Impediments to the Growth of Cottage Industries in Kakamega County, Kenya

Cottage industries play a significant role in Kenya’s socio-economic development. However, a number of obstacles inhibit their growth. This research paper, which employed an exploratory research design, unearths these impediments. The major challenges cited by potters, crude sugar producers, brick-makers, liquor producers, masons, carpenters, traditional medicine persons, charcoal producers, weavers, bakers, bicycle repairers, flour-grinders, and shoe-makers and repairers in Kakamega County were: inadequate capital, competition, lack of ready market, scarcity of raw materials and unfavourable weather. Key Words: Impediments, Growth, Cottage Industries, Kakameg

The Place of Home-Based Industries in Rural Kenya’s Socio-Economic Progress: A Case Study of Kakamega County

Home-based industries, also referred to as cottage industries, are those units of production that are mostly located in homesteads, and which rely on human- or animal-propelled skills and technology. The home-based industries focused on in this academic paper are: pottery, crude sugar production, brick-making, liquor production, quarrying and masonry, carpentry, traditional medicine production, charcoal production, basketry and weaving, baking, bicycle repair, flour-grinding, and shoe-making and repair. These industries provide skill training and development, products for rural and urban consumption, employment opportunities, and contribute to development. The socio-economic contribution of home-based industries in rural Kenya is highlighted in this research paper. Keywords: Home-based Industries, Socio-Economic Progress, Kakamega

Voter Behaviour amongst Kenyan Youths in relation to Party Primaries and General Elections: A Focus on Students at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology during the 2017 Election Cycle

This research study was conducted in 2017 at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology situated in Kakamega County, Kenya. It was motivated by the desire to gain insights into the political attitudes, inclinations and perceptions of Kenyan youths towards voting in party primaries and general elections. The study site was purposively selected. The Fisher’s formula of determining sample size was used to arrive at 338 respondents who were picked through the simple random sampling procedure. Observation, structured interviews, unstructured interviews, and focus group discussions were deployed. The exploratory research design was utilized given that it was a fact-finding endeavour. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistical analysis with the aid of SPSS. It was revealed that 52% of respondents had taken part in the 2017 party primaries, 47% did not, while 1% failed to respond. A majority of respondents (88%) indicated they would participate in the 2017 general elections. Most respondents (91%) had registered to take part in the election exercise. On the importance of voting in elections, an overwhelming majority of 97% argued in favour of participation, 2% against, while 1% failed to give a clear response. The study concluded that despite electoral hurdles most youths in Kenya faced, they still recognized the importance of expressing their democratic preferences during party primaries and general elections. Key Words: Voter Behaviour, Kenyan Youths, Party Primaries, General Elections DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/11-4-09 Publication date:May 31st 202

The Influence of Household Socio-Economic Characteristics and Awareness on Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize in Makueni County, Kenya

Background: Aflatoxicosis resulting from consumption of contaminated maize poses a significant public health problem in many countries including Kenya, and many people living in developing countries could be chronically exposed to aflatoxin through their diet. It is caused by Aflatoxins produced by fungus of species Aspergillusparasiticus and Aspergillus flavus found mainly in cereals and other foodstuffs.Objective: To determine socio-economic and aflatoxin awareness factors associated with aflatoxin contamination in household maize in Makueni County, Kenya.Design: A comparative descriptive analytical study.Setting: Kibwezi and Kilome sub-counties of Makueni County, Kenya.Subjects: Four hundred and fifty household heads or their representatives with maize in their household stores, comprising 225 from each study site.Results: Majority of the households’ main source of income was farming and most of them were poor, but level of awareness on aflatoxin was very high. The results further showed significant associations of some socio-economic characteristics and awareness with aflatoxin contamination of maize. Gender of  household head was significantly associated with proper maize storage. Age of respondent was found to be significantly associated with knowledge/awareness of aflatoxin and knowledge on signs of suspected aflatoxin contaminated maize. There was significant association between age of respondent and perception on whether altitude/climate affected aflatoxin contamination, level of education and  knowledge/awareness of aflatoxin. Level of education was significantly associated with Knowledge on  identification of contaminated maize as well as on Knowledge on signs of aflatoxin. Besides, level of education was significantly associated with proper ventilation, discoloration of maize, and maize in storage affected by pests/insects, and cleaning of maize prior to storage. There was also significant  association between occupation of respondent and proper maize storage. Income of house hold head was significantly associated with knowledge/awareness on aflatoxin. Knowledge/awareness of aflatoxin  problem was also significantly associated with placing of material underneath of maize during drying, cleaning of maize prior to storage, moldy condition of maize, aflatoxin content in maize and proper maize storage.Conclusion: These study findings imply that efforts to control and prevent aflatoxin contamination of maize should take into consideration socio-economic characteristics as well as aflatoxin awareness. Thus reducing poverty levels by raising income, education levels and awareness of the community will most likely have a profound impact on control of aflatoxin. There is need, therefore, for policy makers and stakeholders to promote household positive socio-economic factors and aflatoxin awareness in households. This can greatly contribute to reduction of aflatoxin contamination in maize

Comparative Analysis of Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize in Two Different Physiographic Zones and Maize Seasons in Makueni County, Kenya

Background: Aflatoxicosis resulting from consumption of contaminated maize poses a significant public health problem in many countries including Kenya, and many people living in developing countries could be chronically exposed to aflatoxin through their diet. It is caused by Aflatoxins produced by fungus of species Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus found mainly in cereals and other foodstuffs.Objective: To determine and compare prevalence of aflatoxin contamination of household maize in two different altitude areas and different maize harvest seasons, in Makueni County in Kenya.Design: A comparative descriptive analytical study.Setting:Kibwezi and Kilome sub-counties of Makueni County, Kenya.Subjects: Four hundred and fifty household heads or their representatives, who had maize in their household stores.Results: The results of first maize harvest season indicated that the mean moisture content of household maize was 12.78% in high altitude area which was slightly lower than in high altitude which had 12.85%. The aflatoxin positivity rate of maize contamination was 25% in low altitude area and 4.2% in high  altitude area. The results of second maize harvest season indicated that the mean moisture content of  household maize was 13.48 % in high altitude area which was slightly lower than in high altitude area which was 13.63 %. The aflatoxin positivity rate of maize contamination was 33.3 % in low altitude area which was higher than high altitude which had 12.5%. The findings show that the low altitude maize had higher moisture content and aflatoxin contamination than high altitude maize. The results further  indicated that the most common strain/type of aflatoxin in both low and high altitude areas, and in both maize harvest seasons, was AF B1 followed by AF B2, with maize harvested in low altitude and second season having higher quantities of these aflatoxin sub-types. These study findings indicate that there was higher aflatoxin contamination of maize, in both subtypes, for maize harvested in second season than maize harvested in first season, in both low and high altitude areas of Makueni County, with low altitude areas having comparatively higher aflatoxin contamination than high altitude areas for maize harvested in second season.Conclusion: These findings indicate that a sizable proportion of Makueni households mainly relying on maize consumption as their staple foodstuff are likely to consume maize contaminated with aflatoxin. There is therefore need for further public education by local authorities on risks posed by continued consumption of maize contaminated with aflatoxin as well measures to reduce levels of contamination by improving methods of storage. Government authorities need also to periodically sample maize in order to monitor moisture and aflatoxin content of householdstored maize to enable timely interventions should aflatoxin content exceed permissible levels

The Perceptions of Tanzanian Youths towards Cross-Border Marriages within East Africa: The Case of St. Augustine University of Tanzania, Arusha Centre

Cross-border marriages, referred to in this research study as transnational marriages, involved spouses from two different countries living together as husband and wife. The aim of this study was to unearth the perceptions of Tanzanian youths towards cross-border marriages within East Africa. The study sampled participants from one of the Kenya-Tanzania border towns, namely, Arusha. A sample size of 384 was drawn from St. Augustine University of Tanzania - Arusha Centre’s student population size of 780. Multiple research methods were used to collect data for this study. The findings indicate that 30 percent gave adverse views on cross-border marriages within East Africa while 48 percent had favourable views. However, 22 percent were unsure. We conclude that those who favoured cross-border marriages within East African were more than those who were against. Key Words: Perceptions, Cross-Border Marriages, Arush

Household maize storage practices and aflatoxin contamination in Makueni County, Kenya

Introduction: Aflatoxicosis resulting from consumption of contaminated maize poses a significant public health problem in many countries including Kenya, and many people living in developing countries could be chronically exposed to aflatoxin through their diet. It is caused by Aflatoxins produced by fungus of species Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus found mainly in cereals and other foodstuffs.Objective of the study: To determine maize storage practices and their association with aflatoxin contamination of maize in Makueni County, Kenya.Study design: A cross-sectional study design in Makueni County, with comparative assessment of two sites, to determine household maize storage practices and aflatoxin contamination of maize.Methods: Four hundred and fifty households (225 from each study site) which had maize in household were randomly sampled and household heads or their representatives interviewed using questionnaires. In addition, a sub-sample comprising 10 percent of the sampled households had their maize samples collected for moisture content determination using Portable Grain Moisture Tester, and for aflatoxin determination using Enzyme Linked Immunoassay (ELISA) Test, and for aflatoxin sub-type determination using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).Results: Majority of households stored their maize in bags which were kept on raised platform. This was followed by storing maize in traditional cribs, storing maize with cobs directly on the floor, keeping maize under or on top of roof and storing maize on improved cribs, but none of the households stored their maize in sealed containers. Majority of households stored their maize properly. However, storing maize in grains form in bags/sacks was preferred by most households. Mean length of storage of maize was about two months. The frequency of store cleaning of maize stores was about three times per two months. This study has shown that duration of maize while in storage (storage time) had significant positive correlation with aflatoxin content in maize (P<0.05). Frequency of store cleaning had significant negative correlation with aflatoxin content (P<0.05). Results further indicated significant association between proper maize storage in households and discoloration of maize (P<0.05). Poor maize storage practices was also associated with pests/insects infestation in stored maize (P<0.05). Moreover poor storage was also significantly associated with moldy infestation and aflatoxin content in maize (P<0.05). Moldy condition of maize had significant association with aflatoxin content while maize affected by pests/insects had significant association with aflatoxin content. Moisture content in maize had positive correlation with aflatoxin content while ventilation of maize store had significant association with aflatoxin content in maize.Conclusion: Households store maize using various methods with the main aim being prevention of contamination and spoilage of maize. Some of the maize storage practices were found to be associated with aflatoxin contamination of maize. There is need, therefore, for households to adopt proper maize storage practices. Policy makers and stakeholders should also encourage households to adopt and practice proper maize practices as this can greatly contribute to reduction of moisture content and aflatoxin contamination of maize.Keywords: Household, maize, maize storage practices, aflatoxin, aflatoxin contaminationAfr J Health Sci. 2016; 29(2):89-10

Adoption of Community Security Initiatives against Protracted Insecurity in Laikipia North, Kenya

This article interrogates the underlying factors that cause communities residing in areas affected by communal conflicts in Laikipia North, Kenya, to embrace community security initiatives as a way of addressing protracted insecurity. In the context of peripheral territories such as Laikipia North, security as a right is contested due to factors such as protraction of insecurity, civilian militarization, and overall absence of the state as a security provider. Critical to the study is the understanding that the state as a political entity is impacted by a myriad of geo-political, security and socio-economic forces. These geo-political, security and socio-economic forces may compromise the functionality of the state as far as fulfilling its mandate to the citizens is concerned. In this regard, the adoption of community security initiatives raises fundamental questions as to whether the state has failed to deliver on its mandate of providing security, given that Kenya is a functioning state. This phenomenological study aimed at examining the underlying forces that inform internal security experiences among communities in communal conflict regions. Specifically, the study explored the post-2010 factors in relation to state of (in)security in Laikipia County. The study used qualitative approach in which data was collected using FGDs, interviews and observation checklist. Data was analyzed thematically in line with the objectives of the study. Key Words: Community Protection Initiatives, Insecurity, Protracted, Violence DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/11-18-07 Publication date:September 30th 202

Physical characteristics, proximate composition and anti-nutritional factors in grains of lablab bean (Lablab purpureus) genotypes from Kenya

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the physical characteristics, nutritional composition and anti-nutritional factors of grains from three lablab bean varieties with different colours and size developed by The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO)Methodology and results: The length, thickness and width were determined using Vernier callipers. Dry matter, protein, fat and ash were determined using standard association of official analytical chemists (AOAC) methods. Phytates were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while the tannins and trypsin inhibition were determined by UV spectrophotometry. The mean 100 seed weight was significantly different among the three varieties, and ranged from 26.1 g to 29.2 g. The length, thickness and width ranged from 9.7 for KAT/DL-3 to 10.7 mm for KAT/DL-1, 5.2 (KAT/DL-1) to 5.6 mm (KAT/DL-2) and 6.8 (KAT/DL-3) to 7.4 mm (KAT/DL-1), respectively. The hydration and swelling coefficients of the beans ranged from 130.7 in KAT/DL-2 to 147.2 in KAT/DL-1, and 125.1 in KAT/DL-2 to 153.3 (KAT/DL-1), respectively. The mean crude protein and energy contents varied from 22.5(KAT/DL-3) to 25.4 %,( KAT/DL-1) and 347.4 (KAT/DL-3) to 353.7 KCal/100g in KAT/DL-1, respectively, and differed significantly (p<0.05) among the varieties. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the phytic acid and tannin levels, where KAT/DL-2 recorded the highest levels of 723.6 mg/100 g, and 0.33%CE, respectively.Conclusion and application of findings: These results indicate that KAT/DL-1 has the best physical characteristics in respect to cooking and nutrition quality. This variety had the highest protein and energy content with low anti-nutritional factors, thus could offer better nutritive value in comparison to KATDL-2 and KAT/DL-3Keywords: Lablab beans, varieties, proximate composition, physical parameters, anti-nutritional factor

The Effect of Quality of Service on Customers’ Loyalty to Financial Institutions: A Survey of Financial Institutions in Nyahururu Town, Kenya

The financial institutions in Nyahururu have experienced a scenario in which customers shift loyalty to different institutions over time, a situation that has led to managers’ complaints on matters of customers’ retention. This study aimed at examining the factors that influence customer loyalty to financial institutions in Nyahururu town. The study objective was to examine the effect of quality of service on customers’ loyalty to financial institutions. The study was based on the Loyalty Business Model as advocated for by Strorback, Strandvik, & Gronroos, (1994) and customer loyalty theory by Reynolds (2015). Descriptive survey design was applied with a target a population of 28860 staff members and customers served by the 6 Micro-Finance institutions in Nyahururu, Kenya. A stratified sampling method was applied to obtain 384 staff members and customers from 6 Micro- finance institutions in Nyahururu Town. Primary data was collected through the use of questionnaires. The data collected was sorted and then coded before analysis. Data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. In descriptive data analysis, mean, standard deviation and percentages were used. The SPSS computer program was used to aid in analysis. Multiple linear regression and correlation model was also used to analyze data by establishing the interrelationships between independent and dependent variable. Implementing the recommendations from the study would be useful to financial institutions seeking to improve the customer loyalty. This research study has also contributed to the body of knowledge on the best practices of retaining customers within financial institutions. Keywords: Customer’s loyalty, Customer Loyalty, Customer’s retention, Financial Institutions, quality of servic