Aflatoxin contamination in peanuts and tree nuts remains a persistent public health and food safety concern across Africa, including Kenya. Associated with hepatocellular carcinoma, acute toxicity, and exacerbation of conditions such as hepatitis B, aflatoxins pose severe health risks and significant economic burdens. This study provides a 13-year (2012–2024) evaluation of total aflatoxins and aflatoxin B1 in peanut kernels, peanut butter, cashew nuts, and macadamia nuts in Kenya. A total of 2,178 data points were analyzed for conformity with national (10 μg/kg) and international Codex (15 μg/kg) regulatory limits. Peanut kernels exhibited the lowest compliance, ranging from 50–62% (10 μg/kg) and 50–66% (15 μg/kg). Peanut butter performed moderately better, with compliance levels of 61–86% and 65–89%, respectively. In contrast, cashew and macadamia nuts consistently demonstrated >95% compliance across all years, with macadamia achieving 100% compliance. Although compliance rates were slightly higher under the Codex standard, statistical analysis revealed no significant difference (p > 0.05). These findings highlight the critical need to strengthen surveillance systems beyond formal markets to include informal outlets and farm-level production, particularly for peanuts. Enhanced pre- and post-harvest management, together with coordinated value chain interventions and stakeholder collaboration, will be essential to reducing aflatoxin risks and safeguarding both public health and trade in Kenya's nut sector.
Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus) provides high biomass and nutritional value, yet its productivity in ASALs is constrained by low soil moisture. A study was conducted at AMRI Katumani during the short rains of 2024 to the long rains of 2025 to evaluate the yield of three Napier varieties: Super Napier, Kakamega 1 and Juncao under different climate-smart techniques (CLISMARTECH): tumbukiza, double-layer polythene mulch and conventional practice (control). The experiment followed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in a 3×3 factorial layout with three replications during two consecutive seasons, the short rains (SR, October–December 2024) and long rains (LR, March–May 2025). Nine cuttings, each containing 2–3 nodes, were planted at a 45° angle with 30 cm × 20 cm spacing. Parameters that were measured for growth were plant height, leaf length, leaf width, stem thickness and biomass yield. Data were analysed by ANOVA with R software and means were separated by HSD at 5% level. Results showed that there were significant differences between varieties and moisture conservation practices (p ? 0.05). Tumbukiza consistently outperformed all growth parameters among all the treatments, followed by polythene mulch and the control had the lowest performance. The tallest plants and longest leaves were found in Super Napier, while Juncao had the thickest stems. Kakameka 1 was the second tallest and had the longest leaves. Growth rates were higher in regrowth than in establishment, and treatments had significant impacts on biomass yields. The results of this study indicate that the use of tumbu and polythene mulch may be potential tools for maximizing productivity of forages in Kenya's ASALs under the low soil moisture conditions.
IntroductionCamel mastitis caused by a diverse array of pathogenic bacteria including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae is responsible for enormous socioeconomic losses in the arid and semi-arid regions of Africa where camels are an invaluable source of livelihood and nutrition. Although S. aureus and S. agalactiae are environmental contaminants, the latter is an infectious zoonotic agent. The development of a safe, efficacious vaccine for camel mastitis is a compelling priority particularly against the backdrop of climate change and antimicrobial resistance. MethodsWe have sequenced and assembled the genomes of local strains of S. aureus, S. agalactiae, L. lactis, E. faecium and E. gallinarum isolated from milk samples of pastoralists’ camel herds in Kenya, analysed the subtracted proteomes for antigenic proteins using VaxiJen and ascertained the allergenicity, subcellular localisation and the number of transmembrane helices of the putative candidates using AllerTOP, PSORTb and DeepTMHMM. Furthermore, B-cell and T-cell epitopes uncovered in the antigenic protein sequences using Bepi-Pred-2.0, NetCTL 1.2 and NetMHCII 2.3 were used to design a potential vaccine candidate that exhibited adequate immunogenicity, stability and flexibility without toxicity and allergenicity. ResultsWe have designed and computationally evaluated a multi-epitope camel mastitis vaccine candidate from 20 antigenic S. aureus and S. agalactiae proteins. The candidate exhibits desirable immunogenicity, is non-allergenic and non-toxic, and warrants further experimental investigations.DiscussionCollectively, we have designed and computationally evaluated a potentially viable camel mastitis vaccine candidate.
Uncertainties about future climate conditions underscores the need to better understand genotype x environment (GxE) interactions to support resilient coffee cultivar adoption and breeding. We Assessed yield and coffee leaf rust severity using a unique worldwide trial of 31 Coffea arabica L. varieties evaluated across 29 sites in 18 countries, and linked varietal performance to global climate gradients. A two-stage analysis using linear mixed-effects models with a two-factor analytic (FA) structure was applied to estimate GxE variance-covariance for both traits. Partial Least Squares Regression linked the latent FA axes to climate gradients. The FA(2) model explained 58 percent of the GxE variance for yield and 67 percent for rust severity. For yield, fa1 representing performance was not associated with climate. fa2, representing dynamic stability, was correlated (p < 0.10) with a gradient from cool environments with high diurnal temperature range to warmer environments with lower temperature range. For rust severity, both fa axes were climate-associated (p < 0.10), reflecting gradients related to temperature, rainfall patterns, humidity, and diurnal versus seasonal temperature variation. Across environments, EC16 and H1 Centroamericano (F1 hybrids), followed by Parainema (sarchimor), showed the best combined yield and rust performance, but also exhibited specific adaptation with limited yield stability. A group of introgressed varieties demonstrated a favorable performance-stability tradeoff, while pure arabica lines showed the lowest performance and stability. These exploratory results highlight climate-linked drivers of GxE interaction and provide insights to guide variety recommendations and future coffee breeding strategies.
The importance of Galla goats value chain (GVC) in transforming rural livelihoods cannot be underscored. hus, GVC has been identified to hold future of livestock sector. The GVC has comparable advantages over other livestock, and highly regarded as livelihood strategy. However, evidence show otherwise due to market inefficiencies. The problem is exacerbated by demand-supply paradox of goats rendering smallholder farmers more susceptible to extortion. Thus, this survey was carried out to provide an understanding of Galla goats (GG) markets in Kajiado and Taita Taveta (TT) Counties. Study areas were chosen due to prevalence of GG farming; locations and households were selected through systematic and random sampling technique, respectively. Sample size was representative as it covered only GG producing areas in the two counties. Survey questionnaires were administered to 84 respondents and data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results show that GVC was male dominated (Kajiado – 88%, TT – 79%), with majority of farmers beyond youth age category (Kajiado – 39, TT – 49), and with lower education levels. Results also indicate that GG keeping as profitable (Kajiado – 86%, Taita Taveta – 90%), and mainly target open-air markets (Kajiado – 35%) and farm gate (TT – 35%), which are sparsely located (Kajiado – 17Km, TT – 21Km). Results further show that GVC actors had verse land (Kajiado - 67%, TT – 33%) but weakened by market disorganization (Kajiado – 50%, TT – 38%). However, value chain actors had opportunity for market linkage (Kajiado – 47%, TT – 38%) but did not possess requisite capacity (Kajiado – 48%, TT – 38%) to commercialize. This study, therefore recommends gender inclusivity and livestock market linkage. Findings further suggest for causality study to allow for specific interventions to be undertaken to achieve desired results. Besides, information generated by this study will positively contribute towards development of GVC strategies in Kenya.
