University of Kabianga

Despite the benefits of petroleum hydrocarbon as essential raw energy sources in many industries, they cause major global environmental pollution. Petroleum hydrocarbons pollutants are highly toxic and recalcitrant, making them dangerous and persistent over long periods in an ecosystem. However, oil contaminated soil is enriched with microorganisms that can utilize petroleum products and hydrocarbons for their growth, nutrition, and metabolic activities. This study aimed to isolate and characterize hydrocarbons-degrading bacteria capable of degrading hydrocarbons in soil samples obtained from oil-polluted garage sites in Kericho County, Kenya. One hundred and ten (110) bacterial isolates were isolated after enrichment, with 67 of the isolates (60.9%) having visible petroleum diesel-degrading capability. The bacteria were characterized based on phenotypic characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses. Forty-nine of the isolates were Gram negative rods, and majority (56) of the isolates reacted positively for catalase and negatively for oxidase (38), methyl red (59), and Voges Proskauer (65); 50.9% of the isolates tested positive for citrate utilization. More than half of the isolated bacteria (69.7%) demonstrated strong evidence of diesel degradation. Bacteria with moderate diesel degradation demonstration accounted for 18.2% of the isolates, while isolates with substantial diesel residues contributed 12.1%. Following 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the bacterial strains were identified as belonging to the genera Acinetobacter (8), Pseudarthrobacter (4), Corynebacterium (2), Gordonia (2), Athrobacter (2), Microbacterium (2), Acidivorax (1), Pseudoxanthomonas (1), Priestia (1), Cellulosimicrobium (1), Cupriavidus (1), Paenarthrobacter (1), Exiguobacterium (1), Shewanella (1), Stutzerimonas (1), and Pseudomonas (1). This study has demonstrated that garage soils with petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in Kericho County harbor a rich and diverse indigenous population of microbes with the ability to biodegrade diesel. The findings suggest potential application of these bacterial strains to facilitate the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons.

This study critically analyzed the theory of justice advanced by John Rawls, focusing on its foundational assumptions, principles, and continuing relevance in contemporary political and policy discourse, particularly through the lenses of fairness, equality, and distributive justice as articulated in the original position and the veil of ignorance, which were designed to ensure impartial selection of principles governing society; from this framework emerged the principle of equal basic liberties for all and the difference principle, which permits social and economic inequalities only if they benefit the least advantaged and are attached to positions open under fair equality of opportunity, thereby aiming to institutionalize fairness within liberal democratic systems. Using a qualitative and analytical methodology based on critical textual analysis of Rawls’ works and major philosophical critiques from scholars such as Robert Nozick, Amartya Sen, and others, the study employed a comparative normative approach against libertarianism, communitarianism, Marxism, and multiculturalism, emphasizing interpretive synthesis and conceptual clarification in relation to governance challenges such as inequality, social welfare, and public policy design. Findings indicated that Rawls’ theory remains highly influential in shaping debates on constitutionalism, human rights, and welfare policy, yet it is limited by its abstract assumptions, limited applicability in deeply unequal or non-ideal societies, and insufficient engagement with cultural diversity and historical injustice, with critics arguing that the difference principle may still legitimize inequality and overlook structural power imbalances. Libertarian critiques, particularly associated with Nozick, rejected Rawls’ redistributive justice as coercive and incompatible with inviolable property rights, advocating instead for a minimal state grounded in entitlement theory; communitarian critiques, associated with thinkers such as Michael Sandel, challenged Rawls’ notion of the unencumbered self, emphasizing that identity is socially embedded and justice must reflect shared communal values; Marxist critiques argued that Rawls fails to address capitalist structures that generate inequality, viewing his framework as reformist rather than transformative; while multiculturalist critiques, associated with Will Kymlicka, emphasized that Rawls’ universalism neglects cultural diversity and group-based injustices, calling for recognition and differentiated rights for marginalized communities. Despite these critiques, Rawls’ theory remains a powerful moral benchmark for evaluating institutions, and the study recommended a contextualized and pluralistic application of Rawlsian principles in public administration, through integration with capability approaches and restorative justice frameworks, alongside strengthened participatory governance, inclusive policy design, and accountability mechanisms to better operationalize fairness in practice.

Climate change continues to threaten agricultural productivity and the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in Kenya, necessitating the adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices (CSAPs). Agricultural extension services play a critical role in disseminating information, improving farmers' technical knowledge, and promoting the adoption of innovative farming practices. However, evidence on the effect of extension services on CSAP adoption at the sub-county level remains limited. This study examined the effect of agricultural extension services on the adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices among small-scale farmers in Bureti Sub-County, Kericho County, Kenya. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional mixed-methods research design guided by Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations Theory. Quantitative data were collected from 344 small-scale farmers using structured interviews, complemented by questionnaires administered to agricultural extension officers and qualitative information obtained through key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression at a 5% level of significance, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings established that access to agricultural extension services had a statistically significant effect on the adoption of Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices. Farmers who received frequent extension visits, participated in agricultural training, and accessed demonstration activities were more likely to adopt climate-smart technologies than those with limited extension contact. Binary logistic regression further identified agricultural extension services as the strongest predictor of CSAP adoption. The study concludes that strengthening agricultural extension systems is essential for accelerating climate change adaptation among small-scale farmers. It recommends increased investment in extension personnel, farmer field schools, digital advisory platforms, and continuous farmer training to enhance the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices and improve agricultural resilience.

Revenue mobilization is a key driver of long-term transformation and democratization, particularly in developing countries striving to improve public service delivery under conditions of constrained fiscal capacity and widespread poverty. In Kenya, despite the expansion of county budget allocations under devolution, counties within the Lake Region Economic Bloc continue to experience persistent challenges in mobilizing adequate resources and translating fiscal capacity into effective service delivery. This study examined the effects of revenue mobilization, tested the moderating role of political gridlock on the relationship between revenue mobilization and service delivery. The study adopted a correlational research design under a pragmatism philosophy, anchored on Soufflé Theory. The target population comprised 435 respondents drawn from County Executive Committee Members, Chief Officers, County Revenue Directors, County Assembly Budget and Appropriation Committee Members, and Revenue Service Clerks, from which a sample of 208 was determined using the Yamane Taro formula (1968). A mixed-method approach was employed, combining structured questionnaire and interview schedules. Reliability was established through a pilot test using Cronbach’s alpha, while validity was ensured through expert review for content and face validity. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with correlation and regression analyses used to determine relationships between variables, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Moderating effects were tested using the Baron and Kenny (1986) approach. The findings revealed that revenue mobilization has a positive but statistically insignificant relationship with service delivery (β = 0.192, p > 0.05), with own-source revenue perceived as more effective than equitable share allocations. Political gridlock negatively affected service delivery but did not significantly moderate the relationship (β = 0.160, p > 0.05). The study concludes that while revenue mobilization and governance processes collectively influence service delivery, their effectiveness is largely dependent on implementation strength and institutional efficiency. It recommends strengthening own-source revenue systems, enhancing enforcement of public finance regulations, improving participatory and data-driven budgeting, strengthening implementation systems, and addressing political gridlock through institutional coordination reforms. The study contributes to public finance, governance, and decentralization literature by clarifying how fiscal autonomy interacts with governance structures to shape service delivery outcomes in devolved systems.

Dental caries remains one of the most prevalent chronic conditions among school-aged children, disproportionately affecting those in informal settlements where dietary risks and preventive oral health services are limited. This study assessed dietary patterns, oral hygiene practices, and their association with dental caries among primary school children aged 6–15 years in informal settlements of Eldoret City in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study adopted a school-based cross-sectional design and involved 407 primary school children selected using proportionate stratified random sampling. Data was collected using a validated and pretested structured questionnaire, while clinical oral assessment was based on WHO field guidelines for the examination of dental caries. Data was analyzed using SPSS v.26. Chi-square tests assessed associations, and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify independent dietary patterns and oral hygiene practices associated with dental caries. Out of 407 children, 55.3