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Influence of occupational health and safety programmers on performance of manufacturing firms in Western Province, Kenya
(African Journal of History and Culture, 2012-05-12) Makori, Ezekiel M.; O. M. J. Nandi; Thuo, J. K.; Wanyonyi, Kadian W.
Occupational health and safety continues to be one of the most critical but highly criticized issues within the discipline of human resource management. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of health and safety programmes on performance of manufacturing firms in Western Province, Kenya. The study presents the results on an empirical study conducted. The study utilized a convenient sample by using all manufacturing firms in Western Kenya. Content validity and reliability of the research instruments were done through test retest method using one of the manufacturing firms which was not included in the final analysis. Reliability coefficient yielded a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.88. The data from all the manufacturing firms was collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistical tools like Pearson correlation, simple regression and one way ANOVA. The study findings showed a moderate positive relationship between occupational health and safety programmes (OHSP) and organizational performance of manufacturing firms. This was an indication that OHSP were not efficient in the studied firms, thus, affecting organizational performance of these firms in terms of sales, profitability, production, order delivery, reputation, target achievement, product quality and production costs. Management of firms must put in place policies and structures for improving occupational health and safety. They should not wait to form ad hoc committees (after an accident has occurred), whose recommendations may not be implemented. Organizations should put in place active health and safety committees which should be given mandate to implement their recommendations. Everyone in the organization should adhere to laid down policies, rules and safety precautions to reduce accidents. The study results provide vital information to managers, researchers and academicians on the relevance of occupational health and safety in business organizations.
Modeling the Spatial Impact of Climate Change on Grevy’s Zebra (Equus grevyi) niche in Kenya
(Elixir Remote Sensing, 2013-09-07) Kigen, C.; Okoth, P.; Konje, Martha Muthoni; Shivoga, W.; Ochieno, D.; Wanjala, S.; Agevi, H.; Onyando, Z.; Soy, B.; Kisoyan, P.; Makindi, S.
Although Grevy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) is listed as endangered species and is an important attraction in Kenya’s tourism industry, there have been no attempts to model the implications of climate change on their niche. This study modeled the potential current and future (the year 2080) distribution in Kenya. The E. grevyi location data were sourced from published literature and climate data was downloaded from world climate database website and analysis done using MaxEnt and DIVA-GIS. The model generated an excellent AUC of 0.984 and the future niche is shown to expand. The main five variables contributing more than 2% of change in niche expansion are isothermality, precipitation of coldest quarter, annual mean temperature, annual precipitation, min temperature of coldest period and precipitation of wettest quarter. The generated information will assist conservation policy makers to make informed decisions.
Forage Availability and Quality for the Impala (Aepyceros Melampus (Brian) Kathryh) of Impala Sanctuary, Kenya
(International Journal of Recent Scientific Research, 2014-10-07) Obiet, Lenard; Konje, Martha Muthoni; Francis, Muyekho; Danyuku, Esther; Kigen, Charles; Wamalwa, Stella; Kassilly, Fredrick; Wabusya, Moses
Forage availability and grazing pattern for the impala (Aepyceros melampus (Brian) Kathryh) in three ecosystems of the Impala sanctuary, Kenya was assessed during the wet and dry seasons. The grazing behavior of the impalas was observed to identify the preferred forage species and patterns grazing between seasons and ecosystems. Preferred grass species were sampled to determine percentage dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fibers, and Crude protein. Data was subjected to Analysis of Variance using SAS version 9.0. The results showed that impala sanctuary had 37 different grass species but Cynodon dactylon, Eragrostis
curvula, Digitaris scalarum, Eleusine indica, Pennisetum setaceum and Hyparrhenia filipendula were most grazed on by the Impala. Grassland ecosystem had significantly high forage availability during the wet season, but in the dry season the marshes ecosystem was the one with the most nutritious forages. Grazing patterns varied with seasons, with most impalas preferring to graze in the grassland during the wet season and in the marshes during the dry season. The study suggests management practices that favor dominance of species that are most foraged in order to increase forage availability for the impalas in the sanctuary.
Physicochemical characteristics and Biodegradability of organic fraction of solid wastes generated in Eldoret Municipality, Kenya
(Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 2016-05-13) Khatiebi, Sandra; Siamba, Donald Namasaka; Konje, Martha Muthoni; Mulambalah, Chrispinus Siteti
This study was designed to characterise and assess the biodegradability of the organic portion of the waste from a fast growing agricultural urban centre, Eldoret, in North Rift of Kenya. This is because new strategies for waste management are aimed at integrating mechanical, thermal and biological processing for energy and reduction of the volume of waste to be disposed. Therefore bbiological methods are designed degrade organic carbon of MSW under controlled conditions to produce desired quality for final disposal should take into account, the proportions and characteristics of the components as a factor that would influence the biodegradability of the wastes. The study was carried out in Eldoret municipality, a fast expanding urban setting in Western Kenya that serves as an administrative centre of Uasin Gishu County. Waste samples were collected on delivery at dumpsite and categorised by source of waste based on the economic status of the households. Waste composition, proximate analysis for crude nutrients, volatile solids and biochemical gas potential of the waste were carried out to estimate the physicochemical and biodegradability characteristics of the waste. Results showed that putrescible/organic material constituted the largest component of the waste irrespective of the source. Its moisture content was expectedly high (> 50%). The organic fraction contains high levels of crude nutrients that can support microbial activities thus biodegradability. This was supported by the volatile solids profiles and the biochemical gas potential. Statistically, biodegradability of wastes from central business district was significantly (p<0.05) more degradable than from residential areas. This was attributable to the high organic carbon content.
Population Status And Conservation Hotspots Of Prunus Africana (Hook. F.) Kalkman In South Nandi Forest, Western Kenya
(Researchjournali’s Journal of Forestry, 2016-06-07) Koros, Hillary K.; Konje, Martha Muthoni; Wambua, Margaret M.; Chesire, Christopher K.; Odeny, Dickens; Malombe, Itambo B.
Prunus africana is assessed as vulnerable globally by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The conservation status is however general and under-illustrated. It lacks details on the actual threats that cause precarious spatial distribution of the population in certain localities such as South Nandi Forest, Western Kenya. This study assessed the population structure of P. africana by correlation of biometric variable including Diameter at Breast Height and height class distribution and regeneration with the diversity and frequency of threats in spatial context of the plant species. Stratified Random Sampling was used to establish three belt transects of 400 m by 2 km within the forest and 1 km buffer zone in farmlands. The measure of mean, spread, normal distribution and correlation of biometric variables of P. africana was analysed using PAST (Version 4.3). Population structure was summarised using histograms and bar charts. Frequency distribution table was used to analyse the number of incidence of the threats to P. africana at plot level. T-test was used to test for differences in P. africana parameters among transects. The spatial distribution model of P. africana in the forest and buffer zone was mapped using the maximum entropy suitability mapping method as implemented in MAXENT software (Version 3.3.3k) and QGIS Brighton (version 2.6). Prunus africana population was highly
concentrated in North eastern part of the forest and surrounding farmlands with admirable number of mature individuals. The Diameter at Breast Height distribution of P. africana in the forest showed unstable and intermittent population structure unlike a stable population in the surrounding farmlands. Although the seeds germinated profusely, there was poor establishment and survival. Key conservation threats were overgrazing, firewood collection, logging and charcoal burning. The study recommends both in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures.