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Mechanisms Used by Academic Libraries in Kenya to Enhance Webometrics Ranking
Full text linkMechanisms Used by Academic Libraries to Enhance Webometrics RankingLibraries essentially provide equal and fair access to information. Thus, they have a significant
influence on the Webometrics ranking of universities across the world. Academic libraries affect
Webometrics ranking through the generation of scientific publications and other scholarly
resources. The purpose of this study was to examine mechanisms used by academic libraries in
Kenya to enhance Webometrics ranking and to analyse the extent to which Webometrics ranking
mechanisms in place in university libraries in Kenya have been successful. This study adopted a
mixed research design. The target population included staff members of the University of Nairobi,
Chuka University, and Kirinyaga University. A total of 73 staff members from the library,
ICT, and research departments involved in Webometrics ranking were selected purposively.
Semi-structured questionnaires were used as the data collection instruments. Quantitative data
was analysed descriptively while qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The
study established that mechanisms put in place to enhance the participation of university libraries
in Kenya in the Webometrics ranking include improved us and submission of e-resources as well
as promotion of high-quality research in the institutions. Webometrics ranking mechanisms
currently in place at the university libraries in Kenya have only been moderately successful. The
findings of this study may be used by other institutions of higher learning on the mechanisms they
can adopt to increase the capacities of their academic libraries so as to improve the
contribution of these libraries to Webometrics and consequently to the overall ranking of the
individual universities nationally and internationally
Assessment of Production Constraints and Contribution of Avocado to Food Security and Income in the Mount Kenya Region, Kenya
No full textcontribution of avocado to food securityAvocado (Persea americana Mill.) belongs to the family Lauraceae and it is an important crop to
rural communities and economies in Kenya. Currently, avocado is grown in several agro ecological zones mainly by small-scale growers (85%) who grow it for subsistence, local
markets and export. About 70% of avocado is grown in Central and Eastern region of Kenya.
Central region produces 40%, Eastern 28%, Western 13%, Rift Valley 10%, Nyanza 6%, Coast
2% and Nairobi County 1%. The main production areas are Muranga, Kiambu, Thika, Embu,
Meru, Taita Hills and Kitale. The aim of this study was to assess the production constraints and
contribution of avocado to food security and income in Mount Kenya region. The study
population comprised of smallholder avocado farmers. Purposive sampling was done in selecting
highest producing sub-counties of avocado in Nyeri, Muranga and Embu counties. Simple
random sampling was used to select 40 smallholder farmers from each of the selected sub counties who participated in the survey. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and
analysed using SPSS computer package. Results indicated several constraints in the production
of avocado including pests and diseases, lack of quality planting material, poor soils, lack of
technical knowledge by avocado farmers and lack of well-structured marketing system. The
study identified a gap in value addition of avocado in Kenya. It was also demonstrated that
avocado contributes highly to household income and food security. The crop should therefore be
accorded priority by policy makers and more research needs to be encouraged especially in the
management of pests and diseases. Capacity building to avocado growers should be routinely
carried out so as to avoid the many challenges that emanate from lack of technical knowledge.
Intervention in value addition of avocado is an aspect that Kenyan county governments need to
engage in by investing in cottage industries on avocado processing
Evaluation of ICT Integration in Performing Administrative Functions In Technical Training Institutions In Nyeri and Nairobi Counties, Kenya
No full textEvaluation of ICT Integration in Performing Administrative Functions In Technical Training Institutions: In the contemporary society, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been identified
as the most important enabler and driver of processes in institutions and organizations. The purpose of this study
was to examine the level of (ICT) integration in performance of administrative functions in Technical Training
Institutions (TTIs) inNyeri and Nairobi Counties in Kenya. The objectives of the study were to; Evaluate ICT
integration in the performance of administrative tasks in the management of TTIs and Compare the levels of
integration of ICT in the technical institutions in the two Counties in Kenya. The study tested the null
hypothesis: Ho1: There is no significant difference between the level of ICT integration in administrative tasks
in technical institutions in Nyeri and Nairobi counties in Kenya. This study was guided by the Adaptive
Structuration and Technical Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) theories as the theoretical
framework.The study adopted the mixed methods research design. The target population was 1026 TTI
employees comprising of 10 Principals, 1006 lecturers and 10 Bursars in Technical Training Institutions in
Nyeri and Nairobi Counties. A sample size of 290 lecturers were selected using the stratified random sampling
while the 10 bursars and 10 principals were selected using purposive sampling. Questionnaires and interview
schedules were used as data collection instruments. The questionnaires were administered to the lecturers while
the interview schedules were used for the principals and bursars. The results of hypothesis testing using the t test revealed that the level of ICT integration in administrative tasks in TTIs in Nairobi County was higher than
that of TTIs in Nyeri county. The null hypothesis was therefore rejected. Thus, the study recommended that
there is need for the government to strengthen the ICT policy in order to enhance resource allocation by the
ministry and respective institutions required to deepen integration of ICT in Kenya. Through the ICT policy, the
government should also have an annual performance target for every institution to file reports on their levels of
ICT integration on all their operation
Polarized Phase Holograms of High Diffraction Efficiency
No full textPolarized Phase Holograms of High Diffraction EfficiencyHolography has a wide application in medicine, optical computers, scanners among others. Conventional studies on analogue holograms have mainly been conducted on image generation, processing and reconstruction. However, these conditions may vary thus affecting hologram quality. Since convection holography uses photosensitive recording interference patterns in holographic material, there is a need to evaluate aberration or how high intensity of light has been reconstructed. In this paper, we analyzed the fundamental parameters such as exposure time and processing chemical composition effect in phase holograms. Optimization of these parameters resulted in phase hologram image of approximately 16% diffraction efficiency at an exposure time of 20 s. Moreover, the influence of objective beam polarization is investigated. The results show that by varying the polarization orientation, diffraction efficiency and fringe visibility are greatly affected. Polarized phase hologram of diffraction efficiency of 21.1% has been achieve
Integrated Financial Management Information System in County Treasuries in Kenya: Empirical Analysis of the Implementation
No full textIntegrated Financial Management Information System- The implementation of Integrated Financial
Management Systems (IFMIS) in County Treasuries in
Kenya was meant to enhance transparency, improve
decision-making and financial controls by availing
dependable and timely financial information, improve
efficiency and controls, enable budgeting and increase
government revenue. However, the envisaged full cycle
implementation of IFMIS has not been achieved pointing
out to the fact that certain factors influence
implementation and effective usage of all IFMIS
modules. The purpose of the research was to carry out
empirical analysis of implementation of IFMIS in
County Treasuries in Kenya. Relevant literature was
reviewed to determine the gap with existing research and
also to find out the theoretical framework that could
guide the research. The authors adopted survey
methodology and the main instruments of data collection
were structured questionnaire, administered through
stratified and random sampling, and semi-structured
interviews. The study’s sample was 141 respondents (for
questionnaire) and 16 for interviews in which 129
questionnaires were returned duly completed
representing a response rate of 91.5% while 10
interviews were carried out. The findings established
that the number of ICT equipment were not adequate
thus hampering effective and efficient delivery of
services related to IFMIS. The study further found out
that IFMIS uptime was not excellent and
network/connectivity was the main contributor to IFMIS
down time. The study further found out that software
that supported IFMIS was generally appropriate and
reliable. Top management support was positive and thus
good indication of IFMIS implementation. The existence
of policy and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
was satisfactory. Training was also found to be necessary
if IFMIS implementation was to succeed as it improves
understanding and use of the system. Area of
specialization, accounting and ICT skills were found to
be necessary in IFMIS implementation. The study also
found out that County treasuries have qualified staff to
oversee effective use, including promotion of IFMIS. The
study recommended that more ICT equipment needed to
be provided to achieve a ratio of 1:1 between computers
and IFMIS users, continuous IFMIS training both to
management and IFMIS users, upgrading of IFMIS
network and involvement of IFMIS users in training
needs analysis. It is hoped that the findings would be used by County Treasuries to improve successful
implementation and effective usage of IFMIS
Hourly reference evapotranspiration analysis using synoptic meteorological measurements and ERA5 reanalysis data from Kenyan Counties
No full textHourly reference evapotranspiration analysis using synoptic meteorological measurements and ERA5 reanalysis dataKenya has had five failed rain seasons for the last three years. In this context, there was a mass recurrent crop failure, death of livestock and wildlife, persistent water scarcity, and droughts of varying intensities. There have been a lot of challenges in assessing climate change and variability impacts in Kenya due to limited data sources. Further, assessing the local and regional effects on the hydrological cycle, food security, and available water resources remains a great regional threat. Reference evapotranspiration, is the evaporative power climatic parameter of the atmosphere, vital for water budgets on the land surface. The study’s main goal was to analyze hourly reference evapotranspiration, from two climatic regions using single levels ERA5 hourly dataset from 2000 to 2022. The dataset was sought from three stations from, arid, and semi-arid savannah tropical conditions regions (Voi Garissa, and Mombasa) with elevations between 57 m to 579 m, and three (Trans-Nzoia, Nyeri, and Embu) sought from humid Kenya highlands (>1350 m). Reference Evapotranspiration was calculated using Penman-Monteith (FAO56), the standard methodology developed by Food and Agriculture Organization. Results from 5 years (2018 to 2022) in Taita-Taveta County indicated that ranged from 0.17±0.2 mm/hour in 2020 to 0.22±0.2 mm/hour in 2022. Daily averages were 4.17±1.2 mm./day to 5.2±1.1 mm/day in 2020 and 2022 respectively. The mean monthly and was highest in March with an estimated value of 159.7±53.7 mm/month while the lowest was 120±15 mm/month in December. This is because March falls at the onset of the long rainy season in Kenya where precipitation is high while December is the last month of the short rainy season when precipitation reduces significantly. These results are vital because they enhance comparisons of the spatial climatological patterns and variability of seasonal precipitation about the evaporative power and demand variation across regions. Further, it will necessitate investigations of uncertainties from the datasets for better decision-making after comparisons with analysis from field meteorological datasets and soil moisture data measurements currently being carried out in Kenya. Further comparison of the results with reference evapotranspiration from the original station and the Global Land Evaporation Amsterdam Model dataset will also be investigated
Karatina University Knowledge Ambassadors Assembled at Magutu Girls High School for Community Outreach programme of Setting Up a Library
No full textcommunity outreach programm
Library Staff and Knowledge Ambassadors busy sorting Books at Magutu Girls High School sorting Out Books
No full textCommunity outreach programm
The Changing of African Traditional Celebration of the Living Dead and its effects of Cremation in Kenya
No full textThe Changing of African Traditional Celebration of the Living DeadThis paper investigates the effects of cremation on African traditional celebrations of the living dead in Kenya. The study examines bereavement and mourning practices in communities, with a particular focus on traditional modes of mourning, grieving, and remembering the living dead. According to the study, African traditions, the spread of Christianity, the influence of the Hindu culture, and Islamic beliefs all conflict with the changing culture that is slowly embracing cremation. The methodology for this study involved secondary data. The conclusion drawn from the study is that even as the scarcity of land pushes societies to consider the option of cremation, cultural and religious perceptions have painted the practice unethical and term it “un-African.” In Kenya, the majority of the population still opts to bury their dead in their ancestral homes in order to perform ritual and religious burial rites