Conferences/ Seminars/Workshops /Journal (JESAR)

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    A Note on Quasi-Similarity of Operators in Hilbert Spaces
    (Chuka University, 2016) Sitati, I.N.; Musundi, S.W.
    This paper reports on the notion of Quasi-similarity of bounded linear operators in Hilbert Spaces, defines a quasi-affinity from one Hilbert Space H to K and discusses results on quasi-affinities. It has been shown that on a finite dimensional Hilbert Space, quasi-similarity is an equivalence relation; it is reflexive, symmetric and transitive. Using the definition of commutants of two operators, an alternative result is given to show that quasi-similarity is an equivalence relation on an infinite dimensional Hilbert Space. The relationship between quasi-similarity and almost similarity equivalence relations in Hilbert Spaces using hermitian and normal operators is established.
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    a sustainable financing model amongst banks for agribusiness infrastructural projects in kenya.
    (Chuka University, 2017) Musuya, D., Matete, J.S., Kamau, and Fwamba, R
    The inherent risks embedded in agribusinesses have made banks cautious in extending credit. Indeed the agricultural sector is the backbone of the economy, contributing significantly to the GDP of the county nevertheless is the least funded. The research study intended to test a model, financing through cooperatives that can be used to mitigate the construed risks of agribusiness lending. The research’s null hypothesis was that, packaging credit and extending it to agribusinesses through cooperatives would not significantly mitigate default risk. This was deductive research using survey methods to collect data for hypothesis testing. From the analysis results the null hypothesis was rejected, accepting the alternative hypothesis that group financing, using the co-operative model, is preferred. Thus, transfer of surplus funds from financial institutions to agribusinesses should be done through co- operatives.
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    Acceptability of Napier Grass, Tithonia (Tithonia Diversifolia) and Sapium (Sapium Ellipticum) As Forages for Sheep in Kenya and Their Nutritive
    (Chuka University, 2015) chuka University
    There is limited information on acceptability of Tithonia (Tithonia diversifolia) and Sapium (Sapium ellipticum) as forages to sheep in Kenya. This study compared the acceptability of Napier grass, Tithonia and Sapium as forages for sheep. It had five (one and half year old male sheep) selected on the basis of uniformity in live weight, averaging 23 kg. The sheep were housed in individual pens (metabolic unit), measuring 1.5mx1.5mx2.0m and mounted on the concrete floor at Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Embu. The feeding period lasted for 10 days. Data were collected and recorded for 5 days. A sample of each offered and refused experimental diet was collected and recorded for 5 days and oven-dried for determination of moisture content, crude protein, ash content, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and acid detergent lignin. The neutral detergent fibre levels for wilted Napier grass, Tithonia and Sapium fodder were 80.1%, 33.57% and 39.52% respectively. The acid detergent fiber levels for wilted grass, Tithonia and Sapium hay were 43.58%, 27.98% and 22.4%, respectively. The acid detergent lignin levels for the diets 1, 2 and 3 were 6.12%, 11.3% and 8.87%, respectively. Napier grass, Sapium and Tithonia forages were found to be preferred by the sheep in this order, with an average daily intake in kg/DM of 0.26, 0.11 and 0.18, respectively. Knowing acceptability of the forages could assist in their utilization in improvement of sheep nutrition and productivity.
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    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
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    Adapting To Climate Change: Evaluating the Implementation of Water Resource Management Strategies in Hotels within Lake Naivasha Environs
    (Chuka University, 2015) Chuka University
    Sustainability is complicated by the threat of climate change which presents tourism industry with considerable negative effects, creating an urgent need to manage and use such resources responsibly. Water Resource Management (WRM) has become critical in the tourism industry. Consequently, hotels have a unique responsibility in lessening the real and potential negative impacts on the water and promote sustainable water management and use. This study evaluated adoption of WRM strategies in hotels to attain water sustainability, the current structural and non-structural WRM strategies adopted by selected hotels in the environs of Lake Naivasha, perceived effectiveness of both the structural and non-structural WRM strategies adopted to enhance water sustainability, and structural and non-structural watcensus of 30 Class (A) registered hotels was conducted, and purposive sampling was used to select respondents. Convenience sampling was used to select managers for interviews. Primary data collection used questionnaires and interviews, while secondary data was synthesized from journals, text books, theses and other works and analysed using the SPSS program. Hotels had embraced WRM strategies through development of alternative water resources, water saving technologies, manuals and treatment of recycled water. Structural WRM strategies were perceived to ber management strategies in terms of sustainability in hotels within environs of Lake Naivasha. A e more effective as they impacted more on reducing operating costs, promoted environmental conservation and were more preferred than the non-structural strategies despite being more expensive to implement. Water sustainability is achievable through a combination of WRM strategies. Better water management policies should be formulated and complemented with technological utilization, stiffer penalties on pollution, community involvement, inclusion of donor funding and provision of incentives.
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    ADOLESCENT SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES AND THE RETENTION OFADOLESCENT GIRLS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NAROK, KENYA.
    (Chuka University, 2022) Mugambi, L. M.; Sande, A.
    Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) has acquired prominence and the services deemed as the effective strategy for reducing adolescent pregnancies, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) infections by various health stakeholders. Despite availability of the services, evidence presents escalation in percentage of early pregnancies and school dropouts among adolescent girls in Narok County. The study purposed to establish the prevalence of ASRH services and retention of adolescent girls’ in secondary schools in Narok County. The total study population was 17813. The target population was secondary school girls aged 15 to 19 years, teachers, public health officers, Non-Governmental Organization officers working in ASRH program and administrators in Narok County. About 377 people were sampled, randomly and purposively. The cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Data was collected using questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Analysis was done using linear regression. Results of the study revealed that the higher the prevalence of SRH services, the higherthe retention of adolescent girls in secondary schools (p = 0.001). Awareness about ASRH services among adolescent girls reduced early pregnancy and also increased their retention in secondary schools (R= 0.72). Results indicated that the ASRH information, Voluntary counselling and HIV/AIDS testing, delivery services, screening for STDs, family planning services were significantly utilised (0.000). However, prenatal care was less significantly utilised by the adolescent girls (0.008). The study recommended reinforcement on provision of the ASRH servicesto the adolescent girls to further increase girls’ retention in secondary schools.
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    ADOLESCENT SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES AND THE RETENTION OFADOLESCENT GIRLS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NAROK, KENYA.
    (CHUKA UNIVERSITY, 2022) Mugambi, Lacton,M.; Sande, A
    Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) has acquired prominence and the services deemed as the effective strategy for reducing adolescent pregnancies, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) infections by various health stakeholders. Despite availability of the services, evidence presents escalation in percentage of early pregnancies and school dropouts among adolescent girls in Narok County. The study purposed to establish the prevalence of ASRH services and retention of adolescent girls’ in secondary schools in Narok County. The total study population was 17813. The target population was secondary school girls aged 15 to 19 years, teachers, public health officers, Non-Governmental Organization officers working in ASRH program and administrators in Narok County. About 377 people were sampled, randomly and purposively. The cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Data was collected using questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Analysis was done using linear regression. Results of the study revealed that the higher the prevalence of SRH services, the higherthe retention of adolescent girls in secondary schools (p = 0.001). Awareness about ASRH services among adolescent girls reduced early pregnancy and also increased their retention in secondary schools (R= 0.72). Results indicated that the ASRH information, Voluntary counselling and HIV/AIDS testing, delivery services, screening for STDs, family planning services were significantly utilised (0.000). However, prenatal care was less significantly utilised by the adolescent girls (0.008). The study recommended reinforcement on provision of the ASRH servicesto the adolescent girls to further increase girls’ retention in secondary schools. Keywords: Adolescent girls, Sexual Reproductive Health, Retention in schools
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    Adoption and Utilization of Zai Pits for Improved Farm Productivity in Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya.
    (Chuka University, 2015) Chuka University
    Small holder farmers in low midland zones of Tharaka-Nithi County are facing challenges in improving agricultural productivity and livelihoods. Low crop yields due to low erratic rainfall, high evapotranspiration, and deteriorating soil health in smallholder farmers’ fields have led to a quest for sustainable production practices with greater resource use efficiency. To alleviate these challenges, impact of zai pits was assessed in terms of factors that influence adoption in Tharaka-Nithi County, located in low midland zones of eastern Kenya. Interview schedules were used to elicit information from 290 farmers. A descriptive statistical analysis approach was used to analyse data. There was significant relationship between farmers who had been visited by an agricultural officer and adoption ((2=6.019, P=0.05), where a higher percentage of farmers who had adopted had been visited by non-governmental extension agents. A significant difference existed between the average farm size of adopters and non-adopters (t=2.7, df=285, P=0.05). There is need to re-evaluate the role that socio-economic variables and farm characteristics contribute in adoption of Zai pits as a water harvesting technology.
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    ADSORPTION OF LEAD (II) IONS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS USING MANGROVE ROOTS (Rhizophora mucronata) CHARCOAL-CARBON NANOTUBES NANOCOMPOSITE
    (Chuka University, 2021) Ngugi, Fidelis; Mwangi, Joel; Njagi, Eric
    Providing clean and affordable water to meet human needs is a grand challenge of the 21st century. Worldwide, water supply struggles to keep up with the fast growing demand, which is exacerbated by population growth, global climate change, and water quality deterioration. Nanotechnology holds great potential in advancing water treatment to improve water treatment efficiency. In this study, Mangrove Roots Charcoal and Carbon Nanotubes (MRC- CNTs) nanocomposite was synthesized and utilized as a novel adsorbent for the removal of lead ions from aqueous solutions. The efficacy of MRC-CNT nanocomposites was investigated in batch mode which involved the effects of pH, temperature, concentration of the lead ions, adsorbent mass and contact time on adsorbates removal. Characterization of the adsorbent was carried out by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to observe the morphology of the adsorbent and surface area analysis and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to determine the elemental composition of the adsorbent. Adsorption isotherm models and adsorption kinetic studies were used for data analysis. It was observed that the removal efficiency of Pb (II) ions depended on pH of solution and the maximum efficiency was noticed at pH 7 with adsorption capacity of 3.629 mg/g which was calculated by the Freundlich isotherm model. Kinetic studies were well suited and found in good agreement with pseudo-second order. The results indicated that MRC-CNT nanocomposites would be a promising adsorbent for adsorption of Pb (II) ions from aqueous solutions.
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    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.
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    Agent-Based Online Secure Disks Using NASD Model Approach
    (Chuka University, 2016) Osero, B.O.
    Increasing performance and decreasing cost of microprocessors make it feasible to move processing power to the data source. This allowed us to investigate new methods of storage delivery and management not plausible in the past. Our architecture, inspired by agent-based techniques and active disk technology, promotes an open storage management framework that embeds functionality into storage devices. We use local agents to implement self-control with automated capability that can be dynamically adapted to meet storage management through improved search capabilities in the virtual environment and also retain capabilities like security, performance and availability. This paper reports experimentation on how storage virtualisation of network attached devices improves performance by using NASD model, explains attempts in building mobile agent environments on network attached disks, and demonstrates proposed framework that employs mobile agents to supplement the existing NASD model.
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    AGRICULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF RHIZOBIUM SPECIES FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES
    (Chuka University, 2022) Nyakinywa, Ruth; Atieno, Margaret Faith; Ogolla, O. Fredrick
    Strong demand for food necessitates efforts by researchers to create methods for sufficient production. Agricultural challenges include soil fertility loss, climate change, and increased pest infestations. Environmentally friendly practices such as the use of bio pesticides, bio fertilizers, and the return of crop residues are used to produce sufficient quantities in a healthy and sustainable farming system. The wide range of beneficial impacts of soil microorganisms, notably plant growth stimulation, emphasizes the need for more research and application in modern agriculture. Legumes are an important part of many people traditional diets around the world because they provide a slew of benefits to a soil and other crops produced alongside or after them in a variety of cropping systems. Legumes ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen in conjunction with rhizobia allows them to thrive in severely deteriorated soils. Is it, nevertheless, necessary to inoculate legumes on a regular basis? Rhizobia are extremely valuable agriculturally and economically since they are the primary supplier of nitrogen in agricultural soils. Aside from nitrogen fixation, several rhizobia strains have plant-growth-promoting features such phytohormone synthesis, siderophores, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase, as well as inorganic phosphate solubilization. Rhizobia have become important for both legumes and non-legumes as a result of these factors. Plant growth has been improved by screening and using effective rhizobial strains as inoculants. Plant growth has been improved by screening and using effective rhizobial strains as inoculant. The use of rhizobia as a bio fertilizer ensures crop yield while also reducing the demand for expensive and environmentally harmful artificial fertilizers. Rhizobia and other plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria inoculated together resulted in increase in plant-growth promotion. Bioremediation properties of certain rhizobial strains have also been found.
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    ALTERNATIVE RITE OF PASSAGE FOR THE GIRL CHILD AMONG AMERU COMMUNITY OF KENYA AND THE OBSTACLES IN ACHIEVING ITS SUCCESS: EMBRACING CHANGE FOR A BETTER LIFE
    (Chuka University, 2021) Kinyua, Susan M.
    Every year thousands of girls and women in the Ameru community undergo female genital mutilation according to the Meru tradition. This is a traditional cultural practice which has two components; the actual surgical operation, education guidance and counseling during seclusion and healing process. Largely, the education that is given tithe girls during this period contains some positive aspects which are beneficial to them and the community and therefore should be encouraged. However, the physical cut which is harmful and potentially life threatening and causes distressing pain and suffering should be abandoned. This paper will focus on both the primary targets who are the girls as well as the secondary targets who are the girls’ parents and other close relatives, the peers (boys and girls), community opinion leaders, religious leaders, politicians, government officials and the circumcisers to help bring change. It is hoped that through awareness creation and sensitization forums the targeted groups will experience and acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and develop attitude that will lead to socio-cultural change and transformation of Ameru community as far as FGM is concerned.
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    Amaranth Pigweed Beetle Damage Level Correlates to Environmental Temperature Regimes
    (Chuka University, 2015) Chuka University
    Pigweed beetle Hypolixus haerens Boheman has been cited as a major insect pest of grain amaranth worldwide. This study evaluated injury level of both foliar and stem damage pests on eight varieties of Amaranthus hypochondriacus (L.) during two seasons of production at Katumani (LM4) and Kiboko ((LM5). Stem damage by beetle H. haerens correlates to environmental temperature. The hotter zone of low midlands five (LM5) was drier (43.7 ± 15.9 mm, 28 ± 2°C) than the cooler zone of low midlands four (LM4), which was relatively wetter (57.1 ± 13.8 mm, 24 ± 2°C). Beetle stem tunnel length inversely correlated with yield. The stem damage levels at the cooler zone were lower by 35, 42 and 47% in comparison to those from the hotter zone (LM5). Insect foliar damage level did not reflect direct grain loss. No variety was found resistant to H. haerens stem injury from the eight accessions evaluated. The wetter and cooler zone (LM4) was found to influence lower stem damage and subsequently 5-9 times higher grain yield than the hotter zone. In conclusion, considerations of the environmental factors in each agro-ecological zone would lead to right time of insecticide spray for management of the pests of grain amaranth to prevent yield loss.
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    An investigation into the effectiveness of digital technologies on environmental sustainability in TVET institutions in Kenya
    (Chuka University, 2024) Kariuki, W. Pauline
    Digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, mobile technologies, IoT, and social platforms have generated positive improvements in education, society, and industries. Digital technologies are also increasingly deployed in improving environmental sustainability. Companies are now introducing new products and platforms based on digital technologies used to ameliorate environmental sustainability. Goralski and Tan highlighted AI-based technologies such as Smart Water Management Systems, Plant Village, and Peter Ma’s innovative use of AI for identifying waterborne diseases that have infested waters. Balogun et al. conducted a study on implementing digitalization for improving environmental sustainability. There exists a gap due to the limited policy and regulatory reforms to facilitate the effectiveness of implementing digital technologies for environmental sustainability. Lack of frameworks to promote the usage of digital technologies. This study sought to investigate on the effectiveness of digital technologies on the environmental sustainability in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Institutions in Kenya. A quantitative research design was used in this study. The researcher used the simple random, Purposive, and Convenient technique of Trainers and trainees from TVET Institutions who added up to 100 trainees and 200 trainers as respondents. The relationship between the variables was established through correlation analysis. Regression analysis and ANOVA were used. The respondents were asked to state whether the TVET institutions have policies on the use of digital technologies on environmental sustainability 65% agreed, 25% strongly agreed, 5% strongly disagreed, 4% disagreed and only 1% was neutral. As to whether digital technologies contribute to environmental suitability 20% agreed, 12% strongly while only 68 strongly disagreed. Further, on whether the TVET Institutions have frameworks to promote the usage of digital technologies: 15% agreed, 35% strongly agreed, 44% strongly disagreed and 4% disagreed. Only 2% were neutral. The study recommended that TVET Institutions develop policies on digital technologies, develop frameworks on the usage of digital technologies also promote awareness of the contribution of digital transformation to environmental sustainability. The study concluded that to increase the effectiveness of digital technologies on environmental sustainability TVET institutions should encompass the policy development on the training on the use of digital technologies for environmental sustainability.
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    AN ANALYSIS OF INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS AFFECTING OPTIMIZATION OF COFFEE YIELDS IN CHUKA SUB-COUNTY, THARAKA NITHI COUNTY, KENYA
    (Chuka University, 2021-12-04) Gathungu, G.K; Kihoro, D.M; Thogori, M
    The importance of coffee production in the world economy cannot be ruled out due to its contribution in the developing countries in areas such as creation of employment and rise in foreign exchange. Most of the coffee producing countries in the world have come up with strategies to increase their quantity and improve the quality of their produce. In Kenya, the government have also come with numerous policies to support coffee production at the farm level but production of coffee in Kenya has since 1989 crop year been declining. There has been emergence of other enterprises that are profitable than coffee production such as real estate and dairy sector in most of the coffee- growing zones, but there are many farmers who have been determined to maintain coffee production. Despite the efforts made by the government to maximise coffee production in terms of quality and quantity, production has shown a downward trend, with some farmers completely doing away with production This study was aimed at assessing the factors that affect optimization of coffee production in Chuka sub-County, Thaka-Nithi County. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample of 140 respondents from a population of 7,428 small-scale coffee farmers from ten cooperatives in the sub-County. The findings of the study indicated that access to extension, access to research and management of coffee cooperative were essential in coffee production with a mean agreement of 58.33%. The research established that access to extension (5%) and management of cooperatives (5%) were statistically significant while access to research at (5%) was statistically insignificant. Similarly, access to extension services increased optimization by 91%, poor management of coffee cooperatives reduced production by 45.1%, while access to research increased coffee production by 51%. Therefore, it is important to ensure farmers access extension services, research and improve management of coffee cooperatives.
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    Analysis of production, socio-economic and institutional factors affecting technical efficiency of smallholder banana producers in Kirinyaga central sub-county, Kenya.
    (Chuka University, 2024) Mativa Jackson Mkenye; Carolyne A. Omukoko; Jafford N. Rithaa; Geofrey K. Gathungu
    Banana provides food, nutrition security and income for most households and is fourth most popular food crop in the world after wheat, maize and rice. Despite its significance, full potential of banana production in Kenya remains unexploited by smallholder farmers due to low technical efficiency especially in utilization of farming inputs due to production, socio-economic and institutional issues among others. In Kirinyaga County, the actual banana production is at 4-18 tonnes per acre against the potential of 30-40 tonnes. Despite the limited supply of resources for production, attainment of highest possible levels of technical efficiency is key to achieving sufficiency in banana farming. The study analyzed the effects of production, socio-economic and institutional factors on technical efficiency among smallholder banana producers in Kirinyaga Central Sub-County, Kenya. A cross-sectional research design was used. Questionnaire was administered randomly to 402 respondents selected using multi-stage sampling technique and data analyzed using Stata version 17 and SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics described the production, socio-economic and institutional factors. A stochastic frontier analysis approach was used to model the efficiency levels using Cobb - Douglas functional form estimated using the maximum likelihood technique. The study showed that technical efficiency varied between 0.93% to 95.45% and average technical efficiency of 83.14%. The study found that manure and planting materials had positive effects on technical efficiency whereas land size had negative impact. The findings established that age of decision maker and size of the household had negative effects whereas education, experience, farmer group membership and market access had positive effects on technical efficiency. The study advises persons with high levels of education to get into banana farming because smallholder farmers with greater levels of education demonstrated high levels of production efficiency. Additionally, to improve efficiencies, farmer group development and membership are encouraged and also extension services made more accessible.