Browsing by Author "Muiruri, Philomena"

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    Challenges to Adoption and Sustained Use of Modern Bee Hives in Kitui County, Kenya
    (IJRISS, 2025-02) Kiiti,Michael Kiingwa; Muiruri, Philomena; Khaemba,Protas Fwamba
    In Kenya, beekeeping is a feasible livelihood diversification economic activity especially in the arid and semiarid regions facing substantial rainfall variability since beekeeping is not fully depended on rainfall amounts and distribution. However, most of the beekeepers in Kenya use the traditional log hive which is less productive. Therefore, beekeeping is yet to improve the socio-economic welfare of most farmers. Traditional log hives produce honey of low quality and quantity. Failure to adopt the modern bee hives suggests existence of challenges limiting the adoption. The main objective of this study was to determine the challenges to adoption and sustained use of modern bee hives in Kitui county, Kenya. During the study a total of 110 beekeepers (42 adopters and 68 non-adopters) from the five selected locations of Mwingi Central subcounty namely; Waita, Nuu, Kivou, Mwingi and Mui were administered with questionnaires. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 20) was employed in data analysis. Based on Chi-square statistics the study proved the hypothesized challenges; unavailability of modern bee hives, unsuitability to local bees and lack of skills in modern beekeeping as statistically significant challenges to adoption of modern bee hives. On challenges to sustained use of modern bee hives, marketing, absconding of bees and drought were found significant. It was concluded that the challenges were limiting the adoption and sustained use of modern bee hives. The study recommends; establishment of more honey collection centres in rural areas, construction of more earth dams by county government and more modern beekeeping training organized by county government to train beekeepers on modern apiculture.
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    Commercial handicrafts as a livelihood option for the Maasai of Kajiado District, Kenya
    (2011-11-03) Sitati, Hanningtone; Muiruri, Philomena; Mutisya, Dorothy
    The aim of this study was to investigate commercial handicrafts as livelihood option for the Maasai of Isinya Location, Kaj iado District, Kenya. The study was prompted by the fact that ecological, political and socio-economic pressures have, overtime, denied the Maasai an affluent pastoral economy due to diminished grazing land. Part of the grazing land has been fenced to pave way for state and private conservation and for commercial cultivation. There is an increase of immigrants from other communities who have bought land in the Maasai rangelands, thus further subdividing and fencing off the previously communally owned land resources that sustained a pastoral economy. In response, the Maasai are pursuing non-pastoral income strategies that comprise agriculture, trade, formal and informal employment to buttress against these changes. Based on these challenges and resultant responses, the study investigated how the Maasai of Isinya have ventured into commercial handicrafts for their livelihood. The study's objectives were: to examine the range of materials and products in the handicraft industry, to identify stakeholders and their roles in the handicraft industry, to determine the socio-economic benefits of commercial handicrafts on the livelihoods of the Maasai, and to establish opportunities, constraints and challenges of the Maasai handicraft industry. The study was carried out in Isinya Location and utilized both descriptive and analytical approaches. Data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires that were administered to 145 households, interviews were held with CBOs and MRTC officials, field observation and photography were done. SPSS was used for data analysis where descriptive statistics such as means, frequencies and percentages were used to analyse the characteristics of respondents, handicraft material, processes in household-based commercial production and components of handicraft production. Chi-square (x2) was also used to test relationship between commercial handicraft income and education, health care, improvement of housing and expenditure on food amongst the Maasai households at a significance level of 0.05. The opportunities, constraints and challenges of the Maasai handicraft industry were determined using SWOT analysis. The findings indicated that Maasai commercial handicraft is a cottage industry that comprises both individual and CBOINGO based production. The handicrafts are ingrained in the Maasai culture; they mark their wedding and initiation ceremonies and also distinguish them along age groups and sets. The commercial handicrafts income is used to finance their children's schooling, health-care, improvement of housing, and food security. The Use of ICT, grouping/clustering of producers and cultural heritage are opportunities for the industry. However, the industry is also faced with challenges that include: inadequate capital, lack of ready markets, exploitation by middlemen, competition from replica goods, and lack of patent rights for owners, among others. The study recommends patenting and strengthening of Intellectual Property Laws so as to protect the Maasai's creative genius. The government should also come up with ways of marketing the Maasai products locally and abroad. In addition, the Maasai households need to form groups which will enable them wade off exploitative middlemen, accumulate capital for bigger investments and share ideas as a way of improving the industry.
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    Determinants of modern box hives adoption in Kitui County, Kenya
    (Contemporary Research Center CRC Publications, 2020) Kiingwa, Kiiti M.; Muiruri, Philomena; Mahiri, Joseph
    Modern beekeeping across Kenya is still a new idea as most of the beekeepers continue to exclusively use traditional hives leading to low quality and quantity of the honey produced. This study was carried out to establish the determinants of modern box hive adoption in Kitui county. Data was mainly collected through questionnaires administered to 110 beekeepers (42 adopters and 68 non-adopters) from the five selected locations of Mwingi Central Sub-county namely; Waita, Nuu, Kivou, Mwingi and Mui. The collected quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Chi-square tests revealed a statistically significant relation between adoption of modern box hives and; modern beekeeping training, apiary visit, offfarm employment, credit use and extension contact. T-test analysis indicated significant mean differences between adopters and non-adopters in terms of; age, education level, knowledge and experience in beekeeping. Logistic regression further provided more details on the significant predictor variables. It was concluded that the low adoption rate is linked to a number of socioeconomic and institutional factors which must be addressed in order to increase adoption of the more productive modern box hives. The study recommends among other things; establishment of more honey processing and marketing centres and facilitation of more extension contact with beekeepers
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    Socio-Economic and Technological Factors Affecting Macadamia Farming Among Small-Scale Farmers in Meru County, Kenya
    (East African Journal of Agriculture and Biotechnology, 2024-08) Mwendwa, Fridah Nkirote; Muiruri, Philomena; Mbuthia, Susan
    The global market demand for macadamia has surged significantly over the past two decades,driven by its exceptional nutritional value. This surge has led many farmers to diversify into macadamia farming. However, a considerable number of small scale farmers in Africa are yet to realize optimal returns. This study examined the socio economic and technological factors affecting macadamia farming among small scale farmers in Meru County, Kenya. The research utilized a descriptive survey research design, employing the stratified sampling technique to select respondents, with the four wards of Central Imenti sub county serving as the strata. The sample size of 98 respondents was proportionally distributed across the four wards, and a simple random sampling technique was employed for their selection. The data instruments included observation schedule, interview schedule and questionnaires.The analysis of quantitative data employed descriptive statistics, while thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. Cobb-Douglas production function was used to test the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. The findings indicated that social, economic and technological factors affect macadamia farming. Significant social factors include household size, education level, marital status and gender. Significant economic factors encompass household income, farm size, number of macadamia trees, access to credit, labour and market type. Significant technological factors include cultivation of improved varieties, pesticides usage, application of inorganic and organic fertilizers, irrigation practices and access to agricultural technology extension. The study recommends that macadamia farmers in the study area should form a cooperative society which can assist in offering credit to farmers. Additionally, the study recommends that the county Government of Meru should avail adequate access to certified seedlings. Further, the study recommends that extension officers should work collaboratively with macadamia farmers to boost the adoption of technology ultimately leading to increased yields .