Mount Kenya Research Articles

University students’ strikes and moral decadence in public Universities in mount Kenya region, Kenya

University students’ strikes reduce the number of lecture hours and interrupt learning instructions. Low performing students are significantly less likely to graduate after a strike. Persistent university students’ strikes may lead to low morals in both students and lecturers. Therefore, the study concentrated on relationship between university students’ strikes and moral decadence in public university in Mount Kenya region, Kenya. The study adopted correlational research design. The researcher utilized Krejcie and Morgan table of sample determination to determine a sample size of 379 from 30000 target population. The 312 university students and 67 lecturers were selected using simple random technique and purposive sampling technique respectively. The researcher made questionnaires were used to collect data from the 379 respondents. A reliability coefficient of 0.741 was obtained using person’s product correlation coefficient. The data collected from respondents was quantitatively and qualitatively analysed. Regression statistical technique was used to test null hypothesis at 0.05 significant level. The findings of the study revealed that there was significant relationship between university students’ strikes and moral decadence in public university in Mount Kenya region. Based on the findings, the researcher concluded that students’ lecture disruption has significant relationship with moral decadence in public university in Mount Kenya region. Students’ demonstrations have significant relationship with moral decadence in public university in Mount Kenya region. Therefore university students’ strikes have significant relationship with moral decadence in public university in Mount Kenya region. The researcher recommended that Ministry of education should ensure free strike university atmosphere for quality education and environment conducive for learning in university set up. The researcher further recommended that university managements should be trained to avoid challenges which gradually lead to strikes in universities. Welfare for university students and lecturers should be observed to ensure strike free atmosphere in the university.

Conceptual groundwater model of the north-eastern flanks of Mount Kenya

Despite serious concerns over declining river flows and prolonged dry spells in the north-eastern region of Mount Kenya and the Ewaso Ng’iro River watershed many aspects of the groundwater system remain unexplored. In particular, the recharge-discharge dynamics of the Ewaso Ng’iro River have not been studied, and no conceptual groundwater model currently links the recharge areas in the high-elevation humid regions to the drier lowlands. This study aims to address this significant knowledge gap by assessing the recharge-discharge dynamics of the Ewaso Ng’iro River and identifying the relevant groundwater subsystems and the main flow paths within the various lava layers constituting the aquifer system. Hydrochemical and stable isotope analyses revealed three distinct subsystems with slightly different chemistries and different recharge zones, all of recent meteoric origin. Groundwater from Mt. Kenya is of the HCO3-Na-Mg-Ca type with no dominant cations, whereas groundwater from the Nyambene Range, the other surrounding volcanic hills in the area, is of the HCO3-Na type. Groundwater in the third subsystem in between is of the HCO3-Mg type and is confined or semi-confined. In this area, carbon-13 analysis showed a strong influence of mantle-derived CO2 on the groundwater chemistry (very high electrical conductivity and left-shifted oxygen-18 ratios). Finally, major ions and stable isotopes (ẟ18O and ẟ2H) confirmed that during the dry season, the river is entirely groundwater-fed, with the Mt. Kenya subsystem contributing half of the maximum river flow rate of 800 l/s.

Attitude and Practice towards Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention among Female Sex Workers in Kicukiro District, Rwanda

This study aimed to assess the attitude, and Practice of female sex workers towards Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for HIV prevention in the Kicukiro district, Rwanda. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design, using a probability sampling method, and the Yamane formula was used to calculate the sample size of 300 female sex workers including a 10% non-response rate. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire, at 10 health centers. Analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS software, with chi-square tests and logistic regression for inferential analysis. The ethical clearance was acquired from the Mount Kenya University ethics committee and the Young Women Christian Association Rwanda. The study findings showed that (60%) of female sex workers have a positive attitude towards PrEP, and 60.4% of respondents were using PrEP. Demographic factors like age group, marital status, and Ubudehe category were significantly associated with practices. Female sex workers aged between 25 and 29 had 4 times more chance to have good practices. This study provides insights into improving PrEP education and interventions targeting female sex workers and other key populations. These findings highlighted the concerns about stigma and privacy, and the need for public health interventions that target it in the community.

Community perceptions on wildfires in Mount Kenya forest: implications for fire preparedness and community wildfire management

BackgroundNatural ecosystems provide beneficial goods and services to adjacent communities. However, these benefits also come with societal risks, among them wildfires. Kenyan ecosystems have faced increased wildfire risk due to human activities and a warming earth that causes dangerous fire weather conditions. Mount Kenya is one such ecosystem that experiences annual fires; however, there is limited information on the level of knowledge or preparedness of the local community towards wildfires and fire management across the entire ecosystem. Here, we used questionnaires and interviews to randomly and purposively survey 55 respondents across 11 villages that surround Mt Kenya forest, majority of whom were Community Forest Association (CFA) members. We investigated the perceived extent to which the communities contribute to wildfires; their opinions on some aspects of fire management; and what individual and collective actions are required to improve fire preparedness.ResultsThe most perceived causes of wildfires were honey harvesting (56%) and poaching (40%). A minority of the respondents (35%) were aware of the belief that setting forests on fire brings about rainfall, with 56% of that group reporting that the belief contributed to wildfire ignitions by a large extent. This scientifically inconclusive belief was not specific to certain tribes around Mt Kenya, as previously expected. The community strongly rejected the use of prescribed burning in fire management. They were against clearing of forest or farm debris to reduce fuel hazards, and preferred converting debris into compost.ConclusionsTo improve fire preparedness, firefighting training, resourcing, firebreak creation, and sharing of wildfire warnings with the local community need to be enhanced. Despite limited community involvement in fire-management decisions, we recommend a greater involvement of the local community in forest and/or fire management to promote ownership and sustainability.

Abstract C174: Examining cervical cancer screening rates among women living with HIV in Kajiado County, Kenya

Abstract Background: Kenyan women are disproportionately affected by HIV than their male counterparts, with a prevalence 5.5% compared to men whose prevalence is 2.9%. Women living with HIV (WLHIV) are more susceptible to cancer, in particular HPV-related cancers due to their immune-compromised status. In response, Kenyan Health Ministry recommends that women living with HIV (WLWH) be screened for cervical cancer annually by either visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) or visual inspection with Lugol’s iodine (VILI), cytology and testing for HPV once every two years. Objective: Examining the rate of cervical cancer screening among women living with HIV (WLWH) in Kajiado County in 2022. Methodology: The electronic health information system was used to abstract data for WLWH in Kajiado county with 57 antiretroviral (ART) facilities. However, our analysis accessed data from 38 facilities whose data is captured in the health information system. Authorized health care workers from the County were requested to abstract redacted data from the health information system. No personal identifiers were collected from the system as away of protecting the privacy of individuals and abiding with the Kenya’s data protection law. Authorization to access the county was obtained from the county’s department of health while ethical approval was obtained from Mount Kenya University’s Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committee. Results: In 2022, a total of 16,827 people living with HIV were enrolled for care at the 38 ART selected sites. 11,785 (70%) were women with an age range of 15 to 49 years. A total of 3342 WLWH, representing 28.36% of the target population, were screened by using VIA. Of those screened, 3240 (97%) tested negative, 78 (2.3%) had positive results while 24 (0.7%) had suspicious lesions. Conclusion: Our analysis shows low reach of cervical cancer screening with only 28.36% of the targeted women being screened in 2022. The only available testing method (VIA) is less robust as compared to cytology and HPV testing. Thus, cervical cancer screening is underutilized, and importantly the available screening suffers fromWe also found a gap in reporting of HPV testing in the county. We thus recommend implementation science with community engagement examining the barriers to cervical cancer screening and HPV testing as well as timely reporting from multistakeholder e.g., system, provider, patient, family and advocate perspectives. This multisectoral health system-services approach will better inform research, practice and policy for effective HPV-related cancer prevention and control to reduce cancer-related morbidity and mortality among WLWH,. Citation Format: Caren Kamau, MS, Alice Njoroge,MS, Francis Makokha,PhD, Kimlin Ashing,PhD. Examining cervical cancer screening rates among women living with HIV in Kajiado County, Kenya [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr C174.

Trends of Climate change: Examination of Trends and Perceived Impacts of Precipitation Variability in Mount Kenya East Region, Kenya

Trends of Climate change: Examination of Trends and Perceived Impacts of Precipitation Variability in Mount Kenya East Region, Kenya

Influence of Strategic Leadership Styles on Performance of 3-star Hotels in Mount Kenya East Region

The study sought to evaluate the influence of strategic leadership styles on performance of 3-star hotels in Mount Kenya East Region. This study adopted a descriptive survey design on a target population of 21 hotels with a 3-star ranking. Census method was used to include 21 general managers, 21 supervisors, and 84 section heads. Quantitative data inform of questionnaires were used to get information from respondents. A pilot study at the Izaak Walton Hotel Embu County was conducted to establish validity and reliability. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and mean were used to analyze linear regression. Inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation, model summary, ANOVA, and regression coefficients approaches were also employed. Data was presented using tables, figures, and explanations. The questionnaire findings revealed that 48(50%) of the respondents indicated that most of the management and control of the strategic implementation process of 3-star hotels occurred at top-level management. This was followed by 27(28%) of the respondents who indicated that management and control of strategic implementation process occurred at middle level. Additionally, majority of the respondents 47(50%) indicated very high and 35(36%) indicated that a democratic type of leadership leads to the most effective formulation of the business plan. However, 52(54%) and 30(32%) of the respondents indicated that bureaucratic leadership style was lowly and moderately used. The correlation coefficient of leadership styles r=0.910 at α < 0.024 and 99% significance level. It was concluded that the management has ensured that the leadership provided enabled the hotels to improve performance in regards to quality of services and utilization of shareholder’s resources. That notwithstanding, it was noted that most hotels practiced mostly bureaucratic leadership style that did not take into consideration the opinion of the workers on how formulated strategies could be improved. The study recommends that the management should attend leadership courses to learn about other critical leadership styles that can be applied to include junior staff in decision-making. The staff should also show interest in understanding how various strategies are formulated through close interaction with the managers. This would enable them to acquire invaluable knowledge and skills on the reasoning behind specific formulated strategies. The management should also develop institutional policies that encourage a staff representative into the board meetings to enable the opinion of the staff to be heard in an organized and respectful manner.

Influence of social media on risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students: A Case of Egerton and Kabarak main campuses in Nakuru County, Kenya

This study’s purpose was to assess the influence of social media on risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students of main campuses in Nakuru County. Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura and Person-Centred Theory by Carl Rogers guided the study. The study was carried out among 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th year undergraduate students from main campuses in Nakuru County. The study adopted a correlational research design. The target population was 18570 undergraduate students. The accessible population was 8456 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th year undergraduate students whose sample was 367. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The study included a sample of 10 peer counsellors and 2 student counsellors from the Egerton University and Kabarak University main campuses who were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected between November and December 2019 and obtained using questionnaire for undergraduate students, focus group discussions guide for peer counsellors and an interview schedule for student counsellors. Validation of research instruments was done through peer and expert review and also through pilot testing which was done in Mount Kenya University (MKU) - Nakuru Campus. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data using SPSS Version 25 whereas the qualitative data was analysed thematically. The analysed data was presented in tables, graphs, and narratives. The researcher considered the ethics of confidentiality and informed consent. The findings indicated that the majority of students perceive that it is not ok to watch pornography, send or receive sex messages to or from friends on social media. There is also sufficient evidence to conclude that the majority of students perceive that it is not their hobby to enjoy cybersex and do not perceive that online dating is the best way to get sexual partner.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Organizational Performance of Mount Kenya University.

Assuring the success of their organizations is every manager's most important responsibility. It is feasible for an enterprise to hastily achieve its objectives and gain a competitive edge by integrating a sustainable CSR. This research project aimed to determine how corporate social responsibility affects an organization's performance. The following clear goals served as its guide: to ascertain how CSR's economic, environmental, social, and humanistic cultural dimensions affected the performance of Mt. Kenya University. A descriptive research design was employed in the study. The study's target audience was the management team entrusted with conceptualizing and operationalizing the adoption of corporate social responsibility. The university administrative structure served as a guide for the study area selection, explicitly targeting employees of all management offices. The study made the best use of the primary data, which was gathered using semi-structured questionnaires with open-ended and closed-ended questions. The questionnaires were distributed using the drop-and-pick technique. The data gathered from the questionnaire findings underwent both quantitative and qualitative cross examination. Descriptive statistical methods were used in quantitative analysis. The usage of frequencies, means, and percentages that were aggregated and displayed using tables, graphs, and charts were complemented by descriptive statistics. The linear regression model was incorporated to facilitate data analysis analyzed using SPSS version 24.0. Notably, the research reveals that increasing the economic dimension by one unit increases organizational performance by 0.158 points, the environmental dimension by 0.227 points, the social dimension by 0.590 points, and the humanistic cultural dimension by 0.442 points. The descriptive and correlational analyses indicate that CSR positively impacts all aspects of performance at MKU. In future studies, it is recommended that researchers examine the impact of CSR initiatives on the satisfaction of consumers as a dependent variable.

Extraneous Shocks Affecting Agribusiness Loans Default Rate in Agricultural Finance Corporation, Mount Kenya Region

Extraneous Shocks Affecting Agribusiness Loans Default Rate in Agricultural Finance Corporation, Mount Kenya Region

Shifting mammal communities and declining species richness along an elevational gradient on Mount Kenya.

Conservation areas encompassing elevation gradients are biodiversity hotspots because they contain a wide range of habitat types in a relatively small space. Studies of biodiversity patterns along elevation gradients, mostly on small mammal or bird species, have documented a peak in diversity at mid elevations. Here, we report on a field study of medium and large mammals to examine the impact of elevation, habitat type, and gross primary productivity on community structure. Species richness was observed using a camera trap transect with 219 sites situated across different habitat types from 2329 to 4657 m above the sea level on the western slope of Mt Kenya, the second highest mountain in Africa. We found that the lowest elevation natural habitats had the highest species richness and relative abundance and that both metrics decreased steadily as elevation increased, paralleling changes in gross primary productivity, and supporting the energy richness hypothesis. We found no evidence for the mid-domain effect on species diversity. The lowest elevation degraded Agro-Forestry lands adjacent to the National Park had high activity of domestic animals and reduced diversity and abundance of native species. The biggest difference in community structure was between protected and unprotected areas, followed by more subtle stepwise differences between habitats at different elevations. Large carnivore species remained relatively consistent but dominant herbivore species shifted along the elevation gradient. There was some habitat specialization and turnover in species, such that the elevation gradient predicts a high diversity of species, demonstrating the high conservation return for protecting mountain ecosystems for biodiversity conservation.

Abstract 821: Uptake of cervical cancer screening services by women living with HIV in Kajiado County Kenya

Abstract Background: This project is an African Caribbean Cancer Consortium (AC3) facilitated study: Women living with HIV (WLHIV) are more susceptible to cancer due to their immune-compromised status. The Kenya Ministry of Health recommends that women diagnosed with HIV should be screened for cervical cancer annually by either visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) or visual inspection with Lugol’s iodine (VILI), cytology and testing for HPV once every two years. Objective: We determined the uptake of cervical cancer screening and HPV testing by women living with HIV (WLHIV) in Kajiado County in 2022. Methodology: The electronic health information system was used to abstract data for WLHIV in Kajiado county. Kajiado county has 57 antiretroviral (ART) facilities. However, our analysis accessed data from 38 facilities whose data is captured in the health information system. Authorized health care workers from the county were requested to abstract redacted data from the health information system. No personal identifiers were collected from the system as a means of protecting the privacy of individuals and abiding with the Kenya’s data protection law. Authorization to access the county was obtained from the county’s department of health while ethical approval was obtained from Mount Kenya University’s Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committee. Results: A total of 16,827 people living with HIV were enrolled for care at the 38 ART selected sites in 2022. Out on the total population that was enrolled for care, 11,785 (70%) were women with an age range of 15 to 49 years. A total of 3342 WLHIV, representing 28.36% of the target population, were screened by using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA). Data for other methods of screening and HPV testing was not available in the health information systems. Of those screened, 3240 (97%) tested negative, 78 (2.3%) had positive results while 24 (0.7%) had suspicious lesions. Conclusion: Our analysis shows low uptake of cervical cancer screening services with only 28.36% of the targeted women being screened in 2022. The only available testing method (VIA) is less robust as compared to cytology and HPV testing. We also found a gap in reporting of HPV testing in the county. We thus recommend implementation science research examining the systemic barriers to HPV testing and reporting to better inform best practice HPV-related cancer prevention and control policy and practice to reduce cancer-related morbidity and mortality among WLHIV. Citation Format: Caren Kamau, Alice Njoroge, Francis Makokha, Kimlin T. Ashing. Uptake of cervical cancer screening services by women living with HIV in Kajiado County Kenya [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 821.

Tropical glacier loss in East Africa: recent areal extents on Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, and in the Rwenzori Range from high-resolution remote sensing data

Over recent decades, the retreat of Kilimanjaro’s glaciers has been portrayed as a beacon of climate change. The decline of glaciers over the 20th century, however, is evident for all tropical glaciers in East Africa, including those found on Mount Kenya and in the Rwenzori Range. More recent studies have focused on Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya but the Rwenzori Range has not been considered for nearly two decades, which introduces an uncertainty about the remaining glacierization in East Africa. Therefore, the present study provides insights into the most recent glacier extents of all three mountain regions using a manual, multitemporal analysis of high-resolution satellite images for the years 2021/2022. The glacierization in East Africa is estimated to be 1.36 km2, with a glacier area of 0.98 km2 on Kilimanjaro, 0.069 km2 on Mount Kenya and 0.38 km2 in the Rwenzori Range. The uncertainty is determined to be within 12.5%. Compared to previous estimations, the overall area has declined by more than a half of its early 21st century extent. Being mainly controlled by high-altitude hygric seasonality, these glaciers are particularly valuable indicators of tropical climate variability and climate change.

Unexpected discovery of new toad species on Mount Kenya

Unexpected discovery of new toad species on Mount Kenya

Seasonal and Diurnal Variability in Near‐Surface Air and Ground Temperature Regimes of the Alpine Zone of Mount Kenya

AbstractMountains near the equator have very unique temperature regimes due to the tropical latitude and alpine altitude. How climate change will impact these temperature regimes is not clear as there are so few temperature records in these environments. This study attempts to characterize the near‐surface air and ground temperature regime for the Teleki Valley (3,200–4,200 m. a.s.l) on the western slope of Mount Kenya using a set of six temperature loggers placed at 200 m elevation intervals. Temperature was recorded at 30 min intervals from September 2021 to October 2022. The mean diurnal temperature range varied from 6°C to 14°C, with maximum daily swings in excess of 25°C. There was a distinct seasonality in temperature, with a hot season during the months of January‐March, where it was roughly 3°C warmer than the coolest months. Diurnal temperature swings were also highest in March. This seasonality is driven by radiation and moisture: higher radiation during the vernal equinox combined with clear skies during the dry season made for higher temperatures. Elevation was the dominant spatial gradient determining temperature regimes, but rock and vegetation cover played a large role in modifying near‐surface air and ground temperature. The highest elevation logger (4,200 m. a.s.l), measuring ground temperature, showed muted seasonal and diurnal swings, creating for warmer temperatures than lower elevation loggers. This demonstrates the importance of thermal refugia at these high elevations. This also makes predictions of plant and animal responses to climate change difficult, as uniform upward shifts would not necessarily maintain thermal niches.

Evaluating features of mobile phone technology needed to access library services in Mount Kenya University library in Kenya

With library automation already done in all libraries in mount Kenya university, installed library management system, provision of e-book reader (kindles) and user and library staff training all provide ample platform for use of library materials via mobile phone devices. Since the introduction of Kindles and use of MPT to access and utilize library services in MKU libraries, no study has been done to determine the effectiveness of this technology. Therefore, this study and its recommendation come handy in order to improve library service delivery using MPT. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the use of mobile phone technology in accessing library information materials at Mount Kenya University. The target population was 39452 where a sample of 395 was selected. In this study, questionnaires were used to collect data. Four campuses were purposively sampled due to their established library automation and library management system providing the platform that can support library access via Mobile Phone Technology. Data collected through questionnaires was cleaned, edited, coded before it was entered into the statistical software for analysis. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for analyzing the collected data. Based on research findings, it could be right to say that despite challenges of power outages, internet instability and other factors identified above, mobile phone devices have required features to support access to reference services, checking in/out, indexing and abstracting, conducting current awareness to users, doing selective dissemination of information, executing interlibrary loaning and providing special services to special people.

Impacts of Constructed Water Pans on Mammal Distribution and Abundance. A Case of Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya

Aim: To assess the impacts of constructed water pan utilization on wildlife distribution and abundance in Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. Study Design: Ecological survey design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the dry season (June 2022) and wet season (October 2022) at Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya. Methodology: Systematic sampling using belt transects was used in collecting data on mammals’ distribution and abundance. Results: Distribution patterns differed with species between seasons. For the dry season, results show that eland(r=-0.516, p=0.295), impala(r=-0.714, p=0.111), warthog(r=-0.754,p=0.08), waterbuck(r=-0.986,p=0.0003), and zebra(r=-0.657,p=0.156) had a strong negative correlation with distance from water pans. During the wet season, impala (r = -0.49, p=0.329), wildebeest (r = -0.26, p=0.623), and waterbuck (r = -0.71, p=0.111) showed a negative correlation, while warthog (r = 0.60,p=0.208) and zebra (r = 0.26, p=0.62)showed a positive correlation with increased distance from water. Conclusion: many mammals concentrated near the constructed water pans during the dry season due to the presence of forage and drinking water but dispersed out when ephemeral water sources and forage availability increased during the wet season.

Temporal Patterns of Utilization of Constructed Water Pans by Different Mammal Species: A Study of Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, Kenya

Climate change induced risks like prolonged dry spells are exacerbating water scarcity especially, in the wildlife conservancies calling for alternative water supply systems for wildlife. In Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, water pans were constructed to provide water to animals during wet and dry seasons. The study aim was to establish patterns of water pans utilization by different mammal species in different seasons and times of the day. Study was conducted on the mammals visiting water pans in the dry season (June 2022) and wet season (October 2022) at two water pans in Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. Mammal utilization of water pans was studied using observations and camera traps. Pearson correlation and t-test were used to analyze data. Impala had the highest water pan visitations (36.7%) followed by zebra (22.2%) while eland and reedbuck had the lowest (0.7%) visitations. Morning (0900hrs-1000hrs) was a period of peak visitations, followed by midday while dusk recorded the least visitations. Mammals utilized water pans for drinking, wallowing, grazing, socialization, and soil licking. There were significant differences in the number of visitations between the dry and wet seasons (df =7, t = 2.739, p=0.029) where dry season had high visitations (64.6%) while wet season had 35.4%. There was also a strong negative correlation between mammal visitations to the water pans and the time of the day. The study shows that constructed water pans provide important source of water in protected areas where natural water sources are absent, inaccessible due to fencing, or during the dry season when water is limited. Therefore, water provisioning during the dry season in areas lacking water to increase dispersal ranges in the conservancy reducing mammal concentration around water pans.

Descriptions of four new species of Capys from East and West Africa with notes on adult morphology and biogeography (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae)

Four new species of the hairstreak butterfly genus Capys Hewitson, [1865] (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae: Deudorigini) are described: C. arba Sáfián et Fric, sp. n. (type locality: Ethiopia, Dorze Lodge), C. moroto Sáfián et Collins, sp. n. (type locality: Uganda, Mount Moroto), C. robertsi Collins et Sáfián, sp. n. (type locality: Kenya, Mount Kenya, moorland above Marania Bredt), and C. smithi Takano et Sáfián, sp. n. (type locality: Ivory Coast, Comoé National Park). Morphological features such as male genitalia, dorsal hindwing surface, androconia and labial palps, previously used in the separation of Capys species, are reviewed. Biogeography of the newly described species is also discussed using evidence from molecular analysis. With 74 figures.

Extraneous Shocks Affecting Agribusiness Loans Default Rate in Agricultural Finance Corporation, Mount Kenya Region

Extraneous Shocks Affecting Agribusiness Loans Default Rate in Agricultural Finance Corporation, Mount Kenya Region