Science Mundi

ICT for Sustainable Development: Evidence from Nguruman Community Knowledge Centre, Kajiado County, Kenya

Rosabel Wanjiku Githinji — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

For over a decade, development partners have advocated the application of ICTs as tools for poverty alleviation especially ta rgeting the agricultural sector. To provide an in-depth analysis of the impact of the CKC on the Nguruman community, the participatory ethnographic research methodology, combining participatory techniques and ethnographic approaches, was used. The use of this approach with the potential to feed into action research. I selected certain elements of the Ethnographic Action Research (EAR) developed by Tacchi and others. This research was undertaken in Nguruman, a rural Sub -location situated in arid and semi-arid land within the Olkiramatian Group ranch about 40 kilometers from Maga di town at the foot of the Nguruman escarpment in Kenya. The findings show a general view of Nguruman as being relatively developed. Participants originally from Nguruman compared its current state of development to earlier years and said it is developed. However, participants who are not originally from Nguruman say the area has considerable development when they compare it with other communities in Kenya. Like the participants from the focus groups, those from the interviews described development in terms of infrastructure such as roads, communication services, community institutions, and socio-economic conditions such as an increase in population, cultural issues, and education. Most of theparticipants, especially those originally from Nguruman, mentioned that the infrastructure of Nguruman has improved when compared to its former state some years back. For all the participants, the perceiving influencers of the development of Nguruman were commonalities in the emerging issues such as gender and cultural issues, illiteracy, and the value of education. A comparison of the participants’ communicative ecologies reveals different communication and information patterns and activities unique to each individual. Each individual uses different ICTs and links these ICTs to his/her social network to enhance communication and information patterns. Based on the findings, it is recommended that development communication that emerges from successful rural development calls for the conscious and active participation of the intended recipients at each phase of the development process. Rural development cannot occur without changes in the attitudes and behaviors of the people concerned. Emphasis should be on the planning of communication initiatives, focusing on dialogue rather than one-way communication as support to development initiatives.

Legal, Regulatory and Technical Responses to Terrorism in the Aviation Industry in Kenya

Edna Nyatichi Omweno — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The impact of terrorists’ acts against the civil aviation industry cannot be gainsaid. It exerts immense pressure on the national and human security of many nations. Regrettably, there has been a barrage of terrorist attacks against aircraft and airport installations since the dawn of powered passenger flight. The study sought to examine the legal, regulatory and Technical responses to terrorism in the aviation industry in Kenya and employed the exploratory research design. Secondary data was collected from government publications, websites, internal records and reports, conference proceedings, research articles, and books, among others. The data collected were analysed thematically. From the study finding, it is evident that aviation security became a challenge, especially in the 1960s following an increase in the number of terrorist attacks in the industry. ICAO’s legal, regulatory and technical responses through international conventions and protocols to address the challenge were reactionary especially in the period before the 9/11 US attacks. A review of their ineffectiveness called for responses that were more proactive and preventive, as a better solution in mitigating terrorism in the industry. This called for the need for cooperation among various security supporting agencies in many states’ aviation industries. Presently, there are extensive counterterrorism responses employed in Kenya. These include legal, regulatory, and technical multiagency responses frameworks. Based on the study findings, the study makes the following recommendations. First and foremost, there is a need to undertake training for security personnel to better implement the legal, regulatory, and technical responses. There should also be an effort to strengthen the capacities of agencies to better respond to terrorism threats in the aviation industry through legislation, training, and funding interventions.

Application of Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) to Rural Communities in Kenya

Rosabel Wanjiku Githinji — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

There is growing evidence of the positive role ICTs can play in development, particularly in rural areas of developing countries using public services in the form of telecentres. Emphasizing proactive measures ensures ICTs serve as effective tools for social inclusion, social change, and widespread access, especially for the poor and disadvantaged communities. This research study explores the application of Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) in a rural community in Kenya, by evaluating the Nguruman Community Knowledge Center (CKC), established in 2003 by a development organization. This study uses a participatory ethnographic research method that combines participatory techniques and ethnographic research, with the potential of feeding into action research. The research makes use of the communicative ecology approach in evaluating communication and ICTs for development. In this study, ICTs, particularly traditional ICTs (radio and television) significantly contribute to improving people’s living conditions by making information available that helps in solving real problems encountered. The expectations of community members who use these ICTs reflect their level of understanding of the relationship that exists between these tools and the improvement of their living conditions as well as enhancing development efforts. The study shows that the context and institutional framework for ICTs in Kenya are changing which reflects the government’s commitment to be part of the information society especially in rural communities. Despite this, a gap exists between the aspirations of policymakers and the reality in rural areas owing to the poor state of ICT and general infrastructure.

Relationship between Access to Counselling Services and Drug Use among Street Children in Starehe Sub-County, Nairobi County, Kenya

O'gallo Brian Ochieng — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Life in the streets is not easy. It has immense negative effects on the psychosocial health of street children resulting in substance use. This study set out to assess the relationship between access to counselling services and drug use among street children in Starehe Sub-County, Nairobi County Kenya. This study was on the Problem Behaviour Theory (PBT) and adopted the correlational research design. Data collection was from 100 street children. These were sampled using cluster and simple random sampling techniques from a target population of 30,000 in Starehe Sub-County of Nairobi County. In addition, data collection was from purposively sampled four officials from the Starehe Children Office, eight officials of NGO/FBO operating in the subcounty, 1 sub-county administrator, and 4 ward administrators from the Sub-County. The qualitative data collected using questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics like mean, percentage, and frequencies, as well as inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation and regression analysis. The findings presentation was using charts and tables. Analysis of the qualitative data collected using interviews was thematically and the findings use prose presentation. The findings show that access to counselling services had a significant influence on their drug use. Strengthening the existing social support systems meant that street children could get the support needed to steer them away from drug use. The study recommends that there is a need to strengthen behaviour counseling, support groups, and, sober social networks for street children. The government and non-governmental organizations should come up with programs for supporting access to counseling services and training some of the street children to prop up their abilities to offer peer-counseling services to their colleagues.

Influence of Work-Life Initiatives on Employees’ Performance in Commercial Banks in Nairobi County

Jane Muthoni Kinuthia, Leonard Ngero Kiragu — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

The workplace today has become tasking compared to decades ago. Advancement in technology has blurred the boundary between work and leisure. Previous research has shown that for an employee to be effective in the workplace, they must strike a good balance between their job and their life-related roles. This research aimed at investigating the effects of work-life initiatives on employee performance in commercial banks in Nairobi County. Employees in commercial banks are likely to have work-life imbalance because their job is quite demanding and requires long working hours. The specific objectives of this study sought to investigate the effect of leaves, paid time off, flexi-time, and recreational facilities on employee performance. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design. The target population was 121 employees of the 41 commercial banks in Nairobi County. This study used stratified random sampling to determine the employees who participated in the study. Questionnaires were used to collect data for the study. The reliability of the instruments was tested using Cronbach alpha where a score of 0.688 was obtained. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics focused on the means and standard deviations while Pearson’s correlation was used to test the relationship between the study variables. The results indicated that leaves, paid time off, flexi-time, and recreational facilities had a positive correlation with the performance of between 0.2 and 0.4. The study concluded that to improve the existing leave policies, the leave allowance should be paid on time. Proper tracking of paid time off is important to ensure that the cost arising from this initiative is minimized. The paid time off not taken should be treated as overtime and employees compensated for the same. The study recommended the introduction of flexi-time in an organization where it does not exist and the involvement of employees in the formulation of a flexi-time program to make it relevant. The study further recommended the introduction of recreational facilities which employees felt are important to them and would act as a form of intrinsic reward.

Critical Review of Literature on Effect of Occupational Stress Interventions on Performance of Academic Staff in Kenyan Universities: A Research Agenda

Jane Muthoni Kinuthia, Peter Phillip Wambua, David Muraga Kiiru — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This article is a critical review of both theoretical and empirical literature on the concept of the effect of occupational stress interventions (OSI) and academic staff performance in Kenyan universities. The review was informed by the fact that there exists limited research on this topic in the Kenyan context hence this relationship is not adequately understood. In the theoretical review section, the paper reviews four theories in relationship to the proposed study variables i.e., person-environment fit theory, job-demand-control-support theory, broaden and build theory, and cognitive dissonance theory. From the empirical literature review, the paper proposes the studying of the mediating and moderating effect of psychological capital and social support respectively on the relationship between the independent and the dependent variable. A conceptualization that hypothesizes that OSI directly affected academic staff performance and is mediated by psychological capital, while social support moderates the relationship is proposed. The proposed study assumes that the performance of academic staff depends on the practical implementation of OSI, social support, and the psychological capital of the academic staff.

School Geographical Location and Its Effect on Teacher Burnout in Public Secondary Schools in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

Gituriandu Tabitha, Mukolwe Newton, Mwaura Kimani — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Teachers’ ought to work in an environment (context) free from too much stress, anxiety, exhaustion to avoid burnout. However, this is not the case in Tharaka Nithi County. Teachers in the county are faced with numerous stressors that could lead to burnout; limiting their abilities to meet teaching obligations. These include poor learning facilities and long distances to school among others. The study set out to determine the effects of workload, expected students’ academic performance by school administrators, students’ indiscipline issues, school geographical location and school physical facilities on teacher burnout in public secondary schools in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The study adopted the descriptive survey design and was founded on the Multidimensional Theory of Burnout and Golembiewski and Munzenrider’s model of burnout. It targeted 104 principals and 6862 teachers from 104 schools in addition to 10 Teachers Service Commission (TSC) officials and 10 Quality Assurance and Standards Officials (QASOs) from Tharaka Nithi County. Out of these, 378 teachers and 31 principals from 31 schools in addition to all the 10 TSC officials and 10 QASOs were sampled using two-stage cluster random sampling, purposively and simple random techniques. Data was collected using questionnaires from teachers, interview guides from TSC officials and QASOs, and data collection forms. Quantitative data from questionnaires were analyzed descriptively by use of frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations as well as inferentially by use of Pearson Correlation and multiple regression analysis at a 0.05 significance level. For qualitative data from open-ended questions in the questionnaires, interviews, and secondary data transcripts, content analysis was employed. The study established that school geographical location has significant effects on teacher burnout (r=0.186, P<0.05). Based on the findings it can thus be concluded that school geographical location affected teacher burnout. The study recommends that there should be effort to build sufficient housing as well as other social amenities for teachers even in remote areas to make work bearable for teachers and other government officials.

Relationship between Awareness of Behavioural Risk and Psychosocial Wellness of Students in Public Secondary Schools in Nairobi County, Kenya

Cecilia Mburu, Maina Anne, Newton Mukolwe — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Abuse of prescription drugs remains a major challenge among students in spite of numerous interventions aimed at curbing it. This study set out to examine the relationship between awareness of behavioural risk and psychosocial wellness of students in public secondary schools in Nairobi. The study was based on the situated rationality theories and social action theories and adopted the correlational research design. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively by use of frequencies, percentages and means. It was also analyzed inferentially by use of Pearson correlation. Data from interviews and secondary data sources were analyzed using thematic and content analysis procedures. The study sampled 255 respondents. These included 100 students, 96 teachers, 42 principals and, 17 MOE officials. Out of these, 100 students (100%), 77 teachers (80.2%), 34 principals (81%) and 11 MOE officials (64.7%) responded. The findings show that prescription drug misuse is rampant among students despite the fact that most of them were aware of the associated risks. Pearson correlation showed that all the awareness factors under investigation had statistically significant relationships with psychosocial wellness among students (r=0.473, p<0.05). The study concludes that drug usage is widespread among secondary school students in Nairobi County, in terms of the types, quantity, and frequency of use. In line with the study findings, the study established that awareness of behavioural risk should also be enhanced at school and community levels through guidance and counselling interventions backed by school and government disciplinary policies.

Mentorship Interventions as Predictors of Discipline among Public Secondary School Students in Kiambu County, Kenya

Kariithi Anne, Mwaura Kimani, Mukolwe Newton — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Mentorship interventions could be panacea to indiscipline in schools. This paper examines the influence of mentorship interventions on discipline among public secondary school students in Kiambu County, Kenya. Founded on the Personal Construct Theory (PCT), the study adopted the correlational research design, the study targeted the 227 principals 3,479 guidance and counseling teachers and the 89,065 students in Kiambu County. From these, the study sampled 23 principals, 97 teachers and 398 students using the simple random sampling technique. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview guides, and observation schedules. Piloting was conducted to assist in determining the accuracy, clarity, and suitability of the research instruments. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics (mean, frequency and percentages) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation and multivariate regression analysis at a significance level of 0.05). Data from interviews and secondary data sources were subjected to content analysis procedures. The findings show that there was positive and significant correlation between students discipline and mentorship interventions (r=0.403, p<0.05). These findings show that mentorship interventions indeed influence students’ discipline in the study area. The study recommends that mentorship programs should be initiated where they lacked to tap into the potential they offered in enhancing students’ discipline.

Parenting Style, Social Development and Academic Performance of Junior High School Pupils

Eric Mensah, Lily Mensah — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 +0000

This paper looked at parenting styles, social development, and academic performance of pupils in the Assin north district of the Central region. The cross-sectional survey design premised on the quantitative approach which is also seated in the positivist orientation to research was adopted. Using the proportionate random sampling procedure, 327 pupils from 30 Junior High Schools in the District were sampled. Data collected were analysed using both descriptive (frequencies and percentages) and inferential (Spearman rank and Pearson correlation) statistics. It was found among others that, the majority of parents of pupils in the Assin north district used an authoritative parenting style. Again, most of the pupils in the Assin north district have high social development. There was a weak positive non-significant relationship between parenting styles and the social development of the pupils (r=0.035, sig.=0.052). Also, there was a weak negative significant relationship between parenting style and the academic performance of the pupils (r=-0.111, sig.=0.044). It was recommended among others that, parents in the district are educated through District Assembly policies and programmes on the importance and influence of their parenting styles. Also, the District Assembly, chiefs, parents, and teachers in the district should put in measures to ensure the continuous and optimum social development of JHS pupils.

Legal, Regulatory and Technical Responses to Terrorism in the Aviation Industry in Kenya

Edna Nyatichi Omweno — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The impact of terrorists’ acts against the civil aviation industry cannot be gainsaid. It exerts immense pressure on the national and
human security of many nations. Regrettably, there has been a barrage of terrorist attacks against aircraft and airport installations
since the dawn of powered passenger flight. The study sought to examine the legal, regulatory and Technical responses to terrorism
in the aviation industry in Kenya and employed the exploratory research design. Secondary data was collected from government
publications, websites, internal records and reports, conference proceedings, research articles, and books, among others. The data
collected were analysed thematically. From the study finding, it is evident that aviation security became a challenge, especially in
the 1960s following an increase in the number of terrorist attacks in the industry. ICAO’s legal, regulatory and technical responses
through international conventions and protocols to address the challenge were reactionary especially in the period before the 9/11
US attacks. A review of their ineffectiveness called for responses that were more proactive and preventive, as a better solution in
mitigating terrorism in the industry. This called for the need for cooperation among various security supporting agencies in many
states’ aviation industries. Presently, there are extensive counterterrorism responses employed in Kenya. These include legal,
regulatory, and technical multiagency responses frameworks. Based on the study findings, the study makes the following
recommendations. First and foremost, there is a need to undertake training for security personnel to better implement the legal,
regulatory, and technical responses. There should also be an effort to strengthen the capacities of agencies to better respond to
terrorism threats in the aviation industry through legislation, training, and funding interventions.

Relationship between Access to Counselling Services and Drug Use among Street Children in Starehe Sub-County, Nairobi County, Kenya

Brian Ochieng O'gallo — Sat, 06 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Influence of Work-Life Initiatives on Employees’ Performance in Commercial Banks in Nairobi County

Jane Muthoni Kinuthia, Leonard Ngero Kiragu — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Critical Review of Literature on Effect of Occupational Stress Interventions on Performance of Academic Staff in Kenyan Universities: A Research Agenda

Jane Muthoni Kinuthia, Peter Phillip Wambua, David Muraga Kiiru — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

School Geographical Location and Its Effect on Teacher Burnout in Public Secondary Schools in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

Tabitha Gituriandu , Newton Mukolwe , Kimani Mwaura — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Relationship between Awareness of Behavioural Risk and Psychosocial Wellness of Students in Public Secondary Schools in Nairobi County, Kenya

Cecilia Mburu, Anne Maina , Newton Mukolwe — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Mentorship Interventions as Predictors of Discipline among Public Secondary School Students in Kiambu County, Kenya

Anne Kariithi , Kimani Mwaura , Newton Mukolwe — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Parenting Style, Social Development and Academic Performance of Junior High School Pupils

Eric Mensah, Lily Mensah — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Legal, Regulatory and Technical Responses to Terrorism in the Aviation Industry in Kenya

Edna Nyatichi Omweno — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The impact of terrorists’ acts against the civil aviation industry cannot be gainsaid. It exerts immense pressure on the national and
human security of many nations. Regrettably, there has been a barrage of terrorist attacks against aircraft and airport installations
since the dawn of powered passenger flight. The study sought to examine the legal, regulatory and Technical responses to terrorism
in the aviation industry in Kenya and employed the exploratory research design. Secondary data was collected from government
publications, websites, internal records and reports, conference proceedings, research articles, and books, among others. The data
collected were analysed thematically. From the study finding, it is evident that aviation security became a challenge, especially in
the 1960s following an increase in the number of terrorist attacks in the industry. ICAO’s legal, regulatory and technical responses
through international conventions and protocols to address the challenge were reactionary especially in the period before the 9/11
US attacks. A review of their ineffectiveness called for responses that were more proactive and preventive, as a better solution in
mitigating terrorism in the industry. This called for the need for cooperation among various security supporting agencies in many
states’ aviation industries. Presently, there are extensive counterterrorism responses employed in Kenya. These include legal,
regulatory, and technical multiagency responses frameworks. Based on the study findings, the study makes the following
recommendations. First and foremost, there is a need to undertake training for security personnel to better implement the legal,
regulatory, and technical responses. There should also be an effort to strengthen the capacities of agencies to better respond to
terrorism threats in the aviation industry through legislation, training, and funding interventions.