RP-School of Humanities & Social Sciences

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Land, labour and capital in Natal: The Natal Land and Colonisation Company 1860–19481
(Cambridge University Press, 1975-04) Slater, H.
The history of the London-based Natal Land and Colonisation Company is explored against the background of the evolving political economy of rural Natal. In the early years of the colony, white-controlled farming operations consistently failed. The landholdings of bankrupt colonists passed into the hands of a small group of men with capital. In 1861 this group activated its links with financiers in Britain to float the Natal Land and Colonisation Company. The Company ‘bought’ 250,000 acres of surplus lands from them in return for an injection of metropolitan capital into productive operations to be carried out on the remaining mainly coastal lands, or into further speculative activity. In fact, white-controlled farming activity in the interior continued to stagnate. Money which the Company loaned to white farmers in the 1860s, secured as mortgages on their farms, was not repaid, and the Company took over the lands of the bankrupt until in 1874 it controlled 657,000 acres in Natal. Anxious for a sizeable and more reliable source of income, the Company, in common with some colonists, concentrated on extracting rent from Africans, as yet the only successful farming population of the Natal interior. The increasing importance of this source of income to the Company was rudely interrupted in the 1890s by a fundamental shift in the Natal political economy. New mining centres in South Africa looked to Natal to furnish some of their needs for raw material and labour. The balance of economic and political forces favoured those who demanded labour, not rent, from Natal Africans. The Company switched its capital in good time out of renting land to African farmers and into renting and property development in the growing urban areas of white South Africa. Its properties were brought within the empire of the Eagle Star Insurance Company in 1948.
Land and Population Problems in Kajiado and Narok, Kenya
(Cambridge University Press, 1984-03) Sindiga, I.
The physical appearance of Africa's marginal semi-arid lands shows evidence of eroding hillsides, denuded plains, large erosion shelves, and deep sheer-sided gulleys. These features manifest an imbalance between humans and the resources which support them or what some scholars have termed rural population pressure (Anzagi and Bernard, 1977; Steel, 1970). A decade ago, an International Labor Office mission to Kenya (1972: 405, hereafter ILO) noted that surface soil degradation and erosion in marginal semi-arid areas were chronic. Other symptoms of the physical destruction of the land included the drying up of streams, cultivating on river banks leading to silting of streams and dams, unchecked gullying of cultivated slopes, and sheet erosion following bad grazing practices. More recently, the World Bank (1980: 53) noted that increasing population growth in the drier areas of Kenya has led to a pressure exceeding the carrying capacity of the land, which in turn has led to lower income per capita, and even to famine. In general Kenya's rangelands are densely populated relative to pastoral areas in other African countries (von Kaufmann, 1976: 255). The government itself (Kenya, 1979a: 211) notes the urgency of dealing with social problems related to the rapid population expansion in medium and low potential areas of the country where crop production is feasible but very risky.
Evaluation of agrometeorological indices as maize yield predictors in a high rainfall Kenyan environment
(East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal, 1990) Shisanya, C.A.; Coulson, C. L.; Stigter, C. J.
Maize is the most important food crop in Kenya and occupies more than 25% of the total land area in many high rainfall areas of the country. Investigations were carried out to test which agrometeorological crop yield forecasting models would come out with accurate predictions of maize yields. Two FAO methods developed by Frere and Popov (FAO 1986) and by Doorenbos and Kassam (1979) were used in predicting maize yields of variety H625 in Kakamega district. Results are discussed
A Review of Methods for Estimating Evapotranspiration
(Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1991) Kairu, E. N.
The problems which characterize the study of evapotranspiration are briefly discussed. Different models which have been used for estimating evapotranspiration are reviewed. They include the eddy correlation model, mass transport model, aerodynamic model, Penman-resistance model and the energy balance model. The utilization of remote sensing for regional evapotranspiration estimation is discussed at length with case studies cited from USA, France, Germany and Kenya.
Day-time Effects of Urbanization on Relative Humidity and Vapour Pressure in a Tropical City
(Springer-Verlag, 1991) Adebayo, Y. R.
“Heat island” in a Humid Tropical City and its Relationship with Potential Evaporation
(Springer-Verlag, 1991) Adebayo, Y. R.
Adolescent Sexuality and Fertility in Kenya: A Survey of Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practices
(Population Council, 1991-08) Ajayi, Ayo A.; Leah, T.; Janice, Miller; Paxman, John M.
This article presents findings from a survey conducted in Kenya in 1985 of the reproductive health knowledge, attitudes, and practices among more than 3,000 unmarried Kenyan youth, students and nonstudents, between the ages of 12 and 19. The survey was designed to elicit information that would be useful in gauging the kinds of problems Kenyan adolescents face in order to design programs that meet their needs. The study shows that although a solid majority of adolescents appear to have received information on reproductive health, the quality of the infor- mation is generally low. Fewer than 8 percent could correctly identify the fertile period in a woman's menstrual cycle. A substantial proportion of the population surveyed, more than 50 percent, is sexually active, having initiated intercourse some time between 13 and 14 years of age, on average. In spite of a general disapproval of premarital sex (but approval of the use of contraceptives among the sexually active), most of the sexually active population-89 percent-have never used contraceptives. The many contradictions between attitudes and practices pose serious questions and demonstrate the need to reexamine the programs (and policies) that provide access to reproductive health services to adolescents in Kenya. (STUDIES IN FAMILY PLANNING 1991; 22,4: 205-216)
Responding to population pressure in the rural Kenya
(Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1993-08) Ogutu, Z. A.
This paper reviews different historical and contemporary factors responsible for population pressure in the rural Kenya. It is argued that the process is not new, having its roots in the colonial administration. Cultural backgrounds, the economic setting of the rural population and the large moisture stricken areas are responsible for population pressure in the postindependence era. Different ways of mitigating population pressure such as (i) encouraging land use options that least stress the human ecology and natural environment; (ii) reducing the number of people and; (iii) diversifying sources of income to supplement earnings from agriculture so as to reduce direct dependence on land are discussed. Constraints with these strategies, particularly socio-economic factors such as land inheritance and the need for many children, are also discussed with a view to establishing the way out to sustainable development.
Uainisho wa Methali
(Writers’ Association of Kenya, 1994) Wafula, R. M.
An analysis of the spelling errors in the written English of Kenyan pre‐university students
(Taylor & Francis, 1994) Nyamasyo, Eunice A.
There are two medical schools training doctors in Kenya: the Moi University established in 1984 and the University of Nairobi established in 1967. The University of Nairobi has so far produced the majority of Kenyan doctors. Both are public universities with the Government being the main financier. The increased demand for university education and the inability to meet these demands has led to the introduction of a system of training self-sponsored medical students alongside Government-subsidised students. One other public university has started a medical school. The pressure to increase the number of schools and students in the absence of increased resources poses a particular challenge to the country.
Towards Professional Excellence at Kenyatta University
(Gideon Were Publications, 1994-01-17) Darkoh, M.B.K.; Wambari, K.
This paper is written by two members of staff, each of whom has served no less than ten years in Kenyatta University and who have carefully watched the institution wax and wane. There is no doubt that Kenyatta University, one of Kenya's largest public universi ties, is going through an unprecedented crisis at the moment. We have written this article in good faith and candour, believing in the need for, and importance of self-examination, if the problems facing this university are to be solved. The concept of self examination, as we understand i t, requires that we ask and attempt to critically answer some very fundamental questions. What is the prevailing state of affairs at Kenyatta University? What does Kenyatta University, as an institution of higher learning, aspire to become? How best can Kenyatta University become what it ought to be? To address these questions, we see a real need for openness, honesty, tolerance, and an atmosphere for dialogue and free sharing of information. We assume, as we must, that all of us in this workshop are passionately seeking after truth about Kenyatta University and that we are ready to do the utmost in our effort toward that end. We have written this paper in the belief that the same candid spirit of self-examination will prevail and guide us in the deliberation of this workshop on 'Towards Professional Excellence: Improving Teaching and Research Ca pabilities at Kenyatta University' so that our institution will become once more the proud and respected institution it used to be with respect to academic excellence. Creating a lively, hard working and competent university campus that can be relied upon to produce the expertise, integrity and imaginative leadership needed to maintain, and hopefully, to accelerate the post-indepen dence record of development in Kenya is a never-ending task that calls for a critical review of our everyday work, whether we are teachers, administrators or equally essential supporting staff. As in all walks of life, there is still plenty of room for improvement, especially in attitudes and behaviour, not least if we wish collectively to respond quickly and thoughtfully to the changing needs of the nation. We hope the Mombasa meeting will not be the only occasion for Kenyatta University to engage in critical self-examination. The price of excellence is eternal vigilance. Ariel's words to Gonzalo in Shakespeare's Tempest should serve as a clarion for us to be vigilant and not complacent. The words run as shown on the following page.
Field Assessment of Flood Event Suspended Sediment Transport from Ephemeral Streams in the Tropical Semi-Arid Catchments.
(PubMed, 1995-03) Ondieki, C. M.
An assessment of suspended sediment transport was carried out in a number of semiarid catchments during flood events in order to quantify the degradation rates. In order to quantify these, a systematic sampling procedure of the episodic flood events was proposed for representative catchments. The procedure allows for an integration over the whole run-off episode using both the rising and falling limbs of the run-off hydrograph to compute the sediment quantities for each individual flood event.Higher sediment concentrations occurred in the rising limb than those at the recession for any stage of flow. The maximum suspended sediment concentration was observed at the peak of the flood hydrograph. An integration of the sediment concentration over its duration gave the total sediment yield from the flood event. For the ephemeral channels, only a small number of flood events were observed over a three-year experimental period each with a duration of the order of 3-6 h. It is notable that high sediment loads were associated with high flow volumes which were effectively the result of the catchment characteristics and incident rainfall causing the flood events in the respective catchments. A large percentage of the annual sediment yield from a catchment is transported by the ephemeral streams during a small number of flood events. The correct determination of the total sediment yield from any of the flood events depends entirely on the accuracy of the measurements.The understanding of run-off and sediment loss for the representative catchments aims at assisting planning, management and control of water and land resources for sustainable development in the semi-arid parts of the tropics. The sediment rates reveal the degradation of catchments which have repercussions on the crop and pasture production and this has a bearing on the soil and water conservation programmes in the delicate ecological balance of the semi-arid areas. Further, these rates will determine the lifespan of the reservoirs planned for the dry river valleys (ephemeral streams) and existing ones which serve livestock and domestic needs. These occasionally will require costly rehabilitation and scooping to increase effective storage unless conservation measures are taken, and these measures are bound to vary from place to place as per the representative catchments output.
Importing Composition: Teaching and Researching Academic Writing Beyond North America
(National Council of teachers of English, 1995-05) Muchiri, Mary N.; Mulamba, Nshindi G.; Greg, Myers; Ndoloi, Deoscorous B.
Language Policy in East Africa: A Dependency Theory Perspective
(Educational Research and Publications, 1996) Mbaabu, I.
Multivariate analysis of plant communities in the Narok district, Kenya: The influence of environmental factors and human disturbance
(Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1996) Ogutu, Z. A.
Species type in 42 samples was examined using ordination analysis to establish whether the vegetation pattern displays gradation due to environmental factors, and whether the pattern was being altered by human disturbance. The analysis displayed two patterns. First, the ordination on axis 1 demonstrated vegetation gradation from xeric communities on the plains to humid forests on the highland. This pattern is explained on the basis of moisture and nutrient variations. Vegetation vectors based on species presence-absence were correlated with average rainfall, carbon, nitrogen and zinc. The second was separation of disturbed and undisturbed forest and bushland site categories on axis 2 of the ordination space. This pattern suggests that disturbance response is interactive with moisture so that only in moist communities does a significant vegetation response to disturbance occur.
On the polyphonic nature of the Gocaandi genre
(Taylor & Francis, 1997) Njogu, Kimani
Modelling the impact of land abandonment on runoff and soil erosion in a semi-arid catchment.
(University of London, 1997) Obando, Joy Apiyo
The overall aim of this research is to evaluate the dynamic interactions between soil moisture, vegetation and erosion of abandoned land in a semi-arid setting within the context of changing climate, with a view to establishing the appropriate land use practices. This is crucial issue in semi-arid Spain, where land abandonment has been increasing in the last 40 years as a result of aridity and changing socio-economic activities. The research adopts a multi-faceted approach to investigate the response of vegetation and the hydrology for varying rates, patterns and percentages of abandonment. This is done by integrating field measurements from a semi-arid catchment with computer modelling. Field measurements of vegetation characteristics, soil factors, slope aspects, surface characteristics and other physical variables have been collected from abandoned land in Rambla del Chortal, Murcia in South East Spain. The key parameters for the soil hydrology model were identified using rainfall simulation experiments in the same catchment. A simple single layer soil model has been developed to simulate these interactions and to explore the impacts of land abandonment on biomass production, runoff generation and sediment yield. The basis of the model is the continuity equation described in the form of a simple water balance equation. The main assumption of the model is that water is the limiting factor to plant productivity in semi-arid areas. The soil hydrology is influenced by interception, infiltration, drainage and evaporation. Plant growth is estimated as dry matter accumulation using the actual evapotranspiration rates and a water use efficiency. A regular gridded Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the catchment has been used for the routing of the overland flow generated, and for computation of spatial erosion rates for varying spatial patterns of abandonment. The model has low data requirements and is designed in a flexible manner to allow modifications to suit the available data. The results indicate that vegetation regeneration in the catchment following abandonment depends largely on the rainfall amount, the timing of abandonment and the percentage and rate of abandonment. The simulated vegetation recovery curve has the characteristic logistic form, and is consistent with field measurements in Rambla del Chortal. The impact of abandonment on runoff generation and sediment yield in the catchment depends largely on the character and rate of abandonment as well as the rainfall characteristics. The runoff and sediment yield simulated by the model generally decreases with abandonment since the vegetation cover increases over time. Large magnitude events tend to produce high sediment irrespective of the vegetation cover in the catchment. For dry periods, correspondingly low sediment yield is produced implying thatincreasing aridity will not necessarily lead to higher erosion rates. A positive relationship exists between the annual rainfall amount and the modelled sediment yield.
Potential of Episodic Flows in Some Four Representative Non-perennial River Flow Catchments in Semi arid Laikipia District, Kenya
(Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1997) Ondieki, C. M.
The purpose of this study was to establish the water resources of thenon-perennial streams in providing supplementary water needs inLaikipia district. This district has undergone remarkable land usechanges resulting in water use stress of perennial river abstractions andgroundwater exploitation in the semi arid environment. Over a three year period extending from January 1989 to December1991, hydrological variables were monitored in four non-perennial flowcatchments within the district. These catchments have been shown tohave potential of about 8000 m3/km2/year except forlong dry spells during the observation period and high sediment lossesand evaporation rates calling for proper conservation measures in orderto exploit productively the water resources potential of such catchments
Conflicts over resources: Saiwa Swamp National Park (Kenya) and its environs
(Kluwer Academic Publishers, 1997) Ogutu, Z. A.
This paper examines conflicts in Saiwa Swamp National Park and adjacent households. The conflicts centre on poaching of park resources and destruction of park ecology on the one hard and, the spread of diseases, crop damage by wildlife and loss of land by adjacent households on the other. The conflicts are primarily due to socio-economic constraints in park-adjacent areas following government policies which are irresponsive to the livelihood needs of the local community. To fill up the missing link between policy and practice, participatory approach to conservation is emphasized.
Phenological and physiological evaluation of the potential of Tohono O'odham Z16 maize as a new crop for the semi-arid areas of SE-Kenya
(Journal of Agriculture in the Tropics and Subtropics, 1997) Shisanya, C.A.; Hornetz, B.
This study intends to compare the phenology, crop water requirements and the diurnal behaviour of leaf water potential of the new maize variety Tohono O'odham Z16 and of the locally grown varieties, i.e. Makueni DLC and Katumani Comp. B. under different watering treatments. The major objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of the new maize variety in a semi-arid environment of SE-Kenya, with a view to making recommendations on its suitability for incorporation into the maize breeding programme at NDFRC, Katumani, Kenya. The results ot this study showed that: a) Under optimum water requirements, Tohono Z16 attained full maturity within 70 days compared to 95 and 110 days for Makueni DLC and Katumani Comp. B, respectively. b) Makueni DLC and Katumani Comp. B maize varieties required about 41 % and 52% more water than Tohono Z16. c) Under rainfed treatment, leaf enrolling was more pronounced among the Tohono Z16 maize plants as compared to the other two maize varieties. This has been shown to be evidence for plant adaptation to water stress and results in a marked reduction in effective leaf area thus reducing the radiation load. d) Under rainfed treatment, Tohono Z16 maize attained a minimum LWP of about -2.38 MPa compared to -2.85/-3.00 MPa attained by Makueni DLC and Katumani Comp. B, respectively. The susceptibility of these latter two maize varieties to water stress is documented by the fact that they quickly leave their hydrature level early in the morning compared to Tohono Z16 maize which tends to maintain its level for a relatively longer period of time. As a result of this study, it is strongly recommended that Tohono Z16 be incorporated into the maize breeding programme at NDFRC, Katumani. It has been shown that Tohono Z16 maize possesses physiological characteristics which could be positively exploited by plant breeders at NDFRC, Katumani, in the search for drought adapted maize cultivars for the semi-arid areas of SE-Kenya.

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