National Research Repository
The National Research Fund facilitates research for the advancement of Science, Technology and Innovation. One of our core functions is to compile and maintain a national database of research and innovation projects funded by the Fund and other agencies as per the STI Act of 2013.
Browse Collections
Select a community to browse its collections.
Registry of Repositories in Kenya (RoRiK)
NRF is developing a Registry of Research Repositories in Kenya (RoRiK) in an effort to promote access to research data in the country.
Recent Submissions
Leishmania Parasite Infections and Blood Meal Source Apportionment in Sand Fly Vector Species in Mt. Elgon Habitats (Kenya)
(Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare, 2022-02-28) Ombula Kennedy Ombaka, Moses M. Ngeiywa, Judith Makwali
Aim:The aim of the current study was therefore to determine the leishmania parasite infections and blood meal
sources in Mt. Elgon, Kenya.
Methodology: A total of 400 blood fed female sand flies were randomly selected from the study sites for blood
meal source determination. Samples analyzed by ELISA method. Test for blood meal sources was done for bat,
hyrax, cat, and human.
Results: The results indicated that females constituted 71.7% of the flies collected, while males constituted 28.3%.
There were significant differences in Leishmania infection between the vector species (F = 4.1671, df = 3, P =
0.022). The genus was dominated by Phleobotomus pedifer (81.54%), P. longipes (12.83%), P. elgonensis (4.40%)
and Sergentmoyia schwetzi (1.23%). The temporal trends showed significant differences relative to sampling
months (χ2 = 7.1934, P = 0.013) where higher abundance of species occurred in dry months of February to April
and November to April. A total of 5,688 sand flies were collected during the twenty four (24) month sampling
period from the five study caves (for the period February 2017 to January 2019). There were significant spatial
differences in species infection of vectors in the study area (χ2 = 14.9445, df = 12, P = 0.0012). Analysis by ELISA
on 200 blood fed sand flies showed that 60% specimens fed on humans, 28% of blood fed sandflies fed on bats,
8% fed on hyraxes and 5% fed on cats.
Conclusion: Transmission of Leishmania parasites involved three reservoir hosts (bats, hyraxes and cats) and one
vector species (sandfly). Therefore disruption of the life cycle of the Leishmania parasites should be done targeting
these animals.
PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS FOUND IN KAPTUMO DIVISION IN NANDI COUNTY, KENYA
(World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2016-03-02) Kimutai Nicholas, Charles Mutaia, Elizabeth W. Njenga, Pascaline Jeruto, Lilian Ng’eny and Richard Korir
Medicinal plants are widely used by the traditional healers to prevent
or treat various human diseases since time immemorial due to the
chemical substances found in them. The phytochemical constituents of
most of these plants has not been determined hence the present study
conducted at Kaptumo Division in Nandi County seeks to profile the
phytochemicals found in medicinal plants namely: Kigelia africana
(Lam.) and Benth, Ekebergia capensis Sparrm and Fagaropsis
angolensis (Engl.) Dale that are commonly used to treat infectious
diseases. The objective of the research is to determine the
phytochemicals present in the three medicinal plants that are
commonly used to treat infectious diseases. Fresh plants were collected from the field and air
dried under shade at 25oC and later ground into powder and extracted using acetone and
water. Phytochemicals from the extracts were profiled using thin layer chromatography
method. All the plant extracts indicated presence of phenols, terpenoids and flavonoids.
Saponins were absent in Fagaropsis angolensis. This study demonstrated support for the
claimed uses of the plants in the traditional medicine probably due to the phytochemicals
present. This asserts the need for further investigations using fractionated extracts and
purified chemical components.
Proteins and Mineral Content of Cultivated Oyster Mushrooms Grown in Kenya
(Chemical Science International Journal, 2022-10-01) Rachel Nambafu, Judith Waudo and Hudson Nyambaka
Mushrooms are a good source of proteins, vitamins and minerals, and are low in fat and sugars.
The various varieties have shown to contain 25 -50% protein and 8 – 12% minerals, with various
photochemical compounds. The objective of the study was to assess the proximate composition,
mainly crude proteins and trace elements in four varieties (Pleorotus ostreatus (PO), Pleorotus sajor
caju (PS), Pleorotus pulmonaries (PP), Pleorotus cintropiletus (PC)) of dried oyster mushrooms. The
crude protein compositions of the mushrooms ranged from 35.05% in (PC) to 36.86% in (PO).
Mineral composition in the four mushrooms was potassium 54.85 – 73.03 mg/kg, sodium 23.51 –
26.89mg/kg, manganese 0.611 - 0.69 mg/kg, cobalt 1.13 - 1.19 mg/kg, lead 0.95 - 1.24 mg/kg,
cadmium 0.17 - 0.18 mg/kg, zinc 0.48 - 0.66 mg/kg, nickel 1.85 - 2.19 mg/kg, chromium 1.33 - 1.64
mg/kg, copper 0.17 - 0.35 mg/kg, iron 1.17 - 1.91 mg/kg, calcium 0.82 - 3.59 mg/kg and magnesium
1.55 - 2.28 mg/kg. The oyster mushrooms varieties grown in Kenya are rich in proteins and
minerals.
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HEAD TEACHERS’ LEADERSHIP STYLES AND PUPILS’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN MALINDI SUB-COUNTY, KENYA
(2016-11) FREDER MWALUNGO KATUNDA
This study aimed at investigating the relationship between head teachers’ leadership styles on
pupils’ academic performance in public primary schools in Malindi Sub County, Kenya. More
often than not, head teachers find themselves on the receiving end of poor performance in
public primary schools. Most parents tend to attribute poor performance of their children to
head teacher’s leadership styles. The objectives of the study were to: find out the relationship
between democratic leadership style and pupils’ academic performance; determine
relationship between the autocratic leadership style and pupils’ academic performance; find
out the relationship between the transformative leadership styles and pupils’ academic
performance; and determine the leadership the relationship between the transactional
leadership styles and pupils’ academic performance. This study was based on Fiedler’s
contingency theory and rationale theory of performance. quantitative methods were used in
this study. The study adopted the correlational research design that sought to measure the
relationship between the variables. The study targeted a population of 750 teachers and head
teachers from 30 public primary schools in Malindi Sub County. The sample was 200
participants consisting of 192 teachers and 8 head teachers. The sample was obtained through
stratified sampling to establish the number of head teachers and teachers to include in the study
sample. Simple random sampling was used to select 8 head teachers from 30 schools and 192
teachers from 720 teachers. Questionnaires were used; one for teachers and another for head
teachers to collect data. Pilot study was carried out in two neighbouring schools which were
not included in the study. The validity of the instruments was ascertained by the supervisor
and two other lecturers who gave verdict on their appropriateness. The reliability was verified
by using the test retest method whereby Pearson Product Moment correlation was 0.75. To
cover ethical issues, clearance was done with Mount Kenya University and a permit was
obtained from NACOSTI and official letters from the County Director of Education and the
District Education Officer. The participants signed informed consent forms and were assured
of their privacy and confidentiality. The data was analyzed quantitatively using both
descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings established that independent variables had
positive and significant relationship with pupils’ academic performance since the estimated
Pearson Linear correlation coefficient statistic was significant at the 99% level for all the
variables (Sig.<.01, r>.9). All the null hypotheses filed to be accepted. The study concludes
that from the three tests on a hypothesis that is correlation, regression and coefficient, all
indicates rejection of the null hypothesis paving a way for alternative hypothesis. The study
recommends that head teachers ought to be given refresher courses on appropriate leadership
styles to be applied in their institutions. The ministry of education should allow teachers to
teach in one school for at most 10 years so as to gain experience before transferring to another
school. Quality assurance officers needed to be visiting schools regularly to establish level of
performance and offer necessary intervention where things are not in order. The study findings
are expected to provide useful information to head teachers in helping them to re-examine and
appraise their own leadership styles and hence make adjustment where necessary.
EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL TOOL ON EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE IN KENYA COMMERCIAL BANK, NAIROBI COUNTY
(2017-06) LEAH NJERI NYAMU
Performance appraisals improve the work performance of employees by helping them
realize their full potentials in carrying out their firm's mission and also, to provide
information to employees and managers for use in making work-related decisions. They
provide feedback to employees; determine training and development needs, numbers to
be promoted as well as the levels of motivation. Performance appraisals, however, are
beset with difficulties as a result of their complex nature. The general objective of the
study therefore, was to evaluate the performance appraisal tool on employees‟
performance in Kenya Commercial Bank. The research design used in the study was
descriptive research design because it was appropriate for the achievement of the
research objectives. The population for the study was 355 and a sample size of 107 was
selected using cluster sampling method to group the target population according job
titles. The study applied purposive sampling to select Nairobi County because of easy of
accessibility. Questionnaires were used as instruments for the study and 107
questionnaires were distributed to the members of staff and subordinate as the
respondents. The data was analyzed using descriptive analysis. Organized data was
interpreted on account of concurrence and standard deviation to objectives using a
computer package SPSS version 21. The researcher in addition used correlation analysis
and a multiple regression analysis to determine the relationship between dependent and
independent variables and their level of significance. The research was based on
Attribution Theory, Implicit Theory, Equity Theory and Expectancy Theory. The
information obtained from this study provided commercial bank Human Resource
Managers and decision makers with better insights into employee performance appraisal
programs that could be used to improve employee performance.
