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.

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Globally, there is growing interest to integrate nutrient–dense foods such as insect flour into food products to achieve nutritional goals and address food insecurity. Though cereal–based porridge is widely consumed in many sub–Saharan African countries, there is a lack of information on its enrichment with edible cricket, Scapsipedus icipe. The objective of this study was to develop and determine the nutritional composition, anti–nutrient content, sensory acceptability, microbial safety and storage stability of porridge flour formulations enriched with edible cricket. Porridge was prepared from the flour formulations with a cricket content of 0%, 10%, 15% and 20% (w/w). A sensory evaluation pretest, indicating 10% cricket-finger millet-amaranth flour as the most desirable porridge, informed the basis of using 10% cricket, 60% finger millet, and 30% amaranth for the preparation of four porridge flour samples, using traditional processing methods: germination, fermentation and roasting. Untreated formulation and an existing finger millet-based commercial porridge flour served as control. Cricket enriched formulations had high protein (2– folds), crude fat (3.4–4–folds) and energy (1.1–1.2–folds) compared to the commercial flour. Processing by germination and fermentation resulted in high phytic acid degradation (67% and 33% respectively) and improved mineral bioavailability. The iron content of the formulated flours ranged from 8.6–19.5 mg/100 g with the germinated sample having the highest content (19.5 mg/100 g). Zinc content was in the range of 3.1–3.7 mg/100 g while the range obtained for calcium was from 234.9 mg–278.6 mg/100 g. The commercial flour recorded zinc and calcium contents of 1.86mg/100g and 312.7mg/100 g respectively. Cricket enriched formulations had significantly (p < 0.05) higher content of vitamin B12, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, nicotinamide and thiamine when compared to the commercial flour. A total of 44 fatty acids methyl esters (FAMEs) were detected in the porridge flour oil extract using Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (GC– xiii MS). Of the 24 saturated fatty acids (SFAs) detected, Methyl hexadecanoate (palmitic acid) contributed the highest proportion followed by Methyl octadecanoate (stearic acid) across the flour samples. In addition, Methyl 9E–octadecenoate (oleic acid) was the predominant monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) whereas Methyl 9Z, 12Z–octadecadienoate (linoleic acid, LA) contributed the highest proportion of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Αlpha–linolenic acid (ALA) was detected in all the cricket-enriched samples while docosapentaenoic acid (DHA) was only present in the fermented sample. Fermentation process caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the levels of PUFAs (30%) and MUFAs (14%) and a decrease in the SFAs (3%) while roasting process caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in both MUFAs and SFAs by 27 and 10%, respectively. Total flavonoids were reduced during germination (42%) and roasting (10%) but increased during fermentation (13%), while tannin content decreased during germination (29%). Panelist–based sensory evaluation revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) among the porridge samples. Results suggest cricket formulations at 10, 15 and 20% were all acceptable with significant variations. 10% cricket formulation had the highest scores for all attributes. On the effect of processing, roasted and fermented samples had the highest sensory scores compared to the germinated porridge sample with the least overall acceptability score. The total viable plate count for the formulations ranged from 2.4 to 4.1 log10 CFU/g, whereas mold and yeast count was in the range of 1.4 to 1.7 log10 CFU/g. Roasted flour formulation had low counts of bacteria, yeasts and mold and low moisture content. The flour formulations packaged in paper bags exhibited higher variations in terms of microbial loads and moisture content as compared to those packaged in aluminium bags. This observation shows that enrichment combined with proper processing may improve the nutritional quality of cereal–based foods and reduce the levels of anti-nutrients. High sensory rating and low microbial count confirm that cricket flour can be used as an effective functional ingredient to enrich porridge flour.

Over the last 20 years MFIs have provided financial services to people dealing with small and micro businesses or farmers who did not have access to loans from commercial banks. This research study focused on the role of Micro Finance Institutions in alleviating poverty and attaining food security among small scale farmers in Central Division, Machakos County. The research study emphasis as on Faulu Kenya and Kenya Women Finance Trust MFIs which have enabled small scale farmers get empowered through provision of unsecured loans. These MFIs have mutated from small scale NGOs to fully fledged banking institutions. Farmers have accessed agricultural credit from these MFIs and have financed investments successfully and have improved their food security status and increased household incomes in a significant way. The study hinged on Maslow’s theory of basic or physiological needs that emphasizes on attaining the minimum requirements that are essential for a decent standard living. These needs are critical and their presence leads to satisfaction, self confidence and valuable. The study used descriptive survey to collect primary data. The main tool for data collection was the questionnaire which was administered to the MFI funded agricultural project leaders together with the beneficiaries of these projects. The questionnaire focused on operations of MFIs in small holder farming, MFI project financing, accessibility of the loans and the extent to which the respondents have alleviated poverty and attained food security using the MFI loans. Qualitative data involved looking for themes and contents in the qualitative data generated from the sets of questionnaires used in the study. The study focused on the following factors; Government policies, Educational factors, Socio economic factors and Technological factors. These formed the basis of examining the impact of effective implementation of the MFI funded agricultural projects. The quantitative method involved deriving statistical descriptions and interpretation of data using descriptive statistics. The quantitative data and the findings were presented using description, frequency tables and subsequent discussions. Interms of data analysis the researcher used both qualitative and quantitative methods. The sample population was a group of 140 respondents chosen through stratified random and purposive sampling. The researcher got back 90 completed questionnaires which were analyzed using the SPSS (v17). Research findings were derived through regression and correlation analysis and from the study; technological factors were ranked the highest with a Pearson’s Correlation factor value of 0.793 making it an extremely important independent variable. Socio economic factors ranked next with a Correlation value of 0.765 making it the second important independent variable. The effect of Government policies recorded a correlation value of 0.712 making it a fairly important independent variable. Education factors had the least effect in relation to effective implementation of the MFI funded agricultural projects with a correlation value of 0.554. In conclusion, effective implementation of MFI funded agricultural projects in Central Division; Machakos County has been as a result of interplay between technology and Socio Economics with Government involvement and education aspects contributing minimally though important. The researcher recommends that more studies relating to MFI funding should be done in Machakos County. Other factors especially ICT that influence the implementation of MFI funded projects in the county should also be investigated with a view to achieving sustainable food production and increased household incomes.

A cross-sectional study of canine cutaneous myiasis (CCM) was conducted from March to August, 2021 in eight sub-counties of Kitui County, Kenya. The aim of the study was to determine the etiology, prevalence, risk factors and pathological lesions associated with canine cutaneous myiasis in dogs. Face to face questionnaire interviews were conducted for assessment of risk factors that determine the occurrence of canine cutaneous myiasis in the study area. A total of 400 dogs were physically examined for the presence of skin lesions characteristic of canine cutaneous myiasis. At least two larvae were collected from each dog by application of digital pressure at the base of the lesions. The fly larvae causing CCM were preserved in 70% ethyl alcohol, transported to laboratory where they were processed, characterized and identified. From 400 dogs sampled, 180 (45%) had furuncular skin lesions due to third stage larvae of myiasis causing flies. These furuncles were concentrated on the ventral parts of the body of the dogs. Two cases of cutaneous myiasis in goats were also encountered during the study. Intensity of infestation was 434 and 6 dipteran maggots from dogs and goats, respectively. All dipteran larvae samples (440) were identified as Cordylobia anthropophaga fly larvae (100%). Freshly harvested C. anthropophaga larvae were cultured for four weeks and adult “tumbu” flies hatched, captured and identified. Analysis of questionnaires using chi-square revealed that there was a statistically significant association among different dog breeds, housing structures, their hygiene measures and environmental hygiene (p˂0.05) and myiasis. However, there was no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of canine cutaneous myiasis among different dog age and sex groups (p>0.05). Complete canine necropsy examination was conducted in four dogs purchased with severe canine cutaneous myiasis infestation from Kitui County. Grossly there were multifocal furuncular skin lesions extending throughout the thickness of the skin epidermis to the dermis. The skin lesions were characterized by thick, firm consistency, cutaneous edema and congestion. Some of these had live maggots. The underlying skeletal muscles were bright red due to hyperemia. There was regional lymphadenopathy in affected body regions. Microscopically, there was disruption, discontinuity and desquamation of the stratified squamous epithelium of stratum corneum of the skin which were the entry points for the C. anthropophaga larvae into the dogs` skin. There were circular cavities surrounded by a fibrous capsule, mixed inflammatory cells infiltrate with predominant eosinophils. Underlying skeletal muscles had coagulative necrosis, proliferation of fibroblasts and deposition of eosinophilic collagen fibres and infiltration of mixed inflammatory cells. During necropsy, various ectoparasites and endoparasites were recovered and included ticks, fleas, tapeworms and nematodes, an indication of poor dog management practices in the area. In conclusion, C. anthropophaga larvae of tumbu fly were the etiological agent associated with canine cutaneous myiasis, that was predisposed by poor housing and hygiene and had high occurrence and caused furuncular lesions in animals in Kitui County, Kenya. More studies on seasonal prevalence, distribution in various counties, etiological survival limits, public health importance and control strategies of CCM in the country are recommended.

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DSpace logo DSpace JSPUI DSpace preserves and enables easy and open access to all types of digital content including text, images, moving images, mpegs and data sets DSpace logo Egerton University Institutional Repository Egerton Journal Egerton Journal of Education and Community Studies Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://41.89.96.81:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/453 Title: The influence of teacher characteristics on ICT adoption among secondary school teachers in Kenya Authors: Komen, K. H. Cheplogoi, S. K. Kirui, V. C. Keywords: Teacher characteristics ICT leadership e-learning Issue Date: 2-Dec-2015 Abstract: The society is moving very fast into a digital world with Information Communication Technology revolution. Education has not escaped with teaching and learning processes coming under scrutiny in ICT standards and impacts. ICT tools have helped to improve autonomy in learning, stimulate students’ sensory and cognitive curiosity, develop life skills, boost self-confidence and facilitate the learning of abstract ideas and theories. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of teacher characteristics on adoption of ICT among secondary school teachers. .A total of 102 respondents participated in the study of which eight public secondary schools which had introduced computers were selected using simple random sampling method. Structured questionnaires were used for data collection and likert scale was used in rating responses while interview schedule was used to collect data from the principals. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) where descriptive statistics including frequency tables, percentages and means were generated .Chi-square and regression analyses on the other hand were the main inferential statistics used to test the hypotheses of the study. were the main used while. Findings of the study indicated that teachers had not fully adopted ICT in teaching and learning despite showing positive attitudes towards adoption of ICT. Age was the only characteristic tested that had a statistical significance. The study recommends that policy makers and curriculum developers should consider making ICT as a core subject in secondary schools. Teachers need to be in serviced on the use of ICT in the teaching and learning process. Furthermore, secondary school principals should provide prudent leadership in ICT implementation.

The study sets out to investigate the effect of macroeconomic factors on commercial banks‟ lending to agricultural sector in Kenya. The relationship between the effect of macroeconomics factors and sectoral lending by commercial bank is of major concern in the bank lending function in an economy. Commercial banks use the findings of the effect of macroeconomics to predict the performance of sectors in order to take precautionary measures in lending to avoid financial crisis. Insufficient supply of agricultural sector credit is one of the constraints to modernizing agricultural production. Lending by commercial banks to the agricultural sector has not lived up to expectations. To this end, the study set out to investigate the effect of macroeconomic factors on commercial banks‟ lending to agricultural sector in Kenya. The findings have established the effect of Inflation rate, Interest rate, Exchange rate and (GDP) on commercial banks‟ lending to Agricultural sector. The population of the study comprised of all commercial banks‟ in the entire period in Kenya that were licensed and registered under the Kenya banking act. All the commercial banks in Kenya were sampled in order to provide a complete picture on the effect of macroeconomic factors on commercial banks‟ lending to agricultural sector in Kenya. The data required for the study was obtained from secondary source in the central bank of Kenya that was used to investigate the relationship between dependent and independent variables. The theoretical framework that was used in this study explored business cycle theory and contemporary banking theory of financial intermediation as the main root of limited percentage share of commercial banks‟ lending to agricultural sector in Kenya .The researcher employed descriptive survey design and data analysis used descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and regression analysis. While commercial banks were found involved in lending activity, they continued to lend low to agricultural sector. It was clear from the study that, a unit increase in interest rate, inflation rate and exchange rate negatively affected theamount of credit provided by the commercial banks respectively. This resulted to decrease in the amount of credit.GDP was found to have a positive relationship to lending. A unit increase of GDP led to increase to amount of credit provided by commercial banks. To cater for the credit needs of agricultural sector, it is incumbent upon the commercial banks to review its lending dimension. The study has important implications in terms of policies that will enhance economic growth through agricultural financing. There is need to increase the amount of lending to agricultural sector through the reduction of interest rates and controlling the negative effect of exchange rate and inflation to allow more economic growth in the country.