Browsing by Author "Kipkorir, Koech"

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    Application of Joint Peace Committees in Management of Cattle Rustling among the Residents of Turkana and West Pokot Counties, Kenya
    (Advances in Applied Sociology, 2025-06) Kipkorir, Koech; Omboto, John Onyango
    Cattle rustlings remain a major cause of insecurity and conflict among the pastoralists in Turkana and West Pokot counties. As a result of the fatalities and loss of properties, the Kenyan government has made concerted efforts to control the vice by forced disarmament of communities living in Turkana and West Pokot counties, increased deployment of police reservists, increased patrols by the government, awareness creation and sensitization of the residents. However, these efforts have not succeeded to control the problem within Turkana and West Pokot counties as they have been more reactive than proactive. Therefore, the study sought to assess the influence of joint peace committees in management of cattle rustling among the residents of Turkana and West Pokot counties, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey in design. The target population were individuals from Turkana and Pokot ethnic group living within Turkana and West Pokot border area who have been affected by cattle rustling. Systematic random sampling, snowballing and purposive sampling were used in selecting respondents. The findings indicated that the joint peace committee agreement variable had a statistically significant positive influence on the management of cattle rustling, evidenced by a regression coefficient of t-value of 8.863, and a p-value of 0.000. The study concluded that joint peace committees are a critical and effective mechanism in the management of cattle rustling in Turkana and West Pokot counties. The components of inclusivity and trust, structured dialogue platforms, and training and capacity building were found to significantly influence outcomes. The study recommended that the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, in collaboration with county governments, should institutionalize joint peace committees by embedding them in local governance structures. These committees have proven effective in fostering dialogue, trust-building, and conflict resolution.
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    Leveraging the Complex Interplay between Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi, Seasonal Dynamics, and Genotypic Diversity to Optimize Maize Productivity in Semi-Arid Agroecosystems
    (Heliyon, 2024-09) Kipkorir, Koech; Koskey, Gilbert; Njeru, Ezekiel Mugendi; Maingi, John
    Maize production under low-input agricultural systems in semi-arid areas of Sub-Saharan Africa faces significant challenges, primarily stemming from the synergistic impacts of climate vari ability and suboptimal agronomic practices. Harnessing soil microbiota, particularly arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), represents a pivotal strategy for bolstering low-input systems. However, their functional utility is contingent upon their compatibility with the prevailing environmental conditions and biotic interactions. This study examines the influence of two distinct AMF in oculants on the growth and yield attributes of diverse maize genotypes across varying seasons within semi-arid regions of Kenya. We hypothesized that AMF inoculants exhibit differential adaptability to varying environmental sites and seasons, and their interaction will enhance the provision of key ecosystem services important for maize production. Field experiments were conducted in three semi-arid Counties (Tharaka-Nithi, Embu, and Kitui) during the 2019/2020 cropping seasons. A randomized complete block design with three replications and three treat ments was adopted. Treatments consisted of Rhizatech (a commercial AMF inoculant), a con sortium of AMF isolates (Rhizophagus irregularis and Funneliformis mosseae), and a non-inoculated control. In season one, notable interaction effects were observed for both site × maize genotype (p = 0.0007) and site × AMF inoculation (p < 0.0001), whereby Duma 43 genotype had the highest yield in Embu (11.93 t ha− 1 ) and Kitui (11.76 t ha− 1 ) counties, and Rhizatech and con sortium inoculation consistently led to elevated grain yields across all three genotypes in Kitui, surpassing non-inoculated controls. AMF inoculation notably augmented phosphorus (P) uptake, with Rhizatech demonstrating a 79.7 % increase and consortium showing a 38.7 % increase in shoot P content compared to control plants in season 1. These findings highlight the complex interplay between AMF effectiveness, seasonal variations, and maize diversity. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms driving these seasonal shifts, allowing for opti mized AMF inoculation strategies for improved maize performance under diverse conditions.