MST-Department of Environmental Education

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Contributions of conservation Education Centres Towards Sustainable Environmental Awareness in Schools, A Case of Giraffe Centre Nairobi County
(2014-02-22) Njagi, Gathuku George; Kerich, Richard Kimutai; Gichuki, Cecilia Muringo
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the contributions of conservation education ncentres in creating awareness to promote sustainable environmental conservation in schools. In this regard, public education is critical in raising levels of awareness in environmental conservation. The results of this study will contribute to future review and improvement of environmental education and awareness programmes offered by other conservation education centres. A descriptive survey design was adopted targeting pupils, administrators and teachers from 26 out of 205 primary schools in Nairobi County. Purposive sampling was used to select 16 schools that have participated in the Giraffe Centre’s environmental education programmes while simple random sampling was used to select 10 schools that had not participated in the same. One hundred and thirty (130) pupils, 26 administrators and 42 teachers from the selected schools were sampled. Questionnaires designed for pupils and teachers/administrators plus a checklist was used as the main tools for data collection. Quantitative data collected was coded and entered into an SPSS programme (version 17) for analysis. Qualitative data was put under themes consistent with the research objectives. Pearson’s coefficient of correlation (r) was also used to analyze data at 0.05 level of significance. Results were presented by use of tables, pie-charts and bar graphs. Results show that the EE and Awareness programmes offered at the Giraffe Centre are relevant to the school curriculum; these programmes help pupils to actualize what they learn in theory. Results further show that the environmental knowledge retained by pupils regardless of age or gender was statistically significant (0.9203 ± 1.28) for trained schools versus (1.4977 ± 1.28) for untrained schools (t (128) = 8.287, P = 0.51). The study further revealed that the schools environmental status regardless of their status and location was statistically significant (-0.6848 ± 0.25) for trained schools versus (1.8148 ± 0.25) for untrained schools t (25) = 0.931, P = 0.133) as simple conservation measures could be taken. By implication, these findings show that the environmental education and awareness programmes offered by the Giraffe Centre impart sustainable environmental conservation skills to pupils and teachers, but there is need for the Giraffe Centre to develop an EE and ESD curriculum and accredit the teachers’ workshops through affiliation with one of the local universities for credibility.
Effects of Climate Variability on Pastoral Livelihoods in Marigat District, Baringo County, Kenya
(2014-03-05) Lelenguyah, Geoffrey Lenyayon; Gichuki, Cecilia Muringo; Koske, James K.A.
The expected global temperature increase, more intense rainfall and more frequent droughts will have devastating effects on pastoral livelihoods. The economy of the affected areas also dwindle in the event of these calamities considering that droughts and diseases resulting from floods affect the health of livestock which is the major source of livelihood for the pastoralists. The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of climate variability and the resulting vector-borne diseases on pastoral livelihoods from 1971 to 2010 in Marigat district, Baringo County. The study hypothesized that there is no relationship between rainfall patterns and number of cases of selected vector-borne diseases over the study period. The study adopted both descriptive and explanatory research design while data sampling involved stratified random sampling procedure (Stratum 1 being Marigat division and stratum 2 being Mukutani division). This study utilized household structured questionnaires administered through pure random sampling with 136 households participating in the study, institutional questionnaires as well as collection of secondary data from various sources as methods of data collection. A number of bivariate comparisons of variables related to pastoral livelihoods were done. These includes t-test to compare means of variable on pastoralists demographic such as age between the two strata, ANOVA analysis to compare for significant differences in the cases of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) disease between the four sublocations, correlation analysis to test the relationship between rainfall amounts with number of cases of vector-borne diseases, and Chi-square test (X2) to test cross-tabulated data on variables such as perception of pastoralists on trends of climatic variables and socio-economic variables between the 2 strata. The Chi-square test was used to assess for homogeneity or similarity on categorical response variables between the study strata. The correlation results of this study indicated that apart from Heartwater (p=-0.403, sig=O.O12 and N=38), other veterinary diseases had no relationship with the rainfall amount {Trypanosomiasis (p=-0.224, sig=0.189 and N=36), Babesiosis (p=-0.124, sig=0.457 and N=38), Anaplasmosis (p=-0.156, sig=0.351 and N=38) and East Coast Fever (p=-0.224, sig=0.176 and N=38)}. However, graphical plots depict the existence of relationships with disease cases either increasing or decreasing in frequency with a corresponding increase or decrease in rainfall amount. Chi-square results showed a strong statistically significant difference between the responses in strata 1 and 2 on the perceived trend of rainfall and floods towards the future (rainfall: X2= 41.230, df= 3, p= 0.000 and floods: X2= 24.903, df= 3, p= 0.000). Also, there was no statistically significant difference between the perception of the respondents in Strata 1 and 2 on the trend of tsetse flies (X2= 0.115, df= 3, p= 0.990) and Stomoxys (l= 6.677. df= 3, p= 0.83) while significant difference were observed on the trend of Tabanids (X2= 20.240, df= 3, p= 0.000) , Culicoides (X2= 23.863, df=3, p= 0.000) and Sand flies (l= 15.429, df= 3, p= 0.001). Increase in disease cases could be attributed to climate variability. The study recommends the need to put in place contingency measures for reccurrence of diseases, floods and droughts and strengthening local institutions to be able to deal with climatic disasters resulting from climate variability and change. Regular monitoring of weather, vectors and diseases are also recommended.
Effects of Natural Resource based Conflicts on Community Livelihoods in Lake Ol’bolossat Catchment area, Nyandarua County, Kenya
(2014-02-24) Mathenge, Margaret Wambui; Koske, James K.A.; Gichuki, Cecilia Muringo
One of the major challenges to sustainable use of wetlands is lack of awareness by communities on the values of these ecosystems. Wetland resources are important for socio-economic, cultural and ecological supply of goods and services. Despite their importance, wetlands have remained unprotected and they are exploited beyond what they can endure. The main objective of the study was to establish the effects of natural resource based conflicts on community livelihoods in Ol‟Bolossat catchment area in Nyandarua County. The study was conducted in twenty villages, simple random sampling of 252 households and purposive sampling of key institutions such as KARI, KWS and KFS was carried out. Household questionnaires were issued to sampled households, interviews were held with conservation group leaders and FGDs with the local leaders were carried out to establish environmental issues in the study area. Transect walks, direct observation and photography revealed that there was human encroachment, crop and livestock farming in the basin. The results indicated that there was co-relation between human population increase and land use changes r = 0.30, n= 252 and p= 0.01, which have led to wetland degradation and conflicts. The results also indicated that there was a significant difference in the rating of wetland uses for water, fodder, cultivation and apiary, Chi square (6.619), df (2), p (0.037) at 95% level of confidence. It was found out that the people living near the lake (within 1km) depend on wetland resources more than those living further away and the former experiences more conflicts. The FGDs and interviews indicated that the livelihood activities such as crop and livestock farming were based on water, land and biodiversity utilization. The study concludes that the conflicts in Ol‟Bolossat catchment area are natural resource based (NRBC) and they affect the community livelihoods. The human population increase, land fragmentation, access and competition for scarce natural resources between humans, wildlife and livestock have brought about conflicts. The community livelihood is affected when wild animals destroy crops, injure and kill humans, besides transmitting zoonotic diseases to livestock with which they share the same resources. It is recommended that conservation of the natural resources ought to be enhanced through community participation and stakeholder involvement. More trees should be planted to replace those that have been cut. The farmers ought to diversify crop farming and improve on food storage in order to mitigate vulnerability to climatic conditions. The Government should educate the community on methods to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts so that residents utilize the natural resources safely, to improve their livelihoods.
Impact of Drought on Primary Schools Learning in Laikipia West District of Laikipia County, Kenya
(2014-02-22) Gitau, David Ndichu; Kerich, Richard Kimutai; Gichuki, Cecilia Muringo
Laikipia West district receives between 500 mm and 950mm of rainfall annually. It is therefore, classified as a semi arid region with harsh and fragile environment. The low and erratic rainfalls govern vegetation dynamics, animals‟ survival and the general human welfare. Frequent drought as a result of climate change has exacerbated and compounded the problem of provision of quality basic education in the district. This study was conducted to investigate drought prevalence and the impact it has on the learning of pupils in the district. The study was carried out between August to December 2011 in two different agro ecological zones; high agricultural potential area in Muhotetu and Sipili in the west as well as dry zones of Ol moran and Rumuruti in the north and eastern parts of the district respectively. Primary data collection was through the use of questionnaires and informal discussions with community members as well as education officers. Questionnaires were administered to both teachers and classes seven and eight pupils in twenty four out of the seventy two public primary schools in the district. Visits to the pastureland where school going children were looking after animals during school days, and interaction with communities in the district also formed part of the study. Rainfall and temperature data from meteorological department were used to reinforce schools attendance data. Indigenous knowledge from the elders of the communities and secondary data were used to corroborate the findings. The secondary data sources included review of published reports, journals, internet and books to identify existing information on the effects of drought on learning. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive qualitative and quantitative statistics such as percentages and frequencies. The results were processed; tabulated and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 11(Students‟ version) to generate descriptive statistics. The findings indicated that, drought cases significantly impacts negatively on the learning of pupils in schools (χ2=16.2761,df = 3, P=0.001). The results indicated that, drought contributed to absenteeism at 33%,truancy at 17%, poor performance at 16% and both transfers and drop out at 21% Data from meteorological department for the period between the year 2000 and 2010 indicate low rainfall annually especially during the months of January to March and June to December. Temperatures range between 10.7oC to 25.25oC at Nanyuki substation weather station and between 7.8oC to 20.41oC in Nyahururu substation. The elders from Laikipia west communities had Indigenous ways to mitigate against the impacts of drought in the area though some negatively affected their environment. Due to the low rainfall in most parts of the district, the results of this study recommend that, policy makers ought to take decisive measures aimed at arresting the perennial suffering of both people and animals in the district by drilling boreholes, water harvesting during rainy seasons into reservoirs and a well sustained feeding programme in all the schools in the district.
Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting as Adaptation to Climate Change: the Case of Murang'a East District Primary Schools in Murang'a County, Kenya
(2014-03-10) Wahogo, Purity Mumbi; Koske, James K.A.; Gichuki, Cecilia Muringo
Climate Change has a wide range of impacts and exacerbate existing poverty related problems such as availability of fresh water in developing countries. Kenya is onesuch country that experiences ramifications of climate change which heavily impact on the populace. This research was conducted in Murang'a East district in Murang'a County in Kenya. The study was primarily to establish the level of awareness on climate change and Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting (RRwH) in public primary schools. The main objective was to find out factors affecting the adoption of RRwH with a focus on level of awareness on climate change issues, awareness of RRwH among decision makers, sources of water supply and the constraints against adoption of RRwH. Using a descriptive survey design, a sample of 384 respondents was randomly selected. Data obtained from constructed questionnaires was collated and statistically analysed by use of SPSS. Results showed that there was a correlation between level of climate change awareness, economic activities, at (rs = -.181, P = .000), and leadership the calculated statistic l = 7.890 was found to be less than the tabled critical value of,l = 8.132 at a 0.080. Sources of water were significant to the assurance of supply i ;,45;.48;1; df= 44.916, p= 2.6t'. The study found out that, lack of funds-was-the major hindrance to the adoption ofRRwH in all the education zones. Lack of awareness and low education were other major factors contributing to non adoption of RRwH. The study concluded that the media was the leading medium of climate change effect information dissemination Climate change effect has been felt on the ground with the respondents confirming that they had been affected. Climate change had affected water supply to schools leading to disruption of supply leading to increased waterbeme.diseases, lower standards of hygiene-and reduced learning time. This study recommends that a multi-prolonged approach which entailed incorporation of climate change awareness into the education curriculum, greater sensitization, exploitation of church and the involvementof community leaders would serve the purpose of awareness creation. There is also a need to develop and to legislate for a framework for buildings to include provisions for RRwH.

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