Browsing by Author "Karanja, Joseph"

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    Climate Change Resilient Geothermal Production In Eburru And Olkaria, Nakuru County, Kenya
    (IJIR, 2016) Karanja, Joseph; Ngare, Innocent
    Climate change is inevitable for years to come. This reality dictates that development paths should build social, economic and ecological resilience for sustainability to be attained. In Kenya, 70 % of total formal employment is from natural resource sectors. This paper focused on technological inadequacies in the course of geothermal production in Olkaria and Eburru geothermal sites which are fragile ecosystems. The physical and chemical characteristics of waste geothermal fluids, physical and chemical properties of rain water were analyzed as well as gaseous emissions from the plants. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling were used in determining samples. Focused group discussions, interviews, observation guides and key informant were used to collect data. Most of the data was collected from Kengen for a five year duration between 2011 and 2015. 81 wells were sampled out for analysis. Analysis was done using Statistical Package of Social Sciences. One sample t- test was integral in comparing averages of observations against recommended national standards. The results indicated that waste geothermal fluids were unsuitable for discharge into the environment. Apart from this, rain water at geothermal sites was acidic due to emission of gases. More so, geothermal exploration undermined quality of underground water and could not be used for recreation. The flash system of production had inherent inadequacies that resulted in imposing the characteristics of geothermal formations to the surrounding. The gases emitted exceeded the maximum values permissible for controlled zones. The ideal situation would contain the waste fluid in a closed loop system so as to minimize its interaction with the surrounding. The results were integral in informing resilient pathways that could facilitate climate compatible development which in essence would bolster climate change resilience.
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    Geothermal well Site Characteristics from Climate Resilient Technologies in Nakuru County, Kenya
    (Quest Journals, 2017) Karanja, Joseph; Ndunda, Ezekiel; Mang’uriu, Daniel; Ngare, Innocent
    Geothermal energy is regarded as a clean energy source. This assertion has a degree of truth subject to technological interventions applied in its extraction. This paper focuses on quality of vegetation, soils and water points at well sites. The concentrations of trace elements at the well sites is mainly determined by adequacy of technological interventions. Geothermal energy is classified as renewable source and climate changeresilient. However, ineffective interventions andreservoir characteristics could result in undesired effluents to the surrounding rendering it unsustainable. More so, the resource is located in fragile ecosystems pivotal in climate change resilience. Simple random sampling of 81 wells was done. Samples were collected and analyzed in the laboratory. The results indicated that contamination of the vegetation, soils and water was evident. Boron concentrations in the soils for instance resulted in a sigma value of 5.99 and p- value of 0.00. This meant its concentration was significantly higher as compared to recommended standards set by Kenya’s environmental Authority. Therefore, undesirable environmental impacts were a reality in geothermal production and hence could jeopardize efforts for building climate resilience.The choice of technology thus has a bearing on climate resilience for a geothermal facility especially those located in fragile ecological set ups.
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    Perceived Climate Variability Effects on Socio- Economic Well-Being of Dairy Farmers, Case Study of Kisii Highlands in Kenya
    (IJIR, 2017) Ngare, Innocent; Karanja, Joseph; Mokaya, Dennis
    The dairy sector globally has been hit by climate variability impacts that affect animal performance. This affects the socioeconomic wellbeing of dairy farmers across the globe. This study was conducted at Kisii Highlands, a tropical region in the western part of Kenya. The objectives to the study were: to determine the socioeconomic impact of climate variability on dairy farming along the Kisii Highlands and to assess farmers’ perceptions on climate variability disease effect relation on dairy breeds in Kisii Highlands. The research took a survey approach to collect quantitative data. 100 respondents were interviewed during the study. Data was analyzed through Statistical Package of Social Sciences and Likert scale to monitor respondents’ perceptions. The findings show that, climate variability effect on management practices had highest Total Weight (T.W) of 433.5 among the statement responses. The year 1984 was the driest year with (σ2 = -35.4). From the climate variability effect disease relation, Pneumonia was the most predominant climate variability related disease in the area with 43 respondents.
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    Quality of geothermal effluents and emissions from climate change resilient technologies in Eburru and Olkaria, Nakuru County, Kenya
    (2017-09) Karanja, Joseph
    Geothermal energy could be Climate Change Resilient subject to technological interventions employed in production. Kenya seeks to safeguard herself from Climate Change and its cascading impacts through clean energy sources such as Geothermal. Possible interventions to Climate Change entail adaptation, mitigation and building resilience. Most geothermal resources are located in fragile yet vital ecosystems including Olkaria and Eburru where the study focused on. A benign geothermal technology has to strike a balance between effective ecological functionality and economic prosperity for sustainability. There is urgent need to upscale stable energy provision while safeguarding important ecological zones necessary for Climate Resilience. The study determined the chemical characteristics of geothermal effluents and rain water. Trace elements analysed for these samples included Barium, Boron, Cadmium, Zinc, Lead, Copper, fluoride, sulphate, chloride, TDS and pH. Apart from these, concentrations of gases including carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen sulphide and particulate matter were determined. Adequacy of technologies used in production were evaluated. This was achieved by analyzing gaseous concentrations and quality of effluents at various points of emissions and discharges. The capacity of intervening technologies to contain the fluid in a closed loop, or to minimize emissions and effluents, such as effluents re-injection were examined. The research design was exploratory since it offered integral insights as to the potential unintended consequences of geothermal energy. The research instruments used were focused group discussions, interviews, laboratory analysis, use of key informants and observations guide. Purposive, snowballing and simple random sampling were used. 80 wells were selected for sampling. One sample t-test was done using SPSS software at 95% confidence level. The results showed that geothermal exploration interfered with quality of borehole water. The p – value for fluoride at DCK borehole was 0.00 while its sigma value was 13.16. For discharging wells, p – value for boron concentration was 0.01 whereas its sigma value was 4.42. For well sites, p – value for zinc analysis was 0.00 while the sigma value was 3.98. The pH range for rain water was 5.76 to 6.86 which indicated acidic tendencies. Therefore, the constituents of discharging wells were ascertained to have high concentrations of trace elements that were toxic if released to the surrounding. The gaseous emissions further affected quality of rain water whose pH values were largely acidic. The gases released exceeded the permissible values for controlled zones. More so, the technological inadequacies were inevitable due to utilization of flash systems which had inherent handicaps. Average Carbon dioxide concentration was found to be 122.11 ppm which was above that recommended for controlled zones. Essentially, geothermal production had adverse impacts to the surrounding owing to technological inadequacies which resulted in discharge of toxic metallic concentrations to the fragile ecosystems that supported a wide range of species of plants and animals as well as social systems, all of which are imperative for cementing climate change resilience. The most benign strategy would be to contain the geothermal fluid within a closed loop system to minimize instances of emissions or effluents onto the surrounding.
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    The Communication Networks Adopted and their Effectiveness in Coordinating Community Responses during Violent Group Conflicts in Nairobi County, Kenya
    (International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Studies, 2025-02) Maina, Joseph; Karanja, Joseph
    This study investigated the effectiveness of communication networks in coordinating community responses. The study employed a descriptive survey design, targeting Nairobi County residents, Nyumba Kumi leaders, administrative officers, and NGO members involved in peace and security efforts. A total of 128 respondents were targeted, with 118 responses received, yielding a 92% response rate. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews, with quantitative data analyzed through descriptive statistics and qualitative data analyzed thematically. Findings revealed that, mobile technology is favored for communication because it offers real-time updates on violent events. Resident’s value early warning information, allowing them to make timely and informed decisions in response to potential violence. The study recommends enhanced partnerships with law enforcement, improved communication infrastructure, financial and logistical support to enhance the sustainability of these interventions.
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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.
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    Understanding Kenya’s Multilateral Environmental Agreements, the Future of Environmental Governance
    (International Organization Of Scientific Research (IOSR), 2016) Ngare, Innocent; Karanja, Joseph; Koech, Michael
    Kenya like other global countries, is a signatory to international environmental agreements. The relevance and their significance dating of global agenda 21 at Rio. Today different protocols serve the Kenyan environmental conservation and management entities as a platform to conserve its environment. This paper is a review of key international environmental protocols and convention in Kenya. Four multilateral environmental agreements were reviewed. The Kyoto protocol, Montreal protocol, Biodiversity convention and UNFCCC. Their impact has been discussed within the Kenyan context and rationale and their significance with the Kenyan environmental management vision.