Christian Mission in a Multi-faith Context: An Exploration of Christian and Bahai Theory and Praxis in Mission

In 1910, various missionary organizations met in Edinburgh to reflect on the best ways of dealing with denominationalism in the context of evangelism and social action. Out of the conference, the ecumenical movement was renewed and given tremendous momentum. The protestant missionaries were concerned about the context of mission and evangelization. For the last 100 years, the outcome and the aftermath of the conference has continued to influence Christian mission and evangelism. Although African recipients of the missionaries were not represented at Edinburgh, Africa benefited from the missionary zeal and reorganization that was boosted by the conference. However, in the conference only protestant reformed missionary organizations were represented. The desire to include all Christians was evident in the action points that the conference agreed on. Africa in the 21st century, have a different context, things have changed since 1910. Africa has been identified as the spiritual reservoir. Apparently, critical observation questions the quality of Christianity in Africa. Multiple dynamics have shaped the kind of Christianity that we have. Even as we celebrate a hundred years after the Edinburgh 1910 Conference, the presence of other faiths in numbers and activities in Africa has increased with time. In this discussion the Bahai Faith and its global perspective in the theory and praxis of mission is of great concern. The Bahai Faith has continued to draw following from among Christian communities. In my estimation, it is the lack of a proper perception and practice of Christian mission that has shaped the landscape of Christianity in Africa. On the other hand, Christian mission in theory and praxis does not seek to engage with other faiths and when there is engagement, it is not well thought through. To this end, we find gaps that aid the evangelization of Christians by other faiths and in this case the Bahai Faith. We therefore find that, in the 21st century we cannot afford to ignore the praxis of Christian mission in a multi-faith context.From a comparative perspective, I will endeavour to demonstrate how the Bahais are making headways in their evangelization, their perspectives to mission and the goal of mission and demonstrate how and why the Bahai Faith among other faiths is a faith to dialogue with if the goal and objective of Christian mission is going to be realized. The big question will be if all faiths have a clear concept of their mission, is it possible for these faiths to join hands for the sake of humanity.  What would be the implications of such a move? On the other hand, how should Christians contend their faith in a situation where other religions are ruinously transferring their culture and religion to even Christians? Keywords: Key words: Edinburgh 1910, mission, Bahai Faith, covenant, praxis, nationhood, imperialis

A new spectrophotometric method for determination of residual polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride flocculant in treated water based on a diazotization-coupled ion pair

Polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (polyDADMAC) is a water-soluble cationic polyelectrolyte used for water treatment. Its residues in treated water are contaminants as they react with chlorine to produce a carcinogenic compound. Commonly-used techniques for quantification of the polycation, such as colloidal and potentiometric titration as well as 1H NMR, have poor sensitivity and detection limits. This paper describes a more sensitive UV spectrophotometric method for quantitative determination of residual polyDADMAC in treated water, through formation of an ion pair with (4-hydroxy-1-napthylazo) benzene-sulphonic acid (dye). The ion pair, which is a colloidal solid material, was characterised by FTIR, 13C NMR and 1H NMR techniques. The colloid materials formed with different concentrations of polyDADMAC were dissolved in either N,N-dimethylformamide or 1,4-dioxane, followed by determination with UV spectrophotometry. The wavelength of maximum absorption (ëmax) was found to be dependent on the solvent used, with 1,4-dioxane showing a better linear range of 0.1–1.8 mg..-1 polyDADMAC. Varying the pH of the solutions had no significant effect on ëmax

Towards a national policy on wastewater reuse in Kenya

Kenya is a water-scarce country with the capital city, Nairobi, receiving less than 100 l/capita/day. Potable water for irrigation and industrial use is generally unavailable, and this calls for alternative water sources. Despite use of wastewater being illegal in Kenya, it is used to irrigate over 720 ha in Nairobi. In order to justify the formulation of a national policy to support wastewater reuse, secondary data which included the authors’ previous  work was reviewed. In a study done between 2006 and 2007, the levels of nitrates (100 mg/l) and TDS (630 mg/l) in the wastewater were found to be within the acceptable NEMA standards. The concentration of lead was 0.1 mg/lwhile cadmium and chromium were non-detectable. However, levels of BOD and Coliform bacteria were higher than NEMA limits. This implied that Nairobi sewage needed to be treated for the removal of BOD, turbidity and microbial contamination. In order to allow for safe use of wastewater in Kenya, there is need to formulate a national wastewater reuse policy which provides guidelines for maximum allowable levels of pesticides, herbicides, and heavy metals in wastewater reuse. Such a policy should also indicate the required water quality monitoring frequency for faecal indicators (Escherichia coli, faecal coliforms, enterococci), and suggest the maximumallowable concentration of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) which may are usually abundant in wastewater

The incidence and risk factors for intra-operative hypothermia among paediatric patients undergoing general anaesthesia at the Kenyatta National Hospital

Objective: To determine the incidence and risk factors for intra-operative hypothermia in paediatric patients undergoing general anaesthesia at the Kenyatta National Hospital. Design: A prospective observational study.Setting: The Kenyatta National Hospital main operating theatres and affiliated satellite operating theatres.Subjects: A total of 100 paediatric patients (range; three days to 12 years, mean; 4.1 ± 3.3 years) were enrolled in the study.Results: Thirty out of 100 patients developed hypothermia defined as a core temperature <36ºC recorded at least once during provision of general anaesthesia. Ninety percent of those developing hypothermia were male compared to 63% who remained normothermic (p = 0.006). Proportionally, more than twice as many hypothermic patients had a caudal block (43% versus 20%, p = 0.016) and received 121ml more of fluid (p = 0.002) compared to the normothermic group. The patients who became hypothermic tended to be colder at induction of anaesthesia (36.6 ± 0.5ºC versus 37.0 ± 0.5ºC, p = <0.0001) but there was no significant difference in the waiting time, time of  induction, environmental temperatures or theatre temperatures compared to those not developing hypothermia. There was no significant difference in the BMI between the two groups (14.0 ± 2.9 kg/ m2 versus 15.2 ± 3.5 kg/m2, p = 0.101).Conclusion: The incidence of intra-operative core hypothermia in paediatric patients undergoing general anaesthesia at the Kenyatta National Hospital is 30%. Gender (male), lower body temperature at induction, use of caudal block and the volume of intravenous fluids infused were significant independent predictors of core hypothermia. The most significant predictor was body temperature at the time of induction of general anaesthesia

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice factors associated with condom use among undergraduate Students of a Public University in Kenya (A case of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology)

Condoms offer protection against unwanted pregnancy and some sexually transmitted infections including HIV. Interventions to promote condom use are essential in efforts to slow the spread of HIV. This study sought to find out factors associated with condom use among undergraduate university students at JKUAT, given that majority of the students fall within the vulnerable I5-24 year’s age bracket. The study focused on condom use and students (knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on specific issues of HIV). A cross sectional study design was adopted. Simple random sampling was used to obtain the required sample size for both quantitative data (461 respondents) and snowball sampling for qualitative data (64 respondents). Data analysis was conducted using MS Access, SPSS and MS Excel applications. The findings of this study revealed among 461, 66.2% (305) had experienced sexual intercourse. The overall level of condom use was high 72.8% (222). There was a significant relationship between condom use and general attitude (P<0.001). However, there was no significantrelationship between condom use and (knowledge on specific issues of HIV and practices). Continuous health education campaigns on sexuality, proper usage and advantages of condoms should be enhanced

Detection of latent infection by Ralstonia solanacearum in potato (Solanum tuberosum) using stems instead of tubers

The potential of using stems for the detection of latent infection caused by Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs) was studied. Forty plants each were collected from four farms with bacterial wilt incidence below 4% intwo growing seasons (season A and season B of 2005). The tubers of all the selected plants including 10 cm of the all lower stems were collected. Samples were taken to the laboratory for indexing againstR. solanacearu (Rs) using ELISA techniques. The Rs status of each of the composite samples of all the tubers and of stems was determined and then correlation coefficients computed. There was a notabledifference in the percentage number of samples per farm with particular categories of R. solanacearum status. When stems were compared to tubers for detection of Rs, an average r – value of 0.4 wasobtained when r-values for the four different farms were averaged. The lowest r-value recorded was 0.2 while the highest was 0.5. When individual farms were considered it was only in one farm out of the fourthat r was not significant (p = 0.2). Overall the r-value was significant (p < 0.05). These results indicate that there is scope for adoption of stems as an alternative sample to tubers for indexing against R.solanacearum in potato tuber seed certification schemes more so in screening for presence of R. solanacearum in seed potato fields. However, although significant, the low r-value calls for moreinvestigations to be done prior to final recommendation on use of stems from potato fields

No Admixture, Sustainable, Self-Consolidating Grout

The consolidation of grout in concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls is labor-intensive. Also, the grout’s Portland cement content has a high embodied energy demand – a non-sustainable characteristic. For the labor-intensive issue, chemical admixture self-consolidating grouts have been used in walls 12.67 ft. (3.86 m) tall, however the chemical additive can impose new limitations on the grout (non-robust characteristics). No admixture self-consolidating grout with high percentage Portland cement replacement have potential for robust and sustainable application. This paper reports on the consolidation of no admixture self-consolidating grout made by substituting high percentages of Portland cement with Type-F fly ash and/or GGBFS. The percent replacement ranged from 50% to 80% by volume. Single lift test CMU walls were 12.67 ft. (3.86 m) tall. The relative reinforcement consolidation was assessed by comparison to traditional mechanically consolidated grout and also compared to criteria of ACI technical notes for shotcrete. Cure time was 125 days

Factors Influencing Adherence to ARVs among Patients Attending Comprehensive Care Clinic within Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kiambu County, Kenya

Background: The efficacy of anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) depends on adherence to the prescribed regimen. However, lack of adherence leads to treatment failure and drug resistance among other negative outcomes.Objective: To determine factors influencing adherence to ARVS among patients attending the Comprehensive Care Clinic (CCC) within Jomo  Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).Design: A descriptive cross sectional study.Setting: Comprehensive Care Clinic within JKUAT.Subjects: Three hundred HIV positive patients, undergoing ART treatment and follow up at the JKUAT clinic for a minimum duration of one month before the study, were recruited.Results: Of the 300 patients enrolled for the study (70% females and 30% males), 81%were adhering to ARV treatment. The factors that were significantly associated with adherence included; Support (encouragement and reminder to take drugs) (P=0.025); the number of meals respondents took in a day (P = 0.001); pill burden (P = 0.002) and forgetfulness (P = 0.001). However, there was no significant relationship between adherence and age, marital status, education, employment status or time taken to travel to the clinic.Conclusion: This study concluded that, the observed level of sub-optimal adherence to ART (19%) is of public health concern. These patients are vulnerable to treatment failure and development of resistant viral strains. Consequently the modifiable factors (Support, Number of meals taken, pill burden, and forgetfulness, should be addressed to change the current trea

Tissue biochemical diversity of 20 gooseberry cultivars and the effect of ethylene supplementation on postharvest life

The European gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa) is still an understudied crop with limited data available on its biochemical profile and postharvest life. A variety of polyphenols were detected in the skin and flesh of 20 gooseberry cvs, representing mainly flavonol glycosides, anthocyanins and flavan-3-ols. In contrast, gooseberry seeds were for the first time characterised by the presence of considerable amounts of hydroxycinnamic acid glycosides tentatively identified by UPLC-QToF/MS. All cvs examined represented a good source of vitamin C while being low in sugar. Furthermore, the postharvest stability of bioactives was explored by supplementation of exogenous ethylene in air at 5 °C. Results suggest a low sensitivity of gooseberries to ethylene. The overall quality of gooseberries remained stable over two weeks, showing potential for extended bioactive life

Impact of Enclosures on Range Productivity in Chepareria West Pokot County Kenya

In the semi-arid areas of West Pokot particularly Chepareria, majority of the people live semi sedentary lives while others are nomadic pastoralists. In the last three decades, there have been concerted efforts to restore and improve rangeland in this area. Use of enclosures, which is one of the key interventions, by the Vi Agro- forestry a Non-Governmental Organisation, enhancing with many ecological processes such as disturbance, is a method of rehabilitating degraded rangeland, which in turn affects vegetation dynamics. Adoption of these strategies by farmers has been gradual and some areas are still open and degraded. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of enclosures on range productivity in the semi-arid rangeland in West Pokot. Plant productivity, diversity and density were assessed in enclosures of different ages and in adjacent open land used for communal grazing. Questionnaires were also used to assess local community perception of the range restoration and improvement. Modified Whittaker plot was used for sampling in the selected enclosures and open areas. Herbaceous biomass and plant cover were greater in enclosures than in open areas. The average herbaceous cover in the enclosed area was 76% while that in the open it was 55% which was significantly different, P \u3c 0.001. The average herbaceous biomass in the enclosure was 137.2kg/ha while in the open it was 37.8kg/ha respectively. Enclosed areas are more productive than open areas and should be adopted in other dry areas as a method of rehabilitating degraded grazing lands