Browsing by Author "Ndunda, Ezekiel"

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    Adaptation Strategies to Climate Variability by Amboseli Ecosystem Households in Kajiado County, Kenya
    (East African Journal of Environment and Natural Resources, 2024-06) Oloitipitip, Faith Resiato; Ndunda, Ezekiel; Gichuki, Cecilia M.
    The Amboseli ecosystem has been made fragile by climate related challenges causing household vulnerability. As a result, the pastoral community has had to put in place mechanisms to cope and reduce vulnerability. The aim of this study was to determine the adaptation strategies at the household level and how eff ective they were at minimizing risks 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. C luster 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 qu alitative data. Qualitative data was collected from interview schedules with key informants. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse qualitative data while quantitative data were analysed using inferential statistics Results showed that climate variabil ity is indeed causing livelihood vulnerability and thus the need for intervention inform of adaptation strategies by the individual households, community and at the national and county levels. This study recommends livestock diversification, crop farming s mall scale businesses and employment of household members so as to reduce vulnerability and live decent lives. In addition, there is need to empower women through education, offering of small loans and grants for businesses as well as involvement in decisi on making on matters pasture and water management .
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    Climate Variability and Livelihood Vulnerability of Maasai Pastoralists in Amboseli Ecosystem, Kajiado County, Kenya
    (Journal of the KenyaNational Commission for UNESCO, 2024) Oloitipitip, Faith R.; Ndunda, Ezekiel; Gichuki, Cecilia 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 was used to analyse qualitative data while quantitative data were analysed using inferential statistics.. Results showed that climate variability is indeed causing livelihood vulnerability and therefore policy intervention in needed at the national and county levels. Majority of households were found to moderately vulnerable with female headed households being mostly 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.
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    Climate Variability and Livelihood Vulnerability of Maasai Pastoralists in Amboseli Ecosystem, Kajiado County, Kenya
    (Journal of the KenyaNational Commission for UNESCO, 2024) Oloitipitip, Faith Resiato; Ndunda, Ezekiel; Gichuki, Cecilia 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
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    Consumer Willingness to Pay for Energy Efficient Refrigerators in Nairobi City County, Kenya
    (Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Science International, 2023) Wahome, Alvin Kabingu; Ndunda, Ezekiel; Kirubi, Gathu
    In Kenya, consumer choices regarding home energy appliances, such as refrigerators, are crucial for enhancing energy efficiency and environmental conservation efforts. This study examined the influence of the Kenya Energy Star Rating Label on consumer preferences for refrigerators. Using stratified random sampling, 330 respondents from five constituencies in Nairobi County, Kenya, were surveyed. The research employed a combination of conditional and mixed logit models to analyse the data. The results revealed a significant positive correlation (P = .05) between the Kenyan Energy Star Rating label and consumer preference for energy-efficient refrigerators across all models. Consumers demonstrated a willingness to pay an average premium of 28,708.5 Kenyan shillings for refrigerators displaying the Kenyan Energy Star Rating label, indicating their recognition of the label's value. There was no significant relationship between consumer environmental concern and their willingness to pay for energy labelled refrigerators. These findings have notable policy implications, emphasizing the importance of educating Kenyan consumers about the environmental advantages of energy-efficient appliances. Specifically, the results underscore the effectiveness of the Kenyan Energy Star Rating Label in guiding consumer choices toward more sustainable appliance options.
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    Factor Influencing Adaptation Choices Employed by Farmers Against Climate Change to Improve Rice Yield in Bugarama Wetland in Rwanda
    (East African Nature & Science Organization, 2020) Nyirandorimana, Esther; Ndunda, Ezekiel; Muriuki, John
    The changing climate poses a great challenge to many wetlands productivity worldwide. Rice production in wetlands is a major source of livelihood in developing countries such as Rwanda. This study aimed at determining the factors influencing adaptation methods when farmers perceive the changing climate at Bugarama Wetland Rice Scheme in Rwanda. A descriptive research design was used by this study, whereby quantitative and qualitative data was collected. The analysis was based on data collected from 300 selected farmers using systematic random sampling method. We employed descriptive statistics to assess how farmers perceive the effects of climate change and descriptively measured the new adaptation methods used by farmers in Bugarama to increase their yields. The study adopted Heckman two-step model to determine factors that influence adaptation choices, this analysis procedurally required farmers’ knowledge of perception that makes them respond to the effects of changes in climatic conditions by the use of new adaptation methods. The results deduced that level of education (p =0.019), extension access (p=0.001), market distance (p=0.002) and rice income (p < 0.001) had a probability of influencing farmers perceptions about climate change thus need to adapt. Based on the outcome model, results showed that extension access (p < 0.001), household size (p= 0.098), market distance (p= 0.047), rice income (p =0.032), farmers-to-farmers contact (p < 0.001) and effects of climate change on rice (p=0.038) had a greater probability of influencing farmers choice of adaptation method used to improve rice yields. To conclude, the study found that access to informational facilities and rice income, influenced farmers’ perceptions while extension access, rice income, market distance, farmers-to-farmers contact and effects of climate change on rice yield strongly had a probability of determining farmers’ choice of adaptation. This study recommends that the Rwandan government and local administrators need to develop a strategy that would allow farmers to access information facilities about new technology so as to adapt to the effects of climate change thus improve their rice yields.
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    Geothermal well Site Characteristics from Climate Resilient Technologies in Nakuru County, Kenya
    (Quest Journals, 2017) Karanja, Joseph; Ndunda, Ezekiel; Mang’uriu, Daniel; Ngare, Innocent
    Geothermal energy is regarded as a clean energy source. This assertion has a degree of truth subject to technological interventions applied in its extraction. This paper focuses on quality of vegetation, soils and water points at well sites. The concentrations of trace elements at the well sites is mainly determined by adequacy of technological interventions. Geothermal energy is classified as renewable source and climate changeresilient. However, ineffective interventions andreservoir characteristics could result in undesired effluents to the surrounding rendering it unsustainable. More so, the resource is located in fragile ecosystems pivotal in climate change resilience. Simple random sampling of 81 wells was done. Samples were collected and analyzed in the laboratory. The results indicated that contamination of the vegetation, soils and water was evident. Boron concentrations in the soils for instance resulted in a sigma value of 5.99 and p- value of 0.00. This meant its concentration was significantly higher as compared to recommended standards set by Kenya’s environmental Authority. Therefore, undesirable environmental impacts were a reality in geothermal production and hence could jeopardize efforts for building climate resilience.The choice of technology thus has a bearing on climate resilience for a geothermal facility especially those located in fragile ecological set ups.
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    Impacts of Carbon Sequestration Projects on Household Income, and Consumption Expenditure of Smallholder Farmers in Meru County, Kenya
    (East African Journal of Forestry & Agroforestry, 2024-10-23) Kibe, Winnie Nkatha; Mburu, Benson; Ndunda, Ezekiel
    Mitigation of climate change has led to the initiation of carbon sequestration projects in developing countries in compliance with the Kyoto protocol of 1997. The protocol goal was for industrialized countries to reduce their greenhouse emission by funding carbon projects in developing countries. The study focused on voluntary carbon projects involving smallholder farmer practicing agroforestry. The impacts of these projects on farmers’ household income and consumption expenditure were evaluated. A survey and quasi-experimental research design targeting 207 smallholder farmers was conducted in three wards within Igembe South Sub- County namely Athiru Gaiti, Akachiu and Kiegoi/Antubochiu. Data was collected from secondary sources and primary sources. The data was analyzed using propensity matching techniques. The results showed participation in the carbon sequestration program has a significant impact on the income (t= -3.8081 w/df 205, p=0.0002) at a significant level 0.05. Consumption expenditure of the participant was also significant (t= -4.7034 w/df 205, p= 0.0000). Exotic tree species were more preferred to indigenous trees species. Grevillea robusta (A. Cunn. Ex R. Br) although naturalized, was the most preferred exotic tree species (33.9%) while (17%) of the respondents planted Cussonia holstii (Harms ex Engl.) - an indigenous tree species. Income status of majority (86%, f=77/90) farmers participating in the carbon program increased. Expenditure status of majority (68%, f=61/90) of participating farmers in the project also increased. Savings, inflation, alternative uses led to decrease in consumption expenditure. The study recommends the carbon sequestration project be expanded in more areas, conduction of awareness campaigns to reach more farmers, increase of the carbon credit amount paid to the farmer, the project proponent and partners to continue assisting farmers with tree seedlings for free. The study also recommends use of multipurpose exotic tree species since they have a fast growth rate
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    Plant species diversity and composition in Kanyabaha wetland in Rukiga District, Uganda
    (KeAi Communications Co.Ltd, 2025-10-27) Walakira, Paul; Gichuki, Cecilia; Muriuki, John; Ndunda, Ezekiel; Olanya, Peter B.; Kasoma, Pantaleon M.B.
    Wetlands are ecologically and socioeconomically vital ecosystems, yet they remain highly vulnerable to humaninduced disturbances. This study assessed plant species composition, diversity, and ecological dominance within Kanyabaha Wetland in Uganda to generate baseline ecological data that can inform sustainable management. Standard vegetation survey techniques and ecological indices, including Shannon-Wiener, Simpson’s Diversity, and Importance Value Index (IVI), were employed across sites with varying disturbance levels. A total of 31 plant species belonging to 19 families were recorded, with notable variation in species richness and composition across sites. Less disturbed areas (e.g., Rutenje and Burime) exhibited higher native species richness and stronger ecological integrity, while highly disturbed sites like Kandago were dominated by introduced species, particularly Eucalyptus spp. Interestingly, Kandago recorded the highest diversity indices, suggesting that while disturbance may increase species evenness, it compromises ecological balance. The dominance of few species in disturbed areas indicated a shift in vegetation structure, potentially disrupting ecosystem functionality. To address these issues, the study recommends targeted conservation measures, such as the removal or control of invasive species, promotion of native species regeneration, and community-led restoration initiatives. These findings are crucial for wetland managers, conservation agencies, and policy-makers, offering a scientific basis for prioritizing conservation areas and designing context-specific management interventions. The study contributes to the broader understanding of plant community responses to disturbance, supporting ongoing ecological monitoring and evidence-based restoration planning
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    Socio-Economic and Institutional Factors Influencing Adoption of Agroforestry in Arid and Semi Arid (ASALs) Areas of Sub Saharan Africa
    (International Journal of Forestry and Horticulture (IJFH, 2020) Kinyili, Benjamin Mutuku; Ndunda, Ezekiel; Kitur, Esther
    The slow pace in adoption of agroforestry in the Sub Saharan Africa, particularly in arid and semi arid areas (ASALs) warrant an understanding of the underlying factors. Several studies have indicated that in resource limited countries including the ASALs, socio-economic and institutional factors may play a key role in adoption of agricultural production and technologies. Therefore, this study evaluated 16 socioeconomic and institutional factors influencing the adoption of agroforestry in Eastern Kenya within the Sub Saharan Africa. The study used survey research design. Based on a sample of 248 household heads, we gathered data using questionnaires and interviews. The influence of socio-economic factors on adoption was performed using binary logistic regression model. Our results showed that agroforestry was adopted by 82% of the respondents. The main agroforestry practices adopted by farmers were boundary planting (73.8%), hedgerow (69.4%), woodlots (53.2%), scattered planting (51.2%) and alley cropping (37.1%). The levels of education, household size, access to credit, and training were significant (P < 0.05) factors influencing the adoption of agroforestry. More resources in the forms of access to credit, inputs and training on agroforestry adoption should be high priority focus to enhance adoption of the practice.
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    Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Land Use/Cover Change and Associated Carbon Stocks in Kanyabaha Wetland in Rukiga District, Uganda
    (Kenyatta University, 2024-09) Walakira, Paul; Gichuki, Cecilia; Muriuki, John; Ndunda, Ezekiel; Kasoma, Pantaleon M. B.; Majaliwa, Jackson G. M.
    Wetlands play an important ecological function of sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide and thereby moderating adverse impacts of climate change. It is therefore important to understand the dynamics of carbon stocks in wetland vegetation and soils. This study investigated the spatiotemporal dynamics of aboveground, belowground, and total carbon stocks in Kanyabaha Wetland, located in Rukiga District, Uganda, spanning from 1990 to 2021. Through field sampling and laboratory analysis, aboveground carbon stocks were assessed by harvesting vegetation biomass and converting it to carbon stock using established conversion factors. Soil samples collected at different depths (0-20cm, 20-50cm, 50-100cm) were analyzed for soil organic carbon content to determine belowground carbon stocks. The study reveals variable spatio-temporal patterns of carbon stocks across land use types, with papyrus-dominated areas exhibiting the highest aboveground carbon stocks (49.66 tC/ha), followed by small-scale farmlands (33.73 tC/ha) and tree plantations (23.01 tC/ha). Conversely, built-up areas exhibit the lowest carbon stocks (1.29 tC/ha). Temporal analysis reveals fluctuating patterns in carbon stocks, with increases observed in built-up areas and small-scale farmlands, and decreases in grasslands and tree plantations that could be due to changes in hydrological cycle. Belowground carbon stocks follow similar trends, with papyrus areas maintaining the highest stocks (39.96 tC/ha), particularly at deeper soil depths that exhibit thehighest carbon accumulation due to its extensivenetwork of papyrusrhizome.Changes in land use, especially reclamation of the wetlands for farming and settlements affected carbon capture and storage in the wetland ecosystem.These findings highlight the importance of targeted conservationof natural wetlandsand sustainableland management strategies in the Kanyabaha Wetland catchment forenhancedcarbon sequestration. Further, in depth studies in the variability of carbon stocks due to various eco-climatic factorsand anthropogenic activities are necessary to support sustainable wetland land management practices in Uganda