Impact of Land Use on Water Quality in River Njoro Watershed, Kenya

Water resources within the River Njoro watershed have become degraded due to high population growth rate and change in land use upsetting environmental stability. Land cover classification using Landsat images (Baldyga et al., 2004) shows loss of about 20% of forested areas between 1986 and 2003 in the watershed. The forested and large-scale farm areas have been converted mainly into small-scale mixed agriculture and human settlements. These changes have impacted negatively on the ecological integrity and hydrologic processes in the watershed (Shivoga, 2001) but little is known about the influence of specific land uses on water quality of the river

Factors Influencing Learning Programmes in Technical and Vocational Training Institutions in Kenya during Covid 19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Tvets in Western Kenya.

In the recent past months, there has been a growing focus on the various learning methods that TVET institutions management needs to adopt in this time of COVID 19 pandemic. Therefore, this research aimed to establish the factors influencing the learning programmes in TVET institutions. On the other hand, the research utilized COVID 19 as a dependent variable. The research followed a descriptive research design. This study's target population comprised all the 55 TVET institutions in Kenya's western region from which a sample size of 37 was drawn. Primary data was collected through the use of a questionnaire. Data analysis employed the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings of this study indicated that learning resource strategy and relevance of learning resources are the factors that affect the delivery of learning programs most in TVET institutions. This study determined that factors that influence learning programs are learning resource strategy, adequacy of learning resources, appropriate training workshop, industry support on learning resources, high quality of learning resources, and resources to provide psychosocial support. Institutions should allocate enough resources to ensure sustainability to achieve their goals and objectives

Spatial characterization of common blossom thrips (Frankliniella schultzei) in smallholder avocado orchards along slopes of Taita Hills and Mount Kilimanjaro

Frankliniella schultzei Trybom (Thysanoptera:Thripidae) is an important flower pest of avocado crop (Persea americana Mill) at Taita Hills in South-eastern Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro in North-eastern Tanzania. However, its geographical distribution is not known in the East African avocado cropping systems. In order to generate the spatial data of the common blossom thrips (Frankliniella schultzei), a survey was carried out in smallholder avocado orchards along altitudinal gradient (900 -1800m.a.s.l.) of Taita Hills and Mount Kilimanjaro using a white coloured beating tray and camel brush. Once the specimens of thrips were taxonomically verified, the abundance data was tabulated into three altitudinal zones, namely; lowland (900-1199m.a.s.l.), sub-montane (1200-1499m.a.s.l.) and montane (1500-1799m.a.s.l.). Frankliniella schultzei was recorded in all altitudinal zones of both transects with mean abundance being highest at Taita Hills (5.4) compared to Mount Kilimanjaro (0.9). However, abundance of the pest was greater in cooler highlands (>1200m.a.s.l.) than warmer lowland areas (<1200m.a.s.l.) of both transects. The findings of this study contributes significantly towards spatial mapping of Frankliniella schultzei in East Africa and this information is important in developing strategies aimed at controling infestation of avocado flowers by the insect pest at the two study transects.Peer reviewe

List of Animals from Kakamega Forest (Kenya) and Budongo Forest (Uganda) with Voucher Specimens in the Department of Zoology of the National Museums of Kenya

Volume: 60Start Page: 98End Page: 12

Type Catalogue NMK

Volume: 60Start Page: 7End Page: