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Mikakati ya Ushawishi katika Manifesto ya Kenya Kwanza katika Uchaguzi Mkuu wa 2022 Nchini Kenya
Get PDFUtafiti huu ulishughulikia mikakati ya ushawishi katika manifesto ya Muungano wa Kenya Kwanza katika uchaguzi mkuu wa 2022 nchini Kenya. Ulichunguza iwapo mikakati hiyo ilichangia katika kujenga mvuto wa kisiasa na uungwaji mkono katika uchaguzi mkuu wa Kenya. Lengo mahususi la utafiti huu lilikuwa kuchunguza jinsi mikakati ya ushawishi ilisawirika katika manifesto. Utafiti uliongozwa na Nadharia ya Uchanganuzi Hakiki wa Usemi kuchanganua namna lugha inavyotumika kisiasa. Utafiti ulikuwa wa kithamano na ulitekelezwa kwa kutumia mbinu ya kifasili. Sampuli teule ya kimakusudi ilihusisha manifesto ya Kenya Kwanza. Deta ilikusanywa kutoka kwenye tovuti ya Muungano wa Kenya Kwanza. Ilichanganuliwa kwa kuangalia maudhui ya lugha ya ushawishi. Matokeo yalionesha kuwa lugha katika manifesto ililenga kuibua matumaini na ahadi ya maisha bora kwa wananchi. Makala hii inachangia maarifa katika taaluma ya Isimu, hasa katika muktadha wa kisiasa. Pia, inawapa wagombezi wa siasa mwongozo wa kuunda manifesto zenye mvuto, na inasaidia mashirika ya utafiti wa kisiasa kubuni sera na miongozo bora ya uchaguz
Wakaa katika Hotuba Teule za Wanasiasa wa Kenya
Get PDFMakala hii inachunguza ubainishaji wa wakaa katika hotuba teule za wanasiasa wa Kenya. Baadhi ya wanasiasa hutoa hotuba zinazovuta makini ya wasikilizaji na wafuasi wao kwa mitindo tofauti. Mojawapo wa mbinu hii ya kimtindo ni usimulizi. Wakaa ni mojawapo wa kipengele cha kimtindo katika usimulizi. Tafiti kadha zimefanywa kubainisha wakaa na matumizi yake katika tanzu za fasihi andishi na fasihi simulizi (taz. Kwaka; 2015; Khamis; 2015; Muiya; 2018; Kinga; 2020; Asige, 2021). Licha ya hayo, tafiti hizi za awali hazikushughulikia wakaa kwa kuhusisha moja kwa moja si hotuba tu bali hotuba za kisiasa. Ni katika msingi huu ndipo makala hii imechunguza jinsi wakaa inavyojitokeza katika hotuba teule za wanasiasa wa Kenya. Makala hii imeelekezwa na nadharia ya Naratolojia iliyoasisiwa na mwanafalsafa Plato katika chapisho lake The Republic na baadaye ikaendelezwa na mwanafunzi wake Aristotle (1920) aliyewasilisha mawazo yake katika chapisho la The Poetics na wananaratolojia wa hivi majuzi Gennette (1980), Prince (1982) na Rimmon-Kenan (2002). Uchunguzi huu ulizingatia mawazo yake Rimmon-Kenan. Naratolojia ni stadi ya aina ya utendaji kazi wa usimulizi. Huangalia undani wa vifaa vinavyoongoza maelezo ya simulizi na ufahamu wa utendaji kazi wake. Data iliyotumika katika makala hii imetokana na kusoma machapisho maktabani kama vile tasnifu, majarida na vitabu. Halikadhalika, utazamaji, usikilizaji na uchambuzi wa hotuba teule za wanasiasa Mhes. Kenyatta, Odinga na Ruto katika mtandao wa YouTube ulihusishwa. Matokeo ya utafiti yamedhihirisha kuwepo kwa vipengele vya wakaa vya mpangilio, muda na idadi au umara katika hotuba za wanasiasa. Isitoshe, imebainika kuwa kipengele hiki cha usimulizi kimetumiwa kuendeleza maudhui, fani za lugha na kuchimuza wahusik
Correlating NAADS Agricultural Initiatives in the Tea Sector and the Industrialisation Potential for Community Transformation and Poverty Reduction in South-Western Uganda (2015–2025)
Get PDFCommunity transformation and poverty alleviation are central to every country's holistic development agenda as emphasized by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs, 2000–2015) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs, 2015–2030). Since 1986, Uganda has implemented a range of political, economic, and social interventions aimed at fostering community transformation and poverty reduction. However, these efforts have yielded varying levels of success. Among these initiatives was the enactment of the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) in 1997 which led to the establishment of the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) in 2001. NAADS was designed to be a key instrument for promoting agricultural investment as a means of transforming communities and alleviating poverty given agriculture’s dominance in Uganda’s economy. Although NAADS has recorded considerable achievements in enhancing agricultural production, it has underperformed in promoting agro-processing, an omission that has limited its overall impact (Fiala and Apell, 2017). This study investigated the extent to which opportunities arising from the increased distribution of tea seedlings and the subsequent expansion of tea farming have been leveraged to establish value-addition enterprises, such as green leaf and processed black tea industrial facilities in the Greater Bushenyi districts, one of the primary beneficiaries of NAADS. Employing a descriptive research design and a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from key stakeholders in the agriculture sector at both district and national levels. The findings indicate that the government’s goal of community transformation and poverty alleviation has been hampered by the failure to integrate agro-industrialization into the design and implementation of NAADS. The study concludes that it is only through coordinated, well-financed, and strategically implemented efforts that Uganda can realize the full transformative potential of its tea sector and agriculture more broadly
Influence of Cultivars and Intra Row Spacing on Performance of Maize in Keiyo North Sub-County, Kenya
Get PDFMaize is a major crop grown in Kenya for human and animal feed. Its production is determined by farming practices such as plant population, climatic factors, pests, diseases and nutrition, among others. Farmers grow maize varieties and are subject to the same spacing, yet they have varying nutrient requirements, resulting in low yields. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of spacing and varieties on quality and yield of maize. A study was conducted between March to December 2019 at Bugar and Tambach in Keiyo North Sub-County, Kenya. The treatments were three plant spacing at 75 cm× 20 cm, 75 cm× 25 cm and 75 cm× 30 cm. The three maize varieties selected were Hybrid 614, Hybrid 624 and Hybrid 6218. A factorial experiment (3×3) in a Randomised Complete Block Design with three replicates was conducted in both sites. Data was collected on the number of cobs,1000 grain weight and yield per 90kg bag was recorded at the end of the experiment. Data was subjected to two-way analysis of variance and means were separated by Tukey’s Honest Significance test at p≤0.05 in GenStat 14th Version. Results showed that there was no significant difference in interaction between spacing and varieties in both sites. There was significant p≤0.05 difference on number of cobs in Bugar on spacing but not on variety. The 1000 grain weight was significantly p ≤0.05 different in Tambach for variety but not spacing. H624 under 75 cm×20 cm produced the highest number of cobs in Bugar, while H614 under 75 cm×20 cm was best in Tambach. In conclusion, farmers in Bugar should plant H624 under 75×25cm while those in Tambach should plant H614 under 75 × 30 cm for optimum yields. These should therefore be the recommended spacing for these hybrids in Bugar and Tambach, Elgeyo Marakwe
Contribution of Organic Cotton Production to Household Income Relative to Conventional Cotton Production in Bariadi District, Tanzania
Get PDFThis paper determines the percentage of household income that is due to organic cotton production and differences in incomes from organic cotton production, conventional cotton, other crops, and non-farm activities among smallholder farmers in Bariadi District, Simiyu Region, Tanzania. Using a mixed-methods cross-sectional design, primary data were collected in 2025 from 364 households through a structured questionnaire, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions (FGDs). Quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics to compute descriptive statistics and perform the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, while qualitative data were analysed thematically through content analysis. The results indicated that organic cotton contributed 11.7% to overall income per capita, unlike conventional cotton, which contributed 9.4%. The median income per capita from organic cotton (TZS 23,964.29) was significantly higher than that from conventional cotton (TZS 0.00) (T = 23,617.50, z = -4.706, p < 0.001, r = 0.247), suggesting that organic cotton provided more reliable and profitable income than conventional cotton. Income from conventional cotton was either absent or minimal for many households, largely due to market instability and input costs. Qualitative findings reinforced the quantitative results by revealing that farmers perceive organic cotton production as more rewarding due to improved access to premium markets, price stability through contractual arrangements, reduced input costs, and alignment with environmentally sustainable practices. Respondents emphasised that organic farming not only enhances income but also promotes soil health and long-term agricultural resilience. These findings highlight organic cotton’s potential as a transformative livelihood strategy capable of reducing rural poverty, enhancing household economic resilience, and contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to no poverty, decent work, and climate action. To maximise these benefits, policy interventions should prioritise strengthening organic certification systems, enhancing extension services, and improving market linkages
Parity and Homeorhetic Prioritisation in Friesian Cows in 30–day Post-parturient Period in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya
Get PDFThe transition period to parturition introduces significant homeorhetic and metabolic challenges that significantly influence the hormone levels, feed intake, body weight and lactational performance of a cow in the immediate post-parturient period. Thus, the study examined how Friesian cows prioritised homeorhetic balance in the first 30 days of post-parturition. Nine Friesian cows whose milk production averaged 20 litres per day were purposively selected from Elso, Elfam and Betan farms, whose farm management practices are standardised and studied on-field. Each cow was fed daily on a 40 kg ration of forage, mineral licks and water ad libitum. The cows were weighed daily, and the quantity of feed intake was determined. Blood samples were collected in the morning after parturition and at 7-day intervals and tested for cortisol, prolactin, oestrogen, and IGF-1 levels. Microsoft Excel and Genstat 14 were used to analyse the data both descriptively and inferentially, using ANOVA and correlations. As cows displayed a negative energy balance (NEB) state in the first 21 days of post-parturiency, feed intake was initially low but gradually increased to match the energy status of the cow. The initial milk yield was low due to NEB and stress, but progressively increased with time as the cortisol levels declined while IGF, prolactin and oestrogen concurrently increased during the 30-day post-parturiency. Feed intake was significantly and negatively correlated to cortisol levels (r = -0.613), but positively correlated to milk yield (r = 0.615), prolactin (r = 0.760), Oestrogen (r = 0.785), and IGF (r = 0.692). The study concluded that a causal linkage existed between feed intake, milk yield and hormonal profile during the 30-day post-parturient period. The study recommends that the nutritional requirements of a dairy cow in the transition to post-parturiency be adequately provided
Policy Implementation and Information Communication Technology Integration in Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutions in Homa Bay County, Kenya
Get PDFThe world is rapidly adopting ICT, and as it is now a basic element of high-quality education, ICT must be incorporated into education and training. This study looked into the policy implementation challenges concerning ICT integration in Homa Bay County. Through the governments, countries implement ICT policies aimed at achieving the high standard of education required for global competitiveness. The ICT policy in the education ministry has not been fully implemented in Homa Bay County's training institutions, particularly in the study's focus area of TVETs. This reduces the quality of education and training and subsequently the employability possibilities of the trainees in the aforementioned location by causing learning gaps between them and their peers in other places. Three theoretical frameworks—the Top-Down Approach, Street-Level Bureaucracy, and Stakeholder Management theories—shedding light on the hitches and procedures of implementing policies were the foundation of this study in line with the study’s goals. The study used a mixed-method approach for a population of 15085 drawn from the aforementioned institutions in Homa Bay County, with a sample of 384 respondents employing a multistage sampling technique. Closed-ended questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were utilised to gather data, and SPSS was used to display and analyse the data using descriptive analysis. The study showed that although ICT policies exist, implementation remains haphazard due to insufficient institutional capacity, poor stakeholder coordination, inadequate ICT infrastructure, and poor monitoring mechanisms. However, the adoption of ICT was highest at institutions where leadership was powerful, training was structured, and stakeholders were involved. The study then recommends from these results that institutional capacity can be fortified with continuous ICT training, collaborating with the stakeholders positively, investment in accessible infrastructure such as purpose-built internet connectivity, and laying down effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks. Sustainability requires that the government also strengthen its partnerships with the Non-Governmental organisations and the private sector. The result, moreover, gives useful suggestions to policymakers, educators, and stakeholders who wish to build a more digitally inclusive and effective learning environment throughout the educational institutions in the regio
The Effect of Supportive Organisational Climate on Management of Curriculum Change in Selected Lower Secondary Schools in Uganda
Get PDFCurriculum change is a continuous and vital process in education, yet its effective management within schools is often hindered by complex internal dynamics. This study investigates the profound effect of a supportive organisational climate on the management of curriculum change in lower secondary schools in Uganda's Karamoja Sub-region. A convergent mixed-methods design was employed, involving a sample of 247 participants, including headteachers, deputy headteachers, directors of studies, and teachers. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, complemented by thematic analysis of qualitative data from interviews and focus group discussions. Findings reveal an overall highly influential supportive organisational climate (mean = 3.42), with strong perceptions of interpersonal communication (mean = 3.75) and supportive relationships (mean = 3.79). However, significant weaknesses were identified in staff participation in decision-making (mean = 2.70) and the fairness of pay policy (mean = 2.70). Quantitatively, at .157; p=.000 < .05, implying that the supportive organisational climate accounts for 15.7% of the variance in curriculum change management, demonstrating a statistically significant positive effect (p < .001). Qualitative insights triangulate these findings, highlighting strong communication and collaboration, but also underscoring physical environment challenges and concerns over equitable practices. The study concludes that a supportive organisational climate is an indispensable mediator for successful curriculum reforms, emphasising the need for leadership to address specific areas of dissatisfaction to ensure genuine embrace and sustained implementation of change
The Dark Side of Generative AI in Higher Education: Challenges, Ethical Concerns, and Implications
Get PDFThis paper presents a meta-analysis of literature examining the dark side of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in higher education, with a focus on the ethical, pedagogical, and institutional challenges arising from its rapid integration. Drawing from a comprehensive review of 300 peer-reviewed articles, reports, and policy documents published between 2018 and 2024, the study synthesises key concerns across academic integrity, algorithmic bias, data privacy, faculty roles, and policy development. Sources were systematically retrieved from major academic databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, ERIC, JSTOR, IEEE Xplore, and Google Scholar. The literature was selected based on inclusion criteria that emphasised peer-reviewed status, relevance to higher education, and a clear discussion of the ethical or practical challenges of GenAI deployment. Exclusion criteria involved studies focused solely on K–12 education, regions outside of Africa without relevance to the African higher education context or works that concentrated purely on the technical development of AI without exploring its pedagogical, ethical, or institutional implications within educational environments. The meta-analysis employed a thematic coding approach, identifying recurrent concerns in areas such as accountability, fairness, accessibility, assessment validity, and institutional readiness. The appropriate and improper uses of ChatGPT and related technologies in academic work, including assignments, research, and tests, should be clearly defined in these rules. The study highlights the necessity of structured training programs for teachers and students in addition to policy creation. The findings provide a foundation for future research and offer actionable insights for developing ethically grounded, context-sensitive strategies for AI integration in higher education
The Influence of Sexting on the Psychological Health of Students in Day Secondary Schools in Vihiga County
Get PDFThis study investigated the influence of sexting on the psychological health of students in day secondary schools in Vihiga County. The study was guided by two theories: the Social Dominance Theory developed by Jim Sidanius and Felicia Pratto (Macchia & Radke, 2020) and Erick Erickson’s psychosocial theory (Orenstein, 2022). A mixed-methods concurrent triangulation design combining quantitative data from student responses with qualitative data from interviews involving deputy principals and teachers in charge of guiding and counselling was used. The study’s accessible population comprised all students, teachers in charge of Guiding and Counselling and deputy principals in day secondary schools in Vihiga County, located in the Western Region of Kenya. A multi-stage sampling strategy comprising both simple and purposive sampling techniques was used to select participants for the study. A sample of 377 students, 13 teachers in charge of Guiding and Counselling, as well as 13 deputy principals, was determined. Quantitative results showed that sexting led to adverse psychological and behavioural problems among students (M = 4.40, SD = 0.91, β = 0.668, p = 0.027). Embarrassment, worry, social withdrawal and sleep disruption as a result of exposure to sexting were common. An analysis of the qualitative findings revealed that victims of sexting often felt embarrassed, humiliated and angry, leading to social withdrawal and loss of interest in school activities. Both the quantitative and qualitative findings highlighted the profound psychological impact of sexting on students. The study concludes that sexting is a strong predictor of embarrassment, low self-esteem, sleep disturbances and anxiety, particularly when sexually explicit content was shared without consent. The study recommends responsible internet usage and parental involvement in their children’s internet lives