At Kisii University, we believe that knowledge grows best when it is shared. True to our mission as a public university deeply rooted in community transformation, we do not confine our research findings to academic journals or lecture halls. Instead, we deliberately take them to the people who need them most. Through our structured outreach programs, we ensure that the results of our research are demystified, discussed, and directly applied to solve real-world challenges.
During the 2025/2026 financial year, Kisii University took a significant step in this direction by conducting a comprehensive Training Needs Assessment in Riana Location, Suneka. This assessment engaged local elders, farmers, small business owners, and the youth, to identify the specific gaps where university expertise could make the greatest difference.
Based on the findings from the assessment, the University rolled out training programs in the following four key areas.
1. Training on Entrepreneurship Skills
The Need: The assessment revealed that while many residents of Riana Location possess innovative ideas and a strong desire to work, they lack structured business management skills and financial management skills.
The Implementation: The Research office in collaboration with the School of Business and Economics developed a practical, hands-on curriculum. Training modules covered
Business Plan Development: Teaching residents how to move from a verbal idea to a written, bankable business proposal.
Record Keeping and Financial Management: Simplified bookkeeping for small-scale traders and chama (investment groups) to track profits, losses, and reinvestment.
2. Training on Agriculture and Food Security
The Need: The assessment revealed that smallholder farmers in Riana Location face declining crop yields due to prolonged soil degradation, overreliance on expensive chemical fertilizers, and limited knowledge of eco-friendly pest control methods. Additionally, traditional poultry rearing practices have led to low productivity and high mortality rates.
The Implementation: The Research Office, in collaboration with the School of Agriculture and Natural Resource Management, designed and delivered targeted, practical training sessions based on the assessed needs. The following programs were implemented:
Integrated Pest Management (IPM): To reduce reliance on harmful chemical pesticides, farmers learned:
Identification of common pests and their natural predators.
Preparation and application of organic repellents using locally available materials like neem leaves and pyrethrum extracts.
Modern Poultry Farming Techniques:To improve household nutrition and income, in poultry farming. The training covered the following areas:
Improved housing and biosecurity measures to reduce disease outbreaks in poultry.
Feeding strategies using locally available ingredients to lower costs.
Basic vaccination schedules and health management for indigenous and hybrid chicken breeds.
Egg handling, incubation, and chick rearing for sustainable flock multiplication.
Training on Environmental Sustainability
The Need: Deforestation, poor waste management, and reliance on wood fuel were identified as critical environmental stressors. Community members expressed concern over disappearing tree cover
The Implementation: The University led this intervention, focusing on practical, low-cost solutions:
Tree Planting and Agroforestry: Residents received training on establishing tree nurseries for indigenous and fast-growing species. They learned how to integrate fruit and fodder trees with their crops to improve soil fertility and provide alternative income.
Training on Health and Wellness
The Need: The assessment highlighted gaps in preventive healthcare. Issues included high rates of lifestyle diseases (hypertension, diabetes) linked to diet, and a lack of mental health awareness among the youth and elderly.
The Implementation: Leveraging research and expertise from the School of Health Sciences, the University conducted integrated health outreach sessions. The training focused on two critical, interconnected areas:
Nutrition and Healthy Eating
Participants were taught on how to prevent and manage lifestyle diseases through practical, affordable dietary changes. Key topics included:
Understanding Balanced Meals: Using the "healthy plate" model (half vegetables/fruits, quarter proteins, quarter complex carbohydrates) adapted to locally available foods such as sukuma wiki, ndengu, beans, eggs, amaranth, and millet.
Reducing Harmful Nutrients: Practical strategies to lower salt, sugar, and unhealthy fat intake, including reading simple food labels, using alternative seasonings (herbs, lemon), and avoiding processed snacks and sugary drinks.
Mental and Stress Management
Recognizing that mental health is often stigmatized or ignored, the training created safe, non-judgmental spaces for discussion. Sessions covered:
Identifying Stress and Mental Distress: Community members learned to recognize common signs of stress, anxiety, and depression (e.g., sleep changes, irritability, fatigue, social withdrawal) in themselves and others.
Practical Stress Reduction Techniques: Guided practice of deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, basic physical activity (walking, stretching), and establishing daily routines to build resilience.