Centre for Science and Technology Innovations - CSTI

A UNESCO Associated Centre...

Earth


Weather Outlook For The “Long-Rains” (MARCH-MAY) Season 2008

Team work

Highlights:

  • La- Niña conditions (cool sea surface temperatures) continue to be evident over the eastern and central equatorial Pacific Ocean.
  • The west Indian Ocean has been relatively warm but has started cooling in the month of February 2008.
  • Some tropical depressions have been persistent over the west Indian ocean even during month of February.
  • The outlook for March to May 2008 indicates that most parts of Kenya are likely to experience near normal rainfall with a tendency towards below normal (i.e. depressed rainfall.) while Western, Nyanza Provinces and some parts Rift Valley are likely to experience near normal rainfall with a tendency towards above normal (i.e. enhanced rainfall).
  • The rainfall expected in the country is likely to be poorly distributed both in time and space especially in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).

 

Read More

Sakai Division: Overview

Livestock In Sakai

 

Main factor that causes livelihood vulnerability in the project area is inappropriate faming methods caused by:- Inadequate knowledge by some farmers on appropriate crop varieties; Limited access to quality seed (most of dry land crop varieties are not commercially available).

 

In addition, prices of the available seeds are relatively high and this limits access to quality seed. Limited knowledge on appropriate crop husbandry practices including effective use of climate and weather information. Read More

Teamwork is the key

Team work

 

Participation in, and ownership of projects by local communities is vital if it is to be sustained beyond the lifecycle of the project and also for it to have the potential of been replicated in other ASAL districts.

Self-help and “merry-go-round” groups identified as one of the key entry points in entrenching ownership and sustainability of project.



Over 60 self helps groups in Sakai sub-location and usual rivalries among Community based-organization (CBOs) also exists.

Therefore process by which groups are selected must be done in participatory and democratic manner.

ABOUT US

The Centre for Science and Technology Innovations (CSTI) is a Trust registered in 1998 by the Registrar of Societies under the Trustees Act Chapter 167, Laws of Kenya. It is located at the Kenya National Academy of Sciences, Utalii House, Utalii Street, 8th Floor, Nairobi, Kenya.

It has six Trustees, namely:
  • Prof. Shem O. Wandiga - Managing Trustee
  • Prof. Eric O. Odada - Trustee
  • Justice Prof. Jacton B. Ojwang - Trustee
  • Dr. Maggie Opando - Trustee
  • Dr. Dan Olago - Trustee
  • Dr. Gilbert Ouma - Trustee

 

The Centre for Science has been working towards the improvement of science teaching and learning by holding training workshops for teachers in different provinces in the country.

 

The Centre is appealing for donors to help needy schools purchase the kits, on its part, the Centre will facilitate the training of teachers and technical back up on the microscience kits and experiments at no extra cost to the donor or the school.

 

How to Budget for a School

  • Ideally one equipment kit per learner; the minimum recommended ratio is 1kit to four learners. The cost of one kit is Kshs. 640/-
  • One Chemical Kit will suffice for 50 - 100 learners for a period of one year. Individual bottles may also be replenished. The cost of one Chemicals Kit is Kshs 6,500/-
For more info contact Prof. Shem O Wandiga

 

The aims of the Centre are:

• To promote innovation in science teaching at the secondary and tertiary education levels through the incorporation of new trends in the sciences.

• To enhance the transfer of science and technology research to distressed communities of Kenya for economic development.

• To promote constructive linkages between science and industry for the enhancement of economic development.

• To carry out any other or further activity that is incidental or ancillary to the above.

• To promote the effective use of science and technology in the food production process.

• To facilitate initiatives to achieve greater efficiency through the adoption of good scientific principles in the provision of various categories of service.

• To promote the use of information and communication technology in the promotion of science and technology.

• To collaborate with other centres with similar objectives and aims.

• To act as a clearing house of knowledge and skills between researchers/research institutions and end-users, including policy makers.

• To perform any other duty furthering the development, promotion and dissemination of science and technology.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROJECT PLAN

ACHIEVEMENTS as at 31st December 2006:

Participatory project site selection and baseline surveys Presentation of the project concept and components for consideration and approval by the DSG Community consultation and awareness creation through a series of 3 main community meetings (Barazas).

List of Activities

-Downscaling of weather forecasts, packaging into brochures and dissemination through community meetings, local radio announcements and a newspaper.
-Participatory selection of pilot farmers and self help groups.
-Out of the total population of 4800 people comprising approx. 500 households, 150 people attended the community selection baraza.
-An initial 60 farmers from 5 villages were selected out of which 40 were to be prioritized based on a selection criteria as follows:-
  1. Muiu Sublocation – 7
  2. Kathamba S/location – 9
  3. Kiteani S/location – 9
  4. Nthongoni S/location – 7
  5. Linga S/location - 8
Making a total of 40 farmers.

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