http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/270 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:53:53 GMT 2026-04-06T15:53:53Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1660 Sediments Yields in Saimo Catchment of Tugen Hills in Baringo County, Kenya Chesire, A. K.; Kollongei, J. K.; Ng’etich, W. Soil erosion by water is one of the primary causes of land degradation and occurs throughout the world. Soil erosion contributes negatively to the already declining agricultural productivity thereby negatively impacting on people’s livelihoods and economic empowerment in Baringo County. There is need therefore, to understand the erosion processes and quantify sediment yield from catchments in order to propose technically viable, economically achievable and environmentally sustainable mitigation measures. This study focused on estimation of sediment yield from Tugen Hills particularly in Saimo catchment in Baringo County. Run-off plots measuring 5metres by 2metres with average slope of 17% were set up in the catchment, a bean crop was planted under three tillage treatments; conventional, mulching and control. These were done in triplicates in a randomized complete block design yielding nine run-off plots. Soil erosion parameters: run-off volume (Q) and peak flow rate (qp) were determined from the run-off plots in the catchment. Soil erodibility (K) was calculated mathematically based on soil samples collected and analyzed in the laboratory. Cover management (C) and support practice (P) factors were determined through observation and use of conversion tables. In terms of results, mean bulk densities for top soil and bottom soil were 1.05g/cm3 and 1.07 g/cm3 respectively meaning that low bulk densities for the top soil. The total value for fine sand and silt was 37.1%. The saturated hydraulic conductivity varied from 8.0 μm/s to 41.3 μm/s with a mean value of 24.1 μm/s. There were only two classes high and moderately high translating to code 2 and 3, respectively. Block three under no planting (control) had the highest percent cover (93%) towards the end of the growing season. The maximum sediments for each day had the highest value of 414 grams observed in block 2 with mulching. The MUSLE model did not accurately predict surface run-off and sediments yield compared to field data. Plots under cover crops had reduced soil erosion and lesser sedimentation yield. Future work is needed for new plots under different slopes. Wed, 01 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1660 2022-06-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1641 Estimation of Soil Erosion as a Function of Land Use and Rainfall Using rMMF Model on Amukura Hills, Busia County Waswa, M. B.; Kollongei, J. K.; Mutai, E. B. K. Soil erosion by water is considered as the most critical problem on cultivated steeply sloping lands in Kenya. On the Amukura hills in Busia County, Kenya, there have been increased farming activities and indiscriminate infrastructural expansions which are affecting the biophysical environment of the area. The aim of this study was to estimate the amount of soil loss as a synergistic action of rainfall and land use on the hills using the revised Morgan Finney model and compare model generated soil erosion with that obtained from field measurements. One topo-sequence was selected for validating the model. Current soil loss was determined by measuring the dimensions of rills and multiplying the average width, depth and length to get actual volume of soil moved. The model was chosen because of its simplicity in structure, low input requirements semi-empirical basis and distributed application. The equations comprising the model were translated into Microsoft excel spread and the input parameters measured from the field and weather station used. The model calculations were based on daily rainfall time steps and the results presented here were a sum of individual rainfall events. While any amount of Hortonian flow is erosive, it was found that all the detached soil particles go into transport at a rainfall intensity of 7mm/hr in this watershed. The model estimated soil loss was 17 t/ha to 50 t/ha while that from field measurement was 11 t/ha to 107 t/ha for the period studied. There was a positive correlation between field measured and model generated soil loss. The model continuously generated soil erosion data and can be applied to other areas with steep slopes and can be used to extrapolate past and future soil erosion rates based on rainfall, land use and soil properties. On the steep slopes where cultivation has taken place mechanical soil erosion control measures such as terraces and contour stone bunds along with orchard trees should be undertaken. Wed, 01 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1641 2022-06-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1612 Effect of Land Use and Land Cover Changes on Land Degradation in Upper Turkwel Watershed Toromo, A. K.; Ucakuwun, E. K.; Kipkorir, E. C. Land use and Land Cover changes continue in Turkwel watershed owing to climate changes and anthropogenic activities and has led to land degradation. Due to the increasing population in watersheds and growing unplanned human settlement with cultivation extending into ecologically fragile areas, others with relatively good agricultural potential, there is a need to manage the changes taking place. The study examined the land use and land cover changes that have taken place in the Upper Turkwel watershed in the period 1987 to 2017 and its effect on land degradation. The research used spatial land use supervised classification approaches to examine trend changes in land use to understand the changes taking place in the watershed and how it is affecting sustainable development of the watershed and in particular Turkwel dam reservoir. The research findings established six dominant land uses namely forest, farmland, shrubland, grassland, bare land, and water and that forest cover, farmland, and shrubland were on the decline in the watershed with a reduction of 73 km2, 116 km2, and 14 km2, respectively and this led to more land degradation dynamics across the watershed. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1612 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1429 Effect of Ploughing Techniques on Water Use and Yield of Rice in Maugo Small-Holder Irrigation Scheme, Kenya Cheboi, Pius Kipchumba; et al. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of paddy rice ploughing techniques on water use and the yield of rice crop, as well as water use efficiency for rice growing in small-holder irrigation schemes. The study was conducted at a farmer’s field in Powo B sub-block of Maugo Irrigation Scheme. The period of study was from July 2019 to January 2020, which is the rice season. The experimental site was located in the vicinity of Olare Shopping Centre, Kamenya Sub-location, Kochia East Location, Kochia Ward, Rangwe Sub-County, Homa Bay County, Nyanza Region, Kenya in Maugo rice scheme in Kenya. In the study, four irrigation tillage practices were applied: ox-plough, conventional ox-plough, hand hoe and tractor ploughing. The results showed that conventional ox-ploughing consumed the highest amount of water at 1240 mm. The highest water use efficiency of 0.49 kg/m3 and highest yield of 5.7 tons/ha were observed for hand hoe ploughing. Use of the hand hoe ploughing technique increased yields by 20 percent, as compared to the conventional ox-ploughing. Therefore, the use of water for ploughing is not necessary in the study area. Future research will be needed to see how farmers are adopting the technology before scaling up to full mechanization, as partial mechanization was not profitable. Mon, 01 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1429 2021-03-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1309 Effect of Tillage Techniques on Depth, Furrow Slice and Water Retention in Maugo Smallholder Rice Scheme in Kenya Chebo, Pius Kipchumba; Kiptum, Clement Kiprotich; Onyando, Japheth O. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the influence of tillage techniques on depth, furrow slice and water retention in Maugo Smallholder Rice Scheme in Kenya. Treatments were arranged in randomized complete block design with four replicates. Four tillage treatments were used. The first one was conventional ox plough practiced by farmers where they first flood the field with water before ploughing. The other three treatments were ox plough, hand hoe and tractor ploughing all with no flooding before ploughing. Data collected included depth of ploughing and harrowing during land preparation. Furrow slices during ploughing and harrowing as well as water retention were recorded. Tractor ploughing had the highest mean depth of ploughing of 42.00 ± 0.81 cm followed by conventional ox ploughing with 17.75 ± 0.75 cm, ox ploughing15.75 ± 0.62 cm and hand hoe ploughing had the lowest mean depth 15.50 ± 0.28 cm. Tractor ploughing had the largest mean furrow size of 62.00 ± 0.91cm followed by conventional ox ploughing 32.25 ± 0.85 cm, ox ploughing 30.25 ± 0.85 cm while hand hoe ploughing had the smallest mean furrow slice of 16.5 ± 0.50 cm. Highest mean of retained water was recorded in week 4 in paddy rice fields prepared using conventional ox ploughing (10.5 cm), ox ploughing (10 cm), hand hoe ploughing (11.5 cm) and tractor ploughing (11.5 cm) while the lowest was recorded in week 15 for conventional plots. There were significant differences in mean depths during both ploughing and harrowing. Tractor ploughing mean depths were significantly different from the other treatments. The weekly mean water depths retained in the plots were more than 6 cm for the entire growing period of rice Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1309 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1288 Effects of Infiltration Trenches and Bio-Retention Ponds on Stormwater Runoff in Eldoret Town Metto, Rotich Abraham; et. al... The overall objective of the research was to evaluate the influence of low impact developments (LIDs) on the generated runoff in Eldoret town, Kenya. The specific LIDs investigated were the infiltration trenches and bio-retention ponds. On methodology, rainfall was measured using rain gauge while discharge was measured using the current meter. Simulation was done using Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) version 5. The results indicated a reduction of average runoff flow by 25% when infiltration trenches were used to an extent of 100% treatment of impervious area and a reduction in total runoff volume by 19.6%. In addition, bio-retention ponds reduced average runoff flow and volume by 1.6% and 4.4%, respectively. Therefore it was concluded that bio-retention cells and infiltration trenches have an effect of reducing flow and total volume in the study area and can be used to control flooding. Further study is recommended on effect of permeable pavements Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://41.89.164.27:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/1288 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z