Browsing by Author "Ndunda, E."

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    Assessment of Yatta Canal Water Quality for Irrigation, Machakos County, Kenya
    (OMICS International, 2017) Manohar, S.; Mang’oka, J.M.; Ndunda, E.; Gathuru, G.
    Water is one of the most important global requirements for every activity in life but if it is polluted/contaminated, then it creates direct problems of alkalinity/salinity/toxicity through irrigation to agricultural farms and affects on the quality and nutritional value of cultivated crops. Water quality of Yatta Canal was studied from January to December, 2015 within Machakos County of Kenya. Twenty sampling stations were selected at an interval of 1 km along this canal and water samples were collected once in a month during the wet and dry seasons to monitor its suitability for irrigation. Annual average values of temperature, pH, total dissolved solids, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and electrical conductivity show significant (P<0.05) seasonal variation. Annual average chemical concentrations of the water during wet and dry seasons are; Nitrates 13.1 ± 0.47 mg/l vs 4.8 ± 0.13 mg/l; Phosphates 0.02 ± 0.001 mg/l vs 0.02 ± 0.001 mg/l; Potassium 3.8 ± 0.098 mg/l vs 2.8 ± 0.031 mg/l; Sulphates 10.7 ± 0.31 mg/l vs 7.2 ± 0.25 mg/l; Bicarbonates 46.9 ± 1.20 mg/l vs 79.9 ± 2.06 mg/l; Chlorides 14.3 ± 0.59 mg/l vs 2.0 ± 0.10 mg/l; Sodium 14.7 ± 0.436 mg/l vs 17.7 ± 0.200 mg/l; Calcium 5.9 ± 0.124 mg/l vs 8.1 ± 0.058 mg/l; Magnesium 2.2 ± 0.020 mg/l vs 2.9 ± 0.029 mg/l, Sodium Adsorption Ratio 1.30 ± 0.030 me/l vs 1.35 ± 0.020 me/l and Iron 0.49 ± 0.007 mg/l vs 0.64 ± 0.041 mg/l respectively. These chemical parameters also show significant (P<0.05) seasonal variation. Most of the physical and chemical levels are within the permissible limits as recommended by FAO and also by Kenya’s National Environment Management Authority with the exception of turbidity (100.2 NTU) and nitrate concentration (13.1 mg/l) only during the wet season. Based on the results, the canal water is safe for irrigation during dry season
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    Climate Variability and Livelihood Vulnerability of Maasai Pastoralists in Amboseli Ecosystem, Kajiado County, Kenya
    (Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO, 2024) Oloitiptip, F.R.; Ndunda, E.; Gichuki, C.M.
    The pastoral Maasai community living in Amboseli Ecosystem are facing serious challenges originating from climate variability. The ecosystem has been made fragile by climate related challenges causing household vulnerability. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of climate variability on livelihood vulnerability at the household level. The study used a mixed method, which focused on descriptive and correlational research designs. It targeted a population of 47, 058 residents from which a sample of 374 households was selected. Cluster and convenient sampling were used for quantitative and qualitative data respectively. A questionnaire with open and closed ended questions and with Likert scale format were used to collect quantitative data while interview schedules were used for qualitative data. In addition, secondary data were collected from different sources, including Kenya Meteorological Department and Kenya Wildlife Services. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze qualitative data while quantitative data were analyzed using inferential statistics. Results showed that climate variability is indeed causing livelihood vulnerability and therefore policy intervention is needed at the national and county levels. Majority of households were found to be moderately vulnerable with female headed households being most vulnerable. This study therefore recommends that adaptation strategies at the household level to community level should be put in place so as to reduce vulnerability such as crop farming, livestock diversification, small scale businesses and employment in addition there is need to empower women through education, offering of small loans and grants for businesses as well as involvement in decision making on matters pasture and water management.