Journal Articles

Empowering women in farmer-managed natural regeneration practice: An analysis of socio-cultural determinants in selected counties of Kenya

2026-04-24T00:00:00Z

Empowering women in farmer-managed natural regeneration practice: An analysis of socio-cultural determinants in selected counties of Kenya Ngei, Lucia M.; Munyao, Carol M.; Maithya, Harrison M.; Kiruki, Harun M.; Ng’ang’a, Felista M.; Kimatu, Josphert N.; Wafula, Humphrey; Mbuthia, Kezia W.; Muli, Benjamin K.; Matata, Joseph Women are crucial stakeholders in sustainable land restoration and Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), yet their participation is often limited by socio-cultural factors. This study presents an analysis of five key determinants of women’s participation in FMNR, namely (1) women'sawareness of FMNR development sessions, (2) Women’s Education and Training, (3) Faith-Based and Religious Institutions, (4) Socio-Cultural norms, and (5) community-level decision-making. A descriptive survey design employing a mixed methods approach was used, where data were collected concurrently. Quantitative data were collected via a household survey (N = 1,628) across four study areas (Kalawa, Kitise, Osiligi, Mara) and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative insights from focus group discussions and key informant interviews provided contextual depth. Baseline findings reveal that while a majority (~88–91%) of respondents’ report women’s involvement in farming and community activities, significant disparities were observed in the levels and nature of women’s involvement across regions, Makueni (93.03%) exhibited the highest level of women’s involvement, followed by Narok (88.16%), while Kajiado (79.46%) recorded the lowest. While women were frequently engaged in labour-intensive and routine tasks of caring for regenerated trees, their participation in decision-making roles, land ownership, and access to training remained limited. Awareness of women “lead farmers” or FMNR champion initiatives was uneven. That is only 13% in Kitise vs. ~49% in Mara (p < .001), and only 20% reported any prior gender-equity training. Socio-cultural norms pose clear barriers: over half (54%) of those who saw women as not engaged in community decisions cited cultural barriers, alongside discriminatory attitudes (46%) and other factors. Women’s participation in community decision-making varied widely by locale (ranging from 79% affirming in Osiligi to 99% in Kalawa (p < .001). Traditional household leadership structures also influence women’s roles –for example, only 3.7% in the most patriarchal community perceived women as influential in local groups, versus 44% in the least patriarchal. The baseline underscores that women’s engagement in FMNR is constrained by limited training opportunities and persistent gender norms. Socio-cultural shifts and ongoing sensitisation to bring a measurable softening of rigid norms, promotion of inclusive decision-making focusing on quality of engagement and a reflection of women voices in community decision-making would be vital. Leveraging on cultural and faith-based institutions as allies can lead to a culturally rooted endorsement of women’s involvement through public statements by elders and clergy to support women’s enhanced participation. These findings provide a benchmark for tracking progress and inform gender-transformative strategies to enhance women’s empowerment and FMNR adoption. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37284/2707-4307

Simulation of unsteady magnetohydrodynamic flow of hybrid nanofluid in solar thermal collectors

2026-03-01T00:00:00Z

Simulation of unsteady magnetohydrodynamic flow of hybrid nanofluid in solar thermal collectors Ndede, Charles O.; Ojiambo, Viona; Abonyo, Jeconia O.; Ngesa, Joel O. The urgent challenge of climate change calls for innovative energy solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen system resilience. Solar thermal technology, when enhanced by advanced fluid dynamics, offers a promising pathway towards sustainable clean energy. This study simulates the performance of hybrid nanofluids, specifically copper and titanium dioxide nanoparticles dispersed in water, to improve heat transfer efficiency in parabolic solar thermal collectors. The governing nonlinear partial differential equations describing mass, momentum, energy, concentration, and magnetic induction are reduced to ordinary differential equations using similarity transformations and solved using MATLAB’s collocation based bvp4c solver. The model assumes two-dimensional laminar flow, thermal equilibrium between fluid phases, and temperature dependent hybrid nanofluid properties. Parametric analysis shows that Brownian diffusion and thermophoresis significantly influence velocity, temperature, and nanoparticle concentration, while Prandtl and thermal Grashof numbers strongly govern convective transport and MHD coupling. The findings provide deeper physical insight into hybrid nanofluid dynamics under electromagnetic influences and support the optimization of solar thermal collectors for enhanced thermal performance. The study contributes to Sustainable Development Goals 13 by advancing efficient and climate resilient clean energy technologies.

Preliminary report of epicoccum spp. associated with brown leaf spot on cassava in Kenya

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Preliminary report of epicoccum spp. associated with brown leaf spot on cassava in Kenya Onyango, Ephine A.; Kituyi, Sarah N.; Hunja, Carol W.; Kimatu, Josphert N.; Nyaboga, Evans N. Cassava brown leaf spot (BLS) is among the most damaging diseases that significantly reduce cassava root yields and quality. In this study, drought-resistant cassava varieties were screened on an experimental farm in Kitui County, Kenya. One variety, Kasukari, exhibited abnormal morphological aberrations suggesting BLS and necessitated systematic studies to establish the causal agents. Fungi were isolated from symptomatic leaves and purified on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) with antibiotics. Fungal pathogens were identified using morpho-cultural characteristics and molecular characterization through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS). 162 Kasukari samples were used to determine the prevalence and severity of the disease, while 15 samples were used to determine the effects of the disease. Pathogenicity tests of ten isolates were conducted in vitro using detached leaves of the healthy Kasukari variety. The results indicated that the prevalence within the plots had no significant difference (χ2 = 6, p-value = 0.1991). However, there was a significant difference in severity (χ2 = 53.013, p-value = 1.166e-09). PCR with the ITS marker identified the fungal pathogens from the genera Alternaria, Epicoccum, Preussia, and Cladosporium. Epicoccum spp. had colonies of white clusters that formed concentric rings, while the reverse had grey-brown colonies and a regular margin. Conidia produced on PDA were oval, hyaline, unicellular, and aseptate, consistent with Epicoccum morphology. Based on ITS identification and pathogenicity assays, this study provides a preliminary report of an Epicoccum sp. associated with brown leaf spot (BLS) disease in cassava in Kenya. However, due to the absence of multi-locus sequence data and the limited number of isolates tested, the causal role of Epicoccum remains suggestive. These findings form the basis for future studies to confirm the causal role of Epicoccum spp. and clarify its epidemiology. The study will also help inform prevention and management strategies, including breeding programs and targeted control measures. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2026.e45093

Isolation and functional profiling of seed‐associated bacteria from rattlepods (crotalaria spp.) with biotechnological potential

2026-01-01T00:00:00Z

Isolation and functional profiling of seed‐associated bacteria from rattlepods (crotalaria spp.) with biotechnological potential Odoi, Brenda A.; Nthiwa, Daniel M.; Neondo, Johnstone O .; Muli, Joshua K.; Kamau, Peter K.; Budambula, Nancy L. Microorganisms associated with plant seeds have recently gained increased attention due to their pivotal role in enhancing plant health through the acquisition of nutrients and plant growth promotion. Although rattlepods (Crotalaria spp.) are widely consumed, information regarding the bacterial diversity and functional roles within their seeds remain unexplored. This study isolated, identified, and characterized endophytic and epiphytic culturable bacteria from seeds of Kenyan rattlepods. A total of 118 seed-associated bacterial isolates were cultured from the rattlepods (Crotalaria spp.), and 20 of them were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The isolates belonged to two distinct phyla: Proteobacteria and Firmicutes. The isolates belonged to four genera: nine Bacillus, nine Proteus, one Lysinibacillus, and one Morganella. BLAST analysis of partial 16S rRNA gene sequences (763-1273bp) showed that 19 of the 20 isolates exhibited high similarity (˃99%) to previously described species, whereas one isolate showed low similarity (< 0.05) higher protease and cellulase. Isolates 4EnA1/2/1 (P. mirabilis) and 9EnA (P. mirabilis) were the highest significant amylase producers, whereas isolates 3EnB3/3 (Proteus sp. [in enterobacteria]) and 10EnA 2/1 (P. mirabilis) were the highest significant lipase producers. Most seed-associated bacteria isolated from Crotalaria spp. were identified as known species; however, some isolates may represent novel taxa and could serve as promising candidates for the production of biotechnologically important extracellular enzymes under mesophilic conditions. https://doi.org/10.1155/ijm/6560468