Under Vision 2030, the Kenyan government recognized transportation infrastructure as enabling fast economic growth. The development of transport infrastructure is fundamental to socio-economic transformation. In order to make Nairobi a center of development, an integrated and cohesive socio-economic infrastructure is crucial for further development. Critical to solving Nairobi's congestion and the problem of pedestrian transport service is investing in new road equipment and traffic management measures. Because the pedestrian environment is multi-dimensional, there are several aspects that influence the pedestrian's perception of comfort, security and convenience on the sidewalk setting. The physical infrastructure comprises of sidewalks, parking lanes, landscaped buffers, sidewalk width among others. The operational feature includes the traffic volume, speed limits and travel patterns. Thus, the analysis of Level of Service (LOS) is paramount in evaluating the real potential towards more sustainable lives. The project was in line with the objectives of the Performance assessment of pedestrian facilities at Donholm interchange along Outer Ring Road Nairobi. Specifically, the study sought to find out the pedestrian space provided at the sideways and sidewalks of the overpass, establish the pedestrian travel speed and find out the Level of Service. The study adopted the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM)-based LOS Method and the Pedestrian Level Of Service (PLOS) Model. The study considered literature from foreign and local manuals, previous studies, journals, articles, government policies and regulations, and other related documents. The study earmarked a section of Outer Ring Road, this being the Manyanja and Donholm overpasses for its field data collection process. This study adopted direct observation (manual count) to collect data on pedestrian traffic on the sidewalks of the study areas. Observation took place from a fixed elevated position to get a general view of the area of study. Site survey and visual inspections involved visually inspecting the sidewalks and measuring the provided walking spaces in terms of width and length. The study found out that the overpass serves on average 14,000-16,000 pedestrian in a whole day both directions combined. From the study 14,012 pedestrians used the overpass on Monday which was the lowest tally while 16,431 pedestrians were counted on Thursday which was the highest tally. The average time taken to cross the overpass of 60 m long was one-minute meaning that the walking speed 1m/sec which is slightly lower than the normal walking speeds of pedestrians in walkways. The spaces provided per pedestrian was found to be 0.04m2 which according to Hcm Model 2010 is described as LOS F and whose score is less than 25. This score represents the worst pedestrian facility at peak hours. The interaction between pedestrians and the vehicles is at the shoulders which also serve as the sidewalks with no designated busstops. This study therefore recommends construction of two-foot bridges of minimum 2 meters width parallel to the overpasses on both directions which was serious design omission. The foot bridges will improve the performance of the overpasses to the desirable peak period pedestrian flow of LOS C or above (TRB,2003; Orlando et al.,2003) and to a greater extend improve pedestrian safety at the interchange. Further recommendations include provision of lighting and signage at the overpasses.

This study sought to determine how school-based factors influenced students discipline in public secondary schools in Seme Sub-county, Kisumu County. The study was guided by the following objectives: to examine the influence of peer pressure on students’ discipline, to establish the influence of principals’ democratic leadership style on students’ discipline, to determine the influence of school population on students’ discipline and to establish the influence of Teachers’ drunkenness behavior on students’ discipline. The study employed descriptive survey research design and targeted 281 teachers, 34 principals and1451 form four students. The sample size included 141 teachers,17 principals and 290 form four students. Two sets of instruments were used to collect data. These included the teachers’ and students’ questionnaire and the head teachers’ interview guide which were self-delivered by the researcher and filled. They were analyzed using descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages which were presented in form of tables. The findings of the study revealed that Principals and teachers warns students against joining peer bad company as shown by (97.9%) of students and (94.8%) of teachers. Peers in the same groups go against the set school rules and regulation as marked by (68.8%) of students and (84.4%) of teachers’ responses. The study further established that defiance to authority is commonly associated with bad peer group among the students It was further established that principals democratic style minimized indiscipline cases in schools as shown by (79.9%) of students, (87.6%) of teachers’ and (70.6%) of principals’ responses. Highly congested class rooms contributed to disorder in classroom cases in school as shown by (67.5%) of students and (71.9%) of teachers’ responses. A large number of teachers 94 (69.6%) agreed that high students’ population in school overwhelmed them thus little attention was paid on discipline. Students school absenteeism (23.7%) and students’ defiance to authority (23.7%) were identified as the most common indiscipline cases in schools. drunkard teachers are always unprepared for lessons and teachers’ ill preparedness for lesson encouraged indiscipline in school as shown by (54.6%) of teachers’ responses it was affirmed that drunkard teachers cause indiscipline in schools by humiliating and intimidating the students as shown by (54.2%) of teachers, (82.3%) of students and principals’ responses. The principals, teachers, guidance and counseling department should conduct constantly guide students on importance of having a good peer company, principals should embrace democratic style of leadership in the management of schools, school management should build spacious classrooms and facilities to cater for high students’ population and the Teachers Service Commission should ensure teachers adhere to teachers ’code of conduct and other legal instruments guiding education. The researcher recommended a similar study in private schools and other areas to establish the cases in the regions.

Bark and stem samples from two mangrove species, Rhizophora mucronata (RM) and Xylocarpus moluccensis (XM); obtained from Kenyan coastal region, were investigated as potential low-cost adsorbents for the removal of toxic Crystal Violet (CV) and Malachite Green (MG) from wastewater mixtures. Adsorption efficacies of these adsorbents were compared for the two dyes and with literature values of recommended adsorbents. X. moluccenisis stem and stem-bark dye removal rate within the first 5 to 20 minutes increased from 75.9 ± 0.15% to 97.1 ± 0.15, and from 85.2 ± 0.16% to 96.7 ± 0.11% respectively while uptake increase from 85.2 ± 0.16% to 95.3 ± 0.20% and from 85.2 ± 0.47% to 95.3 ± 0.05% capacity was observed for R. mucronata stem and stem-bark. The optimum pH for the adsorption of CV and MG dye-was at pH 8 and pH 7 respectively. Significant equilibrium adsorption capacities, Qe (mg/g), with the stem-bark of the species giving highest capacities of 407.7 ± 0.03 mg/g for the adsorption of CV and 366.4 ± 0.07 mg/g, for MG dyes which translates up to 99.4 ± 0.15% dye removal. Equilibrium adsorption capacity increased with contact time, adsorbent dose and initial dye concentration but decreased with particle size, Ionic Strength and pH of the solution. Large correlation coefficient R2 values ranging from 0.7885 to 1.0000 noted implies adsorption occurred through monolayer formation for both species fitting Langmuir model while very low Freundlich constant, Kf , values of the range of 0.5000 to 2.2000 were observed. Kinetics studies showed that the equilibrium adsorption follow pseudo-second order kinetics with the corresponding regression coefficient, R2, in the range of 0.8788 to 1.0000 and interparticle diffusion was a factor that controlled adsorption process onto the two species. The results displayed in this study have demonstrated the effectiveness of R. mucronata (RM) and X. moluccensis (XM), in removing organic dyes from their aqueous wastewater mixtures.

Averagely 450,000,000 people globally suffer from either a mental or behavioral disorder or in some cases both with approximately 1,000,000 people taking their own lives annually and in every four families, at least one member suffers from a form of mental disorder and four of the six leading causes of years lived with disability (YLD) are as a result of neuropsychiatric disorders (WHO 2018). Mental health is an area that has been widely neglected globally. Very little is put into this field in terms of funding, infrastructure and awareness. This is a field where even medical practitioners shy away from, with the number of medical personnel falling way below the recommended standards. Depression is a common mental illness affecting close to 264 million people globally with almost 800,000 lives lost yearly as a result of the illness (WHO 2018). In Kenya 75-85% of the population is not able to receive the mental healthcare they need due to barriers faced such as limited human and/or financial resources and few mental health facilities amongst others (KNCHR 2011). There are less than 100 psychiatrists in the entire country with majority of them concentrated in urban areas. There is also limited availability of services in the community and primary healthcare facilities and as a result mental healthcare is provided from district level upwards only leaving a gap in the provision of services at the lower levels. Currently, the total internet subscription in Kenya stands at 39.3 million (CAK 2020). Availability, reduced costs and ease of access to internet enabled devices has led to this impressive growth in internet subscription which has in turn led to the rapid growth of use of social networking sites in facilitating sociocultural, scholarly, economical and political debates. With the massive growth and uptake of technology and the integration of this technology in various fields including the medical field, services such as telemedicine can be used in bridging these existing gaps in mental healthcare in Kenya where it has not been well utilized yet. This study aimed to bring forth the current situation in the mental healthcare in Kenya as well as provide a means of using existing technology, which in this case is telemedicine, to bridge the gap of access and availability of mental healthcare services. A telepsychiatric prototype system was designed and developed after a review was done on literature and existing models and a preliminary survey carried out on psychiatrists in the country. The literature review and results of v the preliminary survey were used in determining the design of the prototype system. The system is an online web-based chat system that provides a platform for interaction between the clinician and the client. It allows for video calls and chatting between clinician and client and has a note pad where the clinician can take down personal notes. The note pad is not visible to the client. The system also includes the three most commonly used assessment tools according to the preliminary study results and it is able to compute the score of the assessment test, give the level of severity of depression and recommend the action to take. The clinician is also able to access reports to be able to monitor a client’s progress and view scheduled appointments. The prototype system was then tested by experts by availing it to them to interact with and a usability test carried out to determine if the system had indeed met the user needs. The results were analyzed and showed that the prototype system indeed provided a platform where access to mental healthcare can be accorded efficiently. The healthcare providers were able to interact with the clients through chat and video, assess the clients and provide needed treatment remotely, as well as store and retrieve client files easily. The covid-19 pandemic posed a challenge in data collection but it also brought forth the necessity of such a system in delivering mental healthcare services remotely. Further research can be done to utilize the same concept in the treatment of other mental disorders.

The economies of most developing countries, largely depends on a stable and abundant supply of mineral resources and affordable energy supply. Following an airborne radiometric survey in the country, by the Department of Mines and Geology, a number of radioactive anomalies were delineated, in areas such as Chesikaki, Masaba and Cheptais. However, ground follow up surveys have not been conducted to determine the spatial distribution and the extent of occurrence of these minerals to date. This study was conducted in Cheptais area of Mt. Elgon region, specifically, to determine thorium-232 and uranium-238 radioactivity levels and to estimate the radiological hazard indices associated with these radionuclides. The study also determined the elemental content distribution of other potential minerals for economic development and the associated radiation hazard indices. The radiometric survey was done using an ionizing radiation meter, RSKB-104 to measure gamma radiation field equivalent dose rate in the sampled areas. Five readings were recorded at each sampled site. A heat map was then generated from the radiometric measurements to show the variation of background radiation levels. In addition, a total of thirty-six (36) soil samples and seven (7) rock samples were evaluated for mineral elements contents, using AMPTEK Experimenters’ Kit Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer. Prior to measurements, these samples were crushed, homogenized and left to achieve secular equilibrium for approximately two months. The results of elemental content analysis indicate, two major constituents in the soil samples; potassium(K) and iron(Fe) recorded mean concentration 15,498 µg/g (1,972 µg/g – 289,800 µg/g) and 116,457 µg/g (236 µg/g – 37,166 µg/g), respectively. The other trace constituents include; manganese, copper, zinc, lead, uranium and thorium. From the activity concentration measurements, it was established that, 40K was the greatest contributor to radiation exposure with a mean activity concentration of 553 ± 11 Bq kg-1 (65.5%), 232Th and 238U at 215 Bq kg-1 (25.4%) and 76 Bq kg-1(9.1%), respectively and all, exceed the UNSCEAR global mean of 400, 30 and 35 Bq kg-1 respectively. The radium equivalent values ranged between 32 – 1401 Bq kg-1, with a mean of 425.91 Bq kg-1; which is significantly higher than the world average of 160 Bq kg-1 and the UNSCEAR permissible limit of 350 Bq kg1. In addition, associated radiation hazards indices; gamma radiation index, Iyr, the external

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has some attractive advantages over other medical imaging techniques. Its widespread application as a medical diagnostic tool is however hindered by its lengthy acquisition time as well as reconstruction-related artifacts. Magnetic Resonance (MR) images are usually sparse or compressible in the Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) or the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) domains. The two problems associated with MRI can therefore be solved using Compressive Sampling (CS) methods. In this thesis, seven proposed algorithms that utilize the CS theory to addresses the limitations of conventional MRI are presented. Each of the proposed method exploits the compressibility of the MR images to reconstruct them from only a few incoherent measurements. The Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) as well as the Structural SIMilarity (SSIM) measures have been used to assess the performance of the proposed methods. Computer simulation results demonstrated that the proposed methods reduce the reconstruction artifacts and noise by between 1.2 dB and 1.75 dB for a given percentage measurement. Among the proposed methods, the one that yields the best results is the one referred to in the thesis as selective acquisition and artifacts suppression. This method involves acquisition of an under-sampled k-space by employing a smaller number of phase encoding gradient steps than that dictated by the Nyquist sampling rate. The MR image reconstructed from the under-sampled k-space is then randomly sampled and reconstructed using the Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP) greedy method in the DWT domain. To improve the robustness of the method, a proposed apodization function is then used to suppress the reconstruction artifacts. Simulation results based on MATLAB show that this proposed method reduces the concomitant artifacts by 1.75 dB for a given percentage measurement. This quality improvement has been shown to translate to approximately 20% reduction in scan-time compared to other reported CS-based MRI techniques for a given reconstructed image quality

Disaster risks posed by climate change expose uncertainties and dangers to physical environment and mental health globally. Global warming affects climate variability and extreme climate events leading to disaster risks and vulnerability to those events. The increasing disaster risks and/or impacts in Africa are caused by exposures and historical vulnerability to variability of climate. Isiolo County in Kenya is susceptible to the effects of extreme climate events and exposure to natural hazards, and the residents have limited capacity to adapt but also suffer from related mental health conditions that have not been researched with respect natural disaster risks. The overall objective of this research was to evaluate the impacts of climate change-related extreme events on mental health and develop the intervention strategies to deal with mental health in the context of a changing climate. The methods of data collection used included: data mining in published and unpublished sources; rainfall/temperature data derived from gridded 10km of sixteen satellite stations, from Kenya Meteorological Department (1984-2013); mental disorders epidemiological data (2006-2014) from the health information system, Isiolo County and indepth observation among 60 in-patients and 121 out-patient; six focused group discussion and workshop sessions among selected sample size (N=24); key informants (N=35) and household socio-economic survey (N=288) was conducted to gather socio-economic aspects of the target population. These were utilized to gain insight and data compared to identify the linkages and existing gaps to be able mainstream mental health and extreme climate disaster risks. Generalized Pareto Distribution was used to generate mean excess for extreme temperatures and rainfall peak over thresholds (POT). Also, Palmer drought severity index used temperatures and standard precipitation index (SPI) values to estimate relative dryness. GIS methods were used to explore various properties of the climate system in Isiolo. The hazards and disasters were ranked according to the impacts and the probability of a hazardous event placed on scale 0-1; where 0 indicates no fatality and 1 fatality and socio-economic damages using IPCC risk assessment on severity of uncertainties of climate change related disasters. The quantitative data was analysed using statistical tools in Excel, SPSS version 20 while rainfall and temperature analysis was done using R software (version 3.21), ArcGIS and mental health data was ranked using criteria for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders plus International Classification of Diseases (ICD 11) diagnostic tools. The results revealed that the most common disasters risks include: drought and heat waves, strong sand storms, flash floods and floods. The duration of time, frequency and unpredictable weather variability events were above critical threshold, hence categorized as high risk, rated 1, hence fatal. Correlation analysis was done to determine the varying trajectories of sets of bivariate data and positive correlation was noted between mental disorder cases and total annual rainfall. The prevalent mental disorders included: anxiety (54%); 32% each for dissociative, sleeping, and adjustment disorders; and 39% for eating and poly-substance disorder. The mental disorder comorbidity revealed the association to disaster risks which increase mental illnesses. The study found that the prevalence rate of mental disorders was high and resilience was low. The study established that major health and non-health interventions during disasters included: provision of food and medicines (50.9% responses), support by Council of Elders (27.1% responses), restocking (10.2%) and minimal rehabilitation services (11.9% responses). The humanitarian programmes in rural areas is higher than in urban areas because the biggest risks of weather-related extremes lie in rural areas of which is expected to be pragmatic in future. The actor’s involvement to manage disaster risks in context of climate change extreme events on mental health is dismal. The model of inclusivity and integration suggests overlapping and complementary practices of preparedness, response, and recovery. An alternative and participatory Climate Change Disaster Adaptation Model was devised to strengthen institutional coordination mechanisms and monitoring to improve adaptation and resilience building approaches. The study recommends development of robust environmental health procedures to diagnose mental disorders, mapping of disasters; mental disorder epidemiology and make it user friendly to advice policy, scale up solutions and accelerate evidence informed advocacy on adaptation and resilience mental health programme strategies. Key Words: Climate Change, Disasters, Vulnerability, Mental Health, Policies and Strategies.

Many economies in the world depend on non-renewable fossil fuels for their energy supply, whose economic benefit is in question. Kenya currently depends on imported petroleum to meet 75% of her commercial energy. The prices of the product are regulated by the market forces which is beyond the control of the country. Kerosene for instance is still being advocated as an alternative fuel for cooking, and as cheaper lighting source in lamps in slum areas and where electricity is not provided especially in urban towns. Further, the continual use of kerosene exacerbates both the environmental and human health through the emission of greenhouse gases contributing to global warming hence the need for an alternative cheap clean renewable source. This was achieved by determining the oil yield from Jatropha Curcas seeds from Tana River, Lamu county, preparing Kerosene Jatropha blends, evaluating the physiochemical properties of the blends, evaluating the burning and lighting performance of the best blends while testing for the emissions. The physiochemical and thermal properties were determined using standard methods as per the Institute of Petroleum’s standards for petroleum and its products, this included kinematic viscosity, specific gravity, acid value, flash point, calorific value. The water boiling test was also performed and from this test the amount the energy output of the fuel blends was determined. While the water boiling test was ongoing the amount of emissions from the fuel being used was also determined, these emissions were the particulate matter (P.M2.5) and the amount of carbon monoxide. Jatrophas Carcus oil was extracted from its seeds, it was blended with kerosene which was bought at an identified petrol station, the blends were made at different ratios and the best blends were found to be Blend 5, Blend 10 and Blend 20. A one wick kerosene lamp was used to determine the lighting effectiveness of the fuel blends, while a normal wick stove found in Kenya was used to perform the water boiling test. There was a significance difference among all the three oil blend samples tested and the results obtained emphasized the use of optimum oil blends on normal stoves and the importance of using the stoves in well ventilated areas to decrease the amount of exposure from emissions.

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) has increasingly become a vital component in program performance. This is particularly because of the need to reduce failures of programs in the collaborative effort required to address the socio-economic challenges that has kept the gap widening amongst rich and poor nations. In Kenya, Church is a key player in addressing socioeconomic challenges hence, the need for designing effective programs is paramount. This is also true for all the community-led initiatives. Most Church and Community-led initiatives/programs fail because of ineffective M&E practices where best processes are not incorporated. The study determined the influence of monitoring and evaluation practices on the performance of Church and Community Mobilization Program (CCMP) also known as Church and Community Mobilization Transformation Development (CCMTD), a Church and Community development project by Anglican Church of Kenya. CCMP was designed as a program that would fundamentally address the socio-economic challenges facing the Kenyan society effectively. However, the performance was not as was expected with the program performance rated at about 50%. The research was to; - establish the influence of monitoring and evaluation planning on performance of CCM Program, assess extent to which involvement of stakeholders in M&E influence performance of CCM Program. Additionally, to establish the influence that competency in M&E and examine how utilization of M&E results influence the performance of CCM Program. The design adopted to collect and analyze data was descriptive research. The main data collection methods were questionnaires containing structured and unstructured questions and interview guides for key informants in the CCM Program. The target population was 152 individuals obtained from 10 ACK Parishes in Thika Diocese and the CCMP national coordinators at ACK. A sample size of 106 individuals was selected. Reliability of data collection instruments was determined by use of Cronbach’s alpha whose value was 0.724. Data was analysed using SPSS 24 with hypothesis tested by means of Analysis of variance (ANOVA). Study findings revealed an influence on performance of CCM Program by all variables at varied levels. M&E planning and stakeholders’ competency in M&E gave a positive coefficients of 0.501 and 0.508 respectively indicating a positive relationship with performance of CCM Program. Additionally, stakeholders’ involvement and utilization of M&E results had coefficients of 0.711 and 0.626 in that order signifying a significant positive relationship with performance of CCM Program. Linear regression was carried out on stakeholders’ involvement in M&E to determine extent of their influence on performance of CCM program. The model yielded a 52.1% variability in performance of CCMP attributable to elements of stakeholders’ involvement. A multiple regression model Y=2.07+0.93X1+1.69X2+0.9X3+1.19X4+ ε (error term was derived for all the variables to determine relative input of individual variable to the dependent variable. The study recommends that CCMP should place more emphasis on stakeholder engagement with a view to addressing interests of such groups. In addition, there is need to carry out a thorough Stakeholders analysis and address individual indicators of variables to improve performance of CCMP. Key Words: Performance of CCM Program, M&E planning, Stakeholders’ Involvement, Stakeholders’ Competency in M&E and M&E results utilization.

Cities are often described as vibrant and exciting, fast paced and bustling environments. Cities should therefore also have deliberately designated and designed spaces to renew and recover resources that have become depleted in facing the requirements of daily life. This thesis grows out of a shared global concern that our cities are having an impact on our health and wellbeing, more so, with the majority of the world’s growing population living and moving into cities; thus, the necessity for restorative environments within urban settings. There is a growing body of research looking at how different environments can affect people’s health and well-being and enhance or hinder their activity. Researchers in this field, commonly called “environmental design research”, have for a long time acknowledged that the challenge has always been the translation of their their findings into formats that are acknowledged and applicable by urban design practitioners. This thesis provides a summary of what has happened in this area of research. It then discusses central concepts in restorative environment research focusing on the two theories, the psycho-evolutionary theory and the attention restoration theory. The thesis seeks to arrive at an understanding and critical appreciation for research on people’s interactions with environments. There is also a critical evaluation of the strengths and deficiencies in Nairobi’s Central Business District’s key public open spaces focusing on their restorative qualities. The study then concludes with recommendations on strategies and approaches that use insights and knowledge from environmental psychology to inform the design of more psychologically and physiologically restorative urban environments.