African Journal of Empirical Research
Not a member yet
975 research outputs found
Sort by
Toward a digital model for tracking human population dynamics in Tanzania: A multi-actor interaction mechanism
Get PDFAccurate, real-time tracking of human population dynamics is essential for evidence-based policymaking, effective service delivery, and sustainable development. In Tanzania, systems such as the National Identity System and birth, death, and migration systems operate largely in isolation, resulting in fragmented human population dynamics data and limited interoperability. This study develops a multi-actor interaction mechanism to address these limitations. The study is guided by the Model of Population Dynamics Theory (MPDT), Actor-Network Theory (ANT), the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and the DeLone and McLean IS Success Model. A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was implemented in Dodoma and Mpwapwa Local Government Authorities (LGAs). Data were collected from 187 participants representing government agencies dealing with human population dynamics tracking, LGA employees, community leaders, health workers, ICT specialists, and accommodation providers through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and document reviews. In this study, data were analysed using multiple regressions, primarily to evaluate the hypotheses developed by use of SPSS Version 21. Findings show moderate to strong positive correlations (r = 0.60 to 0.74), indicating that there is stronger collaboration in tracking human population dynamics between Village Executive Officers (VEOs), accommodation providers, religious leaders, and health officers. These findings highlight that improved cooperation among actors enhances data integration, reduces inconsistencies, and strengthens service delivery. From this study the proposed mechanism assigns clear roles, establishes standardised data-sharing protocols, and incorporates both formal and informal communication channels to strengthen system interoperability. Adoption of this multi-actor mechanism offers substantial potential to improve human population dynamics tracking in Tanzania, enabling inclusive, integrated, and responsive population governance. 
Bethwell Allan Ogot\u27s contribution to the development of African historiography (1964–2013)
Get PDFThis study examines Professor Bethwell Allan Ogot\u27s contributions to African historiography between 1964 and 2013. It fills a pressing historical gap in African historiography: namely, the scanty attention given to the impact of Ogot, both academically and more broadly in the intellectual life and culture of post-colonial Africa. In the study, the intention is to trace Ogot\u27s career, analyse his contributions to African historiography, and understand how he established African-centred history accounts within Kenya and the rest of the world. This study is grounded in the interpretive research paradigm and employs historical methods of data collection, analysis, and presentation. Primary sources include research materials from the Kenya National Archives, records of institutions, and interviews with scholars and coworkers who knew Ogot well. The secondary data are utilized in scholarly books, articles, and historical records. The study design combines purposive and snowball sampling techniques to target key respondents. The theoretical approach will connect critical policy historiography to development theory, examining the intersection of Ogot\u27s intellectual interventions with national policy in education and historiography. The results indicate that the pro-Africanized historiography advocated by Ogot, his role in university management, or his mentorship were influential concepts that transformed African historical studies. His contributions answered the question of how scholars could support the goals of national development through their scholarly work, which explains why he will continue to be remembered as a scholar and builder of nations. The study concludes with an emphasis on the significance of African intellectuals in the post-colonial transformation of history, highlighting the need to investigate their achievements worldwide in terms of educational and historiographical growth
Relationship between psychological forms of gender-based violence and students’ test scores in public secondary schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
Get PDFStudies on gender-based violence (GBV) among students in Kenya have focused mostly on the physical and sexual aspects of the violence and have not paid much attention to the psychological aspects and their direct effects on the academic performance of students. This article was specialized to look at the correlation between psychological GBV and the test scores of students in the public secondary schools in Bungoma County. The research design utilized in the study was a correlational research design based on the social feminism theory and the resilience theory to comprehend the impact of emotional abuse, insults, threats, isolation, and intimidation of learners on their academic accomplishment. There was a stratified random sample size of 1,104 students in a population of estimated student age of 15 to 17 years, amounting to about a quarter of a million students in 184 randomly selected secondary schools. Also, 184 guidance and counseling teachers, 3 sub-county directors of education, 13 GBV survivors, and 1 county woman representative were qualitatively sampled through purposive sampling. Collection of data was carried out by use of questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis. Likert-type scales saw into the psychological experiences of GBV, and the internal reliability of instruments was checked through the Cronbach Alpha coefficient. The descriptive and inferential statistics were used (Pearson Product-Moment Correlation and linear regression) to analyze quantitative data, whereas the qualitative data were analyzed on the basis of the themes. The findings showed a weak negative significant correlation between psychological violence and the student grades in internal school tests (r = -.076, p = .037), which meant that in cases of students exposed to emotional and psychological abuse, their performance in internal school exams was degraded. These results were also supported by qualitative data analysis, as the predominant themes identified involved constant experiences of verbal abuse, manipulation, and ostracism by peers and teachers that negatively affected self-esteem and academic motivation of the students. These findings are the testimony of the need to be more attentive to psychological violence in schools, which is one of the risky types of GBV. The study suggests specific recommendations, and they are the provision of adequate psychosocial support, emotional safety training, and inclusive school environments that are responsive and sensitive to emotional harm in students. Addressing psychological GBV, the article also provides stewardship in understanding the premise of educational equity and student well-being, in turn, in advocating the need to move policy and practice to promote safer and more supportive learning environments
Impact of Staff Training on Enhancing Innovative Work Behavior among Non-Teaching Staff in Public Universities in Western Kenya
Get PDFIn today’s dynamic academic environment, the ability of institutions to remain adaptive and competitive increasingly depends on fostering innovative work behavior (IWB) among employees, including non-teaching staff. Staff training has emerged as a pivotal human resource practice for enhancing employee innovation, yet its role in shaping IWB among non-teaching personnel in Kenyan public universities remains underexplored. The problem is compounded by limited structured training opportunities and underdeveloped HR strategies targeting this vital employee segment, which restricts their innovative potential and contribution to institutional development. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of staff training on innovative work behavior among non-teaching staff in public universities in Western Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to assess the relationship between staff training and the ability of employees to generate, promote, and implement novel ideas in their work contexts. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected using structured questionnaires from a sample of 196 non-teaching staff at managerial and supervisory levels across six public universities. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. A t-test conducted on the regression coefficient for staff training revealed a statistically significant positive effect on innovative work behavior (β = 0.788, t = 14.142, p < 0.001). These findings underscore the strategic role of targeted and well-structured training programs in enhancing creative thinking, proactive problem-solving, and adaptability among non-teaching staff. The study contributes to policy by advocating for the integration of continuous professional development into HR frameworks within public universities. For practice, it highlights the need to institutionalize employee training as a lever for organizational innovation. Academically, it adds to the growing discourse on human resource development by empirically linking staff training to innovative outcomes in the public education sector
English English: English
No full textCoffee Leaf Rust (CLR) is a worldwide devastating fungal disease that threatens coffee production, upsetting economic and farmers\u27 livelihoods. Traditional methods of detecting CLR heavily rely on using machine-learning (ML) models trained through weakly collected datasets and physical inspection, which is tedious, time-consuming, and subject to human error. This study explores the performance of the DenseNet201 model using three datasets: Mbozi, Public, and Combined (a merger of Mbozi and Public datasets). Machine Learning Theory guided this research. The study objective is to assess the influence of dataset quality on CLR detection, analyze Mbozi and Public datasets using DenseNet201, and enhance robustness by merging the two datasets. A study of CLR severity was conducted using systematic sampling techniques. Leaves from multiple coffee farms were collected, representing different levels of infection. The Mbozi dataset, sourced from high-resolution images captured from Tanzania\u27s Songwe coffee plantations, was analyzed for quality under controlled conditions, including environmental factors, image clarity, resolution, labeling consistency, and class balance, based on data completeness, image quality score, visual inspection, and model performance. DenseNet201 was trained and validated on each dataset, achieving its highest accuracy with the Mbozi dataset at 98.72% and a validation accuracy of 97.65%, demonstrating the importance of consistent image quality and accurate annotations. In contrast, the public dataset suffered from inconsistencies in resolution and labeling, resulting in a lower training and validation accuracy of 96.86% and 96.42% respectively. The Combined dataset, which integrated the strengths of both datasets, exhibited a stronger generalization with an accuracy of 97.48% and validation accuracy of 97.49%, balancing the need for high-quality images with environmental variability. The study shows improved CLR detection speed and accuracy due to high-quality and consistently labeled images from the Mbozi dataset. It recommends that future models integrate regionally relevant and high-resolution datasets for robust performance in real-world agricultural conditions, providing coffee farmers with timely disease intervention tools for better production management and economic stability in coffee-growing regions
Implementation of Subsidized Fertilizer Programme in Tanzania and Its Effect on Maize Productivity in Mbeya Rural District, Tanzania
Get PDFThis study was carried out to assess the implementation of subsidized fertilizer program in Tanzania and its effect on maize productivity in Mbeya rural district. The Weiss theory of implementation guided this research. The study used cross sectional research design and simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select 142 respondents from the target population of 220. On the other hand, questionnaire and interview were used to solicit data from the respondents. For the data that were collected through questionnaire, descriptive analysis was applied and thus figures were produced to represent findings. On the other hand, for the data that were collected through interview, content analysis was used. The study found that government\u27s current fertilizer subsidy programme is well-designed to meet the needs of local farmers. The study further revealed that stakeholders’ engagement, capacity building programme, clear and accessible information, sufficient financial resources, and monitoring and evaluation were aspects of effective implementation of subsidized fertilizer programme maize productivity in Mbeya rural district. The study concluded that subsidized fertilizer program actively involves all relevant stakeholders. However, adequate training programs are not provided to beneficiaries on the appropriate use of subsidized fertilizers. The study recommends that the government should provide adequate training programs to beneficiaries on the appropriate use of subsidized fertilizers so as to ensure that they continue increase maize productivity. The study recommends the government to ensure timely availability of fertilizers, especially during critical cropping seasons and extension officers to provide training to the beneficiaries
Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Young Widows\u27 Participation in Small-Scale Farming Activities in Mbeere South, Kenya
Get PDFThis study investigates the socioeconomic factors influencing young widows\u27 participation in small-scale farming activities in Mbeere South, Kenya, using a qualitative research design. The paper explores the role of cultural, economic, and gender-related factors in shaping widows\u27 involvement in agriculture, guided by frameworks such as the Gender and Development (GAD) Theory, Social Movement Theory (SMT), and Participation Theory. Document analysis was the primary method for data collection, drawing on academic studies, government reports, and NGO documents. The data were analyzed qualitatively through systematic coding and categorization to identify key themes related to widows\u27 challenges and opportunities in farming. The sampling process was purposive, selecting documents that provided relevant insights into the socio-economic dynamics affecting widows. Sources included government agencies, NGOs working with widows, and academic studies focused on rural development and widow empowerment. The findings show that cultural barriers, such as patriarchal gender roles, inheritance laws, and social stigma, significantly hinder widows\u27 involvement in farming. However, education plays a crucial role in empowering widows; those with higher education are more likely to adopt modern farming techniques, access financial resources, and engage in community initiatives. The study concludes that both cultural practices and education levels are critical determinants of young widows\u27 participation in small-scale farming. The study recommends enhancing educational opportunities, expanding agricultural extension services, and implementing legal reforms to secure land rights and reduce cultural stigma, thereby improving widows\u27 economic security and boosting their participation in farming
Enhancing the academic performance of students through an online learning system: A case study of Makurumla Secondary School, Tanzania
Get PDFThis study intended to investigate the possibility of using online learning as the solution for improving students’ academic performance at Makurumla Secondary School. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) are used to lead this study. A mixed methods approach is employed because it allowed for a comprehensive understanding of the role of online learning in improving students’ academic performance. The quantitative data provided measurable evidence on patterns, trends, and the effectiveness of online learning tools, while the qualitative data offered deeper insights into teachers’ and parents’ experiences, perceptions, and challenges. Therefore, using both methods together ensured that the research captured not only statistical relationships but also the contextual realities behind them. The stratified random sampling technique was used. The study was conducted at Makurumla Secondary School in Ubungo Municipality. The target population for this study included teachers, students, and parents, from which a sample of 321 respondents was selected to provide data for the study. Data collection methods include questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. Quantitative data are processed by using SPSS and analyzed using descriptive data analysis and multiple regression analysis. While in Qualitative data from interviews and focus group discussions are analyzed through content analysis and MAXQDA software, which is a qualitative and mixed-methods data analysis software used by the researchers to organize, code, analyze, and visualize data. The findings reveal that the majority of the students at Makurumla Secondary School are interested in and have access to an online learning system at their home, but the school infrastructure does not support implementing the online learning system. The study concluded that for the implementation of online learning in secondary schools, there should be sufficient and supportive infrastructure, such as computers, computer laboratories, stable electricity, and strong internet connectivity. The study recommended that the school should ensure that students and teachers have access to digital devices and a strong and stable internet connection, and that teachers receive proper training to use the online learning system effectively
Consequences of women group leadership competencies in enforcing illegal alcohol control policy in Nandi North Sub-county, Kenya
Get PDFAlcohol consumption, despite the present legislative frameworks, remains a severe social and socioeconomic challenge in Kenya. This research investigated the influence of the group leadership skills of women on the manner in which the illegal alcohol control program was enacted in Kenya in the Nandi North Sub-County. This research used a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, which was grounded on agency and empowerment theories. The sample size of the respondents was selected as 258 respondents, based on the target population of 881 stakeholders, comprising residents, community leaders, enforcement officers, and the members of women\u27s groups in purposive and systematic random sampling. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and structured questionnaires. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data, whereas SPSS version 17.0 was used to analyze the quantitative data through multiple regression analysis and descriptive statistics. The findings indicated that the leadership potential of women\u27s groups was also of a significant predictive ability of the efficacy of policy implementation (R²=0.551, F(4,145)=18.367, p<0.001). Resource mobilization (b=0.291, p=0.004), advocacy and sensitization (b=0.352, p=0.003), leadership decision-making (b=0.418, p=0.001), and monitoring and accountability (b=0.267, p=0.004) were also significantly beneficial. The qualitative study found out that collaborative strategies, including joint lobbying campaigns (68%), regular coordination meetings (79%), community sensitization programs (82%), and collaborations with local authorities (86%), enhanced policy implementation outcomes. Based on the findings of the study, group leadership by women is a useful, though under-explored, resource in executing policies at the grassroots level. In an effort to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of community-based treatment, the policy frameworks are supposed to recognize women\u27s organizations as valuable players in alcohol control programs and offer them adequate funding, capacity building, and integration in institutions
Knowledge management practices and innovation in commercial banks in Kenya
Get PDFThe increasingly competitive environment has made organizations realize that knowledge is a key asset in enhancing innovation that is critical in achieving customer satisfaction and competitive advantage. This study sought to examine the effect of knowledge management practices on innovation in commercial banks in Kenya. Knowledge-based view theory guided the study. Explanatory research design and cross-sectional survey research design were adopted. The study employed a census survey of all 38 commercial banks in Kenya. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics such as means and standard deviations were used to summarize the data. Pearson’s correlation was used to examine the relationship between knowledge management practices and innovation. To test the research hypothesis, multiple regression analysis was used. The results revealed that commercial banks in Kenya practice knowledge management, as indicated by high mean scores for knowledge generation (mean = 4.28), knowledge sharing (mean = 4.34), knowledge storage (mean = 4.41), and knowledge application (mean = 4.49). The banks also practice innovation (mean = 4.31). Correlation analysis revealed positive and significant relationships between all aspects of knowledge management and innovation, with the strongest correlations observed for knowledge generation (r = 0.616, p < 0.05) and knowledge application (r = 0.602, p < 0.05). These results suggest that effective knowledge management is closely linked to innovation in Kenyan commercial banks. Regression analysis showed that all the knowledge management practices, namely knowledge generation (β = 0.353, p < 0.05), knowledge sharing (β = 0.112, p < 0.05), knowledge storage (β = 0.095, p < 0.05), and knowledge application (β = 0.300, p < 0.05), have a positive effect on innovation. Further, the ANOVA indicated that the effect of knowledge management practices on innovation is significant (F = 4.953, p < 0.05). This suggests that effective management of knowledge enhances the ability of banks to innovate. The study recommends that organizations ought to embrace effective knowledge management practices to enhance innovation and competitive advantage