Mbeere South Research Articles

Effect of Constituency Development Fund on Socio-economic Development in Mbeere South Constituency, Kenya

The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of Constituency Development Fund on socio-economic development in Mbeere South Constituency of Embu County, Kenya. A quantitative descriptive design was adopted, whereby cluster sampling method was used according to five administrative wards in Mbeere South, Kenya. Convenience sampling method was adopted to pick a sample of 100 respondents from across the five administrative wards. The instrument that was used for data collection was a questionnaire. A step-wise regression was used on each independent variable against the dependent variable, with a final multivariate regression model to determine the relative importance of each of the three independent variables with respect to effect of Constituency Development Fund projects on socio-economic development and established that all the three independent variables have a positive correlation with the dependent variable. The ANOVA was meant to investigate if variation in the independent variables explained the observed variance in the outcome, which in this case was the local development. The ANOVA results of the study showed a correlation between the predictor variables and the response variable, meaning that there was a strong positive relationship between the study variables.

The Social Function of Swearing in a Miraa Market Environment

The study aimed at evaluating the social motivations behind the use of swearwords in the language of miraa traders. The study was carried out in Ka?–ra?–tira?– open-air miraa (khat) market in Mbeere South sub-county within Embu County. Twelve negotiations involving both male and female traders were recorded and subsequently analyzed. The analysis indicates that swearing is an intricate social practice that is highly gendered, and which is used to not only socialize but also to achieve highly precious transactional goals in the miraa market. Significantly, swearing is a way in which the Miraa traders establish both their social and linguistic identity.

The factors affecting functionality and sustainability of mechanized elements of water supply systems in Mbeere South Sub-County, Kenya

This paper focuses on the functionality and sustainability of mechanized elements of water supply systems. Despite the huge sums of money spent by development agencies in developing water supply systems, once the projects are handed over to communities they start experiencing breakdowns and even in some cases total failure. The study revealed the factors affecting the functionality and sustainability of mechanized elements of water supply systems in Mbeere South Sub-County. The target population was made up of people living in Makima and Mwea Divisions of Mbeere South Sub-County and the installed mechanized water systems. The functionality of mechanized elements of water supply systems varied across the study area but the study revealed that use of locally developed hand pumps and solar systems was more sustainable. Failure to adhere to the recommended schedule of maintenance, lack of spare parts and lack of enhanced training of artisans and caretakers in operation and maintenance of the water systems’ mechanized elements heavily contributed to non-functionality of the systems. The study recommends that the choice of technology for community water projects be prioritized considering operation and maintenance costs and enhanced sensitization to the importance of communities in adhering to manufacturer's recommended scheduled maintenance to improve sustainability.

Effects of selected soil and water conservation techniques on runoff, sediment yield and maize productivity under sub-humid and semi-arid conditions in Kenya

The aim of this work is to investigate the consequences of selected soil and water conservation techniques and tillage practices on runoff amounts, sediment yield and maize yields under semi-arid and sub-humid environments. Field trials were set in Kigogo primary school in Meru South Sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County, representing the sub-humid conditions, and Machang'a secondary in Mbeere South Sub-County, Embu County (semi-arid) in the central highlands of Kenya. The experiment layout was a randomized complete block design and the treatments were implemented in runoff plots. Tied ridging (TR) was the most efficient technique in reducing runoff and sediment yield and at the same time boosting crop yields in the semi-arid region. It significantly (p<0.05) reduced sediment yields by 94% compared to the conventional tillage (CT) during the study period. The effects were particularly strong in periods of below average rainfall (dry seasons). During the drier season of short rains 2010 (SR10), grain yield under TR was 7 times higher compared to CT (p<0.01). In the sub-humid region, minimum tillage (MT) generated high runoff but relatively low sediment yield compared to CT. During periods of enough rainfall (over 450mm per season) in the drier site, intercropping suppressed maize yields significantly (p<0.01) by 42% compared to conventional tillage in the drier site. The results on the magnitude of runoff and sediment under the different soil and farm management practices are crucial in selection and promotion of valid farm management practices and tillage alternatives that not only abate soil erosion but also boost agricultural productivity in both sub-humid and semi-arid agro-ecological zones.

Effects of selected soil and water conservation technologies on nutrient losses and maize yields in the central highlands of Kenya

Mitigating nutrient loss is a prerequisite of sustainable agriculture in the tropics. We evaluated three soil and water conservation technologies (mulching, minimum tillage and tied ridging) for two cropping seasons (long rains 2011, short rains 2011) at two sites in the central highlands of Kenya. The objectives were: to determine effects of the technologies on runoff, sediment yield and nutrient loads in sediment, and to assess influence of the technologies on maize yields. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with 3 treatments replicated thrice. At the beginning of experiment, soil was sampled at 0–15cm depth and analyzed for pH, N, P, K, C, Ca and Mg. Mulch was applied at a rate of 5tha−1. Runoff was sampled, sediments extracted by drying in oven at 105°C, and analyzed for NPK and C loads. Data were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS 9.1.3 and means separated using Fishers’ LSD at 5% level of significance. Results showed reduced nutrient losses with the technologies. In Meru South, sediment yield was reduced by 41 and 7% during long rains 2011 (p=0.03), and by 71 and 68% during short rains 2011 (p=0.01) under mulching and minimum tillage, respectively. Runoff and maize yields were positively influenced by mulching. In Mbeere South, sediment yield was lower under soil and water conservation technologies. Runoff was reduced by 52 and 49% during long rains 2011 and by 51 and 30% during short rains 2011 under tied ridging and mulching respectively, compared with control. Total crop failure occurred during long rains 2011 due to erratic rains. During short rains 2011 tied ridging and mulching increased maize yield by 94 and 75%, respectively, compared with control. This study highlights the importance of analyzing soil and water conservation technologies within rain-fed farming systems perspective in response to declining food production and supports a focus on tied ridging and mulching.

Teachers’ Turnover: What Are The Explanatory Variables in Public Secondary Schools in Mbeere South Sub-County, Embu County, Kenya?

The thrust of this study was to examine the main explanatory variables for the rapid teachers’ turn over in public secondary schools in Mbeere South Sub-County, Embu County Kenya. The study was premised on in investment Human Capital Theory, proposed by Becker (1993). The objectives of the study were threefold, namely to: analyse school management policies, the attitude of teachers, and personal characteristics of teachers on rate of turnover among teachers in public secondary schools in Mbeere subcounty, Embu County. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. Combinations of purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select 29 principals and 120 teachers yielding a total sample size of 149 participants. A questionnaire, piloted prior to data collection to determine its validity and reliability, was used as the main research instrument. In-depth interview with principals corroborated and complimented data generated through questionnaires. The main findings were that the teacher turnover was high and fluctuating having increased from 4.27% in 2009 to 8.21%, in 2010 and marginally decreased to 7.2% in 2011. The main reasons for the high teachers’ turn over were: job dissatisfaction among teachers as results of poor motivation and remuneration, limited avenues for promotions and professional growth due to unsupportive school and government policies. It was recommends that the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Education and Salaries and Remuneration Commission should put in place functional teacher professional development strategies and enhanced remuneration initiatives to enhance their efficiency, productivity and reduce current turnover; amongst others .(249 words).

Teachers’ Turnover: What Are The Explanatory Variables in Public Secondary Schools in Mbeere South Sub-County, Embu County, Kenya?

Teachers’ Turnover: What Are The Explanatory Variables in Public Secondary Schools in Mbeere South Sub-County, Embu County, Kenya?