University of Eldoret

Globally, approximately 40% of all preschool-aged children are affected by anaemia. Iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) is the most prevalent form of micronutrient deficiency and the leading cause of anaemia among children. In Kenya, the prevalence of IDA among these children is 25%. This study assessed the prevalence of IDA and its associated factors among preschool-aged children in urban, peri-urban, and rural areas of Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Ethical approval and a research permit were granted by AMREF ESRC and NACOSTI, respectively. A cross-sectional survey design was used to identify 289 children using stratified sampling. Biochemical tests were assessed using the HemoCue Hb 201. Data was analyzed using STATA version 18. The prevalence of IDA was 48.4%. Most of the children suffering from IDA were from the age groups of 6-12 months (22.1%) and 48-59 months (21.4%). Children from married parents were less likely to have IDA, [Odds ratio (OR):4.53; 95%CI, p-value <0.01]. An increase in wealth was associated with a decreased risk of IDA [OR: 5.45 (95% CI, 1.18 to 5.125), p-value <0.01]. There was a significant relationship between dietary diversity and IDA, Tau (2, N = 289) = 0.0667, p-value = 0.0445. The predictors of IDA are multi-factorial, and thus, multi-sectoral interventions may be necessary to combat IDA. Due to the high prevalence of IDA, the government should consider prophylactic iron supplementation for susceptible children, especially children aged between 6-23 months.

Kenya’s fisheries sector holds strategic potential for food security, livelihoods, youth employment, and Blue Economy transformation, yet governance performance and development outcomes remain uneven across inland and marine fisheries and aquaculture systems. This study assessed the effectiveness of Kenya’s fisheries governance framework using qualitative document analysis combined with stakeholder consultations to identify priority governance domains, implementation bottlenecks, and opportunities for strengthening sector performance. The analysis revealed eight key governance areas: licensing and access rights, monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS), fisheries data systems, co-management institutions, institutional coordination under devolution, aquaculture development, value addition and market upgrading, and equity and livelihoods safeguards. Results indicate that while policy frameworks strongly emphasise regulatory design and institutional mandates, weaker attention is given to operational systems necessary for effective implementation. Major constraints include limited MCS capacity, weak fisheries data and traceability systems, insufficient safeguards in offshore licensing, high aquaculture input costs, inconsistent seed quality, and inadequate extension and financing support. Policy benchmarking further demonstrates that successful fisheries systems combine strong legal frameworks with robust enforcement capacity, integrated data platforms, and market-oriented traceability infrastructure. The study concludes that enhancing Kenya’s fisheries contribution to the Blue Economy requires prioritising implementation capacity over further policy expansion. Key actions include strengthening enforcement operations, establishing national digital fisheries information systems, improving licensing transparency, supporting co-management institutions, enabling urban aquaculture regulation, and investing in cold chain and processing infrastructure to promote value addition and competitiveness.

Dry forests in Ethiopia, spanning 55 million hectares, are vital for local livelihoods through resin resources, particularly frankincense from Boswellia papyrifera. However, unsustainable harvesting, compounded by socio-economic pressures and limited regeneration, has led to a significant population decline. This study, conducted in Ethiopia's Metema District, examines the ecological status of Boswellia papyrifera and compares harvesting practices between cooperatives and private enterprises to identify management sustainability challenges. A forest inventory utilized 22 plots (400 m2 each) and a survey was administered to 80 harvesters selected by stratified random sampling. The chi-squared test and the independent samples t-test were applied for categorical and continuous variables respectively. The population structure showed a marked instability and limited regeneration potential. Tree density of Boswellia papyrifera was significantly higher in cooperative forests (146.6 stems/ha) than in private concessions (126.57 stems/ha) (p = 0.010). Private sector harvesters exhibited significantly more damaging practices, including a higher proportion of tapping small trees (DBH < 15 cm), lower tapping height, and more dead trees, suggesting a focus on short-term gain over ecological preservation. Specifically, 65% of private sector trees had over 12 tapping spots, compared to 25.1% in the cooperative sector (p = 0.004). Furthermore, 86% of private tappers reported not allowing trees to rest (p = 0.001). The commercial sector's intensive practices and harvesters' limited knowledge (only 42.9% of private employees formally trained) are major obstacles. To ensure the long-term survival of Boswellia papyrifera, we recommend strict enforcement of harvesting quotas, mandatory training for private sector tappers, and the establishment of statutory resting periods for tapped trees.

Although radiotherapy is an essential part of comprehensive cancer care, access is heavily limited in most sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Patients' barriers to care can be grouped as availability, accessibility, accommodation, affordability, and acceptability. We aimed to assess cancer patient- and caregiver-reported barriers in nine SSAn countries (Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Mali, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe). We conducted a telephone-based survey among 553 randomly selected patients with breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancer, Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosed between 2018 and 2019 registered in population-based registries of the African Cancer Registry Network. We inquired about receipt of radiotherapy and barriers irrespective of recalling a recommendation. Among all categories, 21.6% (Use of alternative medicine) to 39.6% (Cost of treatment) of patients reported severe barriers. Most common was problematic Cost of treatment (69.0% overall). A high share of patients from Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, and Tanzania reported barriers. Higher education and wealth were associated with reduced problems in all categories except increased problems with Fear and Use of alternative medicine. Receipt of radiotherapy was associated with fewer problems with Availability of transport (odds ratio [OR]: 0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13-0.88) and Trust in healthcare workers (OR: 0.44; 95% CI, 0.24-0.8), and increased Fear (OR: 2.33; 95% CI, 1.33-4.05). Seeing that one-third of the patients reported severe problems in all dimensions, shortage of radiotherapy units is not the only problematic aspect of access to radiotherapy. Improvements in affordability, patient-healthcare worker communication, and psychosocial support are needed.

Nitrous oxide (N 2 O) emissions from cropland soils are a significant source of greenhouse gases in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), yet fluxes and drivers remain poorly quantified. This review synthesizes findings from 39 field-based studies across Sub-Saharan Africa to assess current knowledge, key drivers, and research gaps. Additionally, this review offers a focused analysis on the effect of nitrogen fertilizer application on N 2 O emissions. The main finding is that emissions were strongly influenced by nitrogen input rates, precipitation, cropping systems, soil types, and measurement durations. Emission factors often diverge from IPCC Tier 1 defaults, suggesting the need for context-specific values. However, research is unevenly distributed: Studies from Kenya dominate the literature, while large areas, especially in Central Africa, lack data. Methodological inconsistencies further limit comparability across studies. We identify priorities for future research, including geographic expansion, standardized protocols, and improved integration of climate and agronomic variables. Strengthening the regional evidence base is essential for accurate inventories and for developing climate-smart agricultural policies tailored to SSA’s diverse agroecosystems.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a major legume crop of global and national importance, contributing significantly to food security, nutritional diversity, and the livelihoods of households by providing essential dietary protein, minerals and income. In Kenya, common bean production is carried out mainly by small holder farmers as a key food and cash crop. The crop is majorly grown at altitudes ranging from 600 and 2700 m above sea level, with average grain yield of less than 0.85 tons/ha, compared to variety specific potential yields of &gt;2 tons/ha. This below optimum production is attributed to combination of socio economic, biotic and abiotic stresses such as land degradation, climate change effects, poor agronomic practices, poor pest and disease management and post-harvest handling, limited access to quality seeds, credit facilitates, value addition and organised markets. Understanding these interlinked factors is critical for designing targeted interventions, developing resilient varieties, and improving overall production efficiency. This review synthesizes current common bean knowledge by integrating fragmented research into a single reference, linking biological, agronomic, ecological, and socio-economic dimensions, and identifying key production constraints and research gaps. The findings provide a basis for future research and evidence-based policy interventions aimed at improving common bean productivity and sustainability in smallholder farming systems.

Rapid urbanisation, high population growth, and accelerated development are posing sustainability challenges to secondary cities like Eldoret, especially in the areas of food security and nutrition, despite the urban population’s active involvement in urban farming. As such, this research aimed at identifying the dynamics, motivations, and challenges of urban farming in Eldoret city with the goal of ensuring the sustainability of economic outcomes, social outcomes, and environmental outcomes. A mixed research design was adopted with data collection, both quantitative and qualitative, through household surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. The findings reveal that 96% of the households practice urban agriculture, with 12% relying on it as the main source of livelihood. Home gardens are the main type of urban farming, with 49% of respondents practising, while the main challenges reported were limited space (24%), livestock and crop diseases (17%), water scarcity (15%), and expensive farm inputs (14%). The key motivations for practising urban farming are to reduce food costs (36%), supplement food (28%), and as a source of income (14%). Despite the challenges, the urban farmers have devised strategies to cope-research and training; control of weeds, pests, and diseases; timely purchase and utilization of farm inputs; and effective water management are some of the strategies. The challenges, not adopting modern urban farming practices and a vacuum in the policy framework, present a situation where the economic, social, and environmental sustainability outcomes are likely to be stifled, hence impacting negatively on the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2, 3, and 11 by 2030.