EANSO East African Nature and Science Organization Journals
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A Comparative Study of China’s Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) with Selected Eastern African Countries: Gaps, Outdated Frameworks, and Modern Developments
Get PDFIt has been a while since Chinese investors established their dominant presence in Africa. Despite this, most Sino-African BITs are often criticised for failing to strike a balance between promoting Chinese investments and protecting public interests. Thus, this research examines the sufficiency of the existing international legal protections available to Chinese investors in Eritrea, Ethiopia and Tanzania. In doing so, it employs a qualitative research method that is primarily dependent on a comparative legal analysis and thus analyses the China-Tanzania and China-Ethiopia BITs by comparing them with each other and with other more recent BITs. At the same time, it makes a thematic analysis, using the manner in which these BITs define “investment” and “investor”, the favourable treatments they offer, the “regulatory space” and indirect expropriation regime they establish, the ISDS mechanisms they provide access to, and their commitment to safeguard public interests as guiding parameters. It also examines the potential adverse impacts of the absence of a BIT between Eritrea and China on their investment relations. The findings reveal that the legal protections available to Chinese investors vary significantly between the selected countries- from nothing in Eritrea to weak in Ethiopia and to relatively robust and comprehensive in Tanzania. The Sino-Ethiopian investment relationship is governed by an old BIT that has many limitations, making the available legal protections weak. In contrast, the Sino-Tanzanian investment relationship operates under a modern BIT designed to strike a balance between attracting Chinese investment and safeguarding Tanzania’s broader public interests, resulting in comprehensive and robust legal protections. Hence, this research recommends the conclusion of a BIT between Eritrea and China, a replacement (renegotiation) of the China-Ethiopia BIT, and a revision of the China-Tanzania BIT so that environmental concerns, human rights issues, and social development notions, including corporate social responsibility, are addressed adequately. It, in particular, calls Eritrea and Ethiopia to draw lessons from the China-Tanzania BIT, and thereby create a legal environment conducive to Chinese investors while at the same time ensuring that their domestic investors are not chocked and the natural environment and other public interests are not jeopardise
The Challenges Facing People with Physical Disabilities in Accessing Public Services in Qardho, Puntland, Somalia
Get PDFThis study examines the challenges faced by people with physical disabilities in accessing public service in Qardho, Puntland Somalia, and explores strategies for improving accessibility. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 115 respondents, including 60 wheelchair users, 23 school principals, 21 mosque imams, 5 restaurant owners, 3 supermarket managers, and 3 hotel managers, selected purposively. The collected data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The study found that 90% of mosques and 100% of schools and supermarkets interviewed do not have physically disabled clients. Additionally, none of the targeted mosques, schools, supermarkets, hotels, and restaurants have special toilets or signposts. Furthermore, 90.48% of mosques, 86.96% of schools, 66.67% of supermarkets, 66.66% of hotels, and 60% of restaurants assessed lack provisions such as ramps, elevators, and stairlifts for the physically challenged. To address these challenges, the study recommends policy enforcement on accessibility standards, investment in disability-friendly infrastructure, awareness campaigns to promote inclusion and training for service providers on disability accommodations
Transformation Geometry Attitude Scale (TGAS): Development and Validation for Secondary School Learners in Uganda
Get PDFTransformation geometry, a core topic in secondary school mathematics, strengthens students' spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills. Students’ attitudes toward transformation geometry significantly influence their engagement, motivation, and achievement in mathematics. However, existing attitude scales either focus on general mathematics/geometry, are designed for other educational levels or were developed outside Uganda, limiting their contextual relevance. This study aimed to develop and validate the Transformation Geometry Attitude Scale (TGAS) for assessing Ugandan secondary school learners' attitudes. The scale was developed through expert consultations and piloted among 132 secondary students. Validation involved Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and reliability testing. The initial 36-item scale (α = 0.85) was refined to 22 items across three dimensions: Interest & Confidence (α = 0.80), Engagement & Metacognition (α = 0.77), and Relevance & Applications (α = 0.85). The validated TGAS provides a reliable tool for evaluating students’ attitudes and informing instructional strategies in transformation geometry. Future research should apply Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) across diverse educational settings to further validate its structur
Somalia-India Economic and Trade Relations (1989-2023)
Get PDFBackground: This article investigates the economic and trade relationship between India and Somalia from 1989 to 2023, focusing on primary economic indicators, bilateral trade flows, and the underlying dynamics. The study aims to uncover key trends, identify challenges, and highlight the potential of this partnership, especially given India’s growing influence as a strategic trade partner. Methodology: A descriptive and analytical research approach was adopted, relying on secondary data obtained from credible international databases, including the World Bank’s World Development Indicators (WDI), World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS), and the International Trade Centre (Trade Map). Key indicators analyzed include GDP, trade volume, import-export statistics, and product classifications, covering the period from 1989 to 2023. Objective: The research aims to explore Somalia's GDP growth, trade volume, and bilateral trade with India, emphasizing the country's reliance on basic commodities for imports and India's growing demand for raw materials. Special attention is given to Somalia’s limited export portfolio and the implications of a persistent trade imbalance. Findings: The study finds that bilateral trade between Somalia and India has increased substantially, reaching a total of 779.47 million in imports. In contrast, Somalia’s exports to India remain modest at $29.07 million, consisting largely of raw materials such as scrap copper, iron, aluminium, insect resins, oil seeds, and agricultural products. This imbalance reflects Somalia's dependency on imports and its underdeveloped export sector. Recommendations: To improve trade relations and reduce the deficit, Somalia should prioritize diversifying its export base by investing in manufacturing, agriculture, and fisheries. Enhancing domestic value addition, upgrading trade infrastructure, and establishing export promotion agencies would strengthen trade competitiveness and lead to long-term economic benefits
Terrorism as a Human Security Threat in the Horn of Africa: A Case Study in Ethiopia
Get PDFThis paper explores terrorism as a critical threat to human security in the Horn of Africa, with a particular focus on Ethiopia. Drawing from historical and contemporary contexts, the study illustrates how terrorism not only undermines individual freedoms but also destabilizes communities and societies at large. It analyzes the theoretical frameworks surrounding human security and terrorism, revealing their intricate connections. Notably, the paper highlights Ethiopia's multifaceted counter-terrorism strategies, including the adoption of the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation in 2009, which has been instrumental in addressing the terrorism threat. Despite facing significant human rights criticisms, Ethiopia's approach, marked by military and legislative measures, aims to protect citizens and maintain stability. The conclusions drawn stress the importance of balancing national security initiatives with human rights considerations to ensure the enhancement of human security amidst growing threat
An Investigation of the Level of Awareness and Mitigation of Climate Change among Junior School Learners in Busia County, Kenya: A Call for Sensitizing Future Generations
Get PDFClimate change is a pressing global issue with severe impacts on development, including food insecurity, economic instability, and extreme weather events. Driven by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities like deforestation and fossil fuel use, it disproportionately affects Africa despite the continent's minimal emissions. This paper was undertaken in Busia County and it sought to find out the level of awareness of climate change among Junior School learners whereby a total of 405 learners were included In the study and the data was analyzed quantitatively. In Busia County, communities face displacement, water contamination, livestock loss, and food scarcity due to floods, droughts, and heatwaves. Events in Budalangi in Bunyala region of Busia County highlight these challenges which are often exacerbated by poverty and limited resilience. A Chi-square test was conducted to assess the association between grade level and the belief that climate change poses a serious threat. While the Pearson Chi-square result (χ² = 8.916, p = 0.063) was not statistically significant at the 5% level, the Linear-by-Linear Association test was significant (χ² = 7.718, p = 0.005), indicating a positive trend: as students advance in grade, they are more likely to perceive climate change as a serious threat. The findings also reveal gaps in knowledge, inconsistencies in curriculum implementation, and limited participation in sustainable practices. The study underscores the critical role of integrating comprehensive climate change education into school curricula to foster informed and proactive environmental stewardship. Based on the findings, recommendations are made to enhance climate change awareness through improved pedagogical strategies, community engagement, and policy reforms. This research advocates for a structured and sustainable approach to equipping future generations with the knowledge and skills necessary to combat climate change effectively
Knowledge and the Extent of Integration of Climate Change and Adaptation at Universities in Kenya
Get PDFThis study investigated levels of awareness of climate change in five public universities in Kenya. The study aimed at assessing levels of knowledge on climate change issues among lecturers and students and documenting levels of access to information on climate change among lecturers and students. The study adopted a survey design. The population for the study consisted of 200 hundred undergraduates and lecturers. Data was analysed using both de-scriptive (frequency counts, percentages, means and standard deviations) and inferential sta-tistics (Chi-square test) and presented in the forms of charts and graphs. The results showed that teaching staff and students possessed a high level of awareness of the concept of climate change, and have access to the sources of information and factors of personal experience, public sources and education greatly influence their awareness. There was a statistically sig-nificant association between years teaching at the University (Chi-Sq. = 72.844, DF = 3, P-Value = 0.000) and integration of climate change in the courses taught. However, we found no asso-ciation between gender (Chi-Sq. = 2.534, DF = 1, P-Value = 0.111) and University (Chi-Sq. = 1.279, DF = 4, P-Value = 0.865) where a lecturer was teaching in terms of integration of climate change in the courses taught. These findings indicate the teaching staff and students in Kenya have a widespread awareness of climate change and its immediate threat to human society, while knowledge of how to deal with the challenge due to climate change is still limited. Almost half the respondents believed that climate change would result in impacts on human life. Nevertheless, the teaching staff and students need updated training on climate change and its effect
Contribution of Ecotourism to the Community’s Economy in Coastal Areas of Tanzania
Get PDFThis study assesses the contribution of ecotourism to community economies in Tanzania's coastal areas, with a focus on Kisarawe village, Kunduchi Street, and Kaole village in the Pwani and Dar es Salaam regions. Using a cross-sectional research design that incorporated both qualitative and quantitative approaches, data were collected from 151 households within a 50-kilometer radius of the Pugu-kazimzumbwi Nature Forest Reserve, Mbudya Island, and the Kaole Historical Site through semi-structured surveys. Qualitative data was analyzed using relative frequency analysis, while quantitative data was examined using descriptive statistics, including mean, variance, and standard deviation. The analysis was conducted using MS Excel and IBM SPSS software. Results revealed that ecotourism contributed 41.15% of the total monthly household income, with a median monthly income of TZS 186,920 from ecotourism-related occupations. Six main ecotourism occupations were identified: service provision (25.5%), cleaning services (25.1%), tour guiding (24.7%), first aid nurses (8.5%), curio shops (8.1%), and nursery attendants (8.1%). Community initiatives supporting ecotourism included tree planting (26.4%), food services (21.0%), road maintenance (15.8%), and improvements to water supply (10.5%) and electrical services (10.5%). Local businesses supporting ecotourism provided food and beverage supply (26.3%), motorcycle transportation (5.3%), and other hospitality services (63.1%). While other income sources constitute 58.85% of household income, ecotourism has emerged as a substantial complementary source (41.15%) for coastal communities. The research highlights ecotourism's potential as a tool for economic development in Tanzania's coastal regions, suggesting the need for continued support of sustainable ecotourism to enhance community livelihood
Home-based Tourism Businesses and Destination Sustainability: A Case Study of Kabale Municipality, Uganda
Get PDFHome-based tourism businesses (HBTBs) play a critical role in enhancing the sustainability of tourism destinations. The study investigated the relationship between home-based tourism businesses and destination sustainability in Kabale Municipality, Uganda. This research explored the operational characteristics, competitiveness, and influence of government policies on these businesses, examining their contributions to sustainability's economic, social, cultural, and environmental dimensions. The study adopted a purposive sampling technique (Andrade, 2021) and out of the 357 selected samples, 286 presented effectual responses. A cross-sectional research design was adopted, combining qualitative data from surveys and qualitative insights from interviews. The study findings revealed that home-based tourism operations β0.512, competitiveness β0.378, and government policies β0.412 contribute positively to economic, social, and environmental sustainability through employment creation, cultural heritage preservation, and eco-friendly practices. The study results imply that a single unit change in home-based tourism operations, competitiveness, and government policies enhances a destination's sustainability in Kabale Municipality, Uganda. Further, the empirical evidence implied that home-based tourism business operations have the greatest impact on competitiveness and government policies. The study suggested that efforts to enhance tourism sustainability should focus primarily on improving operations and competitiveness, with government policies playing a supportive but still essential role. However, the study also highlighted the challenges related to resource management, infrastructure development, policy support, and community engagement and recommended that there is a need to foster a supportive ecosystem that maximizes the positive impacts of HBTBs on Kabale’s long-term destination sustainability
Athari za Mielekeo ya Walimu na Wanafunzi kwa Utenda-Kazi wa Walimu na Matokeo ya Wanafunzi wa Shule za Upili katika Mitihani ya Kiswahili
Get PDFLengo la utafiti ni kudedevua namna mielekeo ya walimu na wanafunzi inavyoathiri matokeo ya wanafunzi katika matokeo ya mitihani ya kitaifa katika somo la Kiswahili. Mielekeo ni hali ya kiakili ya mtu inayotokana na kichocheo cha aina fulani na huweza kuathiri namna mtu anavyoitikia kwa njia kubalifu au isiyo kubalifu kuhusu kitu au jambo fulani. Mielekeo ni muhimu katika ufunzaji na ujifunzaji wa Kiswahili kama somo la kutahiniwa kando na kuwa lugha ya taifa na rasmi nchini Kenya. Mielekeo ya mtu huweza kuathiri maandalizi na utendaji wa walimu pamoja na ujifunzaji wa wanafunzi. Utafiti uliongozwa na nadharia ya Utabia iliyoasisiwa na Skinner na Pavlov na ya Utambuzi iliyoasisiwa na Gestalt. Muundo wa utafiti huu ulikuwa jumuishi. Muundo wake ulijumuisha mbinu za kitakwimu na kimaelezo kwa lengo la kupokea habari zilizokamilika hata zaidi. Data yake iliwasilishwa kwa njia ya kimaelezo na kitawimu kwa kutegemea michoro, majedwali na nukuu za wasailiwa.Utafiti huu uligundua kuwa mielekeo ya wallimu iliathiri, maandalizi yao na utenda-kazi wao walipofunza Kiswahili. Pia, mielekeo ya wanafunzi iliathiri matumzi yao ya lugha, kuhiari kujifunza somo na umilisi wao wa lugha hiyo pamoja na matokeo katika mitihani yake. Pana haja kuu walimu waelekezwe vilivyo katika mbinu mwafaka za kufunzia, kukuza mazingira bora ya ufundishaji, kuongeza muda wa kufunza na kujifunza Kiswahili pamoja na kuboresha mahusiano kati ya walimu na wanafunzi wao. Tatafiti zaidi zinaweza kufanywa katika maeneo mengine ya nchi na kuzingatia masomo mengine ili kuthibitisha na au kutambua athari nyinginezo za mielekeo. Pia, zitatusaidia kuzielewa vyema athari hizo kwa lengo la kuboresha ufunzaji na ujifunzaji kupitia utendaji wa walimu na wanafunzi katika Kiswahil