http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1 Thesis 2026-04-04T06:33:58Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/19082 CATALYTIC BIO-SLURRY DEGRADATION TO BIO-HYDROGEN AND HYDROCARBON FUELS USING AN ELECTROLYTIC BIOMASS SOLAR CELL MARJAN ABDALLAH The disposal of bio-slurry in areas that do not have farmyards, where they can be applied for use as organic biofertilizer is a conundrum. Applying bio-solids to land can expose people to pollutants by inhalation in addition to contaminating drinking water, causing humans to consume contaminated meat or milk, and infected food crops to be consumed. There is a developing need to opt for more environmentally friendly processes to generate more efficient and cleaner bio-fuels. This study purposed to Catalyze bio-slurry degradation to bio-hydrogen and hydrocarbon fuels using an electrolytic solar cell, powered by a 40Watt solar panel. Design and fabrication of an Electrolytic Biomass Solar Cell (E.B.S.C) of capacity12,000mL: A pre-experimental set-up with a 9,000mL capacity of bio-slurry and a solar energy system of 40W current of Pmax; vmp of 1:1 (Watt and Volts respectively) was used in order to electrolyze bio-slurry. Geo-catalyst (Ebarra) and synthesized iron oxide catalyst were used to lower activation energy barrier and enhance the rate of degradation and gas volume production. The geo-catalyst composition was analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Bioassay method was used to analyze the slurry's bio-characteristics, and GC-MS was used to characterize the molecular composition of the bio-slurry. Physico-chemical properties of the bio-slurry revealed the following; the TSS, TDS and pH analyses recorded the following; 13mg/L, 1.8mg/L ±0.01) and 8.04 (±0.01) respectively. The highest volume of bio-hydrogen was produced by the setup with the ‘ebarra’ electrocatalyst and was equal to 1070mL; the maximal level of hydrocarbon gases was 600 mL of hydrocarbon fuels. These included; The type of biofuel produced in the different setups was different based on the GC-MS analysis done on the samples. The bioslurry was found to contain Cyclohexasiloxane, dodecamethyl- (major compound) and 2,7-Dimethyl-2,7-octanediol. The ‘ebarra’ catalyst introduced higher yields of bio-methane (CH4) at 20.42% and bio-ethane (C2H6) at 24.0%. This was so despite the fact that the iron catalyst setup had a higher propane (C3H8) content of 35.10%. This could be attributed to the difference in the catalysts (Ebarra is a heterogenous catalyst while iron catalyst is not). Moreover, the bioassay study revealed the existence of bacteria in the bio-slurry before the process of electrolysis, and none of them were detected after that process. The anticipated use of these findings can provide insights on new avenues of deriving biofuels as well as mitigating environmental pollution. Keywords: Bioslurry, electrolytic biomass degradation, electrolytic biomass solar cell, electrocatalysts. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/19080 DYNAMICS IN FLEET MANAGEMENT WITH COMPETITION FOR PASSENGERS AT OPTIMAL LEVELS Kiprotich Wilberforce It is always necessary to develop an economic strategy for exploiting any resource. This study aims at evaluating profitability of the transport business as an economic activity in Kenya. Investment for optimal returns in the passenger transport sector is a concern for both fleet operators and travelers, particularly in relation to fare prices, time wasted and the profitability of the business with a risk of incurring loss in the activity. A mathematical model describing the number of fleet units in two zones competing for passengers is developed. This is achieved by formulating a system of ordinary differential equations governing the evolution of traveler’s number, fleet management effort and the fleet fare price. The original system of three equations is reduced to a system of two equations by aggregating the fare price variable, assuming it evolves at a faster rate. Long term behavior of the model is then obtained by determination of equilibrium points. Stability and bifurcation analysis is performed. Three equilibrium points are obtained, then analyzed using local stability and local bifurcation. Model simulations are performed using MATLAB. Local stability analysis gives four main cases, as; unstable origin, a stable equilibrium at the carrying capacity, unstable (T2,E2) and a stable free equilibrium (T∗,E∗) which has bi-stability depending on C. In the later case, a stable equilibrium correspond to high cost of running fleet units relative to the urgency of passengers to travel, giving negative effort. The unstable equilibrium corresponds to high demand for public transport than the cost of running fleet units, allowing positive effort hence a saddle. The value Emax represents the optimal fleet management effort at the critical threshold value C0 = qa r . The findings of this study can assist fleet operators in making informed decisions on strategies that maximize economic returns. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/19075 SPATIO-TEMPORAL CHANGES IN PHYTOPLANKTON SPECIES DIVERSITY, DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE IN WATER PANS IN SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL LANDSCAPES OF NAROK COUNTY, KENYA MARTHA BOSIBORI MOSETI Phytoplankton are aquatic primary producers, and thus, the principal drivers of aquatic food webs that support global fisheries. They are responsible for up to 50% of the global primary production. Phytoplankton growth is influenced by a number of allogenic and autogenic factors, such as temperature, light and nutrients, competition, and predation. This study was conducted between January and July of 2023 to provide a clear representation of the dry and wet seasons, phytoplankton and water quality parameters in waterpans in Narok. Waterpans represent a major source of water that provide ecosystem services supporting livelihoods such as water for domestic use, agriculture, livestock as well as supporting wildlife in this water stressed socio-ecological system. Increased anthropogenic activities are likely to impact on these water bodies. The objectives of the study were: to determine the spatial and temporal variation of physico-chemical parameters of water in waterpans in Narok, to estimate the spatial and temporal variation of phytoplankton species distribution and diversity in waterpans in Narok, to determine the spatial and temporal variation of phytoplankton abundance in waterpans in Narok, to determine the relationship between physico-chemical parameters and phytoplankton abundance in waterpans in Narok and lastly, to assess the influence of land use activities on phytoplankton species diversity and abundance in waterpans in Narok. A total 20 waterpans were identified from Google Earth using GIS techniques. 11 waterpans were sampled purposively from areas where agriculture is mostly practiced, and 9 waterpans were located in areas mostly dominated by pastoralism and wildlife. Temperature, conductivity, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO), were measured in-situ. Samples for phytoplankton and nutrients (total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), alkalinity, hardness, ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), and silicate and for chlorophyll-a) were taken from two points within each waterpan using a calibrated 20litres water bucket. The chemical parameters were analyzed in the laboratory following APHA standard operating procedures and method of Huber-Pestalozzi as well as publications on East African lakes for identification of phytoplankton. The objectives were analyzed separately where, the variation of physico-chemical parameters was determined by Two-Way MANOVA, phytoplankton species diversity index was generated by PAST software their variation was determined by Two-Way Anova, the variation in phytoplankton abundance was also determined by Two-Way Anova. The relationship between physico-chemical parameters and phytoplankton abundance was determined by Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). The influence of land use activities on phytoplankton species diversity and abundance was determined by One-Way MANOVA. The highest physico-chemical parameters recorded as: temperature 26.20°C, conductivity 761.85uS/cm, dissolved oxygen 9.08mg/L, pH 9.21, total nitrogen 2609.43µgL¯¹, total phosphorus 1331.14µgL¯¹, alkalinity 191.00mgL̄¹, hardness 136.00mgL̄¹, ammonia 516.43µgL¯¹, ammonium 140.82µgL¯, nitrate 93.70µgL¯¹, nitrite 32.94µgL¯¹, soluble reactive phosphorus 183.67µgL¯¹, silicate 41.57mgL¯¹ and chlorophyll-a 176.61µgL¯¹. There was significant spatio-temporal variation in DO(P=0.048), Nitrite(p=0.002), SRP(p=0.003) and Chl-A (p=0.033). The waterpans located in areas mostly influenced by pastoralism recorded the highest phytoplankton taxa of 107 during the wet season as compared to the dry which had the lowest composition in area influenced by pastoralism 90 species. The identified taxa were as follows by species composition: Chlorophytes 35.51% by species, diatoms 27.10%, cyanophytes 14.02%, Zygnematophytes 13.08%, Euglenophytes 8.15% and dinoflagellates 1.87%. Phytoplankton species diversity was higher in area where pastoralism is dominant. The mean index ranged between H=1.6782 (wet) to 1.8531 (dry) and H=1.7562 to 1.7772 between agriculture and pastoralism respectively. Species of Anabaena, Scenedesmus, Nitzschia, Cosmarium, Microcystis, Aphanocapsa and Kirchneriella sp. dominated waterpans during the dry season. During the wet season, species of Chroococcus, Aphanocapsa, Anabaena, Microcystis, Oocystis, Scenedesmus, Tetrahedron, Coelomorn, Nitzchia, Surillella, Diatoma, Cosmarium, Phacus, Coelastrum, Kirchineriella, Aulacoseira and Euglena sp. dominated waterpans. The abundance of phytoplankton in waterpans was highest during the dry season in waterpans located in area influenced by agriculture. During the dry season, phytoplankton abundance ranged from 183×10^5 to 5469×10^5 individuals/L while in the wet season abundance ranged between 213×10^5 to 1833×10^5 individuals/L. Two-Way Anova indicated no significant spatio-temporal variation in phytoplankton abundance. One-Way MANOVA indicated that there was a significant influence of land use activities on phytoplankton abundance (p=0.02) but species diversity was not significant (p=0.788). Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) accounted for 53.33% based on axis 1 and 25.38% on axis 2. There was a relationship between physical-chemical parameters and phytoplankton communities. Land use had a significant influence on phytoplankton abundance but not in diversity. Presence of dinoflagellates Glenodinium pernardii and Glenordinium pulvasistoz may indicate eutrophication of some of the water bodies. Species of Anabaena, Microcystis and Planktolyngbya were present in the waterpans hence should be further investigated for Harmful Agal Blooms (HABs) ) which may lead to production of cyanobacterial toxins hence compromising the quality of the water and posing public health concerns. In general, the waterpans are important reservoirs of aquatic phytoplankton biodiversity. Nature based solutions such as protection of pan embankment by planting grasses and other aquatic vegetation should be undertaken to protect the pans from eutrophication and sediment loading. Keys Words: Narok, Arid and semi-arid, waterpans, ecosystem services, land use changes, climate variability, phytoplankton, abundance, composition, diversity, water quality, 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/19058 CULTURAL PRACTICES AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE RETENTION OF PUPILS IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL NAROK WEST SUB-COUNTY, KENYA CHEPKORIR MALEL Education is a powerful weapon for slaughtering change, for humanity's dignity and equity of opportunity, and for fair distribution of resources among individuals and communities. Indeed, many more children are enrolled in primary schools in Kenya, although this does not necessarily guarantee the children admission to higher levels of learning. For example, Narok West Sub- County is totally rural and as such; socio-cultural and economic impediments hinder the education benefits in relation to continuation and retention. The study investigated how cultural practices influences pupil retention in public primary schools. Specifically, it examined the impact of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), early marriages, nomadic pastoralism, and poverty on retention. The study was anchored on Participation-Identification Theory which states continued engagement and identification with the school activities by learners are prerequisite elements that contribute to retention in school. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, as the sample studied by the study comprised 11 head teachers, 11 class teachers, 357 upper-primary pupils, and selected community opinion leaders. Structured questionnaires were used for data collection in closed-ended, open-ended, and matrix type questions. Quantitative data were analyzed through the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and converted into frequencies, percentages, and descriptive statistics which were presented in tables and graphs. The qualitative findings were transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed so as to augment and deepen the quantitative findings. This study reveals that the two major vicious cultural practices of FGM and early marriage have possibly impeded this education among learners. They interfere with school calendars, instituting a culture of social expectations and norms that keep girls out of school and engender negative perceptions about continued education. Additionally, nomadic pastoralism and poverty have been cited as barriers to children's attendance at schools and, at most, intensifying limitation of resource generation needed for study by pastoral-raised children. Individually and jointly, they act as structural barriers to retention and compound gender disparity. Indeed, the retention problem is rooted well in the socio-cultural and economic structures, with girls suffering disproportionately negative impacts. These barriers denying fair access to education for all threaten the broad plans of Kenya for inclusive and sustainable development. Mobilizing communities against the adverse effects of FGM and early marriages is quite imperative. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z