MST-Department of Community Resource Management and Extension

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Browsing MST-Department of Community Resource Management and Extension by Author "Ngige, L.W."

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    Assessment of rural household energy access, utilization and sustainability: a case of Mbuyu sub-location of Nyandarua District, Kenya
    (2012-11-07) Wambui, Rose Nyakwea; Ngige, L.W.; Msangi, G. N.
    The purpose of this study was to assess the rural household energy access, utilization and sustainability in Mbuyu sub-location of Nyandarua District, Kenya The objectives of the study included: to identify the type of household energy sources used in the study area; to establish the challenges faced in accessing household energy sources; determine various energy efficient technologies utilized by the rural households; determine the constraints towards energy sustainability and to establish interventions for energy sustainability. The study was based on the family system theory by Deacon and Firebaugh (1988). Systematic random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 136 households from the accessible population of 1,367 households from which data was collected. Data collection instruments included interview schedules and observation checklist. Descriptive statistics and cross tabulations were used to analyze quantitative data. Inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation and chi-square were used to test the hypotheses. Data was presented using graphs, charts, means and percentages. Results showed that firewood was the most common source of energy, (95.6%) for cooking. Charcoal was predominant in space heating (71.3%) while kerosene was used by 94.9% of the respondents for lighting. Other sources included solar, biogas and agricultural residues. Challenges in access to energy sources included: frequent price hikes, shortage in market supply especially for the gas (LPG) and kerosene and fear of wildlife attacks and rapes in the forest during firewood collection. Results from Pearson product moment correlation test revealed significant correlation between household income and the expenses of energy used(r=0.371, p=O.OOl). Chi-square test results showed a statistically significant relationship in energy efficiency awareness between the male and female respondents (i=5.013, df=l; p=0.025). The study concluded that access to household energy sources demanded valuable time, money and physical energy. Adoption of energy efficient technologies like solar, biogas and raised hearth was very low with 4.4%,0.7% and 33.1 % respectively. This was due to installation costs and lack of awareness of the new technologies. It was established that limited interventions for energy sustainability existed. The study recommended the creation of awareness of energy efficient technologies to improve energy saving, time and labour in rural households, use of alternative sources of energy like briquettes for space heating instead of charcoal, and activities such as agro-forestry and afforestation should be encouraged and supported to provide fuel wood, to conserve the environment and to mitigate the effects of global warming.
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    Household food insecurity and coping stategies among small scale farmers in Tharaka central division, Kenya
    (2012-12-04) Icheria, Beatrice Kabui; Ondigi, Alice N.; Ngige, L.W.
    Food insecurity is a major development problem that is caused by myriad of factors in the global, regional, national and local spheres of human life. Several efforts have been put in place to alleviate food insecurity globally, nationally and even locally. Despite these efforts, the situation continues to prevail and sometimes even increase in the contemporary human society. It is therefore imperative that food insecurity gets addressed appropriately. Small scale farmers play a vital role in food production especially through subsistent farming. However, their households are major casualties of food insecurity despite their efforts in food production. This study sought to investigate household food insecurity and coping strategies among small scale farmers in Tharaka Central Division of Tharaka South District, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to: Establish the status of household food production among small scale farmers in Tharaka Central Division; determine household food consumption patterns; establish household food sources, establish the status of household food insecurity and identify coping strategies among the households in the event of food shortage. The research design employed in the study was cross sectional descriptive survey which sought to obtain information that was to describe the existing status of household food insecurity and coping strategies among the small scale farmers. A total of351 small scale farmers' households were systematically sampled from the total population of 3631 small scale farming households in the division. Data was collected by use of structured questionnaire, observation checklist and key informant interview guide. Data analysis was done using SPSS (Version 11.5) computer software program. Frequency tables, pie charts, bar graphs and line graphs are used to present the findings of the study. Mean farmland sizes was 1.62 acres, food crops were cultivated at 95% of the total crop, the major months of adequate and inadequate food provisioning were June to August (40.5%) and October to January (30.2%) respectively. Crop loss was mitigated by planting drought resistant crops. Household dietary diversity score (HDDS) of the previous 24 hours was low (83.3%) while 50.7% had acceptable household food consumption score (HFCS) in the previous 7 days of food consumption. The primary source of maize was the market at 36.7%. Majority of households (44.7%) were food insecure, 43.3% vulnerable to food insecurity and 12% food secure. Reduction in size of meals was the major coping strategy. There were significant positive relationships between sizes of farms and sizes of farmlands (r = 0.653, p=O.OOO); between HFCS and farmland size (r=0.299, p=0.0000); significant difference between maize expected and maize harvested (t=22.927, p=O.OOO). There was also significant positive association between HDDS and HFCS ('12=13.463. df=4 and 0=0.009l. sources of maize and the statuses of household food insecurity (x~i60.895:·df= 6, p=O.OOO). Low food characterized by low HDDS, and coping strategies were not detrimental to developed through community-based participatory actions; and the GOK through implement them in all ASAL areas to alleviate household food insecurity.
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    Utilization and Sustainability of Water and Sanitation Services in Kibera Slums of Nairobi, Kenya
    (2014-03-12) Ratemo, Lenah Boyani; Ondigi, Alice N.; Ngige, L.W.
    The study was a survey of factors influencing the utilization and sustainability of water and sanitation services in Kibera. This research study used both cartographic and geographic information techniques to examine the spatial pattern of sanitation delivery facilities in Kibera slum of Nairobi. The research study aimed at assessing the socio-demographic characteristics, level of knowledge and attitude towards utilization, availability and accessibility of sanitation facilities. A total of 169 respondents were interviewed from Kibera slums, by means of structured and semi-structured questionnaires, observations and in depth interviews were done to elicit a better understanding of the factors and their effects on the utilization of sanitation facilities in the slum areas. Data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively to address. the objectives of the survey. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze quantitative data. Descriptive statistical of means, frequencies and percentages were used to describe and summarize data. Cox regression analysis was performed on the data. Tables, pie charts, and graphs were used to present results. Qualitative data was analyzed using NUDIST package. The results from the study indicate a very strong relationship between, cost of using latrine from the respondent's house, time taken walking to the latrine and the satisfaction the respondents get from the latrine services. These results explain that utilization of these facilities is highly affected by these factors. In an urban population where most people live below poverty level these facilities are not sustainable with these high significances (P=O.012, P=O.026)