Drought Adaptation and Coping Strategies Among the Turkana Pastoralists of Northern Kenya

This study highlights drought characteristics and the many responses to drought stresses employed by Turkana pastoralists of northwestern Kenya. Multiple data sources, including socioeconomic interviews with 302 households, focus group discussions, and informal interviews with pastoralists were used to capture various aspects of drought and drought adaptation and coping practices. Standardized precipitation index derived from long-term rainfall data obtained from the Kenya Meteorological Service was used to quantify different degrees of drought intensity between 1950 and 2012. Results revealed that extreme drought events were increasingly frequent, and have impacted negatively on pastoral livelihoods. In order to adapt to or cope with climatic anomalies, households are using a variety of strategies. In addition to the traditional short-term coping mechanisms, the long-term adaptation strategies used include diversification of livelihood sources; livestock mobility to track forage and water resources; diversification of herd composition to benefit from the varied drought and disease tolerance, as well as fecundity of diverse livestock species; and sending children to school for formal education as a long term investment expected to pay back through income from employment. Policies and development interventions that reduce risks, diminish livelihood constraints, and expand opportunities for increased household resilience to drought are critical complements to the existing pastoral strategies

Temporal relationship between climate variability, Prosopis juliflora invasion and livestock numbers in the drylands of Magadi, Kenya

A study was conducted to determine the association of climate variability, Prosopis juliflora spread, and other vegetation trends with livestock population dynamics in Kajiado County, Kenya. Monthly rainfall, mean monthly temperatures, cattle, sheep and goats populations from January 2000 to December 2014, were analyzed to determine time series trends. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data derived from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) 250 m satellite imageries for 2000 to 2014 were used to determine the temporal dynamics of P. juliflora invasion in the study area. Both temperature and rainfall trends showed marked variability over the period under study. The mean monthly temperatures during the long dry season increased erratically from 33°C in 2000 to 37°C in 2014. Moreover, the rainfall during the wettest season was 600 mm in 2000 and 250 mm in 2014. During the study period, divergence from the long term mean rainfall (450 mm) decreased from 585 to 403 mm. At the same time cattle population decreased, sheep and goats populations remained static. P. juliflora invasion correlated positively (r=0.2; P<0.05) with mean monthly temperature and negatively (r=-0.4; P<0.05) with rainfall and other vegetation cover in drier parts, but not in the higher altitude and wetter parts of the study area. It also correlated negatively with cattle populations (r=-0.4; P<0.05). In the 1980’s, bushlands and woodlands constituted 95 and 5% of the land cover, while in 2008, herbaceous vegetation, shrublands, and open trees together with bare areas constituted 50, 30, and 22%, respectively; out of which 70% had been taken over by Prosopis in 2014. This study demonstrated that even though the trends showed that cattle population decreased as climate variability and Prosopis invasion increased, there was no significant correlation among the attributes, over the period under study.Key words: Climate, drylands, livestock, Prosopis juliflora, variability vegetation, trends, mesquite

Drought-tolerant Desmodium species effectively suppress parasitic striga weed and improve cereal grain yields in western Kenya

Abstracts The parasitic weed Striga hermonthica Benth. (Orobanchaceae), commonly known as striga, is an increasingly important constraint to cereal production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), often resulting in total yield losses in maize (Zea mays L.) and substantial losses in sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). This is further aggravated by soil degradation and drought conditions that are gradually becoming widespread in SSA. Forage legumes in the genus Desmodium (Fabaceae), mainly D. uncinatum and D. intortum, effectively control striga and improve crop productivity in SSA. However, negative effects of climate change such as drought stress is affecting the functioning of these systems. There is thus a need to identify and characterize new plants possessing the required ecological chemistry to protect crops against the biotic stress of striga under such environmental conditions. 17 accessions comprising 10 species of Desmodium were screened for their drought stress tolerance and ability to suppress striga. Desmodium incanum and D. ramosissimum were selected as the most promising species as they retained their leaves and maintained leaf function for longer periods during their exposure to drought stress conditions. They also had desirable phenotypes with more above ground biomass. The two species suppressed striga infestation, both under controlled and field conditions, and resulted in significant grain yield increases, demonstrating the incremental capability of Desmodium species in striga suppression. These results demonstrate beneficial effects of Desmodium species in enhancing cereal productivity in dry areas

Predicted land use and land cover outlook for semi-arid Lokere and Lokok catchments in Karamoja region, Uganda

The semi-arid Lokere and Lokok catchments in northeastern Uganda are experiencing land use and land cover (LULC) change driven by policies and actions aimed at pastoralist sedentarisation. While these efforts present a trajectory of a landscape dominated by farming, livestock herding or grazing persists. The objective of this study was to project medium, and long-term LULC for Lokere and Lokok catchments in Karamoja, Uganda. We applied automatic multi-perceptron neural network, built on Markov chain modeling method, along with multi-criteria evaluation strategies; all embedded in the IDRISI Land Change Modeler (LCM) to project the catchments\u2019 LULC to the year 2030 and 2050. The model was trained using 1994 and 2003 LULC, and validated with 2013 LULC. Results of three modelled policy scenarios; business as usual (BAU), pro-livestock and pro-farming; to the years 2030 and 2050 showed that small scale farming (SSF) would increase in all scenarios, even if policy shifts to promote livestock rearing. Pro-farming policies would, in both 2030 and 2050, result in reduction of grassland as SSF increases; doubling the 2003 land area by 2050. The results of this study facilitate assessment of potential impacts of the future LULC and policy evaluation in the catchments.Les bassins versants semi-arides de Lokere et de Lokok dans le nord-est de l\u2019Ouganda connaissent un changement d\u2019utilisation des terres et de couverture terrestre (UTCT) motiv\ue9 par des politiques et des actions visant la s\ue9dentarisation des pasteurs. Si ces efforts pr\ue9sentent une trajectoire d\u2019un paysage domin\ue9 par l\u2019agriculture, l\u2019\ue9levage ou le p\ue2turage persiste. L\u2019objectif de cette \ue9tude \ue9tait de projeter une UTCT \ue0 moyen et long terme pour les bassins versants de Lokere et Lokok \ue0 Karamoja, en Ouganda. Nous avons appliqu\ue9 un r\ue9seau neuronal multi-perception automatique, construit sur la m\ue9thode de mod\ue9lisation de cha\ueene de Markov, ainsi que des strat\ue9gies d\u2019\ue9valuation multicrit\ue8res; tous int\ue9gr\ue9s dans le mod\ue8le IDRISI Land Change Modeler (LCM) pour projeter le UTCT des bassins versants jusqu\u2019en 2030 et 2050. Le mod\ue8le a \ue9t\ue9 form\ue9 \ue0 l\u2019aide de 1994 et 2003 UTCT, et valid\ue9 avec UTCT de 2013. R\ue9sultats de trois sc\ue9narios de politique mod\ue9lis\ue9s; business as usual (BAU), pro-b\ue9tail et pro-agriculture; a montr\ue9 que l\u2019agriculture \ue0 petite \ue9chelle (SSF) augmenterait dans tous les sc\ue9narios, m\ueame si les politiques changeaient pour promouvoir l\u2019\ue9levage pour les ann\ue9es 2030 et 2050. Des politiques favorables \ue0 l\u2019agriculture entra\ueeneraient, en 2030 et 2050, une r\ue9duction des prairies \ue0 mesure que les champs de culture augmentent; doubler sa superficie de 2003 d\u2019ici 2050. Les r\ue9sultats de cette \ue9tude facilitent l\u2019\ue9valuation des impacts potentiels de UTCT future et l\u2019\ue9valuation des politiques dans les bassins versants

Species-specific or assemblage-wide decline? The case of Arthroleptides dutoiti Loveridge, 1935 and the amphibian assemblage of Mount Elgon, Kenya

The frog Arthroleptides dutoiti Loveridge, 1935, endemic to Mount Elgon, East Africa was last collected in 1962 and has not been observed since. The species is regarded as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List and is a priority species on the Zoological Society of London’s EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct, Globally Endangered) project, given its Red List status and phylogenetic distinctiveness. We analyse temporal patterns of abundance (1934–2014) of A. dutoiti and the remainder of the Mount Elgon amphibian assemblage to infer the probability of re-encountering A. dutoiti and assess whether declines are species specific to A. dutoiti, or whether they are assemblage-wide phenomena. Our results show that for localities where surveys have been repeatedly conducted, A. dutoiti is likely to be locally extinct. Declines are observed in other Mount Elgon amphibians, encompassing both specialists and generalists. Causal factors for declines are unknown, but habitat change might be important, given the high degree of forest loss in the area, especially since the turn of the 20th century. Urgent sampling of preferred microhabitats of A. dutoiti at the type locality and surrounding areas beyond those included in our study are required to determine whether or not the species is extinct. Impacts on other taxonomic groups would also be useful to understand so that it can be determined how broad the changes are for the Mount Elgon biota

Economic Valuation of Grazing Management Practices: Discrete Choice Modeling in Pastoral Systems of Kenya

This study estimates the economic contribution of grazing management practices in pastoral systems by specifically undertaking an economic analysis of pastoralists’ preferences for grazing management practices and the economic value pastoralists place on them. The study applied the discrete choice experiment technique using a D-optimal design, a multi-attribute preference elicitation method to evaluate the economic value of grazing management options practiced in pastoral areas of Kenya. The results show that pastoral communities derive positive utility in connected systems that enable reciprocal access to resources in both wet and dry seasons. Pastoralism adapts to spatial–temporal variability of pasture and water through herd mobility; hence the positive utility derived from practices that contribute to the availability of adequate water and pasture across the seasons. These findings provide empirical evidence on the social and economic net benefits of rangeland management practices that should be enhanced to promote sustainable management of rangeland resources

Morphological Characterization and Selection of Spider Plant (Cleome Gynandra) Accessions from Kenya and South Africa

Characterization of selected spider plant accessions from Kenya and South Africa was performed in order to individuate those with distinct morphological traits for future improvement programs. For this purpose, thirty two accessions of spider plant, 23 sourced from Kenyan genebank and nine sourced from South African genebank, were planted at the University of Nairobi’s Kabete field station, in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications. Eleven morphological traits based on modified FAO (1995) spider plant descriptors were used in characterization. Traits evaluated were growth habit, flower colour, stem colour, stem hairiness, petiole colour, petiole hairiness, leaf colour, leaf pubescence, leaf shape, leaf blade tip shape, and number of leaflets per leaf. The scored data were analyzed using DARwin software v6 and Genstat v14. Shannon diversity index (H’), multivariate methods of principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analyses of unweighted pair group method of arithmetic mean were assessed for all the traits. Estimates of Shannon-Weaver diversity index (H’) for the morphological traits were generally high (H’>0.500). The H' index indicated inter-country diversity to be greater than the intra-country diversity. Principal component analysis identified seven important morphological traits (stem colour, stem hairiness, petiole colour, petiole hairiness, leaf hairiness, leaf shape and number of leaflets per leaf) for characterizing spider plant accessions. The hierarchical cluster analysis revealed two major clusters (Cluster I and II) for the 32 accessions grown, with clustering of accessions occurring along regional basis. Cluster I consisted of South African accessions only while cluster II had mainly Kenyan accessions and two South African accessions. The relatively high levels of dissimilarity revealed in this study among the accessions for traits evaluated, especially accessions from the two different countries, indicates high prospects for genetic improvement of the crop through cross breeding by using materials from different geographical origins

Factors associated with default from treatment among tuberculosis patients in nairobi province, Kenya: A case control study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Successful treatment of tuberculosis (TB) involves taking anti-tuberculosis drugs for at least six months. Poor adherence to treatment means patients remain infectious for longer, are more likely to relapse or succumb to tuberculosis and could result in treatment failure as well as foster emergence of drug resistant tuberculosis. Kenya is among countries with high tuberculosis burden globally. The purpose of this study was to determine the duration tuberculosis patients stay in treatment before defaulting and factors associated with default in Nairobi.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A Case-Control study; Cases were those who defaulted from treatment and Controls those who completed treatment course between January 2006 and March 2008. All (945) defaulters and 1033 randomly selected controls from among 5659 patients who completed treatment course in 30 high volume sites were enrolled. Secondary data was collected using a facility questionnaire. From among the enrolled, 120 cases and 154 controls were randomly selected and interviewed to obtain primary data not routinely collected. Data was analyzed using SPSS and Epi Info statistical software. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine association and Kaplan-Meier method to determine probability of staying in treatment over time were applied.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of 945 defaulters, 22.7% (215) and 20.4% (193) abandoned treatment within first and second months (intensive phase) of treatment respectively. Among 120 defaulters interviewed, 16.7% (20) attributed their default to ignorance, 12.5% (15) to traveling away from treatment site, 11.7% (14) to feeling better and 10.8% (13) to side-effects. On multivariate analysis, inadequate knowledge on tuberculosis (OR 8.67; 95% CI 1.47-51.3), herbal medication use (OR 5.7; 95% CI 1.37-23.7), low income (OR 5.57, CI 1.07-30.0), alcohol abuse (OR 4.97; 95% CI 1.56-15.9), previous default (OR 2.33; 95% CI 1.16-4.68), co-infection with Human immune-deficient Virus (HIV) (OR 1.56; 95% CI 1.25-1.94) and male gender (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.15-1.78) were independently associated with default.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The rate of defaulting was highest during initial two months, the intensive phase of treatment. Multiple factors were attributed by defaulting patients as cause for abandoning treatment whereas several were independently associated with default. Enhanced patient pre-treatment counseling and education about TB is recommended.</p

Family Composition and Stability for Orphans: A Longitudinal Study of Well-Being in 5 Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Objectives: Many orphaned children in low- and middle-income countries live with family. Yet, their household composition and its stability are not well-characterized, nor is impact of stability on longer-term outcomes. Methods: We used the longitudinal, multi-country Positive Outcomes for Orphans cohort to describe adult family living with orphans. Stability was measured by changes in presence of six familial relations over time, and related to three outcomes: 1) incident abuse, 2) cognitive functioning, 3) emotional difficulties. Associations were estimated using generalized linear models fit with generalized estimating equations. For abuse, Poisson regression estimated risk ratios. For continuous scores of cognitive functioning and emotional difficulties, linear models estimated mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Among 1,359 orphans, 53–61% reported living with their mother each year; 7–13% with father; nearly 60% reported ≥1 change in composition over follow-up. Compared to 0 changes, difficulties increased with 1 change [MD: 0.23 (−0.33, 0.79)], 2 changes [MD: 0.57 (0.00, 1.16)] and ≥3 changes [MD: 0.73 (0.18, 1.29)]. No associations were found with abuse or cognitive functioning. Conclusion: Orphan well-being may be improved through supports stabilizing household composition or targeting emotional resilience

Prevalence and risk factors associated with the occurrence of Campylobacter sp. in children aged 6–24 months in peri-urban Nairobi, Kenya

IntroductionCampylobacter bacteria is a major cause of foodborne-related bacterial gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. It is known to cause diarrhea in young children which has been shown to directly affect their weight and height as a result of malnutrition. Severe cases of diarrhea can also lead to death. Most of the burden is experienced in resource-limited countries in Africa and Southeast Asia where the disease is linked to poor hygiene and sanitation. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter in children aged between 6 and 24 months in Nairobi, Kenya and identify potential risk factors associated with their occurrence.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out between May to December 2021. A total of 585 randomly selected households were visited in two wards (Uthiru/Ruthimitu and Riruta) in Dagoretti South sub-county, Nairobi. A questionnaire regarding how children’s food is handled, the major foods consumed, sanitation and hygiene, and animal ownership was conducted among caregivers to identify associated risk factors. Stool samples were collected from 540/585 children and screened for the presence of Campylobacter using culture-based methods and confirmed through PCR.ResultsOf the 540 children’s stool samples processed, Campylobacter isolates were detected in 4.8% (26/540). Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) was the most common species in 80.8% of positive samples compared to Campylobacter coli (C. coli) in 26.9% of samples. In six samples, both C. jejuni and C. coli were isolated, while in four samples, it was not possible to speciate the Campylobacter. Drinking cow’s milk (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.4 – 12.6) and the presence of animal feces in the compound (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.1 – 10.3) were found to be statistically associated with Campylobacter carriage in children.DiscussionThe carriage of Campylobacter in children in this community indicates a need for further investigation on source attribution to understand transmission dynamics and inform where to target interventions. Awareness creation among caregivers on good personal and food hygiene is needed, including boiling milk before consumption. Implementation of biosecurity measures at the household level is highly recommended to reduce contact between animals and humans