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Item SOIL MOISTURE CONSERVATION, CROPPING SYSTEMS AND SOIL FERTILITY EFFECTS ON SOIL AND MAIZE PERFORMANCE IN MACHAKOS COUNTY, KENYA(2019-05) NGIE MWENDEThe main causes of food insecurity in semi–arid parts of Kenya are low soil fertility, low and unreliable rainfall. These two causes are the main challenges facing small-scale farmers in food production especially in semi-arid areas of the country. To overcome these challenges, soil and water management technologies especially those in soil and water conservation need to be embraced. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of tied ridges, fertilizers and cropping systems on soil properties (moisture, pH and organic carbon), growth and yield parameters of maize; and to identify the most cost effective water and soil management technology. This study was carried out in four seasons at Katumani in Machakos County. The experiment was a 2 x 4 x 2 factorial, laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The treatments were: tied ridging, flat bed planting, farm yard manure 0 t/ha, farm yard manure 5 t/ha, nitrogen fertilizer 20 kg/ha, farm yard manure 5 t/ha + nitrogen fertilizer 20 kg/ha, maize mono crop and maize cowpea intercrop. Data collected included soil moisture content, soil pH, total organic carbon, growth parameters and maize yield. The results showed that, treatments with flat bed planting in maize mono crop significantly increased soil moisture content at 0–20cm depth as compared to tied ridging in maize cowpeas intercrop during short rains 2015. Application of farm yard manure at 5 t/ha increased soil moisture content at 2 and 4 weeks after planting. The soil moisture content ranged from 6.30% to 23.80%. During the short rains 2015, maize mono crop significantly increased vegetative growth in comparison to maize cowpeas intercrop. Treatment with flat bed and 20 kg N/ha in maize mono crop had the highest mean for vegetative growth. However, during the long rains 2016, treatment with tied ridging and 20 kg N/ha in maize mono crop registered the highest mean for vegetative growth. During the short rains 2015, treatments with maize mono crop significantly increased grain yield with a range of 1.35 t/ha 3.59 t/ha. Flat bed planting with farm yard manure 5 t/ha in maize cowpea intercrop significantly increased the grain yield by 165.93%. The harvest index during the short rains 2015 ranged between 0.35 and 0.48. Treatments with maize mono crop significantly increased gross benefit, net profit, gross margin and cost benefit ratio during short rains 2015 and long rains 2016. Application of farm yard manure 5 t/ha + 20 kg N/ha had the highest variable cost. The cost benefit ratio was positive during the short rains 2015 with a range of 1.47–2.98. The yield differences among the four seasons could have been as a result of variations/distribution in rainfall amount, soil moisture content and soil fertility as induced by the treatments. Flat bed planting increased the yields during the short rains 2015 when the amount of rainfall was high whereas tied ridging resulted in improved yields during short rains 2014, long rains 2015 and 2016 when rainfall amount was low. For the farmers to maximize yields and profits in the study area, adoption of flat bed planting with farm yard manure 5 t/ha and maize cowpeas intercrop during the seasons of high rainfall could be appropriate treatment combination according to the findings of this study. However, during seasons with low rainfall, tied ridging with 20 kg N/ha and maize mono crop could be recommended for adoption. Also, variations in seasonal rainfall should be considered when integrating different soil and water management practices because the effectiveness of different technologies vary with the seasons. Farmers in Machakos County may have to consider use of supplementary irrigation during the dry spells to increase soil moisture.Item UTILIZATION OF RAINWATER HARVESTING TECHNOLOGIES AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN MURANG’A COUNTY, KENYA(2024-08) FRANCIS IRUNGU ITEMOWater is a critical resource in environmental sustainability, agricultural production as well as for improved livelihoods. Climate variability hinders crop and livestock production in Sub-Saharan African countries. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is a climate smart agricultural practice to revert this. Rainwater harvesting has been practiced among smallholder farmers for centuries in many parts of the world. Recently, it has gained more attention due to the reported increasing water demand and the need for sustainable water management hence the research was conducted to evaluate the utilization of rainwater harvesting technologies (RWHTs) as a climate smart agricultural practice in Murang’a County, Kenya. Drawing on data from a cross sectional survey of 384 households, our research evaluated the adoption of RWHTs, intensity of crop and livestock enterprises adoption under RWHTs and the determinants for RWH among smallholder farmers in Murang’a County, Kenya. Multistage random sampling and proportionate to size technique was employed to sample farmers in three wards namely: Murarandia, Mugoiri and Wangu. The KOBO kit a phone application was used during data collection. To assess the adoption of RWHTs, descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were applied. The results found that rooftop water harvesting technology (93a ± 22), infiltration pits (81a ± 21), furrows (68a ± 16), deep ploughing (67a ± 21), terraces (54a ± 14), mulching (51a ± 17), retention ditches (23a ± 18) and water pans (17a ± 5) water harvesting technologies had statitistical significant differences among smallholder farmers (P<0.05), while negarims, water bunds and dams water harvesting technologies were not statistically significant (P<0.05) adopted at a mean ± S.D of 11 ± 4, 6 ± 2 and, 1 ± 1 smallholder farmers, respectively. The findings exhibited that households that practiced livestock production including: dairy cattle farming, goat rearing, sheep farming, beef cattle rearing, pig production, and poultry farming, watered their livestock using rooftop harvested rainwater at a rate of 12%, 10%, 9%, 6%, 3% and 5%, respectively while, 1% practiced aquaculture. Multivariate probit model (MVP) analysis showed that crop enterprises adopted (macadamia, maize, coffee, tea, avocado, fodder, arrowroots, beans, bananas, mangoes and sweet potatoes) among household heads were key crop enterprises that influenced adoption of these RWHTs. The MVP model also pointed out that household head’s access to credit facilities, landownership, age, level of income, education level, gender, family size, source of income, membership to farmers’ groups and access to training services were statistical significant (P<0.05) thus, influenced RWH adoption. Membership to farmers group had merits including: support in farmers’ training, social ties, source of information and source of credit which were also key determinants to RWH adoption. The study recommends relevant stakeholders and policy makers to consider promotion or up scaling of RWHTs for crop and livestock enterprises among household heads in consideration of the determinants influencing adoption rate in Murang’a County.Item PROCUREMENT PRACTICES INFLUENCING SERVICE DELIVERY: A CASE OF KENYA POWER(European Centre for Research Training and Development UK, 2014-12) Maurice James DavisIn developing countries, public procurement is increasingly recognized as essential in service delivery and it accounts for huge proportion of total expenditures. However, there is a growing recognition that, despite significant increases in resource, public service delivery is falling in many developing countries. Poor service delivery of electricity can be justified by ineffective procurement systems within an organization. The purpose of this study is to evaluate procurement practices influencing service delivery in the public sector with focus on the provision of electricity: A case study of Kenya Power. The study is based on the socio-economic and institutional theories. The objectives of the study; to establish the influence of procurement policy on service delivery, to evaluate how procurement planning influence service delivery, and to evaluate sustainable procurement practices influence on service delivery. Methodology used in the study is a case study with a focus on Kenya power. Stratified sampling technique was used to select a representative sample from a target population of 160 employees with a sample size of 100 respondents. The respond rate is 71%. A mixture of Interview and Likert- Scale questionnaire were employed. The collected data was further analyzed using SPSS and excel computer software as well as descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that: Procurement rule and regulation lack flexibility and it is hampering the procurements operations as revealed by 77.5%; Procurement planning does not take long term cost of ownership into consideration as also revealed by 39.4%; the findings also revealed 59.1% agreed that there is no Sustainable procurement practice by the company even though it has Green policy in places but, the implementation is hampered by organizational culture as well as budgetary constraint. The followings are major Recommendations: The National procurement policy or rules and regulations should be review to put into place clauses that will lead to flexibility and inclusion of emerging trends in the procurement process as procurement is an involving profession; The top management should ensure that the procurement departments are involved in all procurement and contract related activities as a result of the decentralize nature of the company’s procurement system; The planning process for electricity expansion should involve all concern departments so that planning can be done in advance before budgets are approved; Government should increase it subsidy to the company’s operation; The company should include sustainable procurement criteria within its procurement and contracting decisions.Item DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A MICROCONTROLLERBASED FIVE DEGREE OF FREEDOM ROBOTIC ARM USING SERVO MOTORS(2018-08) NICHOLUS KARIUKI NDWIGAIntegration of robotic arms into working tasks has currently increased magnificently in performing the very repetitive, dangerous or difficult tasks. Typically, a robotic arm is a mechanical arm that is programmable to mimic the behavior of a human arm in terms of how it functions. Computers and microcontrollers have widely been used in the control of robotic arms with the help of sensors, levers, buttons, wireless devices, just to mention but a few. More advanced technology has lately revolutionized their control, ranging from the haptic technology using accelerometers to human-brain control through noninvasive technology. One of the areas robotic arms are used in our day to day life is in land movers like in excavators, bulldozers, backhoes, front loaders and trenching machines. The available arms for these devices need personnel throughout their operations to control and manipulate their movements using gears, levers, pistons, pedals and sometimes buttons. There is a great need to complement their movement so that they can autonomously operate once they are powered. This research focused on the design, implementation and control of a robotic arm with five degree of freedom (DOF) using servo motors. It was designed to entirely operate by itself in a repetitive routine. A control circuit based on a PIC18F4550 microcontroller interfaced with a servo motor was built and a suitable software for the control of the rotation of motor developed. The control circuit was used to send appropriate Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signals to different motors to produce the desired rotation. In this study five servo motors were employed to realize the robotic arm. Three servos were utilized to control the body motion including base, shoulder, and elbow and two servos were used for the motion of end effector, the wrist and the gripper. The software for the control of rotation of the motors was done using C programming language. The codes were developed and debugged using the mikroC PRO for PIC Integrated Development Environment (IDE). PICkit™3 in-circuit programming module was used to upload the program to the microcontroller through PICkit™3 programmer software. The materials were assembled and joined to construct the robotic arm which was tested in the University laboratory to demonstrate repetitive picking, lifting and dropping of objects of specific weight from one place to another without the influence of the operator.Item SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NIOBIUM PENTOXIDE THIN FILMS PREPARED BY SPRAY PYROLYSIS TECHNIQUE FOR DYE SENSITIZED SOLAR CELL APPLICATION(2019-03) KINEENE MIRIAM MWONGELIThere is a rapid increase in demand for energy worldwide and one of the most promising approaches to resolve this crisis is through use of photovoltaic technologies. Dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are attractive candidates in this regard. This is because the materials they use are of low cost and non-toxic. Niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) thin films have been stable as photo anode for DSSC. Methods that are used to deposit niobium pentoxide thin films include hydrothermal method, solgel method, anodization technique, electro-deposition, sputtering, and spray pyrolysis. Among the above mentioned methods, spray pyrolysis is the simplest. It is a low cost method especially with regard to equipment. The technique requires chemicals that can undergo pyrolysis. In this study, Niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) thin films for DSSC application were deposited on ordinary glass substrates using the spray pyrolysis technique. In the synthesis of Nb2O5, Niobium pentachloride (NbCl5) was used a precursor solution. This was prepared by dissolving Niobium pentachloride in distilled water to which hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid were added. The deposition parameters of the niobium thin films such as spray duration and substrate temperature were varied. The sprayed solution underwent thermal decomposition resulting in formation of niobium pentoxide (Nb2O5) thin films. The optical characteristics of the films were determined using the Shimadzu model DUV 3700 spectrophotometer. From the transmittance spectra obtained, it was clear that the films were 60% to 90% transparent in the visible region and the absorption edge occurred at around 300nm. Sheet resistivity of the films determined by use of the four point probe method was 10-4Ωcm. XRD studies revealed that the films were tetragonal in nature with well defined reflections at (211) and (220). The average crystallite size was estimated to be 21.25nm. The thicknesses of the films were determined using the KLA Tencor Alpha–step IQ surface profiler and was found to range between 162nm and 517nm. Band gap energy and absorption coefficient were estimated using point-wise unconstrained minimization approach (PUMA) software. Band gap energy values ranged between 3.92 eV to 4.12 eV. From the obtained results, the films considered best for DSSC application were those deposited at substrate temperature of 470oC and at duration of 2 minutes.Item CHARACTERIZATION OF Cu2S / SnO2: F P-N JUNCTION FOR SOLAR CELL APPLICATIONS(2019-10) JARED GISEMBA OMWOYODue to industrialization and increase in population, there is need for clean, green and renewable source of electrical energy. Traditional sources of electrical energy like fossil fuels are getting depleted, on the other hand silicon based solar cells are expensive hence the need for low cost and reliable alternative source of energy. Photovoltaic is a reliable energy source which is renewable. Photovoltaic is a process of conversion of solar energy to electricity directly using solar cells. For this study Copper (I) Sulphide (Cu2S) thin films were deposited on glass substrates by Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD) technique. Copper sulphate (CuSO4) was used as a source of copper ions, thiourea (CS (NH2)2) as a source of sulphide ions and tartaric acid as a complexing agent, ammonia solution was used to regulate the pH. SnO2: F thin films were deposited using spray pyrolysis technique (SPT) on glass substrates at substrate temperature of 3500 C using pentahydrated stannous chloride (SnCl4∙5H2O) and ammonium fluoride (NH4F) as precursors. Optical transmittance and reflectance of all film samples prepared in the range of 200 nm-1100 nm were measured using UVVIS-NIR spectrophotometer. The optical measurements were simulated using SCOUT software to obtain optical constants. Cu2S deposited at 0.15 M Cu2+ exhibited low average transmittance of 20.91 %, high average absorbance of 51.29 % and narrow optical band gap of 2.33 eV hence a good absorber material to be used as ptype layer in solar cells applications. On the other hand, SnO2: F had high average transmittance of 79.94 % and wide optical band gap of 4.04 eV at 4 % concentration of fluorine. This shows that SnO2: F is a suitable n-type layer for solar cell applications. Cu2S had lowest refractive index of 1.44 at 0.15 M Cu2+ . The four point probe was used to measure the sheet resistivity of all thin films. SnO2: F had lowest resistivity of 40.3 Ω cm at 4% concentration of fluorine while Cu2S had low resistivity of 0.40x103 Ω cm at 0.15 M Cu2+ . .The Cu2S/SnO2: F p-n junction was fabricated in phases. First the n-type layer of SnO2: F was deposited onto the glass substrate by spray pyrolysis method and then the p-type layer of Cu2S thin films was deposited onto SnO2: F thin film to form a p-n junction. The solar simulator was used to measure the I-V characteristics of the fabricated cell. The fabricated cell had open circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.4075 V, short circuit current (Isc) of 0.00219 A, fill factor (FF) of 0.61 and efficiency (η) of 0.303 %. Therefore, Cu2S and SnO2: F thin films are suitable materials for fabrication of Cu2S/SnO2: F p-n junction solar cell.Item LEVELS OF ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE AND PERCEIVED HEALTH IMPLICATIONS IN BUS TERMINI IN NAIROBI CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT, NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA(2018-07) KOGUTU NYARANGA CALEBEnvironmental noise is noise emanating from all other sources except the industrial workplace, main sources include road, rail and air traffic, industries, construction, public works and social activities. WHO and NEMA provides permissible environmental noise level standard to be 75 and 60 dB (A) respectively. Noise pollution has been linked to many adverse health effects and there is limited documentation to this effect within the CBD termini of Nairobi.The aim of this study was to assess noise levels and it’s perceived health effects across bus termini in Central Business District of Nairobi City. Using a cross-sectional study design and fishers et al (1983) to determine the sample size, a random sample of 422 community members working within nine bus termini for more than 8 hours a day were approached and recruited in the study. Noise levels were measured using Calibrated sound level meter (Model # 8926). A selfadministered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data to identify perceived health risks of noise and safety practices across bus termini. Univariate Chisquare test of independence was used to test the association between noise levels and reported health implications. The response rate was 94.7% (n= 397). The study revealed that 66.8% of respondents (n=265) had awareness on effects of excessive noise exposure as compared to 33.2% (n=132).This study revealed that a higher proportion of respondents spending more than 3 days a week working at the bus termini visited the doctor for a perceived noise induced hearing problem. As such there was a significant association between the number of days spend working at the bus termini in a week and visiting a doctor for a noise induced hearing problem (χ2=16.52, df=2; p<0.001). In this study, the leading acute perceived health effects of excessive noise were reported to be sleep disturbance at 24.17% (n=152), hearing impairment at 23.05% (n=145), exhaustion at 13.04% (n=82), high blood pressure at 12.72% (n=80) and annoyance at 10.18% (n=64). This study revealed a high concentration of noise levels ranging between 88.14 to115.04dB(A) at Tuskys, St Peters Clavers, Central, Latema and Ronald Ngala bus termini as compared to Ngara and Railways bus termini which reported low concentration of noise levels ranging 85.45 to 93.63dB(A). There was a variation in maximum mean noise levels across the day, in the morning the maximum noise level was 93.65dB recorded at Old Nation Bus Terminus, at midday the maximum noise level was 94.28 dB recorded at Tuskys Bus Terminus while in the evening maximum mean noise level was 118.44 dB as recorded at Moi Lane Bus Terminus. This study revealed a significant association (χ2=27.663; df=8; p<0.001) between a respondent visiting a doctor for a perceived noise induced hearing problem and bus termini in which they are located. Hence a high proportion of respondents who visited the doctor for a perceived noise induced hearing problem were from bus termini that recorded high noise levels. This study revealed that safety practices most likely to be utilized across all occupational groups include; working few hours in the noisy environment (χ2=7.746; df=2; p<0.021); closing windows and doors to eliminate noise (χ2=3.89; df=2; p<0.05) and walking away from noise (χ2=5.29; df=2; p<0.024). However, a higher proportion of respondents across all the occupational groups reported not using personal protective equipment. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that noise levels in Nairobi are beyond the permissible levels as per NEMA standards 60 dB(A) and WHO ( 75dB(A) standards. Location of bus termini close to each other contributes to the significant generation of noise. Consequently, the authorities should spread out bus termini to reduce high concentration of noise levels at single hotspots in the city. In addition, the public transport routes should be designed in a manner such that they do not terminate at one point in the city.Item NORMS AND NUMERICAL RADII INEQUALITIES FOR A B NORMAL TRANSLOID OPERATORS(2017) Nyaluke Kiprono WesleyThe studies on Hilbert spaces for the last decade has been of great interest to many mathematicians and researchers, especially on operator inequalities related to operator norms and numerical radii for a family of bounded linear operators acting on a Hilbert spaces. Results on some inequalities for normal operators in Hilbert spaces for instance numerical ranges W(T), numerical radii w(T) and norm ||.|| obtained by Dragomir and Moslehian among others due to some classical inequalities for vectors in Hilbert spaces. The techniques employed to prove the results are elementary with some special vector inequalities in inner product spaces due to Buzano, Goldstein, Ryff and Clarke as well as some reverse Schwarz inequalities. Recently, the new field of operator theory done by Dragomir and Moslehian on norms and numerical radii for (, ) - normal operators developed basic concepts for our Statement of the problem on normal transaloid operators. M. Fujii and R. Nakamoto characterize transaloid operators in terms of spectral sets and dilations and other non-normal operators such as normaloid, convexoid and spectroid. Furuta did also characterization of normaloid operators. Since none has done on norms and numerical radii inequalities for (, ) – normal transaloid operators, then our aim is to characterize (, )- normal transaloid operators, characterize norm inequalities for ( , )- normal transaloid operators and to characterize numerical radii for (, )- normal transaloid operators. We use the approach of the Cauchy-Schwarz inequalities, parallelogram law, triangle inequality and tensor products. The results obtained are useful in applications in quantum mechanics.Item EFFECTIVENESS OF SELECTED TEACHING STRATEGIES ON ENGLISH COMPOSITION PERFORMANCE AMONG STANDARD SEVEN LEARNERS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA(2025-10) YABBI OPIYO JUDITHThe achievement of hearing learners has remained poor across the country which has greatly affected transition to secondary school. The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of selected teaching strategies on English composition performance among standard Seven learners with hearing impaired in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The theoretical framework for this study was Knowles' theory of learning and Cooperative Learning Theory. The study employed quasi-experimental and exploratory study design with thirty participants. Participants included Head teachers, Teachers, and standard Seven learner’s. Data collection involved writing tests, interview guides, questionnaires, and document analysis guide. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences descriptive statistics and T-test. The qualitative data were transcribed, reconstructed, and reduced to emerging themes. Data that had been analyzed was presented in narration form and verbatim quotes. Test re-test technique was employed to assess the reliability of data collected. The scores were correlated with the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Formula to establish the reliability of the coefficient. An expert's view was essential when validating the content for every objective. Suspicious questions along with those which did not align with the objectives were discarded. The study’s findings had it that group instruction can be used to improve composition writing when applied for a longer period of time. The study concluded that co-teaching strategy was a better teaching strategy. The study showed no evidence of difference between groups as per one-way Analysis of Variance F (2, 27) = .713, p = .648). This indicates that group instruction positively improves learners' performance to a certain extent. A onesample t-test was used to compare the mean peer tutoring strategy with the mean prewritten test. The mean for pre-written test (M = 11.53, SD = .791) was not significantly different from the peer tutoring strategy; t (16) = .379, p = .710. A onesample t-test was used to compare the mean co-teaching strategy with the mean of pre-written test. The mean score of pre-written test (M = 3.262, SD = .791) was not significantly different from co-teaching strategy; t (17) = .498, p = .001. The teachers cited challenges of providing individualized attention, coping with differences in learner ability, and effective communication. They stated that the challenges could be coped with by coordination with others to manage time and workload, maintaining learner's participation, balancing individual and group needs. Peer interaction and timely feed back was encouraged. The teachers also highlighted the importance of creating a positive and inclusive learning environment. From the study, it was concluded that teaching strategy is an essential strategy in improving learners with hearing impairment quality writing. Either of the strategies can help the learners to excel or flop in the subject. Teaching strategies should be given more priority while teaching composition to learners with hearing impairment. The research concludes that lack of writing frequently and inability to apply different learners-centered approaches results in poor performance. The research recommends that teachers should always be exposed to continuous professional development, e.g., short training, work shops and in-service on the new approaches in teaching composition.Item EFFECTS OF LEGUME COVER CROPS ON SOIL PROPERTIES AND PRODUCTIVITY OF GRAFTED ORANGES (citrus sinensis) IN THE COASTAL LOWLANDS OF KENYA(2017-07) JACKSON MUEMA MULINGEOrange (Citrus sinensis) is an important food and cash crop in coastal lowland of Kenya. The average orange production in Kenya is 12 tones/ha Compared to world production of 16 tones/ha due to low soil fertility, diseases and high costs of inputs. There is, therefore, a need to develop a sustainable and low input production system for increased orange productivity and improved fruit quality in coastal lowland of Kenya. This study was tconducted at KALRO-Matuga, Ganda and Vitengeni within the coastal region of Kenya from May 2012 to April 2015. The effects of legume cover crops on soil moisture, orange feeder root distribution, soil pH, plant nutrients, orange yield and fruit quality was evaluated. There were four treatments; mucuna (Mucuna pruriens), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), dolichos (Lablab purpureus) cover crops and a fallow as the control. The experiment was laidout in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) where the treatments were replicated four times within four blocks in an existing grafted Valencia orange orchard. Soil and orange root sampling was between 2m and 3m radius from the orange trees trunk at two depths topsoil (0-20 cm) and sub-soil (20-40 cm). Fruit and leaf samples were taken from the orange trees. Data collected was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) at (P ≤ 0.05) using procedures of R statistical analysis version 3.3.2. Mean separation was done using the least significant difference (LSD) at (P ≤ 0.05) level of significance. Mucuna, dolichos and cowpea increased soil moisture content in orange orchard for all the site topsoil while in the sub-soil is only mucuna and dolichos increased moisture content in the soil. Mucuna and dolichos increased orange root density in the top and sub-soils. Mucuna, cowpea and dolichos increased soil nitrogen in the orange orchard top and sub-soil. Mucuna, cowpea and dolichos increased soil organic carbon in the orange orchard top and sub-soil. Mucuna increased phosphorous in the top and sub-soil of orange orchard. Dolichos increased phosphorous in the topsoil of orange orchard.. Cowpea and dolichos increased phosphorous in the sub-soil of orange orchard. Mucuna, dolichos and cowpea increased the potassium in the topsoil of orange orchard while in the sub-soil, potassium increase due to mucuna and cowpea. Mucuna dolichos and cowpea increased orange leaf chlorophyll content. The orange fruit number increased due to mucuna and dolichos. Orange fruit weight increased due to mucuna and dolichos. Fruits size increased due to mucuna and dolichos. Fruits juice increased due to mucuna and dolichos. Orange fruit brix increased due to mucuna and dolichos. In conclusion, mucuna, dolichos and cowpea are effective in improving soil moisture, root distribution and nutrients in the soil and orange yield and fruit quality. The use of mucuna however, had the highest increase and it is strongly recommended as a cover crop in orange production. Further research is however recommended to evaluate the long term (>3years) effect of the cover crops under different Agro-ecological zones.Item EFFICACY AND KINETICS OF ADSORPTION OF SINGLE AND MULTIPLE HEAVY METAL CATIONS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS BY FRUIT WASTE PRODUCTS(2016-12) NTHIGA ESTHER WANJARemoval of toxic heavy metals from water has been a major challenge, especially in rural areas. Various methods have been used for this purpose; among them is biosorption based technology. The technology has been recognized as an economical and eco-friendly method for removal of toxic anions and cations from wastewater. Moreover, the efficacy of biomass in adsorption of cations and anions can be improved by different modifications, including treatment with sulphuric acid. Numerous approaches have been developed for adsorption of single ions in solution. However, toxic metallic or non-metallic ions rarely occur singly in wastewater. The presence of multiple ions in solution may often have agonistic or antagonistic effect on the efficiency of an adsorbent, and there is insufficient information on the efficacy of different methods for removing multiple ions. This study assessed the efficacy and mechanism of acid treated (modified) and raw (unmodified) biosorbents (derived from lemon, sweet yellow passion, banana, watermelon peels, and avocado seeds) for removal of toxic cations (Cd, Pb and Cu) from water. Functional groups of adsorbents were identified by mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIR) and their surface morphology was probed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). the efficacy of each adsorbent was evaluated by quantifying the kinetics and levels of cations adsorbed at different pH of the solution, initial concentrations, contact time and adsorbent dose. Desorption experiments were conducted to determine the possibility of recovering ions and reusing the sorbents for next cycle of deployment. Experimental data of each metal ion was described by either Freundlich isotherm or Langmuir isotherm. The acid treated fruit peels and avocado seeds recorded higher efficacy as compared to raw adsorbents. Generally, acid treated watermelon peels demonstrated the highest uptake of 130.23 mg/g of Pb (II), followed by 114.234 mg/g of Cu (II) and 97.14 mg/g of Cd (II) ions. Further adsorption trials with binary and ternary metal blends on showed significant reductions in metal uptake capacities of evaluated adsorbents as compared to single metal systems. On account of metal preference, the selectivity order for metal ions towards the all the studied biomass was Pb (II) > Cu (II) > Cd (II). Time-course measurements indicated involvement of pseudo-second-order kinetics in adsorptions. Desorption efficacies were high on acid-treated adsorbents: 99.97 % ofPb(II) ions from acid treated avocado seeds; and 99.79 % of Cu(II) and 99.23 % of Cd (II) from acid treated watermelon peels. The results show good performance of the fruit peels and avocado seeds in adsorbing single and multiple metal ions, and the potential of using such wastes for purifying drinking and cooking water at household level.Item REPARAMETERIZATION OF AUTOREGRESSIVE DISTRIBUTED LAG TO ERROR CORRECTION MODEL TO STUDY YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN KENYA(2019-07) Shem Otio Odhiambo SamThe research provides statistical basis for assessing and prioritizing investment policies, initiatives and projects to maximise youth employment by scrutinizing in uence of macroeconomic variables. The macroeconomic variables considered are gross domestic product (GDP), external debt (ED), foreign domestic investment (FDI), private investment(PI), youth unemployment(YUN), literacy rate (LR), and youth population (POP). The research approach taken uses predictive analytics such as impulse response functions and variance decomposition from vector error corrections model (VECM) and cointegration regression in autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) to identify key determinants of youth unemployment to prioritize investment. This research analyzes reparameterization of ARDL to VECM through cointegration of time series. First, the time series data undergo logarithm transformation to reduce outlier e ects and have elasticity interpreted in terms of percentage. The study scrutinizes the e ects of macroeconomic shocks on youth unemployment in Kenya. For this purpose, the Augmented Dickey-Fuller test is conducted to assess stationarity of the variables used. Then Johansen Cointegration test is carried out to establish the rank at which the series are cointegrated. The unit root test has been performed on YUN, GDP, ED, FDI, PI, and LR, and POP to assess stationarity. The cointegrated dynamic ARDL model is estimated using ordinary least squares (OLS) and e ects of variables and their lags interpreted. The results reveal that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and its second lag have negative e ect on youth unemployment, that is, one unit increase in (GDP) and GDP lag 2 reduce youth unemployment by 0.207922% and 0.2052705% respectively. Also, one unit of External Debt (ED) and ED lag 2 reduce youth unemployment by 0.07303% and 0.009116% respectively. Furthermore, unit increase in one year lag of youth literacy rate reduces youth unemployment by 0.0892691%. Lastly, lag one and three of population reduce youth unemployment by 0.2590455% and 4.3093119% respectively. The Johansen Cointegration Analysis has revealed three long run relationships which can be interpreted as a GDP e ect; External Debt e ect and Foreign Direct Investment e ect relations. A structural VECM has been described through restrictions taken from the Cointegration Analysis. Based on the results of the Impulse-Response Function and variance decomposition analyses of the Structural VECM, it is concluded that GDP, literacy level, population, and FDI shocks have signi cant iii e ects on Kenyan youth unemployment in the long run. On the superiority of the two models, whereas ARDL captures the in uence of past shocks through coe cients of lags, VECM predicts the e ects of current shocks and resulting movement of variables more than 10 unit steps ahead. Also, Granger causality present in ARDL does not exist in reparameterized VECM. The F-test and t-test reveal that the two models are signi cant at 95% cItem SCREENING FOR SALT STRESS TOLERANCE, IN VITRO REGENERABILITY AND RELATIVE GROWTH AMONG SELECTED KENYAN SWEETPOTATO Ipomoea batatas L. Lam GENOTYPES(2018-12) Nzaro Gona MakenziSalinity affects about 40% of the global area mainly the arid and semi-arid regions. In Kenya the ASALs cover approximately 80% of the total area where agricultural production constraints include water scarcity, salinity and sodicity. Sweetpotato Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam.) is the third most economically important root crop after potato and cassava in the world cultivated for human consumption, animal feed and industrial uses. The production of sweetpotato by smallholder farmers in the ASALs is affected by abiotic stresses including salinity. However, data on levels of salinity stress tolerance among Kenyan sweetpotato genotypes is limited. The objective of the study was to determine physiological response of sweetpotato to salinity stress and assess in vitro regeneration among selected Kenyan sweetpotato genotypes. Fifteen Kenyan selected sweetpotato genotypes Ksp 36, Ksp 20, Ksp28, Kemb 36, Kemb 10, Kemb 23, Kalamb Nyerere, Mweu Mutheki, Enaironi, Mugande, Zambezi, Spk 004, Spk 013, Spk203 and Jewel were used for the present study. In vitro shoot organogenesis using TDZ was used in detrmining regenrability while sudden shock treatment and an incremental stress regime were used for studying the physiological resposes of sweetpotato genotypes to osmotic and salinity stresses. Physiological responses was assessed by measuring the leaf photosynthetic pigment content, vine and leaf length, relative water content and yield. All data collected were analyzed using ANOVA at 95 % confidence interval using SAS statistical software. Mean separation was carried out using pairwise comparison test at 5 % probability level. Results shows that the highest number of adventitious bud; 8.00 (Kalamb nyerere) was produced in the dark at 0.25 mg/l TDZ hormone level. Regeneration frequencies of adventitious buds recovered in the dark was the highest, 83.20% (Jewel) at 0.10 mg/l NAA hormone level. The best genotypes for direct shoot organogenesis were Kalamb nyerere, Kemb 36 and Spk 004. Growth analysis shows that the sweetpotato genotypes with the highest mean growth rates were Kalamb Nyerere, Spk203, Enaironi, and Mweu Mutheki. Results show that at high in vitro osmotic and salinity stresses all genotypes had reduced amount of photosynthetic pigments. Best performing genotypes under in vitro osmotic and salinity stress were Ksp 36, Ksp 28 and Zambezi. Results of in vivo salinity stress shows that all the genotypes had reduced vine length except Spk 013, Spk 203 and Kemb 23. Yield was negatively affected by in vivo salinity stress but was lowest in Spk004 (-31.13%), Mweu Mutheki (-31.43%) and Ksp 36 (-35.29%). Using the combined morphophysological approach the following genotypes were found to be salt tolerant Spk 004, Mweu Mutheki, Ksp 36, Kemb 36 and Kalamb Nyerere and can be incooperated in breeding programs so as to introgress tolerance to sensitive genotypes.Publication PREVALENCE OF FETAL HEMOGLOBIN AND ANTIBODY RESPONSES TO Plasmodium Falciparum ANTIGENS IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE PATIENTS IN WESTERN KENYA(2016-06) BRENDA AKINYI WEBALAMalaria is a major public health problem worldwide with increasing cases and deaths in sub-Saharan Africa. Sickle cell disease conditions relate geographically with malaria endemic areas. Fetal hemoglobin (HbF) moderates the clinical severity of sickle cell disease (SCD) and also provides protection against malaria. Consequently, it provides survival advantage but the data is limited. Designing a study linking HbF with protection against malaria infection has been a challenge due to potential confounders on the exposure outcome. This study therefore investigated the prevalence and levels of HbF and the IgG responses to Plasmodium falciparum antigens in 100 SCD patients aged 5-30 years living in a malariaendemic area in Western Kenya. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and levels of HbF and the IgG responses to a panel of eleven recombinant P. falciparum antigens in SCD patients. The levels of HbF and the IgG responses to each of the 11 antigens were determined using the alkali denaturation (Betke) method and the cytometric bead assay in a Luminexsuspension array technology respectively. The study reports a prevalence of up to 77 % of the SCD patients with high fetal hemoglobin (>10%) with a mean and range of 19.09% (1.44-56.25%) respectively. Generally the levels of HbF increased with age (r = 0.17, P < 0.05) indicating that fetal hemoglobin provides survival advantage in SCD, in males there was an increase in HbF with age (r=0.31; P<0.05) while in females it was not significant (r = 0.02; P>0.05). The IgG responses to the multiple P. falciparum antigens were differently expressed in the SCD patients, preerythrocytic antigens showed a statistical difference when the mean IgG levels were compared using unpaired T test between the seropositive SCD patients and nonSCD individuals with the later having high IgG levels (P<0.05). In contrast LSANRC had high IgG levels in SCD patients (P<0.05). The IgG responses to blood stage antigens on the other hand were not statistically different between the SCD patients and non- SCD individuals (P>0.05). The IgG responses to MSP-1-42-FVO were high both in the seropositive SCD and non-SCD individuals. However, when compared with the non-SCD individuals using unpaired T-test, the non- SCD individuals had significantly high levels of IgG responses to both the preerythrocytic and the blood stage antigens than the SCD patients (P<0.05). Using Spearmans’ rank correlation analysis, HbF positively correlated with the IgG responses to LSA-NRC (r= 0.26; P<0.05), other antigens showed no correlation. This implies that HbF can provide protection against malaria in SCD patients living in malaria endemic areas and thus increase their life expectancy. The findings also reinforce the previous findings that antibody cooperates with fetal hemoglobin to provide protection against malaria. Nonetheless, further rigorous study design approach should be used for investigations on the role of HbF on pathogenesis and chemotherapy of malaria in SCD patients.Item PARENT-RELATED DETERMINANTS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON GIRLS RETENTION IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS(2017-06) KADIMA ARTHUR WANG’ANYAEducation is an important life process that plays a vital role in forming the foundation for girls’. Female education especially in secondary level has been realized as a critical pathway in promoting social, political and economic benefits for the developing countries. In spite of the government’s progress in narrowing the gender gap in education at secondary level, girls’ low retention in secondary school remains unresolved in some parts of the country. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the parentrelated determinants and their effects in girls retention in public secondary school in Kaloleni Sub-County. The objectives of the study were to; determine the effects of parental level of education on girls’ retention of girls in schools, determine parental involvement in girls’ academics in schools, to find out if parents partnering with the schools affect the retention of girls in secondary education. The study based on the Classical Liberal Theory of equal opportunity and Social Darwinism which asserts that each person is born with a given amount of capacity (Orodho 2003). The main areas of literature review were; parental level of education, parental involvement, partnering with parents in school. The study adopted a descriptive survey design to collect information. The selected area for the study was Kaloleni Sub-County in Kilifi County. The target population was 1690 where the sample population of the study was 351; 5 principals, 15 class teachers, 330 students and 1 SQASO. The study utilized questionnaires and interview schedule for data collection. Descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequency distribution were used to analyze the data. The study established that majority of the students 128 (40.9% ) had their fathers and 114 (36.4%) had mothers who had only attained primary level of education which implied that majority of the girls had no role models and lacked the motivation to continue with their studies which had resulted to low retention of girls. Majority of the principals 3 (60%,) class teachers 8 (53.3%) and 198 (63.26%) of the students showed that majority of parents were not involved in the learning process causing most of the girls from poor economic backgrounds to stay away from school and others dropping out leading to low retention of girls. The study further revealed from the 4 (90%) principals, that majority of the parents to a small extent partnered with the schools on going activities which implied that most parents were not concerned with their daughters’ education making most of the girls to have low retention in secondary schools. The study recommended parental partnership to be embedded in teaching and learning policies so that girl-child problems and challenges are addressed. The study further recommended for more research to be done on a large area or the whole country as it had been done in a Sub-County.Item levels of environmental noise and perceived health implications in bus termini nairobi central business district(2018-06) KOGUTU NYARANGA CALEBEnvironmental noise is noise emanating from all other sources except the industrial workplace, main sources include road, rail and air traffic, industries, construction, public works and social activities. WHO and NEMA provides permissible environmental noise level standard to be 75 and 60 dB (A) respectively. Noise pollution has been linked to many adverse health effects and there is limited documentation to this effect within the CBD termini of Nairobi.The aim of this study was to assess noise levels and it’s perceived health effects across bus termini in Central Business District of Nairobi City. Using a cross-sectional study design and fishers et al (1983) to determine the sample size, a random sample of 422 community members working within nine bus termini for more than 8 hours a day were approached and recruited in the study. Noise levels were measured using Calibrated sound level meter (Model # 8926). A selfadministered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data to identify perceived health risks of noise and safety practices across bus termini. Univariate Chisquare test of independence was used to test the association between noise levels and reported health implications. The response rate was 94.7% (n= 397). The study revealed that 66.8% of respondents (n=265) had awareness on effects of excessive noise exposure as compared to 33.2% (n=132).This study revealed that a higher proportion of respondents spending more than 3 days a week working at the bus termini visited the doctor for a perceived noise induced hearing problem. As such there was a significant association between the number of days spend working at the bus termini in a week and visiting a doctor for a noise induced hearing problem (χ2=16.52, df=2; p<0.001). In this study, the leading acute perceived health effects of excessive noise were reported to be sleep disturbance at 24.17% (n=152), hearing impairment at 23.05% (n=145), exhaustion at 13.04% (n=82), high blood pressure at 12.72% (n=80) and annoyance at 10.18% (n=64). This study revealed a high concentration of noise levels ranging between 88.14 to115.04dB(A) at Tuskys, St Peters Clavers, Central, Latema and Ronald Ngala bus termini as compared to Ngara and Railways bus termini which reported low concentration of noise levels ranging 85.45 to 93.63dB(A). There was a variation in maximum mean noise levels across the day, in the morning the maximum noise level was 93.65dB recorded at Old Nation Bus Terminus, at midday the maximum noise level was 94.28 dB recorded at Tuskys Bus Terminus while in the evening maximum mean noise level was 118.44 dB as recorded at Moi Lane Bus Terminus. This study revealed a significant association (χ2=27.663; df=8; p<0.001) between a respondent visiting a doctor for a perceived noise induced hearing problem and bus termini in which they are located. Hence a high proportion of respondents who visited the doctor for a perceived noise induced hearing problem were from bus termini that recorded high noise levels. This study revealed that safety practices most likely to be utilized across all occupational groups include; working few hours in the noisy environment (χ2=7.746; df=2; p<0.021); closing windows and doors to eliminate noise (χ2=3.89; df=2; p<0.05) and walking away from noise (χ2=5.29; df=2; p<0.024). However, a higher proportion of respondents across all the occupational groups reported not using personal protective equipment. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that noise levels in Nairobi are beyond the permissible levels as per NEMA standards 60 dB(A) and WHO ( 75dB(A) standards. Location of bus termini close to each other contributes to the significant generation of noise. Consequently, the authorities should spread out bus termini to reduce high concentration of noise levels at single hotspots in the city. In addition, the public transport routes should be designed in a manner such that they do not terminate at one point in the city.Item FORMS AND BIOAVAILABILITY OF ZINC AND COPPER ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS IN PARTS OF WATERMELONS FROM NGARA AND MWEA MARKETS, KENYA(2018-09) Bernard ChegeDuring the last few decades analytical chemists and nutrition scientists have increasingly realized that total concentrations of chemical elements cannot give, in general, information about mobility, bioavailability, and the eventual impact of elements on biological organisms. Only the knowledge of the chemical species of the elements can provide an understanding of chemical and biochemical reactions, bioavailability, and subsequent paths of metabolism, thus leading to more information about essentiality or toxicity. This stresses the necessity of speciation analysis to determine the species of an element in a specific matrix. There is need therefore to determine the species of essential elements in different types of fruits, vegetables and other foods. One fruit that is increasingly being consumed and which is available throughout the year and has essential elements is watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum and Nakai). There is need to determine the form in which the essential elements occur in the seed, red flesh, white flesh and peel in a watermelon to avoid deficiency when used as food to encourage use of thrown away parts. The study therefore aimed at providing information on bioavailability and forms of essential elements in the peel, white flesh, red flesh and seed parts of watermelons. Water and ethanol extractable elements are more available for absorption than those extracted by other solvents. Watermelons selected for the study are widely consumed and were purchased from Mwea and Ngara markets in Kenya. They were separated to peel, seed, white and red flesh and dried. Each of the watermelon part was sequentially extracted with hexane, dichloromethane, ethanol, water and lastly residue digested and Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS) was used to determine the levels of each element in various fractions. Free Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions and their organic acid complexes in the extracts constitute the bioavailable forms. The data of this study were analysed through One Way Analysis of Variance. The results of this study showed that there were variations in extracted mean levels of Zn and Cu minerals in the parts and varieties of watermelon. Significantly high water extracts mean levels (p < 0.001) of 0.46±0.01 mg/100 g, (46%) Cu was recorded in peel of sugar baby from Ngara market compared to the other watermelon samples. Crimson sweet watermelon samples bought from Ngara market recorded the highest Zn water extracts mean levels (p < 0.001) of 4.84±0.04 mg/100 g, (52%) in red flesh compared to the other watermelon varieties in the market. Charleston grey watermelon samples from Mwea market significantly recorded a high Zn water extracts mean levels (p < 0.001) of 5.96±0.01 mg/100 g, (61%) in white flesh than was recorded in the other parts of the watermelon varieties. Presence of hexadecanoic and octadecanoic acids which are complexing agents that enhance bioavailability of Zn and Cu were obtained in the watermelon extracts through GC - MS analysis. The bioavailable species of Zn and Cu could have been either as free ions or their organic acid complexes. Since Zn and Cu minerals were bioavailable in the four parts of the watermelon samples, people should eat all the parts of watermelon either when dry or fresh as a source of these nutrients. Result from this study will be used to guide people on nutrition aspect of a watermelon which will in turn enhance human health.Item FISH PROTEIN HYDROLYSATE FROM DAGAA (Rastrineobola argentea) AS NUTRITIONAL COMPONENT IN MICROBIAL CULTURE MEDIA(2016-09) Pere KatherineDagaa is a small pelagic fish found in Lake Victoria. It is mainly used as a nutrient source in the animal feed industry as well as for human consumption among the poor and the middle class. Fish protein hydrolysate as a source of nutrient in culture media has been explored in several fish species such as Silver Carp, Yellow Tuna, Yellow Stripe Trevally, Herring and Mackerel. Dagaa could also be an excellent candidate for culture media since it is rich in proteins, lipids and minerals. This would also add value to the underutilized fish species and minimize post-harvest losses of up to 50% during rainy seasons. In the current study, Dagaa as a source of nitrogen in culture media was explored by first preparing the Dagaa Protein Hydrolysate (DPH) using Alcalase enzyme. Proximate analysis for protein, lipid, moisture /dry weight and ash contents of DPH was performed and compared with that of Dagaa, Dagaa Fish Hydrolysate (DFH), Standard media Luria Bertani (LB) and Sabouraud’s Dextrose Broth (SDB). Mineral analysis was also performed on all these samples. The potential of DPH as a nitrogen source in microbial growth media was investigated using; Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis and Rhodobacter capsulatus for bacterial growth studies while Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana were used for fungal growth. Potential of DPH to sustain production of commercial valued enzyme amylase was also investigated with R. capsulatus and B. subtilis in DPH-Starch media. This was done using Dinitrosalicylic (DNS) acid assay. M. anisopliae was analyzed for sporulation (conidia production) rate in DPH-Dextrose media. Proximate and mineral analysis indicated that there was significant difference (p<0.05) in the nutritional and mineral profiles of DPH and the two standard media (LB and SD). The protein content of DPH was higher than that of LB and SDB while the mineral content of DPH was lower than that of LB but slightly higher than that of SDB. LB had more Sodium content than DPH. Investigation of the potential of DPH as a nitrogen source in media indicated that in all microorganisms used in this study, there was no significant difference (p˃0.05) in DPH-FM and DPH-Dextrose as compared to standard media in the growth of microorganisms. The potential for DPH-Starch to sustain production of commercial valued amylase indicated that there was significant difference (p<0.05) in the sustenance of amylase production in formulated DPH-Starch and standard media by R. capsulatus and B. subtilis. DPHStarch media gave better production of amylase enzyme in both microbes than the standard media. There was no significant difference (p˃0.05) in the sporulation rates of M. anisopliae in DPH-Dextrose and the standard media. Hence DPH formulated media can be substituted as a potential culture media for microbial growth. The cost of formulation is low and provides an alternative means of value addition to Dagaa.Item FINGERPRINTING AND RELATING JUVENILE CHARACTERS OF RICE TO YIELD AND YIELD COMPONENTS IN KIAMBU AND KIRINYAGA COUNTIES(2019-02) SYLVIA A. HENGARice is increasing as an important food and cash crop in Kenya and is third to maize and wheat in terms of consumption. Consumption has continually outstripped production resulting in massive importation. The main problem affecting productivity involves lack of proper information on best storage time, use of poor quality seed, varietal admixtures which has contributed to low yields. There is need to characterize genotypes. Microsatellit are useful in various plant genetic studies and plant characrerization. Accelerated aging is considered an excellent option as a vigor test due to shortest time of acquisition and efficient results. In the proposed study, seed quality experiments including germination, dormancy, purity, were carried out in the laboratory using eight rice varieties in a Completely Randomized Design. Accelerated ageing tests at 0,24,48 and 72hrs(45oC and 98%RH) were carried out JKUAT post-harvest laboratory using eight rice varieties‟ in four replications of100 seeds each. Data was collected on dates to plumule and radical emergence and height. Five varieties were used to produce seeds which were stored for 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 months respectively. The seedlings were transplanted into fields in a Randomized Complete Block Design using 5*6 factorial arrangement. The study also determined the relationship between juvenile characters and adult characters of rice in Kiambu and Kirinyaga counties. All the data were analyzed using GENSTAT statistical package. ANOVA and LSD at 5% significant level. Seed quality results showed that There was significant variation in both coleorrhiza and coleoptile formation among rice varieties (p<0.001), treatments (p<0.001) and interaction between rice varieties and treatment ((p<0.001). The difference between all treatments was significant with 72 hours treatment having the highest number of days to coleorhiza and coleoptile formation. Results showed that the effect of genotype on coleorhiza and colleoptille formation was significant (p<0.001). Genotype B317 had the earliest colleoptile formation 8.75days, coleorhiza formation (9.81), B317 also had the highest germination percentages at 7(33.69), 14 (52.44) and at 21 days after sowing (56.62). Mzungu had the latest number of days to coleorhizae (12.44), coleoptiles (11.18) and lowest germination percentages at 14(27.52) and 21days (31.31). The genotype had significant effect on germination index, seed length and seedling vigor index. In Mwea, there was a significant effect of storage time on germination, with 4 months giving the highest seedling vigor index (673.6), height at 1 month after transplanting (73.3cm), height at maturity (72.3cm) and 3 months giving the highest days to flowering(58.87) .The interaction between storage time and genotype on was significant, with genotype B217 stored for 3 months leading in height at one month after transplanting (87.7), height at maturity(91.8cm) .in Kiambu.The interaction between storage time and genotype was significant with 5months of storage having the highest seedling vigor index (759.5), 1000grain weight (69) and yield (15.5kg/ha). Analysis of molecular variance results indicated that the five polymorphic markers used in this study showed a total of 11 alleles across the loci of the 18 rice genotypes studied. Juvenile characters such as seedling vigor and height at transplanting had a positive and significant correlation to 1000grain weight.Genotypes TXD and B217 were identified by the 5 markers. TXD (Saro 5) was the best fit for fingerprinting as it was identified by only 1 marker. These results could be used in preparing rice seed certification procedures, in gene bank management and other seed storage ventures.Item ELECTRON IMPACT ELASTIC SCATTERING OF STRONTIUM USING DISTORTED WAVE METHOD(2018-11) KIMANI MARTIN KIRUGUDifferential and integral cross sections for electron-atom are useful for interpretation and understanding of electron contact with the targets and for determining dynamics of the collision processes. They are useful in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), upper atmosphere dynamics, Monte-Carlo simulation (MCS), Auger-electron spectroscopy (AES), in gaseous-exchange, laser development, plasma physics and fluorescent lighting. For elastic scattering of strontium very few calculations have been performed and currently there are no known results using the present method. Also the available theoretical results do not have other results to be compared with so it makes it important to obtain results to compare them and to be compared with future experimental results. In calculation of differential and integral cross section for elastic scattering of electron by strontium atom, first-order distorted wave born approximation method has been used to determine DCS and ICS at impact energies of 10eV to 200eV and scattering angles ranging from 00 to 1800 . Also in this study at the initial state, both initial and final channel distortion potential of elastic scattering of electron by a strontium atom are taken as the static potentials since it is an elastic scattering. The distorted waves are expanded in terms of radial wavefunctions and spherical harmonics, Numerov method was then used to solve the radial equations to obtain the radial wavefunctions. The Madison and Bartschat computer program DWBA1 for e- - H scattering was modified to perform the mathematical computations for e - - Sr scattering and the results for differential and integral cross sections are calculated and compared with the available results. The integral cross sections (ICS) results agree well qualitatively with the other theoretical results. At lower incident energies (10-30 eV), the present differential cross section (DCS) results disagree with results obtained from optical potential method. This is because the first order distorted wave method gives poor results at low impact energies and also the nature of the distortion potential used. At intermediate and higher energies (60-200 eV), the present DCS results agree well with the results obtained from optical potential method. In conclusion, the DWBA was developed and applied to 𝑒− - Sr scattering, changes on the DWBA1 computer program were made for strontium, differential cross section (DCS) and integral cross section (ICS) at impact energies 10-200eV for elastic scattering of electron-strontium were determined using DWBA at intermediate and high energies and the results compared with the other available results. From this work it was recommended that some experimental studies on electron impact elastic scattering of strontium should be made to give results for comparison with the calculated results, more theoretical studies using other methods should be conducted on DCS and ICS for purposes of comparison with the present results, a distortion potential that incorporates the polarization potential, exchange potential and absorption potential should be used in the calculation and the present method incorporating all the distortion potentials should be extended further for electron impact elastic scattering of other alkaline earth metals such as beryllium, cesium, ytterbium, and radium.