African Journal of Empirical Research
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Communication pathways and youth engagement in climate-smart agriculture in Bumula Sub-County, Kenya
Get PDFClimate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is essential for developing climate change resilience in susceptible areas such as Kenya\u27s semi-arid regions. The involvement of youths is crucial for the transformation of agriculture, but uptake remains low. While the successful delivery of information is an established driver of CSA, the best communication channels for various CSA practices are unknown. This research, guided by the Diffusion of Innovations, Social Learning, and Channel Complementarity theories, aimed to evaluate the impacts of different information communication channels on young people\u27s involvement in CSA in Bumula Sub-County, Kenya. A correlational research design was employed. A structured questionnaire was administered to a simple random sample of 120 youth farmers (18-35 years), drawn from a target population of 10,888 in the Siboti and Khasoko wards. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression in SPSS to estimate the relationship between communication sources (extensions, media, and social networks) and the uptake of different CSA practices. The analysis revealed a strong association between information sources and involvement in CSA (Cramer\u27s V = 1.0). Pathways to involvement were practice-specific: extension agents predominated for knowledge-based practices (agroforestry, 47.7%), social networks for visible practices (intercropping, 43.0%), and mass media for market-related inputs (improved seeds, 41.2%). The findings demonstrate that a one-style-fits-all communication approach is ineffective. A multi-channel, segmented strategy that aligns the communication channel with the distinctive characteristics of each CSA practice is imperative to bridge the information gap efficiently and strengthen youth-led climate adaptation. The results provide an evidence-informed path for policymakers and practitioners to upgrade extension services by integrating digital platforms, strengthening peer networks, and adopting tailored communication strategies to enhance youth engagement in CSA
Uptake of sustainable water management practices: Evidence from hotels in Nakuru County, Kenya
Get PDFWater is scarce, and hotels use large quantities of it for their activities. The efficient water management practices in hotels are therefore essential to achieving their sustainability in the future. The aim of this study was to examine the uptake of sustainable water practices by hotels in Nakuru County. Nakuru is a tourism destination site due to natural features such as Lake Nakuru, Elementaita, and Naivasha. The county continues to experience widespread environmental degradation due to economic activities, with no exception of hospitality establishments. The hospitality industry is believed to contribute to the degradation of the environment due to high consumption of natural resources and waste production. The study was anchored on the extended metabolism model of the city. The research adopted a descriptive cross-sectional research design that involved both quantitative and qualitative methodologies in generating rich information to help fully explore the objective of the study. The target population consisted of 259 hotels registered within the categories of medium, large, and very large hotels, out of which a sample of 204 hotels was selected using the stratified random sampling method, and 204 hotels were sampled and done. Purposive sampling was used to sample 13 government and private officials associated with the hotel industry who participated in the study. Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained from respondents using survey questionnaires and interviews, respectively. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data was analyzed using NVivo software, and data was categorized into themes and presented in the form of narratives. Findings show that hotels reported high uptake of 91.2% on the policy on water conservation, 74.0% on rainwater harvesting and storage water policies, 72.1% on rainwater harvesting gutters and storage installed, and 72.5% on retrofitted water-saving measures. However, the findings of the study revealed low uptake: 9.8% on budget for supporting sound water management practices and 26.0% on capacity building for staff on sound water management practices policy. Emerging themes from qualitative data indicated that rainwater harvesting and storage is a sustainable practice that has been adopted by a majority of hotels in Nakuru. It is concluded that hotels in Nakuru are adopting sustainable water management practices. However, emphasis needs to be placed on policies to enhance the adoption of the practices, thus minimizing water waste through wastewater generated by hotels, hence promoting the sustainability of hotels. Hotel management should budget for and educate staff on sustainable water management practices to increase their adoption
The use of social media among football clubs’ public relations managers for motivating fans to attend the Kariakoo Derby in Tanzania, NBC Premier League
Get PDFKariakoo Derby is the major football match between the historic Young Africans and Simba Sports Clubs in the Tanzanian NBC Premier League. Despite the growing social media platforms in football, little is known about how public relations managers use their clubs’ social media platforms to motivate football fans to attend Kariakoo derbies, hence the need for this study. The study adopted the uses and gratifications theory. It employed a qualitative approach and descriptive design. Data were collected through focus group discussions, interviews, and observation methods. The study involved 30 Young Africans and Simba Sports Club fans sampled through a convenience technique; two clubs’ public relations managers from both teams; one official from the Tanzania Football Federation, sampled purposively; and official social media platforms (Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and WhatsApp). Data were analysed using thematic analysis techniques. The results indicate that Young Africans and Simba Sports Clubs’ public relations managers make effective use of social media platforms, which significantly motivates their fans to attend Kariakoo derbies in the Tanzania NBC Premier League. The strategies they employ are creating derby excitement, strengthening emotional bonds, providing clear derby information, actively engaging their fans, and promoting derby events. However, misuse of social media can result in conflicts, fighting, divorce, physical harm, or even death among football fans. The study concludes that responsible social media among public relations managers is an effective tool for motivating football fans to attend derbies; therefore, football clubs’ public relations managers should adhere to the public relations code of ethics and principles to ensure that when motivating their fans to attend derbies, they promote peace, harmony, and loyalty for the social and economic development of fans, clubs, and the nation at large. It recommends that clubs adopt interactive, culturally relevant, and community-oriented strategies to sustain enthusiasm and maximise responsive fans’ attendance during the derby
Community Engagement as an Engine for School Performance: The Case of Secondary Schools of Kamonyi District, Rwanda
Get PDFThis study investigates the effects of community engagement on school performance in secondary schools in Kamonyi District, Rwanda. The study specifically focused on evaluating the extent of parental involvement in secondary schools in Kamonyi District and its influence on academic achievement, student attendance, and teacher performance, examining the effectiveness of community communication channels in promoting school performance in secondary schools in Kamonyi District and investigating the role of local community support in enhancing school performance in secondary schools in Kamonyi District. Guided by Epstein’s Theory of Overlapping Spheres of Influence, the research explores the roles of parental involvement, community communication channels, and local community support in enhancing academic achievement, student attendance, and teacher performance. Using a correlational research design, quantitative data were collected from a sample of 530 respondents. The study utilized a total sample size of 530 respondents drawn from a target population of 2,014 individuals. A census approach was applied to head teachers and members of the school parents’ committee, each consisting of 101 individuals, ensuring full inclusion of these groups. For secondary school teachers, stratified random sampling was used to select 328 participants from a total population of 1,812. Secondary data were gathered from reports, policy documents, and other relevant records from the Ministry of Education and Kamonyi District’s Education Office and primary data were collected through structured questionnaires. After data collection, the responses from the questionnaires were coded and entered into SPSS, for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, including means, frequencies, and percentages. Correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between community engagement and school performance. The study found a strong and statistically significant relationship between community engagement and school performance in Kamonyi District (r = 0.874, p < 0.01). Parental involvement positively correlates with teacher performance (r = 0.803, p < 0.01) and student attendance (r = 0.735, p < 0.01), highlighting its role in enhancing teaching effectiveness and student presence. Effective community communication also improves student attendance (r = 0.757, p < 0.01) and teacher performance (r = 0.816, p < 0.01). Additionally, local community support shows the strongest correlation with academic achievement (r = 0.969, p < 0.01) and student attendance (r = 0.818, p < 0.01), emphasizing the importance of community contributions to school success. In conclusion, the study emphasizes that strong community engagement—through active parental involvement, effective communication, and local community support—significantly enhances school performance in Kamonyi District. To address the gaps identified, the study recommends that the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC) develop and implement guidelines encouraging parental involvement in school governance, decision-making, and educational activities. Strengthened policies on community engagement and investments in digital and traditional communication platforms are also essential to foster effective communication between schools and stakeholders
The role of inclusive education in the socioeconomic development of people with disabilities in Bugesera District, Rwanda
Get PDFPeople with unique abilities and disabilities can be found worldwide, representing diverse populations within every society. Numerous discussions have arisen regarding the optimal approach to educating children with special educational requirements. The purpose of this paper was to assess the role of inclusive education in the socioeconomic development of people with disability in Rwanda. This paper was supported with Functionalist theory and Deprivation Theory. The researcher used descriptive research design and the participants were Headteachers, people with disabilities and local administrators. Target population were 780 including 675 people with disabilities, 60 local community administrators. The researcher employed a simple random sampling technique to choose respondents among people with disabilities in community. In this regard, headteachers from inclusive schools was selected due to their experience in providing responses and adequate information about people with education. The researcher used stratified sampling technique for selecting local community administrators’ members relying on their expertise and information about people with disabilities. Using questionnaire and interview guide, collected data was analyzed using SPSS 22.0 in analysis procedure. This study revealed a strong relationship between inclusive education and socioeconomic development in Rwanda. This relationship was substantiated by a Pearson correlation coefficient (r) of 0.932, which was associated with a statistically significant p-value of 0.000 for a two-tailed test. This suggests a highly positive and statistically significant association between well-implemented inclusive education and socioeconomic development in Rwanda. The findings also found that all variables were coherent with the socioeconomic development affected with different inclusive education as it is shown by the regression analysis model with Square of 0.868 meaning that inclusive education was appreciated to enhance socio economic development in Rwanda. In conclusion, all the respondents have consistently emphasized the necessity of implementing various inclusive education practices to facilitate the socioeconomic development of people with disabilities in Rwanda. The research shows that there is a lack of Community Based Rehabilitation Program (CBR) to benefit people with disabilities to improve their daily lives and health practice. Due to lack of CBR, all families of people with disabilities are bearing socio-economic burden. Since there is high population of people with disabilities, it is necessary to bring such kind of program to support the people with disabilities and their families as well
Investigating the Influence of User Training on the Adoption of Desktop Open Source Software: A Case of Students in Selected Universities in Kenya
Get PDFThe adoption of Open Source Software (OSS) has been increasing in some regions, while proprietary software remains dominant in many African countries. This study examines the role of user training as a facilitating condition for OSS adoption among university students in Kenya, with job market demands serving as a moderator. Using the Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), the research explores how user training influences OSS adoption and whether job market demand for OSS skills affects this relationship. The research adopted a descriptive research design and a quantitative approach. Data were collected from a purposive sample of 384 students identified through snowballing technique. This sample was drawn from 5 randomly selected Kenyan universities. Data were collected using questionnaires with Likert scale questions and analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics (medians, modes) and inferential statistics (correlation and regression analysis). This study examined the relationships between User Training, OSS Adoption, and Job Market Demands using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analyses. Descriptive results indicated limited OSS training (median = 2.00) but high perceived job market demands for OSS skills (median = 4.00). Correlation analyses revealed weak, non-significant relationships among the three variables. Regression analysis found no significant direct effect of User Training on OSS Adoption (B = 0.158, p = .117, R² = 0.006). Additionally, Job Market Demands did not moderate this relationship (B = -0.020, p = .230, ∆R² = 0.001). These findings suggest that training alone may not drive OSS adoption, highlighting the need for broader systemic factors, which future research should explore. To foster greater OSS adoption, interventions should combine user training with strategies that address barriers to adoption and align with users\u27 specific needs. The study underscores the importance of developing a deeper understanding of OSS, especially among individuals who acknowledge its job market value but are not sufficiently motivated to adopt it on their own
Factors that Influenced Increase in Teenage Pregnancy of Girls Aged between (10-19) years During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Comparative Study of Kakamega and Bungoma Counties, Kenya
Get PDFThe unprecedented circumstances occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic meant that most teenagers across the learning continuum globally were out of school environment and thus subjecting the girls to teenage pregnancy risks. Adolescent’s pregnancies in Kenya are on the increase and require mitigation from an empirically informed position especially during periods of pandemics such as the Covid-19 outbreak. The main objective of this study was to examine the factors that influenced increase in teenage pregnancy of girls aged between (10-19) years during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Kakamega and Bungoma Counties, Kenya. The study was guided by the Do-No-Harm approach, Bohle’s vulnerability model and Hazard of the Place Model as the conceptual underpinning of the study. Cross-sectional survey research design was adopted for the study. The target population was 889,312 being derived from households with teenage girls aged between ten and nineteen years. Data was obtained through document analysis, questionnaires, key informant interview, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The study used a sample size of 590 respondents drawn from the two Counties. The sampling strategy involve purposive, multi-stage and stratified sampling. The cross tabulation, frequencies and bar graphs were used together with Principal component analysis (PCA) summarize quantitative data while Verbatim quotations were used to present qualitative results The results showed that Covid-19 pandemic impacted negatively on teenage girls on the account of prevalence of indiscipline behavior (61.69%), being highly temperamental and rude (59.66)%, stress due to being out of school indefinitely (49.66%), loss of interest in academics and failure to attend online classes (38.47%) and increase in promiscuity tendencies and sexual liberalism (37.46)%. The Principle Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that seven variables for mitigating teenage pregnancies accounted for over 80% as viable mitigation strategies against teenage pregnancy. Whereas Covid-19 intensified teenage pregnancies, lack of provision for basic needs and limited exposure on sexuality matters among teenagers were identified as the major causal factors that were catalyzed by Covid-19 pandemic. The study recommends need for designing an intervention framework to mitigate teenage pregnancy in the study area, where emphasis should be directed on all those variables with a PCA loading weight of 5% and above and the underlying factors that simply accelerated during the pandemic
Content Based Approach for Detecting Smishing Messages in Mobile Phones Using an Improved Convolutional Neural Networks Model
Get PDFSMS stands for Short Message Service (SMS). Short messaging service is a text messaging service where a user can send short messages via a mobile device. Short message service has evolved and become very popular as a communication medium in the last decade. It has become a more effective mode of communication compared to email. Unfortunately, smishing (SMS phishing) has emerged as the most common type of spam because traditional detection methods have difficulty understanding the informal nature of these messages. An improved class of CNN-based models targeted at accurate detection of smishing on mobile devices was developed. Deep learning theory was used in this work. (UCI) refers to University of California, Irvine (UCI). The UCI Machine Learning Repository contains datasets, domain theories, and data generators used by the machine learning community to empirically study machine learning algorithms. In this study, a research design was carried out and samples of the UCI Machine Learning Repository were used to build an experimental model. The analyzed dataset was a set of 5, 574 SMS messages from both spam and non-spam messages. The performance metrics used were Precision, Recall, F1-Score and Accuracy. The CNN model used for evaluation, had a bigger number of hidden layers for better detection. A higher accuracy of 99. 95% was achieved, indicating good performance and better detection of the SMS spams (SMS phishing). In the analysis mentioned in the text, the text preprocessing greatly contributes to improved detection accuracy and CNN outperforms the traditional detection methods. It shows that the sophisticated nature of smishing attacks make it necessary for advanced detection mechanisms to be applied to prevent future SMS threats. Although some authorities for implementation should allocate resources to implement these solutions, other authorities must define roles for different detection systems in order to realize the ideal and continuous performance of the detection tools. However, various authorities should also continuously enhance detection mechanisms by feature enhancement, data augmentation, and regular performance evaluation. The training for the staff and establishment of the performance benchmarks needs to be implemented. The users should also contribute with their comments, reports suspicious message, and raising awareness for each other, while all other stakeholders should make available their expertise and resources to support this work
Teachers’ attitudes towards attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and management strategies for pupils in Kisii County, Kenya
Get PDFAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is among the most common mental health conditions affecting children\u27s learning, often associated with impulsivity, hyperactivity, emotional dysregulation, and learning difficulties. Pupils displaying ADHD-related behaviours frequently trigger varied emotional responses in teachers, many of whom feel inadequately prepared to manage such challenges. This study aimed to examine teachers\u27 attitudes towards pupils exhibiting ADHD related behaviours against management strategies they employ to manage affected pupils in Kisii County, Kenya. Specifically, it explored the relationship between teacher attitudes and management strategies as grounded by Behaviourism and Social Learning theories. The study adopted a correlational research design. Using a proportionate sampling technic, 323 teachers were selected from a population of 3,852, in addition to 8 head teachers and 16 class teachers. Data were collected using questionnaires, discussion guides and interview schedules. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, and thematic analysis. Results revealed a significant positive correlation between teacher attitudes and learner management strategies (r = 0.325, p < 0.05), yet overall attitudes toward ADHD remained predominantly negative. The study concludes that teachers hold negative attitudes towards ADHD-related behaviours. The study recommends promoting inclusive education policies to support integration of students with ADHD into regular classrooms and encouraging teachers to adopt evidence-based management strategies. This research supports the use of antecedent-based approaches—such as establishing clear expectations and structured routines—as effective tools for managing ADHD-related behaviours
Digital resource utilization and learners’ academic performance in technology-enhanced classrooms in secondary schools in Gakenke District, Rwanda
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between digital resource usage and learners’ academic performance in technology-enhanced classrooms in secondary schools. The objectives of the study were to examine the relationship between frequency of digital resource usage, to evaluate the effect of type of digital resources, to explore the influence of duration of digital resource usage, and to assess the effect of learners’ engagement level during digital resource usage on academic performance in technology-enhanced classrooms in Gakenke district secondary schools. The study area was 18 secondary schools from Gakenke District, Northern Province, Rwanda, with smart classrooms. The Replacement, Amplification, Transformation (RAT) Model was used as the guiding theoretical framework. A descriptive correlational survey design was applied. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. The population of the study comprised 306 students, teachers, parent representatives, deputy head teachers in charge of studies, and head teachers from eighteen secondary schools within Gakenke District, Rwanda. Stratified and purposive sampling were used. Yamane’s formula was applied to the study population to find a sample size of 83 students, 36 teachers, 18 directors of studies, 18 SEC presidents, and 18 head teachers. A pilot study was conducted at two secondary schools to test the validity and reliability of research instruments. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the data, while inferential statistics was applied to test hypotheses and look for relationships between different variables. The type of digital resources accessed explained 20.2% of academic performance variations (R² = 0.202, p = 0.002), indicating that many students might not be able to access a good variety of effective tools, and the type of digital resource accessed is not a strong predictor of academic performance. The study calls for improvements in access to digital resources, teacher training, and parental involvement and recommends that policymakers set policies that enable continuous investment in digital resources and decentralization of budgets at the school level. Future researchers should explore the effect of teachers’ digital literacy and learners’ academic performance.