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Water supply and demand situation among households and institutions in Nakuru municipality, Kenya
(Egerton University, 2012) Mathendu Sammy
The quantity and quality of water allocated and used by households and institutions is an zportant aspect of water supply which influences hygiene and the social wellbeing of humanity. ‘Rater contributes to economic growth and is regarded as a fundamental human right under a zrrnber of international treaties and conventions. This underscores the need for a proper Llocation of water resources. In 1985, it was estimated that 25 % of the urban population in iew eloping countries lacked access to safe water. In Nakuru Municipality, it is estimated that the rzrent level of water supply is about 48%, which is below the national average of 60%. The rrcumstances behind this problem are not clear and needed further investigation. The broad objective of this study was to investigate the water supply and demand situation within Nakuru Mimicipality. The study was done in three estates namely; Milimani, Shabab and Kaptembwo which represent different income levels. Water use in schools, health centers and hotels and restaurants within the Municipality was also assessed. The research employed social survey techniques. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from different sectors of zhe population within the study area. Primary data was collected using oral interviews, questionnaires, key informants, and observations. Stratified random sampling techniques were applied in collecting data from households, schools and health centers in the study area. Data analysis was done using the computer based Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study established that 88% of all households and institutions in the Municipality rely on water zrom the Municipal Council with“ 12% using vended or water fi'om communal water kiosks and individual tube wells. Household size and education level were found to directly influence the amount of water needed by households. However, income (t=0.966; p=0.335) and occupation :t=0.722; p=0.471) levels did not have a significant effect on the amount of water used. The findings further showed that 75% of the residents in the Municipality use less than the average amount of water suggested by the World Health Organization (50 litres per day). The results also showed that 22% of the households used between 9 and 14 litres of water daily while 15% used between 14 and 27 litres. Only 25% of the respondents mostly from Milimani used more than 27 litres of water per day. The study concluded that the amount of water available for distribution falls short of demand and hence the need for new water sources.
Usage of social networking sites for scholarly communication among Postgraduate Students in Universities in Nakuru county, Kenya
(Egerton University, 2023) Martha Jelimo Kipruto
Scholarly communication (SC) has been experiencing tremendous change due to rapid technological advancements leading to the creation of varied ways of sharing information among scholars despite the ever-rising cost of information access and sharing. The focus of this study was to assess the use of social networking sites (SNS) for scholarly communication among postgraduate students in selected university campuses in Nakuru County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to determine the extent of use of SNS for scholarly communication; to establish the reasons for using SNS by postgraduate students for scholarly communication and to assess the relevance of the social networking sites to postgraduate students for scholarly communication. Technology Acceptance Model 2 (TAM 2) was used with a descriptive research design to achieve the objectives of this study. The target population was 650 postgraduate students from eight public and private universities in Nakuru Town. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select two public and two private universities with a combined sample size of 109 postgraduate students respectively. Data collection tools used were questiormaires and interview guide. Descriptive statistics and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 was used for data analysis, where the results were presented in tables and charts. The findings of the study show that postgraduate students use SNS for SC by sharing research ideas which was represented by chi-square values of 30.118 with a p-value of 0.000 which is less than 0.05 significant level; sharing class experience being represented by chi-square values of 11.765 with p-value of 0.000 less than the significance level of 0.05, to know where to meet for lessons, when lectures are starting and updates on deadlines for submitting class assignment being represented by chi-square of 4.235 with a p-value of 0.040 which is less than 0.05 significance level. According to"the findings of this study, the reasons for using SNS are for academic purposes being the major reason, leisure, getting information about activities in campus, socializing entertainment and group discussion. Finally, the findings showed that the use of SNS for SC is of relevance to postgraduate students. In conclusion, the findings of this study will help students, researchers and information centres to understand the importance of using SNS for scholarly communication to enhance their research work.
Effects of Different application rates of Vermicompost and Biofertilizer on growth, yield and quality of Beetroot( Beta vulgaris var. crassa L.)
(Egerton University, 2021) Mbithi Alice Munuu
Beetroot (Beta vulgaris var. crassa L.) is gaining prominence in Kenya because of its high nutritive and medicinal value. ln order to obtain high yields and good quality beetroot, it is asential to provide soils with high organic matter and nutrients supply throughout the growing season. ln trying to address some of these challenges, a study was conducted in the Horticulture Research and Teaching Field, Egerton University to determine the effects of different application rates of vermicompost and biofertilizer on growth, yield and quality of beetroot. The research was conducted over a span of two growing seasons as an unbalanced factorial experiment i.n a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Two organic fertilizer types (vermicompost and biofertilizer) were studied each at four different application rates (5, 10, 20 and 3Ot./ha) and two controls; one with no fertilizer applied (negative control) and the other with inorganic fertilizer NPK (17:17:17) applied at the recommended rate of 60kg/ha (positive control).The variables studied were plant height, number of leaves, Leaf Area Index (LAI), fresh and dry root weight, fresh and dry leaf weight, total plant biomass, harvest index, brix content, tiuatable acidity, sugar/acid ratio, soil pl-1, leaf and root N, P, K, Ca and Fe content. The data were analyzed using SAS version 9 and means separated using Tukey’s Honest Significant difference test at P5 0.05. Results showed that the use of vermicompost and biofertilizer at 30tonnes/hectare improved beetroot growth measured in leaf number, leaf area index and plant height; yield measured in root and leaf weight, total plant biomass and harvest index and quality measured in brix content compared with no fertilizer application and were comparable with the recommended inorganic fertilizer rate. Findings of this study indicate potential of usi.ng of vermicompost and biofertilizer to improve beetroot production, methods that principally provide for the use of sustainable and environmentally sound waste management systems to recycle crop nutrients
Factors influencing on-farm common Bean Profitability: The case of smallholder bean farmers in Babati District, Tanzania
(Egerton University, 2016) Saimon Venance
Legumes are important food and cash crops in developing countries. In Tanzania, more than half the farmers grow several species of grain legumes which include common bean, groundnut, pigeon pea, cowpea, chickpea, peas and soybean. However, productivity of all grain legumes is still low and far below potential and this has impacted on profitability. The aim of this study was to contribute to common bean improved profitability facts for income and food security in Tanzania. The specific objectives were; to measure the common bean on-farm gross margin realized by smallholder farmers, examine the socio-economic factors determining common bean on-farm level gross margin and to determine factors influencing the household common bean supply to the market. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select the respondents from the four divisions in Babati district (Babati, Gorowa, Mbugwe and Bashnet). The first stage involved a purposive selection of two divisions from the four divisions mentioned. The second stage entailed the selection of six wards from the two divisions, using purposive sampling technique; four from Bashnet division and two from Babati division. The fourth stage entailed purposive selection of 9 villages from the six wards basing on bean production dominance. Then the final stage employed systematic random sampling technique to select 200 bean farmers from the nine villages. Primary data was collected from the field using a structured interview schedule method. Secondary data such as national and world common bean production trend; Tanzania common bean export and import were obtained from published literature from Babati district council, Sokoine National Agricultural Library and Egerton University main library. In analysis of data; objective one was analysed using Gross Margin Analysis procedure. Moreover, objective two was analysed using Multiple Regression Analysis approach. Lastly, objective three was analyzed using Logistic Regression method. The study results showed that, at farm level, a gross margin of T/ZS 133,710.20/= (US$63.67) and TZS 307,283.70/= (US$146.33) for local and improved variety respectively was generated per acre per season. Moreover, age of respondents; gender; yield; selling price (farm-gate price); access to credit; and off-fann income affected the gross margin realized by smallholder farmers. Similarly, age of respondents; gender; family size; education level (years of schooling); farm-gate price; distance to the market; and off-farm income influenced the quantity of bean supplied to the market. This implies that, if this study is positively recognized by bean industry stakeholders, it may significantly contribute as a source of information for improving bean profitability and food security.
Selected Emerging issues in education and their effects on secondary School Agricultural education programme in Kenya: A case of Meru south district
(Egerton University, 2012) Jane Ciandeke Francis
The education sector in Kenya has been undergoing reforms since independence. The reforms have been trying to address the emerging issues in the education sector. These emerging issues have been influencing the secondary school agricultural education programme both negatively and positively. The purpose of this study was to explore the selected emerging issues in education and to describe their effects on the secondary school agricultural education programme in Kenya. Effects of the critical emerging issues in education were focused on; (1) performance of students in agriculture at the K.C.S.E. examinations level, (2) enrolment of students into agricultural education classes, and (3) coverage of the syllabus of secondary school agricultural education programme. The study was a qualitative research using ex-p0sI- fhcm design. The respondents were drawn from secondary schools in Meru South District. All the agriculture education teachers in the district were involved in the snidy (N=29). The data was collected using questionnaire. The questionnaire was self administered. Data was analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences 1SPSS) version 12.5. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the data including percentages for individual items. Tables and figrres were used to summarize the data. The results revealed that the most critical emerging issues that are influencing the secondary school agricultural education programme are curriculum issues, examination issues and free primary education. Therefore, it was recommended that The Ministry of Education should lay more emphasis on how to mitigate the emerging issues that have influence on the secondary school agricultural education prograinme. The emerging education issues that are positively influencing agricultural education should be reinforced and made sustainable to ensure that agricultural education in the country meet the demands of its citizens in terms of food supply, provision of employment opportunities and eradication of poverty.