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    Cherangany Hills Forest Restoration Opportunity Assessment and Mapping Report, 2025
    (Nature Kenya - the East Africa Natural History Society, 2025) Muoria, Paul K.; Karanja, Rebecca; Gacheru, Paul; Wabuyele, Emily; Ngaruiya, Grace; Kamau, Joseph; Amadi, Jacinter A.; Njenga, Peninah; Waichoka, James; Mbuvi, Musingo T.E.; Mutunga Joshua, James; Kimani, Julius; Lagat, Mercy; Mwamodenyi, James M.; Matiku, Paul
    The Cherangany Hills Forest ecosystem is one of Kenya’s most vital ecological landscapes, providing essential services, supporting biodiversity, and sustaining the livelihoods of bordering and downstream communities. However, the ecological integrity of this important ecosystem is threatened by deforestation, land degradation and climate change, among other challenges. This report is an outcome of a collaborative effort aimed at understanding the current state of the landscape and identifying practical, science-derived restoration opportunities. The report is organized into five chapters. Chapter 1 outlines the rationale and objectives of conducting the restoration opportunities assessment and mapping exercise for the Cherangany Hills Forest landscape. It also introduces the Restoration Opportunity Assessment Methodology (ROAM) that was used in this study. Chapter 2 presents a synthesis of the baseline conditions, identifies the key drivers of degradation, and reviews the institutional and policy frameworks that support forest restoration. In Chapter 3, the participatory assessment methods used in this study are presented, emphasizing the involvement of stakeholders. Chapter 4 highlights the key findings, including: • Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) changes from 1994 to 2023 and projections for future scenarios. • Areas identified for restoration. • Financial analyses of restoration efforts. • An evaluation of the impact of restoration on ecosystem services. • A summary of potential sources of funding for restoration efforts Chapter 5 present conclusions and actionable recommendations for stakeholders to drive the restoration process forward. Overall, this report provides a guiding framework for policymakers, conservationists, local communities, and other stakeholders to pursue targeted restoration interventions. Cherangany Hills Forest restoration journey is a shared responsibility among national and county governments, conservation agencies, local communities, and development partners. This report is a valuable resource for decision-making, supporting Kenya’s commitments to national and global environmental goals, including the Bonn Challenge, AFR100, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We extend our sincere gratitude to all stakeholders, researchers and community members who contributed their knowledge, time and insights to make this assessment a reality. We hope this report inspires action, innovation, and enduring partnerships for the restoration of Cherangany Hills Forest.
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    Cherangany Hills Forest Ecosystem Services Assessment Report, 2025
    (Nature Kenya - the East Africa Natural History Society, 2025) Muoria, Paul K.; Wabuyele, Emily; Gacheru, Paul; Ngaruiya, Grace W; Amadi, Jacinta A.; Waichoka, James; Kamau, Joseph W.; Njenga, Peninah; Karanja, Rebecca; Mutunga, James; Kimani, Julius; Lagat, Mercy Jeptum; Ruto, David; Kipruto, Caroline; Mbuvi, M.T.E.; Mwadalu, Riziki; Mwamodenyi, James M.; Mwamodenyi, James M.
    The Cherangany Hills Forest is a vital ecological resource that provides essential ecosystem services — supporting livelihoods, maintaining biodiversity, and contributing to both regional and national economies. However, this ecosystem faces mounting pressures driven by an increasing human population and the expansion of agricultural land. Other significant threats include unsustainable resource extraction, climate change, habitat loss and degradation and the spread of invasive plant species. These challenges endanger the forest’s ability to continue providing critical goods and services to communities. This ecosystem service assessment was conducted to evaluate the current value of key ecosystem services and to explore how these values might change under two contrasting future scenarios: a business-as-usual trajectory and a restoration-focused pathway. These future scenarios were informed by a parallel study that identified and mapped degraded areas within the Cherangany Hills forests that require restoration. This comprehensive report is the result of a collaborative effort, drawing on diverse expertise to capture a broad spectrum of ecosystem service values. It covers water provisioning for domestic, livestock, agricultural and hydroelectric power generation purposes, alongside the tangible benefits of harvested wild goods, crop production, carbon sequestration and the cultural significance of the forest to local communities. The report demonstrates the essential role of the ecosystem in supporting both human well being in immediate landscape and even beyond. According to the study, the restoration scenario offers significant economic benefits at local, regional, and national levels alongside numerous environmental advantages. This report contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the case for restoring this critical ecosystem. Moreover, the findings will guide key policy and planning processes including forest management planning, County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs), climate change strategies and other county and national-level policies. This work would not have been possible without the dedication of the research team; collaboration from project partners including Kenyatta University, Nature Kenya, Kenya Forest Research Institute, Kenya Forest Service and the National Museums of Kenya and the invaluable support of all stakeholders. We are confident that this report will inform decision-making, inspire restoration initiatives and contribute to securing the long-term resilience of the Cherangany Hills Forest.
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    Unesco chair on higher education development for a green economy and sustainability, Kenyatta University UNESCO chair on higher education development for a green economy and sustainability, kenyatta university
    (2021-11) Otieno, Dorcas B.; Ngare, Innocent; Ogutu, Emma Atieno; Omwami, Duncan; Atima, Amos
    The quest to transition to a greener world is a priority across all sectors. Under this paradigm, we must vocalize this knowledge through curriculum to embed knowledge. This baseline presents an introduction to the green economy and sustainability learning. It describes some of the international discussions that have given rise to green economy studies. In addition, this baseline describes and presents a rationale for moving toward a green economy by describing current prevailing conditions that can help meet the environmental, economic, and social goals of sustainable development. It identifies the drivers and opportunities for change that have led to the adoption of a green economy approach. Multidisciplinary learning links between the environment and important economic sectors to help comprehend some of the essential improvements. The baseline was conducted at Kenyatta University between 2018 and 2021 to demonstrate the gaps that the university has been experiencing and how the difficulties might be amended or addressed. It was guided by the following objectives: to examine the extent and format in which green economy and sustainability concepts, issues, and tools are incorporated into the university curriculum and learning programmes; to assess whether green economy and sustainability principles have been mainstreamed into university governance, operations, and outreach; to review existing institutional capacities required for greening curriculum and competencies for green economy and sustainability learning; and to identify opportunities for strengthening and up-scaling the delivery of green economy learning through higher educational institutions. The baseline focused on green economy curricula development for institutions of higher learning: a case study of Kenyatta University. An interdisciplinary approach was used that guided the sampling of ten schools at Kenyatta University. These schools included: the School of Environmental Studies, School of Business, School of Economics, School of Agriculture and Enterprise Development, School of Education, School of Engineering, School of Pure and Applied Sciences, School of Public Health, School of Creative Arts, Film and Media Studies, and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. A total of 100 lecturers and 227 masters’ students filled out the staff and student questionnaires, respectively. Focus Group Discussions were conducted virtually, with 50 doctoral students from ten schools participating. To link academia and industry on green economy assessment, different intersectoral interviews were conducted from eight sectors, including the Transport Sector, Agriculture Sector, Trade Sector, Education Sector, Energy Sector, Manufacturing Sector, Environment Sector, and Tourism Sectors. This gave a good platform to learn about the needs of the industry and what academia should address in order to churn out standard graduates who meet and suit the needs of the industry. As a result of the findings of this baseline study, Kenyatta University is now in a position to develop a strategy for promoting green economy and sustainability across the institution.
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    Rising Water Levels in Kenya’s Rift Valley Lakes, Turkwel Gorge Dam and Lake Victoria
    (Republic of Kenya, 2021) Republic of Kenya; UNDP
    The rising water levels of the Rift Valley Lakes, Turkwel Gorge Dam and Lake Victoria has been a major cause of concern to the country’s socio-economic development, and this has led to many uncertainties in the counties where these water bodies are located. Different explanations have been advanced to explain these rising water levels, chief of which is hydro-meteorological variables due to climate change that have led to increased moisture availability as seen in therainfall data and discharge of the rivers feeding the lakes. There is also increased soil in run off occasioned by land use changes which have increasingly added to the siltation of the lakes as seen in the sediment load in the rivers. All the Rift Valley lakes are situated in faulted terrain in the geologically active Eastern Africa Rift Valley and are therefore mainly controlled by the geological structures. For this reason, the increasing water levels are changing the composition of lake water thus affecting biodiversity. This is manifested in the reduced number of flamingos who feed on algae whose growth has been affected by the change in alkalinity of the lake waters. Biodiversity of the lakes has also been greatly affected by the submergence of the riparian vegetation. Tourism in the areas has drastically reduced owing to the loss in aesthetic value of the lakes and affected incomes. Economy has been further affected by reduced and restricted movement due to Covid-19. The long periods of the rising water levels in these Lakes have generated a humanitarian crisis. Approximately 75,987 households have been displaced in the thirteen affected counties with a total population of 379,935 requiring urgent humanitarian assistance. The affected communities have endured disruptions to their livelihoods; they have lost assets such as homes, grazing lands and farming fields which have been destroyed and/or marooned by the floods. The rising waters levels have destroyed social amenities like learning institutions (primary and secondary schools), health facilities, markets, fish landing and processing facilities, once-thriving hotels, curio shops, resorts and lodges, electricity lines, water supply and sanitation units (boreholes, shallow wells, sanitation facilities) as well as road networks, forcing many to use boat transport to access services across the flooded areas. This report intends to highlight the adverse effects of the rising water levels on the affected population and setbacks on the developmental gains. The major effects include loss of lives and livelihoods, injury, outbreak of disease, legal issues, safety and security concerns, and ecological or environmental degradation. This report is organised into six parts: Introduction, Impact Assessment and Key Findings, Causes of the Rise of Lake Water Levels, Summary of Key Issues, Recommended Interventions, and Conclusions.
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    Kenyatta University School of Law Tracer Study of Law Graduates: The Report
    (Kenyatta University, 2016) Obando, Joy; Shisanya, Chris; Njoroge, Gitau; Maina, Lucy; Macharia, G.; Kisiang’ani, E. W.; Chacha, Bhoke
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    Kenyatta University Graduate Tracer: Preliminary Report
    (Kenyatta University, 2012-02) Obando, Joy; Shisanya, Chris; Njoroge, Gitau; Maina, Lucy; Macharia, G.; Kisiang’ani, E. W.; Chacha, Bhoke
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    Kenya’s 2016 Report Card on the Physical Activity and Body Weight of Children and Youth
    (Healthy Active Kids Kenya, 2016) Onywera, Vincent O.; Muthuri, Stella K.; Wachira, Lucy-Joy M.; Kyallo, Florence; Mang’eni, Robert Ojiambo; Bukhala, Peter; Hayker, Sylvester; Amile, Everlyne
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    Analysis of factors that affect the standard of soccer in Africa: the case of East African Countries
    (2005) Njororai, W.W.S.; Mwisukha, A.; Onywera, V.O.; Rintaugu, E.G.
    The performance of soccer teams in East Africa in continental competitions has always been low in comparison to other regions of Africa. Therefore, the study analysed factors that have affected the standard of soccer in East Africa. The study hypothesized that there would be no significant difference in the influence of facilities, equipment, funding, technical personnel, incentives, external exposure and criteria of the appointment of coaches in the development of soccer in East Africa. Data was collected using questionnaires from soccer stakeholders (N=639) purposively selected from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The stakeholders included soccer players (n=246 or 38.5%), coaches (n= 127 or 19.9%), referees (n = 79 Or 12.4%) and other stakeholders (N = 157 or 38.49%). Data was analysed through one- ~. way ANOVA and resulting significant differences were taken through Turkey HSB at 0.05 level of significance. Results revealed that Uganda was perceived to be adequate in terms of soccer facilities, equipment, technical personnel, funding, incentive provision and qualified coaches. Kenya and Tanzania were perceived to follow Uganda respectively.. The differences between the three countries were significant (P<0.05) in soccer facilities, equipment, technically trained personnel, funding, incentives, qualified coaches and external exposure for coaches. The main factors that have hindered the development of soccer in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are funding, lack of transparency and soccer facilities and equipment.
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    First Report of Globodera Rostochiensis Infesting Potatoes in Kenya
    (British Society for Plant Pathology, 2015) Waceke, J. W.; Mwangi, J. M.; Kariuki, G. M.; Grundler, F. M.
    Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is the second most important food crop in Kenya after maize (MOA, 2007). However, increased production in Kenya has been constrained by various factors including pests and diseases. Potato cyst nematode (PCN) is a major threat to potato production in various parts of the world leading to losses of up to 80%, and sometimes total crop failure. However, it has been reported in only a few countries in Africa (Knoetze et al., 2006). Early detection and identification of PCN is essential in designing proper regulatory measures to thwart further spread as well as designing a proper management strategy (Hlaoua et al., 2008). The aim of this study was to investigate whether PCN is present in potato producing areas of Nyandarua County, Kenya.