Vegetational Change and Land Degradation in the Lake Baringo Area, Kenya, During the Late Holocene: Evidence from the Paleorecord and Remote Sensing

This dissertation investigates the history of vegetational changes and land degradation in the Lake Baringo area, Kenya, East Africa, during the Late Holocene. It uses 14C -and 210Pb-dated fossil pollen, fungal spores, microscopic charcoal, and stratigraphic record from lake-sediment cores to reconstruct the paleoenvironment in the East African region. More recent changes in the Lake Baringo are examined using remote sensing imagery. These data provide one the first high-resolution late Holocene pollen records from the semi-arid region of Kenya (and one of only a handful from East Africa in general). Lake Baringo records a sedimentation rate of 1 cm yr-1, which remained largely unchanged for both the prehistoric period, prior to European settlement in the Baringo ecosystem (AD 1890s), and after, including the present. That raised the possibility that background environmental conditions and not humans are the main drivers of land degradation in the ecosystem. A record from a 363-centimeter core retrieved from Lake Baringo reveals a largely dry environment that is punctuated by a succession of centennial- to decadal-scale wet and dry episodes, separated by rather sharp transitions, including two intense dry episodes at ca. AD 1650 and AD 1750 that led to drying of the lake. The two episodes are reflected by poor pollen preservation environment and by relatively high percentages of dry-indicator species such as Podocarpus, Olea, Euclea, Acacia, Balanitaceae, Gramineae, and Cyperaceae. However, climatic implications of the changes in pollen spectra in the Lake Baringo record are limited by the extremely high sedimentation rate in Lake Baringo that effectively constrains the chronological record of the cores to the last 300 14C yr BP. Satellite imagery analyzed in this dissertation reveals that deforestation and the resultant land degradation have contributed to increased sediment yield in the lake. Consequently, the lake surface area was reduced by over 10% and turbidity increased, which is confirmed by a statistically significant increase (t = -84.699, p \u3c0.001) in the albedo between 1986 and 2000. Although climatic variations account for some of the changes in the lake catchment most of the changes in land cover are inherently linked to mounting human and livestock population in the Lake Baringo catchment

A Strategy to Increase the Retention of Members in the Nyaguta District

Problem According to a report given at the 2010 year-end church board meeting that was conducted in the Nyaguta district of the South Kenya Conference, more than 40 percent of the members baptized each year drop out from the church. Method The current nurturing programs in the Nyaguta District churches were reviewed to see whether they were effective. A questionnaire was administered to the focus groups to obtain information. Seminar materials on membership retention from the Bible, the writings of E. G. White, and other Christian writers were developed and a series of seminars were conducted to train a group of assistants who started teaching lessons they had received on retention for a total of one month in the various churches in the district. Results The project was implemented in the 29 local churches of the Nyaguta district with the following were the results. First the district grew to a level where it was reorganized into two new districts. Second, the church attendance of newly baptized members, improved—with reports indicating that more than 90% of those baptized since 2011 attend church regularly. Third, all the churches now have regular organized worship services in home churches and this additional fellowship and nurture has strengthened retention in the district. Fourth, some of the issues dealing with culture, for example, ancestors worship, female circumcision, and contacting diviners have been addressed and members who were formerly practicing these have discontinued such practices. Fifth, there are fewer leadership struggles within the churches and most of the churches are experiencing more leadership stability. Sixth, most churches are now following the appropriate baptismal procedures in training baptismal candidates. These include consistent teaching for at least six months and assigning an elder or an experienced member to continue nurturing new members until they are grounded in basic Adventist teachings. Seventh, the new spiritual nurturing methods conducted are followed by more than a half of the churches. Eighth, out of the seminars conducted and counseling sessions done several people have been healed and others delivered from evil spirits. Conclusions It is important to note that the overall goal of the project was achieved, which was to reduce the dropout of members in the Nyaguta district to at least 10%. It is also important to note that by increasing the retention of members in the district I have achieved the goal of Adventist mission which is to make disciples for Christ. One cannot make disciples unless church members are nurtured. In fact, spiritual nurture is the most important function in an Adventist church

Effect of paternal education about complementary feeding of infants in Kisumu county, Kenya

Improved health of infants is dependent on the supportive role of the fathers. There is limited research done in Kenya on father involvement and how it affects feeding practices of the infant. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact on complementary feeding practice of nutrition education targeted to the father. A randomized control trial was conducted with 290 father-mother pairs recruited into the study. The mothers, who were six months pregnant and receiving antenatal services at Kisumu County Hospital, provided the contact point for recruitment of the fathers who were engaged in this study. The consenting mothers provided information of the ‘expectant father’ who were later contacted and invited to go to the hospital together with the mother. Consent was obtained from the study participants in a written form. Randomization was done to the father-mother pairs and eventually, each group had 145 pairs. The pairs in the intervention group were educated on complementary feeding while the other pairs in the control group did not get any intervention. Post-natal, feeding on solids and semi-solids of the infants were assessed at six months and at nine months of age. Qualitative assessment through focus group discussions were done to obtain information on fathers’ support towards complementary feeding. Overall analysis was done on 278 pairs with 12 lost to follow up. Introduction to solids and semi-solids had been done by a majority (96.7%) by six months of the infant’s age in both groups. Solid and semi-solid foods were introduced significantly earlier in the control group and compared to the intervention group (chi-square test; p<0.01). Minimum acceptable diet was significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group (chi-square test; p<0.01). In conclusion, giving fathers information on complementary feeding influences their support towards infant feeding, resulting in positive outcomes in complementary feeding practices.Key words: Father, Involvement, Infant, Complementary feeding, Nutrition Education, Kisumu, Keny

Influence of Socio-Cultural Factors on Boy-Child Access to Secondary School Education in Sameta Sub-County, Kenya

In the recent past, the boy child has been under several problems which are mainlyas a result of the behaviours and traditions in the society. There has been an extensive and broadening problem and numerous challenges facing the boy child in secondary schools in Kenya. According to the United Nations Organization’s 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights, education is a basic right to all individuals who fall within member countries.  However, there has been a lot of focus on girl child leading to marginalization of boy child. This is equally the case in the study area.  The purpose of the study was to assess the socio-cultural issues faced by the boy-child in his pursuit for secondary school education within Sameta Sub-County, Kisii County, Kenya. The study was based on a cross-sectional exploratory study design using qualitative data collection methods. In-depth interviews, questionnaires, case narratives and key informant interviews were used as main methods. Data was analyzed by use of both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study established that economic challenges, social challenges and social-cultural challenges negatively and significantly influence access to education by the boy child. The study recommends that; the parents, the community, the government and other civil organization should not Marginalize and criminate boy child but consider them for financial support so as to enable them access education; guiding and counselling programmes in schools should be enhanced among boys to help them overcome psycho-social problems and other social challenges and that the Governments should pursue pro-boys policies that enhance boy child access to education

Medical treatment of open-angle glaucoma.

Most guidelines that exist for the treatment of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) – such the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines (page 47) – recommend medicine as initial therapy, though laser treatment may also play a role.None of these guidelines are based on research done in Africa, however, and there also is no evidence yet on the relative effectiveness of different glaucoma medications in African populations.For medicines to be effective at controlling POAG, they must be used every day for the remainder of the patient’s life

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF N-HEXANE LEAF EXTRACT OF ALPINIA PURPURATA (VIEILL.) K. SCHUM USING UV-VIS, FTIR AND GC-MS

Objective: The present study was carried out to characterize bioactive constituents present in n-hexane leaf extract of Alpinia purpurata (Vieill.) K. Schum.Methods: Phytochemical screening of the leaf extract of Alpinia purpurata revealed the presence of some bio-active components. The crude extracts were scanned in the wavelength ranging from 200-800 nm by using Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometers. Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) was used to determine the functional groups in the plant. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was also performed to find major phytoconstituents present.Results: The phytochemical tests showed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, cardioglycosides, oils and fats, tannins and carbohydrates in n-hexane leaf extract of A. purpurata. In UV-Vis analysis there were sharp peaks from 200-700 nm. In FTIR analysis, the plant showed the presence of ester carbonyl and unsaturated carbonyl groups in 1708 and 1691 cmˉ¹ respectively. There were strong absorption bands at 2927 and 1452 cmˉ¹ due to CH and CH2 groups. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of different phytochemical compounds. This is the first time the presence of 4-Morpholinomethyl-7-methoxycoumarin 1.42%, Methanesulfonate of (3R,4S)-3-Propargyloxy-4-[(R)-1-hydroxy-3-phenyl-3-butenyl]-1-(p-methoxyphenyl)-2-azetidinone 2.28%, 5-Butyl-3-Methyl-1,2,3, 8a-Tetrahydroindolizine 6.48%, Phenol, 4-(3,7-dimethyl-3-ethenylocta-1,6-dienyl)-6.99%, 1-Naphthalenepropanol, à-ethenyldeca hydro-à,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-2-methylene-[1S-[1à (R*),4aá, 8aà]]-9.29%, Methenolone 10.93%, and Nonanamide, 5-hydroxy-5-methyl-2-(2-methylpropyl)-N-benzyl-25.80% were reported on the leaf extract of Alpinia purpurata.Conclusion: From the results, it is evident that A. purpurata has various phytoconstituents and functional groups. The intensive study of the resultant active constituents will lead to the discovery of a novel botanical-drug

The Ogiek Peoples’ Indigenous Knowledge: A pathway towards Sustainable Natural Resource Management in the Mau Forest, Kenya.

This paper attempts to explore if indigenous knowledge (IK) has the potential to manage natural resources, and offer a new pathway towards sustainable natural resource management practices in the Mau Forest (MF). By looking into the cultural and historical resource management practice of the Ogiek tribe in the MF, natural resource managers can incorporate traditional ecological knowledge and bring a sense of responsibility, accountability, respectability and communality into resource management practices on-and off protected natural resource landscapes. IK-based natural resource management practices were sourced from interviews conducted with the Ogiek elders/opinion leaders, and natural resource managers at the MF, and qualitatively targeted three sustainability themes; cultural preservation, socio-economic viability and ecological integrity, besides government intervention. Cultural preservation (41%), ecological integrity (32%), social-economic viability (18%), and government intervention (09%) were ranked as most important thru least important respectively. The study concluded that IK can serve as a valuable tool for natural resources management practice, and if mainstreamed, it holds potential to move politically connected tribes who are the main beneficiaries of the unsustainable harvesting of natural resources towards a positive ‘cando’ future for sustainability. The study recommended that a national policy or framework on IK systems be developed in order to preserve, protect, and promote IK values for a more balanced and effective natural resource management practice for a sustainable future

Improving diabetic retinopathy screening in Africa: Patient satisfaction with teleophthalmology versus ophthalmologist-based screening

Purpose: To assess patient preference for diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening with teleophthalmology or face-to-face ophthalmologist evaluation in Nairobi, Kenya. Materials and Methods: Fifty seven diabetic patients from a one-stop multidisciplinary diabetic clinic (consisting of a diabetologist, nurse educator, foot specialist, nutritionist, ophthalmologist, and neurologist) in Nairobi, Kenya were included if they had undergone both a teleophthalmology (stereoscopic digital retinal photographs graded by an ophthalmologist remotely) and a traditional clinical screening exam (face to face examination). A structured questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale was developed in both English and Swahili. The questionnaire was administered over the telephone. Ten questions were used to compare patient experience and preferences between teleophthalmology and a traditional clinical examination for DR. A mean score \u3e3.25 on the Likert scale was considered favourable. Results: Successfully telephone contact was possible for 26 (58% male, 42% females) of the 57 patients. The mean ages of the male and female patients were 52.4 and 46.5 years respectively. Patients were satisfied with their teleophthalmology examination (mean 4.15 ± 0.97). Patients preferred the teleophthalmology option for future screenings (mean 3.42 ± 1.52). This preference was driven primarily by convenience, reduced examination time, and being able to visualize their own retina. Conclusion: In this study, diabetic patients preferred a teleophthalmology based screening over a traditional ophthalmologist-based screening. The use of teleophthalmology in Africa warrants further study and has the potential to become the screening model of choice. Cost effectiveness in comparison to an ophthalmologist-based screening also requires evaluation

Tracing the Possible Root Causes for Fleeing Flamingos in Kenya’s Lake Nakuru National Park

A Fishbone diagram was used to identify possible root causes for the diminishing number of flamingos in Kenya’s Lake Nakuru by analyzing twelve authenticated articles published in 2007. Human activities at the lake’s catchment area particularly deforestation was found to be the major cause for the flamingo situation in the lake. Wanton destruction of vegetation at the Mau Forest Complex has caused rivers to dry up, therefore reducing the inflow of water into the lake. Due to negligible monetary benefits from tourism trickling down to host communities in Kenya, the poor population in Nakuru’s upstream strives to make ends meet through agriculture and exploitation of forest products, unaware of the detrimental impacts of their actions on the flamingos downstream that attracts over 200,000 tourists annually. This necessitates adoption of an integrated, sustainable development approach in planning and management of the resources. Keywords: Lake Nakuru; Tourism; Fleeing Flamingos; Sustainable development; Deforestation; Climate change; Pollutio

The muranga teleophthalmology study: comparison of virtual (teleglaucoma) with in-person clinical assessment to diagnose glaucoma

Purpose: While the effectiveness of teleophthalmology is generally accepted, its ability to diagnose glaucomatous eye disease remains relatively unknown. This study aimed to compare a web-based teleophthalmology assessment with clinical slit lamp examination to screen for glaucoma among diabetics in a rural African district. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and nine diabetic patients underwent both the clinical slit lamp examination by a comprehensive ophthalmologist and teleglaucoma (TG) assessment by a glaucoma subspecialist. Both assessments were compared for any focal glaucoma damage; for TG, the quality of photographs was assessed, and vertical cup-to-disk ratio (VCDR) was calculated in a semi-automated manner. In patients with VCDR \u3e 0.7, the diagnostic precision of the Frequency Doubling Technology (FDT) C-20 screening program was assessed. Results: Of 309 TG assessment photos, 74 (24%) were deemed unreadable due to media opacities, patient cooperation, and unsatisfactory photographic technique. While the identification of individual optic nerve factors showed either fair or moderate agreement, the ability to diagnose glaucoma based on the overall assessment showed moderate agreement (Kappa [κ] statistic 0.55% and 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.48-0.62). The use of FDT to detect glaucoma in the presence of disc damage (VCDR \u3e 0.7) showed substantial agreement (κ statistic of 0.84 and 95% CI 0.79-0.90). A positive TG diagnosis of glaucoma carried a 77.5% positive predictive value, and a negative TG diagnosis carried an 82.2% negative predicative value relative to the clinical slit lamp examination. Conclusion: There was moderate agreement between the ability to diagnose glaucoma using TG relative to clinical slit lamp examination. Poor quality photographs can severely limit the ability of TG assessment to diagnose optic nerve damage and glaucoma. Although further work and validation is needed, the TG approach provides a novel, and promising method to diagnose glaucoma, a major cause of ocular morbidity throughout the world