A comparison of spatial rainfall estimation techniques: A case study of Nyando river basin Kenya

Many hydrological models for watershed management and planning requirerainfall as an input in a continuous format. This study analyzed four  different rainfall interpolation techniques in Nyando river basin, Kenya. Interpolation was done for a period of 30 days using 19 rainfall stations. Two geostatistical interpolation techniques (kriging and cokriging) were evaluated against inverse distance weighted (IDW) and global polynomial interpolation (GPI). Of the four spatial interpolators, kriging and cokriging produced results with the least root mean square error (RMSE). A digital elevation model (DEM) was introduced into the cokriging method and this improved the results considerably. The results demonstrate that for low-resolution rain gauge networks, geostatistical interpolation methods perform better than other techniques that ignore spatial dependence patterns. The use of secondary information improved the prediction results, as demonstrated by the inclusion of the DEM in this study.Key words: DEM, GPI, IDW, kriging, rainfal

A comparison of spatial rainfall estimation techniques: a case study of Nyando river basin Kenya

Many hydrological models for watershed management and planning require rainfall as an input in a continuous format. This study analyzed four different rainfall interpolation techniques in Nyando river basin, Kenya. Interpolation was done for a period of 30 days using 19 rainfall stations. Two geostatistical interpolation techniques (kriging and cokriging) were evaluated against inverse distance weighted (IDW) and global polynomial interpolation (GPI). Of the four spatial interpolators, kriging and cokriging produced results with the least root mean square error (RMSE). A digital elevation model (DEM) was introduced into the cokriging method and this improved the results considerably. The results demonstrate that for low-resolution rain gauge networks, geostatistical interpolation methods perform better than other techniques that ignore spatial dependence patterns. The use of secondary information improved the prediction results, as demonstrated by the inclusion of the DEM in this study.Key words: DEM, GPI, IDW, kriging, rainfal

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Urinary Bacteria Amongst Paediatric Patients at The Nairobi Hospital, Kenya

Objective: To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of urinary tract infections in the paediatric age group at The Nairobi Hospital.Design: A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study.Setting: The Nairobi Hospital records department.Results: A total of 31 organisms were isolated consisting of Escherichia coli (n=132; 44.3%), Klebsiella species (n=59; 17.8%), Proteus species (n=28; 9.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (n=14; 5.7%), Pseudomonas species (n=14; 4.7%) and Enterococcus species (n=12; 4%). Others were less frequently isolated making up a total of 14.1%. Girls were more affected than boys with a ratio 6:4. Amongst the E.coli and Klebsilla isolates which were the most commonly isolated, resistance was high to commonly used antimicrobials such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (75%-80%) and amoxicillin clavulanate (50%). There was no statistical significance in the difference in the organisms isolated (p= 0.775) or their susceptibilities to tested  antimicrobials, between inpatients and outpatients.Conclusion: The change in the susceptibility patterns of the isolated organisms to the most commonly used antimicrobials points to a need for revision of the current guidelines, prudent use of antibiotics and regular surveillance of uropathogens and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns on a larger scale

Species distribution and antifungal sensitivity patterns of vaginal yeasts

Objectives: To identify yeast isolates in vaginal specimens to species level and determine their antifungal susceptibility patterns.Design: Cross-sectional laboratory-based study.Setting: The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Nairobi.Subjects: Yeast isolates from high vaginal swabs presented to the laboratory for culture and sensitivity were identified to species level using the API Candida system and subjected to broth microdilution susceptibility testing.Main outcome measures: Frequency tables and graphs were used to summarise the data. Susceptibility data was analysed by the non-parametric Fisher’s exact test. P0.05) between the susceptibility of C.albicans and non-albicans isolates to flucytosine and amphotericin B, however there was a significant difference (

Language Games and Language Teaching in Kenya: The Case of Kiswahili in Lower School

Many experienced textbook and methodology manuals writers have argued that games are not just time-filling activities but have a great educational value. W. R. Lee holds that most language games make learners use the language instead of thinking about learning the correct forms Language games can lower anxiety, thus making the acquisition of input more likely. They are highly motivating and entertaining, and they can give shy students more opportunity to express their opinions and feelings. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of using language games in teaching lower primary. The paper adopts a quasi experimental design and thus uses a pre test and post test. It has been appropriate to analyse the treatment effect of using language games in teaching lower primary learner in one group while applying the natural teaching methods on the control group. The target population is four primary schools which are sampled in Machakos town and four other primary schools sampled in the rural area of Machakos. A standardized examination is given to the two groups of lower primary learners from different localities and results recorded. Another examination was given after the treatment of teaching one group using language games. Methods used by the teachers to teach the Kiswahili Language to lower primary learners are mainly assignments and group discussions. The paper recommends that other strategies for teaching lower primary learners may include teacher assistance teams and shorter assignments. Ultimately, this paper suggests that use of language games in teaching lower primary school learners can improve their academic performance. Keywords: Teaching aids, teacher competence, attitude, self concept, instructional resources, stimulus, mediated learning

Application of the geological streamflow and Muskingum Cunge models in the Yala River Basin, Kenya

The nature of surface runoff and its effects in the watershed can be  represented by the application of hydrologic and hydraulic models. In this study, the Geological Streamflow Model (GeoSFM) and the Muskingum Cunge (M-C) model were used to model the hydrologic processes of the Yala river network. The objective was to develop a flood early warning system to mitigate potential flood hazard risk exposed to the downstream inhabitants. Historical hydro]metric datasets of 1975] 2005 were used for calibration, verification and streamflow routing based on a split record analysis. For the runoff generation, rainfall and evaporation datasets were provided by the Kenya Meteorological Department while for model calibration and verification, streamflow was obtained from Water ResourcesManagement Authority. To determine the hydrologic connectivity, the 30 meters by 30 meters Digital Elevation Model was obtained from the International Centre for Research in Agro]forestry. The Digital Soil Map of the World developed by Food and Agricultural Organisation and the Global Land Cover data of the United States Geological Survey were used for model parameterisation. The soil moisture accounting and routing method transferred water through the subsurface, overland and river phases. The percentage of the correlation coefficient (R2% value) was used to  determine model performance. The GeoSFM modeled streamflow at the Bondo streamflow gauging station, coded 1FG02 where during the  calibration and verification phases, streamflow was modeled at R2 value of80.6% and 87.3% respectively. The M-C model routed streamflow from 1FG02 to the Kadenge streamflow gauging station, coded 1FG03 at R2 value of 90.8%, Muskingum K value of 2.76 hours and Muskingum X value of 0.4609. The extreme value analysis done on the modeled streamflow portrayed a unique behaviour of the system when compared to the ideal system model that should mimic the real world. It was concluded that the GeoSFM and M-C models were hence useful tools for flood mitigation by issuing flood early warning messages defined by peak streamflow and flood wave travel time.Key words: Flood, Yala River, geological streamflow model, muskingum  cunge model