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Effects of Drought on Socio-Economic Empowerment of Rendille Women in Laisamis Constituency Marsabit County, Kenya
No full textMaster of Arts in Diplomacy, Development, and International SecurityThe effects of drought on socio-economic empowerment of Rendille women in Laisamis Constituency, Marsabit County, Kenya, are a critical issue that directly impacts their livelihood and resilience. As pastoralists who rely on livestock for their income, food security and cultural identity, Rendille women face unique challenges during drought periods. Drought exacerbates the loss of livestock, increases food insecurity and heightens the economic vulnerability of women, who are primarily responsible for managing household resources and ensuring family welfare.
This study adopts a mixed-methods approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative research methods to assess the impact of drought on Rendille women. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with Rendille women, local government officials and community leaders, which explored the socio-economic effects of drought on livestock management, cultural roles, access to education and water resource management. In addition, structured surveys were administered to households to gather quantitative data on income, education, and coping strategies employed during drought.
The findings of this study provided a comprehensive understanding of the specific socio-economic challenges faced by Rendille women during droughts. The research aimed to highlight the gendered nature of drought resilience and suggest policy recommendations for enhancing the adaptive capacity of women in pastoralist communities. Ultimately, the study advocates for gender-sensitive interventions that empower women, support their roles in community resilience, and promote sustainable livelihoods to mitigate the effects of future droughts.Daystar Universit
Evaluating the Role of International Agreements in Climate Change: A Case Study of The Paris Agreement in Kenya
No full textMaster of Arts in Diplomacy, Development, and International SecurityThe study sought to evaluate the role of International (climate) agreements on climate change, employing Kenya's implementation of the Paris Agreement as a case study. The study particularly investigated the impact and efficiency of climate agreements. The study also evaluated Kenya's climate action efforts to implement the Paris Agreement. It also evaluated how local and international parties may help Kenya in its implementation efforts. subsequently, the research looked at the obstacles and possibilities Kenya encounters in meeting its commitments under the Paris Agreement. The study adopted institutional theory, regime theory, and the theory of environmental governance. The study used interpretivism philosophy to investigate subjective experiences and contextual understandings. This study adopted qualitative research design. The study's population comprised employees based at the headquarters of key environmental institutions in Kenya. These included individuals from the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, the Kenya Forest Service, the National Environment Management Authority, the Environmental Committees of the Kenyan Parliament, and the Climate Change Department. Since data collection for the study was conducted using interview schedules saturation was achieved after 25 interviews, as no new themes, perspectives, or insights were emerging from subsequent responses. The study used primary data which was collected by conducting an interview. Data collection procedure begun with the researcher getting the appropriate consents and approvals from the relevant authorities. Once the approvals were in place, the researcher worked with individual interviewees to organize interviews at times that are convenient for them. From the findings, the study concluded that Kenya has made significant progress in implementing the Paris Agreement, particularly in areas such as policy alignment, renewable energy adoption, and environmental conservation initiatives. This progress reflects the country’s commitment to integrating global climate goals into its domestic agenda. The study further concluded that international agreements most notably the Paris Agreement have played a pivotal role in shaping Kenya’s climate policy landscape. These agreements have functioned not only as guiding frameworks but also as catalysts for domestic policy reforms, driving the formulation of legal instruments, sector-specific targets, and capacity-building programs. In relation to the third objective, the research established that while Kenya is on a positive trajectory, several challenges continue to hinder the full realization of its Paris Agreement commitments. These include financial limitations, land-use conflicts, illegal logging, and inadequate technical expertise, all of which constrain both the scope and pace of climate action. However, the study also identified opportunities that could accelerate progress, such as leveraging green financing, enhancing public-private partnerships, and adopting advanced climate monitoring technologies. Based on these conclusions, the study recommended that in order to enhance the effectiveness of Kenya’s implementation of the Paris Agreement, the government should increase investment in climate-related initiatives especially in technical capacity building, deployment of modern monitoring technologies, and community engagement programs. Finally, the study recommended that further research be conducted to assess the effectiveness of national climate policies in achieving the specific targets of the Paris Agreement in Kenya.Daystar Universit
Impact of Free Primary Education Policy on Educational Achievement among Marginalized Groups in Makueni County, Kenya
No full textMASTER OF EDUCATION in Leadership and Policy StudiesThis study aimed to assess the effect of FPE on educational achievement for marginalized groups in Makueni County and raise the issue of the academic performance of learners despite increased access to education. The overall purpose was to assess the impact of free primary education (FPE) on the academic performance of low income learners, assess the challenges experienced by learners with disabilities, assess the school's infrastructure, assess the availability of teachers, and assess socio - cultural and economic impact on attendance and achievement. The study was informed by Amartya Sen's Capability Approach and was framed in a mixed method design. The participants included learners, the teachers, school administration, parents and local community leaders (n=241) from public primary schools in Kilungu Sub - County, Makueni County specifically Inyokoni, Kilungu and Nunguni Primary Schools. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews, and observation checklists. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS (descriptive and inferential statistics) and qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Major findings pointed to FPE improving school completion and achievement from 52% to 76% and 40% to 60%, respectively, yet some vast differences had emerged owing to class overcrowding, shortages in both resources and support for learners with disabilities. Improper financial management, cultural beliefs, early marriages, and major robberies further contributed to the disparities in attendance and attainment. The study thus emphasizes the need for interventions going beyond access at a systemic level to respond to equity and quality issues for all marginalized learners. The study recommends that stakeholders such as parents, NGOs, and community leaders must increase their involvement in education. Areas for further research include research could examine the role of parents and communities in improving FPE outcomes.Daystar Universit
Telehealth Innovations, Government Policies, and Achievement of Universal Health Coverage among Digital Healthcare Providers in Kenya
No full textDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Strategic Management and InnovationTelehealth has emerged as a crucial innovation in advancing universal health coverage (UHC) globally by enhancing access to healthcare services, reducing costs, and addressing shortages of medical professionals. However, achieving Universal Health Coverage in Kenya faces significant challenges among telehealth providers, particularly in ensuring services are affordable, accessible, acceptable, and available to all populations. The barriers are exacerbated by socioeconomic disparities, limited infrastructure, and gaps in policy implementation, hindering equitable healthcare delivery. The purpose of the study was to establish the effect of telehealth innovation on the achievement of Universal Health Coverage as moderated by government policies among the telehealth providers in Kenya. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of teleconferencing, store-and-forward, and mHealth on the achievement of UHC by the telehealth providers in Kenya and determine the moderating effect of government policies in the relationship between telehealth innovation and achievement of Universal Health Coverage. Data was collected within a period of three months. The study was founded on positivism philosophy and a mixed method research design. The study was guided by Rostow’s modernization model of development, Resource-Based View, and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. The target population for study incorporated 608 participants, consisting of 114 doctors, 86 medical consultants, and 408 nurses. A sample size of 265 was calculated using Slovin’s Formula. Stratified sampling technique was used to divide the target population into 3 strata (50 doctors, 39 medical consultants, and 176 nurses) while a simple random sampling method was used to select the respondents from each stratum. A pre-test was carried out at Penda Health Medical Center, located in Nairobi. To test for validity and reliability, the researcher used expert reviews and Cronbach’s alpha, respectively. Interviews with doctors and medical consultants in top leadership of the providers were used to collect qualitative data while a questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from the three strata. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis while quantitative analysis involved using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics to assess relationships and the moderating effects of government policies. Ethical approval for data collection was obtained from the Daystar University Institutional Scientific and Ethical Review Committee (DU-ISERC), along with a research permit from Kenya’s National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation (NACOSTI). Regression analysis demonstrated that teleconferencing (β = .274, p = 0.05), store-and-forward (β = .311, p < 0.05), and mHealth (β = .295, p < 0.05) each significantly contributed to the achievement of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Government policy itself was also significant (β = .214, p = .007). Importantly, interaction terms were statistically significant: Teleconferencing×Policy (β = .121, p = .038), Store-and-Forward×Policy (β = .139, p = .011), and mHealth×Policy (β = .158, p = .009), confirming that supportive policy amplifies the positive effects of telehealth innovations. The full moderated model explained 22.1% of the variance (R² = .221; F = 14.323, p < 0.05). The study concluded that telehealth innovations alone cannot achieve health equity; their effectiveness depends on government policies that govern, fund, and incorporate them within national health systems. These findings recommend prioritizing and funding robust digital health policies to maximize telehealth’s role in UHC.
CHAPTER ONEDaystar Universit
Impact of Community Engagement in Countering Violent Extremism in Mombasa: A Case of Kisauni and Mvita Constituencies
No full textMaster of Arts Diplomacy, Development, and International SecurityThe escalation of violent extremism in Kenya’s coastal region, particularly in Mombasa County, poses complex challenges to national security and development. This study investigates the impact of community engagement in countering violent extremism with a specific focus on Kisauni and Mvita constituencies, areas historically vulnerable due to socio-economic marginalization and ideological manipulation. The research critically examines the role of civil society organizations in implementing localized countering violent extremism strategies. Grounded in social movement theory and community resilience theory, the study explores how CSOs mobilize resources, build networks and strengthen local capacities to resist extremist narratives. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study integrated qualitative and quantitative data through key informant interviews and surveys with an aspect of document analysis. Target participants included youth at risk, religious and community leaders, former extremists, civil society actors and local security agencies. The research further interrogated the influence of intervening variables such as religious ideologies, political environments, socio-economic disparities and government security frameworks on the success or limitation of civil society-led countering violent extremism efforts. Findings aimed to contribute to policy and practice by identifying effective and sustainable community-driven approaches, while offering recommendations to strengthen collaboration between civil society organizations and state actors in fostering peace and long-term counter-extremism strategies in Mombasa. The study found effectively employed diverse, youth-focused strategies, including community dialogues, mentorship, sports, and awareness campaigns, to counter violent extremism in Kisauni and Mvita. Culturally sensitive approaches, such as gender-separated forums, enhanced impact, though fragmentation and limited use of former extremist testimonies highlighted coordination and resource gaps. The research concluded that CSOs in Kisauni and Mvita faced significant challenges in countering violent extremism, including funding shortages, community distrust, government harassment, and youth unemployment, which undermined program sustainability. Fear of retaliation and poor CSO-government coordination further limited participation and impact. The research recommended that CSOs should strengthen community-driven initiatives, such as early warning systems, while authorities ensure transparent, rights-respecting responses as well as expanding the scope to feature onto the rest of the sub-counties in Mombasa and the 47 counties at large. The study also recommended that further studies should be done to explore the long-term impact of community engagement strategies in countering violent extremism in Kisauni and Mvita, Mombasa and also other counties in Kenya with a focus on evaluating the sustainability and scalability of CSO-led initiatives.Daystar Universit
The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and its Diplomatic Implications for Kenya-China Bilateral Relations from 2013 to 2023
No full textMASTERS OF ARTS in Diplomacy, Development, and International SecurityLarge-scale infrastructure projects have become powerful instruments of diplomacy in contemporary international relations. The Kenya Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, represents a critical case study of this phenomenon’s impact on bilateral ties in Africa. While the economic and financial aspects of the SGR have been widely debated, its specific diplomatic implications for the Kenya-China relationship have remained underexplored. This study addresses this gap by providing a project-specific analysis of how this mega-project has reshaped the nature, structure, and strategic trajectory of the bilateral partnership between 2013 and 2023. Guided by objectives to analyse the evolution of diplomatic engagement, evaluate strategic implications for Kenya’s positioning, and assess long-term effects on cooperation, the research employed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. This approach integrated quantitative data from a survey of 63 key stakeholders and an analysis of official documents with qualitative data from 20 in-depth interviews with government officials, diplomats, and academic experts. The findings reveal that the SGR was a transformative catalyst, shifting the relationship from a ceremonial friendship to a deeply institutionalized and operational partnership, structured around new, permanent bilateral coordination mechanisms. The study concludes that the SGR had a paradoxical impact on Kenya’s strategic positioning, creating a dynamic of ‘constrained agency.’ While it enhanced Kenya’s status as a regional hub, the associated debt created structural dependencies that limited its diplomatic autonomy, necessitating a complex geopolitical balancing act. Finally, the research establishes that the SGR’s long-term legacy is a profound ‘path dependency’ locking Kenya into a China-centric model of infrastructure development. This has solidified the bilateral relationship but has simultaneously created diplomatic friction and fragmented regionalism within the East African Community. The study contributes to the theoretical understanding of infrastructure diplomacy by complicating traditional Dependency Theory with the concept of ‘constrained agency.’ It provides critical, empirically grounded insights for policymakers in Kenya and other developing nations on navigating the strategic opportunities and challenges of engaging in large-scale infrastructure partnerships in an increasingly multipolar world.Daystar Universit
Storytelling In Sustainability Communications Among Fintech Startups In Nairobi, Kenya
No full textMaster of Arts in Corporate CommunicationThis study explored the role of storytelling in sustainability communications among selected fintech startups in Nairobi, Kenya, focusing on how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices are framed and communicated. Anchored in the Narrative Paradigm Theory and Stakeholder Theory, the study sought to: (1) identify the communication channels fintech organizations use to communicate ESG practices, (2) examine how ESG narratives are framed across these channels, and (3) evaluate the challenges Fintechs face in ESG storytelling. A qualitative research design was employed, using semi-structured interviews with nine executives from leadership, operations, and communication functions across Fintechs such as Pezesha, Tala, and Pesalink. Data were analyzed thematically. Findings showed that Fintechs rely primarily on digital platforms, websites, social media, and mobile apps supplemented by traditional media and direct engagement tools (SMS and USSD) to reach diverse audiences. Storytelling emerged as a strategic engagement tool for attracting investors and partners, where compelling narratives about financial inclusion and impact enhanced trust and legitimacy. However, customer-facing storytelling remained constrained by low digital literacy, limited access to digital platforms, and persistent mistrust of lenders. The study further revealed that ESG communication approaches emphasized investor confidence, blending quantitative data with human-centered stories, regulatory compliance framing, and brand differentiation through social impact messaging. Key challenges identified included risks of greenwashing, the complexity of ESG data, digital exclusion, internal communication gaps, and the lack of standardized reporting frameworks. The study concludes that storytelling is powerful for investor and partner engagement but less effective at the grassroots level. It recommends strengthening customer-focused strategies, standardizing ESG reporting, and leveraging emerging technologies to enhance transparency and accessibility.Daystar Universit
Political Cartoon Framing of Kenya’s 2022 General Election: A Case Study of The Daily Nation and Standard Newspapers
No full textMASTER OF ARTS in CommunicationThe study examined how political cartoons published in Kenya’s two leading newspapers, the Daily Nation and The Standard, framed the 2022 General Elections. Despite the significant role that visual media plays in shaping political communication, limited research in Kenya has explored how political cartoons influence electoral discourse and public understanding of political events. This study sought to fill that gap by analyzing how political cartoons constructed narratives around candidates, institutions, and election processes. The purpose of the research was to identify the dominant themes, analyze political representations, and explore the visual framing techniques employed by cartoonists to shape election narratives. The specific objectives were to (i) identify the dominant themes in political cartoons related to the 2022 General Elections, (ii) examine the visual framing techniques (satire, symbolism, metaphor, exaggeration) used in the cartoons, and (iii) analyze how political cartoons portrayed political actors and institutions during the election period. Guided by Framing Theory and Symbolic Interactionism, this study adopted a qualitative case study design that combined content and textual analysis to examine 87 political cartoons and included in-depth interviews with one cartoonist and three key informants. Instruments of data collection included a coding sheet, an interview guide, a key informant guide, and a codebook. The findings revealed that political cartoons were influential in shaping public opinion during the 2022 General Elections, guiding how citizens interpreted political events, leaders, and institutions. Through satire, symbolism, exaggeration, and metaphor, cartoonists framed candidates and institutions in ways that either enhanced credibility or undermined trust. Institutions such as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) were often depicted as compromised or ineffective, fueling public cynicism and doubts about electoral integrity. The cartoons evoked a wide range of emotions from fear and disillusionment to hope and civic motivation, thereby influencing voter attitudes and political engagement. Aligned with Framing Theory and Symbolic Interactionism, the study established that political cartoons are not merely reflections of public sentiment but active instruments that shape collective meaning, discourse, and behavior. It concludes that political cartoons published in The Standard and Daily Nation played a critical role in framing Kenya’s 2022 General Elections by drawing attention to key issues such as election integrity, corruption, political deceit, and institutional credibility. Through satire, symbolism, and exaggeration, cartoonists effectively communicated these concerns, influencing how citizens perceived political events and actors. The study recommends that media practitioners recognize political cartoons as valuable tools for civic education capable of fostering informed public debate. Electoral bodies and government institutions are encouraged to monitor political cartoons as candid sources of public feedback to guide reforms, enhance communication strategies, and strengthen voter engagement. Furthermore, future research should examine audience reception of political cartoons and extend the inquiry to digital satire - such as memes and social media commentary - to capture evolving forms of political expression among digitally active audiences.Daystar Universit
Digital Journalists' Perspectives and Practices in Reporting Sexual Harassment of Men in Kenya
No full textMASTER OF ARTS in CommunicationThis study explored digital journalists' perspectives and practices in reporting sexual harassment of men in Kenya. Specifically, the first objective was to explore Kenyan digital journalists' perceptions of sexual harassment of men. The second research objective was to examine how Kenyan digital journalists frame and construct narratives when reporting on sexual harassment of men in the country. The third objective was to investigate the rationales Kenyan digital journalists use for the inclusion or exclusion of stories on sexual harassment of men in Kenya. The fourth objective was to identify the challenges and ethical dilemmas Kenyan digital journalists encounter when reporting on sexual harassment of men in Kenya. The study was grounded on the Framing Theory, which posits that journalists actively construct meaning by selecting and emphasizing certain aspects of reality to shape audience understanding. The research focused on digital journalists in Kenya, with data collected among 11 journalists working at Tuko.co.ke, Citizen Digital and Nairobileo.co.ke. The study employed a qualitative approach, with the journalists who were interviewed selected through purposive sampling based on their experience in reporting on gender issues in their respective media houses. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was conducted using inductive thematic analysis, which involved familiarization with the data, generating initial codes, searching for themes, reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and producing the final report. The study established that digital journalists perceive sexual harassment as a social problem that is widely underreported. This was attributed to gender norms and stereotypes, which make it difficult for men to speak about their experiences as victims are labeled weak. The journalists also acknowledged that these societal views influence them in their reporting. The study also established that there is no standard framework for reporting on sexual harassment of men, even as digital journalists employ a wide range of framing strategies, such as humanization and contextualization, when covering stories on the sexual harassment of men. The study established that journalists prioritize the credibility of victims’ accounts, safety, traffic considerations, and consent approval when deciding whether to cover such stories. The finding of the study was that the absence of a standard guideline has created inconsistencies in the framing of stories. Digital journalists involved in the study also revealed that coverage of these incidents affected them mentally, further proposing that media houses avail therapists to help them address these challenges. The study concluded that sexual harassment of men is a social problem that digital journalists have underreported. The study also concluded that there are inconsistencies in the framing strategies used by journalists to cover the stories on the sexual harassment of men, given the lack of a standardized guideline. As a result, the study recommended that media houses and the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) and media houses need to establish specific guidelines on coverage of sexual harassment of men. The study also recommended that media houses organize training sessions for digital journalists to enhance their skills in reporting sexual harassment of men.Daystar Universit
Strategic Orientation, Leadership Support and Growth of Small and Medium Processing Enterprises in Machakos County, Kenya
No full textDoctor of Philosophy in Business Administration in Strategic Management and InnovationThe role of Small and Medium Processing Enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya’s economy cannot be underestimated. However, from evidence, their growth of processing SMEs in Kenya is faced with several challenges including financial constraints, inadequate entrepreneurial skills, unsupportive internal and external business environment, and lack of clear policies and regulations to ensure sustained growth of processing SMEs. These challenges consequently lead to poor innovation orientation, entrepreneurial orientation, and marketing orientation strategies that further exacerbate the poor growth of processing SMEs in Kenya. The study sought to establish the effect of strategic orientation, leadership support and growth of processing SMEs in Machakos county, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of innovation, entrepreneurial, and market innovations on the growth of SMEs in the processing sector as well as establish the moderating effect of leadership support on the relationship between strategic orientation and the growth of SMEs in the processing sector in Machakos County Kenya. The study was underpinned by: The Resource Based View theory, Innovation Diffusion, and Human Capital theories. Positivism research philosophy and explanatory research design was adopted. 384 processing SME owners, and managers were the study respondents. A stratified random and purposive sampling techniques were used. The questionnaire was administered using a drop-and-pick technique. Instrument pretesting and reliability tests were done. The targeted population for the study included 641 processing enterprises where a sample size was determined using Cochrane’s sampling formula. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis (for moderation) analysis, with the aid of SPSS version 28. Research hypotheses were tested at a significance level of 0.05 using multiple regression analysis. The study documents a significant effect of entrepreneurial orientation on growth (p=0.000) and a significant effect of market orientation on growth (p=0.000). However, innovation orientation had a statistically insignificant effect on growth (p=0.083). Using hierarchical regression analysis, the study finds that leadership support does not have a significant moderation effect (p=0.358) on relationship between strategic innovation and growth of SMEs. The study finds that innovation orientation, entrepreneurial orientation, and market orientation are necessary requirements for the growth of Small and Medium Processing Enterprises. Strategic innovation, however, lacked meaningful impact on this growth. The study therefore recommend that owners of small and medium enterprises should pursue innovation of their processes, products and business models, embrace skills capacitation that would allow them to run their businesses efficiently and effectively despite the challenges in the infrastructure to propel innovation. Despite the failure of leadership support to strengthen strategic orientation for growth, the study recommends that the efforts of the government support should be well pronounced among enterprises as a critical accelerator to growth.Daystar Universit