Browsing by Author "Gichuki, Cecilia"

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    Hindrances to Adoption of Biomass Briquettes Technology as a Climate Change Mitigation Measure- Case Study of Maasai-Mau Forest adjacent Community, Kenya
    (International Journal of Renewable Energy Sources, 2020) Mokaya, Dennis Chweya; Koske, James Kibii; Gichuki, Cecilia; Ngare, Innocent Osoro; Kariuk, Charles Ndiritu; Kipkemoi, Isaac; Gichuki, Leah
    Climate change impacts on social, economic and political system cannot be understated. This paper outlines hindrances of briquettes uptake, anchored in socio economic factors. Briquettes are eco-friendly biomass green technology that reduces CO2 emissions a milestone towards climate change mitigation. High demand for wood products to meet the demand for energy supply in the Maasai-Mau region has seen the depletion of the forest cover thus increasing carbon dioxide emission and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The main objective of this study was to assess hindrances to the adoption of briquettes technology as an alternative source of energy on mitigation measure to climate change in the Maasai-Mau region. The study employed an exploratory survey to collect information on demographics of adults in each homestead, sources of energy and economic livelihood. Data results were analyzed through Excel and Statistical Package of Social Sciences. From the results, the hypothesis was tested by Chi-square ( 2 ). The null hypothesis of a relatively low level of education hinders the adoption of biomass briquette was accepted, where ( 2=9.866, DF=6, P=0.13). From the findings, the study concluded that lack of awareness of the briquetting technology and benefits, was the primary hindrance to the adoption of biomass briquettes technology in mitigating climate change in the study area.
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    Mapping Vegetation Types and Land Use Dynamics in Kanyabaha Wetland from 1990 to 2021
    (Journal of Global Ecology and Environment, 2024-07) Walakira, Paul; Gichuki, Cecilia; Muriuki, John; Kasoma, Pantaleon M. B.; Ndunda, Ezekiel
    Wetlands are crucial ecosystems providing essential ecological services, yet they face increasing threats from human activities. This study focuses on Kanyabaha Wetland in Uganda, examining its vegetation dynamics over three decades (1990-2021) using Landsat satellite imagery. The research characterizes land use and cover types including papyrus, grasslands, farmlands, tree plantations, built-up areas, and woodlands. Remote sensing data was processed and classified using ArcMap software, validated through field verification, resulting in high overall accuracy (>75%) across all study years. The images were analyzed using a hybrid of unsupervised (ISO data) and supervised (Maximum Likelihood) classification techniques. Findings reveal significant shifts in vegetation cover, with papyrus dominating initially but declining over time due to expansion in farmlands and settlements. Grasslands also decreased, while areas under farming and built-up structures expanded. Transition matrices illustrate these changes, highlighting stable and shifting landscape dynamics. Statistical analyses indicate a decrease in papyrus cover from 51.5% in 1990 to 39.1% in 2021, while farmland and built-up areas increased from 3.0% to 31.6% and 3.2% to 5.1%, respectively. This study highlights the vulnerability of Kanyabaha Wetland to anthropogenic impacts, necessitating targeted conservation strategies to sustain its ecological integrity amid ongoing land use changes
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    Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Land Use/Cover Change and Associated Carbon Stocks in Kanyabaha Wetland in Rukiga District, Uganda
    (Kenyatta University, 2024-09) Walakira, Paul; Gichuki, Cecilia; Muriuki, John; Ndunda, Ezekiel; Kasoma, Pantaleon M. B.; Majaliwa, Jackson G. M.
    Wetlands play an important ecological function of sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide and thereby moderating adverse impacts of climate change. It is therefore important to understand the dynamics of carbon stocks in wetland vegetation and soils. This study investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics of aboveground, belowground, and total carbon stocks in Kanyabaha Wetland, located in Rukiga District, Uganda, spanning from 1990 to 2021. Through field sampling and laboratory analysis, aboveground carbon stocks were assessed by harvesting vegetation biomass and converting it to carbon stock using established conversion factors. Soil samples collected at different depths (0-20cm, 20-50cm, 50-100cm) were analyzed for soil organic carbon content to determine belowground carbon stocks. The study reveals variable spatio-temporal patterns of carbon stocks across land use types, with papyrus-dominated areas exhibiting the highest aboveground carbon stocks (49.66 tC/ha), followed by small-scale farmlands (33.73 tC/ha) and tree plantations (23.01 tC/ha). Conversely, built-up areas exhibit the lowest carbon stocks (1.29 tC/ha). Temporal analysis reveals fluctuating patterns in carbon stocks, with increases observed in built-up areas and small-scale farmlands, and decreases in grasslands and tree plantations that could be due to changes in hydrological cycle. Belowground carbon stocks follow similar trends, with papyrus areas maintaining the highest stocks (39.96 tC/ha), particularly at deeper soil depths that exhibit thehighest carbon accumulation due to its extensivenetwork of papyrusrhizome.Changes in land use, especially reclamation of the wetlands for farming and settlements affected carbon capture and storage in the wetland ecosystem.These findings highlight the importance of targeted conservationof natural wetlandsand sustainableland management strategies in the Kanyabaha Wetland catchment forenhancedcarbon sequestration. Further, in depth studies in the variability of carbon stocks due to various eco-climatic factorsand anthropogenic activities are necessary to support sustainable wetland land management practices in Uganda
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    The Trend of Climate Variability Effects on Dairy Farming in Masaba North, Nyamira County Kenya
    (IISTE, 2016) Ngare, Innocent; Koech, Michael; Manguriu, Daniel; Gichuki, Cecilia; Karanja, Joseph
    The dairy-climate change dilemma in Kenya cannot be mistaken. However, extensive research into dairy farming and an understanding of the dynamics of climate variability effects is greatly lacking.The study investigated the effects of climate variability on dairy cattle breeds in Masaba North, Kenya. The objective for the study were to determine the trend of climate variability and its effects on dairy farming. During the study two sampling techniques were used; purposive and systematic sampling that captured key informants and household information respectively with a targeted sample size of 100 respondents. Further, the findings obtained were analyzed through Statistical Package of Social Sciences and Excel. Data was presented in tables, graphs and pie charts. The findings showed that temperature had rose by 0.80 C in the past 30 years with anomalies of rainfall across the years indicating variability effect in the area. From the study, 89% of farmers respondent on effect of climate variability to dairy cattle. The integral recommendations were; improve dairy cattle performance through adoption of modern livestock techniques and harnessing immediate farmers’ education to mitigate climate variability effects.