Meru University Institutional Repository

Influence of Logistics Management on Export Performance of Avocado Fruit in Meru County, Kenya

2026-08-11T07:17:48Z

Influence of Logistics Management on Export Performance of Avocado Fruit in Meru County, Kenya Manyara, Kennedy; Nzomo, Mathias; Thiaine, Kubaison Purpose: This research explored the influence of logistics management on the export performance of avocado fruit in Meru County, Kenya. Methodology: The research adopted a descriptive survey design for this work. Data were collected from 18 cooperative leaders and 640 farmers belonging to two major avocado cooperatives. From this pool, 326 farmers were selected through stratified random sampling, while cooperative leaders were selected purposively. The data collection relied on questionnaires and interview guides, and their reliability was verified through pilot testing. For quantitative analysis, SPSS version 26 helped run descriptive statistics, correlation tests, and multiple regression. Qualitative data were handled through thematic analysis. Findings: The evidence shows that logistics management exerts a significant positive influence on export performance. Nonetheless, ongoing logistical shortcomings, especially poor infrastructure and insufficient cold storage, continue to restrict export volumes, compromise fruit quality, and limit market penetration. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This study provides the first empirical evidence from Meru County quantifying the relationship between logistics management and export performance (β = 0.322, p < 0.001), demonstrating that while cooperatives recognize logistics as critical, current practices, particularly in cold chain management and digital integration, remain severely underdeveloped. Unlike previous studies focused on large-scale exporters, this research reveals that smallholder cooperatives face distinctive constraints requiring collective solutions rather than individual investments.

Nakuru's Sanitation Revolution

2026-07-07T15:28:37Z

Nakuru's Sanitation Revolution Riungu, Joy Nyawira; Kiogora, Dominic With support from the Water and Development Partnership Program and IHE, Institute for Water Education, the Sanitation Research Institute at Meru University of Science and Technology, in partnership with Nakuru Water and Sanitation Services Company Ltd, has developed the Nakuru Sanitation Revolution case study. The case highlights how Citywide Inclusive Sanitation (CWIS) has transformed service delivery in Nakuru, positioning the city as a model of innovation, inclusion, and sustainability in Kenya. As one of Kenya’s fastest-growing cities, Nakuru has faced mounting pressure on its sanitation systems due to rapid urbanization, population growth, and expanding informal settlements. Historically, limited sewer coverage, unsafe waste disposal, and environmental degradation posed serious public health and ecological risks. This case study documents how local leadership, development partners, communities, and private sector actors came together to reimagine sanitation, not merely as infrastructure, but as an integrated public service. The Nakuru Sanitation Revolution showcases scalable solutions, including sewer network expansion, strengthened fecal sludge management, and improved access to safely managed sanitation in low-income areas. Central to this transformation is the CWIS approach, which prioritizes equity, service delivery for all residents, and a mix of technical solutions tailored to diverse urban contexts. Beyond infrastructure, the case explores governance reforms, innovative financing, data-driven planning, and public-private collaboration that have enabled sustainable progress. Nakuru’s journey demonstrates that with vision, partnership, and inclusive planning, sanitation transformation is achievable and replicable for rapidly urbanizing cities across the region.

Merit at the Crossroads: WASH Climate Change and Conflict Nexus

2026-07-07T15:07:19Z

Merit at the Crossroads: WASH Climate Change and Conflict Nexus Riungu, Joy Nyawira; Karani, Caroline; Kiogora, Dominic; Kirimi, Lilian ASALs at the Crossroads: Water & Sanitation, Climate Change, and Conflict Meru University of Science and Technology, through the Sanitation Research Institute (SRI), is proud to present the documentary on Water & Sanitation, Climate Change, and Conflict in ASALs: A case of Merti. This documentary is the result of a dynamic partnership between SRI, Sign of Hope, the German Toilet Organization, and the Merti Integrated Development Program. It shines a light on one of Kenya’s most pressing challenges, how communities in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) are navigating the complex intersection of water scarcity, climate change, sanitation breakdown, and conflict over natural resources. Once a thriving sub-county headquarters sustained by the steady flow of the Ewaso Nyiro River, Merti now finds itself at a turning point. The river that once nourished livelihoods has become seasonal, and boreholes drilled to meet community needs have either collapsed, been submerged, or fallen into disrepair. Of twelve strategic boreholes, only a handful remain functional, fueling competition and tension over scarce water resources. The film captures in vivid detail how climate extremes, from recurring droughts to flash floods, are reshaping daily life. Families lose their livelihoods, youth face growing despair, and women are forced into unsafe bushes to manage basic sanitation needs. Menstrual hygiene management is a living challenge. The spread of Mathenge (Prosopis juliflora), an invasive species once introduced to fight deforestation, adds another layer of complexity by consuming water, displacing native vegetation, and creating unsafe thickets where wild animals hide. Yet, Merti at the Crossroads is not just a story of crisis; it is equally a story of resilience and innovation. The documentary showcases community-driven solutions such as gabions and protective walls built to safeguard boreholes, the adoption of solar-powered water pumping systems, and the piloting of improved sanitation models that promise dignity and safety. These local actions, though small in scale, highlight the determination of Merti’s residents to adapt and build a better future. By bringing these realities to the screen, the documentary challenges us to reflect on the urgent need for research-driven policies, inclusive interventions, and stronger partnerships to ensure sustainable WASH services in the face of climate change. It is both a moving human story and a rallying call for governments, researchers, practitioners, and development partners to act decisively. Water & Sanitation. Climate Change. Conflict. The future of ASALs- depends on how we respond today!

The Status of Water Sanitation and Hygiene Provision in A Peri-Urban Setting : A case of Nchiru Meru.

2026-07-17T10:57:58Z

The Status of Water Sanitation and Hygiene Provision in A Peri-Urban Setting : A case of Nchiru Meru. Riungu, Joy Nyawira; Karani, Caroline; Mirara, Simon; Kirimi, Lilian; Mutuma, Benson Water, sanitation, and hygiene remain among the most urgent development challenges in many peri-urban communities across Kenya, where rapid population growth often outpaces the provision of safe and dignified services. In Nchiru, Meru, this reality is felt in everyday life: households, institutions, and vulnerable groups continue to navigate the consequences of inadequate sanitation systems, limited waste management options, and persistent public health risks. These pressures are not merely technical concerns; they shape human dignity, environmental safety, and the overall quality of life within the community. The Status of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Provision in a Peri-Urban Setting: A Case of Nchiru Meru brings this challenge into sharp focus. Guided by the work of Meru University of Science and Technology through the Sanitation Research Institute, the documentary highlights both the scale of the problem and the urgency of practical, locally grounded solutions. At the center of this conversation is an innovative response with transformative potential: the use of Black Soldier Fly technology to convert fecal waste into usable resources. This approach reimagines waste not as an inevitable burden, but as an opportunity for resource recovery, environmental protection, and improved community wellbeing. More than a reflection on current gaps, this work is a call to rethink sanitation in peri-urban spaces through innovation, resilience, and research-driven action. It challenges policymakers, practitioners, and communities to move beyond temporary fixes and invest in systems that are sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to local realities. In telling the story of Nchiru, the project opens a wider conversation about the future of WASH in Kenya and demonstrates that with bold ideas and committed partnerships, even the most persistent sanitation challenges can become pathways to lasting change.