http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/7 Wed, 12 Aug 2026 06:41:41 GMT 2026-08-12T06:41:41Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10446 Mobility and relational connectivities on access to urban agriculture among residents of informal settlement in Eldoret city, Kenya Okaka, Fredrick Okoth Urban agriculture has emerged as an important means of survival for many. It is not only a means of improving household food security and nutrition, but also a source of income, employment and a means to social and economic empowerment especially for urban poor. However, it has been characterized by restrictive policies and practices prevalent in many urban areas in Africa as well as limited access. Mobility has been identified as an important factor in mediating access to livelihood for individuals and for their households. However, the role of mobility in shaping access and functioning of urban agriculture has received tangential treatment in urban agriculture research. On the other hand, interpersonal relationships and social networks are central to promoting access to livelihood activities. Nevertheless, there is dearth of information on how relational connectivities impact on access and participation in urban agriculture. This study was intended to offer important insights into understanding the dynamics of how mobility and relational connectivities are integral to urban faming as a livelihood option to urban residents. The theoretical perspective that guided this study was the social practice theory. The research was conducted through a survey method using concurrent mixed method approach. Data were collected using questionnaire, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and direct observation. The study participants were drawn from three purposively selected informal settlements in Eldoret City that is, Langas, Huruma and Munyaka. The study generated both quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Chi-square was used to determine the relationship between gender and the influence of mobility in access to urban farming. Qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed deductively through themes. The results revealed that mobility plays an import role in access to farming space mainly through enabling connection to or reaching the person/people who enabled acquisition of the farming space, providing the means or platform to reach and locate the farming space and obtaining information on the availability of the farming space. The results of the study further revealed that gender had no significant influence on mobility impact on access to farming space. In terms of access to market, the results of the study showed that mobility influenced access to the market for farm produce mainly through the connection to the people who help the urban farmer get market for their products, aided their ability to locate and reach the market and helped in obtaining information on where to sell the farm products. It also aided in obtaining agricultural technologies and innovations by the farmers. Finally, the results revealed that interpersonal relationships and social networks (relational connectivities) are central to promoting access and participation in urban farming mainly through family relationship and friendship ties. This study highlights the importance of human mobility and relational connectivities in advancing urban farming particularly among poor urban dwellers Sat, 01 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10446 2026-08-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10445 Mechanical and durability properties of concrete with limestone calcined clay cement: assessing the suitability of Tanzanian kaolinite clay Okumu, Victoria Akoth; Shitote, Stanley Muse; Koteng, David Otieno; Myamba, Yohakimu Jinifa In most African countries, supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), such as silica fume, slag, and fly ash, are scarce, creating a need for alternative low-clinker cement that utilises locally abundant resources. Given the limited availability of SCMs, the development of Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) has emerged as an attractive solution. LC3 is a blended binder composed of ground limestone, calcined kaolinite clay, and ordinary Portland cement clinker. This research assessed the mechanical and durability properties of LC3 binders formulated using raw materials obtained from selected deposits in Tanzania. Two samples of clay from the Pugu deposit were selected: Pugu hard clay (PH) and Pugu soft clay (PS). Limestone and gypsum were sourced from Dar es Salaam. LC3 mixes containing 58% CEM I/42.5N were produced and used to make concrete with a water/binder ratio of 0.4. Two control mixes were made, a mix with 100% Portland cement CEM I/42.5 N and a mix with 100% Portland pozzolana CEM II/P-B 42.5 N. In addition, four concrete mixes were designed for the study: LC3-PH, LC3-PS, CEM I + PH (CC-PH), and CEM I + PS (CC-PS). The mechanical properties evaluated included compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength, whilst durability performance was assessed through sulfuric acid resistance, water sorptivity, and absorption. The results demonstrated the superiority of LC3 concrete compared to CEM I and CEM II concretes. For instance, the LC3-PS mix achieved a 90-day compressive strength of 63 ± 2.1 MPa, compared with 62 ± 1.8 MPa for CEM I. Similarly, water absorption was 1.35% and 1.1% for CEM I and LC3 concretes, respectively. Under sulfuric acid exposure, LC3 concrete exhibited the lowest mass loss (1.6%) and strength loss (17.9%) compared with 2.4% and 23% for CEM I and 2.1% and 21% for CEM II, respectively. The enhanced performance of LC3 concrete was attributed to its denser and more refined microstructure, which reduced pore connectivity and improved resistance to the ingress of aggressive agents. Sat, 01 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10445 2026-08-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10444 Protection challenges of PV Integration in the Cameroon southern interconnected power network Nshizirungu, Albin; Talai, Stephen M; Letting, Lawrence K.; Belindah, Musavy Integrating photovoltaic energy into existing electricity grids has become a common practice in the recent decades. However, this interconnection must be carefully planned in order to avoid their adverse impacts on the network operations. The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts photovoltaic (PV) integration may have on the protection of the Southern Interconnected Network (SIN) of Cameroon. In first time generalized fault study simulations were conducted for both three and single-phase faults. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) were added to each of three PV plants connected to the network, and then monitors were used to identify contribution of each component to the network fault currents. Impacts of PV on fuse, relay, and recloser operations were also assessed. Simulation results showed both decreases and increases in fault currents at different buses during generalized faults studies, but the differences were more severe with the single line to ground faults. The above findings are useful when calculating protective devices ratings in case of PV integration. Contributions of 683.694 A and 259.498 A from both the PV plant and the BESS at B15NGOUS1 bus respectively were recorded. There were also contributions of 42.274 A and 23.428 A to the fault currents from PV plants at B15BASS21 and B10ALU buses respectively while their corresponding BESSs rather take 10.289 A and 6.448 A in that order. The simulations result also showed that PV integration increases the fault critical clearing time by 0.444 seconds and 13.728 seconds for fuse and relay respectively, while there was no impact on fault clearing time in the case of recloser. From the findings it is obvious that PV integration into the SIN may affect the network protection arrangements by changing both fault currents and clearing time. Therefore, it is highly recommended to consider protection upgrades especially fuses and relays when planning PV integration into existing grids in general and into the SIN particularly. Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10444 2025-10-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10443 Policy brief: farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR) for sustainable land restoration Munyao, Carol; Okore, Luther M.K.; Aduwa, George; Okaka, Fredrick Okoth FMNR is an innovative strategy in the restoration of degraded lands since it is anchored on nurturing and managing naturally occurring vegetation without necessarily introducing new ones. FMNR accrues benefits to both the farmer and the environment, including addressing climate change concerns. Evidence shows that FMNR can potentially restore degraded lands by reversing desertification and soil erosion, conserving biodiversity, boosting soil fertility and water retention of ecosystems. FMNR has also been proven to enhance the climate resilience of agricultural landscapes while contributing to climate change mitigation. FMNR is, therefore, a sustainable solution to restoring Kenya’s degraded landscapes since it is a low-cost, yet effective strategy that is easily scalable to farmers and natural resource management stakeholders. However, to escalate and promote its adoption requires documentation of evidence-based data and policy recommendations. This policy brief provides scientifically documented evidence on the link between FMNR and sustainable restoration of degraded lands. Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10443 2024-10-01T00:00:00Z