Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO最新文献

{"title":"Factors Affecting the Physical and Functional Performance of Buildings in Kenya","authors":"David Lagat, T. Kivaa, M. Njuguna, Stephen Nyakondo, Erick Maklago, Ruth Onkangi, Collins Kamulla, Benson Kimathi","doi":"10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.72","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.72","url":null,"abstract":"Building performance is a broad subject whose meaning covers the ability of structures to serve the intended function based on a well-defined criterion such as the assessment of functional, physical, environmental, or even social attributes considered jointly or separately. Building failures and general collapses are some of the most severe consequences of failed performance of buildings which have a great impact on livelihoods yet have remained persistent in Kenya over decades despite various interventions.  This paper analyses building performance based on observable attributes and sentiments of respondents collected from construction project sites across Kenya. The study aimed to characterize buildings that are likely to fail physically and functionally at different stages based on five factors drawn from the literature as institutional, ethical, financial, legal, and technical factors, with the intention of proposing the necessary stop-gap measures. The study employed a cross-sectional (survey) design in which quantitative research methods were applied to collect and analyze data from a random sample of 400 building construction projects selected through proportionate cluster sampling across the 47 counties of Kenya. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to gather data on the perception of industry professionals, building users, and generally the stakeholders on the identified area of the research. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and regression analysis. The physical performance of buildings appeared to cause an alarming concern with elements such as wall and slab stability recording poor scores. Based on functional performance the aspects of disability mainstreaming and compliance to green building standards were noted to be under-performing. Multiple Regression analysis results revealed that institutional, ethical, financial, legal, and technical factors explained 17.1% of the variability in building performance. Notably, only ethical, legal, and technical factors were the statistically significant predictors of building performance. The study thus recommends a detailed review, restructuring, and optimization of the ethical, legal, and technical environment of building construction management to enhance buildings performance. ","PeriodicalId":516705,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO","volume":" 22","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139640599","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Community Radio Influence and Project Interventions During the Covid-19 Period","authors":"W. Wachira, Susan Mwangi, Gladys Muasya","doi":"10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.57","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.57","url":null,"abstract":"The Ministry of Health in Nairobi, Kenya confirmed the first case of COVID-19 (Corona Virus) on the 12th of March 2020 since the outbreak in China in December of 2019. COVID-19 was declared a pandemic and as a result negatively affected the lives of communities globally. Job loss, mental illness, uncertainty, deaths, domestic violence, denial, misconceptions of the existence of COVID-19 and depressed economies are some of the characteristic features of nations during the pandemic.    The purpose of this study was to explore the role of community radio in community engagement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic among Voi and Marsabit marginalised communities in Kenya. The study objectives were to determine the influence of Sifa FM community radio station programmes on community development in Voi and Marsabit communities during the COVID-19 period; to establish the COVID-19 intervention projects conducted by Sifa FM community radio stations in Kenya that promote community development initiatives in Marsabit and Voi; to assess the challenges encountered when engaging in COVID-19 intervention projects by Sifa FM Voi and Marsabit community radio stations in Kenya to promote community engagement; and  to identify risks and gaps encountered by Sifa FM Voi and Marsabit community radio stations during the COVID-19 period in Kenya. The study adopted the Empowerment Theory. 212 respondents participated in this study and consisted of four groups: The Sifa FM station manager, 11 community leaders and 100 community members in both Voi and Marsabit respectively. Purposive sampling was used to select community leaders and Sifa FM radio station manager, while snowball sampling was adopted to select community members residing in Voi and Marsabit communities. Mixed research design was adopted for this study. Data was collected using two interview guides and a semi-structured questionnaire. Data was collected between July and October 2021. Quantitative data was captured using SPSS version 20 software while qualitative data was analysed using thematic and content analysis.Findings revealed that Sifa FM community radio station programmes aired during the COVID-19 period contributed to increased levels of social and economic development in Voi and Marsabit communities. Social development was achieved to some extent through educating Sifa FM listeners on COVID-19 which influenced community health. Programmes about economic activities that were aired on Sifa FM provided insight that would impact the living standards of community members and economic development.  Sifa FM contributed significantly to social-economic development of Voi and Marsabit communities during the COVID-19 period. Findings further revealed that Sifa FM contributed to several project interventions where the highest number of respondents supported public awareness on COVID-19 interventions as the priority. Results indicated that more can be done to increase the scope of outreach for project interven","PeriodicalId":516705,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO","volume":"35 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140506780","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Apsa Traditional and Promotion of Cultural Identities in Burkina Faso (English Version)","authors":"Boureïma Coulibaly, Arnaud Sow","doi":"10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.73","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.73","url":null,"abstract":"Traditional Physical, Sports and Artistic Activities (APSA) are bodily practices present in all communities across cultures in Burkina Faso.  Given that each culture has its own habits, its own way of educating the body and mind, the cultural diversity of Burkina Faso linked to the multiplicity of ethnic groups is in itself a richness. To collect these data, we used the questionnaire method and the interview. IBM SPSS Statistics version 25 software, Excel software to process the data obtained from the questionnaire, content analysis were used for documents, interview and focus group. The results obtained show a convergence of points of view according to which traditional APSAs fulfil specific and multiple functions ranging from education to the safeguarding of identity, including training, culture, social, political, economic, patriotism and entertainment.  80.6% of those under 25 surveyed and 95.9% 25 and over also agree that APSAs allow the promotion of their identities. The majority of respondents would like to see public action and political guidance involving stakeholders. Traditional APSAs play very important roles in promoting cultural identities, as they are rooted in these cultures.","PeriodicalId":516705,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140507853","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Application of Real-Time Deep Learning in integrated Surveillance of Maize and Tomato Pests and Bacterial Diseases","authors":"A. Kirongo, G. M. Muketha, Eric Mworia, Daniel Maitethia","doi":"10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.46","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.46","url":null,"abstract":"With an emphasis on maize and tomato crops specifically, this research explores the creative fusion of computer vision (CV) and machine learning (ML) to address the enduring problem of pests and crop diseases impacting Kenya's crucial agricultural industry. This study aims to provide farmers with a reliable and accurate tool for identifying pests and diagnosing diseases by using a MobileNetV2-based model. An extensive dataset including photos of both healthy and sick crops was gathered, and preprocessing approaches, such as data augmentation, were used to improve the model's training procedure. The resulting mobile application for real-time digital imaging signifies a major advancement in agriculture technology as it provides farmers with rapid and accessible diagnostic capabilities in addition to professional advice. The transformational potential of CV and ML in transforming agricultural practices is highlighted by this research, despite faced constraints such as data limits and technical accessibility. This research proposes a future where these cutting-edge technologies serve as pillars fortifying food security, empowering farmers with actionable insights, and significantly mitigating crop losses in Kenyan agriculture. It does this by arguing for improved data collection strategies, addressing algorithmic biases, and encouraging technology adoption. This paper contributes an important step toward a more technologically advanced farming environment, where innovative solutions utilizing CV and ML methodologies promise to improve farmer livelihoods and protect Kenya's agriculture from widespread threats in addition to preserving crop health.","PeriodicalId":516705,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO","volume":"17 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140507162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Human Activities and Urban Green Spaces of Slum-Dwelling Areas : A Case of Dandora Estates, Nairobi County","authors":"Silva M. Namalwa, Maurice Omollo, Charity Konana","doi":"10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.48","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.48","url":null,"abstract":"Rapid urbanization, coupled with population influx in many developing countries worldwide, is a prominent cause of the depletion of urban green spaces (UGS). These beautiful, green, and tranquil areas within urban forms are being depleted due to increased human interference in cities and urban areas globally. This paper examines the implications of various human activities that dominate the urban green spaces of Dandora by engaging with household heads and those found undertaking activities within the UGS. The results indicate that residents' participation in social and economic activities had a positive correlation (0.18 and 0.304, respectively) with the negative effects on UGS, while residents' participation in environmental activities had a negative correlation (-0.502) with the latter. The findings establish that the primary positive effect resulting from human activities practiced in the UGS in Dandora was increased UGS users who increased utility and made use of these spaces. Some of the recommendations include: the county government should reclaim and rehabilitate any open space that may have been encroached upon to facilitate other unplanned and haphazard developments. This move will tend to increase the green space size as they originally were, making them more functional, usable, and accessible to the public. The Ministry of Land needs to invest in a centralized land information system and Geographic Information System as a tool in innovative land use planning to reduce encroachments. There is a dire need for architects, engineers, and environmentalists within the country to advise and educate real estate developers on the importance of biophilic design to the contemporary urban form.","PeriodicalId":516705,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO","volume":"12 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140507315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Climate Smart Agriculture and its Implication on Climate Change Adaptation Measures within Smallholder Farming Systems in Gatundu South, Kenya","authors":"Jilo Naghea Tei, F. Waswa","doi":"10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.49","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.49","url":null,"abstract":"The impacts of climate change and the need for implementing adaptation and mitigation measures continues to dominate global environmental dialogue, with the Africa Climate Summit 2023 and Conference of Parties 28 being the most recent in this series. A hitherto marginalised aspect is the level of adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices in smallholder production systems.  This study explored this dimension using Gatundu South as a case study. Rainfall data was obtained from the Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Station data. Socio-economic data targeting 384 respondents was collected using questionnaires. Standard procedures were used to analyse these data. Results showed that farmers are generally aware of climatic variability especially as evidenced by changes in rainfall patterns. Farmers adapt and attempt to mitigate effects of climate change and variability by using practices that deliver direct economic benefits and not necessarily the climate-smartness of the practices. Farmers did not associate their adaptation measures with the need to reduce emission of greenhouse gasses. To smallholder farmers, direct economic benefits are the primary incentives for the adoption of climate-smart practices. Further, the link between climate change and the invisible greenhouse gases is a knowledge gap among smallholder farmers. Therefore, adoption of climate smart agriculture practices can be enhanced if the narrative shifts to emphasise the negative contribution of greenhouse gases to farmers’ health and the concomitant medical costs, through their role in exacerbating air pollution","PeriodicalId":516705,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO","volume":"53 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140507696","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Avian Diversity and Abundance in Ololunga town, Narok County, Kenya","authors":"James G. Miriti, B. O. Waswala","doi":"10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.70","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.70","url":null,"abstract":"This study sought to determine bird abundance and diversity within Ololunga town, Narok County, Kenya. Using point counts and line transects, a rapid assessment of three habitats, based on levels of human disturbance was conducted. A total of 394 (n=394) birds belonging to 25 families and 34 species were recorded, with bushland recording the highest abundance and species richness (43.15%; and 26), followed by farmlands at 31.47% and 15; and human settlement recording the least (25.38% and 10). The Tukey HSD test established a significant difference in bird abundance between bushlands and human settlement areas (p = 0.014), with no significance between bushlands and farmlands (p = 0.082); nor between farmlands and human settlements (p = 0.356). Jaccard index / similarity coefficient across habitat scores noted a reducing similarity across avian sighted habitats at 0.316, 0.281 and 0.2 for human settlements-farmland; farmland-bushlands; and human settlement-bushland, respectively. Study results demonstrate that human influence has an impact on avian species composition, distribution, and abundance, especially within peri-urban areas of Narok, Kenya. Our study proposes creation of avian sensitive buffer zones within the habitats and ecotones; targeted community education on impacts of anthropogenic activities on avian diversity; and a deeper appraisal on seasonal and functional diversity in habitat types and overlapping ecotones on avian species, with a lens on resource availability.","PeriodicalId":516705,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO","volume":"5 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140507948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Large Scale infrastructural Projects and Climate Change in Kenya: An Assessment of Key Drivers of Climate Change in LAPSSET Project Area in Lamu","authors":"Mwangi G Kamau, Zack Maritim","doi":"10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.75","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.75","url":null,"abstract":"The paper argues that climate change has become a threat to human survival and life sustaining ecosystems. It argues that Large-scale infrastural projects’ activities accelerates drivers of climate change. Three major objectives were pursued; to identify drivers of climate change at LAPSSET project area; to assess how LAPSSET activities impact on critical ecologically significant Areas (CESA) and to determine possible adoption options by people affected by climate changes in LAPSSET areas. Both qualitative and quantitative frameworks are applied to assess the climatic risks and vulnerabilities. The paper finds that: 63% of the respondents cited high population increase and infrastural development at LAPSSET area as key drivers of climate change. Second ,70% of respondents thought that LAPSSET project was magnet of activities that had serious consequences on the environment and CESAs. While 80% of the respondents identified coral bleaching, clogging of creeks, shifting of fishing sites, changes in weather patterns, increased shoreline and draught as major climate related footprints. The paper recommends funding of environmental mitigating agenda pegged on law and on pre-determined percent of the resources allocated to any large-scale project. It recommends establishing a pool of climate change mitigation green army funded through a multi-agency approach. It also recommended that, all large-scale infrastructural projects operating in the Kenya should, by law be forced to re-green their area of operation and fight threats associated with climate change via legislation.","PeriodicalId":516705,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO","volume":"42 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140508078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Value-Addition in Biomass for enhanced Household Energy Security in Navakholo Sub-County, Kenya","authors":"Stacey Waudo, F. Waswa","doi":"10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.52","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.52","url":null,"abstract":"Although firewood is still the dominant source of energy in the majority of rural households in Navakholo, its sustainable availability is threatened by a steady decline in tree cover as much land gets converted to agricultural use. Opportunities for expanding energy security in such places reside in previously untapped potential for value addition on biomass energy sources. The broad objective of this research was to enhance availability and access to biomass energy while at the same time conserving tree cover for posterity. The specific objective was to assess opportunities for energy security through value-addition on available biomass energy sources. Data was collected using a questionnaire survey and focus group discussions in each of the five Wards of the Sub-County. Descriptive statistics and content analysis of responses were used to analyse the data and generate knowledge to inform future decision-making. Although Navakholo sub-county is a maize and sugarcane zone, results showed that value-addition practices on these two biomass energy sources such as through briquetting are non-existent. Much of the maize cobs are directly used as low energy fuel or simply left to rot away. Cow dung, which has a potential for energy provision through conversion into energy balls is usually used as manure in the farm. In addition, investment in biogas production is untapped because of the high initial costs. Only rudimentary approaches such as use of saw dust in cook stoves, and extinguishing firewood and charcoal after the day’s cooking are used to ease the pressure on available firewood. Although charcoal is a value-added product on wood fuel, respondents did not see it from that perspective. It was instead viewed as an energy alternative for those who could afford it. Opportunities for other value-added products like briquettes from charcoal, dust, saw dust and sugarcane cutting singly or in blended form remains unexploited. With appropriate exposure and capacity building on binder material and supply of press equipment, availability of biomass energy can be increased through the conversion of readily available maize cobs into briquettes. Secondary feedstock like cow dung, charcoal dust and saw dust may also be converted or used as binder material.","PeriodicalId":516705,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO","volume":" 30","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139640602","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Natural Forest Regeneration and Tree Planting Complexity: An Enigma of Climate Mitigation in the World of Technology","authors":"Balongo Vincent","doi":"10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.53","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.62049/jkncu.v4i1.53","url":null,"abstract":"Given the severity and implication of prolonged palpability epitomized by Climate change, discussion and negotiation between parties and policy applications for mitigations employed is not 100% solution. The mitigation of carbon emission through tree planting alone is inadequate. There’s need for knowledge on the type of trees, where to plant them, and their impact on the biosphere. Previous study shows that uncensored tree planting programs causes riparian land to dry up. This study lingers on achieving climate change mitigation through afforestation, algae, and technology. It adopts three hypotheses; the first, there’s nothing like global warming or climate change occurring, Secondly, global warming and climate change occurs as natural and cyclic events not related to human activity, Thirdly, global warming and climate change are outcome of mans’ activities. This is a desk top study, the findings indicate that trees are important factors in conserving atmosphere with a balanced biosphere, but not solutions to climate crisis. Thus, certain types of trees cause problems for other plants and animals in their symbiotic nature. Scientists shows that Algae consumes 400x more CO2 hence, investing in them is efficient. Additionally, investing in technology like carbon engineering, direct air capture, and geological sequestration are effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere and revolutionize the energy sector. In conclusion, embracing technology and change of human consumer behavior should be the way to go in the contemporary world to mitigate climate issues.","PeriodicalId":516705,"journal":{"name":"Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO","volume":"12 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140507320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}