Effectiveness of community forest association and water resource users’ associations in discharging their statutory functions: A case of Kilungu catchment, Kenya

Catchment degradation has continued to occur globally albeit the presence of Community Forest Associations (CFA) and Water Resource Users Associations (WRUA). Similarly, Kilungu catchment area in Kenya is under the management of the Kenze (CFA) and upper Kaiti (WRUA). This paper examined Kenze CFA and Upper Kaiti WRUA activities by exploring their effectiveness in discharging […]

Occurrence level of urban and peri-urban farming activities across major network links of Nairobi County, Kenya

Urban and peri-urban agriculture can play a crucial role in the economy, social and dietary life of urban dwellers. The city of Nairobi is going through urbanization challenges including provision of food, especially in slum areas where majority of urban poor lives. Reliable data on extent of urban/peri-urban areas being used for farming in Nairobi […]

Evaluating maize performance under varying water depletion levels in bura irrigation scheme, Kenya

Sufficient soil moisture in the root zone is critical for optimal crop development. Excess or deficit water leads to reduced crop growth and yields. A field study was done to determine the effect of available water on performance of PH4 maize variety on sandy clay loam soil at Bura Irrigation Scheme, eastern Kenya. Three water […]

Microbial characterisation and identification, and potability of River Kuywa Water, Bungoma, Kenya

Water contamination is one of the major causes of water borne diseases worldwide. In Kenya, approximately 43% of people lack access to potable water due to human contamination. River Kuywa water is currently experiencing contamination due to human activities. Its water is widely used for domestic, agricultural, industrial and recreational purposes. This study aimed at […]

The analogy of simple and inter simple sequence repeat markers in the assessment of genetic diversity of pumpkin accessions in Kenya

Pumpkin is found growing in many parts of Kenya although its genetic variation has not been determined using available molecular markers. This study compared SSR and ISSR efficacy in assessing diversity of 139 pumpkin accessions using the multiplex ratio (MR), polymorphic information content (PIC), effective multiplex ratio (EMR), marker index (MI), different (Na) and effective […]

Identification and quantification of soil borne root rot pathogens communities in smallholder agro-ecosystems of Kenya

The root rot disease complex has continued to be a major constraint in the production of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) resulting in losses of up to 70% in Kenya. The aim of this study was to establish (i) the occurrence and quantification of root rot fungal pathogens of common bean in Western Kenya and (ii) […]

Participatory forest management system in urban forests in Kenya- A case of Ngong Road Forest, Nairobi, Kenya

Participatory forest management is a system where community is involved in management of forest. Studies on participatory forest management have majorly focused on forests in rural areas. Since its adoption in Kenya in 2007, it has been scantily documented how the system has been implemented in the urban forests. This study aims to explore how […]

Findings from a survey in Western Kenya to determine the soil fertility replenishment technologies adoption rates

A survey on adoption levels of the existing soil nitrogen replenishing technologies amongst farmers in three counties in western Kenya was carried out in June 2011. Three farmer associations were Angurai Farmers Development Project (AFDEP), Bungoma Small-Scale Farmers Forum (BUSSFFO) and Mwangaza Farmer Group (MFAGRO). During the survey 223 farmers were interviewed with roughly a […]

Analysis of the population structure 2015 Puccinia graminis f. sp tritici (Pgt) in Kenya using simple sequence repeats markers

N Wheat (Triticum astevium) production in Kenya has been severely affected by stem rust Ug99 and its related race groups. The consequence of not controlling this disease is steep decline in the crop production thus creating food insecurity to over 70% of the small-scale holder farmers who depend on it as a source of food […]

Phylogeography of the eastern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) in Kenya

Kenya lost over 98% of its black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) between the 1960s and 1990s, leaving a mere 400 animals by 1993 isolated in small populations. The population is currently on a recovery path and currently stands at over 600 animals found in small isolated subpopulations, each of less than 100 animals. Differential evolutionary […]