Characterization of Kenyan ceramics for production of medium duty alumina firebrick incinerator linings

The aim of this study was to evaluate locally available ceramic raw materials for the manufacture of Medium Duty Alumina Refractory Firebrick for incinerator lining.The clays were collected from two sites, Eburru in Nakuru County and Mukurwe-ini in Nyeri County in Kenya. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer and X-Ray Diffraction analytical methods were used to determine the chemical composition of the respective clays before and after firing at 1000OC for two hours.Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer results revealed that Eburru Kaolin contained the highest amount of silica at 72.64% SiO2 but had the lowest of all other oxides. All the three raw materials were found to increase their oxide percentages after firing due to the loss in moisture and organic matter and reflected on their aluminasilica ratio. The X-Ray Diffraction results showed that the refractory formulated using the clays at a ratio of 2:2:1 Eburru Kaolin : Eburru Fireclay: Mukuruweini Ballclay attained good structural properties after firing at 1000OC for two hours and was comparable to commercial products in the market in addition to meeting the standards of a Medium Duty Refractory Firebrick.This is suitable for manufacture of incinerator linings.Keywords: Incinerator linings, Kaolin, Firebrick, Refractor

TRADITIONAL HEALERS AND THE MANAGEMENT OF MALARIA IN KISUMU DISTRICT, KENYA

Objective: To document the ethnobotanical information on malaria treatment with the goal ofeventually testing the medicinal plant extracts for antiplasmodial activity.Design: A prospective study.Setting: Informants from Kisumu city and its environs were gathered at the Kenya Medical ResearchInstitute, Centre for Vector Biology Control Research, Kisian, Kisumu.Interventions: Semi-structured Questionnaires were administered to 16 traditional healthpractitioners (THPs) to evaluate the THPs’ perceptions and practice relating to causation andtreatment of malaria.Main Outcome Measures: The THPs described the signs, symptoms and cause of malaria. Detailsof the preparation and use of plants for management of malaria were recorded.Results: Of the 16 respondents 12 (75%) knew that malaria is transmitted by mosquito bite and 12(75%) recognised the main symptoms as fever. Of the 36 medicinal plants, claimed to treat malaria inKisumu, 19 plants were identified at the East African Herbarium, National Museums of Kenya.Conclusion: The ethnomedical and ethnobotanical data generated form the basis for pharmacologicalevaluation of the medicinal plants collected to establish their potential in the treatment ofmalaria