Browsing by Author "Muriuki, J.N."

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    Assessing perceived impacts of climate change and how small scale farmers adapt in N in North Kinangop Location, Kenya.
    (2014) Njenga, N.W.; Mucheru-Muna, M.; Muriuki, J.N.
    Climate variability and change has been considered to be posing the greatest threat to agriculture and food security in many of the poor, agriculture-based countries in Africa. In recognition of this, an assessment of climate change impacts on small-scale farmers was conducted in Nyandarua South District to assess the impacts of climate variability and change on the small-scale farmers in the area. The area is nationally known as a high agricultural potential area producing all year round horticulture produce. Data was obtained through administration of questionnaires, observation and focused group discussions. Through systematic random sampling the researcher administered 375 households’ questionnaires representing 10% of the total households in the study area. Descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, percentages) and inferential statistics (chi square) were used to produce associations between variables assessed. The results indicate that small-scale farmers in North Kinangop Division are struggling with impacts of climate variability. According to analysis, there was a strong association between perceived rainfall intensity variations and impacts on small-scale farmers in North Kinangop (X2 = 15.411, P =0.05) and strong association between rainfall distribution and loss of crops and reduced freshwater (X2 = 41.226, P=0.001). Extreme climatic events occurrences had a strong association with impacts on small-scale farmers (X2 = 32.692, P = 0.001). It can therefore be concluded that small-scale farmers have perceived climate variability to be impacting heavily on their agricultural activities as rainfall intensities, reliability and distribution continue to vary in time and space. Other meteorological extreme events (droughts and frost) have been observed to intensify in the area with consequent impacts on crop production. This paper therefore recommends more capacity building programmes to be initiated in the area to enhance awareness of climate variation and change, impacts and adaptation measures to enhance the farmers’ resilience.
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    Climate Change Impacts on Small Scale Farmers in North Kinangop Location, Kenya
    (The International Journal of Climate Change: Impacts and Responses, 2014) Njenga, N. W.; Mucheru-Muna, M.; Muriuki, J.N.
    Climate variability and change has been considered to be posing the greatest threat to agriculture and food security in many of the poor, agriculture - based countries in Africa. In recognition of t his, an assessment of climate change impacts on small - scale farmers was conducted in Nyandarua South District to assess the impacts of climate variability and change on the small - scale farmers in the area. The area is nationally known as a high agricultura l potential area producing all year round horticulture produce. Data was obtained through administration of questionnaires, observation and focused group discussions. Through systematic random sampling the researcher administered 375 households’ questionna ires representing 10% of the total households in the study area. Descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, percentages) and inferential statistics (chi square) were used to produce associations between variables assessed. The results indicate that small - sca le farmers in North Kinangop Division are struggling with impacts of climate variability. According to analysis, there was a strong association between perceived rainfall intensity variations and impacts on small - scale farmers in North Kinangop (X2 = 15.41 1, P =0.05) and strong association between rainfall distribution and loss of crops and reduced freshwater (X2 = 41.226, P=0.001). Extreme climatic events occurrences had a strong association with impacts on small - scale farmers (X2 = 32.692, P = 0.001). It can therefore be concluded that small - scale farmers have perceived climate variability to be impacting heavily on their agricultural activities as rainfall intensities, reliability and distribution continue to vary in time and space. Other meteorological e xtreme events (droughts and frost) have been observed to intensify in the area with consequent impacts on crop production. This paper therefore recommends more capacity building programmes to be initiated in the area to enhance awareness of climate variati on and change, impacts and adaptation measures to enhance the farmers’ resilience
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    Perceived Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Small-Scale Farmers in North Kinangop Location, Kenya
    (2013) Njenga, N.W.; Mucheru-Muna, M.; Muriuki, J.N.
    Climate variability and change has been considered to be posing the greatest threat to agriculture and food security in many of the poor agriculture-based countries in Africa. In recognition of this, an assessment of climate change impacts on small-scale farmers was conducted in Nyandarua South District to assess the impacts of climate variability and change on the small-scale farmers in the area. The area is nationally known as a high agricultural potential area producing all year round horticulture produce. Data was obtained through administration of questionnaires, observation and focused group discussions. Through systematic random sampling the researcher administered 375 households' questionnaires representing 10% of the total households in the study area. Descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, percentages) and inferential statistics (chi square) were used to produce associations between variables assessed. The results indicate that small-scale farmers in North Kinangop Division are struggling with impacts of climate variability. According to analysis, there was a strong association between perceived rainfall intensity variations and impacts on small-scale farmers in North Kinangop (X2 = 15.411, P =0.05) and strong association between rainfall distribution and loss of crops and reduced freshwater (X2 = 41.226, P=O.OOI). Extreme climatic events occurrences had a strong association with impacts on small-scale farmers (X2 = 32.692, P = 0.001). It can therefore be concluded that small-scale farmers have perceived climate variability to be impacting heavily on their agricultural activities as rainfall intensities, reliability and distribution continue to vary in lime and space. Other meteorological extreme events (droughts and frost} have been observed 10 intensify in the area with consequent impacts on crop production. This paper therefore recommends more capacity building programmes to be initiated in the area to enhance awareness of climate variation and change, impacts and adaptation measures to enhance the farmers ' resilience.
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    Urbanization Challenges in Poor Slum Areas of Nairobi and the Role of Sustainability Science in Seeking Practical Solutions
    (2014) Mugenda, Olive M.; Muriuki, J.N.
    The chapter examines major sustainability challenges faced by people in the poor urban slums of Nairobi, Kenya. The objective of this study was to specifically examine challenges faced in the city’s slum areas, and application of sustainability science in seeking solutions. The study relied largely on secondary information available in print material. Site visits, discussions and observation were also applied in seeking information. The slum areas in Nairobi can be said to be a consequence of a multiplicity of factors ranging from old colonial policies, to post independence factors of governance which over time have resulted in migrations from rural to urban areas. Further, natural population increase and rise in cost of living for wage earners in the central business areas of the city have equally pushed families to slum, peri-urban or near-slum areas. The existing concentration of people in slum areas is an adaptation to poverty conditions. Slums residents are exposed to many challenges some of which include inadequacies of shelter, food, water and sanitation, infrastructure and other aspects of economic or social deprivations. In order to approach sustainability of livelihoods in poor slum areas, existing challenges and their impacts on livelihood have to be identified and solutions sought. The paper notes that in addressing slum challenges, a critical aspect is to first and foremost lower the cost of living and in effect facilitate provision of food, better shelter, clean water and other essential social amenities. As a way of tackling poverty, there’s need to reflect on governance and democracy, including women empowerment and to tap on the potentials of the slum dwellers by encouraging participation and improving on their innovations. Sustainability science research can help analyse on-going slum dynamics, identification of key drivers or factors that lead to deprivation and seek solutions or adaptive measures that can improve the wellbeing of poor slum dwellers, improve livelihoods and make urban areas attractive and sustainable places to live.