Browsing by Author "Obiri, John"

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Causes and trends of public transport motorcycle accidents in Bungoma county, Kenya
(2016) Singoro, Brian Wanyama; Wakhungu, Jacob; Obiri, John; Were
There has been a drastic increase in the use of motorcycles as a means of transport worldwide due to various reasons. In Kenya, the increased use of motorcycles has been seen over the last decade. This increase has brought forth many challenges, including motorcycle accidents on disproportionate scale comparative to the world statistics. Indeed motorcycle accidents constitute a major cause of death and injuries to thousands of people every year. In spite of this, motorcycle accidents remain a neglected problem in Kenya. This study sought to determine the causes and trends of motorcycle accidents in Bungoma County. The study population comprised 400 people from households of motorcycle riders involved in accidents and those not involved. Key informants in the motorcycle transport industry were interviewed. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design to establish the causes, incidences/trends, and vulnerability of motorcycle accidents. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis of data. The study was anchored on both the crunch model and the wish to die and domino theory. The study found that human error is the leading cause of motorcycle accidents. This is imparted on by poor regulatory and enforcement regimes. Structured and comprehensive training of riders on traffic code and regulations will most likely reduce accidents and associated economic losses. Collective action measures such as motorcycle Saccos for voluntary enforcement and pooling of resources, to aid riders in case of injuries and death, should be explored and pursued. The study provides information and insights on disaster risk reduction for policy formulation on motorcycle accident mitigation. From the results, the proposed strategies that can be employed to curb motorcycle accidents in the order of magnitude are: training of motorcycle riders; observing speed limits; improved roads; not driving while under the influence of drugs/ alcohol; not carrying more than one passenger; improved enforcement by police; proper motorcycle maintenance; wearing protective clothes/ helmets/ boots; wearing reflective jacket; and not driving while tired.
Environmental hazards in Peri-Urban poultry farming in western kenya
(2015) Osolo, Nyende Kefa.; Wanambacha, Wakhungu Jacob.; Obiri, John
Poultry keeping is popular in peri-urban centres of Kenya. Poultry wastes arising from intensive poultry units may become too large to be absorbed in the immediate areas of production as crop plots and gardens decrease in size in urban centres leading to potential for environmental hazards. This study was conducted in four urban centres of Bungoma, Eldoret, Kakamega and Kisumu to evaluate the contribution of poultry wastes to environmental hazards. Manure samples were collected from 40 randomly selected intensive poultry farms and taken to the Kenya Bureau of Standards laboratory for microbial and heavy metal content analysis. There was no significant variation in E.coli levels between the four municipalities (p-value > 0.353) as well as between the poultry manure types (p-value > 0.823). There was a statistically significant interaction between manure condition and municipalities and the Salmonella levels, F (2, 33) = 6.266, p < 0.005. There was lack of evidence to dispute the claim that the means concentration (mg kg-1 ) of mercury [F (3, 33) = 1.035, p < 0.390] as well as copper [F (3, 35) = 0.084, p > 0.968] in poultry manures was similar across the four municipalities. This means that the heavy metal contents in the manure in the study area was below levels that could be considered hazardous in the manure if handled as waste. Strict hygiene and bio-security was recommended. It was recommended that Bio-security and hygiene should be included in the poultry extension programmes and training curricula.
Environmental hazards in peri-urban poultry farming in western Kenya
(2015) Osolo, N.K.; Wanambacha, Wakhungu Jacob; Obiri, John
Poultry keeping is popular in peri-urban centres of Kenya. Poultry wastes arising from intensive poultry units may become too large to be absorbed in the immediate areas of production as crop plots and gardens decrease in size in urban centres leading to potential for environmental hazards. This study was conducted in four urban centres of Bungoma, Eldoret, Kakamega and Kisumu to evaluate the contribution of poultry wastes to environmental hazards. Manure samples were collected from 40 randomly selected intensive poultry farms and taken to the Kenya Bureau of Standards laboratory for microbial and heavy metal content analysis. There was no significant variation in E.coli levels between the four municipalities (p-value > 0.353) as well as between the poultry manure types (p-value > 0.823). There was a statistically significant interaction between manure condition and municipalities and the Salmonella levels, F (2, 33) = 6.266, p < 0.005. There was lack of evidence to dispute the claim that the means concentration (mg kg-1 ) of mercury [F (3, 33) = 1.035, p < 0.390] as well as copper [F (3, 35) = 0.084, p > 0.968] in poultry manures was similar across the four municipalities. This means that the heavy metal contents in the manure in the study area was below levels that could be considered hazardous in the manure if handled as waste. Strict hygiene and bio-security was recommended. It was recommended that Bio-security and hygiene should be included in the poultry extension programmes and training curricula.
Manure Management Risks and Ownership of Peri-Urban Poultry Enterprises in Western Kenya
(2013) Osolo, N.K.; Wanambacha, Wakhungu Jacob; Obiri, John
Ownership profile and management practices of peri-urban poultry units in four urban centres in Kenya; namely Bungoma, Eldoret, Kakamega and Kisumu were evaluated. Questionnaire surveys and interviews were used among 475 farmers selected through snowball sampling. More women were reported to own peri-urban poultry than were men although most decisions were made through consultation at family level. Poultry and manure handling practices were found to be poor and varying across municipalities. There was no significant difference across the municipalities with respect to the way farmers kept poultry feeds (χ2 9, 0.616 = 7.2). Farmers kept poultry feeds either in residential houses, poultry houses, dedicated stores or given to the birds directly regardless of the municipality. Garden crops varied but most of the peri-urban poultry keepers grew leafy vegetables (χ2 18, 0.001 = 33.58). The study recommends that poultry farmers should use designated feed stores to avoid feed contamination and environmental pollution by feeds; Poultry manure should be stored under shade for at least three months; Transport of poultry manure should be in closed containers to avoid contamination of transit routes; Crops applied with poultry manure should be harvested after sufficient waiting time or properly cooked to control spread of diseases.
Uses of manure from intensive urban poultry units in Western Kenya
(KIBU, 2018-06-12) Osolo, Nyende Kefa; Wakhungu, Jacob Wanambacha; Obiri, John
Poultry keeping is a popular practice in urban centres of Kenya with wastes arising from the poultry units may become too large to be absorbed in the immediate areas of production as crop plots and gardens decrease in size in urban centres leading to public health nuisance and potential for environmental hazards. A study was conducted in four urban centres of Bungoma, Eldoret, Kakamega and Kisumu in Western Kenya to evaluate the alternative uses of poultry manure besides use as soil fertility enhancer. Cross sectional survey was employed in the study. Questionnaire interviews were administered among 475 farmers selected through snowball sampling. Manure uses mentioned by respondents were cattle feed, fertilizing fish ponds and soil crop fields. There was a significant difference across the municipalities with respect to alternative uses of poultry manure (χ29, 0.001 = 133.3). Sale of poultry manure showed a significant difference(χ23, 0.001 = 17.8) across municipalities. Use of poultry manure to generate revenue was emerging in the study area. While this may increase income, it could have a negative epidemiological effect by contaminating the transport routes and sites of deposition. In line with the findings, it was recommended that: Farmers in urban areas should adopt practices that minimize contamination of feed and environmental pollution by manure; Urban policies and programs must ensure safe handling, disposal/transport of wastes from poultry farms. Key Words: Poultry keeping, Wastes, Manure, Urban