Browsing by Author "Maghanga, Justin K."

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  • Publication
    Publication
    Assessment of Local Domestic Solid Fuel Sources: A Kenyan Case Study in Kisii, Bomet and Narok Counties
    (Springer Link, 2023-06-01) Bosire, Josephate O.; Osano, Aloys M.; Maghanga, Justin K.; Forbes, Patricia B.C.
    Proximate analyses and decomposition profiles of solid fuels commonly used in Kenya were studied to determine their relative suitability for use as a clean and efficient source of energy in households. The moisture, volatile matter, ash, and fixed carbon content of firewood, charcoal, and briquette samples were investigated, as well as their decomposition profiles under various temperature regimes. Except for the ash content of the briquette sample, which deviated slightly likely due to the presence of binders, all the values were within acceptable limits according to International Energy Agency and World Health Organization. Decomposition profiles revealed that mass change during combustion tends to occur primarily between 350 and 500 °C once the majority of the volatiles had been released. Briquette samples proved to be the most dependable and suitable household fuel due to their longer combustion time and lower volatile matter content, implying lower emissions.
  • Publication
    Publication
    Evaluation of Water Quality in Shallow Wells at Mokowe Village in Lamu County
    (Kenya Aquatica Journal, 2019-12-30) Saidi, Saidi S.; Maghanga, Justin K.; Guyo, Paul M.
    Inadequate supply of fresh piped water at Mokowe Village in Lamu County has forced the residents todepend on alternative water sources such as shallow wells for their daily needs such as shallow wells.However, most of the wells are located near residential houses less than 30 m from the pit latrines. Thiscloseness contaminates the aquifer that supplies water to the wells. Gastrointestinal infections areamong the challenges experienced in Mokowe Village. This study investigated the quality of waterin shallow wells at different times of the day. The objective of the study was to evaluate the physicochemicalparameters and microbial contamination of water from two main shallow wells, namelySalim Hassan and Baoni, with respect to their distance from the pit latrines. Water samples from Himwatap was collected as a control. Total coliforms and Escherichia coli (E.coli) were analyzed by the mostprobable number (MPN) method. Physicochemical parameters analyzed were fluorides, nitrates, iron,sodium, potassium, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), chloride, magnesium, calcium and total hardness,These were determined using DR 6000 Spectrophotometer, flame photometer, pH meter gravimetricanalysis and wet methods (titration) respectively. Odour and taste were determined using organolepticmethods while colour was analyzed using a colour comparator. Total coliforms and Escherichia colilevels in the two wells were very high in the rainy season compared to dry season while Himwa tapwater had no E.coli. However, total coliforms counts in Himwa tap water was beyond the permissiblelevels given by National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). Chloride, nitrate, sodium, potassiumand calcium were beyond the allowable Maximum Contamination Level (MCL) provided byNEMA. Levels of pH for all the water samples were within the NEMA standards. The results indicate thatwater from the two main shallow wells were highly contaminated hence prompt chlorination and waterquality monitoring should be undertaken. It was recommended that the public health office shouldensure compliance on distance from the buildings when a new well is being constructed.