Machakos University

ABSTRACT Spontaneous fermentation of ukwa (Treculia africana) involves complex microbial succession that remains poorly characterized. Here, bacterial community dynamics during ukwa fermentation were resolved across six time points using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Fermentation followed a structured, stage-wise trajectory, beginning with plant-associated aerobic taxa, transitioning through a mid-phase dominated by fermentative firmicutes, and culminating in late-stage enrichment of acid-tolerant lactic and acetic acid bacteria. Microbial richness increased progressively during fermentation, while community composition clustered by time and correlated strongly with declining pH and moisture. Multivariate analyses identified these physicochemical gradients as primary drivers of succession. Network analysis further revealed distinct co-occurrence modules, indicating coordinated microbial guilds that underpin functional transitions during fermentation. This study provides the first sequencing-based ecological framework for ukwa fermentation and highlights how environmental filtering and microbial interactions shape community assembly in traditional African solid-state fermentations. These insights provide a basis for improving process control and guiding future starter culture development for ukwa and related fermented foods.

Digital transformation in public procurement is reshaping governance by embedding transparency, efficiency, and accountability into state operations. This scoping review explores the strategic adoption of e-Government tools in procurement systems, guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework as refined by Levac et al. It systematically maps 48 peer-reviewed articles and policy documents published between 2000 and 2025. The review identifies key technologies, including eProcurement platforms, blockchain systems, and AI-driven analytics, implemented across procurement procedures such as tendering, contract management, and auditing. Thematic synthesis reveals enabling conditions such as institutional readiness, ICT infrastructure, and policy support, alongside persistent barriers including infrastructural deficits, behavioral resistance, and regulatory fragmentation. While digital systems improve procurement outcomes, the review highlights underexplored issues such as adaptive corruption, digital exclusion, and trust dynamics. It concludes with implications for research and practice, recommending longitudinal studies to assess impact over time, inclusive platform design to mitigate exclusion, and regulatory agility to address evolving governance challenges and ensure sustainable, equitable digital transformation in public procurement.

This study critically examines the ethical governance of agricultural biotechnology in Kenya, focusing on the regulatory frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and socio-cultural considerations shaping policy implementation. Drawing on document analysis and expert interviews, the research identifies significant gaps in ethical oversight, including limited public participation, inadequate risk communication, and fragmented institutional mandates. The findings reveal that while Kenya has made strides in biosafety legislation, ethical governance remains underdeveloped, particularly in addressing distributive justice, indigenous knowledge systems, and long-term ecological impacts. The study argues for a pluralistic and anticipatory governance model that integrates ethical reflexivity, inclusive deliberation, and adaptive regulation. These insights have implications for policy reform, capacity building, and the democratization of biotechnology governance in Kenya and similar contexts.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of agro-ecological practices (AGP) on socioeconomic development (SED) of farmers in Makueni County, Kenya. The study specifically determined the relationship between agro-ecological practices and social-economic development of farmers. Methodology: The study utilized quantitative research approach and descriptive cross-sectional design. The population of study consisted crop growing farmers of 30 self-help groups. Stratification and proportionate sampling technique was utilized to obtain a sample size from 280 targeted farmers of self-help groups. 163 respondents were the sample selected through proportionate sampling as a representative of the whole population. Findings: Study findings’ revealed that agro-ecological practices significantly influence social-economic development of farmers at about 15.5%. The findings revealed a link between agro-ecological practices and social-economic development of farmers. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: The findings of this study aim to contribute to the growing concerns regarding population growth, climate change, rural-urban mobility, growing demand on natural resources and food crisis caused by the perennial and costly drought. Further, contribute to the application of agroecological practices by farmers in arid and semi-arid areas in order to enhance their social-economic development status with the aim to enhance food security in arid and semi-arid areas.

Mabadiliko ya maana katika lugha ni jambo lisiloweza kuepukika kwa kuwa lugha ni kiungo hai kinachoathiriwa na wakati, mazingira, jamii na muktadha wa matumizi. Kadri muda unavyopita, maana zaidi huingizwa katika lugha na kusababisha maana za maneno hayo kubadilika. Neno linaweza kudumisha maana ya msingi huku pia likiendelea kupata maana nyingine mpya zinazoibuliwa na mazingira mapya ya kisemantiki (Ullman, 1972). Mabadiliko ya maana yanapotokea huathiri mawasiliano iwapo wazungumzaji wa lugha hawatafahamu mabadiliko yaliyoathiri lugha wanayoitumia. Katika lugha ya Kikamba, mabadiliko ya kisemantiki yanaonekana hasa kupitia matini za zamani kama Biblia ya Kikamba ya mwaka 1974 (Mbivilia). Baadhi ya msamiati uliotumiwa katika Biblia hii hautumiwi katika mazungumzo ya kawaida ingawa Biblia yenyewe inasomwa hadi leo makanisani, nyumbani na katika hafla za arusi au mazishi. Waumini wengi wanaosikiliza mahubiri kutoka Biblia hizo hawaelewi maana iliyokusudiwa ya baadhi ya vitenzi. Hali hii huleta utata wa mawasiliano kati ya vizazi. Makala hii imechunguza mabadiliko ya kisemantiki ya vitenzi kumi vilivyochaguliwa kutoka Mbivilia (1974). Nadharia ya Dhana imetumika kutathmini maana ya vitenzi hivyo kwa kutumia usaili wa wazee kumi na watoto kumi. Utafiti umefanywa kwa njia ya mahojiano na usomaji maktabani. Matokeo yameonyesha kuwa baadhi ya vitenzi vimepanuka maana, vingine vimebanwa, baadhi ya maana zimepotoshwa na zingine zimetoweka kabisa. Vitenzi kama vile vuta na mumunya vimepata maana mpya huku maana ya awali ikisahaulika. Watoto wa sasa hawatambui maana asilia ya vitenzi hivyo. Jambo hili linaashiria pengo la kiisimu kati ya vizazi. Matokeo ya utafiti huu yanakusudiwa kuwasaidia wasomaji wa matini za Kikamba hususan zilizoandikwa au kuchapishwa kabla ya karne ya ishirini na moja kuelewa maana ya vitenzi ili kuondoa utata wa mawasiliano baina ya vizazi

Makala hii imechunguza, usawiri wa wahusika wa kume katika riwaya ya Chozi la Heri (2017). Katika ulimwengu wa riwaya ya Kiswahili na fasihi, imekuwa kama jambo la kawaida kuona watafiti wengi wakichunguza masuala ya wanawake zaidi kuliko masuala ya wanaume. Jambo hili limetokana na ukweli kwamba, wanawake wamekuwa wakipiganiwa haki zao ili kuwafanya sawa na wanaume katika nyanja mbalimbali za maisha. Atieno (2019) anaeleza kuwa, kupuuzwa kwa jinsia ya kiume kumechangia hali yao ya upweke, kwani hakuna anayewafikiria wala kuwatetea kama inavyofanyiwa jinsia ya kike. Riwaya hii imeteuliwa kimakusudi kwa sababu inamsawiri mhusika wa kiume katika nyanja mbalimbali za maisha. Makala hii iliogozwa na nadharia ya uhalisia. Nadharia ya uhalisia inadai kwamba, fasihi inatakiwa kutoa picha halisi ya jamii husika. Nadharia hii ilizuka huko Ulaya katika karne ya kumi na tisa. Utafiti huu ulifanyika maktabani ambapo riwaya ya Chozi la Heri ilisomwa na kuhakikiwa. Ni matumaini yetu kuwa, Makala hii imetoa mwanga mkubwa kuhusiana na masuala ya jinsia ya kiume. Aidha, Makala hii itakuwa kichocheo cha watafiti wa baadaye wa fasihi kuchunguza masuala yanayohusu jinsia ya kiume.

Crop arrangement patterns in intercrop systems affect resource efficiency and yield of the companion crops. The degree of interaction within and between species in intercrop systems depends on crop life cycle and morphology. Experiments were carried out to determine the effect of row-intercrop arrangement on four phenologically close but morphologically contrasting varieties of green gram (Vigna radiata L.) intercropped with sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) in southeastern Kenya. Split-plot design was used, with crop arrangement (sole crop, single and double-row intercrop) as main plots and green gram variety in the subplots. Four green gram varieties of N26, KS20, Karembo, and Biashara were intercropped with sorghum variety Seredo. Sole crops of each green gram variety and sorghum were added as control. Variety N26 had a large canopy, quicker growth rate (7.2 g m-2 day-1), and out-yielded the other varieties by 1.09 t ha-1. Sole crops of green gram (irrespective of variety) and sorghum recorded higher growth rates and yield compared with intercrop systems. However, crops grown in double row, out-yielded those in single row arrangement. Green gram yield was a function of the number of branches and seed number m-2 while sorghum yield was directly proportional to tiller number and grain number m-2. Results imply that the yield of green gram intercropped with sorghum could be improved through the use of varieties with rapid growth rates and wider intercrop strips to maximize intraspecific and interspecific interactions.

Mortality among adults admitted to hospital with community acquired pneumonia in resource-limited settings is high. Recent studies conducted in high-income settings have demonstrated beneficial effects of low-dose corticosteroids in reducing mortality in patients with severe community acquired pneumonia. It is unknown whether these findings apply to low-income settings such as sub-Saharan Africa.This pragmatic randomized-controlled open-label trial will determine the effect of adjunctive low-dose corticosteroids in the management of adults admitted to hospital with community acquired pneumonia on mortality 30-days post-randomization. We will enroll and randomize 2180 patients admitted with a diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia into two arms: the control and intervention arm. Those in the control arm will receive standard care for the treatment of community acquired pneumonia i.e., combination therapy with a beta-lactam and macrolide antibiotic. Those in the intervention arm will receive up to 10-days treatment with low-dose oral corticosteroids in addition to standard care. All participants will be followed up to 30- days post randomization and their final status recorded (alive or dead). If adjunctive low-dose oral corticosteroids are found to be beneficial, this easily scalable intervention would significantly reduce the currently high mortality associated with community acquired pneumonia.Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry: PACTR202111481740832; ISRCTRN registry: ISRCTN36138594.

BackgroundThe traditional use of sealed envelopes for randomisation is susceptible to manipulation and the risk of damage to envelopes during shipping and storage. Additionally, the filling and sealing of envelopes are tedious, time-consuming, and error-prone. Other randomisation alternatives such as web-based methods are preferred. However, they are expensive and unsuitable in settings with poor internet infrastructure. Mobile phone-based randomisation using short message service (SMS) potentially offers a low-cost and reliable alternative.MethodsWe developed an SMS-based method for random allocation of treatments. Plain text messaging or an Android app was used to formulate text messages using a fixed syntax consisting of the participant’s unique identifier, trial site, stratum, and the trial name as input parameters. The system verified the input parameters and obtained an allocation from the database before returning a response to the sender. The text response contained the details of the treatment allocation. This was a Study Within A Trial (SWAT) conducted in two sites of a multi-site 3 × 2 factorial clinical trial in Kenya involving two interventions with up to nine possible allocations. SMS randomisation feasibility was assessed by comparing treatment allocations against the master randomisation list for each processed SMS, measuring SMS latency (in seconds), and gathering user feedback via a post-implementation survey.ResultsA total of 218 participants were randomised between the 7th of February 2022 and the 11th of April 2022, out of which 179 were randomised to only one arm while 39 were randomised to both treatment arms. Allocation accuracy was 100%. Median latency was 22 s with the fastest message processed in 10 s and the slowest (non-network delayed) message processed in 2129 s. Four users completed a post-implementation survey.ConclusionsThe pilot study demonstrated that SMS randomisation is easy, user-friendly, fast, accurate, and a feasible alternative randomisation technique.

We sought to describe the clinical, radiological characteristics and determine the outcomes of children with primary headache. A retrospective observational study was conducted. Children with primary headache were recruited. Demographic, clinical and radiological data were compiled. Visual Analog Scale was used to determine pain severity. Seventy-three patients were included in the study. Their median age was 10.0 (IQR: 8.0-12.0) years, and 38 (52.1%) were female. Fiftyfour (74.0%) had migraine headache. Majority, 50 (68.5%) reported severe headaches at presentation. Three (4.1%) patients had abnormal findings on MRI while 5 (6.8%) patients had abnormal findings on EEG. Most participants were pain free at 3 and 6 months follow up. Most used prophylactic agent was sodium valproate (84.0%).Conclusion: Migraine is the most common primary headache in children. Detailed clinical history and physical examination avoids unnecessary costly investigations. Severe disability can be prevented by use of proper prophylaxis.