A Study of Diplostomum Parasites Affecting Oreochromis niloticus in Chepkoilel Fish Farm and Two Dams in Eldoret-Kenya

The Diplostomum parasite completes its life-cycle in fish eating birds, but spends considerable time in the eye vitreous humor of many fresh water fishes. Its infection in fish causes severe ocular pathology, and leads to increased susceptibility to predation. A study on Diplostomum parasites was conducted at Chepkoilel University with an objective of assessing its parasitic indices and effects on O. niloticus. A total of 40 fish were collected from the fish farm and 155 from the dams between November 2010 and January, 2011. Fish were weighed and length measured to ascertain their condition factor. The fish were observed for the Diplostomum parasite to ascertain parasitic indices in the different habitats. The parasite abundance was related to fish size and condition factor to determine parasite’s effect on O. niloticus. Fish were found to have a parasitic prevalence (%) of 100, 84 and 66 in Kerita dam, Kesses dam and Chepkoilel fish farm. Parasite mean intensity was 12, 9 and 14 respectively.The wellbeing of the fish was not compromised by the parasites, as was seen in the correlation between condition factor and parasite abundance. There was a Pearson correlation of P = 0.357, 0.516 and 0.565 in Kerita dam, Kesses dam and Chepkoilel fish farm respectively. The dams and the fish farm did not pose significant difference in the parasitic indices, probably due to their proximity. There was seen equal abundance in both fish sexes, implying no sex preference in infection. Keywords: Diplostomum, Oreochromis niloticus, prevalence, Abundance, Mean intensity, Condition factor

Factors influencing adoption of New Castle Disease Vaccine in Kakamega County in Kenya

Kenya has approximately 28 million poultry of which 22 million (76%) are indigenous chicken kept on free-range system by small-scale farmers in rural and peri-urban areas. Poultry production requires low initial capital and maintenance costs; however, predation and disease hinders this potential from full exploitation by 50-74% and 36-50% respectively. New castle disease (NCD) is the major cause of mortality in indigenous chicken flock. In Western Kenya, vaccination using heat labile live vaccines has been in use for its control. Due to high costs incurred in handling the vaccines, only large-scale commercial farms have the capacity to meet the demand. This leaves out the small-scale indigenous chicken farmers who produce over 70% of meat and 50% of eggs consumed in Kenya. This study was undertaken in January 2011 with the main objective being to determine mortality due to NCD and the factors influencing the adoption of its vaccine. Descriptive survey using questionnaire was used and forty respondents were involved the study. Only 35% of the respondent in the study area had adopted the vaccination and out of all the chicks hutched, only 45% survived to maturity. The loss due to predation and diseases were 45% and 55% respectively. The factors that influenced adoption were effectiveness, ease of availability, lack of any other option and affordability of vaccine at 34.6%, 26.9%, 23.1% and 15.4% respectively

Factors influencing voluntary employee turnover in property services : case company X

This study investigates factors that influence voluntary employee turnover in cleaning case company X and provides indications from the employees’ perspectives. The author also looked into best human resource management practices that can be applied to enhance employee retention in Company X. The research methodology applied in this thesis is qualitative research method and data collection featured conducting in-depth interview of frontline cleaning employees of company X. Additionally, the researcher participants’ observation also allowed for further insight and deeper understanding of the phenomenon. The findings from the case analysis identify issues around the unrewarding and challenging aspects of the cleaning job, relating to varying working hours, lack of professional developments and daily stress and pressure from the working place. Another major cause of employee turnover is the leadership feature which is considered unresponsive by most of the respondents. The latter half of the interviews also saw interviewees make useful suggestions in reducing the realm of employees’ departure from company X. Employee of Company X highly agree on the improvement of the management system whose influence is evident in all factors that cause turnover of staff, so that the employees’ motivation and devotion to work can be maintained and enhanced

EFFECTS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON FOOD SECURITY AND HOUSEHOLD LIVELIHOODS IN KENYA

This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the resultant effects of the new Coronavirus which is known to cause a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in humans (SARS-CoV-2 better known as COVID-19) on food security and household livelihoods in Kenya. This is achieved by providing a comprehensive literature review on past global epidemics, pandemics and natural hazards and disasters; and their effects on food security and household livelihoods. The study reviews articles and reports that have widely discussed the effects of other epidemics that have occurred in contemporary times on food security and household livelihoods. The selection of the materials used in the study was based on authenticity and relevance. The observed impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and previous epidemics, pandemics and natural hazards and disasters call for policy measures to curb future occurrences. Countries' preparedness for pandemics is crucial to prevent adverse economic effects and loss of human lives. There is also a need to put in necessary measures to ensure the sustainability of resources, strengthen infrastructure and food systems to avoid or minimize food crises in the future

Determinants of fish farmers’ awareness of insect-based aquafeeds in Kenya; the case of black soldier fly larvae meal

AbstractIt is evident from scientific studies that black soldier fly larvae can replace the widely used fishmeal, which is costly and unsustainable for smallholder farmers, in aquafeeds. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the factors t influencing fish farmers’ awareness of use of black soldier fly larvae meal as an ingredient in fish feeds. The effect of farmers’ socioeconomic status and aquaculture practices on their awarenessabout black soldier fly larvae based aquafeeds was examined using a binary logit regression model. The regression analysis results revealed that fish farming experience (β = 0.327; p = 0.001), distance to feed sources (β = 0.009; p = 0.034), farmers’ income (β = −0.505; p = 0.008) and knowledge about the components of existing feed (β = 2.667; p = 0.004) significantly influenced the farmers’ awareness about black soldier fly larvae meal. The results suggest that communication and farmer education are key in improving the farmers’ awareness about novel fish feed ingredients. Therefore, there is need for both public and private institutions to improve awareness creation through local print and electronic media to enhance fish farmers’ awareness of insect-based aquafeeds

Fourth Report on Chicken Genes and Chromosomes 2022

International audienc