Department of Food Science and Nutrition

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    INFLUENCE OF ENERGY CONSERVATION PRACTICES ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IN STAR RATED HOTELS IN MT. KENYA REGION, KENYA
    (2022-10-10) CHOMBA, Grace Wanjiru; BICHAGE, Gesage; KARIUKI, Ann
    This study sought to establish the effect of energy conservation practices on customer satisfaction in star rated hotels in Mt. Kenya Region. The study was anchored on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Descriptive research design was used. The study targeted all 24 star rated hotels in Nyeri, Laikipia, Embu, Meru and Tharaka Nithi. Yamane formula was used to obtain a sample of 243 respondents. Stratified random sampling was used to select the respondents. Primary data collected using structured questionnaires was used. Data collected was analysed using SPSS version 25. The study found that energy conversation practices had a significant and positive relationship with customer satisfaction in star rated hotels in Mt. Kenya Region. The study recommends the need for hotels to adopt sustainable technologies, include the use of energy efficiency measures/equipment, building design techniques that maximize the available daylight
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    Coping strategies to food insecurity employed by students of karatina university, kenya
    (2022-05-20) Sewe, Daniel, S.; Lokuruka, Michael N.I.
    It has been reported that 1 in 3 Kenyans suffers from severe food insecurity and poor nutrition. This study aimed to establish the level of food insecurity among Karatina University students and coping strategies employed. A nutrition survey research design and random sampling was done with a sample size of 94 undergraduate students, who resided within the university. The students filled questionnaires for the details required. The proximate composition of frequently consumed foods was estimated by AOAC methods. Dietary and non-dietary coping strategies to food insecurity and diets consumed by students were established. The percentage of students who were food insecure was 27.85% as evidenced by skipping a meal due to lack of money variously for 1-3 days in a month. Also, 22.3% borrowed foods from friends and neighbors, 48.9% stuck to simple and affordable meals, which were either, rice+beans/green grams or ugali+cabbage/ leafy green vegetables) or ugali+beans/green grams. The non-dietary strategy showed 18.1% students reducing expenditure on airtime, while 2.1% sold assets-mobile phones and laptops. The most commonly consumed meals by both genders were chapatti + beans/green grams at 24.5% or rice + beans/ green grams or cabbage/kales/spinach either at 12.8%. The dimension of food security that was not met by students was food affordability.
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    A Preliminary Survey of Animal Handling and Cultural Slaughter Practices among Kenyan Communities: Potential Influence on Meat Quality
    (African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2016) Lokuruka, Michael
    Kenya is composed of over 40 ethnic communities who practice varied methods of animal handling and slaughter. Socio-cultural and religious traditions have the potential to influence animal handling and slaughter practices. These influences have, however, not been documented in the literature as far as the author is aware. Also, the literature has documented the connection between the manner of animal treatment and meat quality, but this is rarely discussed in the literature in Kenya; this connection is important as it informs modern meat trade practices by Kenyans as they trade in the global arena. This survey aimed to mainly establish and document the animal slaughter practices among Kenyan communities, and, to also highlight any current provisions related to meeting modern animal welfare requirements, animal handling procedures in the meat trade and discuss their potential influence on meat quality available in commerce in Kenya. This preliminary study surveyed the slaughter practices among 10 different Kenyan communities through a semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and individual interviews. The survey demonstrated that different Kenyan communities practice varied methods of animal slaughter depending on whether the animal being slaughtered is for public feasting, domestic consumption or commercial merchandizing. The Kenyan communities surveyed in this study depend mainly on males to slaughter livestock for females preparing it for domestic use using a number of instruments and methods. For small stock for domestic consumption, females may slaughter the animal except for Muslims whose males have to slaughter the animal with a special knife (a Khalef) according to Muslim rites to render it Halal. Large stock is invariably slaughtered by males irrespective of the community, and the manner of use of the carcass. Gender, age, religion, community and the size of the animal were the major determinants of the method of animal slaughter. The animal welfare issues highlighted in the survey and related to the handling and slaughter of livestock have important implications for meat quality during commercial merchandizing. There is an apparent need to provide education to herders, livestock handlers, employees and management in the livestock industry in Kenya on the relationship between animal welfare requirements, animal handling procedures and meat quality. Such awareness can potentially improve the quality and economic value of the meat available in commerce.
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    Nutrient Content of On-farm Formulated Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Feeds: Implications for the Aquaculture Industry in Kenya
    (Ajfand, 2020-07) Lokuruka, MNI; Muteti, MK; Yasindi, AW
    Due to the high costs and the unavailability of good quality fish feeds in Kenya, farmers have opted to use cheaper, locally available on-farm formulated feeds. In spite of this, farmers continue to incur losses probably due to poor nutritive quality of these on-farm feeds. Furthermore, literature on the proximate composition and appropriateness of onfarm formulated feeds for raising farmed fish in Kenya is scanty. Motivated by these reasons, this study sought to investigate the proximate composition of on-farm formulated Nile tilapia feeds and selected commercial fish feeds used in Bomet, Kericho and Nakuru Counties of the Rift Valley Region of Kenya and compared the proximate composition with the official nutrient composition of fish feeds. The method of feed formulation used was also investigated using semi-structured questionnaires. The study also estimated the weight of fish harvested at the end of a production cycle. The results revealed a significant difference between the sampled feeds’ moisture, crude protein and mineral contents and the legislated nutrient levels of the commercial feeds commonly used in the counties. There was also a significant difference between the crude protein content of feeds in the three counties (P < 0.05). More than 50% of respondent farmers in the three counties used Pearson Square Method for fish feed formulation, while the rest used the trial and error method. The mean weight of fish during harvest was 311.5±155.8 g with fish from Kericho County weighing significantly lower than those from Nakuru and Bomet Counties (P < 0.05). Most of the on-farm formulated feeds from the three counties do not meet the recommended nutrient requirements for raising Nile Tilapia. This may be contributing to the observed low weights of the fish harvested, the low fish production and the apparent stagnation of the aquaculture sub-sector in Kenya. The study recommends the formulation of good quality fish feeds through the use of proper methods and appropriate ingredients. This could be achieved through monthly farmers’ trainings on best aquaculture practices.
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    Nutrient Content of On-Farm Formulatednile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) Feeds: Implications for the Aquaculture Industry in Kenya
    (African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 2020-07) Muteti, MK; Lokuruka, MNI; Yasindi, AW
    Due to the high costs and the unavailabilityof good quality fish feeds in Kenya, farmers have opted to use cheaper, locally available on-farm formulated feeds.Inspite of this, farmers continue to incur lossesprobably due to poor nutritive quality of these on-farm feeds. Furthermore, literature on the proximate composition and appropriateness of on-farm formulated feeds for raising farmed fish in Kenya is scanty. Motivated by these reasons, this study soughtto investigatethe proximate composition of on-farm formulated Nile tilapia feeds andselected commercial fish feeds used in Bomet, Kericho and Nakuru Counties of the Rift Valley Region of Kenya and compared the proximate composition with theofficialnutrient composition of fish feeds. The methodof feed formulation used was also investigatedusing semi-structured questionnaires.The study also estimated the weightof fish harvested at the end of a production cycle.The results revealed a significant difference between the sampled feeds’ moisture, crude protein and mineral contents andthe legislated nutrient levels of thecommercial feeds commonly used in the counties. There was also a significant difference between thecrude protein content of feeds in the threecounties (P < 0.05).More than 50% of respondentfarmers in thethree counties used Pearson Square Method for fish feed formulation, while the rest used thetrial and error method.The mean weight of fish during harvest was 311.5±155.8gwith fish from Kericho County weighing significantly lower than those from Nakuru and Bomet Counties (P < 0.05). Mostofthe on-farm formulated feeds from the three counties do not meet the recommended nutrient requirements for raising Nile Tilapia. This may be contributing to the observed low weights of the fish harvested, the low fish production and theapparent stagnation of the aquaculture sub-sector in Kenya.The studyrecommendstheformulation of good quality fish feeds through the use of proper methods and appropriate ingredients.This could be achieved through monthly farmers’trainings on best aquaculture practices.
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    Effectiveness Of Albendazole On Soil Transmitted Nematodes Among School ChildrenA Case Of Kakamega County, Kenya
    (African Journal of Health Sciences, 2019) Ngonjo, T.W.; Okoyo, Collins; Simiyu, Elses; Kihara, Jimmy; Lelo, Agola Eric; Kabiru, Ephantus; Mwandawiro, Charles
    Recent assessment by WHO on Soil Transmitted Nematodes (STN) point that their morbidity is still high in people mainly in children. A. lumbricoidesglobally infects 1.2 billion people and T. trichiura795 million worldwide. Infections withAncylostoma duodenaleand Necator americanus 740 million leading to 135,000 deaths per year. It became necessary to find out the effectiveness of Albendazoleonsoil transmittedNematodesamong school children- a case of kakamega county, kenya.METHODOLOGYStudy respondents were selected fom public primary school children in Kakamega County. A total of 731 and 665 (pre & post) children in 7 primary schools in three sub counties of Kakamega County were recruited in the study. Pre-treatment survey was done in March, 2014 and follow up in September 2014. Fecal samples were examined for the presence of STN . 14 days after treatment using Kato- Katz method.The total number of eggs were expressed as eggs/gm of feaces (epg). Pretreatment prevalence was 43.5% for Ascaris lumbricoides, 1.8% for hookworm and 0.9% for Trichuris trichiura. R ESU LTSMean intensity of hookworm, A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections in the pre-and post-surveys were reduced by 1.2%, 98.4% and 100% respectively. Prevalence decreased to 2.3% for Ascaris lumbricoides and 0 % for T. trichiura. Post treatment prevalence of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections were significantly reduced by 94.8% and 100% respectively. A slight increase in hookworm prevalence was observed. However, this increase was not significant (p=0.993). CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic efficacy of Albendazole indicated a good reduction in parasite burden. Albendazole satisfactorily reduced STN infection while for hookworm there was a non-significant increase in prevalence. Key words: Cure rate, egg reduction rate, albendazole, Kenya
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