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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.
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Recent Submissions
Analysis of Microfinance Institution Outreach on the Realization of Economic Pillar of Vision 2030: A Case of Kakamega County
(Research Journal of Finance and Accounting, 2019-08-31) Sangoro Oscar, Gongera George, Ronald Onsiro Ronald
This paper sought the analysis of microfinance institutions outreach on the realization of economic pillar of vision
2030.Microfinance institution outreach in this study is checked in terms of breadth and depth. In line with
economic pillars for vision 2030, MFIs are vital in advancing credit to the communities which are financially
constrained but have feasible, practicable and promising investment business ideas. This study was carried in
Kakamega County which has very high level of poverty. This study adopted Cross-sectional research design and
correlation design. The target population in this study consist of businesses deriving their capital from 15 microfinance institutions both small scale and medium scale, Employees of MFIs comprising of branch manager, credit
officer, risk officers and operational manager. The results indicated that MFI outreach had a statistically significant
influence on the realization of vision 2030 in Kakamega. The study concluded that MFI outreach had significant
positive influence on the realization of economic pillar of vision 2030
Keywords: Microfinance institution, Outreach, Vision 2030, Economic Pillar
ECD Policy Framework and Pre-Primary School Teachers’ Capacity in Quality Service Delivery in Muranga County Kenya
(Scientific Research Publishing Inc, 2022-08-22) Kamau Joyce Muthoni, Ong’ang’a H. Ouko, Kimamo Githui
The National Early Childhood Development Policy Framework in Kenya has
been in place since the year 2006 accompanied by a service guideline to promote its implementation. The goal of the policy framework was to enhance
access, equity and quality service delivery for all children from conception
through 8 years. However, even with the policy in place there are quality issues in pre-primary schools in Kenya. Implementation of the framework has
been slow hence affecting quality of services. This is even so with the Muranga County whose education achievement in early grades is still below the national standards. It is documented that Pre-primary schools in the County
have poor infrastructure coupled with poor delivery of content at this level.
Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess pre-primary teachers’ capacity and the Quality of Service Delivery. The purpose of the study was to
determine pre-primary teachers’ capacity in promoting quality service. Lilian
Katz’s theory on perspective of quality was used. The study applied mixed
methodology research approach in which stratified random sampling, proportionate simple random and purposive sampling were employed to select
the sample. Data from; teachers, head teachers and parents was collected using questionnaire, observation schedule and interviews respectively. The study
used thematic analysis for qualitative data while quantitative data was analyzed
using descriptive and inferential statistics and presented using tables and figures. The study established that Pre-primary teachers’ capacity at p = 0.023
influences quality service delivery. Subsequently, the study recommended that
the government should empower/retool pre-primary teachers in order to achieve
quality services.
Molecular characterization of chlorpyrifos degrading bacteria isolated from contaminated dairy farm soils in Nakuru County, Kenya
(Published by Elsevier Ltd., 2022-03-17) Micah Nyabiba Asamba , Ezekiel Njeru Mugendi , Paul Sifuna Oshule , Suliman Essuman, Lenny Mwagandi Chimbevo, Norbert Adum Atego
Chlorpyrifos (CP) is an organophosphate widely used as an insecticide and acaricide. Extensive application of CP
contaminates ecosystems, polluting the environment and food products, creating health complications to humans
due to its neurotoxicity. The study evaluated CP bioremediation by bacteria isolated from dairy farm soils in
Nakuru County, Kenya, through enrichment culture technique. The growth response of the bacteria and degradation of chlorpyrifos was monitored every five days using UV-VIS Spectrophotometer (600nm). Enrichment
culture technique led to the isolation of eighteen (MA1-MA18) potential CP degraders belonging to the genera
Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Bacillus, Alicaligenes, and Achromobacter. The efficacy of four (4) strains was
further investigated using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The results showed that all
four strains significantly degraded chlorpyrifos in Minimum Salt Medium (MSM): Lysinibacillus sp.HBUM206408
(87.16 %), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (82.04 %), Pseudomonas putida (89.52 %), and Achromobacter insuavis
(91.08 %) within 16 days, producing 2-Hydroxy-3, 5, 6-trichloropyridine (TCP) as the main metabolite. Therefore, these strains can be used to degrade chlorpyrifos in contaminated soil. There is a need for further studies to
determine the possible mechanisms and other metabolites of chlorpyrifos degradation by the isolates obtained in
the study. Besides, future studies should explore the efficacy and survival of the organisms in the contaminated
environment.
Developing Specialized Bacterial Consortia for Enhanced Biodegradation of Chlorpyrifos in Dairy Farms in Nakuru County
(Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2024-08-15) Miriam Natecho Wepukhulu, Peter Muturi Wachira, Paul Sifuna Oshule & Suliman Essuman
Chlorpyrifos (CP), a widely used organophosphate in Kenya, poses significant human health risks due to its high
solubility. This study aimed to isolate CP-degrading bacteria from dairy farm soils in Nakuru County and
develop bacterial consortia for efficient degradation. Soil samples were collected from six sub-counties: Molo,
Njoro, Rongai, Subukia, Gilgil, and Naivasha. The enrichment culture technique using minimal salt medium
(MSM) was employed to isolate CP-degrading bacterial strains. Seven bacterial strains were identified:
Alcaligenes faecalis, Bacillus weihenstephanensis, Bacillus toyonensis, Alcaligenes sp., Pseudomonas sp.,
Pseudomonas japonicum, and Brevundimonas diminuta. Bacillus weihenstephanensis exhibited the highest
individual degradation efficiency at 79.8%. Consortia treatments demonstrated enhanced degradation, with
consortia M1, M2, and M3 achieving removal efficiencies of 91.3%, 92.48%, and 93.76%, respectively, and M5
achieving 95.32%. The study also monitored 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCP), a CP metabolite, showing that
consortia treatments significantly reduced TCP levels to near initial concentrations. Kinetic analysis revealed
consortia had significantly shorter half-lives for CP degradation compared to individual isolates, indicating
improved bioremediation potential. The findings underscore the potential of using tailored bacterial consortia for
effective bioremediation of CP-contaminated environments. Future research should focus on field trials to
validate these laboratory findings under real-world conditions and explore the genetic and enzymatic
mechanisms underlying CP degradation.
An Assessment of the Knowledge and Perceptions of Precision Medicine (PM) in the Rwandan Healthcare Setting
(Journal of Personalized Medicine, 2023-12-14) Clarisse Musanabaganwa, Hinda Ruton, Deogratias Ruhangaza, Nicaise Nsabimana, Emmanuel Kayitare, Thierry Zawadi Muvunyi, Muhammed Semakula, Faustin Ntirenganya, Emile Musoni, Jules Ndoli, Elisee Hategekimana, Angus Nassir, Francis Makok, Aline Uwimana, Joel Gasana, Pierre Celestin Munezero, Francois Uwinkindi, Claude Mambo Muvunyi , Laetitia Nyirazinyoye, Jean Baptiste Mazarati and Leon Mutesa
ntroduction: Precision medicine (PM) or personalized medicine is an innovative approach that aims to tailor disease prevention and treatment to consider the differences in people’s genes, environments, and lifestyles. Although many efforts have been made to accelerate the universal adoption of PM, several challenges need to be addressed in order to advance PM in Africa. Therefore, our study aimed to establish baseline data on the knowledge and perceptions of the implementation of PM in the Rwandan healthcare setting. Method: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in five hospitals offering diagnostics and oncology services to cancer patients in Rwanda. To understand the existing policies regarding PM implementation in the country, two additional institutions were surveyed: the Ministry of Health (MOH), which creates and sets policies for the overall vision of the health sector, and the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC), which coordinates the implementation of health sector policies in the country. The researchers conducted 32 key informant interviews and assessed the functionality of available PM equipment in the 5 selected health facilities. The data were thematically categorized and analyzed. Results: The study revealed that PM is perceived as a complex and expensive program by most health managers and health providers. The most cited challenges to implementing PM included the following: the lack of policies and guidelines; the lack of supportive infrastructures and limited suppliers of required equipment and laboratory consumables; financial constraints; cultural, behavioral, and religious beliefs; and limited trained, motivated, and specialized healthcare providers. Regarding access to health services for cancer treatment, patients with health insurance pay 10% of their medical costs, which is still too expensive for Rwandans. Conclusion: The study participants highlighted the importance of PM to enhance healthcare delivery if the identified barriers are addressed. For instance, Rwandan health sector leadership might consider the creation of specialized oncology centers in all or some referral hospitals with all the necessary genomic equipment and trained staff to serve the needs of the country and implement a PM program.
