects and Theses

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CDEV 0141: PRINCIPLES OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT
(0023-04-13) CHUKA UNIVERSITY
CDEV 00150: RESEARCH METHODS
(0023-04-13) CHUKA UNIVERSITY
PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF SELECTED LOCAL MAIZE LANDRACES FOR DROUGHT TOLERANCE BASED ON FLOWERING STRESS, AND THEIR RESISTANCE TO LARGER GRAIN BORER (Prostephanus truncatus) IN KENYA
(Chuka University, 2008-10) MUNYIRI SHELMITH WANJA
Maize is staple food in Kenya and is grown in almost all agro-ecological zones. The average maize yield in the highlands is about 3.5 t/ha while that for the arid and semi arid (ASALs) low altitude areas is less than 1.3 t/ha. Arid and semi arid areas constitute about 82% of the total land area and supports about 20% of the country’s human population. The demand for more food culminating from the population increase and the migration of people from high potential areas to semi arid lowlands has led to maize growing in marginal areas. Kenya’s ASALs are home to the very rural poor who practice subsistence farming as a livelihood. Local landraces of maize are an important livelihood resource in these areas. The objective of the study was to characterize selected Kenyan local maize landraces for drought tolerance and resistance to larger grain borer in storage. The characterization for drought tolerance was carried out using secondary traits that exhibit high heritability for drought tolerance such as grain yield, anthesis-silking interval (ASI), tassel size, ears per plant and leaf rolling. The experiment was laid out in a lattice design (unbalanced) each with sixty-four maize genotypes. A second experiment to evaluate drought tolerance was conducted for landraces that exhibited favorable tolerance characteristics. This experiment was laid out in a split plot (RCBD) design with water levels (water stressed and unstressed, at flowering) as the main plots and germplasm as the sub plots. Irrigation was withheld one week to tasseling and resumed forty days later in water stressed plots. The wellwatered plots had continuous irrigation. The field experiments were carried out at KARIMasongaleni field station in Kibwezi district, which falls under agro-ecological zone VI. Among the characters evaluated, a low ASI (1-6 days) was associated with a high level of drought tolerance and low yield losses under moisture stress. Drought stress resulted in 17% to 81% relative grain yield losses. Germplasm GBK-032419, DT/BT/1470.DT and GBK-034659 exhibited lowest grain yield losses of 28%, 22% and 17% while KTL N 70140-4, KTL N 10162- 1 and Makueni Dry Land Composite (control) exhibited high grain yield losses of 81%, 70% and 68%, respectively. However, Katumani inbred lines DT/BT/1917.DT and DG/BT/2443.DT, though exhibiting the shortest ASI of about 1 day experienced about 50% grain yield loss under moisture stress. In general, an increase in number of ears per plant, 100-seed weight, increased plant height, high shelling %, reduced leaf rolling and low ASI were associated with yield increases under water stress. Germplasm that exhibited favorable drought tolerance characteristics were CML-492, DT/BT/1917.DT, DT/BT/1470.DT, DG/BT/2443.DT, GBK044593, GBK-032419, GBK-032423, GBK-34659, KTL N 701104 and GBK-032357. The most vii susceptible germplasm (ASI between 12-17 days) were KTL N 70133-3, KTL N 10168-1, Katumani Composite B, Makueni Dry Land Composite, KTL N 10168-2, GBK-043227, GBK034711 and GBK-027054. The germplasm that exhibited drought tolerance characteristics were further evaluated for resistance to larger grain borer (LGB) damage in storage. This experiment was done at CIMMYT field laboratory-Kiboko. Samples were laid out in complete randomized design and replicated three times. Although no absolute resistance existed, most landraces exhibited higher levels of resistance to LGB than the control variety H614. The germplasm with the highest resistance level was CML-492, while GBK-043731 had the lowest level. Germplasm CML-492, DT/BT/1971.DT, DT/BT/1470.DT, DG/BT/2443.DT, GBK-044593, GBK-032419, GBK-032423, GBK-34659 and GBK-032357 exhibited tolerance to drought and also resistance to LGB relative to control H614. Katumani Composite B, though exhibiting susceptibility to drought, had a high level of resistance to LGB than most local landraces. It was concluded that some Kenyan local landraces exhibit drought tolerance characteristics and also resistance to LGB. According to factor analysis, the phenotypic characteristics evaluated for drought tolerance accounted for 68% of the total variation.
PHENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF SELECTED LOCAL MAIZE LANDRACES FOR DROUGHT TOLERANCE BASED ON FLOWERING STRESS, AND THEIR RESISTANCE TO LARGER GRAIN BORER (Prostephanus truncatus) IN KENYA
(Egerton University, 2008-10-01) Munyiri, S.M
Maize is staple food in Kenya and is grown in almost all agro-ecological zones. The average maize yield in the highlands is about 3.5 t/ha while that for the arid and semi arid (ASALs) low altitude areas is less than 1.3 t/ha. Arid and semi arid areas constitute about 82% of the total land area and supports about 20% of the country’s human population. The demand for more food culminating from the population increase and the migration of people from high potential areas to semi arid lowlands has led to maize growing in marginal areas. Kenya’s ASALs are home to the very rural poor who practice subsistence farming as a livelihood. Local landraces of maize are an important livelihood resource in these areas. The objective of the study was to characterize selected Kenyan local maize landraces for drought tolerance and resistance to larger grain borer in storage. The characterization for drought tolerance was carried out using secondary traits that exhibit high heritability for drought tolerance such as grain yield, anthesis-silking interval (ASI), tassel size, ears per plant and leaf rolling. The experiment was laid out in a lattice design (unbalanced) each with sixty-four maize genotypes. A second experiment to evaluate drought tolerance was conducted for landraces that exhibited favorable tolerance characteristics. This experiment was laid out in a split plot (RCBD) design with water levels (water stressed and unstressed, at flowering) as the main plots and germplasm as the sub plots. Irrigation was withheld one week to tasseling and resumed forty days later in water stressed plots. The wellwatered plots had continuous irrigation. The field experiments were carried out at KARIMasongaleni field station in Kibwezi district, which falls under agro-ecological zone VI. Among the characters evaluated, a low ASI (1-6 days) was associated with a high level of drought tolerance and low yield losses under moisture stress. Drought stress resulted in 17% to 81% relative grain yield losses. Germplasm GBK-032419, DT/BT/1470.DT and GBK-034659 exhibited lowest grain yield losses of 28%, 22% and 17% while KTL N 70140-4, KTL N 10162- 1 and Makueni Dry Land Composite (control) exhibited high grain yield losses of 81%, 70% and 68%, respectively. However, Katumani inbred lines DT/BT/1917.DT and DG/BT/2443.DT, though exhibiting the shortest ASI of about 1 day experienced about 50% grain yield loss under moisture stress. In general, an increase in number of ears per plant, 100-seed weight, increased plant height, high shelling %, reduced leaf rolling and low ASI were associated with yield increases under water stress. Germplasm that exhibited favorable drought tolerance characteristics were CML-492, DT/BT/1917.DT, DT/BT/1470.DT, DG/BT/2443.DT, GBK044593, GBK-032419, GBK-032423, GBK-34659, KTL N 701104 and GBK-032357. The most vii susceptible germplasm (ASI between 12-17 days) were KTL N 70133-3, KTL N 10168-1, Katumani Composite B, Makueni Dry Land Composite, KTL N 10168-2, GBK-043227, GBK034711 and GBK-027054. The germplasm that exhibited drought tolerance characteristics were further evaluated for resistance to larger grain borer (LGB) damage in storage. This experiment was done at CIMMYT field laboratory-Kiboko. Samples were laid out in complete randomized design and replicated three times. Although no absolute resistance existed, most landraces exhibited higher levels of resistance to LGB than the control variety H614. The germplasm with the highest resistance level was CML-492, while GBK-043731 had the lowest level. Germplasm CML-492, DT/BT/1971.DT, DT/BT/1470.DT, DG/BT/2443.DT, GBK-044593, GBK-032419, GBK-032423, GBK-34659 and GBK-032357 exhibited tolerance to drought and also resistance to LGB relative to control H614. Katumani Composite B, though exhibiting susceptibility to drought, had a high level of resistance to LGB than most local landraces. It was concluded that some Kenyan local landraces exhibit drought tolerance characteristics and also resistance to LGB. According to factor analysis, the phenotypic characteristics evaluated for drought tolerance accounted for 68% of the total variation.
Potential of orange-fleshed sweet potato in increasing vitamin A dietary intake in up to 60-month-old children in Laikipia, Kenya
(University of Nairobi, 2010-07) Kiharason, Jedidah Wanjiku
Developing countries, more so those in sub-Saharan Africa, are having to grapple with high prevalence of vitamin A deficiency. Food based approaches are being recommended as the sustainable interventions. In Kenya, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are being recommended as one such food. This study was therefore designed to assess the potential of orange-fleshed sweet potato to improve vitamin A intake by children 25-60 months old in Rumuruti division of Laikipia district, Kenya. , Using a semi-structured questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey was carried out among 227 mothers with the target children. The situation of vitamin A deficiency was assessed using one biological and five of a composite of demographic and ecological indicators. The extent of production and consumption of sweet potato by households were also assessed. A 24-hour recall was used on a sub-sample of 32 mothers to determine dietary intake of vitamin A by the children. A focus group discussion was used to determine awareness about night blindness and its local term. As a sub-clinical indicator for vitamin A deficiency, night blindness was carried out on only 4.8% of the children; the rest had received vitamin A supplementation within the last six months. Data was coded, entered, recoded and analyzed using MS Excel, Vitamin A Intake Calculator, SPSS and Epi-Info. None of the few children assessed showed any night blindness. However, demographic and ecological indicators indicated that the children were at risk of vitamin A deficiency: 86% households were surviving on less than one dollar per person per day and less than 75% of the children were consuming vitamin A-rich foods for more than 3 days in a xii week. The results indicated that 68.7% of the children had inadequate dietary intake of vitamin A in the last 24 hours. Of this group, the 25-36 months old group had consumed on average 60.8% and the 37-60 months old group, 62.7% of their RDAs. The study established that 42% households were growing and consuming mainly whitefleshed sweet potato varieties but only 24.2% had consumed sweet potatoes in the last 7 days; only 3% had consumed for at least 3 days in the week. No child had consumed sweet potato in the last 24 hours. Potential for contribution of sweet potato to vitamin A intake by children was obtained through calculation, by assuming that an average child consumed lOOg of orange-fleshed sweet potato once a day. With the consumption, the RDA for vitamin A would be met from consumption of sweet potato alone. The children within the age of 25-36 months old would be required to eat 27g of the potato, and those between 37-60 months old would require 35g of the sweet potato to meet their RDA for vitamin A. The study concluded that sweet potatoes are a familiar and acceptable food in Rumuruti, but their contribution to vitamin A intake is minimal. Without vitamin A capsule supplementation, up. to 68% of the children are at risle of VAD. However, inclusion of orange-fleshed sweet potato in their daily diets would easily meet their vitamin A RDAs and there would be no need for the vitamin A capsule administration.
INFLUENCE OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOL RELATED ACTIVITIES ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN PUBLIC DAY SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN IMENTI NORTH SUB COUNTY, MERU COUNTY, KENYA
(Chuka University, 2014-09) KARARWA, HUMPHREY MUGAMBI
The role of parents in children’s education globally is a central issue in education policy and research. Due to concerns on how to improve students’ academic achievement, the role of parents and family-school partnership are considered among the most successful educational strategies. Though research findings indicate that parents play a significant role in the learning process especially in secondary schools, their direct and indirect influence on academic achievement had not been adequately studied in Kenya and specifically in Imenti North Sub County. This study therefore sought to ascertain the influence of parental involvement in school related activities on students’ academic achievement in public day secondary schools in Imenti North Sub County, Meru County Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The target population was 3,349 respondents consisting of 3,328 students and 21 head teachers in all day secondary schools in the district. The accessible population was 735 form 3 students and 21 head teachers from which a sample was selected using simple random sampling technique. A sample size of 180 respondents consisting of 175 form 3 students and 5 head teachers from 5 public day secondary schools was used in the study. Data was collected using a students’ questionnaire and an interview schedule for head teachers. A pilot study was conducted in two day secondary schools from the neighbouring Imenti South Sub County to establish the reliability of the instruments by use of test-retest technique. A correlation coefficient of 0.88 for students and 0.85 for head teachers was achieved respectively. Validity of the instruments was enhanced through an expert judgment of supervisors. Descriptive statistics involving frequencies and percentages were used to analyze quantitative and qualitative data. Data collected was presented in form of tables, graphs and charts. It was established that parents in Imenti North Sub County were lowly involved in the academic achievement of their children. It was also established that parental involvement in school related activities influenced students’ academic achievement. It was suggested that schools should establish regular open days to provide parents with opportunities to consult with teachers over their children’s academic work. It is expected that the findings of the study will assist education planners, teachers and other stake holders to understand and utilize the potential of parental involvement in school related activities in enhancing students’ academic achievement.
Prise en compte des identités en construction dans les interactions en classe de langue et face-work : étude exploratoire d’un atelier sociolinguistique
(Universite Grenoble Alpes, 2016) Mwakundia, Mwakazi Chrispus
Determinants of religious Tourism branding tactics in Kenya: A cross sectional study
(SAGE, 2016) Muriuki, Lemmy Mureti, Bururia,David
Shrines’ market appeal and authenticity drive religious tourism branding initiatives. Ideal packaging strate- gies further determine product performance in religious destinations. This article examined the potential contribution of market appeal and authenticity to religious tourism branding in the Kenyan Coast, Western, and Eastern regions. Multistage Cluster Sampling was used to sample 700 respondents. Surveys were con- ducted using structured interviews between February 2012 and April 2013. Questionnaires targeted commu- nities, tourists, and tourism developers. Questionnaires examined the types of shrines, utilization rate, perceived importance, and current development levels. It further assessed applicable religious tourism branding strategies within regions. Data analysis involved factor analysis, ANOVA, and t-tests. Results indi- cated that Kenyan shrines serve natural, physical, and cultural purposes, which determine their market appeal. New brands, line-extensions, and brand extensions emerged significant product branding strategies (p<0.05). Thus, it implied perceived loss of product authenticity.
A History of Social Exclusion and Poverty of the Thagichu of Igembe Sub - County, Meru County from 1907 to 1962
(INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT, 2016-08) Kithinji, Caroline Mucece, Okelo,David O. and Kaburi, Muriungi Colomba
This study is on social exclusion and poverty of the Thagichu of Igembe Sub - County, Meru County in Kenya from 1907 to1962. The study traces the history of social exclusion of the Thagichu from the colonial epoch of the years1907 to 1962. Kenyan Government strategies towards alleviation of social exclusion and poverty between 2013 1nd 2015 are also explored. The study was guided by the theories of Underdevelopment, Materialistic Conception of History and Social Darwinism. The study employed the descriptive research design. Data was collected from oral, archival and secondary sources. A total of 50 people were purposively sampled and interviewed. Data from oral sources was corroborated with data from archival and secondary sources. The major findings of this research are that the Thagichu have been socially excluded by the colonial Government. This exclusion was noted in inadequate infrastructure like roads, schools, hospitals and lack of access to social services like banks compared to other areas of Meru County. The study also established that the government has come up with strategies that could help in tackling social exclusion and poverty of the Thagichu. Such strategies are building more educational facilities, provision of free primary and day secondary education, adult and continuing education, non-formal education and provision of educational funds through the constituency development fund and Affirmative Action Social Development Fund. Other strategies aimed at poverty alleviation are establishment of road networks, land adjudication, presence of NGOs, provision of formal employment, Health facilities, growth of an urban centre and Provision of electricity. This study has contributed to the Thagichu historiography
Factors Influencing Adoption of Organic Farming among Farmers in Nembure Division, Embu County - Kenya
(American journal of contemporary Research, 2016-08) Njeru,Moses Kathuri
Organic farming has been mooted as an environmentally friendly farming practice in response to the growing concern over the environmental risks associated with modern agriculture. This paper examines the factors that influence adoption among farmers in Nembure division of Embu County, Kenya. Descriptive research design was used for the study. Proportionate stratified sampling was used in selecting 37% of organic farmers in the Division. All the twelve agricultural extension officers were purposively selected for the study. Pre-testing of the questionnaires was done to ensure their validity and reliability. The reliability coefficients obtained for the farmers’ and extension officers’ questionnaires were 0.79 and 0.82 respectively. The study found that women adopted organic farming practices more than men. Contrary to existing literature, age of the farmers, their level of education; labour availability and land size did not statistically influence adoption of organic farming in Nembure division.
Influence of Student Councils Participation in Conflict Resolutionon Management of Public Boys’and Girls’Boarding Secondary Schools,Nyeri County,Kenya
(Journal of Education and Practice, 2018) Muthui,Eustace Murage, Muthaa,George M.,Barchok K. Hillary,Wamukuru,David K.
The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of students’ council’s participation in conflictresolution on management in boys’ and girls’ public boarding secondary schools. The study adopted the descriptive survey and correlation research designs. The study was conducted in 12 boys’ and 12 girls’ public boarding secondary schools in Nyeri County that were identified using purposive sampling technique. A sample of384 respondents was used. Data was collected using questionnaires. Data was analyzed usingboth descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found that participation of student council in conflicts resolution had statistically significant influence on management of public boys’ and girls’ boarding secondary schools. The study concluded that a unit increase in participation of student councils in conflict resolution enhances school managementbya factorof0.887.Thestudyrecommendedthatthereisneedtoenhanceguidanceandcounseling among students, organize forums to train student councils on conflict resolution strategies and promote moral behavior and characters in order to be trusted in resolving conflicts among students.
Multivariate analysis techniques reveal significant morphogenetic variability in pumpkin landraces in Kenya
(International journal of bioscience, 2018) Kiramana,James Kirimi, Isutsa,Dorcas Khasungu
Documentedinformation on naturalizedpumpkin landraces inKenyatoidentifyusefulvariabilityis insufficient. The present study assessed variability using quantitative characters of 155 accessions, with 70 and 85 from Kakamega and Nyeri regions, respectively. The accessions were grown in one farm in a completely randomized design with three replications. Analysis of variance showed significant (P<0.05) variation in all characters. Lowest andhighest variablesinmeanandrangewereleaflength/width ratioandseednumber that were0.8 and 0.4, and 837 and 4,111, respectively. Eight factors accounted for 79.4% of total variation. The highly variable factors were fruit flesh thickness, length, width and length/width ratio, size, total weight, average weight and number, as well as seed number, 100-seeds weight, length, width, and thickness. Phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) were slightly higher or equal to genotypic ones (GCV). High GCV and PCV, heritability and genetic gain resulted for fruit size, total fruit weight, fruits and seeds. Over 70 positive correlations in fruit size, number and seeds with total fruit weight were observed in genotypic and phenotypic variabilities. Maximum positive direct effects on total fruit weight were observed in seeds, fruit average weight, length, and size, while indirect effects were observed in fruit number, flesh thickness, length, peduncle length and days to first flower. Multivariate analysis revealed fruit size, number, total weight, and seeds were characters of great genetic variability,whichshouldbeconsideredasprimarycomponentsforachievinghighyieldsinpumpkinswhen screeningaccessionsforselectionandimprovement
ProspectiveTeachersProclivitiesinRegardto Teaching Practice as Part of Teacher Training
(International Journal of Innovation and Research in Educationa lSciences, 2018) Njagi,Mercy Wanja
Teaching practice occupies a key position in initial teacher education programme. Teaching practice provides the prospective teacher with practical experience in a school to put theories into practice. In order to achieve the standards required for qualified teacher status, a student teacherisrequiredtoundertaketeachingpracticeatleastone schoolterminKenyahenceteachingpracticeis anobligatory requirement, transformative experience and of great importance to trainee teacher. During the teaching practice the student teacher applies the fundamental procedures, techniques and methods of teaching, even the philosophy of education learned theoretically in the classroom. Thus the trainee teacher undergoes practical use of teaching methods, strategies, techniques and exercise of different activities of daily school life. The purpose of the study was to investigate the student teacher readiness for teaching practice and experience during teaching practice. The study also explored the student teachers disposition of teaching profession after teaching practice. The study adopted descriptive research design. The participants were purposively sampled from fourth year Bachelor of Education students from universities inKenyawhereasampleof132studentswasused.Thefinding ofthisresearchrevealedthatteacherpreparationisadequate, studentteachersfacechallenges duringteachingpracticeand that majority intend to join teaching profession after the course. The findings of the study may provide added knowledgetoteachertrainerstoprepare,adjustandimprove on their primary responsibility of preparing the prospective teachers.Thefindingsmayhelpteachereducationinstitutions tounderstanddiversity, intensity,complicacy andrichness of teaching practice as an integral component of teacher education programme in order to provide quality and enriching teaching practice session to train competitive educators.real school situation. Since teaching practice is an immanent component of teacher training and play a significant role in the preparation of prospective teachers thenitmustbedesignedtoenablethestudentteachertoac-
Dynamics of climate change adaptations on horticultural land use practices around Mt Kenya east region
(Science PG, 2018-01-16) Kinoti,Kibetu Dickson, Jackson,Colbert Mutiso,Muthoni,Mwangi Joyce
Eastern slopes of Mount Kenya experienced widespread horticultural crop production after the establishment of Horticultural Crops Development Agency (HCDA) packing facilities within the region in the early 2000s. Favourable soils and climatic conditions triggered by growing export market demands have led to the changing patterns of agricultural land use practices in Mt. Kenya east region. The focus is now shifting to agro-diversification and land use intensification practices. The growing horticultural farming business in this region is impacting subsistence production, resource use as well as livelihood systems. This paper assesses the implications of climate change adaptation measures on household food security, gender roles and land management activities within the context of horticultural production land use practices. The findings ascertain that the region’s increasing agro-diversification activities are both coping strategies to the climate related changes and the social, political as well as economic transformations ushered in by devolution
Effect of Computer Assisted Teaching Strategy on Students Achievement by Gender in Agricultural Education in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya
(International journal for innovation education and research, 2018-02-28) Muchiri,Joyline Mugero
Gender has remained relevant in education because it has been linked to achievement and participation in certain professions. Gender differences in achievement has been shown to vary according to school subject. This has partly been attributed to the teaching strategy adopted by the teacher. Computer Assisted Teaching (CAT) strategy is a method that uses computers in a learning media and strengthens student’s motivation and educational processes. Little or no information is known about the impact of the strategy in teaching agriculture and consequently it’s effect on achievement by gender. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether there is gender difference in achievement in agriculture among students exposed to CAT strategy. The study employed Solomon Four-Quasi-experimental design. The study was conducted in eight county secondary schools in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. Stratified random sampling technique was used in selecting sample schools. A sample of 327 Form One students participated in the study. The research instrument was Agriculture Achievement Test (AAT) with a reliability coefficient of 0.91. Descriptive statistics (means and percentages) and inferential statistic (ANOVA) were used for data analysis. The study showed that CAT strategy improved achievement in agriculture but male students performed better than female students after exposure to CAT strategy. The study concluded that CAT is an effective strategy in improving achievement in agriculture and therefore agriculture teachers should incorporate CAT strategy in their teaching.
Ensemble approach for potential habitat mapping of invasive Prosopispp.inTurkana,Kenya
(Wiley, 2018-03-03) TimNg,Wai,Cândidode ,Alexsandro ,Silva ,Oliveira , Rima,Purity,Atzberge, Clement , Immitzer,Markus
Aim:Prosopisspp.areaninvasivealienplantspeciesnativetotheAmericasandwell adapted to thrive in arid environments. In Kenya, several remote‐sensing studies conclude that the genus is well established throughout the country and is rapidly in‐ vadingnewareas.ThisresearchaimstomodelthepotentialhabitatofProsopisspp. by using an ensemble model consisting of four species distribution models. Furthermore, environmental and expert knowledge‐based variables are assessed. Location:TurkanaCounty,Kenya.Methods:Wecollectedandassessedalargenumberofenvironmentalandexpertknowl‐ edge‐based variables through variable correlation, collinearity, and bias tests. The varia‐ bleswereusedforanensemblemodelconsistingoffourspeciesdistributionmodels:(a) logisticregression,(b)maximumentropy,(c)randomforest,and(d)Bayesiannetworks.The modelswereevaluatedthroughablockcross‐validationprovidingstatisticalmeasures. Results: The best predictors for Prosopis spp. habitat are distance from water and built‐upareas,soiltype,elevation,lithology,andtemperatureseasonality.Allspecies distributionmodelsachievedhighaccuracieswhiletheensemblemodelachievedthe highest scores. Highly and moderately suitable Prosopis spp. habitat covers 6% and 9% of the study area, respectively. Main conclusions: Both ensemble and individual models predict a high risk of continued invasion,confirminglocalobservationsandconceptions.Findingsarevaluabletostake‐ holdersformanaginginvadedarea,protectingareasatrisk,andtoraiseawareness.
Influence of church based education circumcision programmes on male initiates’ attitude towards responsible adulthood: a case of Meru County, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2018-08) Kamoyo ,John Mwithalii,Nyaga.Veronica Karimi
The study examined the influence of church based education circumcision programmes on male initiates’ attitude towards responsible adulthood in Meru County of Kenya. The study employed the descriptive survey research design. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select a sample size of 280 respondents comprising of 250 male initiates, 25 day care parents and 5 circumcision program organizers. Questionnaires and interview guides were utilized as research instruments for collection of the required data. Frequencies, percentages, means and Chi-Square test statistics were used to analyze quantitative data by use of SPSS version 21.0. Qualitative data from open ended question items in the questionnaires as well as responses from the interviews were thematically analyzed. The findings revealed that church based education circumcision programs inculcated positive attitudes towards responsible adulthood among male initiates. It was recommended that ICT resources be integrated in the education circumcision programs to make it relevant to the modern generation.
Theological Education in Africa in Focus: Challenges and Opportunities for the African Church as it Moves to the Future
(ScholarsAcademicand Scientific Publishers, 2018-09-29) Kagema,Dickson Nkonge
The future of the African Church looks bright with its tremendousnumerical growth, but careful assessment shows that it is failing to match numerical growth withthe development ofitspersonnel. Usingthe Anglican Church of Kenya as an example, this study shows that the African Church is in crisis due to the lack of enough qualified personnel to lead it. If the Church in Africa is thinking about itsfuture it must think of the theological education through which its leaders areequipped. The African Church currently has a feeble theological education system; characterized by unviable theological institutions, irrelevant curricula, low enrollment, and unqualified theological tutors among other challenges. For the African Church to take the right path as it moves to the future, it must revitalize its theological education system so as to prepare a sufficient number of well-equipped leaders to match the rapidly changing African society.
Effect of strategic direction on the performance of technical training institutions in Meru County, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2018-10) Muthaa ,George Mungiria
Organizational performance is important in justifying its existence and resources allocation. To enhance performance, Strategic direction has been identified has useful in promoting organizational performance. For Technical Training Institutions to achieve their core mandate in human resource training, the Government has emphasized on their development and implementation of strategic plans. Technical Training institutions have been operating with strategic plans for at least the last ten years; however no systematic study has been carried out to investigate the influence of these strategic plans on the performance of the institutions. The current study sought to investigate the effects of the strategic direction on performance in respect to enrolment, resources, quality and efficiency. The study used the cross sectional descriptive survey research design. Questionnaires were used for data collection. Instruments were tested for reliability by use of the cronbach’s alpha and a correlation coefficient of 0.75 was obtained. Validity of instruments was ensured by use of peer reviewers and research experts. The researcher personally administered the instruments; this helped in realizing a high return rate. Data was analyzed by use of both descriptive and inferential statistics including frequencies, percentages, means and the regression analyses and presented by use of tables and figures. The study established that the strategic direction had significant influence on the performance of technical training institutions. The introduction of the government policy has a moderating variable improved the model on organizational direction. The researcher recommends the alignment of the institutional philosophy, priorities, innovations and collaborations to the institutional strategic direction which could improve the performance of Technical Training Institutions.
Effect of Applying Organic Amendments and Chick pea Integration on Soil Chemical Properties in Different Cropping Systems In Central Kenya
(Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2018-11-15) Ndukhu,O.H,Wahome,G.R.,Jensen,H.H
A study was carried out to determine the effect of applying farm yard manure (FYM) and Minjingu rock phosphate (MRP) on soil available nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbon. The study involved field experiments under varying precipitation pattern, soil fertility levels and cropping systems over four growth seasons.Theexperimentaldesignwasarandomized completeblock(RCBD)withfourreplicationsinasplitplot arrangement where the main plots were the three cropping systems; monocropping, intercropping and crop rotation and the split plots were FYM and MRPand sampling done at crop physiological maturity. Soil pH, N, P K and C increased in the different treatments in the following order control < MRP< FYM in the three cropping systemsacrossthefourgrowingseasonsatbothsites.In maizeunderrotationwithchickpeacontrolhad;0.281% N,2.82%Cand10.68ppmP.FYM;0.554%N,4.41%Cand18.24ppmP.MRP;0.45%N,3.6%Cand41.08 ppm P.Maizechickpeaintercropcontrol;0.389%N,3.192%Cand13.4ppmP.FYM;0.531%N,4.98%Cand 41.02 ppm P. MRP; 0.49% N, 4.08% C and 50.9 ppm P. Soil under maize monocrop exhibited; control; 0.2% N, 2.59%Cand11.26ppmP.FYM;0.416%N,3.83%Cand18.01ppmP.MRP;0.28%N,3.13%Cand26.1ppmP. Almost a similar trend was observed in maize and tomato plots at both sites in all the growing seasons. Thus it can be deduced that, FYM and MRP application and legume integration in cropping systems improves soil fertility.

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