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Selected Micronutrients Effects on Pest and Disease Resistance, Yield and Quality of Tomato in Bomet County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Koech, Kiplangat Stanley
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important horticultural crop in Kenya, widely grown for both household consumption and income generation. However, tomato production in Bomet County has been constrained by persistent arthropod pest infestations and diseases, as well as poor soil fertility characterized by micronutrient deficiencies. These challenges have led to increased reliance on chemical pesticides, which are costly and environmentally harmful. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of selected micronutrients—copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn)—on pest and disease resistance, yield, and fruit quality of tomato varieties in Chepalungu Sub County, Bomet County, Kenya. Objectives of the study were to: (i) determine the prevalence of tomato diseases and arthropod pests (ii) assess the influence of foliar applied zinc and copper micronutrients on the incidence and severity of key tomato pests and diseases (iii) evaluate the antioxidant levels specifically vitamin C, beta carotene and vitamin K in three tomato varieties in relation to micronutrient application. A field survey was conducted among 100 tomato farmers to identify existing production practices, major pest and disease problems, and fertilizer use patterns. Field experiments were then established in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications with split plot arrangements. The main plots consisted of three tomato varieties (Cal-J, Rio Grande, and Royal Oxly), while the subplots consisted of micronutrient treatments: copper sulphate (CuSO4), zinc sulphate (ZnSO4), and their combination (Cu SO4+ ZnSO4), applied weekly as foliar sprays at 0.5% concentration beginning four weeks after transplanting until harvest. Data on arthropod pest infestation, disease incidence and severity, and yield components were collected through field observations and laboratory analyses. Vitamin C and beta-carotene levels were determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Data from the field survey were analysed using SPSS version 18.0, while experimental data were analysed using SAS version 9.4 under the General Linear Model (GLM), and treatment means separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 5% probability level. Results indicated that Frankliniella occidentalis (thrips) and Tuta absoluta (tomato leaf miner) were the most prevalent pests, while late blight (Phytophthora infestans) and early blight (Alternaria solani) were the most widespread diseases. Application of zinc and copper micronutrients, either singly or in combination, significantly (p < 0.05) reduced pest infestation and disease incidence compared to untreated control plots. The combined treatment (CuSO4 + ZnSO4) elicited the highest vitamin C production and beta-carotene levels and led to the greatest marketable yield (up to 2.6 t ha⁻ ¹) in the Cal-J variety. The study concludes that zinc and copper micronutrients enhance tomato resistance to pests and diseases, improve fruit nutritional quality, and increase yield under field conditions in Bomet County. It recommends that farmers integrate foliar application of zinc and copper micronutrients at 0.5% concentration as part of sustainable tomato production practices to reduce chemical pesticide use and promote environmental and food safety.
Determinants of Dyslexia on Performance in Mathematics among Class Seven Learners in Kaiti Sub-County, Makueni County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2016-06) Katunga, Zipporah
Despite the overwhelming emphasis that has been laid towards the importance of Mathematics in the Kenyan Education System, performance in the subject in National Examinations continues to take a downward trend. The main purpose of these study was to investigate the influence of dyslexia on performance of mathematics among leamers in class seven in Kaiti division. The objectives of the study included: to determine the extent to which teaching methods influence performance of mathematics for learners with dyslexia among class seven learners, to assess what level the curriculum content in mathematics influence performance in mathematics for learners with dyslexia, to find out to what extent time allocated for word problem in mathematics exams influence math performance among learners with dyslexia and to establish the extent to which gender of the learner influence the performance of mathematics among learners with dyslexia. The study used descriptive survey design employing both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Ten schools which were 25% of the targeted population were selected using simple random sampling. The target population was 40 class seven math teachers and 2000 class seven learners. Purposive sampling was then used to select 10 mathematics teachers and 200 learners. Data was collected using questionnaires. assessment checklist, a mathematics assessment test and documents analysis. Qualitative data was transcribed and organized into themes, categories and subcategories. Quantitative data was analyzed using content analysis and information reduced to numerical terms then analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The study established that more than three quarters of the teachers in the study had cases of dyslexia in their classes. All the teachers indicated that teaching methods employed by the teachers influence performance of mathematics in a learners with dyslexia. From the findings, the study concluded that the teachers had cases of dyslexia in their classes. The study concludes that teaching methods employed by the teachers influence performance of Mathematics in learners with dyslexia. It is recommended therefore that, teachers in primary schools should use teaching aids...
Barriers to Play-Based Learning among Pre-Primary School Pupils in the Kangemi Informal Settlement of Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2017-07) Bowler, Sheela Anne
Abstract
Relationship between National Police Service Reforms and Crime Rate in Kasarani Police Division, Nairobi County, Kenya, between 2002-2015
(Kenyatta University, 2017-07) Murithi, Eric N.
The main focus of this study was to find out whether the reform process being undertaken currently has any significant relationship with crime management. Specific research objectives were; to establish the kind of police reforms that the government has been implementing to reduce crime rates, to determine the level of interaction between law enforcement officers and community partners, to find out the levels of crime before and during the implementation of police reforms, and to establish the effect of police welfare on crime levels, all within the period between 2002-2015. The study was guided by Kurt Lewin's theory of change in analyzing theoretical background and discussing the findings, with a target population of 213,602 persons from Kasarani police division, inclusive of 10 key informants drawn from main stakeholders. Stratified random sampling was used to draw 100 respondents. The study applied descriptive research design, whereby primary data was collected using interview schedules and questionnaires, while secondary data collected by use of content analysis of literature. Quantitative data was coded and analyzed using frequency counts and percentages, while thematic analysis was used on qualitative data. Findings indicate that reforms have taken shape and their effects arc felt. From 89% response rate, 58% appreciate positive impact of reforms in terms of partnership and sharing of information, with interaction level of 68%. Crime levels as appreciated by the respondents stood positively at 65% on ‘average’ and ‘below’, although there was mixed...
Effect of Comprehensive HIV Prevention Information Package on Number of Concurrent Sexual Partners Among Youth in Kenya
(Science Publishing Group, 2025-07) Khasewa,Joab; Mwanzo, Isaac; Orago, Alloys
HIV remains the most significant public health and development challenge in the world. In sub-Saharan African countries, young people aged 15-24 years are bearing the biggest brunt. The United Nations framework for addressing the epidemic among young people who bear the high burden of HIV globally calls for comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education. Despite the availability of widening array of HIV prevention tools and methods, new infections among youth in Kenya only reduced by 59% between 2015 and 2019. The percentage of young men aged 15-24 years who had two or more sexual partners who reported using condoms during the last sexual intercourse was higher at 63.5% compared to young women of the same age group at 35.5%. Various HIV prevention interventions have been implemented among the Young People with little assessment of their effectiveness in reducing new HIV infections. The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of comprehensive HIV prevention information package on number of concurrent sexual partners among young people aged 15-24 years in Kakamega and Kericho counties, Kenya. To achieve this, a non-randomised control trial was conducted using a structured questionnaire. It involved purposively selecting Kakamega as intervention and Kericho as Comparison County. Consenting young people residing in these counties were the study subjects. The pretest questionnaire was administered in both intervention and control counties in November - December, 2021. The posttest questionnaire was administered in both counties after nine months of providing HIV prevention information package in the intervention county. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi square, t-test). The number of youths who had two or more sexual partners reduced at endline to 17.6% from 23.7% in intervention county. Similar reduction was also noted in comparison County, where the number reduced to 36.6% at endline from 61.1% but was not significant (t = 2.197, df=2, P = 0.159). There was significant number of male youth in intervention county who had two or more concurrent sexual partners at 13.7% compared to female at 6.4%(P=0.003). Concurrent partnership by gender among youth in comparison county was higher among men at 32.4% compared to female at 11.4% but was not significant (0.091). The findings from the study will inform national rollout of the HIV prevention information package to contribute to safer sexual behaviors among young people.