Kitambaa: a convivial future-oriented framework for Kinangop’s learning hub

The aim of this paper, and more generally, our project “Impact from the ground” (a multi-stage ongoing project), is to reimagine education so that it transcends the walls and harsh constraints of a “universal one size fits all” education. To achieve this, we propose a framework that will inform the design of a participatory approach to co-create a learning hub (an informal lifelong learning opportunity) with and within the community. To weave this framework, we explore the current landscape of education, looking at the challenges that youth from rural settings face to complete their studies in urban universities, and the difficulties they experience when looking for jobs after having done so. We briefly explain our research project and contextualize it in Kinangop, a small region in the Nyandarua County in Kenya, where we explored the enablers and constraints people face to engage in social innovation. We proceed to imagine an alternative education that is local and organic, with different principles and theories weaved into a fabric kitambaa (in Swahili) that serves as the ground for an education intervention that is meaningful, binding, and bonding for the community members. In so doing, we aim to center matters of knowledge production as multi-epistemic conversations, situating those at the margins of epistemic divisions at the center of productive and creative debates

Synthesis of Janus compounds for the recognition of G-U mismatched nucleobase pairs

The design and synthesis of two Janus-type heterocycles with the capacity to simultaneously recognize guanine and uracyl in G-U mismatched pairs through complementary hydrogen bond pairing is described. Both compounds were conveniently functionalized with a carboxylic function and efficiently attached to a tripeptide sequence by using solid-phase methodologies. Ligands based on the derivatization of such Janus compounds with a small aminoglycoside, neamine, and its guanidinylated analogue have been synthesized, and their interaction with Tau RNA has been investigated by using several biophysical techniques, including UV-monitored melting curves, fluorescence titration experiments, and 1H NMR. The overall results indicated that Janus-neamine/guanidinoneamine showed some preference for the +3 mutated RNA sequence associated with the development of some tauopathies, although preliminary NMR studies have not confirmed binding to G-U pairs. Moreover, a good correlation has been found between the RNA binding affinity of such Janus-containing ligands and their ability to stabilize this secondary structure upon complexation

The effect of habitat type on population distribution and abundance of Rothschilds Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) in Ruma National Park and Mwea National Reserve in Kenya

The Rothschilds giraffe is currently listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This is attributed to the loss of habitat due to human activities. This study examined the effect of habitat type on population structure and distribution of Rothschilds giraffe in Ruma National Park (RNP) and Mwea National Reserve (MNR) in Kenya. The study employed road transects to collect data on the number, age class and sex distribution in three habitat types, open, medium and closed. Data was collected along three road transects of equal lengths measuring 14.2 km in each site (RNP and MNR) for comparison. A driving speed of 20 km per hour was maintained along each transect for standardization of survey effort and a maximum giraffe detection rate. Photographic capture of the coat patterns of the right side of all the giraffes sighted within 500 m from the transect was done for identification of age classes. The field visits were replicated 12 times for each transect giving 36 replications for each site spread equally through wet and dry seasons from March 2017 to November 2018. The effect of habitat type on population structure and distribution was analysed using ANOVA and Tukey HSD to test for significant differences. T-test was used to compare the mean population size of giraffe across the wet and dry seasons. Coat pattern analysis for age class identification was done using WildID software. The findings indicated that MNR had more males to females compared to RNP that registered more females and calves. Habitat type had a significant effect on the distribution of giraffes. The giraffe population showed a preference for medium habitat types. The findings are key for the management of habitat quality for giraffe populations at the interface where conservation areas overlap with human land use

Diversity of African forest mollusc faunas: what we have learned since Solem (1984)

We report on studies in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa over the past 22 years that have yielded estimates of land-snail diversity in the main forest types occurring in East and eastern southern Africa. When supplemented with the results of similar research in Madagascar and West Africa by other workers, the information provides a more detailed picture of the patterns of land-snail diversity on the continent than was available to Solem (1984). We describe our field methods, re-examine Solem’s (1984) assessments of sympatric, allopatric and mosaic diversity patterns in African forests and provide a review of overall species number at continental, regional and country-wide scales, and in the main African forest biomes that have been studied