Browsing by Author "Koske, James Kibii"

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    Dodder Infestation on Tea in Nandi County, Kenya
    (International Journal of Research in Environmental Science (IJRES), 2024) Mong’o, Faith Jepchirchir; Koske, James Kibii; Muriuki, John Njagi
    Dodders are holoparasites belonging to the family Convolvulaceae of the genus Cuscuta. Globally, about 200 species are reported to be a threat to crops of economic importance. Of major concern in counties of Kenya, are the impacts of parasitic dodder (Cuscuta spp.) on tea cultivation and production. This study aimed to assess the extent of dodder infestation on tea in Nandi County. An exploratory survey design was chosen for this study. The Yamane sampling formula obtained the sample size for the study. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 354 respondents from the Kenya Tea Development Agency to represent small-scale and the multinational tea estate to represent large-scale tea farming. Coordinates were captured on the farms with dodder, recorded on an observation checklist, analyzed, and presented on a map. Results obtained showed that 99.4% of the respondents knew about dodder. 205 (58%) respondents didn’t have dodder on their tea farms while 149 (42%) reported the presence of dodder in their tea farms. In the Multinational tea estates, Siret, Chemomi, and Taito reported cases of dodder infestation. Notably, 74.9% of the respondents recorded that children were the major agents of dodder spread. 97.7% of the respondents acknowledged that dodder is a threat to tea farming. In conclusion, dodder has been extensively distributed on tea farms and is a threat to tea farming in the study area. This study recommends further research to develop effective and sustainable dodder control strategies.
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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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    Spatial Ramifications of Dodder Infestation on Urban Ornamentals in Mombasa, Kenya
    (Scientific Research Publishing, 2020-08) Ngare, Innocent Osoro; Koske, James Kibii; Muriuki, John Njagi; Gathuku, George Njagi; Adiel, Ruth Kangai
    Dodders are cosmopolitan generalist holoparasites that forage on a commu nity of plant species ranging from shrubs, trees and herbaceous. In this study, we employ mixed method research design that involved use of questionnaires and dodder host sampling matrix. Host identification and naming was car ried out by ecological Android PlantNet Plant App version 3.0.5. Respon dents sample size was determined by Krejcie and Morgan sampling formula. Results show that dodder was fast spreading through spatial retrospective sat ellite Landsat imagery analysis. Dodder was known by the majority of re spondents (97.1%) where the exploratory analysis score shows that respon dents’ constituency of residence influenced their understanding of dodder (F(5, 361) = 5.329, P = 0.000). The mode of parasitism between dodder & the hosts varied as some ornamental trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants were either affected moderately or extremely. The study recommends use of bio technological dodder control approaches through transgenic plants biotech nology and plant breeding to develop resistance towards dodder plant para sites.
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    Tea Farmers' Perceptions of the Influence of Climate Variability on Dodder Occurrence in Nandi County, Kenya
    (African Journal of Climate Change and Resource Sustainability, 2025-01) Mong’o, Faith Jepchirchir; Koske, James Kibii; Muriuki, John Njagi
    Climate variability continues to adversely impact agricultural systems globally. From the literature, it is reported that there has been an unprecedented emergence of pests and diseases associated with climate change and variability among other factors. In Kenya, crop cultivation and yield are affected primarily by changing climatic conditions, pests, and diseases. Of major concern in counties of Kenya, are the impacts of climate variability and parasitic dodder (Cuscuta spp.) on tea cultivation and production. From the literature, little is reported on the continuing invasion and effects of parasitic dodder on tea farming. This study aimed to assess tea farmer perceptions on the role of climate variability on the occurrence of dodder in Nandi. An exploratory survey design was utilized for this study. Using the Yamane Formula, a sample size of 392 was drawn from the Kenya Tea Development Agency tea farmers to represent the study. Primary data obtained from the administered questionnaires was extracted, collated, classified, and analysed (p≤0.05) with the aid of the Statistical Package of Social Sciences. Rainfall and temperature data for the County was obtained from the Kenya Meteorological Department from 1992 to 2022. Mann-Kendall Trend Analysis showed a significant increase in temperature denoted by a Sen’s slope= 0.031 and a strong positive correlation of Kendall’s Tau 0.554 indicated an increase at p
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    Temporal relationship between cases of veterinary vector-borne diseases and rainfall amount in a Kenyan Rangeland
    (2014-03) Koske, James Kibii; Kamau, Samuel Kabochi; Lelenguyah, Geoffrey Lenyayon
    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 relationship between veterinary vector-borne diseases (VBDs) and rainfall amount. This study utilized review of reports, published literature and other sources of secondary data as methods of data collection. The correlation results of this study indicated that apart from Heartwater (p=-0.403, sig=0.012 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 depicted the existence of relationships. Despite correlation analysis showing no significant relationship existing between rainfall and cases of Trypanosomiasis, Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis and ECF, graphical plots indicated some degree of relationship between these variables. The plots showed either an increase or decrease in VBDs cases with increasing or decreasing rainfall amounts. Also, correlation analysis indicated very strong relationship between cases of various VBDs. For instance, Anaplasmosis and ECF showed a very strong significant relationship. These results indicate the existence of a common factor in the transmission of these diseases.
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    Urban climate variability trend in the coastal region of Mombasa Kenya
    (Academic Journals, 2020) Ngare, Innocent Osoro; Koske, James Kibii; Muriuki, John Njagi; Chitechi, Evelyn Wemali; Gathuku, George Njagi
    The world population in global south countries is increasing. This fast growth has heightened urban ecological footprint that contributes to anthropogenic forcing triggering of the climate system. From this study, climate variability trend dynamics in Mombasa County, a coastal urban area in Kenya was examined. A retrospective study was done (1989-2019) to determine the changes in temperature and rainfall in the area of study. The results show that climate variability was experienced in Mombasa with a maximum temperature t=-5.628, df=23, P:0.000 and a minimum of t= -5.401, df=23, P:0.000, total rainfall t=2.025, df=23, P:0.275. The linear regression analysis shows rainfall variation y = -9.588x + 1217.1 and temperature y =0.0258x + 29.888 with an increase of +0.4°C. The annual maximum temperature averages show heterogeneous distribution from kurtosis coefficient with little observed skewness.