Preparedness of Secondary School Management in the Planning, Supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation of School Projects in Gucha District, Kenya

Infrastructure developments in schools are a major factor towards realization of the Kenya’s vision 2030. Different stakeholders sponsor various school constructions; building of class rooms, school halls, laboratories, libraries, dormitories and so on.  This research sought to establish the factors influencing the implementation of construction projects in public secondary schools in Gucha South District, Kisii County. The study was guided by the following objectives: to establish the extent to which competency of principals in project management influence implementation of construction projects in public secondary schools in Gucha South District; to assess the extent to which stakeholders’ involvement influence the implementation of construction projects in public secondary schools in Gucha South District, to explore the extent to which availability of skilled labour influence the implementation of construction projects in public secondary schools in Gucha South District, Kisii County. Descriptive survey design was used in carrying out the study. All the forty two schools were used in the study. The respondents were 42 principals and 42 P.T.A chair persons representing the schools. The findings of the study showed that school principals lacked competency in planning, supervising and monitoring of school construction projects. The school chair persons similarly lacked the capacity to assist principals in project implementation. In conclusion school principals as managers of school constructions be trained and capacity build on project development, planning, management and supervision

Recommendations for management and research on the fishery of Lake Victoria

This report is based on our experience with the Lake Victoria fishery from 1973 to 1975 while working at the E.A.F.F.R.O. substations in Kisumu and Mwanza. We shall first present management recommendations on three major topics: the on-going inshore artisanal fishery, the proposed offshore trawl fishery, and the possibility of cage culture. These will be followed by specific recommendations for research

Market arrangements used by small scale bean farmers in Kenya: What needs to change for sustainable trade volumes?

Markets and marketing of common beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a major issue of concern to small scale farmers and other actors in the bean value chain in Kenya, particularly inconsistency in supplying sufficient volumes required for trade. This case study assessed market arrangements used by small scale farmers in the Lake Basin and Lower Eastern bean corridors of Kenya, to determine which markets work for rural producers and what changes are needed to produce and supply sufficient quantities for trade. Using exploratory research, data were collected through Focus Group Discussions with six farmer groups, representing a total of 1255 bean farmers; and key informant interviews with extension staff. The results indicated that 94% of the farmers produced beans before identifying buyers, while only 6% participated in group marketing. Though spot-market transactions with brokers and traders provided ready cash for the farmers, formal buyers were perceived to be more reliable, but difficult to find, and operated the stringent requirements, which were a barrier to entry. Based on the study findings, sustainable production and supply of sufficient volumes for trade should entail a transformation agenda at four levels of the value chain; namely intensification of production through pure stand models with greater use of certified high yielding varieties; stable price guarantees; market-driven research and extension service; and an enabling policy and business environment in the bean value chain. Further research is needed to pilot these changes in a case control study.Les march\ue9s et la commercialisation des haricots communs ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) constituent un sujet de pr\ue9occupation majeur pour les petites entreprises les agriculteurs et d\u2019autres acteurs de la cha\ueene de valeur du haricot au Kenya, en particulier les incoh\ue9rences dans l\u2019approvisionnement volumes suffisants requis pour le commerce. Cette \ue9tude de cas a \ue9valu\ue9 les accords de march\ue9 utilis\ue9s par les petites d\u2019agriculteurs dans les couloirs de haricots kenyans du bassin du lac et du Bas-Est, afin de d\ue9terminer les les march\ue9s fonctionnent pour les producteurs ruraux et quels changements sont n\ue9cessaires pour produire et fournir suffisamment quantit\ue9s pour le commerce. \uc0 l\u2019aide de recherches exploratoires, les donn\ue9es ont \ue9t\ue9 recueillies lors de discussions de groupe avec six groupes d\u2019agriculteurs, repr\ue9sentant un total de 1255 producteurs de haricots; et entretiens avec des informateurs cl\ue9s personnel de vulgarisation. Les r\ue9sultats ont montr\ue9 que 94% des agriculteurs produisaient des haricots avant d\u2019identifier acheteurs, alors que seulement 6% ont particip\ue9 au marketing de groupe. Bien que les transactions sur le march\ue9 au comptant avec des courtiers et les commer\ue7ants fournissaient de l\u2019argent disponible aux agriculteurs, les acheteurs formels \ue9taient per\ue7us comme plus fiables, mais difficile \ue0 trouver et appliquait les exigences strictes, qui constituaient une barri\ue8re \ue0 l\u2019entr\ue9e. Bas\ue9 sur r\ue9sultats de l\u2019\ue9tude, la production durable et la fourniture de volumes suffisants pour le commerce devraient impliquer une programme de transformation \ue0 quatre niveaux de la cha\ueene de valeur; \ue0 savoir l\u2019intensification de la production par mod\ue8les de peuplements purs utilisant davantage de vari\ue9t\ue9s certifi\ue9es \ue0 haut rendement; garanties de prix stables; ax\ue9 sur le march\ue9 service de recherche et de vulgarisation; et une politique favorable et un environnement commercial dans le haricot cha\ueene de valeur. Des recherches suppl\ue9mentaires sont n\ue9cessaires pour piloter ces changements dans une \ue9tude cas-t\ue9moins

Surveillance of vector populations and malaria transmission during the 2009/10 El Niño event in the western Kenya highlands: opportunities for early detection of malaria hyper-transmission

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Vector control in the highlands of western Kenya has resulted in a significant reduction of malaria transmission and a change in the vectorial system. Climate variability as a result of events such as El Niño increases the highlands suitability for malaria transmission. Surveillance and monitoring is an important component of early transmission risk identification and management. However, below certain disease transmission thresholds, traditional tools for surveillance such as entomological inoculation rates may become insensitive. A rapid diagnostic kit comprising <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>circumsporozoite surface protein and merozoite surface protein antibodies in humans was tested for early detection of transmission surges in the western Kenya highlands during an El Niño event (October 2009-February 2010).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Indoor resting female adult malaria vectors were collected in western Kenya highlands in four selected villages categorized into two valley systems, the U-shaped (Iguhu and Emutete) and the V-shaped valleys (Marani and Fort Ternan) for eight months. Members of the <it>Anopheles gambiae </it>complex were identified by PCR. Blood samples were collected from children 6-15 years old and exposure to malaria was tested using a circum-sporozoite protein and merozoite surface protein immunchromatographic rapid diagnostic test kit. Sporozoite ELISA was conducted to detect circum-sporozoite protein, later used for estimation of entomological inoculation rates.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the four villages studied, an upsurge in antibody levels was first observed in October 2009. <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>sporozoites were then first observed in December 2009 at Iguhu village and February 2010 at Emutete. Despite the upsurge in Marani and Fort Ternan no sporozoites were detected throughout the eight month study period. The antibody-based assay had much earlier transmission detection ability than the sporozoite-based assay. The proportion of <it>An. arabiensis </it>among <it>An. gambiae s.l</it>. ranged from 2.9-66.7% indicating a rearrangement of the sibling species of the <it>An. gambiae s.l </it>complex. This is possibly an adaptation to insecticide interventions and climate change.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The changing malaria transmission rates in the western Kenya highlands will lead to more unstable transmission, decreased immunity and a high vulnerability to epidemics unless surveillance tools are improved and effective vector control is sustained.</p

Clinical malaria case definition and malaria attributable fraction in the highlands of western Kenya

BACKGROUND: In African highland areas where endemicity of malaria varies greatly according to altitude and topography, parasitaemia accompanied by fever may not be sufficient to define an episode of clinical malaria in endemic areas. To evaluate the effectiveness of malaria interventions, age-specific case definitions of clinical malaria needs to be determined. Cases of clinical malaria through active case surveillance were quantified in a highland area in Kenya and defined clinical malaria for different age groups. METHODS: A cohort of over 1,800 participants from all age groups was selected randomly from over 350 houses in 10 villages stratified by topography and followed for two-and-a-half years. Participants were visited every two weeks and screened for clinical malaria, defined as an individual with malaria-related symptoms (fever [axillary temperature ≥ 37.5°C], chills, severe malaise, headache or vomiting) at the time of examination or 1–2 days prior to the examination in the presence of a Plasmodium falciparum positive blood smear. Individuals in the same cohort were screened for asymptomatic malaria infection during the low and high malaria transmission seasons. Parasite densities and temperature were used to define clinical malaria by age in the population. The proportion of fevers attributable to malaria was calculated using logistic regression models. RESULTS: Incidence of clinical malaria was highest in valley bottom population (5.0% cases per 1,000 population per year) compared to mid-hill (2.2% cases per 1,000 population per year) and up-hill (1.1% cases per 1,000 population per year) populations. The optimum cut-off parasite densities through the determination of the sensitivity and specificity showed that in children less than five years of age, 500 parasites per μl of blood could be used to define the malaria attributable fever cases for this age group. In children between the ages of 5–14, a parasite density of 1,000 parasites per μl of blood could be used to define the malaria attributable fever cases. For individuals older than 14 years, the cut-off parasite density was 3,000 parasites per μl of blood. CONCLUSION: Clinical malaria case definitions are affected by age and endemicity, which needs to be taken into consideration during evaluation of interventions

Identification of malaria transmission and epidemic hotspots in the western Kenya highlands: its application to malaria epidemic prediction

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria in the western Kenya highlands is characterized by unstable and high transmission variability which results in epidemics during periods of suitable climatic conditions. The sensitivity of a site to malaria epidemics depends on the level of immunity of the human population. This study examined how terrain in the highlands affects exposure and sensitivity of a site to malaria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was conducted in five sites in the western Kenya highlands, two U-shaped valleys (Iguhu, Emutete), two V-shaped valleys (Marani, Fort-Ternan) and one plateau (Shikondi) for 16 months among 6-15 years old children. Exposure to malaria was tested using circum-sporozoite protein (CSP) and merozoite surface protein (MSP) immunochromatographic antibody tests; malaria infections were tested by microscopic examination of thick and thin smears, the children's homes were georeferenced using a global positioning system. Paired t-test was used to compare the mean prevalence rates of the sites, K-function was use to determine if the clustering of malaria infections was significant.</p> <p>Results and Discussion</p> <p>The mean antibody prevalence was 22.6% in Iguhu, 24% in Emutete, 11.5% in Shikondi, 8.3% in Fort-Ternan and 9.3% in Marani. The mean malaria infection prevalence was 23.3% in Iguhu, 21.9% in Emutete, 4.7% in Shikondi, 2.9% in Fort-Ternan and 2.4% in Marani. There was a significant difference in the antibodies and malaria infection prevalence between the two valley systems, and between the two valley systems and the plateau (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the antibodies and malaria infection prevalence in the two U-shaped valleys (Iguhu and Emutete) and in the V-shaped valleys (Marani and Fort Ternan) (P > 0.05). There was 8.5- fold and a 2-fold greater parasite and antibody prevalence respectively, in the U-shaped compared to the V-shaped valleys. The plateau antibody and parasite prevalence was similar to that of the V-shaped valleys. There was clustering of malaria antibodies and infections around flat areas in the U-shaped valleys, the infections were randomly distributed in the V-shaped valleys and less clustered at the plateau.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study showed that the V-shaped ecosystems have very low malaria prevalence and few individuals with an immune response to two major malaria antigens and they can be considered as epidemic hotspots. These populations are at higher risk of severe forms of malaria during hyper-transmission seasons. The plateau ecosystem has a similar infection and immune response to the V-shaped ecosystems. The U-shaped ecosystems are transmission hotspots.</p

Surveillance of malaria vector population density and biting behaviour in western Kenya

BACKGROUND: Malaria is a great public health burden and Africa suffers the largest share of malaria-attributed deaths. Despite control efforts targeting indoor malaria transmission, such as insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) and deployment of indoor residual spraying, transmission of the parasite in western Kenya is still maintained. This study was carried out to determine the impact of ITNs on indoor vector densities and biting behaviour in western Kenya. METHODS: Indoor collection of adult mosquitoes was done monthly in six study sites in western Kenya using pyrethrum spray collections from 2012 to 2014. The rotator trap collections were done in July–August in 2013 and May–June in 2014. Mosquitoes were collected every 2 h between 18.00 and 08.00 h. Human behaviour study was conducted via questionnaire surveys. Species within Anopheles gambiae complex was differentiated by PCR and sporozoite infectivity was determined by ELISA. Species distribution was determined and bed net coverage in the study sites was recorded. RESULTS: During the study a total of 5,469 mosquito vectors were collected from both PSC and Rotator traps comprising 3,181 (58.2%) Anopheles gambiae and 2,288 (41.8%) Anopheles funestus. Compared to all the study sites, Rae had the highest density of An. gambiae with a mean of 1.2 (P < 0.001) while Kombewa had the highest density of An. funestus with a mean of 1.08 (P < 0.001). Marani had the lowest density of vectors with 0.06 An. gambiae and 0.17 An. funestus (P < 0.001). Among the 700 PCR confirmed An. gambiaes.l. individuals, An. gambiaes.s. accounted for 49% and An. arabiensis 51%. Over 50% of the study population stayed outdoors between 18.00 and 20.00 and 06.00 and 08.00 which was the time when highest densities of blood fed vectors were collected. Anopheles gambies.s. was the main malaria parasite vector in the highland sites and An. arabiensis in the lowland sites. Bed net ownership in 2012 averaged 87% across the study sites. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that mass distribution of ITNs has had a significant impact on vector densities, species distribution and sporozoite rate. However, shift of biting time poses significant threats to the current malaria vector control strategies which heavily rely on indoor controls

Metagenomic analysis of viruses associated with maize lethal necrosis in Kenya

Background: Maize lethal necrosis is caused by a synergistic co-infection of Maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) and a specific member of the Potyviridae, such as Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) or Johnson grass mosaic virus (JGMV). Typical maize lethal necrosis symptoms include severe yellowing and leaf drying from the edges. In Kenya, we detected plants showing typical and atypical symptoms. Both groups of plants often tested negative for SCMV by ELISA. Methods: We used next-generation sequencing to identify viruses associated to maize lethal necrosis in Kenya through a metagenomics analysis. Symptomatic and asymptomatic leaf samples were collected from maize and sorghum representing sixteen counties. Results: Complete and partial genomes were assembled for MCMV, SCMV, Maize streak virus (MSV) and Maize yellow dwarf virus-RMV (MYDV-RMV). These four viruses (MCMV, SCMV, MSV and MYDV-RMV) were found together in 30 of 68 samples. A geographic analysis showed that these viruses are widely distributed in Kenya. Phylogenetic analyses of nucleotide sequences showed that MCMV, MYDV-RMV and MSV are similar to isolates from East Africa and other parts of the world. Single nucleotide polymorphism, nucleotide and polyprotein sequence alignments identified three genetically distinct groups of SCMV in Kenya. Variation mapped to sequences at the border of NIb and the coat protein. Partial genome sequences were obtained for other four potyviruses and one polerovirus. Conclusion: Our results uncover the complexity of the maize lethal necrosis epidemic in Kenya. MCMV, SCMV, MSV and MYDV-RMV are widely distributed and infect both maize and sorghum. SCMV population in Kenya is diverse and consists of numerous strains that are genetically different to isolates from other parts of the world. Several potyviruses, and possibly poleroviruses, are also involved