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Attributes of Urban Greenspaces and their Influence on Visitors’ Preferences in Nairobi City County, Kenya
No full textAbstract on Urban Greenspaces and their Influence on Visitors’
Preferences in Nairobi City County, KenyaUrban green spaces refer to land covered with vegetation such as forests, street trees, parks, gardens, and water bodies in an urban setup. In this study, we sought to investigate the attributes of urban green spaces in Nairobi County and their relationships to visitor preferences. The Garden City Model advanced by Howard (1898) guided the study. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to collect data while a cross sectional survey designs and stratified random sampling of the green spaces was employed, based on the location within the urban core and peri-urban of Nairobi County. Four green spaces (Karura Forest, Ngong Road Forest, Nairobi Arboretum, and City Park) with diverse characteristics and attributes was selected. A sample population of 384 visitors to the green spaces were surveyed for their perceptions of the functions, use, and benefits of the green spaces. Our findings showed that attributes of green spaces including location, accessibility, security, hygiene, and infrastructure could explain the interaction between green space provision factors and the frequency of visits, time spent in the green spaces and overall satisfaction of the visitors. Green space provision should be equitable in regard to distance to residents, quality of spaces, facilities and services and should be designed to meet the needs of diverse residents. Further, they should provide services and benefits such as shade, recreation, and health which are the main attractions to the green spaces. To achieve maximum benefits for visitors, green spaces need to be safe and physically accessible to all
Temporal changes in Rainfall and Temperature influence on Solid Waste Generation in Bungoma County Urban Centres, Kenya
No full textAbstractGlobally, temperature and rainfall play an integral role in the management of solid waste in urban areas. This is because many countries especially, the developing countries conventionally rely on both variables in the management of waste. However, the urban environment faces many threats as a result of challenged waste management practices due to these climate stressors. This research aimed to assess how temporal changes in temperature and rainfall influence solid waste generation. The study was carried out in Bungoma county urban centres, specifically Bungoma town, Webuye, Kimilili, Kapsokwony, Chwele, and Sirisia townships. The study applied a stratified sampling technique to select the urban and peri-urban centres while random sampling was used to select respondents in residential dwellings, business people, urban residents, and officers from government institutions including public health and environment, water, and natural resources were interviewed. Ancillary data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules while historical data was obtained to validate observed data. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics and summarized using tables, charts, and graphs. The findings of the study indicated that rainfall and temperature significantly influenced the generation of solid waste
EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAMMES, CREDIBLE LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE DELIVERY IN FAITH BASED HOSPITALS IN NAIROBI METROPOLITAN, KENYA
No full textFULLTEXTDespite the essential role of faith-based hospitals in provision of quality health services, they continuously face challenges, including workforce-related issues such as poor working conditions such as working for longer hours, seeing more than 8 patients in a day, high rates of absenteeism, lack of critical services, depression and other mental illness as well as drug and substance abuse. These occurrences affect service delivery. The main objective of the study was to investigate the influence of employee wellness programmes on service delivery in faith-based hospitals in Nairobi metropolitan. Specific objectives were; to assess the influence of employees’ emotional wellness programmes, intellectual wellness programmes, occupational wellness programmes and employee physical wellness programmes on service delivery in faith-based hospitals in Nairobi metropolitan and examine the moderating role of credible leadership on the influence of employee wellness programmes on service delivery in faith-based hospitals in Nairobi metropolitan. The study adopted descriptive survey and correlational research designs. The study targeted 1154 employees in the faith-based hospitals in Nairobi metropolitan. The study used stratified random sampling to select the respondents. The study sample size was 297 respondents. The study obtained primary data using a questionnaire. The descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyse data. Descriptive statistics included frequencies, mean, standard deviation and percentage. Correlational analysis was used to determine the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. The study also carried out a regression analysis to determine the level of association of the study variables. Results were presented in graphs and tables. The study established that there was moderate emphasis on employee’s emotional wellness programmes among the faith-based hospitals in Nairobi metropolitan area, there were employee’s intellectual wellness programmes, there was agreement among the respondents on the adoption of employee’s occupational wellness programmes and that there existed employees’ physical wellness programmes in the faith-based hospitals in Nairobi metropolitan. The study further established that hospital leadership demonstrated moderate credibility. Correlation analysis results showed that a significant weak positive correlation existed between service delivery and employee’s emotional wellness programmes (r=0.324), while a significant moderate positive correlation existed between service delivery and intellectual wellness programmes (r=0.519), occupational wellness programmes (r=0.666) and physical wellness programmes (r=0.539). The study determined that emotional wellness programmes had a significant influence on service delivery (R2= 0.101; β=0.324; P=0.000), intellectual wellness programmes had a significant influence on service delivery (R2= 0.267; β=0.519; P=0.000), occupational wellness programmes had a significant influence on service delivery (R2= 0.442; β=0.666; P=0.000), physical wellness programmes had a significant influence on service delivery (R2= 0.288; β=0.539; P=0.000). The study also established that credible leadership had a significant moderating influence on the relationship between employee wellness programmes and service delivery. The study thus concluded that employee wellness programmes had a significant influence on service delivery. The study further concluded that credible leadership had a significant moderating influence on the relationship between employee wellness programmes and service delivery. The study recommends that the management of hospitals should ensure that there are employee wellness programmes for emotional, intellectual, occupational and physical wellness. The study results would be relevant to the management of faith-based hospitals, the government of Kenya, particularly the ministry of Health, and county governments because it would enlighten them when developing policies aimed at improving the quality of health care and working environment for their healthcare workers
MAU MAU PRISONERS CONTRIBUTION TO THE CONVERSION OF DESOLATE MWEA INTO KENYA’S LARGEST RICE PRODUCTION SETTLEMENT SCHEME 1952 -2018
No full textA THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND SOCIAL
SCIENCES IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR
THE CONFERMENT OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN
HISTORY, KARATINA UNIVERSITYIn the 1950s in Kenya a nationalist uprising against colonial rule erupted in Kenya.
The Mau Mau prisoners were detained in detention camps spread in the whole
country. In Mwea detention camps hardcore prisoners provided labour in the rice
fields started by British colonialists in Kirinyaga County. After release from detention
camps some of the Mau Mau prisoners became tenants in Mwea Irrigation Scheme.
The purpose of this study was to examine the role played by the Mau Mau detainees
in Mwea to the growth of the rice irrigation scheme. The objectives of the study were:
to examine the British colonial land policies that led to the establishment of Mwea
Irrigation Scheme, to analyze how Mau Mau prisoners labour transformed Mwea Rice
Irrigation Scheme and finally to assess how settlement of Mau Mau prisoners in
Mwea Rice Irrigation transformed their social economic status. The study was
informed by the political theory of decolonization and post-colonialism advanced by
Margaret Kohn and Keally MacBride. The theory holds that understanding of
colonialism and decolonization can help to understand contemporary politics. The
study used historical research design which employs document analysis and validated
with oral interviews from participants. The design is appropriate to establish facts in
order to arrive at conclusions concerning past events. The sample population
comprised of thirty nine key informants. The study used interview guides as research
instrument to generate qualitative data. Information was taped and later transcribed.
The study used snowballing and purposive sampling techniques to collect
information. Data was analyzed qualitatively. The study demonstrated that Mau Mau
prisoners detained in Mwea prison camps contributed to the establishment of Mwea
rice irrigation scheme. The prisoners constructed water canals, furrows, residential
houses, and growing of rice. It is noted from the study that some of the prisoners were
rejected after rehabilitation by their own people. They were taken back to Mwea and
became tenants, thus contributing to the growth of Maurice Irrigation Scheme. The
study recommends that policy makers initiated programs to address some of the
challenges facing ex-Mau Mau prisoners and other farmers in Mwea Irrigation
Scheme. The study findings will contribute to Mau Mau historiography
BEHAVIOUR CHANGE COMMUNICATION INTERVENTIONS AND ROAD SAFETY AMONGST BODA-BODA MOTORCYCLISTS IN KENYAN CITIES
No full textFULLTEXTBehavior change communication (BCC) interventions have been used globally to address challenges in several sectors. The successful use of interventions has been reported in the transport sector, education, health agricultural sectors amongst others. These interventions have also targeted road safety challenges among road users. Road safety has become a major concern, with over 1.3 million people losing their lives worldwide annually and over 4,000 in Kenya. Human behavior on the road causes 90 percent of deaths and injuries among road users, with Boda-boda motorcyclists contributing 58 percent of all road accidents in Kenya. Against this backdrop, this study sought to establish the influence of behavior change communication interventions on road safety among Boda-boda motorcyclists in Kenyan cities. The specific objectives of this study were to establish the influence of media campaigns on road safety among Boda-boda motorcyclists in Kenyan cities; establish the influence of participatory communication on road safety; to determine the influence of traffic visual communication on road safety; to determine the influence of information, education, and communication on road safety among Boda-boda motorcyclists. In addition, this study sought to determine the moderating influence of attitude on the relationship between behavior change communication and road safety among Boda-boda motorcyclists in Kenyan cities. The study was anchored on the Social Cognitive Theory, Safety Culture Theory, and Uses and Gratification Theory. The study used a pragmatic philosophical paradigm with a convergent parallel design of mixed-method research. The Yamane (1967) formula was employed to determine the target population of 399 Boda-boda motorcyclists from four cities in Kenya—Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru—leading to a final sample of 387 respondents. Stratified sampling and simple random sampling were used to draw the sample. Interviews were conducted with nine key informants, purposively sampled from each city, drawn from the NTSA office, the Boda-boda association, and senior traffic police officers. A pilot study was carried out in Machakos to test the data collection instruments. Quantitative data was collected from the motorcyclists by use of semi-structured questionnaires, while qualitative data was gathered through key informant interviews. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyze the quantitative data, while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. Findings were presented using narratives and graphics. The findings indicate that there was a positive relationship between behavior change communication and road safety. The results for each objective were as follows: mass media showed R² = 0.504, p-value = 0.000 < 0.05; participatory communication, R² = 0.609, p-value = 0.000 < 0.05; information, education, and communication, R² = 0.586, p-value = 0.000 < 0.05; and traffic visual communication, R² = 0.608, p-value = 0.000 < 0.05. Attitude as a moderator demonstrated R² = 0.801, p-value = 0.000 < 0.05, indicating a significant impact on predicting road safety and showing a potential synergistic effect between the two factors. In conclusion, behavior change communication interventions aimed at Boda-boda motorcyclists significantly contribute to road safety. The study also contributes to academic discourse by highlighting the need for integrating BCC theories into practical applications in road safety initiatives. The study recommends the need for innovative multifaceted communication interventions to enhance safety and promote responsible behavior among Boda-boda motorcyclists in Kenyan cities. The findings will aid road safety stakeholders in crafting BCC interventions that elicit positive behavior among motorcyclists
The Surge of Africa’s Digital Economy during COVID-19: Impact on the Diaspora Communities
No full textAbstract on The Surge of Africa’s Digital Economy during COVID-19This chapter focuses on the surge in Africa’s digital economy during the COVID-19
pandemic. The author examines how digital technologies were adopted and used to
enhance economic development during the pandemic. The research is based on a
thorough literature review conducted using the Google Search Engine, focusing on
literature that explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the digital economy in
Africa. The reviewed literature demonstrates that the pandemic adversely affected
economies in Africa and globally. Specifically, it significantly impacted Diaspora
communities, particularly regarding their income and home remittances. Additionally, the
literature highlights that digital technologies present an opportunity to transform
business models and services across various sectors of different countries’ economies. In
light of these findings, it is recommended that Diaspora communities adopt a strategic
approach to create an enabling environment for adopting and utilizing digital
technologies, thereby advancing their economic activities and providing a buffer against
potential future shocks like COVID-19
Assessment of Solid waste generation and composition in Bungoma County Urban Centres for appropriate waste management approaches
No full textAbstractThe quantity and characteristics of urban solid waste are a
result of the interconnectedness of diverse factors at play
including social, economic, and environmental factors. These
directly influence the choice of management practice at the
household or community level. Understanding these
relationships can help policymakers and urban planners
develop more effective waste management strategies. This
study aimed at assessing solid waste generation and
composition in Bungoma county urban centers to inform on
strategies for effective management of urban waste. The study
was carried out in Bungoma County urban centers, specifically
Bungoma town, Webuye, Kimilili, Kapsokwony, Chwele, and
Sirisia townships. The study applied a stratified sampling
technique to select the urban and peri-urban centers while
random sampling was used to select respondents in residential
dwellings, business people, urban residents, and officers from
government institutions including public health and
environment, water, and natural resources were interviewed.
Ancillary data was collected using questionnaires and
interview schedules while historical data was obtained from
the Bungoma County Department of Environment and used to
validate observed data. Data was analysed using descriptive
and inferential statistics and summarized using tables, charts,
and graphs. Our findings show that the highest waste was
generated from residential homes, commercial, and municipal
services. In terms of composition, biodegradable waste had the
highest proportion, followed by plastics and glass waste.
Population growth could be a key factor in the increased
generation of the waste
