There is a growing demand for data which is driven by high number of smartphones, applications and traffic demand. Network operators have tried to provide enough capacity and meet the data speeds that the customer needs. This has led to introduction of new technology and expansion of the mobile networks making it complex to manage. Detecting anomalies that affect data throughput/speeds and investigating the root causes in mobile networks is challenging as mobile environments are increasingly complex, heterogeneous, and evolving. There is need to automate network management activities to improve network management processes and prevent revenue loss. Self-Organizing network is a standard introduced by third Generation Partnership Program (3GPP) to automate network management. However, the standard is still not fully developed. This project focused on implementing an anomaly detection and root cause analysis model that helps in the process of data throughput optimization in Long-term evolution (LTE) networks. The model used Density Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) for anomaly detection, K-Nearest Neighbour (KNN) for root cause analysis and real network performance data from a Kenyan Operator. Proposed anomaly detection model achieved a silhouette coefficient of 0.451 showing a good separation of existing clusters in the dataset and was able to detect anomalies with both positive and negative impact on data throughput. The root cause analysis model achieved an accuracy of 94.59% and was able to identify the root cause of detected anomalies that had a negative impact on data throughput.

Banana and plantain are consumed by over five hundred million people around the world. Despite their market value and importance in ensuring global food security, several pests and diseases threaten their yield. Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD) is one of the world’s most destructive diseases of banana and plantain causing up to 100 % yield loss in severe cases. Transboundary exchange of infected planting materials and banana aphid (Pentalonia nigronervosa) are the two transmission modes of the disease. Banana aphid harbouring banana bunchy top virus (BBTV), is the sole vector and an efficient method of transmission of the virus from infected to healthy plants. Controlling the spread of BBTD has been very challenging since there is no known banana germplasm containing an endogenous gene that could confer absolute resistance to BBTV. Therefore, the preeminent way of controlling the virus starts with controlling the vector. Biotechnological strategies via RNA interference (RNAi) could be used to target banana aphid as well as BBTV to reduce virus-associated banana and plantain yield losses. The aim of this study was to generate transgenic plantains using RNAi as a strategy to control banana aphids. Plant tissue culture techniques such as somatic embryogenesis and genetic transformation offer a valuable tool for genetic improvement. Identification and quantification of phytochemicals found in banana and plantain are essential in optimizing in vitro activities for crop improvement. Total antioxidant capacity, flavonoids, tannins and phenol were determined with varying concentrations in the root, pseudostem, leaf explant and in in vitro samples of plantain and banana cultivars. Embryogenic cell suspension (ECS) was developed for three farmer-preferred plantain cultivars, Agbagba, Obino l’Ewai and Orishele. Both Murashige and Skoog (MS) and Gamborg (B5)-based culture media supported the development of friable embryogenic callus (FECs) in plantain cultivars while MS culture media supported the proliferation of fine cell suspension in liquid culture media. Up to 22 ± 24 %, 13 ± 28 % and 9 ± 16 % FECs were obtained for Agbagba, Obino l’Ewai and Orishele cultivars, respectively. To design a reliable synthetic diet for in vitro aphid feeding, the type of available sugars in banana and plantain were first analysed and shown to include sucrose, fructose and glucose at varied levels. An optimal synthetic diet containing 7.5 % sucrose supported the survival of banana aphid in vitro. The efficacy of acetylcholinesterase as the targeted gene in banana aphid was determined through an in vitro feeding assay of banana aphid using dsRNA and siRNA both of which conferred lethal effects on banana aphid. Banana and plantain cell suspension was transformed by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation with pNXT-35S-ACE-hp gene construct. The presence and integration of the transgene in elite plants was confirmed by PCR and Southern blot assays. Transgenic events generated were screened for resistance to banana aphid and up to 46.7 %, 75.6 %, and 67.8 % reduction in aphid population was observed in Gonja Manjaya, Orishele and Cavendish Williams respectively compared to those grown on the wild-type plants under glasshouse condition. These results suggest the effectiveness of RNAi targeting an essential aphid gene, could be a useful way of managing the infestation of banana aphid and reducing the spread of BBTD.

Terrorism is one of the biggest security concerns in Kenya. Many lives have been lost and property worth millions destroyed during terror attacks. These terror attacks have been carried out by the Al Qaeda linked group Al Shabaab. The attacks have happened in Nairobi, the coastal counties of Mombasa, Lamu, Kilifi and Kwale. However, majority of the attacks have happened in Mandera, Wajir and Garissa counties representing about 70% of the incidents. Garissa county has been the most affected county with one of the major attacks being the attack on Garissa University that resulted in the death of 149 people. Counter terrorism and antiterrorism measures have been taken by the government to fight the threat of insurgency. The decisions made on the measures taken to mitigate and prevent terrorist attacks made based on information. This research project aimed at profiling the county of Garissa into different zones based on the risk of terrorism using secondary data representing different factors of risk. Statistical analysis on the incidents was done on the terrorist incidents that occurred between 2015 and 2019. Hotspot analysis was also performed to highlight areas of high concentration of incidents and identify roads that are prone to Improvised explosive devices incidents. The ArcModel builder was used to build a model that carried out the terrorism risk assessment. The factors that were incorporated into the risk model were previous incidents, road network, proximity to Somalia border and Boni forest and the settlements. The results of the study were presented in form of graphs and maps. The highest number of incidents by type were improvised explosive device incidents followed by armed clashes representing 35% and 15 % of the incidents respectively. The security forces were the main target of the terrorist incidents. The hotspot areas where terrorism was prevalent was identified to be Liboi on the north eastern side of Garissa and Hulugho in the south eastern part which were areas with a high number of incidents in close proximity. These were the areas of very high risk of terrorism which reduced towards the western side of the county. It was recommended that the findings of the research be used by the security agencies to make informed decisions in the fight against terrorism. For hotspot analysis it was recommended that the incidents be weighted using either fatalities, injuries or property loss. The study proposed further research to identify other factors contributing to increased risk of terrorism and a scientific way of weighting the factors contributing to terrorism risk.

Most recently, technological and communication sector has undergone various innovations and inventions; this has invited various scholars to carryout research on the latest development on thin client. Thin client is commonly elaborated as the use of computer equipment’s to provide services over networks (Technology & Communication, 2010). In present times, the term “thin client” has proved to be most important in the field of IT. Thin client, or better still server_based computing is appreciated as valuable area in business that depend on internet technologies (Goscinski & Brock, 2010; Tuncay, 2010; Armbrust et al., 2010). Advancement in technology plays a big role in computing but minimal prospects have been integrated in various tertiary institutions and universities. As technology evolves, use of thin clients is getting more popular as another trend in cloud computing (Bayramusta & Nasır, 2016). Use of the virtual workspaces in institutions and businesses greatly reduces cost and improves the use of cloud computing regardless of geographical location nor time zone, Nguyo et al (2015). Thin client optimizes a remote connection using a computing environment that is server-based. The server carries out software launch of programs, data storage and number crunching. The thin client theory goes that, low cost terminals increase reliability. That is, having all your application programs and software on a centralized server system reduces the ICT and technical support burden experiences in cases where there are multiple computers in an office set up. Thin Client improves efficiency while maintaining compliance of organization. This study aims to ascertain thin client technology as cost effective, secure and higher performance. It also aims at determining that thin client can be used to enhance information technology 1advancement in public universities within Nairobi. ICT application in most African countries is not fully utilized (Williams 2015). Obtaining and sustaining ICT infrastructure is both expensive and seen as a luxury in developing countries and is a major contributor to limit purchase of the infrastructure. This makes it obligatory to conduct a study to determine a high performing, highly efficient and cost effective information technology system. Global Information Technology Report (2013, p. 13) indicates that insufficient skills, infrastructure in ICT, low education standards and unconducive business environment are barriers to the achievement of the best ICT systems potentials. The study also aims at giving an input that thin clients achieve the advancement of information technology in public universities and other institutions, businesses and countries that are developing. It targets the predicament of adoption and implementation in developing countries taking Nairobi county universities as a case study.

This study focuses on influence of ICT integration on quality of education at primary schools in Makindu Sub County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives; to establish the influence of teachers’ perceptions on ICT integration in quality of education at primary schools in Makindu Sub County, to examine the influence of availability of infrastructure on ICT integration in quality of education at primary schools in Makindu Sub County, to examine the influence of availability of human resource on ICT integration in provision of quality education at primary schools in Makindu Sub County, to determine the influence of school leadership on ICT integration in quality education at primary schools in Makindu Sub County. This study focused on teachers and head teachers to establish the influence of ICT integration on quality of education in Makindu Sub County. The sample comprised of teachers and head teachers in selected schools in Makindu Sub County. Data was collected by use of questionnaires and interview guides. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and presented in tables. Relevant interpretation, discussions and recommendations were drawn from the analyzed data. A major finding of the study is that ICT integration in Makindu Sub County may take time to be realized due to the fact that, ICT infrastructure in most schools within the region is lacking. The study therefore recommends that, there is need to equip the schools within the region with ICT infrastructure as well as offering in-service training for the teachers and employing qualified ICT personnel. The findings of this study may be an aid to educational planners in identifying the challenges faced during of ICT integration in schools, strategize and come up with frameworks which offer solutions to these challenges.

regulation often results in conflict and dilemma. The conflict and dilemma occur when government bureaucrats make economically efficient but socially undesirable decisions, or socially desirable but economically inefficient decisions. Moreover, and closely related to the uneasy coexistence of economic and social objectives, Kenyan public procurement laws often give government bureaucrats discretion to decide the extent and the ends for which they can use procurement as a tool of economic or social policy. Although discretion is inevitable in any system of public procurement regulation, and public administration in general, it is also highly amenable to abuse. The objectives of this study are twofold. The first is to establish whether the Kenyan policy and regulatory frameworks for public procurement facilitate the resolution of conflicts between economic and social objectives. Secondly, this study seeks to establish the link between the discretion that Kenyan public procurement laws confer on government bureaucrats and the country’s unusually high incidence of corruption, favouritism and other forms of malfeasance in public procurement decision making. This study seeks, therefore, to answer two questions. The first is whether the regulatory framework for public procurement in Kenya facilitates the resolution of conflicts between economic and social objectives. The second is whether the discretion that Kenyan public procurement laws confer on government bureaucrats creates incentives for corruption, favouritism and other forms of malfeasance. This study makes four main findings. First, although the objectives of public procurement regulation transcend multiple disciplinary and theoretical boundaries, the underlying concerns generally revolve around resolving five main problems, namely: (i) market failure, (ii) discretion, (iii) agency, (iv) public choice and (v) wealth (re)distribution. Secondly, the dilemma created by the uneasy and often conflictual coexistence of economic and social policy objectives in a system of public procurement regulation does not necessarily require a choice between good and bad, or superior and inferior. Instead, the dilemma requires judicious trade-offs between the two species of objectives, through a holistic approach to public procurement decision making that is not unduly encumbered by doctrinaire or inflexible commitment to either markets (that is, economics) or social policy. Thirdly, compared to Kenya, the United States and South Africa have more effective regulatory responses to the problems of (i) conflictual coexistence of economic and social objectives, (ii) discretion, and (iii) the incidence of corruption, favouritism and other forms of malfeasance in public procurement decision-making. Lastly, the Kenyan public procurement system is characterised by stakeholder indifference to the issue of interplay of economic and social objectives and an unusually high incidence of corruption, favouritism and other forms of malfeasance. The central thesis of this study may be summarised into five propositions. First, the regulatory framework for public procurement in Kenya does not facilitate the resolution of conflicts between economic and social objectives. Secondly, the regulatory framework for public procurement in Kenya is structurally flawed to the extent that it confers broad and poorly circumscribed discretion on government bureaucrats. Thirdly, Kenya’s structurally flawed public procurement regulatory framework creates strong incentives for corruption, favouritism and other forms of malfeasance. Fourthly, this situation (of a structurally flawed regulatory framework and a high incidence of corruption, favouritism and other forms of malfeasance) is inimical to the achievement of both economic and social objectives. Lastly, the disciplines of administrative law and law and economics offer useful conceptual tools which, if creatively harnessed by policymakers and legislative drafters, can result in a public procurement regulatory framework that resolves: (i) conflicts between economic and social objectives and (ii) the problem of discretion and its correlation to the incidence of corruption, favouritism and other forms of malfeasance. In view of the foregoing, this study recommends a rule-based approach to public procurement in Kenya, characterised by controlled discretion and commitment to the values of competition, transparency and accountability. The study also recommends an urgent review and redesign of Kenya’s regulatory framework for public procurement. The review and redesign should focus on: (i) the interplay of economic and social objectives; (ii) the problem of discretion; and (iii) establishment of strong and effective safeguards against corruption, favouritism and other forms of malfeasance.

Agriculture is the backbone of the Kenyan economy and a major employer of the population. The youth are the majority in terms of population. In addition, they make up the majority of the literate quota as well as the unemployed population. There have been other affirmative action funds aimed at empowering the marginalized groups by providing interest free capital. An assortment of the affirmative funds have gone under analysis in regards to their determination forms and a discernment that there has been restricted execution because of democracy, the prerequisite of certain funds of group application process, which expects candidates to cooperate with others so as to be fit for loan program. This study aim was to access how Uwezo affirmative fund influences performance of youth agricultural projects in Chuka Kenya. The study focused on the following objectives. To assess how the requirements for affirmative fund influence the performance of youth agricultural projects in Chuka; to identify how capacity building of Youth fund influence youth agricultural performance in Chuka; to determine how cost of loan influence youth agricultural performance in Chuka and to establish in what ways utilization of funds influence youth agricultural performance in Chuka. The theoretical framework adapted for this study was derived from the theory of change. This research adopted a descriptive survey research design. There were 60 youth groups utilizing Uwezo funds for agricultural projects in Chuka. The Chairperson, treasurer and the secretary are the three group officials. The total target population comprised of 180 youths. The sample size was determined using Cochran (1963) formulae. Therefore the total sample size was 122 respondents. Data was collected using structured questionnaire to gather data from the respondents. Inferential and descriptive statistics was analysed using SPSS. The mean, standard deviation, frequencies and percentages from the respondent’s data was used to establish the relative importance and weight of each variable as well as the deviation of the variables from their means. All sets of data were analysed in form of tables, frequency, percentages and mean. Findings show that agricultural projects involved a variety of projects such as poultry, goat keeping, fish rearing, pig rearing, farming and cattle keeping. Many groups had a bank account, group savings, age limits and all the groups had members hailing from Chuka constituency. From findings the many youths got to know about Uwezo fund through advertisement. The study concludes that many groups have not collaborated with any institutions or organizations. The study also concludes that many groups are in the process of repaying and very few have completed loan repayment. The study further concludes that the six months grace period is sufficient before starting to repay the loan. The fact that the loan is interest free fund encourages borrowing for agricultural projects though the loaned amount is not enough to run all their agricultural activities. The study finally concludes that the groups engage in the economic activities they indicated during loan application and Uwezo officials visited them. The study recommends that Uwezo officials should offer more training to the groups by either providing agricultural extension officers for more yields to be realized. Uwezo fund should increase the amount they loan the youth groups as the amount loaned was found not to be sufficient in accomplishing their projects.

Engaged Human Resource in an organization is critical for transforming the corporates’ vision and mission to a reality. However there is paucity on the specific impact of career development on workers and their engagement. This study therefore sought to establish the impact of career development on the engagement of nonacademic staff at Kenyatta University. Specifically, the study sought to establish the effects of training, internal promotions, performance feedbacks, skills enhancement and mentorship on engagement of workers. A descriptive survey design was applied. The target population was all the1967 non-teaching employees of Kenyatta University. A stratified sampling technique was applied giving a sample size of 106 respondents. Structured questionnaire was used for primary data collection. Data analysis was both descriptive and inferential. A multiple regression model was fitted. From the model results, Internal promotions impacts highest to staff engagement (B=0.715, p-0.027) while performance feedback has the lowest impact (B=0.318, p=0.528).At the 5% level of significance, training, promotions and skill enhancement are statistically significant to staff engagement. Mentorship and performance feedback are statistically not significant to staff engagement (B=0.318, p=0.528, B=0.428, p=0.147). The study findings creates informed ground for policy formulation on staff career development and provide a solid foundation on which further research can be continued.

In the last decade, research and development around distributed ledger technology (DLT) has grown exponentially. The financial services industry has been revolutionised by the explosion of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Researchers have taken the principles used in these cryptocurrencies and are using them to develop other DLTs in various fields. This study explores how blockchain can be used to provide traceability, visibility and transparency in the Kenyan informal distributed manufacturing industry. SOKO, an aggregator of artisans spread all over Nairobi, was the case study used. Purposive and convenience based were the sampling methods used. SOKO supply chain employees and active artisans were the sample population. Interviews and observations were data collection methods used. Content analysis, a qualitative data analysis method, was used to capture emerging and predetermined themes. Google sheets and Dovetail were the tools used for this study. This paper finds that the use of the immutability and proof of origin features of blockchain greatly enhances traceability within a supply chain. It is imperative that the granular information collected should be intuitive and accessible to all parties to enhance visibility. Amplified traceability and visibility greatly improved transparency and accountability within the SOKO ecosystem. A pivotal recommendation for future research is usage of unit-based tagging technologies e.g barcodes, QR codes or RFID. Combined use of such technologies and blockchain would achieve the highest level of traceability, especially when working with diverse producers who produce similar products. Key Words: Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), Blockchain, Distributed Manufacturing, Aggregator, Supply Chain (SC)

This piece of work reports the sorption properties of Luffa Cylindrica that have not been exploited and carbon from luffa to remove copper and chromium ions from aqueous solution. The effect of contact time, adsorbate concentration, particle size, pH, biomaterial dosage and Temperature was investigated. Particle size A (<425) gave the best adsorption values. Increase in concentration of metal ions resulted in decrease in % adsorption of the adsorbate, while increased pH values led to increase in % adsorption for both copper and chromium ions. Increased biomaterial loading also led to increased adsorption for both copper and chromium ions. Desorption studies were done with 0.1M concentrations of H2SO4, HCl and EDTA. It was noted that for copper, H2SO4 was the best followed by HCl and finally EDTA. Chromium on the other hand was best desorbed by EDTA but H2SO4 was still better than HCl. Luffa-metal ion bond and EDTA-metal ion bond played a significant role in the desorption capability of EDTA. The regenerated biomaterial was then subjected to another set of adsorption experiments to study the effect of concentration of the metal ion on adsorption and for both copper and Chromium, EDTA treated biomaterial gave higher adsorption percentages. Luffa sponge was also carbonized and 0.5g, 0.75g and 1g portions of carbonized biomaterial was used to determine the effect of concentration of both Copper and Chromium ions on their adsorption onto the carbonized biomaterial. Carbonized biomaterial gave higher adsorption percentages than fresh Luffa.30ml portions of real effluent samples from KIRDI’S leather division was treated with 0.5g and 2g portions of fresh Luffa to determine its efficacy in removal of Chromium. 2g portions were able to remove over 92% of Chromium from the effluent. Two adsorption isotherms were tested and Langmuir gave the best fit for chromium and copper, copper giving R2 value of 0.9570 and Chromium R2 value of 0.9728. qmax value, the monolayer adsorption capacity for copper using fresh luffa was found to be 2.9753mg/g, and b the Langmuir constant was found to be 0.1933l/mg.qmax for Chromium was found to be 1.3466mg/g and b Langmuir constant was found to be 0.6639l/mg.This means Luffa Cylindrica has a higher affinity for copper than chromium. The experimental data from carbonized biomaterial was also fitted to Langmuir isotherm. The R2 value for copper was found to be 0.9826 and qmax value of 5.4288mg/g, 1.8 times that of fresh luffa. R2 value for chromium with carbonized Luffa was found to be 0.9144 with qmax value of 2.3479mg/g which again is almost twice as much as that of fresh Luffa. Freundlich Isotherm gave R2 value 0.8194 for copper which was not close to unity so the data didn’t adhere to the isotherm. Chromium however gave gave R2 value of 0.9501with KF value of 0.5768 and n value of 3.367 indicating good adsorption. This study demonstrates that Luffa Cylindrica could provide a cheaper alternative for removing heavy metals from waste water.