Master's - Theses

Influence of Social, Environmental and Technological Factors on Management of Faecal Matter in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas: A Case of Isiolo Sub-County, Kenya

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Influence of Social, Environmental and Technological Factors on Management of Faecal Matter in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas: A Case of Isiolo Sub-County, Kenya Muthuri, Julius Kirimi Access to safe and adequate sanitation remains a significant challenge in arid and semi-arid areas. To address this issue, onsite sanitation facilities have gained global acceptance, where financial constraints often hinder the installation of conventional centralized systems. However, studies have observed that faecal matter accumulating in these technologies is usually poorly managed, posing risks to public and environmental health and leading to adverse economic and social effects. The study investigated the influence of social, environmental, and technological factors on the management of faecal matter in Isiolo Sub County. A convergent mixed methods design was used to obtain quantitative data using structured questionnaires and qualitative data from two focus group discussions. Stratified and proportionate random sampling techniques were used to select households, while purposive sampling was applied for informants. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 26.0 for descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis. Logistic regression was computed in univariable and multivariable analysis to determine the relationship between predictors and dependent variables, and results were presented as an odds ratio with 95% Confidence Interval (CI). Qualitative data were analyzed thematically and presented in narratives. From the findings, the pit latrine was most commonly used at 77.1%, and about 46.5% of the resulting excreta was poorly managed. The study established social factors such as secondary education (AOR = 4.085, p < .001); gender roles (AOR = 0.518, p = 0.028), knowledge of safe disposal (AOR = 22.50, p < .001), and social norms (AOR = 0.347, p = .001) to have a significant influence on the management of faecal matter. Environmental factors such as rainfall (AOR= 0.825, p = 0.0315), space availability (AOR = 0.89, p = .036), and land use (AOR=1.012, p=0.013), along with technological aspects like sustainable toilet (AOR= 1.398, p=0.036); latrine accessibility (AOR= 0.783, p=0.05); local resources (AOR = 1.488, p = 0.009) were also statistically associated with effective faecal matter management. The study concludes that social, environmental, and technological interaction influences faecal matter management in arid and semi-arid areas. The study recommends that policy makers and sanitation stakeholders, such as the county Government, promote public education and community awareness, promote resilient and lined sanitation technology, strengthen local capabilities through intra-community skilled labour training, and incorporate land experimentation with usability into infrastructure development. To promote sustainable and inclusive faecal matter management, it is vital that sanitation policies across the affected realms can adapt accordingly to context, particularly in disadvantaged arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL)

Weakly Sign Symmetric P0 -Matrix Completion Problem for Patterns of Digraphs Oforder5with Up to 5 Arcs

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Weakly Sign Symmetric P0 -Matrix Completion Problem for Patterns of Digraphs Oforder5with Up to 5 Arcs Marro, Joseph Lmambarin Matrix completion problem involves determining whether or not a completion of a partial matrix exist for a certain class of matrices satisfying a number of prescribed properties or not. Research on completion of various classes of matrices, including P-matrices, P0-matrices, as well as Wss P0-matrices has been done. In particular, completion of Wss P0-matrixfor4×4 matrices have been explored using digraphs with 4 arcs. However, the case of digraphs of order 5 with up to 5 arcs has not been studied. In this study, therefore, the completions of non-isomorphic digraphs of order 5 with up to 5 arcs were determined. Digraphs were utilized to create partial Wss P0-matrix from which all principal minors were obtained. Partial matrices were extracted from non-isomorphic digraphs. Principal sub-matrices were extracted from each partial matrix thereby finding the determinant of each sub-matrix obtained. Zero completion was done to all partial matrices to ascertain the viability of completion for each partial matrix. Digraphs characteristics, which leads to completion or non-completion, were analyzed. These digraphs characteristics were derived from digraphs used to construct the partial Wss P0-matrix. This study established that all cyclic and acyclic digraphs of order 5 with up to 5 arcs were found to have zero completion into a Wss P0-matrix. Digraphs of order 5 with 2 arcs that have a positionally symmetric cycle were found to have completion. However, those digraphs of order 5 with 4 and 5 arcs that possess positionally symmetric cycles were discovered to have no completion. Insights gained from this class of matrix could be applied to fill gaps in data surveys, and business analytics, allocating resources, network modelling, and optimizing processes.

Impacts of Sand Dams On Biodiversity And Ecosystem Services: Case Study of Kikuu Sand River, Makueni County, Kenya

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Impacts of Sand Dams On Biodiversity And Ecosystem Services: Case Study of Kikuu Sand River, Makueni County, Kenya Kigorwe, Faith Gaceri This study investigates the environmental impacts of sand dams on biodiversity and ecosystem services along the Kikuu River in Makueni County, Kenya, an arid and semi arid region where water scarcity and food insecurity remain critical challenges. While sand dams are widely promoted as sustainable water management interventions, their ecological effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services are less documented compared to their hydrological benefits. Addressing this knowledge gap, the study aimed to evaluate how sand dam construction influences plant and animal diversity as well as the provision of ecosystem services in the Kikuu River system. The research was carried out between 2023 and 2024 and covered a 35 km stretch of the Kikuu River, where 21 sand dams were identified. A total of 306 households were sampled. Data collection involved mapping natural (e.g., Acacia species, xerophytic grasses) and human-made features (e.g., water pumps, roads), biodiversity surveys of plants and animals in both sand dam and control sites, and household interviews on ecosystem services. Sampling methods included perpendicular transects, spot checks, and sweep counts. Data were analyzed using Welch’s ANOVAwith Games-Howell post-hoc tests, Pearson Chi-square tests, and regression analyses. The results indicated that sand dam sites supported higher plant and animal biodiversity compared to control sites without dams (p < 0.001). For instance, the Kwa Moses and Mbukoni dams demonstrated rich vegetation cover and increased animal presence, while regression analysis revealed that sand dams had a positive and significant relationship with ecosystem service ratings, particularly in water provision, irrigation, and soil stability. However, variations in performance among dams highlight the influence of design, location, and maintenance. The study concludes that sand dams significantly enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services in semi-arid landscapes but require site-specific management strategies, continuous monitoring, and design improvements to maximize benefits and reduce ecological trade-offs. It recommends the strategic expansion of sand dams, coupled with community participation and post construction monitoring, to strengthen ecological resilience and sustainable development in water-scarce regions.

Revenue Collection Administration and Revenue Growth in County Government of Marsabit

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Revenue Collection Administration and Revenue Growth in County Government of Marsabit Dengue, Bonaya Roba The 2010 Constitution of Kenya was expected to enhance service delivery to Kenyans by devolving political and administrative responsibilities to county government. Resources required to support service delivery are from both local revenues and the national government. Observably, local revenue collections have continued dwindling even though empirical studies have not been conducted to analyze this decline. Thus, this study was designed to assess the effect of revenue collection administration and revenue growth in Marsabit County Governments. A descriptive survey design was adopted for this research. The target population consisted of all 209 non-support staff members from the Department of Finance, Economic Planning and Budgeting, and Revenue and Resource Mobilization in the County Government of Marsabit. The respondents in this study were selected using stratified sampling techniques, resulting in 106 respondents. The questionnaires were the primary instrument for data collection, and their validity and reliability were examined through pre-testing of research tools. The secondary data was gathered through existing information from the National Treasury annual reports. Generation of descriptive statistics used SPSS version 26. Inferential statistics was also used to compute correlation analysis as well as multiple linear regression. The findings of the study showed that staff competencies, automation and internal control influenced revenue growth in the County Government of Marsabit. Further, the study established that government policy had a positive moderating effect on the relationship between revenue collection administration and revenue growth in the county government of Marsabit. Inferential statistics results showed a strong R-squared (the coefficient of determination), while the results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the regression model showed an F statistic that was within the predictable range. The study concluded that staff competencies, automation and internal control practices strongly influence revenue growth in the county government of Marsabit. The study recommends upscaling of staff competencies by introducing training forums on sensitization of revenue collection administration best practices and investment in digital transactions and improving internal control systems