Kenya has set an ambitious 15 Billion Tree Growing Strategy for Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration with goals to increase and maintain 30% tree cover by 2032, to restore 10.6 million ha of degraded landscape by 2032 and to reduce 32% of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The Forest Landscape Restoration Implementation Action Plan (FOLAREP) 2022-2026 seeks to restore 2.55 million ha of...
The expansive Kaptagat forest is a scenic landscape of Elgeyo-Marakwet County in Kenya, covering over 6,000 hectares. It is a crucial water catchment area, serving the water needs of Elgeyo-Marakwet County-40% and Uasin Gishu county-55%. Eldoret City gets about 30,000m3/day. However, this forest’s fragile ecosystem is now greatly endangered by climate change and uncontrolled human activities...
ABSTRACT
Wetlands play a critical role in biodiversity conservation, water purification, and climate regulation. However, these ecosystems face increasing threats due to human activities, climate change, and inadequate monitoring frameworks. This study explores the development and implementation of a Wetland Monitoring and Management App designed to enhance the conservation and sustainable...
Human population in the world is continually soaring high and the impact on the environment has led to global warming and food security issues. Innovation and the use smart technology in agricultural production has led to the mitigation food security issues. This advanced production techniques is not limited to genetic modification, but also encompasses mechanical advancement and investment in...
Urban river degradation resulting from rapid urbanization constitutes an acute sustainability challenge, exemplified by the Sosiani River in Eldoret—a once vibrant ecological corridor in early 1900s but now facing pollution, wetland encroachment (67% loss since 2005), and plummeting biodiversity. As Eldoret expands by 4.3% annually being the only city in Kenya's North Rift, the strain on urban...
Abstract: nuclear energy is clean energy technology as it produces zero greenhouse emissions. Most of the nuclear reactor products are from (n, y) reactions. This are free neutrons with kinetic energy and has large effective cross-section. Our objective was examined the solution of partial differential equation for the case in which the medium is unbound, calculated neutron age and thermal...
The massive forest degradation caused by anthropogenic activities and exacerbated by climate change has signaled the need for forest habitat restoration efforts. The most appropriate way of restoring these forests is through tree planting where the need for seeds is paramount. Traditionally, seeds for restoration activities have mainly been sourced through collections from the wild, which is...
Citrus production faces major threats from Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, the causative agent of citrus canker, and Tylenchulus semipenetrans, the citrus nematode, both of which contribute to significant yield losses worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests potential interactions between these pathogens, exacerbating disease severity and complicating management. Conventional control methods,...
The Yala Wetland, a key ecosystem in Kenya, plays a vital role in provision of ecosystem services and by extension, a source of livelihoods for local communities, and a natural shield against environmental pressures. This study investigates nutrients retention capacity at the Yala wetland, focusing on the selected parameters at the inlet and outlet within a selected temporal span. Key...
Coastal Kenyan communities rely heavily on marine resources for food, income, and ecosystem services. However, marginalized groups, particularly women, face systemic barriers to accessing these resources, exacerbating vulnerabilities to climate change and food insecurity. This study investigates the potential of IMTA systems—integrating seaweed (Eucheuma denticulatum) and rabbitfish...
Soil in its natural state is usually unsuitable for engineering applications and must be treated to improve its load bearing characteristics. Emerging technologies make it possible to improve soil properties. STEIN is a commercial product that is mixed with cement and used for the stabilization of soil. It has been used in road pavements and in lining of water canals and other water retaining...
Abstract
At the global level, local financing of energy generation in such regions has led to accelerated economic growth, reduced foreign reliance on energy, and improved system reliability. The Kenya Constitution of 2010 also set up a system of devolution that vested the responsibility of overseeing most sectors with the counties, including energy. Devolution to the Uasin Gishu County presents an...
Global warming, fueled by fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and industrial pollution, endangers ecosystems, notably the biodiverse Great Rift Valley. This study explores four Artificial Intelligence (AI) strategies to mitigate climate change through landscape restoration: (1) AI-optimized agroforestry, boosting yields by 20% in India while sequestering carbon; (2) Integrated landscape...
While there are studies on effect of climate change on food insecurity in Homa-Bay [1,3], studies relating to effect of climate change on soil quality and food security aren’t evident. This paper detailed influence of climate change on soil security and its implication on food security in the study area. It examined the cost of anthropogenic-based practices (ABPs) on climate change;...
Abstract
This study evaluated water quality across five farms to assess their suitability for fish farming. Efforts to promote fish farming in Uasin Gishu County persist, but research on enhancing fisheries productivity through better pond management remains limited. Most studies focus on production techniques or market development, neglecting the importance of effective pond management for...
The 20th century saw a radical shift in population dynamics, with rural-to-urban migration transforming small towns into mega cities. This rapid urbanization, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, has accessioned an increased generation of solid waste within the municipalities and major cities, thereby piling pressure on sustainable environmental programs, public health, and local...
Background and objective: Climate change can disrupt food availability, reduce access to food, and affect diet quality. This study examined the effect of seasonality on household dietary diversity (HDDS) and diet quality of women and children in two agro-ecological zones of Rongai sub-county, Nakuru, Kenya.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study of 388 mother-child pair was conducted during...
Abstract
Aim: Hypertension prevalence in Kenya exhibits substantial variation across demographic and geographic groups, posing challenges for the development of universally effective interventions. This study aims to identify and analyse trends in hypertension prevalence disaggregated by age, sex, and county.
Method: We analysed hypertension prevalence trends among males and females aged...
Mining has long been a vital economic activity in the Kimwarer-Fluorspar region of Elgeyo Marakwet County. For years, fluorspar mining made Kimwarer a lively business town, offering jobs and attracting trade and services that sustained the local economy. However, this economic boost came with significant environmental consequences. Over time, deforestation, soil erosion, and the degradation of...
Aim: Food insecurity and economic instability have resulted from the severe effects of droughts on agricultural output in Kenya's Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs). These regions have faced increasing vulnerability due to erratic rainfall patterns, resulting in severe crop failures and livestock losses. Despite efforts to forecast droughts, existing techniques have frequently been...
Sweet potato (\textit{Ipomoea batatas}) is a vital food crop with the potential to enhance global food security. However, its yield optimization remains a challenge due to soil fertility variations, climatic factors, and inefficient agronomic practices. Traditional experimental designs often fail to capture complex interactions between variables, necessitating advanced optimization techniques....
Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of drought is essential for managing climate-related risks in arid and semi-arid regions. This study investigates long-term trends in drought severity in Kajiado County, Kenya, using historical climate data from 1981 to 2023. The region, predominantly inhabited by pastoralist communities, is highly vulnerable to climatic fluctuations, particularly...
Maize is one of the stable foods in Kenya, and it is gaining prominence as an animal fodder crop for cattle farmers. As technology improves, and people abandon the traditional nomadic pastoralism, there is a need to have adequate storage of animal feeds to sustain animals around the season. The most important quality of fodder crops is to be lush, tall, and bushy, a characteristic determined...
Perovskite solar cell (PSC) is among the emerging photovoltaic technologies known for their high solar power conversion efficiency (PCE) and low manufacturing costs. However, their solution- based processing leads to the formation of defects within the bulk of the perovskite layer and at its interfaces with the charge transport layers. These defects act as charge trapping centers and provide...
Abstract
Fish farming plays a crucial role in food security and economic development, yet bacterial and parasitic infections threaten productivity and fish health. This study investigates the distribution and prevalence of bacterial and parasitic species in fish organs across different farms, ponds, and pond types in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. A total of 468 fish samples were analyzed,...
Effects of matter deposition on the Power output of Mono- and Poly-crystalline solar panels and assembling of automated GSM-based cleaning system
The overreliance on unsustainable fossil fuels has shifted attention to the adoption of renewable sources such as solar energy, which also faces power efficiency problems due to low solar energy capture. Accumulation of particulate matter,...
Challenges and Opportunities in Kenya's Energy Sector: Addressing Rural Electrification, Consumer Prices, and Power Losses on Distribution
Kenya's energy sector faces significant challenges in rural electrification, high consumer prices, and substantial power losses during distribution. As of 2018, only 56% of Kenyan households had access to electricity, with rural areas lagging at 31%....
Abstract
Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are promising for next-generation photovoltaics due to their high power conversion efficiency, tunable bandgaps, and cost-effective fabrication [1]. However, lead toxicity and material instability remain key challenges. This study explores the effects of Bismuth (Bi), Antimony (Sb), and Tin (Sn) doping on the optoelectronic...
Polluting fuel use in households poses health, environmental and socio-economic problems. The use of clean cooking fuel is largely limited due to cost. To effectively reach the rural population, financing models supportive of the low-income earners need to be put in place. Bidhaa Sasa Social Enterprise Model (BS) is a social marketing approach that distributes clean cooking equipment to the...
Abstract: The use of nuclear energy offers numerous peaceful applications in the generation of electricity, medical diagnostics and treatment, agricultural advancement and food preservation. The main aim was to apply the concept of the cross-section to resonance in a quantitative manner. It gave the value of a single resonance level formed by an incident particle with zero angular momentum and...
Energy is an essential element, but its negative consequences such as environmental deterioration, resource depletion and energy dependencies puts energy efficiency alternatives/or solutions in the spotlight. Therefore there is need for the fusion of AI and Big data in promoting sustainable growth in the renewable energy sector, AI and Big Data focuses on optimizing algorithms, reducing...
Eminent threat caused by post-harvest losses due to inadequate drying and poor storage is responsible for up to 40-60% loses of agricultural produce each season. In order to address this issue, this paper seeks to formulate a mathematical model and simulate the characteristics of a solar dryer for the purpose of designing an effective and sustainable, low cost thermal solar dryer suitable for...
The increase in Population and industrialization has resulted to an increase in energy demand and consumptions. Currently fossil fuels are the major source of staple energy to meet this demand. Over relying on non-renewable energy forms that are expensive, depletable and emitting large amounts of greenhouse gases hence causing adverse effects to both humans and environment. Due to these...
The increasing penetration of renewable energy sources (solar and wind energy) into modern power grids introduces significant power quality challenges, notably power fluctuations due to their intermittent nature and total harmonic distortion (THD) caused by power electronic-based interface devices, such as grid-connected inverters. Addressing these issues requires robust control strategies to...
With energy as direct and indirect fundamental life supporting resource, the domestic and industrial demands for energy has been rising due to technological advancement, population increase, and economic growth. Various sources of energy including use of fuels, hydro-electric energy, geothermal energy, wind energy, solar energy and nuclear energy are all available alternative sources of energy...
Rising CO2 concentrations, reported at 414 ppm in 2021, largely driven by fossil fuel combustion and deforestation, have intensified global efforts to combat climate change. Among various strategies, carbon capture and storage (CCS) has emerged as the most promising. Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), known for their porosity and chemical tunability, have shown significant potential as effective...
Kenya continues to suffer decreased air quality levels attributed to the overreliance on
biomass as a primary source of energy coupled with rapid economic development. This has
resulted in environmental degradation and widespread health challenges arising from
prolonged exposure to poor air quality. To address this problem, Kenya institutionalized a
devolved governance system to make...
ABSTRACT
Climate change poses one of the most pressing challenges of our time, driven predominantly by increased to concentration of Carbon Dioxide. CO₂ and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. This manuscript explores various strategies for carbon mitigation. Addressing the road for immediate action to reduce emissions and enhance carbon sequestration. We delve into the role of...
The study explored the efficacy of polar phytochemicals from South African plants as eco-friendly alternatives for water purification. These phytochemicals demonstrated significant potential in removing heavy metals from aqueous solutions. Specifically, they efficiently extracted iron(III) ions, achieving a removal rate exceeding 80%, while lead(II) and copper(II) ions are removed at rates of...
Street lighting, a devolved function under Kenya’s Constitution (2010), is managed by County Governments. However, infrastructure is often controlled by external agencies, with one operator charging Uasin Gishu County USD 2 million annually for street lighting services, projected to rise to USD 4 million in 10 years due to tariff increases. Eldoret City enjoys high solar irradiance (2,000...
Gender disparities and youth exclusion in the political ecology are significant barriers to both social and environmental resilience development in Kenya. This study utilizes a mixed-methods approach that includes quasi-experimental analysis, participatory GIS mapping, and institutional ethnography to assess how structural exclusions such as patriarchal land tenure (where just 18% of women own...
Climate change has led to an increase in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, and heat waves, posing significant threats to vulnerable communities. Traditional early warning systems often fail to provide accurate and timely predictions due to the complexity and non-linearity of climate patterns. This project proposes an AI-driven Early Warning...
African rituals and oral traditions highlight dialogic connections between humans, animals and the natural environment. From the Agikuyu sacred mugumo tree to the Igbo mystic silk-cotton tree narratives; to songs, proverbs and riddles and puns on the natural environment and man’s place in the ecosystems, African indigenous epistemologies reveal significant knowledge hubs. This paper attempts...
Abstract
African cities are more vulnerable to climate change because they lack the capacity to cope with its impacts. With an expected increase in severity of climate change impacts coupled with rapid urbanization in African cities, livability of these cities will worsen. Eldoret city is not an exception. It faces increasing vulnerabilities due to climate change-related stormy rains, urban...
Kenya's significant mineral wealth presents a substantial economic growth opportunity, yet the mining sector's contribution to GDP remains low. This study examines the environmental and land use impacts of mining and quarrying activities in Kwale and Kajiado Counties, Kenya, employing mixed-methods research. Findings reveal diverse mining methods and their associated impacts on water, air,...
Biofuels, promoted as a renewable solution to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions driving climate change, can reduce emissions by up to 41% compared to fossil fuels (Jeswani et al., 2020). However, their production raises significant ethical concerns, particularly in Kenya, where land use conflicts, food security threats, and social inequities challenge sustainability goals. This paper examines...
This study investigated the removal of tetracycline from wastewater using solar photocatalysis in a parabolic trough reactor. The Eosin-Y sensitized photocatalyst was fabricated using a three-step procedure involving direct annealing of melamine to yield g-C3N4, which was thermally exfoliated, hydrothermal precipitation reaction between g-C3N4, zinc chloride and iron chloride and a final dye...
Eminent threat caused by post-harvest losses due to inadequate drying and poor storage is responsible for up to 40-60% loses of agricultural produce each season. In order to address this issue, this paper seeks to formulate a mathematical model and simulate the characteristics of a solar dryer for the purpose of designing an effective and sustainable, low cost thermal solar dryer suitable for...
Abstract
The Githurai River faces severe environmental degradation due to improper waste management and pollution just like many urban rivers. With the adverse challenges posed by rapid urbanization, industrial activities, and inadequate waste disposal systems have led to extensive contamination, affecting water quality, aquatic ecosystems, and public health. The presence of dumpsites,...
The conservation of Kenya’s marine environment is a vital aspect of broader environmental efforts. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have been established to promote tourism and conserve marine biodiversity, addressing threats such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change. However, their establishment has also led to conflicts over resource use, particularly between national conservation...
Kenya’s coastal communities are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, facing threats such as rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and declining fish stocks. Mangrove forests play a crucial role in enhancing resilience by acting as natural coastal barriers, stabilizing shorelines, absorbing carbon dioxide, and supporting marine biodiversity. However, these ecosystems are under severe...
Dyes in wastewater pose significant environmental risks due to their persistence and resistance to conventional biochemical treatment methods. Photocatalytic degradation is an advanced oxidation process that is a sustainable and cost-effective method for dye degradation. In this study, a copper-based metal-organic framework (Cu-MOF), [Cu(4,4’-bipy)Cl]n, was synthesized via a hydrothermal...
The global automotive industry faces increasing pressure to reduce environmental impact while maintaining performance standards. Simultaneously, the meat processing industry generates substantial waste, including approximately 30% pig hair from the 28 million metric tons of pig waste produced annually in Africa alone. This research presents a sustainable solution by developing pig hair fiber...
