Memorializing the Work of Bishop Cornelius Korir in Advancing Grassroots Peacebuilding in Kenya: Perspectives on Amani Mashinani

This special commemoration feature of Journal of Social Encounters focuses on the work of the late Bishop Cornelius Korir in advancing grassroots peacebuilding in North Rift region of Kenya. Bishop Korir is credited for developing a grassroots peacebuilding model popularly known as Amani Mashinani (Peace at the Grassroots) which brings together warring communities to collectively participate in activities geared at promoting peace. In this context, grassroots peacebuilding is understood in the same vein as locally led peacebuilding which is “an approach in which the people involved in, and most affected by, violent conflict work together to create and enact their own solution to prevent, reduce, and/or transform the conflict, with the support they desire from outsiders” (Locally Driven Peacebuiding, 2015). We memorialize this work in ways it embraces strategies for survival and co-existence among diverse ethnic groups, and has emancipatory potential to show “why and how locally led peacebuilding can add value and, importantly, make the world more peaceful” (Connaughton & Berns, 2020, p. 3)

Effects of \u3ci\u3eParthenium hysterophorus\u3c/i\u3e on Grassland Community in Nyando Sub-County, Kisumu County, Kenya

Parthenium hysterophorus is an invasive alien species native to South and Central America. The plant is ranked as one of the most dreaded weeds of the world. Parthenium hysterophorus affects grassland community through the release of allelochemicals that inhibit the germination and growth of grass species. However, little is known about its effects on native grassland community in Nyando sub-county of Kenya. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the effects of P. hysterophorus on grass species, livestock production and its control. A total of 121 farm household heads were interviewed using semi-structured interview schedules. Descriptive analysis and the T-test at 5% level of significance were used to analyse data. Sixty-three percent of respondents reported that P. hysterophorus replaced major native pasture species consequently reducing the quantity of milk yield per cow significantly by 3.81 litres. Majority households (98.3%) controlled P. hysterophorus by uprooting, slashing and hoeing while the remaining households used herbicides. The cost of controlling P. hysterophorus is expensive at about Kes. 6,253.33 per acre. Parthenium hysterophorus has the potential to negatively affect grasslands in Kenya with adverse impact on human livelihoods by reducing milk and beef production, lack of high quality nutrition food as well as the attainment of development targets such as those set in the Big Four Agenda, the Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals

Norms, attitudes and gender perspectives in ecological sanitation

In Kenya, the urban poor are residing in the Peri urban areas of Nakuru Municipality with inadequate sanitation facilities. This study investigated attitudes towards urine diverting toilets to popularize their use as viable alternative sanitation. Face to face interviews among 231 household respondents using a semi structured questionnaire, field observations, focused group discussions and key informant interviews were performed. Most of the respondents reported that the ecosan toilets are a viable option due to congested housing pattern, desire to own a toilet (for those who never had a toilet before), geohydrological conditions, improved privacy, and convenience among other factors. Most respondents preferred squatting type of urine diverting toilet, and are willing to reuse sanitized urine and feacal matter. Among the challenges noted include forgetfulness by some people to spray ash after defecating, misplaced water entering the toilet vault during cleaning and confusion in using the two holes. The provision for squat hole covers; modification of design, commitment and household change of behaviors are fundamental for encouraging more adoption and replication of the toilets. The study recommends more sanitation is dignity awareness campaigns through social marketing of Urine diverting toilets to salvage available water for improved livelihoods

Sanitation challenges in learning institutions: the case of Nakuru municipality, Kenya

While every aspect of human development is vital, perhaps none is as important as the provision and access to improved sustainable sanitation. Whereas, the learning institutions are at the heart of transforming the nation and must sensitize and enrich the minds of the citizens, most schools’ sanitation facilities has been found wanting. Since the introduction of free primary education in Kenya in 2003, school enrolment has risen to about 7.3 million. In 2008, free secondary education was introduced raising significantly enrolments in secondary schools. These efforts may not realize their ultimate goalmeeting the MDGs. School’s sanitation and hygiene have received the least attention in the allocations of monetary resources. Against this background, this research sought to establish and report on the actual status of the schools’ sanitation facilities, hygiene standards and behaviour in the schools within the periurban areas of Nakuru Municipality. Findings would in turn inform existing NGOs such as ROSA which aims at promoting resourceoriented sanitation concepts being an innovative, affordable, adaptable and replicable approach to sustainable sanitation

Challenges of sustainable financing of sanitation in Nakuru Municipality, Kenya

Adequate sanitation is of great importance in addressing public health and plays an important role with respect to poverty alleviation. A large proportion of population in Nakuru is not served with adequate sanitation facilities. Worldwide experiences on financing of sanitation are widely scattered, and influenced by very different local circumstances. Little, if any, real linkage and upscaling has taken place, to draw conclusions that would fit all circumstances. A study was conducted in Nakuru municipality using structured questionnaires. Results from the data analysis indicated that majority of the households interviewed had low monthly incomes ranging between Kshs. 500010000. Sanitation therefore was not a priority with this meager income. The finding indicated that the only way these residents were willing to contribute to sanitation would be in kind labour, 44%. Majority of Nakuru residents, 65% admitted that they don’t pay for garbage collection services, reason being that of poverty and the notion that this is the responsibility of the municipal council. On household improvement priority, many respondents, 35% would prefer to have water in their residence followed closely with sanitation. They argue that with water availability, sanitation is guaranteed. Potential financial constraints were identified as unwillingness and inability to pay due to poverty, lack of political will and poor governance and low priority for sanitation in public sector spending due to competing interest with other sectors such as health and education

Randomised control trial on immediate post-operative outcomes on patients done either closure or non-closure of peritoneum at caesarean delivery at the Kenyatta national hospital

Objectives: To assess effects of non-closure as compared to closure of the peritoneum at caesarean delivery on the intra-operative and early post-operative outcomes.Design: Randomised controlled trial.Setting: Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Nairobi, Kenya.Subjects: One hundred and thirty (130) women undergoing first elective or emergency caesarean delivery.Main outcome measure: Primary outcome measures were operation time, number of sutures used, post-operative pain, febrile morbidity, wound dehiscence and hospital stay.Results: The mean duration of Caesarean Section (CS) was 42.8 minutes ± SD12.5. The closure group took longer than non-closure group (45.7±15Vs. 39.6 ±8, P<0.05). The number of sutures used was on average were 4.7 ± SD 0.8, the closure group more compared with the non-closure group (5.2 ±0.7 Vs. 4.2 ±0.7, p<0.05). Post-operative pain was generally not a problem to the patients with a mean Visual analogue score of 1.4 ± SD 1.0 on a scale of 0-10. The non-closure group however indicated slightly more pain (1.5± SD0.93) compared with the closure group (1.2 ±1.1), but this difference was not significant. The adverse outcomes like febrile morbidity and wound complications at Caesarean section were rare and not different whether peritoneum was closed or not during Caesarean section.Conclusion: Non-closure of peritoneum during CS took less time (42.8± SD 8) and number of sutures used (4.2±0.7) can result in cost savings. There were no statistically significant differences in post-operative pain scores, febrile morbidity, wound complications and length of hospital stay. Obstetricians and Medical institutions should consider adoption of non-closure of peritoneum at Caesarean delivery as part of the standard operating procedures