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Contemporary vernacular broadcast media intervention in communities prone to intra-ethnic conflict: a case of the Abakuria in Kenya
Get PDFThe rapid growth in the vernacular broadcast media sector in Kenya has been lauded as key in the social and economic transformation of the rural communities. However, how they can be used in conflict management still remains datable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contemporary vernacular media intervention in the Abakuria community which has been prone to internecine intra-ethnic conflicts for a long time. The study analysed sources of information from broadcast media and their role in conflict resolution; evaluated the existing media reportage of intra-ethnic conflict; identified shortfalls in the usage of existing broadcast media platforms for resolving ethnic conflict and assessed the suitability of vernacular broadcast media in resolution of intra-ethnic conflict among the Abakuria community. The study used libertarian and social responsibility theories to advance understanding of the media in enhancing conflict management. It used a mixture of survey and qualitative methods of research design. Data was obtained from 162 victims of previous conflict and 162 local community members as well as 12 media practitioners and 12 key informants from the four divisions of Mabera, Ntimaru, Kegonga and Kehancha. Analysis of previous media reports was also done. Data were collected through observation, interviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions, and Participatory Vulnerability Analysis (PVA). The data were coded and entered in the computer for analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study established several findings. The main sources of information among the respondents were radio with 80% listenership, television (TV) with 40% viewership and newspapers at 20-25% readership. The most frequently used media for obtaining information was radio, followed by TV while newspaper was low and internet least preferred. Radio Citizen, Citizen TV and NTV were the most preferred channels from where information on intra-ethnic conflict is obtained. There were also up to 20% of the respondents who sought information from the Ekegusi language radio channel known as Egesa FM and another 3-5% of the respondents obtained information from one or the other of several Luo language FM stations. The national and vernacular broadcast media provided very little information about conflict resolution for the community. This study therefore recommends that a vernacular broadcast media channel distinctly dedicated to the Kuria language be established. It also recommends that a mass media advisory committee on conflict management should be set up at the local, county and national levels to advise media practitioners and coordinate activities of the mass media to set standards of enhancing management of intra-ethnic conflict among the communities in Keny
Online psychotherapy practice in public teachers training colleges in the lake region, Kenya
Get PDFIntroduction of Information Communication and technology in particular internet aimed at widening access to flexible distance education in institutions of learning. This included the practice of online psychotherapy in learning institutions. In developed countries online psychotherapy has been practiced for many years. However there is less information on whether it has taken root in public teacher training colleges in Kenya. The purpose of this study was to examine Online Psychotherapy practice in Public Teacher Training Colleges in the Lake Region, Kenya. The Objectives of this study were to establish the attitude of tutors and trainees towards online psychotherapy practice, identify resources available for online psychotherapy practice, determine the trainees’ level of usage of online services, to find out advantages and disadvantages of online psychotherapy practice and to find out the factors that contribute to online psychotherapeutic relationship in teacher training colleges in the Lake Region, Kenya. The study utilized the Person Centered Theory and Technology Acceptance model for conceptual framework. Questionnaire for the tutors and trainees and in depth interview for lead counselors based on the objectives were used to collect data. The study population comprised 2200 and a sample size of 327 from the five teachers training colleges. The study adopted purposive sampling procedure to select 40 tutor counselors from the five teacher training colleges. Sampling techniques used to select trainees were stratified and simple random sampling procedures. Streams were identified as strata and 287 trainees were selected from the eight streams from each of the five colleges. The streams were further sub divided according to gender then followed by simple random sampling procedure for each gender to obtain averagely 7 cases from each second year class totaling to 57 trainees from each college and 287 from the five teachers training colleges. The research supervisors of Rongo University viewed the instruments of research to ascertain their validity. Reliability of the instrument was established by test retest procedure and a reliability co-efficient of +0.6 was reported. The study utilized descriptive survey design and data was analyzed using descriptive statistics with the aid of computer program that is Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The findings of the study revealed that the respondents had a positive attitude towards online psychotherapy practice. The study also established that online resources are available and this provides a platform for online psychotherapy practice in teachers training colleges. The results further found that there was high level of usage of online services among tutors and trainees. The study findings challenged trainees and tutor counselors to embrace technology integration policy in teachers training colleges. Therefore, the Ministry of Education should allocate more resources for the development of online psychotherapy practice in Teachers Training Colleges. There is also need for the Ministry of Education to ensure that similar future research is carried out in all the teachers training colleges in Kenya
Responsiveness of health care systems on elderly optimal ageing in rural Kenya: the case of rachuonyo north subcounty of homa bay county
Get PDFOptimal aging in the elderly has become an important concept globally due to increasing number of people aged 60 years and above and their subsequent pressure on health services. The elderly, expectant mothers and children below five years comprise the world vulnerable population. In Kenya, unlike the Western world, only the expectant mothers and children below 5 years have special health care service guides, thus leaving the elderly on routine health care system. This study investigated the influence of health systems responsiveness on optimal ageing of the elderly in rural Kenya, Rachuonyo north sub-county of Homa Bay county. Specifically, the study sought to determine the level of optimal aging among the elderly, establish the influence of respect for persons in caring for the elderly on elderly optimal ageing, determine the influence of implementation of the concept of client orientation in caring for the elderly on elderly optimal ageing, evaluate the influence of Health System preparedness to care for the elderly on elderly optimal ageing. The study was guided by Systems theory. A conceptual framework showing the relationship between health system responsiveness and optimal aging was adopted. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional explorative survey. Semi-structured questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions were used as methods of data collection. Study population was 10,033 elderly and sample size of 385 was determined by Taro Yamane’s formula with margin of error of 5%. Respondents were obtained by using cluster and purposive sampling methods. Further 45 Key Informants and five 10 focus group discussion members were obtained by purposive sampling method. Reliability of the questionnaire was determined by Cronbach alpha which ascertained at least 0.7 in all subscales. Validity was determined by expert supervisors and by piloting. Quantitative data was analyzed using mean, correlation and regression while qualitative data was analyzed thematically in which concepts were identified and emerging themes generated. In a Likert scale of 1to 5, the study established that there was moderate level of optimal ageing with mean response of2.61, (r =.247; p < 0.05), there was positive correlation (r =.247;p < 0.05) between observance of respect for persons and elderly optimal ageing, there was positive correlation (r =.534; p< 0.05) between implementation of the concept of client orientation and optimal ageing and there was positive correlation (r =.447; p < 0.05)between health system preparedness and elderly optimal ageing. The study revealed that health system accounts for 56% of the variances in optimal aging of the elderly in the study area. In conclusion, the study established that elderly experience moderate aging due to multiple morbidity associated factors; there was statistically significant influence of implementation of client orientation in caring for the elderly on elderly optimal ageing however, majority of the elderly expressed marked resentments over respect accorded to them by health staff; there was statistically significant influence of implementation of the concept of client orientation in caring for the elderly on optimal ageing but there was inadequate understanding of the elderly on the potentials and challenges of the health systems. Finally, there was statistically significant positive effect of Health Systems preparedness on elderly optimal ageing and that currently health service providers practice with general health care knowledge. The study recommended the use of specific elderly care service guide, sensitization of health care service provider to the observance of respect for persons, positive interactive sessions between health care service provider and the elderly, specialized training of health care service providers to care for the elderly and further study on how to improve on the observance of respect for persons in caring for the elderly
Sectoral credit diversification, bank performance and monitoring effectiveness; a cross-country analysis of east African banking industries
Get PDFTraditionally, banking has been viewed as a pathway to reducing the frictions of transaction costs and information asymmetries. However, innovations in information technologies, deregulation, and financial deepening have deprived banks of the intermediation advantages by reducing the costs and information gaps. The emergence of shadow banking model further erodes these advantages. Banks have often responded by ameliorating their intermediation costs, through sectoral diversification. Indeed intermediation theories advocate for diversification to attain efficiency by reducing costs. However, given the nature of their operations, banks never hold sufficient balances to guarantee full liquidity. This exposes them to runs and portfolio losses if they don’t efficiently monitor and recover the advances. This scenario raises two questions that are critical to the very core of bank intermediation. First, does sectoral credit diversification enhance bank profitability; and secondly, are banks able to effectively monitor the many portfolios resulting from diversification? To answer these questions, secondary data was collected from Bank Supervision reports of the central banks in four East African Community (EAC) countries for eight firm years from 2008 to 2015 and analysed using Generalized Linear Models (GLM). A positive and significant effect of sectoral credit diversification on banking industry returns on assets was observed while a significant negative relationship between diversification and asset quality as a proxy for monitoring effectiveness was reported. This shows that sectoral credit diversification improve the monitoring effectiveness of banks. The paper recommends a diversified loan portfolio where intermediaries distribute their credit offerings across various economic sectors
Influence of Cropping System and Residue Management on Selected Soil Chemical Properties
Get PDFDeclining soil fertility in sub-Saharan Africa caused by continuous cropping without nutrient inputs has resulted in declining crop yield. The study was aimed to determine the effects of crop rotation and crop residue management on soil pH, organic carbon, nitrogen and available soil P. A split plot experimental design was set up with crop management system (maize monocropping and maize – bean rotation) as main plots and crop residue (maize stover) as sub plots, in three consecutive cropping seasons. At planting, all plots received 60 kg of P2O5/ha and 60 kg of K2O/ha. Results for the three cropping seasons indicated slight decrease in soil acidity, (5.42±.11), increase in soil organic carbon (2.39±.40) and soil total nitrogen from the initial value of 0.15% to 0.22±.03 due to legume rotation. Available soil P improved from 2.99 to 8.65±1.63 cmol kg-1showing significant differences (P≤0.05) under rotation system plus addition of crop residue. Rotation of maize and legumes with crop residue addition is recommended for farmers, which will benefit them in improving soil fertility
Dialogue as a management tool for conflict resolution at Rongo University
Get PDFOther approaches have been used for decades to solving issues in Kenyan public universities, but
the methods have been found to be less humane and costly. The need to embrace dialogue is a
better approach in conflict resolution and should be encouraged towards a transformed society.
This study investigates dialogue as a management tool for conflict resolution at Rongo University.
It raises the need for knowledge of what dialogue is, competence in how to employ dialogue and
its use for it to be a tool in conflict resolution. Employees move beyond any one individual’s
understanding to gain new insights and create new ideas in ways that cannot be achieved
individually. It describes the dialogue process and explores how it shifts both individuals and a
group to a collective, shared understanding. In dialogue all parties involved are givers and takers,
dialogue can be carried out at different levels at which participants are influenced or influence
others. The study was guided by the following objectives; to identify the importance of dialogue
in conflict resolution at Rongo University, investigate the requirements for dialogue in conflict
resolution at Rongo University and examine if dialogue can be used as a sustainable management
tool in conflict resolution at Rongo University. Data was collected from employees of Rongo
University. Descriptive study was applied, and purposive sample used. The target population was
a total of 500 employees and a sample size of 217 using Krejcie and Morgan sampling table. It
was anchored by dialogue theory. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were adapted using
questionnaires and observation. Tables, graphs and pie charts were used in data presentation.
Results indicated that some of the approaches used in conflict resolution were due to delays, fear
of dialogue, and insensitivity of management. The conclusion from the study was that dialogue
had not been fully embraced and lack of dialogue was due to the attitude that has developed over
time. Employees have not been adequately informed on the importance of embracing dialogue as
a better approach to conflict resolution
Determinants of government consumption expenditure in Kenya
Get PDFGovernment expenditure is a very instrumental demand tool in achieving economic stability and policy makers frequently use it to influence certain economic outcomes. Government expenditure majorly consists of two components: investment and consumption components. Many researchers concede that higher level of government consumption expenditure is growth retarding and therefore undesirable. The aim of the study was establish the economic, structural and political and institutional determinants of government consumption expenditure in Kenya. Government consumption expenditure in Kenya has grown relatively faster from Ksh 31.2732 billion in 1963 to Ksh 2107.2 billion in 2018. There is still scanty literature on this topic and yet consumption expenditure accounts for more than 55% of Kenya’s total public spending every year. Because Shonchoy (2010) panel analysis suffers from cross-sectional heterogeneity and fails to be informative about Kenya’s consumption spending, it became a motivation to examine the causes for the rise in Kenya’s government consumption expenditure. Studies done by Kanano (2006) explained the reasons behind growth in gross expenditure, while Maingi (2010) and Abwoga (2013) focused on the effects of public consumption expenditure on economic growth in Kenya. However, their studies did not attempt to explain the causes of its growth. Oketch, T. O. and Linge, T. (2018) examined the determinants of recurrent public expenditure in Kenya but, however, reduced their scope and narrowed on salaries/wages, social contribution and non-wage related variables such as rent & utilities, travelling expenses, hospitality and other consumables and that focus makes this study deviate from their study. In light of this arguement, this study followed quantitative and correlational studies design to establish the reasons for rise in consumption expenditure in Kenya and drawing from the public choice approach, three models were used:(i) Economic model; consisted of gross domestic product, foreign aid, inflation rate, foreign direct investment, interest rate, trade openness and external debt stock (ii) Structural model; consisted of urbanization rate, young population (below 15 years) and old population (above 64 years) (iii) Politico-institutional model; comprised of market liberalization, political liberty, political cohesion, corruption and elections. Published data obtained from World Bank, Country Data Portal (2018) were used. Following cointegration test results on the time series data for the period 1963-2017, VECM, VAR and OLS estimations techniques were adopted. The results were that in the long-run, while 1USD increase in GDP causes USD1.3 increase in government consumption expenditure, a unit increase in inflation rate would cause USD1.8 increase in consumption expenditure. However, 1USD increase in foreign direct investment and external debt stock causes, respectively, USD 0.07 and USD 2.6 drop in government consumption expenditure. Corruption, democracy and political instability have positive effects on government consumption expenditure in Kenya. Urbanization and population dynamics jointly affect the variable in the short-run. This study recommends that the government should strengthen its institutions that are mandated to deal with graft cases, create peaceful political setting at all times and ensure a friendly environment to foreign investor
Organizational communication on devolved governance: a case of kisii county executive
Get PDFIn the year 2010, Kenya promulgated a new constitution that advocated for a devolved system of governance. This led to the establishment of 47 County governments in the country that are charged with the responsibility of providing services to the local people. Devolution, being a new phenomenon in Kenya, the capacity of the counties to face up with communication challenges and potential structural complexities to ensure that they are managed sustainably is a concern. County Government‟s capacity to entrench communication to ensure proper service delivery remains an area of concern. The purpose of this study was to assist in understanding how organizational communication contribute to the general performance of county governments in Kenya and possibly stimulate the exchange of ideas among public and private experts, policy makers and implementers on policy guidelines for optimal implementation of devolved governance.
The specific objectives were to establish how organizational communication channels affect devolved governance in Kisii County, determine the effect of employee communication skills on devolved governance in Kisii County and examine the effect of organizational communication structure on devolved governance in Kisii County. The study targeted 620 employees and a sample size of 86 respondents was used for the study. The location of the research was limited to the county headquarters at the former Municipal building along Kisii-Daraja Mbili road. The study adopted a descriptive research design and also used stratified sampling technique. The study used questionnaires and observation in the collection of primary data while secondary data was obtained through published documents such as books, journals, periodicals, magazines and reports to supplement the primary data.
Data was analyzed and presented in tables and column charts. Based on the study findings, the study concludes channels of communication, employee communication skills and organizational communication structure as the major factors that mostly affect devolved governance. The study recommends for improvement in the way the county executive conducts its management operations and activities by communicating to other employees properly besides equipping them with necessary communication skills through training to enhance and support devolved governance. It also recommends for an establishment of an internal communication policy in Kisii County government to guide the communication processes
A Contextual Analysis of Community Radio Programming and Peace Promotion in Political Campaigns in Kenya: A Case of Migori County
Get PDFWith their ability to reach and influence a large number of people, community radios wield immense power in shaping the course of political discourse and contestations. Although many examples of the media’s negative contribution to escalation of violence and conflicts exist, fair and accurate journalism that builds confidence and counteracts misperceptions has the potential to transform and prevent political violence. Migori County is listed by the National Commission on Integration and Cohesion(NCIC) as one of the political violence hotspots in Kenya. The aim of this study was to investigate both programme genre and broadcast content of three community radios in the region. The objectives of the study were: To establish whether Milambo Radio 103.8 FM, Radio Tarumbeta 90.4 FM and Radio Rameny88.3 FM have programmes designed for promoting peaceful political campaigns in Migori County; to determine the extent to which such programmes are used in promoting peaceful political campaigns and to explore strategies through which the programmes may be made more effective in promoting peaceful political campaigns. The study used face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis. Agenda Setting Theory supported by the Media Effects Theory were used
Factors associated with accidents involving commercial motorcycle operators in Migori town, Kenya
Get PDFTransport services offered by commercial motorcycle operators present a number of advantages to users. The advantages range from affordability to flexibility. Due to shortage of formal employment, many Kenyan youth have ventured into commercial motorcycle taxi business, but the sub sector is facing many challenges key to which is rampant cases of motor accidents. This study explored factors associated with accident involving commercial motorcycle operators in Migori town, Kenya. Specifically, this study sought to: - determine the association between rider formal training and accidents involving commercial motorcycle operators, determine the effect of rider alcohol use on accidents involving commercial motorcycle operators, determine the association between age of rider and accidents involving commercial motorcycle operators and, determine the association between rider compliance with traffic laws and accidents involving commercial motorcycle operators, in the study area. This study employed a descriptive survey design targeting all the commercial motorcycle operators registered with Migori town Motorists Sacco Limited. A simple random sampling technique was used to identify one hundred and ninety five (195) commercial motorcycle operators. In addition, purposive sampling was used to include five (5) key informants in the study. The study was guided with Human Factors Theory. Pretested structured questionnaire was administered to the sampled commercial motorcycle operators to collect quantitative data. Separately, in- depth interviews were conducted to the key informants to gather qualitative data. The quantitative data was coded, sorted and analyzed descriptively using SPSS software. Inferential statistics using Chi – Square and Binary Logistic Regression were used to test associations between independent and dependent variables. A probability value of p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Qualitative data was classified, summarized and analyzed using content analysis approach. The findings were presented in form of tables and narrative forms. Research findings revealed that rider formal training had significant association with motorcycle accident. The study also found that, rider alcohol use, age of rider and rider compliance with traffic laws did not have significant association with motorcycle accident in Migori town. Based on these findings, the study concluded that rider formal training is important in reducing commercial motorcycle related accidents. The study therefore recommended that potential riders should undergo formal training in driving schools as a way of reducing commercial motorcycle accidents. It is during formal training that other issues such as rider alcohol use during working hours and rider compliance with traffic laws, which are found to be insignificantly associated with motorcycle accident in this study, would be taught