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Adoption of Green Building Practices in Langata, Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Kirui, Mercy Chebet
The rise in greenhouse gas emissions presents a serious threat to global biodiversity,
creating an urgent need for sustainable solutions in the construction sector. Green
building practices have emerged as a viable approach to mitigate these environmental
impacts, incorporating strategies such as maximizing natural lighting, implementing
solar heating systems, and utilizing renewable materials like bamboo. These methods not
only reduce energy and water consumption but also improve waste management in
buildings where people spend the majority of their time. While previous research has
demonstrated a connection between stakeholder awareness and the adoption of green
construction technologies, this relationship had not been specifically examined in Nairobi
City County, Kenya, creating a gap in localized understanding. This study investigated
the adoption of environmentally friendly building practices in Langata, Nairobi County,
focusing on three key aspects: the level of green building awareness among construction
professionals, existing regulatory measures for sustainable construction, and
environmental sustainability indicators of green technologies. The research employed
mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection
techniques through semi-structured questionnaires, inspection checklists, and interviews.
The study focused on a sample of 100 construction practitioners, including quantity
surveyors and project managers, as well as residential buildings of two floors or more
constructed between 2010 and 2020, ensuring consistency in the types of structures
analyzed. Statistical analysis using Microsoft Excel and SPSS software revealed
significant findings through regression analysis. The results showed that awareness levels
among professionals had a measurable impact on adoption rates, with an R-Square value
of 0.106, F-statistic of 10.357, and a p-value of 0.002. Regulatory measures showed
stronger influence with an R-Square of 0.172, F-statistic of 15.644, and p-value of 0.003,
while environmental sustainability indicators demonstrated the strongest relationship
with an R-Square of 0.241, F-statistic of 13.742, and p-value of 0.002. The findings
uncovered several critical issues in the local construction sector. More than half (51.2%)
of construction workers demonstrated limited awareness of green building concepts, with
only 21.3% being familiar with the Kenya Green Building Society, and a mere 15% had
received any formal training in sustainable construction methods. While some regulatory
measures were being implemented to a moderate extent as indicated by a mean score of
2.61, green building policies have not yet been fully integrated into official construction
guidelines. Moreover, certain sustainable practices like waste management and energy
efficiency showed moderate adoption rates, with a mean score of 3.05, suggesting
gradual progress in implementation. The study concludes that despite growing global
emphasis on sustainable construction, significant barriers remain in the local context,
particularly regarding awareness and policy implementation. The research recommends
comprehensive training programs for construction professionals, stronger enforcement
of existing regulations, and government incentives to encourage wider adoption of green
technologies. These findings are likely to contribute valuable insights for policy makers
and industry stakeholders seeking to promote sustainable development in Nairobi and
similar urban environments, while also providing a foundation for future research in this
critical area of environmental sustainability
Access to Healthcare among Residents in Kiandutu Urban Informal Settlement, Kiambu County
(Kenyatta University, 2025-06) Kikuvi, Charlotte Ndunge
Access to healthcare refers to the ability to get the required medical care from the health service providers when needed. Most low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have limited access to healthcare, especially in urban informal settlements. Informal settlements are characterised by people of low socio-economic status, lack of education, and lack of employment along with substandard housing and overcrowding, poor sanitation, limited water supply, and inadequate or no public infrastructure. Due to the high poverty rate in informal settlements, there is limited access to healthcare, which may cause many health problems. The study assesses determinants of access to healthcare by residents in Kiandutu urban informal settlement, Kiambu County. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design to determine predisposing, enabling and need factors that influence access to healthcare among the residents. A multi-stage sampling approach. Kiandutu urban informal settlement was purposively selected, random sampling was used to select four out of the eight villages and systematic sampling was used to select households. The study covered a total of 318 households. Data collection tools used both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Descriptive statistics were presented using frequency and percentages, tables and graphs. Chi-square and Fisher's exact test statistics were used to evaluate the associations between the variables. Qualitative data were subjected to thematic analysis. The results revealed that religion (ꭙ2=4.193; df=1; p<0.041), education (ꭙ2=7.854; df=2; p<0.020), income (ꭙ2=6.921; df=2; p<0.031), and distance to the facility (ꭙ2=25.818; df=2; p<0.0001) all had an impact on access to healthcare. In conclusion, the seriousness of illness mainly influenced health-seeking behaviour. Education level, religion, income earning and distance to the health facility outside informal settlements influenced access to healthcare. The study recommended, the County Government should carry out health awareness measures to reduce the time gap between symptoms and seeking care. The County Government and Stakeholders should influence and promote the advancement of health services. The County Government and NGOs should ensure health services are affordable and accessible to the residents. The County Government and policy makers to ensure that the health facilities within informal settlements offer specialist clinics.
Antioxidant Activity, Phytochemical Content and Antibacterial Activity of Extracts of Aloiampelos ciliaris
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Mayau, John Kirimi
Extensive research on medicinal plants has revealed their antibacterial, antifungal, and
antioxidant properties. However, the increasing prevalence of bacterial resistance to
conventional antibiotics highlights the need to identify new bioactive compounds from
medicinal plants. Currently, natural products account for over 50 % of drugs used in the
treatment of different infections. Within this context, the Aloe genus (family Asphodelaceae),
comprising approximately 500 Aloe species globally and about 50 species in Kenya, has a
long-standing history of medicinal use. Notably, Aloe arborescence, Aloe ferox, and Aloe
perryli have been extensively documented for their therapeutic potential. Traditionally, Aloe
extracts have been employed for anti-malarial, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, ornamental,
and green manure purposes. Despite this established knowledge, inadequate information
exists regarding the phytochemical composition, therapeutic evaluation, antioxidant activity,
and antibacterial properties of Aloiampelos ciliaris (A. ciliaris). The present study, therefore,
aimed to screen for phytochemicals (tannins, phenols, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides),
evaluate antioxidant and antibacterial activities, and determine the total phenolic and
flavonoid content of A. ciliaris. Plant samples were collected from Meru County and
macerated in 80 % methanol for 48 hours, followed by solvent partitioning (n-hexane,
dichloromethane, EtOAc and water). Antioxidant activity was assessed using the 2,2-
diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, with results ranging
from 15.67 % (IC50 > 0.0300) to 74.74 % (IC50 > 0.0300) at 0.3mg/mL, using ascorbic acid as
a standard reference. Total phenolic content ranged from 105.89 ± 0.07 mg GAE/g in the
flower crude extract to 1.46 ± 0.04 mg GAE/g in flower DCM extract, with gallic acid as a
reference standard. Similarly, total flavonoid content ranged from 182.69 ± 1.64 mg QE/g in
root crude extract to 3.59 ± 0.41 mg QE/g in the flower n-hexane extract, with quercetin as
the reference standard. The antibacterial potential of the extracts was tested against
pathogenic Gram-positive (E. faecalis, B. subtilis) and Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, S.
typhi) using gentamicin and ciprofloxacin as positive controls and 10 % dimethyl sulfoxide
(DMSO) as the negative control. Activity ranged from inhibition of E. coli by the EtOAc
extract (12.0 ± 0.500) to inhibition of B. subtilis by the root DCM extract (7.0 ± 0.000).
Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, terpenoids,
cardiac glycosides, phenols, and saponins. Furthermore, GC-MS analysis facilitated the
separation, identification, and quantification of compounds such as methyl-cyclohexane and
dodecane. Overall, the findings demonstrate that A. ciliaris possesses considerable
therapeutic potential, attributable to its diverse secondary metabolites, antioxidant activity,
antibacterial effects, and total phenolic and flavonoid contents.
Hindrance to Adoption of Drip Irrigation by Small-Scale Farmers in Kitui County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-09) Muema, Charles M.
Climate change and its associated impacts has caused a huge gap in the availability affordability and the provision of water resources. Globally, the availability of water has been exacerbated by rapid population growth, industrialization and urbanization which has increased the demand for clean available and affordable water. To ease this scarcity, rainwater harvesting rainwater and drip irrigation technologies have been touted as viable strategies towards improved crop productivity and food security in arid and semi-arid regions. In this respect, research was necessary to determine the factors hindering the adoption of drip irrigation in Kitui County, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to find out how associated costs, access to credit to farmers, farmers’ knowledge, and water availability affected the adoption and non- adoption of drip irrigation in the County. The study used a descriptive exploratory research design to target small holder farmers. It employed probability and non-probability sampling, to obtain 60 farmers from a total population of 200 farmers who were using drip irrigation in Kitui County and 60 farmers from the total population of 155farmers who were both using furrow and drip irrigation which was derived from 2022 farmers using Nassiumas’s (2000) formula. Structured questionnaires and scheduled interviews and secondary sources were used to obtain data, which was coded in excel before being exported to SPSS for statistical analysis, while descriptive statistics and inferential statistics specifically the t-test were used for further analysis. Results were presented using tables, Pie-charts and graphs. The study established that, farmers using drip irrigation obtained significantly higher perceived cost scores (M = 28.50) compared to those not using drip irrigation (M = 23.66), t(113) = 7.159, p < .001. Similarly, drip irrigation adopters had significantly higher levels of knowledge about the technology (M = 37.05) compared to those not using drip irrigation (M = 34.76), t(113) = 2.446, p < .016. On the other hand, adopters and non-adopters of drip irrigation did not differ significantly in their perceptions of credit accessibility and water availability. These findings suggest that efforts to reduce costs and enhance farmer education about drip irrigation could significantly improve adoption rates. Accessibility to credit and water, while important, were not identified as primary hindrances in this study. To address the barriers identified, the study recommends that financial assistance programs, such as subsidies or low-interest loans, be developed to help farmers manage the initial investment costs of drip irrigation systems. Additionally, comprehensive training programs should be implemented to enhance farmers' technical knowledge and skills related to drip irrigation.
Determinants of Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation Adherence among Women of Reproductive Age in Kilifi South Sub-County, Kilifi County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Machini, Bochaberi Marion
Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA) among expectant women causes severe consequences
for both productive and reproductive health, resulting in a major public health problem.
Iron Folic Acid supplementation (IFAS) is the foremost approach put in place to curb
pregnancy-related anemia. Despite this implementation, poor adherence remains to be
a big problem. The Kenyan Ministry of Health recommends that pregnant women take
60mgs of iron and 400 μg of folic acid daily from conception till birth. In Kilifi County,
22.2% of pregnant women were reported to adhere to IFAS intake in the year 2017. The
major objective of this research was to find out the determinants of IFAS adherence
among women of reproductive age, with children 0-23 months in Kilifi South SubCounty, Kilifi County, Kenya. The study aimed to establish the proportion of women
who were anemic, the proportion adhering to IFAS intake and how social, economic,
demographic and health system factors influenced IFAS intake. A total of 324 mothers
were recruited. The research was conducted in two purposively selected public
hospitals at the community level, where mothers were selected using cluster sampling.
A cross-sectional study design was used. Qualitative data was collected through Focus
Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). Quantitative data was
collected using structured questionnaires. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically.
Analysis of Quantitative data was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social
Sciences version 25. A descriptive summary was made before testing relationships.
Association between dependent and independent variables was determined using Chisquare and logistic regression at p<0.05. Odds Ratio was used to test the strength of
association. The Graduate School of Kenyatta University approved the research, ethical
approval was given from the Kenyatta University Ethics and Review Committee,
permit to do the research was given by the National Commission for Science,
Technology and Innovation and permits were also obtained from the county
government of Kilifi, department of health services, both county and sub-county
offices. Adherence to IFAS intake in Kilifi South subcounty was low at 31.2% below
the required 65% but higher than that of the national level. Factors positively associated
with IFAS intake included education level of mother (x2 =16.884; df=4; p=0.002),
age(p=0.03, OR=1.26), monthly income (p=0.044, OR=1.622), Number of ANC visits
(x
2=7.586; df=4; p=0.000), knowledge of IFAS and its importance (x2=7.586; df=2;
p=0.023), knowledge of anemia (x2=8.020; df=1; p=0.005), knowledge of anemia
causes (x2=14.575; df=1; p=0.000), knowledge of effects of anemia in pregnancy
(x2=17.332; df=1; p=0.000), Being anemic during pregnancy (x2=22.877; df=1;
p=0.000; OR=3.35) and challenges faced when taking and acquiring IFAS (x2=4.717;
df=1; p=0.03). Some of the challenges listed were late ANC attendance (57.1%), side
effects (53.4%), forgetfulness (32.4%), long distance to the facility (59.4%) and
stockouts (29.9%). Anemia was found to be high at 69.4%. The study concluded that
mothers who sufficiently took IFAS had improved hemoglobin levels by delivery time.
It recommends that the Kilifi County health department and stakeholders address
knowledge gaps on IFAS and anemia, create awareness on early ANC registration
among pregnant women, ensure enough stock of the supplements and strengthen patient
referral system by community health volunteers