Browsing by Author "Obiero, Kennedy"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Demographic Characteristics of Households and House Ownership Status Influence on Water Demand in Ruiru Municipality, Kiambu County, Kenya
    (Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research, 2004) Obando, Joy Apiyo; Sitsofe, Draphor; Obiero, Kennedy; Gabiri, Geofrey
    The study evaluate demographic characteristics and their influence on household daily per capita water demand and also analyze how property (housing) type/size influences water demand in Ruiru Municipality, Kenya. Cross-sectional data were obtained from 210 households using both closed and opened ended questionnaire and an in-house observation guide across the three income areas of Ruiru Municipality, Kenya. The obtained data was statistically analysed using descriptive statistics, step-wise regression model and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that household size, age of household head and price policy of water (43.7%), household size (29.7%) and household size and price policy of water (21.4%) were the predictors of household daily per capita water demand for low, middle and high income areas respectively. Household daily per capita water demand across the three income areas was not associated with house type/size at significant of p>0.05. The findings indicate that water is not used efficiently in the municipality. The findings strengthen the need for stringent measures to attain sustainable urban household water demand management and water institutional capacity should be given special attention. The study recommends for policy implication based on an integrated watershed management (IWRM) approaches which involve a combination of immediate replacement of water used amenities for high water efficient types; water pricing that reflects the economic level of the areas to encourage efficient use; water amenities on the different markets should display water efficiency label that can communicate to buyer; promotion of educational and sensitization programs that encourage households and house owners to adopt water conservation technologies like rain water harvesting, household level treatment of wastewater for flushing toilet.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Influence of climatic elements and non-climatic factors on fishing activities in Lake Victoria, Kisumu County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2016-04) Apindi, Jane Akoth; Mahiri, Ishmail O.; Obiero, Kennedy
    Fishing is known to be one of the oldest occupations of mankind all over the world. A significant proportion of people depend on fisheries activity; it generates income for the households, creates employment and provides a source of livelihood to the people around water bodies and beyond. However, fish catch and fishing activities in Lake Victoria, Kisumu County, is in great danger of fluctuation and decline.There is limited research to explain this phenomenon especially along the beaches in Kisumu County. This study aimed at establishing the influence of climatic elements such as dry spell, rainfall and strength of wind; and non-climatic factors such as overfishing, water hyacinth and predators on fishing activities in beaches of Lake Victoria within Kisumu County. The study employed descriptive survey design. The area of study, had thirty two beaches, out of which eight were sampled to represent the entire Kisumu County. Systematic sampling technique was used to sample the eight beaches. A sample size of 362 respondents was used to obtain data. Documented data on fish landing per month for ten years was obtained at the beaches as well as at Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KEMFRI), and the climatic data was collected from Regional Meteorological Department located at Kisumu Airport. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect primary data from the beaches, while secondary data was obtained from KEMFRI, books and publications by use of document analysis guides. The findings were coded and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) programme which helped in calculating frequencies, means and percentages. The study found a significant relationship between climatic factors and fishing activities. Fish catches were influenced by the amount of rainfall, though the effect varied with fish types; Orechromis (r = .260), Lates niloticus (r =.130) and Protopterus (r =.184), however, Rastrinoebola argentea and Claras gariepinus revealed a negative correlation with the amount of rainfall. Overall, the results revealed a positive correlation coefficients (r = .079) between the amount of rainfall and the total amount of fish catch. Dry spell which is associated with high temperatures led to a decrease in fish in the Lake. Whereas mild or moderate winds were found to favour fish catch, strong winds had negative effect on fishing activities. The study also established that non-climatic factors too had immense negative influence on fishing activities in Lake Victoria. On the basis of the findings, the researcher made the following conclusions; there was a relationship between climatic elements and fishing activities, non-climatic factors mostly influenced fishing activities negatively; however, there were mitigation strategies put in place by the fishermen to help address non-climatic factors. On the basis of the findings it was recommended that, policy makers should regulate the harvesting of fish as dictated by climatic and weather variations; assess the impact of non-climatic elements in fish production and recommend appropriate mitigation measures and lastly regulations to be enhanced to save the endangered fish species from extinction.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Thunderstorm hazards and their impact in the lake Victoria Basin of Kenya
    (2012-04-11) Obiero, Kennedy
    This study characterised thunderstorm hazards in the Lake Victoria Basin of Kenya. This was done by examining the relationship between thunderstorm frequency and other weather variables, analysing the storms' spatial and temporal variation, establishing the frequency characteristics of rainfall associated with the storms and assessing lightning severity in the area. The analysis involved multiple regression, coefficient of variation, Weibull formula and the lighting hazard indices respectively. The results indicated that each thunderstorm recording station had its own multiple regression model. The coefficient of multiple determination from each station showed that the variables explained only a small fraction of the variance in thunderstorm frequency suggesting that other uninvestigated factors could be responsible for the remaining variance. Although thunderstorm frequency was high in stations adjacent to the lake, a fact attributed to relative convective activities associated with the lake, the F-test tevealed no significant difference in the number of thunder days among the stations. A monthly analysis of the storms' frequency showed each recording station had its own peak. The first peak was evident in Kisii during the month of March followed by Kericho in May. The third peak was observed in Kitale during the month of August. The least peak was evident in Eldoret. The Gumbel probability plots for annual maximum daily rainfall (Rmax) from thunder days extracted fromt the stations revealed Kisumu to have the highest Rmax while Eldoret had the lowest. This analysis has implications in the design of hydraulic structures in the area. In assessing lighting severity in the Basin using the Lighting Hazard Index (LHI), Kisii and Nyamira Districts which have recorded the worst thunderstorm tragedied were taken as case studies. Since the LHI considered only human casualties, an adjusted index, Overall Lighting Hazard Index (OLHI) was developed to accommodate other losses such as houses, livestock and trees. Both indices showed that lightning seriousness was high in areas with high population densities such as Keumbu and Nyamira Divisions. Although there was no significant difference between the two indices, the study has recommended the use of OLHI as it considers both loss of life property.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Trends in Rainfall and Discharge over Zaaba Sub Catchment, Vihiga County, Kenya
    (Open Access Library Journal, 2024-10) Aholi, Joel Philip; Makokha, Mary; Obiero, Kennedy
    Temporal variation of rainfall has a direct influence on discharge of a river; however, considerable land cover changes through conversion of natural veg etation to agricultural land, settlement and commercial usage like urbanization have led to encroachment into forested, river riparian and other wetland areas therefore altering runoff generation through variation of rates of vegetal inter ception, infiltration, evapotranspiration and surface detention. This study determined rainfall trends and discharge from 1991 to 2020 and factors de termining response of streamflow to rainfall variability in Zaaba river sub catchment in Vihiga County, Western Kenya. Rainfall data was sourced from Kenya Meteorological Department, discharge data was sourced from Water Resources Authority and land cover data was downloaded from USGS website http://www.earthexplorer.usgs.gov/. Trend analysis was determined by Z-Test, p-value and Sen’s slope estimator. Regression analysis determined the correla tion between rainfall and discharge. Data from Key informant interviews, ques tionnaires and Focus Group Discussions was analysed through SPSS by com puting totals and percentages and drawing charts. Rainfall trend analysis at α = 0.05 revealed rainfall was variable at monthly (p-value = 0.037 and Sen’s slope = 0.182), seasonal (Sen’s slope = −0.030 and p-value = 0.043 for MAM and Sen’s slope = 0.136 and p-value = 0.046 for OND) and annual (Sen’s slope = 1.081 and p-value = 0.010) time steps. Discharge trend analysis at α = 0.05 re vealed existence of trend on seasonal (Sen’s slope = 0.51 and p-value = 0.009 for MAM and Sen’s slope = 0.521 and p-value = 0.008 for OND) and annual (Sen’s slope = 0.085 and p-value = 0.001). Regression analysis revealed insig nificant seasonal correlation (MAM and OND with r = −0.124 and 0.067) and annual correlation (r = 0.051). Statistical analysis revealed that major land cover changes were agricultural area that decreased from 50.05% (2001) to 41.07% (2011) and 32.8% (2020) and increased buildup areas from 5.06% (2001) to 9.29% (2011) to 17.68% (2020) attributed to increased population, expansion of urban areas and encroachment into river riparian that decreased from 5.18% (2001) to 1.18% (2011) and 0.87% (2020). These findings would encourage ca pacity building on increasing rainfall trends and take measures to control floods.