https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/54 2026-03-18T12:13:42Z 2026-03-18T12:13:42Z Bai-sesay, Gassimu https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/7757 2025-01-27T09:51:40Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Assessment of cooperative interventions on beekeeping, household incomes and forest conservation: A case of Kamaki farmers’ cooperative society in Kitui County, Kenya Authors: Bai-sesay, Gassimu Abstract: This study assesses cooperative interventions on beekeeping, household incomes and forest conservation in KAMAKI, Kitui County, Kenya, a leading honey-producing region. The objectives were to determine awareness level among beekeepers on the direct link between forest conservation and beekeeping, assess the contribution of beekeeping to household income and examine the effects of KAMAKI cooperative interventions on honey production, household income and forest conservation. Data were collected from 215 households through purposive sampling, Focus Group Discussions, Key Informant Interviews, and field observations. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and Pearson correlation were used for analysis. The findings revealed high awareness of the forest-beekeeping link, with significant differences in awareness levels among respondents (F = xyz, df = a, b, P > 0.005, P > 0.001). The study identified three types of beehives used for honey production and income generation: Log hives, Langstroth hives and KTBH. Respondents using Log hives produced an average of 9.5 kg of honey per hive, earning KES 2,400 per hive. Those using Langstroth hives produced an average of 8.7 kg per hive, with an income of KES 2,190 per hive. Trained beekeepers (157) using Log hives produced an average of 10.31 kg per hive, generating KES 53,267 per hive, while untrained beekeepers (58) produced 5.36 kg per hive, earning KES 12,716. For Langstroth hives, trained beekeepers (157) averaged 9.5 kg per hive, with an income of KES 4,153, while untrained beekeepers (58) produced 6.76 kg per hive, generating KES 3,517. Additionally, trained beekeepers (73.4%) contributed more to forest conservation than untrained farmers (26.5%). The study recommends prioritizing beekeeping training, adopting advanced technologies, integrating forest conservation education, and continuous monitoring of cooperative interventions to ensure sustainable development.

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z Kitheka, James, N. https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/7717 2025-11-13T10:03:57Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Radiation levels in selected ceramic building tile brands used in Kenya Authors: Kitheka, James, N. Abstract: Radiations of both natural and artificial origin are readily available in the environment. Building materials like stones, cement, ceramics, water and sand contain radioactive nuclides, which are harmful to mankind. Elevated levels of radiation from these materials are potential causes of prompt or delayed harmful effects to human health. The ceramic tiles which were the focus of this study are made from mixture of earthly matter including kaolin, quarts, talc and feldspar which contain primordial radioisotopes like Thorium-232(232Th), Potassium-40(40K) and Uranium-238(238U) known to release radiations. This study was aimed at establishing the levels of radiations from ceramic building tiles used in Kenya. A total of 37 samples of tiles from different countries and manufacturers were analyzed. Thallium doped sodium iodide gamma-ray counter (NaI (TI)) was used for data acquisition. A mean activity concentration of 53.73±2.34BqKg-1 for 232Th, 43.17±3.40BqKg-1 for 238U and 525.99±36.10BqKg-1 for 40K was obtained. The comparison of the obtained activity concentration values with other related studies indicated that the activity of the radio nuclides is dependent on the geological composition of the raw material source. Using the activity concentration values obtained, the dose rates and the hazard indices thereof were calculated. Mean values for radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose, indoor and outdoor annual effective dose, and hazard indices (internal and external) obtained were 159.59BqKg-1, 75.55nGyh-1, 0.28, 0.19, 0.54 and 0.43 respectively. The highest recorded value of hazard index (both internal and external) was found to be 0.92 while the lowest was 0.15 which are both below the world’s safety limit of a unit recommended in the International Commission for Radiation Protection (ICRP) reports. Generally, the ceramic building tiles in the Kenyan market as at the time of this study were safe for human handling as seen from the radiological parameters. Description: Master of science in physics, 2024.

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z Mutua, John O. https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/7369 2023-12-01T07:44:38Z 2023-10-23T00:00:00Z

Title: Radiological analysis of construction stones from selected quarries in Machakos County - Kenya Authors: Mutua, John O. Abstract: All living organisms continuously are exposed to radiations of natural origin which originates from comics, terrestrial (soils and rocks) and radon. This work presents the radiological studies of sample rocks in Machakos County in Kenya which her basement systems are highly dominated by Metamorphic and Igneous rocks. The radiometric analysis of rock samples from Kyasioni, Mavoloni and Kathaana quarries would provide necessary radiological data to the community. To ascertain the radiological levels of different radionuclides from quarry rocks, a total of forty-two rock samples were randomly collected from the three quarry sites. These samples were independently prepared for activity concentration measurements which was later done by use of NaI(Ti) detector. The results obtained from analysis shows that, the average activity concentration for 238U, 232Th and 40K was 74.75 ± 3.15 Bq/Kg, 118.48 ± 1.91 Bq/Kg and 1120.35 ± 30.07 Bq/Kg from Kyasioni quarry, 63.25 ± 3.08 Bq/Kg, 81.82 ± 1.62 Bq/Kg and 1112.55 ± 30.97 Bq/Kg from Kathaana quarry while Mavoloni quarry site values were 67.00 ± 3.09 Bq/Kg, 105.52 ± 1.97 Bq/Kg and 1019.17 ± 29.79 Bq/Kg respectively. These activity concentration values, though higher than the recommended limits did not pose major radiological threat to the population because their associated radiological parameters were within management levels. The absorbed dose rate in air was 156.94 ± 3.98 nGy/hr, 126.4 ± 3.72 nGy/hr and 140.67 ± 3.99 nGy/hr from Kyasioni, Kathaana and Mavoloni quarries respectively, against a set limit of 60 nGy/hr. Additionally, the internal radiation hazard index from Kyasioni and Mavoloni quarry surpassed the set limit of unity by 0.13 and 0.01 respectively while all the other parameters were within the set limits. Kyasioni quarry reported the highest radium equivalent activity of 326.77 ± 8.37 Bq/Kg while Kathaana recorded the lowest value of 260.44 ± 7.77 Bq/Kg. The same trend was witnessed for outdoor and indoor annual effective dose (AEDR) with Kyasioni quarry reporting the highest indoor AEDR of 0.58 mSv/y while Kathaana quarry had the lowest value of 0.47 mS/y. Besides the higher activity levels for the three radionuclides, only two radiological parameter limits (absorbed dose rate and internal hazard index) were surpassed and hence the buildings materials from these quarries are radiologically safe for construction purposes. Description: Master of Science In Physics, 2023

2023-10-23T00:00:00Z Mutambu, Abel https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/7341 2023-12-01T07:53:16Z 2023-10-18T00:00:00Z

Title: Radon (222Rn) levels in ground waters from Mutomo area, in Kitui county Authors: Mutambu, Abel Abstract: All living organisms continuously are exposed to natural radiation, which contributes most of the effective dose equivalent they receive. Radon, a naturally occurring colorless, tasteless and odorless radioactive gas is one of these radiations. The gas exists naturally in various environmental media such as water, geological sediments and air. It has gained focus since it is the largest contributor to radiation doses received by the human population via inhalation and ingestion posing great health risks. The main objective is to determine the radon levels in underground waters in Mutomo Sub County, in Kitui County using the RAD 7 alpha detector. The study further examined the radium levels in sediments collected from the proximity of sampled water sources using high purity germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectrometer to establish the correlation with radon in water. The radon concentration in water ranged from 0 - 120±6 kBqm-3 with an average value of 30±1.5 kBqm-3 which is above the recommended limit of 11 kBqm-3 suggested by US-EPA, WHO and EU bodies. The calculated values for the absorbed dose are in the range 1.26 - 3.24 mSvy−1, which is well below the recommended level. The annual effective dose (AED) via ingestion averaged 0.006±0.0003 mSvy-1 while the radon in air from water averaged 0.07±0.003 mSvy-1, which are both below the safety limit of 0.1 mSvy-1 recommended by WHO 2004, and ICRP 2005 for ingestion and inhalation. Radium in sediments reported an average of 41 ±2.07 Bq/Kg which is above the world’s average of 35 Bq/ kg reported in UNSCEAR reports. The radiation doses in water from sampled underground water are insignificant to term the water unsuitable for drinking and other domestic purposes. Correlational analyses between radium in sediments and radon in the water reported a weak positive coefficient suggesting a difference in the geological composition of surface matter and underground aquiver holding water. Description: Master of Science in Physics, 2022

2023-10-18T00:00:00Z