Background: As Kenya accelerates the momentum to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3 on health and 13 on combatting impacts of climate change, it is critically important not to overlook their impacts on the elderly, i.e. people aged 60 years and above (elderly). The objective of this study was to estimate the indirect cost (productivity losses) of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost among the elderly in Kenya in 2015. Methods:The indirect cost associated with j th disease (or health condition) DALYs lost among the elderly is the product of the per capita non-health GDP in purchasing power parity (PPP) and the total j th disease (or health condition) DALYs lost in a specific age group. Per capita non-health GDP equals Kenya's per capita GDP minus total health expenditure in 2015. The study covers all the diseases and health conditions reported in WHO Global Health Observatory (GHO). The data on DALYs and per capita total health expenditure were obtained from WHO GHO; while per capita GDP data was from IMF World Economic Outlook database. Results BackgroundKenya is one of the five East African Community (EAC) countries. In 2015 it had an estimated population of 46,034,000 people; which was about 4% of Africa's population. About 1,921,000 (4%) of Kenya's population was 60 years and above, i.e. the elderly [1]. Sixty-five percent of the elderly were aged 60 to 69 years and the remaining 35% were aged 70 years and above. Sixty-seven and 33% of the elderly were female and male respectively. The World Health Organization (WHO) projects that the number of people aged 60 years (or over) in Africa will increase by 3.2 fold between 2015 and 2050; meaning that Kenya will have approximately 6.2 million elderly people by 2050.During the same year there occurred a total of 317,173 deaths from all causes in Kenya; which was 3% of deaths borne by Africa [2]. Approximately 93,693 (30%) of Kenya's deaths were among the elderly; 33% among 60-60 year olds and 67% among 70 years and above. Fifty-one percent of the deaths were female.Kenya incurred a total loss of 21,854,898 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from all causes in 2015, i.e. 3.1% of Africa's loss [1]. About 2,238,004 (10.2%) of the DALY loss occurred among the elderly; of which half were among those aged 60-69 years and other half among 70 years and above. Again almost 51% of the DALY loss was incurred by females.The disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) losses are attributable to three very broad causes [1]. First, 656,637 (29.3%) of the DALY lost in 2015 were caused by communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions. Second, 1,434,494 (64.1%) were from non-communicable diseases. Lastly, 146,873 (6.6%) were from intentional and unintentional injuries. Thus, it is clear that majority of health problems of elderly persons are inextricably linked to chronic non-communicable diseases.According to WHO most of the chronic NCD conditions can be prevented or delayed by healthy behaviours, including physical activity, stoppage of s...

No abstract

No abstract

Camels are very resilient and can survive up to 14 days without water. They can also keep producing milk when other livestock succumb during drought. This makes camel the suitable animal to harness for climate change. Currently, there are no formulated camel feeds for feeding camels during the drought when the shrubs and vegetation dries up. This has led to conflicts between camel herders and crop farmers. In the recent past as recent as this year, 2022, it has resulted to loss of human lives and camels in an alarming rate. It is estimated that during drought there is loss of at least 100 lives pa as a result of this conflict. The loss of camels due to drought is hundreds of thousands.  This study aimed at formulating and processing camel feeds with locally available ingredients which can be stored to be used during drought. The study was carried out at Garemara, Isiolo. The feeds were formulated with locally available materials including acacia pods and local grass. The feeds were analysed for the crude protein content and nutrient content. The camels were supplemented at a rate of 1.5 % of the body weight. Ten camels were purchased for the study. Five camels were supplemented while the other five camel were un supplemented. The camels were weighed fortnightly to monitor weight changes. The formulated camel feed has a crude protein of 17%. The camels supplemented with climate-smart feed increased the weight at a rate of 15% while those unsupplemented increased the weight at 10%. Climate smart feeds can be formulated and used to supplement camel feeds during drought and avert loss of camels and human conflicts.

Camel rearing among the pastoralist of Northern Kenya is both a socio-cultural and a livelihood phenomenon signifying perceived wealth and authority.  This centuries old practice has otherwise enjoyed tranquility and serenity of its stature until various human, technical and environmental changes emerged in the recent years. The onset of climatic changes, marauding urbanization, schooling advances and alternative modern commerce is a beckoning realities to camel herding. The emergencies of these constraints is seemingly threating the camel herding practices in terms of socio-cultural significances, livelihood viability and sustainability as well as herding dividend. Consequently, this study attempts to navigate through the discourse around camel meat products value chains as a commercial adaptation towards improving camel pastoralists livelihoods. This enterprising approach is buttressed in transforming institutional, socio-psychological and technical interventions through research.   The objective of the study is to validate viability of camel meat marketing value chains in order to improve camel herders dividend from camel rearing. The key result areas (KRAs) entails characterization of camel meat Value Chain Nods (VCNs), synergization and effectiveness for herders, marketers, butchers, processors and consumers focusing on meat cut, bones, nyirinyiri, fat and bone marrow. Descriptive research design employed PESTEL, SWOT and FIEST models for analyzing external, internal and sustainability variables respectively. Data collective tools were FGD (n=47), Interview (n= 47) and questionnaire (n=340) in Isiolo County. The focus of the validation is to understand current practices with a view of enhancing camel meat value addition, value modification and value optimization for stakeholders. Expected research output and outcomes are publications, learning and sharing dissemination workshop as well as poverty reduction, improved quality of life for camel herders and policy influencing.