Sister city relationships promise to serve as strategic mechanisms for fostering international cooperation and urban development, providing cities with avenues for economic growth, cultural enrichment, and global connectivity. This study examines the impact of sister city partnerships on Eldoret, a newly designated city in Kenya, assessing how these collaborations contribute to its modernization and global positioning while preserving its unique strengths. We analyze key thematic domains to evaluate the role of international networks in shaping Eldoret’s urban trajectory. Eldoret’s sister city agreements with Bad Vilbel, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, and Ithaca have enabled dynamic exchanges that reinforce the city’s strong athletic identity, agricultural significance, and manufacturing sector. Through comparative analysis, we investigate how these partnerships have supported cultural diplomacy, economic expansion, and institutional development in both Eldoret and its counterparts. Using GDP trends as an empirical marker, our findings indicate that post-partnership years account for approximately 37% of the variation in Eldoret’s GDP (R² = 0.37), with a positive slope estimate of USD 1.64 billion. We posit that integrating economic data with insights from established partnership models provides a robust framework for understanding how sister city connections influence urban development. By examining Eldoret’s unique positioning and engagement strategies, this study contributes to a broader discussion on the role of international collaborations in shaping the modernization pathways of new African cities.

This study presents a comprehensive social baseline assessment of Aweil East and Aweil South counties in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, South Sudan regions acutely affected by recurrent flooding, displacement, and service deprivation. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research synthesizes data from 241 household surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews to illuminate the socio-economic vulnerabilities, gender dynamics, and service access gaps across diverse population groups. Findings reveal that 77.2% of households are female-headed, 86.7% include women of reproductive age, and nearly one-third host individuals with disabilities underscoring the need for gender-responsive and disability-inclusive recovery planning. Despite some presence of safe spaces, 95.9% of households lack access to health, psychosocial, or legal services, and 79.7% report no formal platform for community voice. These insights offer an evidence base for aligning local needs with national disaster risk reduction strategies and global frameworks such as the Sendai Framework and Sustainable Development Goals. The study advocates for inclusive governance, targeted service delivery, and community-driven resilience planning in post-disaster contexts.

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are promising technologies for generating bioelectricity from organic waste through microbial catalysis. However, the high cost of membranes used in MFCs remains one of the major concerns limiting their widespread application. In this study, a low-cost and readily available bio-membrane fabricated from onion skin was developed and applied as the membrane component in MFCs. By using Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 as the model exoeletrogen, the onion skin membrane equipped MFC delivered even higher bioelectricity output (~133 mW/m2) compared to that equipped with the costly Nafion membrane (~74 mW/m2). This research demostrated that it is possible to use onion membrane as a cost-effective alternative to Nafion membrane for bioelectrochemical systems.

The leather industry is a key driver of economic growth, especially in developing countries where it supports employment and generates substantial export revenues. However, the tanning process produces effluents laden with hazardous pollutants, including chromium species (Cr(VI) and Cr(III)), sulfates, chlorides, and other inorganic compounds that degrade water quality and pose serious health risks. This study investigates the environmental impact of tannery effluents in Kenya by analyzing key physicochemical parameters—such as pH, BOD, COD, TSS, TDS, and chromium concentrations—and comparing them against the standards set by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).Findings reveal elevated levels of pollutants in several samples, indicating potential non-compliance with regulatory thresholds. Notably, certain toxic elements like arsenic and lead are not currently included in the Fourth Schedule of NEMA’s effluent standards for tanneries, suggesting a need for policy revision. The study emphasizes the importance of strengthening environmental regulations and promoting sustainable waste management practices to ensure that Kenya’s leather industry can grow responsibly while safeguarding public health and ecological integrity.

Water and energy are essential resources for human livelihoods and institutional functionality. In Mbeere South Sub-County, rising demand and unreliable supply threaten the sustainability of secondary schools. This study examines the factors influencing water and energy source choices in these institutions, guided by Resource Dependence Theory. A descriptive survey design was employed, targeting all 33 secondary school principals and two education officers. Data were collected using validated questionnaires and observation checklists, with a reliability coefficient of 0.82. Analysis using SPSS (v21) revealed a significant association (Fisher’s exact test, p = 0.003) between resource choices and influencing factors such as cost, technical feasibility, location, and policy incentives. The study recommends prioritizing reliability and cost-effectiveness in infrastructure investments and promoting awareness on sustainable practices. Findings contribute to policy formulation and resource planning in semi-arid educational environments.

This study presents a qualitative analysis of the socio-economic and health impacts of recurrent flooding in Aweil East and South, South Sudan, based on Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with women, elders, farmers, fishers, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). The findings reveal that flooding is not just an environmental event but a catalyst that exacerbates pre-existing vulnerabilities and deepens social inequalities. Participants reported the widespread destruction of livelihoods, severe disruption of essential services, and an increase in physical and mental health risks. The study also highlights profound social injustices, including the economic disempowerment and gender-based violence faced by women, the systemic exclusion of elders and PWDs from disaster response, and the precarious existence of displaced persons. The findings underscore the urgent need for inclusive, community-driven, and gender-sensitive disaster preparedness and recovery strategies that prioritize dignity, resilience, and justice for all.