Books, Book Reviews and Book Chapters

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This Collection contains Books locally produced/published in Kenya and by Kenyan Authors

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The persistence of two introduced tilapia species in Lake Naivasha, Kenya, in the face of environmental variability and fishing pressure.
(1984) Muchiri, S. Mucai; Hart, Paul J.B.; Harper, David M.
The Ecology of Lake Naivasha, Kenya: Introduction and Historical Review
(1984) Muchiri, S.M.; Harper, D.M.
The fishery of Lake Naivasha, Kenya
(CSIRO PUBLISHING, 1992) Muchiri, S.M.; Hickley, P.
Fluctuations in the Fisheries of Kenya's Rift Valley Lakes: Causes and Prospects for the Future
(CSIRO PUBLISHING, 1997)
Fluctuations in the fisheries of Kenya's Rift Valley lakes: Causes and prospects for the future
(CSIRO, Collingwood (Australia), 1997) Muchiri, Mucai
Lakes Turkana, Baringo and Naivasha are lakes in the eastern arm of the Great Rift Valley of Kenya that provide important commercial fisheries and, to a small extent, also recreation. The fishery of Lake Turkana is based on 12 main species of fish out of a total of 48 species. Tilapias, Lates spp., Citharinus, Distichodus, Labeo and Hydrocynus are the most important. In Lake Baringo, 3 species (Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias gariepinus and Protopterus aethiopicus) are the most important of the 7 species present in the lake. Lake Naivasha hosts a total of 5 species of which O.leucostictus, Tilapia ziilii and Micropterus salmoides are of commercial importance. The 3 fisheries support an estimated 10,000 fishers plus people engaged in fish industry related services. Yet these fisheries depict wide fluctuations in fish landings. Habitat variability has been identified as one of the most important factors influencing the fisheries of the 3 lakes. Lake level fluctuations are shown to be closely followed by similar fluctuations in fish catches. The observed fluctuations in lake levels are as a result of climatic factors combined with human activities which include damming of rivers and abstraction of water for irrigation. Variability in submerged vegetation cover has also been important in the three lakes. Other anthropogenic influences on the fishery of Lake Naivasha take the form of fishing pressure and species introductions while in Lake Baringo, catchment degradation leading to excessive silt loading in the lake has played a more important role. The persistence of these fisheries in the face of besetting environmental and anthropogenic factors is attributable, for the greater part, to the resilience of the tilapias that constitute the most important catch in each of the 3 Rift Valley lakes. It is suggested that an integrated approach to catchment management is necessary for the achievement of maximum sustainable fisheries in the Rift Valley lakes.
A community project for Agriculture in Kenya
(2004) Muchiri, S. Mucai; Ngugi, C.C; Hickley, P.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ANALYSIS
(Aquaculture Collaborative Research Support Program, 2005) Aquaculture Collaborative Research Support Program
A major barrier to socio-economic development in sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, is food inadequacy. Some of the more important factors that have led to this status are rapid population growth outstripping food production capacity, post-harvest losses, land degradation that leads to further decline in soil fertility, and climatic changes, particularly periodic droughts and subsequent flooding. This food shortages coupled with high poverty rates that diminish people’s ability to afford the ever increasing food prices, has led to related health problems especially in rural areas. In the effort to meet the required food supplies to feed the growing population, forest lands have been cleared for small scale agriculture. Inevitably, a major challenge to economic developing in Kenya is, therefore, the sustained increase of food production without compromising the integrity of the environment within which that much required food is produced. As such the project seeks to complement other projects that seek to “improve the productivity and sustainability of land use systems in Nzoia, Yala and Nyando river basins through adoption of an integrated ecosystem management approach” through development of on-farm and off-farm conservation practices and increased local capacity (Global Environmental Facility, 2004:3). Desired outcomes include increased biodiversity and reduced erosion (GEF, 2004).
Keys to Soil Taxonomy
(United States Department of Agriculture: Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2006) United States Department of Agriculture
The publication of this edition of Keys to Soil Taxonomy (the 10th edition) coincides with the 18th World Congress of Soil Science, to be held at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in July 2006. The last time the World Congress was hosted in the United States was in 1960 at Madison, Wisconsin. At that time, Soil Classification: A Comprehensive System, 7th Approximation was released for review and testing. The classification system was officially adopted for use in the United States soil survey program in 1965. The first edition of Soil Taxonomy: A Basic System of Soil Classification for Making and Interpreting Soil Surveys was published in 1975. Over the years Soil Taxonomy has been modified and expanded to reflect our increased knowledge of the world’s soils. After the first eight editions of the Keys to Soil Taxonomy were released, the second edition of Soil Taxonomy was published in 1998. Since then, the 9th edition of the keys was published in 2003, and now this 10th edition in 2006. The publication Keys to Soil Taxonomy serves two purposes. It provides the taxonomic keys necessary for the classification of soils in a form that can be used easily in the field. It also acquaints users of the taxonomic system with recent changes in the system. This edition of the Keys to Soil Taxonomy incorporates all changes approved since publication of the ninth edition in 2003. We plan to continue issuing updated editions of the Keys to Soil Taxonomy as changes warrant new editions. The authors of the Keys to Soil Taxonomy are identified as the “Soil Survey Staff.” This term is meant to include all of the soil classifiers in the National Cooperative Soil Survey program and in the international community who have made significant contributions to the improvement of the taxonomic system.
The Critical Onion Growth Stages For Selective Protection From Thrips Tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera:Thripidae) Infestation
(Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Nairobi (Kenya), 2006-01) Waiganjo, M. M.; Sithanantham, S.; Mueke, J. M.; Gitonga, L. M.
Field trials were conducted during 2000-2001 at KARIandrsquo;s Mwea-Tebere and Kiboko farms to establish the effect of onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman on onion bulb yields and to identify the critical onion growth stage for selective protection from the pest infestation. Yield reductions of 59 and 27% were recorded in the first and second crops respectively at Mwea-Tebere, but no significant yield reductions were observed in a third crop grown at Kiboko with low thrips infestation. A significant onion yield response to thrips infestation was observed during the 2nd month after transplanting (bulb-formation) and 3rd month after transplanting (bulb-enlargement), but no significant response was observed during the 1st month (pre-bulbing) and 4th month (maturation stage). Onion protection during bulb-formation and enlargement stages only, resulted in higher marginal returns than full season pesticide application. The studies suggest that control recommendations for onion could be refined to optimize need-based protection.
Fishery Industry in Kenya: Towards the Development of a National Policy
(Karatina University, 2006-07) Aloo, Peninah
This book, which is the precursor of the fisheries policy, comprises eight chapters. Chapter One introduces the reader to the fisheries industry including the status, challenges and the rationale for the fisheries policy. The principles and objectives of the fisheries sector and ten broad policy areas are explained in this chapter. Chapter Two gives an overview of the three sub-sectors: marine, inland and aquaculture. Chapter Three to Five, gives an in-depth analysis of each of the three sub-sectors. In the case marine and inland fisheries, the status of each is analyzed in terms of types of fisheries, export, constraints and policy interventions. For aquaculture, the situation in the country, development options and strong justification for its development are discussed. Chapter Six discusses policy statements for each fisheries sub-sector. In this chapter, the key issues are highlighted and actions recommended. Chapter Seven concludes with policy interventions for each of the policy areas and implementation
Culture and tourism: Role Of Culture and Ethnicity on leisure and travel participation
(LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, 2011-06-29) Mbuthia, Susan
As Tourism is seen as the World's largest industry, it is without doubt that it is practiced everywhere and by almost everyone despite of their ethnicity, culture, values or traditions. The book brings to light a decisive background of the terms culture and Ethnicity, while exploring some major global issues that affect minorities when deciding upon where and how to go or participate in leisure. The Central message of this book is that as the world becomes a global village, people are seeing themselves in different parts of the world where they either become minorities, immigrants or simply "visitors". While the Book explains the terms such as ethnicity and minority, it also investigates the role culture and ethnicity plays while one decides to travel. Bon voyage!
Prevalence and Intensity of Intestinal Parasites in School age Children in Thika District, Kenya
(2012-01) Ngonjo, Teresia; Kihara, Jimmy H; Gicheru, Michael M; Wanzala, Peter; Njenga, Sammy; Mwandawiro, Charles
The study was conducted in four public primary schools namely, Athena (peri-urban), Kathambara (rural), Kianjau (slum) and St.Patrick (urban); in Thika district, Kenya. Overall prevalence of helminthic infections was 38.9%, 48.9%, 48.9% and 31% for Peri-urban, rural, slum, and urban school respectively. Overall prevalence of protozoan infections was 46.3%, 38.9%, 34.8% and 28.7% for Peri- urban, rural, slum and urban schools respectively. The common infections were Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Trichiuris trichiura and Schistosoma mansoni. Ascaris lumbricoides infection was significantly higher in slum and rural than in peri-urban and urban schools (χ²=14.425, df=3, p<0.05). Hookworm infection was significantly higher in the rural and peri-urban schools than in urban and slum schools (χ²=15.268, df=3, p<0.01). Entamoeba histolytica was significantly higher in rural and slum schools than in peri-urban and urban schools. (χ²=9.29, df=3, p<0.05). There were 10 cases of Schistosoma mansoni probably acquired from Mwea irrigation scheme since there is no active transmission in Thika District. In this study, there is clear indication that worms and protozoa infections are a problem in urban, slums, peri-urban and rural schools in Thika district. It is therefore our recommendation that schools in this area be included in mass school based deworming programmes. We further suggest that school children be considered for treatment of protozoa especially Entamoeba histolytica which can contribute significantly to diarrhea and intestinal discomfort.
Children's participation in Khat production: Educational implications
(Lambert Academic Publishing, 2014) Mukami, Faith
This book is about children's participation in khat production. It describes the push and pull factors for children's participation in khat production and their implications for schooling. It also describes the perceptions on their participation in khat production and on schooling. Their Participation in khat production is depicted as child work and not labour. This book also depicts children as having agency and not as passive victims of exploitation. It presents the children as people who are capable of examining issues in life and who make decisions on how to act depending on how they interpret the situation.
Relationship Between SMASE-Trained Teachers’ Factors and Primary School Pupils’ Mathematics And Science Achievement in Murang’a County, Kenya
(Academic Research Journals, 2014) Gachahi, Michael W.; Kimani, Gerald N.; Ngaruiya, Boniface
This study investigated the relationship between SMASE-trained teachers’ factors and pupils’ achievement in Mathematics and Science in primary schools in Murang’a County. Correlational research design was adopted in this study. Stratified random sampling was used to ensure that rural and urban schools in the County were represented. One hundred and nine teachers participated in the study. Four research instruments that included teachers’ questionnaire, a lesson observation guide and two achievement tests, one in Mathematics and the other in Science, were used in the study. Chi square and Pearson Correlation Coefficient were used to test the null hypotheses (α =.05). The study found that SMASE-trained teachers’ gender, teaching experience and level of application of SMASE skills were not significantly related to students’ academic achievement.
World reference base for soil resources 2014 International soil classification system for naming soils and creating legends for soil maps
(Food and Agriculture Organization, 2014) FAO; IUSS Working Group WRB
The first edition of the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) was released at the 16th World Congress of Soil Science at Montpellier in 1998. At the same event, it was also endorsed and adopted as the system for soil correlation and international communication of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS). The second edition of the WRB was released at the 18th World Congress at Philadelphia in 2006. After an additional eight years of intensive worldwide testing and data collection, the third edition of the WRB is presented. This publication builds on and reflects the valuable work of the authors of the earlier drafts and editions of the WRB, as well as the experiences and contributions of many soil scientists who participated in the work of the IUSS Working Group on the WRB. The WRB is a soil classification system for naming soils and creating soil map legends. It is hoped that this publication will contribute to the understanding of soil science in the general public and in the scientific community. The publication has been made possible by the sustained efforts of a large group of expert authors, as well as the cooperation and logistic support of the IUSS and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Regional Linkages in the Kenyan Horticultural Industry
(Ashgate, 2015-01) Dannenberg, Peter; Nduru, Gilbert
In rural areas of industrialized societies, food production as a basis for growth and employment has been declining for many decades. In the Global South, on the other hand, food production is still often the most important factor for socio-economic development. Analysing the ongoing changes and dynamics in rural development from a functional perspective through a series of case studies from the global north and south, this volume deepens our understanding of the importance of new functional and multifunctional approaches in policy, practice and theory.
Current Status of Soil-Transmitted Helminths among School Children in Kakamega County, Western Kenya
(2016-01) Ngonjo, Teresia; Okoyo, Collins Omondi; Andove, Julius; Simiyu, Elses; Lelo, Agola Eric; Kabiru, Ephantus Wanjohi; Kihara, Jimmy H; Mwandawiro, Charles
Background. School age children are at high risk of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) worldwide. In Kenya, STH infections in children remain high despite the periodic administration of anthelmintic drugs. Our study assessed the prevalence and intensity of STH in primary school-aged children in Kakamega County, western Kenya. Methodology. We carried out a cross-sectional study on a population of 731 children attending 7 primary schools in March 2014. Children aged 4–16 years were examined for STH by the quantitative Kato-Katz technique. Infection intensities were expressed as eggs per gram (epg) of faeces. Findings. Among 731 school children examined for STH, 44.05% were infected. Highest prevalence of STH was in Shitaho primary school where 107 participants were examined and 62.6% were infected with mean intensity of 11667 epg. Iyenga had the least prevalence where 101 participants were examined and 26.7% were infected with mean intensity of 11772 epg. A. lumbricoides was the most prevalent STH species with 43.5% infected, while hookworm infections were low with 1.8% infected. Conclusion. Prevalence of STHs infections in Kakamega County remains high. We recommend guidelines and other control strategies to be scaled up to break transmission cycles.
Characteristics and Growth Performance of Kuchi Indigenous Chicken
(2016-08) Chesoo, Ben; Oduho, George; Kios, David
About This Book RECOMMENDATIONS To Poultry Breeders: To avoid genetic dilution and erosion of local chicken genetic resource, it is recommended that further characterization of the Kuchi ecotype is made(phenotypic and molecular), through within and between ecotype selection in order to utilize and conserve these indigenous genomes in a sustainable way, To Policy Makers: It is recommended that the line department in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, collaborates with Animal Scientists who are interested in researching into indigenous chicken, particularly the Kuchi, for the purpose of patenting, conservation (Gene-banking) and production since this ecotype has the potential of being harnessed towards rural livelihood improvement, not only in Kenya but also in other developing tropical countries; and, To Farmers: Findings from this study, the researcher recommends that the farmers select and line breed ecotypes which are high body weight gain and plumage colours not attractive towards predators. Kuchi IC ecotype satisfies all these attributes; thus, the researcher highly recommends it to the farmers.
Likes and comments: The untamed Facebook sex education in Uganda and Kenya for emerging adults
(IGI global publisher, 2017) Kendagor, Ruth; Mpiima, David Mugambe; Ndung'u, Sara Wairimu
Information Needs of Publishing Personnel in Kenya
(LAP LAMBERT Academic, 2018) Mbengei, Bernard
This study sought to find out the information needs and information seeking behaviour of publishing personnel in a typical Kenyan book publishing firm, the Longhorn (K) Ltd. The study identified the problems that publishing personnel encounter in their work situation in their endeavour to satisfy their information needs and also suggested possible solutions to some of the problems. Understanding of the information needs and information seeking behaviour of publishing personnel might be helpful in designing better information systems for them. The study employed mainly a qualitative case study approach. An interview schedule was used to guide the researcher in data collection in face-to-face personal interviews with the respondents. Observation and documentary sources were used to complement interviews in data collection. On average, the interview sessions lasted between half to one hour. Altogether, forty two (42) members of staff engaged in work related to publishing were interviewed and the data carefully recorded and analysed. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used in analysing data collected from the respondents