Faculty of Science & Technology (FST)

IOT Based Smart Parking for Intelligent Transport System a Case Study of the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA)

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT

IOT Based Smart Parking for Intelligent Transport System a Case Study of the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) Njoroge, Erick N The development of smart transport systems has the potential to transform urban transportation, making it more efficient, sustainable, and safe. This master project explores the application of Internet of Things (IoT) for smart transport systems in Kenya, using the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) as a case study. The project aims to identify the parking challenges facing the current transport system in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) and to propose an IoT-based solution to address these challenges. The research methodology utilizes a mixed-methods strategy, which combines both qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. Information was gathered via a review of existing literature, survey questionnaires, and interviews with stakeholders in the transport sector. The outcomes of the research reveal that the current transport system in Nairobi is characterized by inefficiencies, safety concerns, and environmental degradation. The utilization of IoT technologies, including real-time data gathering, analysis, and communication, can address these challenges by improving transport planning, reducing congestion, and enhancing safety. The project concludes with recommendations for the implementation of an IoT-driven intelligent parking system situated in Nairobi, including the adoption of a data-driven approach, stakeholder collaboration, and investment in infrastructure and capacity-building. The research adds to the expanding pool of knowledge regarding smart transport systems in developing countries and provides insights for policymakers, transport operators, and technology providers on the potential of IoT to improve transport systems in Kenya and beyond.

A Framework for the Adoption of Low-code Development Platforms Among SMES in Kenya

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

A Framework for the Adoption of Low-code Development Platforms Among SMES in Kenya Ninoy, Auma K In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly challenged to adopt agile solutions for operational efficiency and competitiveness. Low-Code Development Platforms (LCDP) have emerged as a promising technology for SMEs, enabling businesses to automate processes and scale digital transformation without extensive coding expertise. However, despite LCDP's potential benefits, many SMEs in Kenya have been slow to adopt these platforms due to concerns surrounding task relevance, expected quality output, ICT user experience, and external control factors. This study seeks to bridge this knowledge gap by examining the impact of these factors on LCDP adoption decisions within Kenya's SME sector. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model 3 (TAM3) and relevant literature on digital transformation, providing a theoretical foundation for understanding how perceived ease of use, usefulness, and other factors drive technology adoption within SMEs. A descriptive research design was adopted, targeting SMEs that actively use social media for business, as these are more likely to engage in digital solutions. Data collection was conducted via online questionnaires, ensuring convenience for SMEs without physical locations. Both bivariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed using SPSS to determine the statistical significance and strength of relationships among the study variables. Findings reveal that each factor significantly influences the adoption of LCDP among SMEs. Specifically, user experience and perceptions of external control (such as regulatory support and availability of resources) have the most substantial influence, highlighting the importance of user skills and external environment in driving adoption. Task relevance and expectations for quality output also play critical roles, suggesting that SMEs prioritize functionalities aligned with daily operations and productivity improvements. The study concludes that the adoption of LCDP in SMEs is significantly influenced by task relevance, quality output, user experience, and perception of external control. The study concluded that task relevance and quality output are crucial for successful LCDP adoption. When LCDP systems are relevant to the tasks performed by SMEs and capable of delivering high-quality outputs, their adoption rates increase. Positive user experiences were found to enhance adoption rates. SMEs that provided a seamless and satisfactory user experience with LCDP systems saw higher adoption levels, underscoring the importance of user-friendly and intuitive platforms. The perception of external control, including regulatory and social influences, plays a pivotal role in adoption decisions. SMEs are more likely to adopt LCDP systems when they perceive external support and encouragement, highlighting the need for favorable external conditions to drive technology adoption. This research provides valuable insights for stakeholders, including policymakers and SME leaders, advocating for tailored LCDP strategies that align with SMEs’ operational needs and environmental factors to accelerate digital transformation.

Biochemical and Physiological Effects of Carissa Spinarum L. Extracts on Oxidative Stress-induced Infertility in the Testis of Male Wister Rats

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Biochemical and Physiological Effects of Carissa Spinarum L. Extracts on Oxidative Stress-induced Infertility in the Testis of Male Wister Rats Ouma, Martin The exploitation of natural plant products in the management of infertility has tremendously increased, leading to the expansion of research to develop drugs targeting various types of male infertility. Infertility affects human reproduction and expensive medical approaches such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) have been in use for its management. There is a need to develop economically friendly and readily available remedies with minimal side effects from sources such as medicinal plants. This study aimed to evaluate the reversal effects of Carissa spinarum L. aqueous root extracts on oxidative stress-induced infertility in male Wister rats. C. spinarum leaves and roots were first extracted with ethanol, methanol, Hydroethanol (70%), Hydromethanol (70%), n-hexane, acetone, distilled water by cold maceration for 72 hours, and by hot maceration for 2 hours at 60 ℃ for comparative phytochemical analysis. Total phenolic content (TPC), tannins content (TTC), flavonoids content (TFC), and alkaloids content (TAC) were spectrophotometrically determined as well as the in vitro antioxidant activities; Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging (HPRS). Thirty (30) male Wister rats (of age 70-90 days, weighing 130 – 180 g) were used in in vivo studies using aqueous root extracts prepared by hot maceration. The animals were randomly divided into six experimental groups where group 1 received distilled water, group 2 received 400mg/kg bw of metronidazole, group 3 received 400 mg/kg/bw metronidazole + 250 mg/kg/bw extract, group 4 received 400 mg/kg/bw metronidazole + 500 mg/kg/bw, group 5 received 400 mg/kg/bw metronidazole + 1000 mg/kg/bw while group 6 received 400 mg/kg/bw Vitamin E + 0.36mg/kg/bw of Sustanon weekly intramuscular injection for 8 weeks, with all other treatment administered following oral route. At the end of the 8th week, animals were sacrificed in a humane manner. The epididymis (for sperm retrieval at the cauda part) and the testis (for biochemical assays and histology) were harvested from each rat. Sperm characteristics were determined using a light microscope while the biochemical assays were assessed spectrophotometrically. The obtained numerical data was subjected to a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), followed by Turkey’s post Hoc analysis. Methanol, ethanol, acetone, and distilled water (hot) showed high TPC, TTC, TFC, TAC, and high antioxidant activity in both the leaves and roots. The leaf extracts generally showed higher levels of phytochemicals and antioxidant activity than the roots. All three doses of C. spinarum showed a significant increase in percent weight gain of the body, testicular, and epididymal weight paralleled to the negative control (P < 0.05) with treatment groups 3 and 4 showing normal testicular histology comparable to the normal and positive controls. Sperm concentration, morphology, and viability were significantly high among the extract treatment animals, compared to the negative control (P < 0.05). Malondialdehyde content was significantly higher among group 2 compared to the medium dose extract treated (group 4) (P < 0.05). All extract treated groups recorded high total testicular protein concentration (P > 0.05), catalase (P < 0.05) and peroxidase (P > 0.05) enzyme activities, compared to the negative control (group 2). The current findings reveal that C. spinarum contains medicinal compounds (phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids) and strong antioxidant activity in the leaves compared to the roots with suitable solvents of extraction. The compounds were confirmed to exert their pharmacological effects in vivo through reversal of oxidative stress-induced infertility in male Wister rats, thus indicating the potential in the treatment of male infertility arising from oxidative stress-related factors

Analysing Mortality Trends and Modeling Mortality in Kenya Using Cairns-blake-dowd Model.

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Analysing Mortality Trends and Modeling Mortality in Kenya Using Cairns-blake-dowd Model. Mohamed, Abdi R The project focuses on mortality trends in Kenya and its implications for longevity risk in the life insurance industry within the ever-rising life expectancy. Based on data from 1980 to 2023, it makes uses of the Cairns-Blake-Dowd (CBD) mortality model to estimate the parameters using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS). These mortality indices κ(1) and κ(2) are modeled by a bivariate random walk with drift in order to project future mortality. The benefit of this is that it captures age-specific patterns in mortality and emphasizes improvements that occur across different age groups. Key findings indicate the general decline in mortality rates, reflecting better health outcomes and increased life expectancy. Such trends underline the increasing relevance of longevity risk to the life insurance industry. Although this study does not model the longevity risk, it discusses the financial consequences that come with the improvement of mortality rates, underlining the necessity for insurers to adapt pricing, reserves, and risk management strategies in order to stay resistant to demographic changes. The analysis of mortality rates and their trends provides critical information to both policymakers and life insurers in Kenya. The results establish a framework within which the interaction between mortality improvements and longevity risk can be understood and leaned on in pursuit of sustainable strategies responding to demographic changes. Further research might be directed at modeling directly the longevity risk and therefore exploring advanced forecasting techniques to make life insurance decision-making better.