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China-kenya Relations Effect on Kenya’s Economic, Social and Political Issues
No full textThe Kenya – China relationship is affecting Kenya’s political, social and economic landscape. China has made Kenya a key focus for trade and economic strategy in Africa because it sees it as a gateway into the region. Even with the existing relationship, China has had with Africa, African and western intellectuals are raising concerns over the strategies and tactics china employ in the search for resources. Because both parties benefit in a way, the relationship is likely to continue. It’s crucial to some African countries as it offers distinct rules of the game and development model proposed as the “Beijing Consensus” following its strong interest in the African continent. Specifically, the study sought to: (1) establish the link amid Kenya and china regarding medical and trade growth; (2) to establish the evolution of infrastructure in Kenya and how it has led to building working relationships with China; and (3) to determine the influence of FDI received from China have on Kenya’s relation with other states. The research utilized a descriptive and explanatory study approach. The data was obtained from Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), empirical studies by others published in journal articles, Kenya Urban Roads Authority, from People's Republic of China in the Republic of Kenya, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kenya, United Nations, Kenya Rural Roads Authority, and Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA). The study is both qualitative & quantitative data in nature in that it offers a comprehensive account of China’s engagement in infrastructure development in Kenya within a particular time period of the 21stcentury. According to the findings, FDI has continued to grow through Kenya’s service and manufacturing industry, and the interest in Kenya by china has increased to include mining and mineral exploration. These trends are in conformity with the hypothesis that Kenya-China ties seek to attain physical developmental outcomes, and the terms are promising and are also boosting the relationship between Kenya and other states. Also, China
sees Kenya as an entry point to East Africa and it’s the point of focus concerning china’s economic and trade approach in African countries. This can be attested through China’s increased investment in many road construction projects. Additionally, China presently gives Kenya leans for technological development, school, and health expansion in underdeveloped regions; China has established centers for malaria prevention and control. It has also offered volunteers to train the local folks. It’s now evident that monetary aid from China is connected to the consumption of their services and commodities, and the only requirement is complying with the “One China” policy as opposed to the policy of “good governance” imposed by western donors
Economic Impact and Risk Factors Associated With Lumpy Skin Disease Outbreaks in Cattle Farms in Nakuru County, Kenya
No full textLumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is spreading rapidly to previously disease-free areas causing enormous economic losses. The factors that favour its spread are not extensively studied in the tropics. This study was carried out in Nakuru County, Kenya with the aim of identifying the risk factors of LSD outbreaks and estimating the economic impact of the disease. A retrospective case control study was carried out on 205 farms in order to compare the frequency of risk factors in the case and control farms. A frequency of factor that is greater in cases than in controls is judged as a risk factor. Forty-one and 164 case and control herds were assembled. Data from both case and control herds were collected via questionnaires administered through personal interviews. Data collected included herd sizes, age and sex structures, breeds, source of replacement stock, grazing system and costs (direct and indirect) incurred when LSD outbreaks occurred. The data were analysed using STATA 13® and R 3.3.3 for association tests. A mixed model was used with fixed effects on village and the rest of the variables as random. A univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis of disease outcome and the risk factors was done and model built by backward fitting using likelihood ratio tests. The economic impact was estimated using the framework and methods suggested by Rushton in 1999 and used by Jemberu et al. in 2014 and Molla et al. in 2017 in the estimation of economic impact of Foot and Mouth Disease and LSD respectively in Ethiopia. The factors that were significantly associated with LSD outbreaks on univariable analysis included breed, source of replacement stock and herd size. Farms which replaced their herds with cattle from outside the farm were 8.4 times more likely to experience LSD outbreaks compared to farms that replaced from their own herds (p=0.000), exotic breeds were 14.3 times more likely to experience LSD outbreaks
relative to the indigenous breeds (p=0.007), large herds were 3.5 times more likely to experience LSD outbreaks compared to the small herds (p=0.029).. In the multivariable logistic regression model, only breed and source of replacement stock retained their significance indicating that the other variables that lost their significance were confounded by either unmeasured or measured variables. Indigenous breeds of cattle are less susceptible to ectoparasites that include blood feeding arthropods that transmit LSD compared to exotic breeds. Replacement stock from outside the farms could be a source of infection since culling of sick animals is practiced in some farms. Farms with exotic breeds were of cattle were 16.7 times more likely to experience LSD outbreak compared to farms with indigenous breeds of cattle (p=0.01). Farms that sourced their replacement stocks from outside the farm were 8.7 times more likely to experience LSD outbreak compared to farms that did not source their replacement cattle from outside the farms (p<0.001). The direct losses were estimated at an average of Ksh. 2,511 and Ksh. 21,110 per farm keeping indigenous and exotic breeds, respectively. The losses due to milk reduction were estimated at an average of Ksh. 1,890 and Ksh. 11,275 per farm keeping indigenous and exotic breeds of cattle, respectively. Cattle mortalities were estimated at an average of Ksh. 621 and Ksh. 9,835 per farm keeping indigenous and exotic breeds of cattle, respectively. The indirect losses were estimated at an average of Ksh. 4,603 and Ksh. 5,855 per farm keeping indigenous and exotic breeds of cattle. The cost of treatment of secondary infections were estimated at an average of Ksh. 3,715 and Ksh. 5,003 per farm keeping indigenous and exotic breeds of cattle, respectively. The cost of vaccination, whether pre or post LSD, was estimated at average of Ksh. 888 and 852 per farm keeping indigenous and exotic breeds of cattle, respectively. The impact of LSD was higher in farms keeping
exotic breeds than indigenous breeds of cattle. Within the farms keeping exotic breeds, direct losses from LSD had a higher impact with the milk loss being the greatest, followed by mortalities. In the farms with indigenous breeds of cattle, indirect losses had a higher impact with treatment being the greatest source of losses. Based on these estimates, the total losses of LSD for farms keeping indigenous cattle was estimated at Ksh 7,114 and Ksh 26,965 for farms keeping exotic breeds of cattle. Yet, if these farms implemented vaccination as a control strategy against LSD, they would save approximately, Ksh 6,226 and 26,113 for farms keeping indigenous and exotic cattle breeds, respectively. These levels of resources can be reallocated to other management functions within cattle farms. It is recommended that the efficacy of LSD vaccine currently used in Kenya be re-evaluated, farmers are trained on LSD control measures such as vaccination, introduction of cattle examined and certified by the veterinary authorities to be free of notifiable diseases such as LSD and cattle gaining entry into the county for market or pasture and water be vaccinated prior to accessing the county. In conclusion, LSD occurs in Nakuru County and is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. Control measures of the disease needs to be refined, especially use of vaccines
Total Quality Management, Information And Communication Technology And, Performance Of Non-Governmental Organizations In Nairobi City County
No full textThe goal of this study was to determine the relationship between Total Quality
Management Practices, Information and Communication Technology adoption and,
performance of NGOs in Nairobi City County. To realize the objectives, a descriptive
survey was used. Collection of primary data was done using a questionnaire. The
population for this study comprised of 1,033 NGOs registered by NGO Coordination Board
that were operating in Nairobi City County. A sample of 213 out of 1033 NGOs were
sampled for responses. The questionnaire was administered electronically to all the
sampled NGOs and 202 responded which resulted in a 95% response rate. The study
findings revealed that NGOs in Nairobi City County had implemented TQM practices and
adopted ICT in their operations to a great extent. The study determined that there was no
statistically significant relationship between TQM practices, ICT adoption and
performance of NGOs in Nairobi City County. It was found out that resistant to change by
staff, selective TQM practices implementation and having staff with inadequate
educational and experiential capacity to implement TQM practices were the main
challenges faced in TQM implementation in NGOs in Nairobi City County. Additionally,
inadequate resources, lack of training to staff when new systems are introduced, resistance
to change from staff, and lack of staff with ICT knowhow were enlisted as the major
challenges facing ICT adoption in the NGOs in Nairobi City County. The research
recommends a countrywide study using other constructs to find out the relationship
between TQM, ICT and performance of NGOs
A Critical Analysis Of Uganda’S Refugee Regime
No full textThe research study has analyzed the refugee policy in Uganda, which is deemed as one of the most progressive in the world. A lot of literature has been extracted from policy documents, Acts, reports, books and newspapers articles and other materials that talk about refugee policies and how refugees have been treated in different parts of the world. The following questions have been answered in the study 1) How the internal refugee regime evolved, 2) How the refugee policy of Uganda has been effective, 3) the challenges and opportunities that Uganda has faced in the course of implementing their refugee policy and 4) What lessons can be learned by other East African countries from the progressive refugee policy of Uganda.
The study adopted case study research design where a detailed study of Uganda refugee policy, the beneficiaries, and policy makers have been involved. The case study was after exploring and describing how Uganda´s refugee regime has been working and how it is the best amongst the East African partner states. Theoretical framework was borrowed from Kunz´s exile and resettlement theory. 100 refugees from Uganda were interviewed and complemented by 10 key informants from policy makers, refugee camp managers, UNHCR officials, NGO staff and EAC officers. The Refugees were interviewed through a questionnaire which was send to them through emails. The Research assistant called the KIs to interview them. The data was then entered in Excel template, cleaned validated and exported to SPSS for analysis. South Sudanese were found to be majority of the refugees hosted in Uganda. Uganda’s´ refugee policy was found to be very effective in the manner that refugees can access basic needs and social amenities such as move freely, they can get employment, they can access education just as the Ugandans, they live in settlements and are given good health care. Uganda has various ways of empowering refugees. However, the goodies do not come without some challenges. In the competitive world where jobs are getting scarce, the refugees face the same challenge, at times; water is a scarce resource to both the refugees and the host community. There are also some difficulties in accessing food while some refugees have reported cases of harassment by authorities. The open door policy, refugee response framework, refugee regulations, education sector strategic management are some of the lessons to be learned by EA at large.
The study recommends Uganda to analyze and understand the gaps that affect effective implementation and sustainability of her refugee policies. The international community and other well-wisher can give funds to sustain the refugee projects. With increasing refugees and refugee projects, there are potential negative impacts to the environment and over exploitation of resources. Uganda can consider repatriating those that are willing and feel safe to go back home. The government of Uganda should work towards improving their economy and create more job opportunities if at all refugees need to be considered in the new jobs created
Prevalence Of Peripheral Neuropathy And Its Electrophysiological Types In Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients At Kenyatta National Hospital
No full textBackground: Peripheral neuropathy which is one of the neuropsychiatric syndromes of SLE,
develops in 2% to 36% of patients. Poor quality of life scores and high disease activity
indices have been associated with it. Benefits of early identification and treatment on the
progression and severity of neuropathy have been demonstrated in studies. There is
inadequate data on neurological manifestations of SLE in Africa.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy and its electrophysiological
types and to determine and correlate quality of life with presence of peripheral neuropathy
among patients with SLE attending the rheumatology clinic at Kenyatta National hospital
(KNH).
Methodology: A Cross-sectional Study was carried out at Kenyatta National Hospital,
Rheumatology outpatient clinic.The study consecutively selected Fourty eight patients who
were 18 years and above with a diagnosis of SLE as per the 2012 Systemic Lupus
International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria. Clinical information and Sociodemographic
data were retrieved from the medical records of the patients. Structured history
and clinical examination was performed on all patients as per the study proforma.
Administration of Lupus quality of life questionnaire was done and all patients had nerve
conduction studies performed. Data was analyzed using version 25.0 of SPSS.
Results: Peripheral neuropathy prevalence was 60.4 %( 29 out of 48).Twenty seven point
one percent (13) of them had abnormal nerve conduction studies and were symptomatic for
peripheral neuropathy while 25 %( 12) had normal nerve conduction studies despite being
symptomatic for peripheral neuropathy. Whereas 8.3 %( 4) were asymptomatic and had
abnormal nerve conduction studies.
Demyelination was the most common nerve conduction pathology at 9(52.94%, n=17).
Nevertheless on excluding 5 patients found to have carpal tunnel syndrome, then 4(23.52%
n=17) patients had demyelination. Whereas 5(29.41% n=17) patients were found to have
axonopathy. Motor neuropathy was the most prevalent nerve conduction syndrome at 52.94%
(n=17). The correlation between the presence of peripheral neuropathy with lower quality of
life scores involving the domains of physical health (p=<0.001), pain (p=0.012), planning
(p=0.003), and fatigue (p=0.005) was significant.
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Conclusion:
Among SLE patients there is a high prevalence of peripheral neuropathy, with variable
electrophysiologic and clinical presentation. In affected patients, Quality of life is scores are
lower.a
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny
Influence of Pedagogical Content Knowledge on Teacher Trainee Professional Competency at University of Nairobi, Kenya
No full textTeaching as a knowledge-based profession requires pedagogical content knowledge for problemsolving, decision making, class management and sensitivity for adapting to diverse needs of learners.
Whereas teacher knowledge is absolutely a component of professionalism, pedagogical content
knowledge contributes to mastery of teaching, self-regulation and cognitive abilities for professional
competence. Further, pedagogical content knowledge assists teacher trainees to; reflect on
experiences; express insights about anticipated practice and develop appropriate ways of
communicating during instructional delivery. This study explored influence of pedagogical content
knowledge and teaching practice assessment process at the University of Nairobi. Anchored on
descriptive survey design, the study targeted 68 trainee teachers on teaching practice from 17
Counties sampled randomly. The study used interview schedules, observation guides and
documentary analysis to collect data from trainee teachers. For data analysis, the study relied on
descriptive and inferential statistics, with data presented using tables. The study results found
inconsistencies in the manner in which teacher trainees prepared for teaching practice.
Recommendations advocate for teacher educators to re-examine appropriate preparation approaches
that can assist teachers to prepare effectively for instructional management. Further, the University
of Nairobi should explore appropriate and reliable mechanisms for sustaining and financing teaching
practice process in order to achieve professional competenceTeaching as a knowledge-based profession requires pedagogical content knowledge for problemsolving, decision making, class management and sensitivity for adapting to diverse needs of learners.
Whereas teacher knowledge is absolutely a component of professionalism, pedagogical content
knowledge contributes to mastery of teaching, self-regulation and cognitive abilities for professional
competence. Further, pedagogical content knowledge assists teacher trainees to; reflect on
experiences; express insights about anticipated practice and develop appropriate ways of
communicating during instructional delivery. This study explored influence of pedagogical content
knowledge and teaching practice assessment process at the University of Nairobi. Anchored on
descriptive survey design, the study targeted 68 trainee teachers on teaching practice from 17
Counties sampled randomly. The study used interview schedules, observation guides and
documentary analysis to collect data from trainee teachers. For data analysis, the study relied on
descriptive and inferential statistics, with data presented using tables. The study results found
inconsistencies in the manner in which teacher trainees prepared for teaching practice.
Recommendations advocate for teacher educators to re-examine appropriate preparation approaches
that can assist teachers to prepare effectively for instructional management. Further, the University
of Nairobi should explore appropriate and reliable mechanisms for sustaining and financing teaching
practice process in order to achieve professional competenc
Effect of Sonication Pre-treatment of TiO2 Catalyst for Photo-Degradation of Acid Orange 7 Azo Dye
No full textIn this study, Acid Orange 7 azo dye was degraded on TiO2 catalyst layer illuminated with ultra-violet light. The TiO2 suspension had prior been sonicated at 20 kHz before electrophoretic deposition on smooth stainless steel surfaces, with the aim of increasing the efficiency of azo dyes degradation. The effect of sonication on the TiO2 suspension of 10 g.L-1 and electrophoretic deposition loading to layers on surfaces was studied. Morphological properties of the electrophoretic layers from two different suspensions, Alpha and Sigma TiO2 were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy to establish the specific surface properties, particle loading and crystalline sizes. A four–position reactor was used for dye degradation experiments under Ultra Violet light at 355 nm wavelength. The degradation of the azo dye was monitored at 30minutes interval for a total of 2 hours using Ultra Violet-Visible Spectrophotometer at λ = 485 nm. It was found out that 60% of dye degradation was achieved after 120 minutes without sonication pretreatment. Sonication pre-treatment resulted in 71.42% increase on the rate of photo-degradation, at a loading of 0.32 mg/cm2. Particulate layers coated with Alpha TiO2 showed more photoactivity compared to Sigma TiO2. Scanning Electron Microscopy indicated that Alpha TiO2 had 50 m2/g surface area and 28 nm crystal size compared to Sigma TiO2 with 10 m2/g and 169 nm crystal size. This study shows that sonication pretreatment of Alpha TiO2 /UV light system is most effective in photo-degrading Acid Orange 7 dye
The Effects Of Corruption As An Economic Crime On Economic Growth And Implications On National Security In Kenya, 2005-2016
No full textThe goal of this thesis is to explore the effects of corruption as an economic crime on economic growth and its implications on national security in Kenya in the period 2005-2016. While Kenya is faced with myriad of endemic economic crimes that increase in magnitude and dimension daily that have devastating effects on the wellbeing, security and consequently the economy, in particular, there has been an apparent surge in the number and magnitude of corruption cases. And yet there is a dearth of literature linking corruption as an economic crime to economic growth. Additionally, few studies if any have attempted to wade into the trilemma of the nexus between corruption, economic growth and national security thereby leaving a huge literature and methodological gap. Specifically, the study addressed three objectives; first, to examine and analyze the effect of corruption on Kenya’s economic growth. Second, the study sought to examine and analyze the security implications of corruption in Kenya. And third, the study sought to examine and analyze the apparent growth of corruption notwithstanding a wide range of Government measures to counter it. To achieve these objectives, the study sought to respond to the question how does corruption affect Kenya’s economic growth; what explains the apparent growth of corruption notwithstanding a wide range of Government measures to counter it; and what are the security implications of corruption in Kenya? The central arguments in this study is that corruption undermines economic growth through a wide range of negative political, economic, military, societal and environmental effects it engenders; The argument underlying this increase in corruption is corruption derived in relation to the cost incurred. The net effect of this are the national security threats.
In advancing the central arguments, the study adopted Barry Buzan’s framework which states that security can be undermined by factors from different sectors namely military and social political factors. The study was underpinned on the classical growth theory by Adam Smith, Thomas Malthus, David Ricardo, François Quesnay, John Stuart Mill and Karl Max which posits that high level of corruption represents a leakage from the economic systems and therefore distorts capital accumulation and the allocation of public resources in form of public investment resulting in disruption of income distribution.
To close the literature and methodological gaps, the study employed explanatory research design to examine the relationship between corruption as an economic crime and economic growth in Kenya. The study utilized both primary and secondary data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, (KNBS), Global Financial Integrity, World Bank and Transparency International from the period 2005 to 2016. Findings from the study led to the conclusion that Kenya’s economic performance has been negatively affected by corruption and that deterioration of national security is partly on account of corruption