11 research outputs found
The affordability of school textbooks in Kenya: Consumer experiences in the transforming to a liberalising economy
No full textABSTRACT The growth of educational publishing in Kenya depends heavily on the disposable income of its customers. This article looks at the incomes of both actual and potential customers and how they prioritise their spending. The findings are based on research carried out in Kenya by the author. In selecting the areas to conduct the research, socio-economic factors, geographical conditions and level of development were considered. It was found that most textbook purchasers think that textbooks are very expensive in comparison with their own incomes. This has therefore led them to prioritise basic essential needs before thinking of purchasing textbooks
The present and future growth of scholarly publishing in Africa
No full textPeer reviewed article published under Inkanyiso, Volume 3, Issue 2, Jan 2011, p. 131 - 139Scholarly publishing in Africa, though still struggling to keep pace with the rest of the world, has made major progress.
Many universities in Africa are seriously engaged in scholarly publishing, both in print and electronic formats. The outputs
of research are constantly disseminated in universities, at conferences and during seminars; the same are then published
as proceedings or in refereed journals. The various initiatives by African universities provide opportunities to researchers to
present their findings for discussion before submission for publication in various scholarly journals published by universities
or those collaborating with publishing houses. The journals provide an avenue for disseminating research findings from
Africa, hence adding to the already existing body of knowledge by researchers from other parts of the world. The advent of
electronic publishing has widened the space and opportunity for African researchers to publish their work. Most African
universities maintain some sections on their websites for uploading research findings. The uploaded materials, whether
proceedings or already published work elsewhere, contribute to the visibility of African research in the world. Scholarly
journal publishing, therefore, has the potential to encourage research in Africa
Publishing and Distribution of Educational Books in Kenya: a study of market liberalisation and book consumption
No full textAn investigation into the publishing and distribution of educational books in Kenya under market liberalisation that outlines the historical background and describes how the industry has moved from import orientation to government control and on towards becoming an industry of private commercial publishers. The study set out to investigate the growth, market oportunities, and factors affecting distribution. The political implications that educational policies have on textbook provision are explored.
Fieldwork was carried out in Machakos ans Uasin Gishu districts and in the Nairobi area where 29 schools (both primary and secondary) were visitied
Mapping and audting agricultural indigenous knowledge in Kenya: a case study of the Uasin Gishu and Keiyo districts
No full textThe purpose of this study was to map and audit agricultural indigenous knowledge (AIK) among farmers in Uasin Gishu and Keiyo districts in Kenya. It examines the extent of applications of AIK by farmers in their agricultural activities. A face-to-face interview complemented by focus group discussions was conducted with the farmers. It was found that most farmers lack knowledge of improved farming methods due to inadequate extension services. The survey reveals that the adopted indigenous knowledge is learnt through lineage from generation to generation. Among the methods used in storage and preservation of seeds and food crops are drying and use of ash while animal products are preserved by using herbs, and smoking. It was further noted that AIK has not been fully integrated with modern farming methods. The study recommends measures for improving the capturing, preserving and disseminating AIK for farmers. This is expected to contribute to agricultural productivity, sustainable food security, generation of foreign exchange, creation of income earning opportunities for farmers, and development of local agricultural content.Innovation, No.44, June 201
Trends and patterns of medical and health research at Moi University, Kenya, between 2002 and 2014: an informetrics study
No full textQuality and Relevance of Illustrations in Approved Primary School Textbooks
No full textHowever, some approved primary school textbooks in Kenya might contain low quality and irrelevant illustrations that inhibit their use. This study sought to evaluate the quality and relevance of illustrations in approved textbooks in Uasin Gishu County in Kenya so as to recommend strategies for determining their preparation and production. The objectives of the study were to establish the criteria for determining the quality and relevance of illustrations, to determine factors contributing to the quality and relevance of illustrations, and to examine challenges faced while dealing with illustrations. The study was guided by the gatekeeping theory. The researchers adopted an exploratory survey design involving 191 respondents. Questionnaires and interviews were used to collect data. The findings established that specific criteria for determining the quality and relevance of illustrations were lacking, and that expertise, time, technology, and printing materials were factors that contributed to the quality and relevance of illustrations. The results revealed that primary schools experienced user-related challenges, and that publishers experienced preparation and production challenges. Vetting and approving authorities\u27 challenges emanated from the preparation of the illustrations. Important recommendations include that adequate criteria for determining the quality and relevance of illustrations be formulated by the vetting authorities, that the preparation and production of illustrations be given professional attention by the publishers, and that government support textbook development and involvement of subject teachers from all regions in the evaluation panels. The study has implications for decolonising teaching and learning
Information services provided by Maarifa Telecentres to rural communities in ASALs in Kenya
No full textPeer reviewed article published under Inkanyiso journal, Volume 11 Number 1, p.50 - 68, November 2019.Telecentres are established to provide information, to bridge the information and
digital gap, foster development and confront the requirements of the poverty
stricken in remote and isolated rural areas in developing nations. The purpose of
this study was to explore information services provided by two Maarifa centres to
rural communities in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) in Kenya. The specific
objective was to establish the information needs of ASAL communities served by
Maarifa centres; to explore information services provided by Maarifa centres to
ASAL communities; to analyse the challenges and prospects of Maarifa centres in
the provision of information to rural communities in Kenya and to make
recommendations for the improvement of information services to ASALs
communities in Kenya. The study employed a multiple case study research design
as an overall strategy and drew upon multiple data sources to develop a
triangulation of methods. Qualitative research was administered as a predominant
approach. Data was gathered through interviews from a sample of 20 respondents
from each Maarifa centre: Isinya in Kajiado and Ng’arua in Laikipia counties. In
addition, two focus group discussions were administered with the respondents of
the two Maarifa centres. Key informants included directors and programme
coordinators of Maarifa centres and government agencies who provide
infrastructural support to the telecentre project. This study was informed by the
Department for International Development’s (DFID’s) theoretical framework
namely: the ‘Sustainable Livelihoods Approach’ (SLA) framework. The findings of
this study suggest that Maarifa centres are points of Arid Lands Information Networks (ALINs) engagement with communities living in ASALs. People
appreciate Maarifa centres as places to access information, acquire ICT skills, and
improve livelihood activities such as agriculture and businesses and for social
communication. The challenges are mainly infrastructural such as poor
connectivity and Internet access. This study revealed that Maarifa centres have
solved most of the community’s information related challenges through egovernment services, e-commerce and agricultural development and knowledge
creation, resulting in improved livelihoods. The study contributes to knowledge
because it adopts a community-centred approach that focuses on the views of
users of Maarifa centres
Social Media Activism in Tanzania: Exploring @MariaSTsehai and @fatma_karume Use of X to Influence Socio-political Change
No full textThis article examines how Tanzanian activists utilize the affordances of X (formerly Twitter) to drive socio-political change in the country. Social media has emerged as a powerful tool for activism, fostering dialogue, enhancing visibility, facilitating communication, and mobilizing support. While significant research has explored the role of social media in activism globally, there is limited scholarly focus on its impact and mechanisms within the Tanzanian socio-political context. To address this gap, we analyzed 6,384 tweets from two Tanzanian activists' X accounts using Twitonomy for descriptive analysis and Qualitative Data Analysis Miner Lite for thematic analysis. The conceptual frameworks of online listening and digital citizenship informed our analysis and interpretation of the findings. The results reveal that Tanzanian activists leveraged X to advocate for democracy and human rights, discuss national political and economic issues, and disseminate information. Their online activism has been instrumental in achieving key objectives, including overturning the ban on public political meetings, securing the release of political prisoners, and advancing the agenda for a new constitution. The conversational nature of their discourse highlights the practice of mutual listening among activists. We conclude that while social media offers significant potential to foster socio-political change, its effectiveness depends on its responsible and strategic use. To strengthen this impact, we recommend integrating digital citizenship into Tanzania's civic education policies and providing targeted training on content creation for activism and political engagemen
Access and Use of Information by Rural Communities in Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASALs) of Kenya: the Case of Maarifa Centres
No full textTelecentres are community knowledge centres that offer shared access to information and Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) for the benefit of community development in alleviation of poverty. This article presents a case study that explored the extent to which rural communities in ASALs region of Kenya access and use information from the Maarifa centres (MC). The objective was to examine access and use pattern of information by ASAL communities benefiting from the MC. Using a multiple case study, 80 respondents drawn from five Maarifa centres were interviewed. The respondents were users of the respective Maarifa centres. The Maarifa centres selected were namely; Nguruman MC in Magadi, Mutomo MC in Kitui, Isinya MC in Kajiado, Ng’arua MC in Laikipia and Sipili MC in Baringo. Further, five focus group discussions were conducted with the respondents. Key informants interviewed included, Director of Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN); Programme Coordinators of Maarifa centres; Officers of the Communication Authority of Kenya and the ICT board of Kenya. Major findings indicate that rural communities appreciate Maarifa centres as a source of information. The respondents valued Maarifa centres as intermediaries for accessing information for socio-economic development. The biggest achievement is the use of Sokopepe, an online knowledge management platform which can be accessed through computers or the mobile phone. The challenges that hinder effective access and use of information are mainly infrastructural which slow down information uptake and internet access. The study revealed that Maarifa centres have addressed most of the community’s information needs of government information through access to e-government services; e-commerce, agricultural development and knowledge creation, resulting in improved livelihoods. Provision of these services was possible through collaboration of the government ministries and agencies, development partners, funding agencies and community participation. Keywords: Telecentres, Information access, Knowledge management, ASALs DOI: 10.7176/IKM/10-5-04 Publication date:August 31st 202
