Folklinguistic perceptions and attitudes towards Kenyan varieties of Swahili

This paper examines the perceptions of Kenyans towards the way other Kenyans speak Swahili from a Folklinguistic perspective. The study involved two main tasks. In the first task, informants were provided with blank maps of the country and asked to identify areas where they thought there was a distinct way of speaking Swahili. In the second task, they were provided with the same map showing Kenyan’s eight provinces and asked to rank them in terms of correctness, attractiveness and closeness to the way they speak Swahili. The results show little or no difference between the rankings of correctness versus pleasantness of Swahili varieties. The study also shows that Kenyans do not identify with the normative variety modeled on the standardized or Kenyan coastal Swahili which is used in the schools or mass media. Similar to other studies in perceptual dialectology, the informants’ judgments were influenced by their background knowledge and stereotypes about different regions that have little or no relationship with linguistics factors per se. Unlike other studies in perceptual dialectology however, languages that are not the object of study have a strong influence on respondents’ perceptions. Beside the ethnic stereotypes that characterize Kenya’s multilingual discourse, Kenyans’ attitudes towards varieties of Swahili seem to be filtered through the lens of a competitive hegemonic language that has enjoyed historical advantage. As a result, the promotion of an idealized variety of Swahili in light of the dominance of English and the continued use of local languages is not likely to increase its acceptability as a national and official language

Short communications: Desert Wheatear Oenanthe deserti at Lake Turkana—the fourth record of the species for Kenya

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Copper Extraction Using Aluminum in Acidic Leachate Media

Copper is found in several minerals with varied elemental composition. For instance, copper minerals occur as chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), bornite (Cu5FeS4), chalcocite (Cu2S), covellite (CuS), cuprite oxide (Cu2O), and malachite (Cu2CO3 (OH)2) among many other minerals. In Kenya, extraction of valuable minerals like copper is hampered by high capital and technological investment requirements. Mineral ores found in Tharaka sub – county in Tharaka Nithi County in Kenya in particular contains significant concentrations of copper which are worth extraction. These minerals cannot be exploited due to financial and technological constraints. However, efficient and cheaper methods of extraction of copper with affordable technology are currently required. Electrolysis of copper leach solution after reaction of ground ore with acid has been done. Since the available methods involve the use of large amount of power for large scale production, alternative method for extraction has been investigated. The method involves dipping aluminum in acidic leach solution at room temperatures. The copper recovered was found to contain 80 to 90% purity depending with ore composition. Keywords: key copper extraction, aluminum half-cell reaction, displacement of copper using aluminum. DOI: 10.7176/CMR/12-7-06 Publication date:September 30th 202

Nest food provisioning in the Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea does not vary with parental sex differences and time of day

The Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea inhabits some of the most highly threatened grassland ecosystems in Kenya. Although previous studies have been undertaken on feeding ecology of this species, a knowledge gap still exists in relation to its nest food provisioning behaviour. We studied the food provisioning behaviour of Red-capped Larks in open grassland habitat at Kedong Ranch in Naivasha, Kenya. Observations were completed on 18 active nests for a total of 163 observation hours between 07:00 and 18:00. Results confirmed that nestling diet comprised insect larvae (including caterpillars), grasshoppers, butterflies/moths, ants and beetles. Food provisioning rates for males and females combined, as well as independently, did not vary with the nestling age. In relation to specific prey items, provisioning rates of insect larvae and butterflies/moths during different hours of the day did not vary. However, there was a significant difference in provisioning rates of grasshoppers for the time periods. The findings provide an understanding of food requirements and feeding behaviour of the Red-capped Lark, and therefore are important for predicting how future changes in the availability of food resources could infl uence feeding, reproductive success, and possibly survival of the species.Keywords: Kedong Ranch, lark, grassland, nestling diet, insect

Relationship between inquiry-based learning and students’ attitudes towards chemistry

Students’ attitudes towards science subjects and especially chemistry have been attributed to the use of inquiry-based learning (IBL). The students’ attitudes are important predictors of academic achievement. The consistently poor performance in chemistry among secondary school students has been an issue of concern. This study sought to establish whether IBL has been used in the teaching of chemistry and if it had any influence on students’ attitudes towards chemistry. The study employed a correlational research design that involved conducting a survey of 21 teachers who were purposively selected, and 357 students selected through simple random sampling from the 21 classrooms that these teachers taught. The results revealed that teachers used IBL once a week (M=4.062) and students had positive attitudes towards chemistry (M=3.945). Besides, there was a significant association between IBL and the attitudes of students towards chemistry (r=0.997, p<0.05, R²=0.994)

Factors influencing the utilization of family planning services among HIV infected women in a Kenyan health facility

Background: Women’s knowledge and access to reproductive health services improves their ability to safely achieve their required fertility and reduces maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to determine the utilization of family planning (FP) among HIV Infected women visiting the HIV clinic.Methods: A cross-sectional mixed quantitative and qualitative study among HIV positive females in Nairobi, Kenya was conducted. Consenting women completed a questionnaire that assessed the utilization of FP services. Descriptive and inferential analysis was carried out on quantitative data to determine significant associations with FP utilization. Qualitative data were analyzed after coding for significant clauses and transcribing to determine themes arising.Results: We enrolled a total of 387 patients, mean age (IQ range) 40 years (36-44). The contraceptive prevalence was 53% with an unmet need of family planning of 38.5%. Patients were more likely to use family planning if they were married, if condoms were offered at the clinic, if they discussed contraception with the clinic staff and their partners. They were less likely to use FP if they had expressed fertility desire. Widows were less likely to use any form of FP than married couples despite having sexual partners. The main themes on the barriers of utilization of family planning services included lack of knowledge, pill burden, and adverse reactions to hormonal FP.Conclusions: The unmet need of family planning is high, and heightened measures need to be taken to improve the utilization of the service. Particular groups such as sexually active widows and single women should be targeted for these interventions

Utilisation of priority traditional medicinal plants and local people's knowledge on their conservation status in arid lands of Kenya (Mwingi District)

Mwingi District lies within the Kenyan Arid and Semiarid lands (ASALs) in Eastern Province. Although some ethnobotanical surveys have been undertaken in some arid and semiarid areas of Kenya, limited studies have documented priority medicinal plants as well as local people's awareness of conservation needs of these plants. This study sought to establish the priority traditional medicinal plants used for human, livestock healthcare, and those used for protecting stored grains against pest infestation in Mwingi district. Further, the status of knowledge among the local people on the threat and conservation status of important medicinal species was documented. This study identified 18 species which were regarded as priority traditional medicinal plants for human health. In terms of priority, 8 were classified as moderate, 6 high, while 4 were ranked highest priority species. These four species are Albizia amara (Roxb.) Boiv. (Mimosacaeae), Aloe secundiflora (Engl. (Aloaceae), Acalypha fruticosa Forssk. (Euphorbiaceae) and Salvadora persica L. (Salvadoraceae)

Tree Diversity Effects on Litter Decomposition in an Agroforestry System in a Semi Arid Zone in Juja, Kenya

Plant litter decomposition is an important ecosystem function that aid nutrient cycling in agroforestry system, however it is not clear if the diversity of agroforestry tree species affects rate of decomposition of their resultant litters within the early stage of decomposition. This study was conducted in an agroforestry experimental farm that was established in 2011 in Jomo Kenyatta university of Agriculture and Technology, Juja, Kenya. The site contains four treatments involving seven agroforestry tree species from which eleven combinations was grouped for decomposition process. The decomposition process was studied using the standard litter bag technique and the soil moisture content on each treatment plot was measured to determine its confounding effect on litter decomposition.  The percentage mass loss of litter after 90 days of decomposition was highest in Acacia seyal (48.75%) and lowest in Cordia africana (21.65%). The composite litter decomposes faster than the low decomposing monocultures suggesting synergistic interaction but when the observed and predicted litter mass loss was compared a 100% additive effect was observed. The treatment plots with Faidherbia albida had the highest soil moisture content (42.97%) while the treatment plots with C. africana had the lowest (28.96%). However, effect of soil moisture was not significant on the rate of decomposition (r2=0.046). These findings suggest that litter combination increases rate of decomposition in low decomposing litters and soil moisture effect was insignificant on rate of decomposition, suggesting other factors are contribution to decomposition. Farmers should therefore use different agroforestry species to benefit from the synergy of the different ecosystem function of different tree species such as enhanced decomposition rate from the low decomposing species. Keywords: Agroforestry; Decomposition; Nutrients; Soil moisture; Synergistic

Impure Hydrazone Preparation from Chicken Dung

Hydrazones are strong reducing agents. Some hydrazones like hydrazine are is highly toxic and unstable and are therefore found dissolved in water. Chicken dung contains amines and uric acid that are potential sources of hydrazones. This paper reports on the use of chicken dung as an important raw material for the industrial hydrazones. In this study, we investigated the conversion of amine to amide compounds in chicken dung and later chlorine treatment to produce impure hydrazones. In the preparation, 1.0 kg of the chicken dung was soaked in 2.0 litres of distilled water for fifteen days. After filtration, the leachate obtained was treated with chlorine gas. The chemical conversion of the compounds in the chicken dung leachate before and after chlorination was monitored using FT-IR and MS. A sample of pure hydrazine hydrate was analyzed using the two techniques and the spectra obtained was used as a reference standard.  The findings of this study indicate that chicken dung is rich in amine-containing compounds that can be converted to amide derivatives under ambient conditions. A comparison of FT-IR and MS data before and after chlorination indicated the formation of hydrazones. The findings of this study provide some scientific rationale for using chicken dung as an alternative source of industrial hydrazones. Keywords: Hydrazones, amines, amides, chicken dung. DOI: 10.7176/CMR/12-7-02 Publication date:September 30th 202

Analgesic Activity of Conyza Floribunda Extracts in Swiss Albino Mice

Traditional medicine still plays an important role in managing infections especially in Africa. Extracts of Conyza floribunda Kunth are used to treat sore throat, ringworm and other skin related infections, toothache and to stop bleeding from injuries. Extracts from the plant have been reported to exhibit antibacterial and antifungal activities. Previous phytochemical studies on the plant yielded terpenoid, sterols and flavonoids. The aim of the present study was to determine the analgesic activity Conyza floribunda extracts. Methanol, DCM and n-hexane extracts of the plant were subjects to toxicity, hot plate latency and acetic acid induced-writhing tests using Swiss Albino Mice. The plant extract showed analgesic activity in both hot plate latency and acetic acid induced-writhing tests. The extracts significantly increased the response time in the animals compared to the negative control. In the hot plate latency test, the analgesic activity of the extracts and that of morphine rose over time to peak at 90 minutes and then decreased afterwards. In the acetic acid-induces writhing test, administration of the plant extracts significantly reduced the number of abdominal contractions compared to the negative control. The percentage inhibitions of abdominal contractions were 67.2, 46.5 and 39.4 for methanol, DCM and n-hexane extracts respectively. The findings from this study have confirmed the folkloric information that extracts from C. floribunda have analgesic properties. We therefore recommend the extracts from the plant for use in pain management. Further studies should be carried out to isolate and characterize the analgesic principles from the plant. Keywords: Conyza floribunda, Toxicity test, Analgesic activity, Hot plate test, Writhing test DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-12-01 Publication date:June 30th 2021