This study evaluated the effects of organic and inorganic soil fertilization on forage grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. xaraes) yields, soil N availability, and soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Central Kenya. A field experiment was conducted at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) farm in Nairobi, Central Kenya. A completely randomized block design was set up with three replications in blocks (20 m × 15 m) approximately 50 m apart from each other, each containing six plots (4 m × 2 m) with Brachiaria brizantha cv. xaraes. Treatments included one inorganic and four organic soil fertilizers, namely NPK fertilizer, farm-yard cattle manure (FYM), FYM plus biochar (FYM-BC), FYM converted to bioslurry via anaerobic digestion, legume intercropping with Lablab (Lablab purpureus), and control (zero fertilizer amendment). Greenhouse gas emissions (N2O, CO2 and CH4) were measured using the static chamber approach for a period of eight months. In addition, soil samples were taken for determination of mineral N concentrations in the forms of nitrate (NO3 - ) and ammonium (NH4 + ). Plant biomass sampling for Brachiaria brizantha cv. xaraes grass yields was conducted every ten weeks and above-ground plant dry matter was determined. All fertilizer types were applied at a rate of 45 kg N ha-1 one week after each harvest, except for Lablab intercropping, which relied solely on biological nitrogen fixation via the legume (rate not determined in this study). The study was conducted between October 2018 and August 2019 comprising of four harvest seasons of 10 weeks each: short rains (SR, October 2018 to January 2019), hot dry season (HD, January 2019 to March 2019), long rains (LR, March 2019 to June 2019), and short rain 2; cold dry season (CD, June 2019 to August 2019). Treatment and season significantly influenced daily CH4 uptakes (p <0.01 and p = 0.009) but did not show significant interaction (p = 0.093). Methane uptake was similar across all the treatments following the order of Control > Lablab > FYM > FYM-BC > NPK, except for Bioslurry which exhibited significantly lower (-2.69±4.47) CH4 uptake (p< 0.01). Within the xiv seasons, significantly lower (-11.43±4.42) and higher (-21.23±1.11) CH4 uptakes were recorded during the HD and CD seasons, respectively while SR and LR seasons had similar CH4 uptake. Treatment and season had significant (p < 0.01 two-way ANOVA) effect on CO2 emissions. CO2 emissions in FYM-BC and FYM alone were on average lower by 61.6% compared to the control which had the highest (94.76±19.32). Seasonal CO2 emissions followed the order of CD>HD>LR>SR seasons, respectively. Treatment and season also interacted significantly (p<0.01 two-way ANOVA) to influence CO2 emissions. Lower (44.33±15.67) emissions occurred under FYM alone during the HD season while the highest (157.54±2.77) CO2 emissions was recorded under the control treatment during the SR season. FYM-BC and FYM alone had significantly (p < 0.01 two-way ANOVA) lower (6.70±14.48 and 8.20±15.67 respectively) N2O emissions compared to the control which had the highest (12.95±3.61). Significantly higher N2O emissions were recorded during the SR season while HD, LR and CD seasons had similar emission rates. Significant (p < 0.01 two-way ANOVA) interaction between treatment and season was also observed with NPK recording the lowest (4.21±0.83) emissions during the second season relative to control which had the highest (27.16±0.90) N2O emissions during the first season. Furthermore, fertilizer treatments significantly influenced NH4 + and NO3 - availability in the soil (p < 0.001). The highest NH4 + concentration was recorded in the NPK treatment 14 days after fertilization (21.20±27.01 µg g -1 DM), while the lowest NH4 + concentration was recorded in the Lablab treatment (6.62±8.02 µg g-1 DM). Similar to NH4 + , significantly higher NO3 - -N concentration was observed in the NPK plots 14 days after fertilization (61.41±38.81 µg g-1 DM), while the lowest NO3 - concentration was found in the Lablab plots 14 days after the last harvest (37.09±25.10 µg g-1 soil). Brachiaria brizantha cv. xaraes yields for the four harvests followed the order Control > FYM > NPK > FYM-BC > Bioslurry > Lablab, but these differences were not significant (p ₌ 0.957). There were, however, significant differences in yields of Brachiaria across the four seasons (p<0.01), with highest yields recorded in the long rains at 4.72±1.47 Mg DM ha-1 and lowest yields recorded in the cold dry season at 1.54±0.51 Mg DM ha-1. The total mean biomass for the entire study period (8 months) was 10.4t ha-1±1.3. Taken together, our findings do not show any significant effect of different soil fertilizers on Brachiaria brizantha cv. xaraes yields. This could partly be attributed to the short study period of eight months in a newly established area. Furthermore, the soil had been ploughed before grass planting, which could have mobilized N and other nutrients from soil organic matter mineralization and therefore might have masked a potential fertilizer effect. Whether fertilizer effects become more clearly distinguishable in the long term requires long-term measurements. Concerning soil GHG emissions, the findings have shown that at the applied fertilization rate, organic fertilizers did not increase soil N2O emissions in this tropical site, indicating a potential option for low-emission forage grass production in SSA.

The advancement of information technology in the twenty-first century has profoundly changed educational systems across the world. With the restrictions on gathering and movement imposed by Government during the covid-19 pandemic Public Universities in Kenya are in need to fulfil their mandate which is providing education. The abrupt massive transition from traditional learning to an online learning various implementation challenges that that have made them not realize full potential of online learning. Stakeholders are left dissatisfied when online learning initiatives fail to meet their expectations. The objective of this study is to establish a model that will be used to implement online learning in Kenyan Public Universities. A quantitative study was be conducted using a descriptive research approach. Using online surveys, this study concluded that Frequency of Use, Availability of Policies, Procedures and Documentation, Awareness of Policies and Documentation, Extent of use of skills on online learning technology and Routinization contribute significantly to implementation success of online learning technology.

ENVIROMENTAL MANGEMENT

Abstract

Abstract

Forests are major sources of livelihoods for millions of people and contribute to many countries' national economic growth and environmental health. Kenya has just about 8.3 percent forest cover. Currently, the country's timber supply is unable to satisfy demand, and last year (2020) there was a national deficit of 7 million tons of timber. Factors determining the proportion of land allocated by households for forest cover are not clearly known. This research sought to determine the average area of land under forest cover at household level, factors that contribute to variations in areas of land devoted to forest cover, hindrances that stand on the way of increasing and sustaining household forest land cover and propose planning interventions that could increase household forest land cover in the study area to sustainable levels. The study employed a descriptive research design. The target population for this study was all the 6,350 households living within 308 square kilometers of Kyome-Thaana Ward. A sample of 100 respondents was calculated using the Cochran formula. The study used multi stage sampling techniques. Face to face interviews with household heads or adult representatives were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire. Observations were also done. The study used both quantitative and qualitative techniques of data analysis. Inferential statistics included correlation, chi-square tests and t-tests. The average land under forest cover at household level in the study area was 5 acres. The size of land owned by the household was found to be the main factor that influence decision by the household head to have either small or large size of their land under forest cover. There was a significant association (p=0.038) between mode of land acquisition and land devoted to forest cover. Correlation analysis shows that land owned has strong positive correlation (r=0.947, p=0.000) with land devoted to forest cover. Correlation analysis also showed that land owned by father had a strong positive correlation (r=0.543, p=0.000) with land devoted to forest cover. There was a significant association (p=0.007) between livestock keeping and the land devoted to forest cover. Population growth that leads to conversion of forest land to crop land and settlements were the greatest hindrance to increasing forest cover in the study area. Changes in climate and the environment adversely affected livelihoods as household food security is in all circumstances affected. This study recommends deliberate investment in forestry, at least 10 percent of each household land to be under forest cover in the study area. Adoption of alternative sources of energy and fuel efficient cooking technologies is also highly recommended within the study area to minimize deforestation.

STREET CHILDREN

A diversity of fruit based non- alcoholic beverages, locally produced, and imported are sold and consumed in Kenya. The choice preservative for these beverages is Sulphur dioxide, making it one of the potential causes of exposure to Sulphur dioxide (SO2). Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish the presence of Sulphur dioxide residues in the fruit-based non-alcoholic beverages that are widely consumed in Nairobi, Kenya with a view to determining the level of exposure of the chemical to the Kenyan consumer. A Total of 384 fruit based beverage samples were sampled and collected from the major supermarket chains in Nairobi, Kenya using a self-structured guide, followed by analysis for Sulphur dioxide residues, pH and total soluble solids (°Brix) content using Tanner titration, potentiometric and refractrometric method, respectively. The dietary exposure of Sulphur dioxide to the Kenyan consumer was determined using a deterministic method. Sulphur dioxide exposure was then compared to the respective acceptable daily intake (ADI). Results showed that most of the beverages had SO2 residual levels, pH and total soluble solids content that were within the specifications set in the Kenya Standards. The SO2 residue levels in ready- to- drink fruit drinks, fruit juices, fruit nectars; and the dilutable fruit drinks were 1.25±2.58, 0.56±1.71, 0.49±1.47 and 21.52±13.85 mg/kg respectively, compared to the tolerated level of 10 mg/kg maximum. Only 13.1% fruit juices, 12% of fruit nectars and 22.5% of fruit drinks contained Sulphur dioxide residues, which were all within the acceptable level. However, of the 86.3% of dilutable fruit drinks contained Sulphur dioxide residues, of which 71.3% had Sulphur dioxide residues above the acceptable limit. Therefore, the main source of SO2 exposure comes from the dilutable fruit drinks. Daily intakes of SO2 from consumption of fruit-based beverages were 0.032, 0.21, and 0.20 mg/kg body bw/day in preschool children aged 3-6, 7-18 years group and adults respectively, which were all below the 0.7 mg/kg b/t/day ADI set by JECFA; while risk of Sulphite exposure was 5 %, 3 % and 3 % of the ADI for preschool children, children aged 7 to 18 and adults aged 19 years and above, respectively. In conclusion, exposures from consumption of fruit- based beverages were within the relevant Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for all population groups including the high-end consumers. However, frequent overindulgence on dilutable drinks, even in low at low levels can pose a health risk to SO2-sensitive individuals, hence should be aware of the risks associated with high levels of residual SO2.

The conversion of forest land to agricultural land and urban settlement usually increases soil erosion, and volume of storm runoff in a catchment. In Kenya, the rural communities are encroaching into the humid and marginal areas to open up new lands for agricultural production and settlement. These changes have led to environmental degradation, which has negatively altered the hydrologic regimes of many catchments in Kenya. The Wundanyi River catchment is one of the catchments that have undergone rapid land use changes over the last 30 years. It requires intervention to improve and sustain hydrologic processes to prevent further degradation. However, the catchment lacks continuous records for hydrologic data that can be used.

Most projects that are implemented fail because the organizations that are carrying out the projects do not factor in some critical elements of project implementation that are frequently overlooked. In order for organizations to implement projects that meet a time, budget and scope criteria, the right conditions must be in place. Organizations need to be aware of the critical factors that could determine a successful implementation. This research examined what critical factors influence success of Information technology based projects implementation in commercial banks, based on the problem that there is less research on critical factors focused on IT projects within the banking industry. The four objectives under study were; Establishing how top management support influences successful project implementation in Kenya Commercial Bank; determine how human resource influences successful information technology project implementation in Kenya Commercial Bank; Examine how teamwork influences successful information technology project implementation in Kenya Commercial Bank; Establishing stakeholder involvement on successful information technology project implementation in Kenya Commercial Bank. A descriptive research design was used for the study, with a case study methodology to analyze an institution that implements several Information technology based projects. The target population was 132 Human resource Personnel out of which convenience sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 42. Data was collected by using questionnaire at project implementation levels of the organizations. The data collected was analyzed using statistical Package for Social Sciences. Finding from the research showed that there was a higher emphasis on skills of the personnel, teamwork of the project team as well as stakeholder involvement towards achieving successful IT project implementation at the Kenya Commercial Bank. The study made the following conclusions; Top management is a significant factor that influences success of IT projects at the Kenya Commercial Bank; Experience of the Human resource, in terms of working in project teams, enhances and influences success of IT projects implementation; Stakeholder involvement plays a role in IT project implementation at the Kenya Commercial Bank. The recommendations are as follows; Top management at Kenya Commercial Bank should engage in consistent communication with project teams to identify their needs and progress in achieving successful implementation of IT projects. Staff should also be encouraged to work in teams through collaborative activities to achieve organizational goals. Kenya commercial Bank should also engage users of IT systems at all stages of project management, from the design and planning stage to the implementation stage.