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.

Wildlife is currently facing a lot of challenges in their natural ecosystem such as negative effect of anthropogenic activities and climate change. Zoos play an important role in conservation and protection of wildlife through education, captive breeding and research. However, while in the zoo’s wildlife is exposed to a different environment from their natural habitats and disturbances from human audience and climate variations. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of zoo visitor numbers, environmental factors (variation in Temperature Humidity Index during the October heat and winter season) and sex on faecal cortisol concentrations (ng/gm), as an indicator of stress levels in a captive population of blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) and spotted deer (Axis axis) at Rajiv Gandhi zoological park in Pune, India. Assessment of adrenocortical activity through measurement of faecal glucocorticoid levels in faeces has significantly enabled data collection from wildlife, owing to its non-invasive nature. The blackbuck and spotted deer each consisted of six (6) adult males and six (6) adult females with an average age of 5.4 ± 0.55 and 5.5 ± 0.45 years respectively. The study animals were born and raised in the zoo. Each study animal was marked with ear tags for easy identification. The study was conducted in two (2) seasons during October heat (October-November) and winter (December-January). Visitor numbers was taken from the zoo records and temperature and humidity were measured every day using automatic hygrometer located in the zoo. Faecal sample collection was carried out between 12 noon to 6 pm on Wednesday (Low/Zero visitor category), Friday (Medium visitor category) and Sunday (High visitor category) per week for three (3) weeks in each season. The faecal cortisol metabolites were determined using Radioimmunoassay method. The blackbuck faecal cortisol conxvcentration was within a range of 0.18 ng/gm to 2.62 ng/gm while that of spotted deer was within a range of 0.18 ng/gm to 3.07 ng/gm. The faecal cortisol concentration in adult males and females were not significantly different in both seasons. Visitor numbers significantly affected faecal cortisol concentrations (ng/gm) of blackbuck during winter but not during October heat. Temperature Humidity Index (THI) significantly affected the faecal cortisol metabolites in both blackbuck and spotted deer during winter but not during October heat. The observed differences in faecal cortisol concentrations (ng/gm) in blackbuck and spotted deer during winter are significant with negative correlation. The results of this study can be useful in informing management of captive wildlife and designing captive facility. Understanding the stress response of wildlife in captivity especially endangered ones is essential when planning for their effective conservation programmes.

Although studies have been carried out on staffing and transfers of judicial officers, there is limited empirical data on the effect of frequent magistrates’ transfer on the administration of justice in Nairobi City County. This study sought to answer the question on the effect of magistrates’ transfer on the administration of justice in courts in the county. Specifically, it investigated the effect of magistrates’ transfers on case backlog, on internal courts operations and on magistrates’ personal lives in four magistrates’ courts in Nairobi City County. It was a descriptive survey based on both the Uncertainty Reduction and the Socio-Technical System Theories. Using purposive and systematic random sampling, the study sampled 2597 stakeholders for the period between 1st September and 30th October, 2019 methods. Semi-structured questionnaires and key informant interviews were used to collect data. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Software for Social Scientist (SPSS) Version 20 and results presented in tables and graphs. Qualitative data supplemented quantitative data. The findings showed that magistrates’ transfer leads to case backlog and delays, increases case administration costs, makes it difficult to organize the courts’ calendar and negatively affects the magistrates’ learning curve and education of their children. Judiciary should develop a widely acceptable transfer policy that give magistrates longer transfer notifications. Transfer and hand-over protocols should ensure that cases do not suffer unnecessary delays and costs and they should be such that they align transfers to the national education calendar. Insight from the study could enhance best practices in handling magistrates’ transfers in Kenya.

Organizations are adopting newer technologies in a rapidly evolving digital environment to develop new or change present business processes to meet changing business and customer expectations. Robotic Process Automation is at the forefront of these disruptive technologies and has immense potential for transforming the delivery of processes. Organizations spend significant amount of time managing processes that are highly repetitive, straightforward, rule-based and time-consuming and can be automated with RPA. However, often organizations which have embarked on their digital transformation journey, using RPA as an enabler, do not scale beyond concept proof. This research aimed at establishing a model for RPA adoption. Previous studies on technology adoption frameworks, digital transformation frameworks and concepts on RPA supported this research. Influence of RPA performance expectancy, RPA effort expectancy, RPA facilitating condition, RPA social influence and RPA risks and threats on leveraging RPA were investigated with age, gender and experience as moderating factors. To test these factors, the study took a quantitative approach where data was collected from 117 employees of the study organization using structured questionnaires. Analysis of data was carried out using SPSS tool and presented using tables, charts and percentages. Multiple linear regression result demonstrated that 92.1 per cent of the variation in the dependent variable was accounted for by independent variables. The outcome presents a framework for leveraging RPA. The inferences of these results for future research are discussed. Keywords: Robotic Process Automation, digital transformation, adoption, software robot

Tomato ranks among the most consumed fruit vegetables in Kenya and in the world. The Kenyan agro-ecosystem, however, faces persistent challenges of inadequate water resources and nitrogen deficient soils that limit productivity of the crop. There exists a wide range of abiotically adapted African tomato accessions that could be harnessed to develop better varieties adaptable to limited moisture conditions and improved nitrogen use efficiency. A study was conducted with objectives of: (i) evaluate the effect of water stress on growth and yield of 10 African tomato accessions [VI005895, VI007540, VI005987, VI006840, VI006825, VI006828, RVI01885, GBK050580, VI005871, VI005990] and five commercial varieties [Rio grande, Cal J, Stallion F1, Master F1, ATM F1] (ii); evaluate the effect of varying levels of nitrogen on growth and yield of selected African tomato accessions and commercial varieties. Trials were set up in 2018 and 2019 both in the greenhouse (for water stress evaluation) and in the field (for nitrogen nutrition evaluation) in randomized complete block design with three replications. The greenhouse experiment was conducted at the University of Nairobi’s Kabete field station while the field experiment was conducted at Kabete field station and at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KARLO) –Mwea field station, Kenya. Greenhouse-grown tomato plants were subjected to three water levels throughout the season: 100%, 70% and 40% pot capacity (PC) i.e the moisture held by pot soil after draining for 24 hours determined using gravimetric moisture determination method. Open field-grown tomato plants were subjected to six levels of nitrogen (control of 0 kg N/Ha, 50 kg N/Ha, 100 kg N/Ha, 150 kg N/Ha, 200 kg N/Ha and 250 kg N/Ha) at vegetative growth stage. Data was collected on growth parameters (plant height, number of primary branches, stem girth, internode length, single leaf area, days to 50% flowering) and yield parameters (total yield, number of fruits per plant/plot, single fruitweight, fruit length and fruit width, total fruit weight per plant). Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using Genstat V.15 and means were separated using the least significant difference test at (P≤0.05). Moisture stress of 70% PC and 40% PC caused significant reductions in plant height, internode length, stem girth and single leaf area of the tomato plants compared to unstressed moisture conditions (100% PC). Total number of fruits per plant, total fruit weight per plant, average single fruit weight, fruit length and fruit width were significantly reduced by reduction in moisture level from 100% PC to 70% PC and below. There was significant variability among genotypes in all the growth and yield traits evaluated. Indigenous tomato genotypes had higher variability than commercial genotypes in growth traits i.e plant height, internode length, and stem girth. Level of nitrogen applied significantly affected (P≤0.05) the growth parameters observed. Vegetative growth parameters: number of primary branches, plant stem height, stems girth and single leaf area increased with each level of nitrogen applied from control to the other five levels (50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg N/Ha) with 250 kg N/Ha recording the highest means for the traits evaluated. Number of fruits per plot and fruit yield per plant increased with increase in N level from 0 to 250 kg N/Ha. The growth and yield traits evaluated in the field varied significantly with genotype. Indigenous tomato genotypes (VI005871, VI005895 and VI005987) were higher performers than commercial genotypes Cal J and Rio Grande in terms of single fruit weight per plant, number of fruits per plant and fruit yield per plant. Variability was mostly evident on agro-morphological parameters such as plant stem height and fruit yield per plant. This genetic variability and better adaptability to drought can be exploited to develop new or improve tomato cultivars through integrating desirable yield traits such as high single fruit weight. These genotypes can also be selected as competitive, cheaper tomato opv seed source option for tomato farmers in Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa.

ICT can be used to access and promote equity in education through providing educational opportunities to a larger number of people of all ages that include the underserves or the traditionally unserved for example those in rural and remote areas and people with disabilities. It can be used to enhance the quality of learning and teaching through providing access to a greater variety of the current educational resources and enabling the participatory pedagogies. Kiambu County has a high secondary school learner population in the country, however, the levels performance of most of these schools remains significantly low. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of ICT integration projects on performance in public secondary schools in KCSE in Kiambu County Kenya. The study sought to investigate the following objectives: to assess the influence of ICT infrastructure on performance of public secondary schools in KCSE in Kiambu County, Kenya; to examine the influence of development of digital content on performance of public secondary schools in KCSE in Kiambu County, Kenya; to determine the influence of capacity building of teachers on performance of public secondary schools in KCSE in Kiambu County, Kenya; to examine the influence of procurement of ICT devices on performance of public secondary schools in KCSE in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The target population of the study of 4403 was drawn from the head teachers, ICT head of departments and teachers from Kiambu County. A sample size of 351 participants was extrapolated from the target population using FISHERS formula from which a proportionate stratified sampling was used to obtain a sample for each stratum. Data was collected using questionnaires. The data collection instrument was tested using 35 questionnaires that were administered to headteachers, ICT head of departments and teachers in Nairobi County which had similar characteristics with the study area. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.762 was obtained through the test-retest technique to check reliability of the research instruments. Descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation was used to analyze the data. The analysed data using SPSS was presented in the form of tables. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between the variables in the study. The study revealed that there was a positive moderate correlation between ICT infrastructure and performance of public secondary schools in KCSE (r=0.552, p=0.000), development of digital content and performance of public secondary schools in KCSE demonstrated a positive weak correlation (r=0.436, p=0.000), capacity building for teachers and performance of public secondary schools in KCSE indicated a positive weak correlation (r=0.232, p=0.000) and procurement of ICT devices and performance of public secondary schools in KCSE indicated a positive moderate correlation (r=0.502, p=0.000). The study concluded that that the independent variables under the study influence the performance of public secondary schools in KCSE. The study recommends that public secondary schools should be adequately equipped with more ICT infrastructure, digitize classroom content, increase capacity development for ICT and allocate more funds to procure ICT devices to improve KCSE performance. The study further suggests that research should be carried out to investigate the influence of ICT integration projects on the new curriculum goals of public secondary schools in KCSE.

Linda Mama provides a package of basic health services accessed by all in the targeted population on the basis of need and not ability to pay, positioning Kenya on the pathway to Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Linda mama's goal is to "Achieve universal cases to maternal and child health services and contribute to the country's progress towards UHC" Despite its considerable success Linda Mama has still faced a number of challenges. However existing studies have not examined project management practices and uptake of Linda mama services. In light of these contextual gaps, this study aimed to assess the influence of project management practices on Linda Mama services uptake in Kirinyaga County. The purpose of the study was to investigate the project management practices and uptake of Linda mama services in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. Specifically, the objectives were to assess the influence of project initiation process on the uptake of Linda Mama services in Kirinyaga County, to establish the influence of project planning process on uptake of Linda Mama services in Kirinyaga County, to establish the influence of project implementation process on the uptake of Linda Mama services in Kirinyaga County. The study was conducted in Kirinyaga County. The study adopted descriptive research design and targeted 293 respondents (112health workers and senior managers and 191 pregnant mothers and nursing mothers) in Kirinyaga County as its target population. Non probability sampling that included convenience and probability sampling was used to select respondents. Using structured questionnaires, data was gathered from primary sources. Descriptive statistics (mean and frequencies) and subsequently inferential statistics (ANOVA)were used to analyze data collected. The study findings from the health workers data revealed that project initiation (β=0.298, p=0.02), project planning (β=0.623, p=0.001), and project implementation (β=0.129, p=0.032) have statistical significant relationship with uptake of Linda Mama. The study findings from the pregnant and nursing mothers also indicated that project initiation (β=0.422, p=0.02), project planning (β=0.303, p=0.036), and project implementation (β=0.118, p=0.000) have statistical significant relationship with uptake of Linda Mama. The study concluded that project initiation, project planning and project implementation influences uptake of Linda mama. The study recommended that the government should give prioritization of project management in uptake of Linda Mama Services. The study contributes to enhancing maternal policy in Kenya and knowledge on effectiveness of maternal programmes in developing countries.

Information security has become an important aspect in today’s business environment, where all operations are technology centered. Over the years lots of effort has been put to ensure that organizations manage information security in a standardized manner. There are several frameworks and standards such as COBIT, ITIL and ISO/IEC 27001 that have been proposed for this purpose. In this work the focus was on ISO/IEC 27001 which is an international standard that provides specification for an Information Security Management System (ISMS). The standard is designed to assist large and small enterprises to manage their information security processes in line with international best practice. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) usually find it difficult to comprehensively implement the prescriptive requirements of the standard. This study proposes a toolkit approach in helping SMEs implement the requirements of the standard. It proposes and develops an ISO/IEC 27001 information security toolkit as a prototype for guiding organizations in implementing information security controls. Apart from toolkit design and implementation, the study also assesses the toolkit and its usability. Results indicated that majority of SMEs would embrace the toolkit and that it can be of great importance in guiding them implement controls of the standard. Furthermore, the study found out that with further enhancement of the toolkit features, to incorporate all aspects of ISO 27001 standard, the toolkit can be used for both large enterprises and small enterprises in implementing the standard requirements.

Digitization and changes in technological trends have necessitated the need for enterprises to start or have plans of migrating their services to cloud computing environments. This is to benefit from the many advantages that come with cloud computing. Third party providers whom majorly consume multi-tenancy architectures mainly offer the cloud platforms. This come with some challenges mostly when it comes to trust. The cloud consumers and cloud providers agree on some cloud service level agreements. Mostly the consumers have faith that they benefit from what they have agreed with the provider but lack a way of verifying the SLAs as well as doing QoS monitoring on their own. This research project focuses on coming up with a multi-tenancy cloud trust model using QoS monitoring. Our key focus was the infrastructure as a service cloud model. It also involved developing a prototype to show case the proposed model. The overall research strategy employed was exploratory. The model developed assists cloud consumers to be able to evaluate cloud services before they purchase services. This prevents them from leasing already congested clouds, or which do not meet their specifications. They also have the capability of continuous QoS monitoring of the cloud environment in real time when need be. On the other hand, cloud providers also benefit from the trust provided by our model because it might lead to good company reputation making them to sell more.