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Introduction: Research on snakebite has mostly been conducted on settled populations and current risk factors and potential interventions are therefore most suited for these populations. There is limited epidemiological data on mobile and nomadic populations, who may have a higher risk of snakebite. Methods and results: We conducted a scoping review to gather evidence on survey methods used in nomadic populations and compared them with contemporary survey methods used for snakebite research. Only 16 (10.5%) of 154 articles reportedly conducted on pastoralist nomadic populations actually involved mobile pastoralists. All articles describing snakebite surveys (n = 18) used multistage cluster designs on population census sampling frames, which would not be appropriate for nomadic populations. We used geospatial techniques and open-source high-resolution satellite images to create a digital sampling frame of 50,707 households and used a multistage sampling strategy to survey nomadic and semi-nomadic populations in Samburu County, Kenya. From a sample of 900 geo-located households, we correctly identified and collected data from 573 (65.4%) households, of which 409 were in their original locations and 164 had moved within 5km of their original locations. We randomly sampled 302 (34.6%) households to replace completely abandoned and untraceable households. Conclusion: Highly mobile populations require specific considerations in selecting or creating sampling frames and sampling units for epidemiological research. Snakebite risk has a strong spatial component and using census-based sampling frames would be inappropriate in nomadic populations. We propose using open-source satellite imaging and geographic information systems to improve the conduct of epidemiological research in these populations. Author summary: Nomadic populations are at increased risk of snakebites, but interventions will not be developed or improved without reliable data on this risk. Highly mobile populations require specific considerations in selecting or creating sampling frames and sampling units for epidemiological research, and using census-based sampling frames would be inappropriate. We conducted scoping reviews to gather evidence on survey methods used in nomadic populations and compared them with contemporary survey methods used for snakebite research, which we used to inform our methodology. We describe the creation of a sampling frame of 50,707 households, the selection and geo-tagging of a sample of 900 households, and the identification and enrolment of participants from 875 households between August 2019 and March 2020. We propose using open-source satellite imaging and geographic information systems to improve the conduct of epidemiological research in these populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Appropriate paper-based technology (APT) is used to provide postural support for children with cerebral palsy (CP) in low-resourced settings. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the impact of APT on the children's and families' lives. A convenience sample of children with CP and their families participated. Inclusion was based on the Gross Motor Function Classification System levels IV and V. APT seating or standing frames were provided for six months. A mixed methods impact of APT devices on the children and families included the Family Impact Assistive Technology Scale for Adaptive Seating (FIATS-AS); the Child Engagement in Daily Life (CEDL) questionnaire; and a qualitative assessment from diary/log and semi-structured interviews. Ten children (median 3 years, range 9 months to 7 years). Baseline to follow-up median (IQR) FIATS-AS were: 22.7 (9.3) and 30.3 (10.2), respectively (p=.002). Similarly mean (SD) CEDL scores for "frequency" changed from 30.5 (13.2) to 42.08 (5.96) (p=.021) and children's enjoyment scores from 2.23 (0.93) to 2.91 (0.79) (p=.019). CEDL questionnaire for self-care was not discriminatory; seven families scored zero at both baseline and 6 months. Qualitative interviews revealed three key findings; that APT improved functional ability, involvement/interaction in daily-life situations, and a reduced family burden of care. APT devices used in Kenyan children with non-ambulant CP had a meaningful positive effect on both the children's and their families' lives. Assistive devices are often unobtainable for children with cerebral palsy (CP) in low-income countries. APT is a low cost and sustainable solution to make seating and standing devices for disabled children in Kenya. The regular use of a postural support device enhanced the children's motor skills, ability to function and participate in everyday activities, reduced the burden of care for the families and promoted the children's social interaction. The postural support devices were highly valued and utilised by the children and families in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a sustainable structure to deliver the World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed group Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT-G) for Postpartum Adolescent (PPA) mothers living with HIV in Nairobi. It documents the process of mobilizing, training, and engaging Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Key Informants (health facility staff) involved in the Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) in two Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities from informal settlements of Nairobi County. Mainly reporting experiences from the training process utilizing focused group discussions and in-depth interviews involving participants, IPT-G therapists and supervisors we present process findings and acceptability of our IPT-G implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Suitable assistive devices for children with cerebral palsy (CP) in low-income countries are often unavailable. Devices made from APT are in use in several countries but are unevaluated. Materials and methods: A 2-week training course focused on APT principles, measuring children and constructing postural support devices. Twenty-three Kenyans attended the course. The host organization identified four local children with CP who attended for assessment and measurement. Participants made the devices and children returned for fitting and necessary adjustment. Completion of post-course forms, action plans, visits after 14 months and contact 3 years later comprised the evaluation. Results: All participants found the course beneficial and valued the networking opportunity provided. They appreciated the practicality and utility of locally manufactured cost effective devices. The trainees planned further implementation to provide assistive devices for children with CP in their localities. Follow-up visits revealed several challenges to local ongoing production. Conclusions: Training people in low-income communities to make bespoke assistive devices for children with CP is straightforward, and the course was positively evaluated. However, maintaining device production is limited without local group support and stable leadership, ideally as part of an existing programme. Assistive devices are often unobtainable for children with cerebral palsy (CP) in low-income countries. APT is a cost effective way of fulfilling this need and it is relatively straightforward to train people who care for or work with those with CP to make devices using APT. Feedback from APT training suggests participants find the technique a practical way of producing assistive equipment for individuals with CP in their community. Maintaining device production requires support, leadership and increased public awareness of the use of APT at a local level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amid a rise of misinformation worldwide, this paper examines digital misinformation literacy as it relates to COVID-19 news in East Africa. The study is grounded in inoculation theory and contributes to the body of scholarship examining misinformation literacy beyond the Western world. Data came from a comparative, cross-national survey in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda (N = 3,203), making this the largest known empirical investigation into digital misinformation literacy in the region within the context of a pandemic. Paper surveys were distributed throughout all three countries in 2021. The data revealed differences in actual and perceived misinformation literacy levels. Kenyans and Rwandans were better at detecting false COVID-19 statements in the media, whereas Ugandans were better at detecting true messages. Similarly, Kenyans' and Rwandans' perceived levels of digital misinformation literacy were higher than Ugandans'. Regarding perceived exposure to COVID-19 information, Kenyans felt they were exposed to fake COVID-19 news online more often than Ugandans, who felt more exposed than Rwandans. This research contributes to the growing literature on digital misinformation literacy, an area which isn't significantly studied in many world regions, especially in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of History in Africa: A Journal of Method is the property of Cambridge University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Examines the present position of libraries (academic, public, special, and school) and librarianship in Kenya, highlighting problems concerned with manpower, accommodations and equipment, books, finances, and cooperation. Proposals for action involving manpower, books, school library service, user education, standardization, and bibliographic control are presented. Twenty-four references are cited. (EJS)

Background: Persons with submicroscopic malaria infection are a major reservoir of gametocytes that sustain malaria transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite recent decreases in the national malaria burden in Kenya due to vector control interventions, malaria transmission continues to be high in western regions of the country bordering Lake Victoria. The objective of this study was to advance knowledge of the topographical, demographic and behavioral risk factors associated with submicroscopic malaria infection in the Lake Victoria basin in Kisumu County. Methods: Cross-sectional community surveys for malaria infection were undertaken in three eco-epidemiologically distinct zones in Nyakach sub-County, Kisumu. Adjacent regions were topologically characterized as lakeshore, hillside and highland plateau. Surveys were conducted during the 2019 and 2020 wet and dry seasons. Finger prick blood smears and dry blood spots (DBS) on filter paper were collected from 1,777 healthy volunteers for microscopic inspection and real time-PCR (RT-PCR) diagnosis of Plasmodium infection. Persons who were PCR positive but blood smear negative were considered to harbor submicroscopic infections. Topographical, demographic and behavioral risk factors were correlated with community prevalence of submicroscopic infections. Results: Out of a total of 1,777 blood samples collected, 14.2% (253/1,777) were diagnosed as submicroscopic infections. Blood smear microscopy and RT-PCR, respectively, detected 3.7% (66/1,777) and 18% (319/1,777) infections. Blood smears results were exclusively positive for P. falciparum, whereas RT-PCR also detected P. malariae and P. ovale mono- and co-infections. Submicroscopic infection prevalence was associated with topographical variation (χ2 = 39.344, df = 2, p<0.0001). The highest prevalence was observed in the lakeshore zone (20.6%, n = 622) followed by the hillside (13.6%, n = 595) and highland plateau zones (7.9%, n = 560). Infection prevalence varied significantly according to season (χ2 = 17.374, df = 3, p<0.0001). The highest prevalence was observed in residents of the lakeshore zone in the 2019 dry season (29.9%, n = 167) and 2020 and 2019 rainy seasons (21.5%, n = 144 and 18.1%, n = 155, respectively). In both the rainy and dry seasons the likelihood of submicroscopic infection was higher in the lakeshore (AOR: 2.71, 95% CI = 1.85–3.95; p<0.0001) and hillside (AOR: 1.74, 95% CI = 1.17–2.61, p = 0.007) than in the highland plateau zones. Residence in the lakeshore zone (p<0.0001), male sex (p = 0.025), school age (p = 0.002), and living in mud houses (p = 0.044) increased the risk of submicroscopic malaria infection. Bed net use (p = 0.112) and occupation (p = 0.116) were not associated with submicroscopic infection prevalence. Conclusion: Topographic features of the local landscape and seasonality are major correlates of submicroscopic malaria infection in the Lake Victoria area of western Kenya. Diagnostic tests more sensitive than blood smear microscopy will allow for monitoring and targeting geographic sites where additional vector interventions are needed to reduce malaria transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Partnership and engagement are mediators of change in the efficient uptake of evidence-based patient-centered health interventions. We reflect on our process of engagement and preparation of peer mentors in the development of peer-led psychotherapy intervention for HIV infected adolescents in active care at the Comprehensive Care Centre (CCC) at Kenyatta National Hospital. The program was implemented in two phases, using a Consultation, Involve, Collaboration and Empowerment approach as stepping stones to guide our partnership and engagement process with stakeholders and ten peer mentors embedded in the CCC. Our partnership process promoted equity, power-and-resource sharing including making the peer mentors in-charge of the process and being led by them in manual development. This process of partnership and engagement demonstrated that engaging key stakeholders in projects lead to successful development, implementation, dissemination and sustainment of evidence-based interventions. Feedback and insights bridged the academic and clinical worlds of our research by helping us understand clinical, family, and real-life experiences of persons living with HIV that are often not visible in a research process. Our findings can be used to understand and design mentorship programs targeting lay health workers and peer mentors at community health care levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mean concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr and Fe in mosses around Webuye Pan Paper factory were found to be significantly higher than in controls taken from Kakamega, indicating atmospheric contribution from the anthropogenic activities within the factory, shown within a radius of 1 km around the factory. The mean concentrations (μg/g dry weight) in the mosses ranged from 60.9-124.5, 22.6-34.2, 13.3-14.7, 20.1-33.3 and 1,822.4-2,079.2, respectively. The mean concentrations of Pb in mosses sampled from the eastern and western side of the factory were also significantly higher than in controls. The mean concentrations of Zn, Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb and Fe in topsoil samples ranged from 7 (Pb)-2,310 (Fe) mg/kg dry wt, depending on sample means based on site direction, distance from the factory and season. There was no clear variation in metal concentrations in mosses and topsoils with direction from the factory which was consistent with the observed fluctuations in wind direction which changed from south-west in the mornings to north and south-west in the afternoons during sampling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background For disease surveillance, manual data collection using paper-based questionnaires can be time consuming and prone to errors. We introduced smartphone data collection to replace paperbased data collection for an influenza sentinel surveillance system in four hospitals in Kenya. We compared the quality, cost and timeliness of data collection between the smartphone data collection system and the paper-based system. Methods Since 2006, the Kenya Ministry of Health (MoH) with technical support from the Kenya Medical Research Institute/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KEMRI/CDC) conducted hospital-based sentinel surveillance for influenza in Kenya. In May 2011, the MOH replaced paper-based collection with an electronic data collection system using Field Adapted Survey Toolkit (FAST) on HTC Touch Pro2 smartphones at four sentinel sites. We compared 880 paper-based questionnaires dated Jan 2010-Jun 2011 and 880 smartphone questionnaires dated May 2011-Jun 2012 from the four surveillance sites. For each site, we compared the quality, cost and timeliness of each data collection system. Results Incomplete records were more likely seen in data collected using pen-and-paper compared to data collected using smartphones (adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR) 7, 95% CI: 4.4-10.3). Errors and inconsistent answers were also more likely to be seen in data collected using penand-paper compared to data collected using smartphones (aIRR: 25, 95% CI: 12.5-51.8). Smartphone data was uploaded into the database in a median time of 7 days while paperbased data took a median of 21 days to be entered (p < 0.01). It cost USD 1,501 (9.4%) more to establish the smartphone data collection system ($17,500) than the pen-and-paper system (USD $15,999). During two years, however, the smartphone data collection system was $3,801 (7%) less expensive to operate ($50,200) when compared to pen-and-paper system ($54,001). Conclusions Compared to paper-based data collection, an electronic data collection system produced fewer incomplete data, fewer errors and inconsistent responses and delivered data faster. Although start-up costs were higher, the overall costs of establishing and running the electronic data collection system were lower compared to paper-based data collection system. Electronic data collection using smartphones has potential to improve timeliness, data integrity and reduce costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of rapid urbanization and industrialization expansion increased waste volumes. Most of the wastewaters generated from either domestic or industrial sources are still discharged without adequate treatment processes, and impact on the environment and public health. The objective of this paper was to provide a comprehensive literature review on the application of horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands in treating a variety of wastewaters, discussing its feasibility in pollutant removal efficiency and additional benefit in climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration. The following results were obtained: 98%, 96%, 85%, 90%, 92%, 88% for BOD5, COD, TSS, TN, NH4 -N, PO43- respectively in Kenya; 98.46% and 98.55% for COD and BOD5 in Indonesia; and ranges from 94-99.9%, 91.7-97.9% and 99.99% for BOD5, COD and TFC respectively in Costa Rica. Whereas in Ethiopia, the HSSFCW achieved the following abatement efficiencies: COD ranges from 58 to 80%, BOD ranges from 66 to 77%, TKN ranges from 46-61%, sulfates ranges from 53 to 82%, and NH4 - N range from 64 to 82.5% for tannery wastewater treatment. For domestic wastewater treatment; 99.3%, 89%, 855, 84.05%, 77.3%, 99% and 94.5% were achieved for BOD5, COD, TSS, TN, PO4³-, TP, Sulfate, and TFC, respectively. In addition to improving water quality, CWs have a CSP. For example, CWs showed CO2 equivalent of 4119.54 g C/m²/yr CSP (carbon sequestration potential) which is 15118.7118 g CO2. The methane equivalent to this amount of carbon sequestration is 604.748472 g/m²/yr. Generally, research results indicated that constructed wetlands are efficient wastewater treatment techniques and should be encouraged for wastewater management as a strategy to reduce wastewater pollution. However, constructed wetland performance efficiency sustainability is affected by the operational conditions of HSSFCW including plant species, media/substrate types, water depth, hydraulic loading, and hydraulic retention time and feeding mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last two decades or so Kenya has witnessed increased demand for university education. This has forced education planners to experiment with a number of strategies to admit these increased numbers of qualified students to existing public universities. These strategies have seen remarkable flexibility in public university programs and admission requirements. Some of these strategies include: evening programs, weekend programs, holiday programs, and open and distance learning programs. But one which has raised enough public attention is the variedly labeled parallel, module two or self- sponsored students programs. Although this program has substantially increased access to public university education in Kenya, it has equally been criticized particularly on its ability to deliver quality university education. The argument has been that the programs were primarily tasked with the purpose of raising income and ensuring institutional survival in the prevailing harsh economic conditions. What is however unknown is the extent to which the program has promoted quality training for students and improved skills for public university academic staff. The brief paper seeks to address this gap. The paper is extensive review of secondary data and personal observations. The paper concludes that the introduction of cost sharing and the increasing need for the universities to fundraise to effectively meet the budgetary deficits has negatively affected the quality of public university education in Kenya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Removing user fees in primary health care services is one of the most critical policy issues being considered in Africa. User fees were introduced in many African countries during the 1980s and their impacts are well documented. Concerns regarding the negative impacts of user fees have led to a recent shift in health financing debates in Africa. Kenya is one of the countries that have implemented a user fees reduction policy. Like in many other settings, the new policy was evaluated less that one year after implementation, the period when expected positive impacts are likely to be highest. This early evaluation showed that the policy was widely implemented, that levels of utilization increased and that it was popular among patients. Whether or not the positive impacts of user fees removal policies are sustained has hardly been explored. We conducted this study to document the extent to which primary health care facilities in Kenya continue to adhere to a 'new' charging policy 3 years after its implementation. Methods: Data were collected in two districts (Kwale and Makueni). Multiple methods of data collection were applied including a cross-sectional survey (n = 184 households Kwale; 141 Makueni), Focus Group Discussions (n = 12) and patient exit interviews (n = 175 Kwale; 184 Makueni). Results: Approximately one third of the survey respondents could not correctly state the recommended charges for dispensaries, while half did not know what the official charges for health centres were. Adherence to the policy was poor in both districts, but facilities in Makueni were more likely to adhere than those in Kwale. Only 4 facilities in Kwale adhered to the policy compared to 10 in Makueni. Drug shortage, declining revenue, poor policy design and implementation processes were the main reasons given for poor adherence to the policy. Conclusion: We conclude that reducing user fees in primary health care in Kenya is a policy on paper that is yet to be implemented fully. We recommend that caution be taken when deciding on how to reduce or abolish user fees and that all potential consequences are carefully considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Kenya, the mango (Mangifera indica L) cultivar 'Apple' is commercially important but it often suffers excessive russeting, which both compromises its appearance and impairs its postharvest performance. Together, these effects seriously reduce its market potential. Exposure to surface moisture is implicated in russeting of cv. 'Apple' mango. The objective was to establish the effect of bagging on russeting. Developing fruit were bagged at the onset of the exponential growth phase, using brown paper bags (Blue star®). Un-bagged fruit served as controls. The brown paper bags were selected because of their high permeance to water vapor. At harvest maturity, bagged fruit were larger, less russeted and had smaller lenticels than un-bagged control fruit. Staining with aqueous acridine orange in conjunction with fluorescence microscopy revealed numerous microcracks and larger lenticels on un-bagged control fruit but these were not evident on bagged fruit. Postharvest mass loss (principally water loss) of bagged fruit was lower than of un-bagged control fruit. In the un-bagged control fruit, the skin's water permeance increased as the russeted surface area increased (r2 = 0.88 **). Fruit skins were less permeable to water vapor than the brown paper bags. The brown paper bags contributed not more than 4.2 to 9.1% of the total in-series diffusion resistance of skin + bag. The masses of isolated cuticular membranes, and of dewaxed cuticular membranes, and of wax per unit surface area were higher for un-bagged control fruit than for bagged fruit. Bagged fruit were also greener and showed less blush. There was little difference in skin carotenoid content between bagged and un-bagged control fruit, but skin anthocyanin content was lower in bagged fruit. The rates of respiration and ethylene evolution of bagged fruit were lower than those of un-bagged control fruit. There were no differences between bagged and un-bagged control fruit in their organoleptic and nutritional properties including titratable acidity, total soluble sugars, sucrose, glucose, fructose, vitamin C and calcium content. In conclusion, bagging decreased russeting and increased postharvest performance of fruit of mango cv. 'Apple'. • Bagging increased fruit size and decreased cuticle thickness. • Bagging did not change background color, soluble solids or total acidity. • Bagging decreased anthocyanin content and blush area of the fruit surface. • Bagging reduced cuticular microcracking, russeting and postharvest water loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Baseline findings from a pilot study to evaluate the use of postural support, constructed using Appropriate paper-based technology (APT), to be used with children with Cerebral Palsy in Kenya" by Rachel Lindoewood and others is presented.

Introduction: Physician scientists have both advanced medical specialist and research training and are a critical link between research and improved standards of care. Physician scientist training has existed for more than four decades in the USA, and Western European but is almost non-existent elsewhere. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a need to develop a physician scientist training program. Methods -Medical doctor faculty in the faculty of health sciences of the University of Nairobi were categorized into physicians for those with medical specialist qualifications and physician scientists if they had in addition a research degree. The two groups were compared in terms of total number and frequency of peer reviewed publications since graduating with a medical degree, number of first author publications, and productivity before and after their research training. Data on training was extracted from the publicly available curriculum vitae on the institution's website while pubmed was used to verify the number of publications up to December 2013. Results: Of the 235 eligible faculty, 183 [78%] were physicians and 52 [22%] were physician scientists. The median number of publications in peer reviewed journals was 20 for physician scientists and 6 for physicians [p<0.001] which translated into 1.03 and 0.29 published papers per person-years, respectively [Wilcoxon rank test p<0.000]. Among the 28 faculty whose research training followed medical specialization, mean publications per year before and after research training was 0.4 compared with 2.4 [p=0.01]. Conclusion: Physician research training increases scientific productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests and related environmental assets are crucial for fostering environmental and socioeconomic development. Different forest management paradigms, such as sustainable forest management, ecosystem-based forest management, adaptive management, multiple-use forest management, and restoration ecology, have influenced the policy formulation of different countries at different times. However, while implementing forestry development reforms, few documented studies have explored the changing forest management paradigms and their implications on the sustainability of forests and societies in many developing countries. A case study design and literature review using document-content analysis was used to evaluate secondary data obtained from online sources. This paper aims to explore the changes in forest management paradigms in Kenya from 1968 to the present to contribute to a better understanding of the strategies needed to achieve sustainable forest management in the future. Results show that Kenya has implemented three formal forestry policies since independence in 1963. These include Sessional Paper No. 01 of 1968, Forest Policy of 2005, and the National Forest Policy of 2014. The evolving forest management paradigm reflects a progression from Sessional Paper No. 01 of 1968 to subsequent forest policies in 2005 and 2014. The 2005 and 2014 forest policies emphasize holistic ecosystem management and ecosystem services and integrate a human rights-based approach to community involvement. Moreover, all three forest policies have had positive and negative implications for Kenyan society. The Forest Policy and the National Forest Policy demonstrated more positive environmental and socioeconomic outcomes, such as increased forest cover, biodiversity conservation, community empowerment, poverty alleviation, and improved transparency compared to the Sessional Paper No. 01 of 1968. Unfortunately, some negative consequences include conflicting stakeholder interests, elite capture, and slow decision-making. Based on these findings, there is a need for policy impact assessment, addressing the adverse effects of policy, and long-term monitoring for sustainable future forest policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to estimate the effect the five different generations and the key financial inclusion indicators of gender, education and location (rural–urban) in exacerbating disparities in financial inclusion in Kenya. This paper considers whether the five generational cohort groups in Kenya differ on the financial inclusion determinants and behaviour as predicted by common generational stereotypes. Design/methodology/approach: The authors applied a multinomial logistic regression approach to nationally representative household survey data from Kenya to estimate the effect that key financial inclusion indicators have on belonging to one of the five generations: Z, Y, X, baby boomers and traditionalists. Findings: The authors found significant links between all tested variables and financial inclusion. The authors found an access gap between Generations X and Y, with the latter being more prone to access and use financial services and products. These differences are compounded by gender and rurality. People in rural locations and women generally were found to have less access to financial services and products, thus causing significant exclusion of a large proportion of the population. Practical implications: The research has important implications for governments, financial institutions and educational providers, notably on targeted policies and programmes that strategically aim to eliminate disparities and promote greater financial inclusion, denoting the value of such variables as generational differences and gender inclusivity. Originality/value: This paper deepens the understanding of differences that can divide generations on financial inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Survivors of sexual violence deserve timely and high-quality forensic examination, evidence collection, and documentation as part of comprehensive care. However, in many countries, the quality of medical-legal documentation is severely limited. MediCapt is an innovative digital application that enables clinicians to document forensic medical evidence as well as capture and securely store forensic photographs of injuries. This study evaluated the effectiveness and usability of MediCapt to document forensic medical evidence of sexual violence. Methods: This mixed-methods evaluation involved key-informant interviews, usability questionnaires, and forensic record reviews. Participants included clinicians, medical records personnel, information technology personnel, and health facility administrators, as well as law enforcement and legal professionals in Kenya. Results: The Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) data quality checklist found that using MediCapt led to significantly higher data-quality scores compared to paper-based forms. MediCapt forms scored higher on 23 of 26 checklist items. While a wide difference in quality was seen among paper-based forms, MediCapt appeared to both standardize and improve quality of documentation across sites. MediCapt strengths included data security and confidentiality, accuracy and efficiency, and supplemental documentation with photography. Weaknesses included infrastructure challenges, required technological proficiencies, and time to learn the new system. Although it is early to assess the impact of MediCapt on prosecutions, providers and law and justice sector professionals were optimistic about its usefulness. They identified MediCapt as appropriate for use with survivors of sexual violence and reported MediCapt's legibility and photography features had already been commended by the court. Conclusion: MediCapt was well-received across all sectors, its use was perceived as feasible and sustainable, and it significantly improved the quality of collected forensic data. It is anticipated this improvement in forensic documentation will increase successful prosecutions, strengthen accountability for perpetrators, and improve justice for survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper traces the development and current situations of higher education in China and Kenya. This paper calls for rethinking on how to address increasing demand for access and quality through creating a conducive environment for learning and researching for both students and faculties. The paper presents a comparative study where China has been used as an example of a country that experienced rapid growth in access to higher education and economy in the last two decades. As the higher education system in Kenya faces challenges of increased demand with limited spaces coupled with poor policies and lack of resources, China's higher education has been a success story of external policies, increased demand, funding and access to higher education. The trends imply that if the Kenyan Government can borrow a leaf from Chinese higher education, then leaders can better understand challenges and provide solutions to improve the higher education system in Kenya. A conceptual framework was drawn from educational policies in China to explain how Kenya can learn and address its own challenges of higher education. A documentary review method was used to collect data. Recommendations discussed in this paper provide important insights to policy-makers and educators in Kenya on how to reform higher education system to meet the current challenges.

The increased demand and need for continuous learning have led to the introduction of open, distance, and e-learning (ODeL) in Kenya. Provision of this mode of education has, however, been faced with various challenges, among them infrastructural ones. This study was a survey conducted in two public universities offering major components of ODeL, the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University. These universities were purposely selected for the study, whose respondents included the students registered in ODeL and the lecturers and senior administrators involved. Analysis of the relevant documents was also undertaken, while library literature was reviewed on the integration of ODeL into the provision of education in Kenya. The study established that efficient and optimal delivery of ODeL in Kenya faces both economic and infrastructural challenges. However, strengthening the existing relevant structures would address some of the challenges. (Contains 5 tables and 4 figures.)

Copyright of European Journal of Development Research is the property of Palgrave Macmillan Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper explores the role of housing in the achievement of prosperity from a capabilities perspective. Prosperity, according to Jackson (Prosperity without growth: economics for a finite planet, Earthscan, Oxford, 2009), is built on Amartya Sen's notion of capabilities for flourishing. Then, in the pursuit of understanding the role of housing as an enabler of capabilities for the achievement of prosperity, this paper investigates the gaps in the views/concepts of housing through comparisons of the ten central capabilities, the right to adequate housing, and meanings of home. Data from a recent qualitative study in rural and urban Kenya is used for empirical analysis as a way to develop a localised application of the discussion. Looking through the lens of the Capabilities Approach brought a useful framework that made it possible to capture human and social housing values that are many times neglected. In that sense, the paper explores housing both as the physical conditions of the house and as the social and psychological dynamics that construct the meanings of home. The research demonstrated that the extent to which housing enables the enjoyment of capabilities for flourishing increases or diminishes insofar housing acknowledges and incorporates both material and non-material functions. Hopefully, this exercise can serve to inform and enrich future localised housing design, research and policy, where a more comprehensive understanding and conceptualisation of housing seems imperative: Housing, as House + Home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In‐field soil testing and soil mapping can contribute to addressing the challenge of poor soil fertility and limited fertilizer application across sub‐Saharan Africa. Semi‐quantitative colorimetric methods, such as paper test strips, are frequently employed in soil nutrient assessment across developing countries, especially in South‐East Asia. This research investigated the accuracy of nutrient‐sensitive paper strips and smartphone, which was re‐purposed to act as a reflectometer, to assess soil nitrate‐N, and different methods for mapping soil fertility to identify areas of land that are suitable for human waste‐derived fertilizers (HWDF) application. The study entailed testing soil samples across 42 different farms in Kenya and Ghana and compared it to laboratory results in‐country. It was found that paper strips were capable of assessing available nitrate‐N concentration present in the soil within ±20 kg ha−1 of the standard method for 86% of the farms. Paper strips were less effective in Ghana as they had been calibrated for a method that was not used by local laboratories. Paper strips were not effective for HWDF samples, where chemical interferences and concentration of different forms of nitrates were too high, resulting in overestimation of readings and thus negatively affecting any associated nutrient management advice. Soil mapping has the potential to use open‐source data to inform farmers through mobile technology. For soil mapping two methods were deployed which includes targeting organic matter deficient areas and stakeholder led mapping, with the latter shown to be more effective in identifying areas for HWDF application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper acknowledges the progressive efforts under the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, statutes and jurisprudence on the rights of accused persons vis-àvis victim rights under Kenya’s criminal justice system. It conceptualizes the place, scope, and evidentiary weight of victim impact statements by arguing that VISs have evidentiary value especially during court sentencing. Secondly, the paper evaluates what “reasonable access” means in a criminal justice system and whether the discretion of the Court under section 329C(4) of the Kenyan Criminal Procedure Code is constitutional, equitable and promotes access to justice. Thirdly, whereas discretion is a fundamental element of judicial independence, further conceptual and theoretical studies on access to justice are necessary in understanding the intersectionality of different variables under Kenya’s criminal justice system, the need for progressive development of the law. Lastly, this paper contributes to the body of knowledge on the intersectionalities under criminal justice systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Youth citizenship is now on the international agenda with African countries increasingly interrogating their national perspectives on citizenship and citizenship education. In this emergent field of research, African scholars are beginning to challenge the prevailing (Western) theories of citizenship and democracy. Purpose: The aim of this paper is to contribute an African perspective to the study of citizenship education by exploring the political influences and meanings that shaped citizenship education in Kenya, and how these have evolved from independence to the present day. Data and Methods: This article is based on a documentary analysis of key policy-related documents, complemented by an analysis of some critical historical moments in the life of Kenya as a postcolonial nation. The policy-related documents include government policy documents, as well as political statements, speeches, development reports, technical commission reports, media articles, research publications and reports, education syllabi and curriculum documents. Main Findings: Post-independence, the Kenyan government focused on rethinking the colonial concept of citizenship in line with its political-cultural traditions, encouraging new notions of belonging, of civic virtues and of duties in relation to nation-building and economic development. Social Ethics and Education (SEE) programmes in schools were established and then later removed from the secondary school curriculum. Conclusions: This paper yields important insights into the international and national political agendas that shape Kenya's notions of active citizenship. It indicates the tensions which vulnerable and fragile states such as Kenya experience in negotiating their citizenship education agenda, whilst attempting to win foreign investment and aid for their economy, and whilst addressing regional and ethnic inequalities and high levels of poverty. (Contains 12 notes.)

Small-scale garment enterprise projects are pivotal in Kenya's economic development, contributing significantly to employment and poverty alleviation. These projects often face challenges that impede their growth and performance. The paper seeks to establish the effect of mapping risks on the performance of small-scale garment enterprise projects in Eldoret town. An explanatory research design was used and the target population consisted of 386 small-scale garment enterprise owners. A sample size of 196 small-scale garment enterprise projects in Eldoret town was selected using Yarmane formula. The respondents were selected using stratified sampling method and data was collected using questionnaires. The analysis was done using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Result showed that scheduling milestones had statistically positive effect on the performance of garment enterprise projects (β 0.947, p<0.05). The paper concludes that mapping of risks is critical processes of ensuring that garment enterprises attain performance targets. It is therefore recommended that comprehensive risk mapping practices need to be regularly undertaken by SMEs in the garment sector in Eldoret town. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oftentimes discipline to the children has been guided by the values, principles and religious provisions such as sparing the rod and spoiling the child among others. Such values continue to perpetuate the notion that physical punishment for children is necessary to ensure that they grow uprightly and, in a manner that will be beneficial to them in their personal development. This paper being a comparative study on the national policies for alternative disciplinary processes for learners in Kenyan and South African Schools aims to break down the existing legislations and policies that prohibit corporal punishment in Kenya. The methodology within this paper is pure desk research that relies on articles, books, journals and other sources from academic and professional platforms that highlight the topical issues being tackled herewith. The problems of the existing framework on corporal punishment in Kenya are dissected to bring out its shortcomings. The landscape and indiscipline within the Kenyan education system are highlighted as well as that of South Africa. South Africa having established reforms against corporal punishment becomes a crucial jurisdiction for this study as it provides lessons that Kenya can learn from the South African Experience. From this paper, it is evident that the prohibition of corporal punishment within the education system does not in any way create a gap in terms of disciplining children but rather creates an alternative means of instilling discipline in children, an alternative that is effective in nature and one that has a positive impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main focus of this paper was to examine the influence of public awareness on the Implementation of County Government Development Projects in Turkana North Sub County, Kenya. The paper was anchored on the civic voluntarism theory. The study adopted A descriptive research design, which targeted 30,923 people. A sample of 384 public members was arrived at using the Miller & Brewer formula, and stratified randomly was employed. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Supervisions, intensive literature review, and pre-testing validated the research instruments. The reliability of the instruments was further verified by a pilot study using 10% of the study's sample. The outcome of the pilot study revealed an internal consistency of Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.8476. this coefficient was considered ideal since it was above the threshold of 0.7. Data were analyzed descriptively using SPSS and presented in percentages, frequencies, and tables. The data analysis findings established a significant positive relationship between public awareness and the implementation of funded development projects in Turkana North sub-county, Kenya (R=0.749). Overall, public awareness influenced the implementation of funded development projects by 88.7% (R2 = 88.7%). Therefore, the study recommends that it is vital for the firms assigned to implementing development projects to consider thoroughly fostering public awareness in any project implementation. This enhances project satisfaction, project completion on time, and completion at scheduled cost. These study findings may benefit policymakers, practitioners, and researchers in forming the basis for new knowledge by identifying the knowledge gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food security, a vital determinant of overall health and well-being, hinges on the simultaneous achievement of four dimensions: physical availability of food, economic and physical access to food, utilization of nutrients, and stability over time. This paper explores the complex and multi-faceted food security situations in Kenya and Zambia, emphasizing key factors such as agricultural production, government policies, and socio-economic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to assess the legal and regulatory framework for mobile banking (M-banking) in Tanzania. The technological development in information and communication technologies has converted a mobile phone from a simple communication device to a very complex instrument that allows people to perform various digital transactions and extra operations such as web browsing and email reading. Such tremendous developments have brought in place the regime of M-banking. The birth of M-banking has brought legal and institutional challenges that were not anticipated before. It has complicated the traditional role of the telecommunication regulator and financial regulator in the business and caused legal gaps that need to be bridged. Design/methodology/approach: To disclose the legal gaps and bridge them, the study used doctrinal legal method and comparative study to learn the experience of international legal instruments and policies and laws of other jurisdictions. This paper has evaluated the contribution of international legal instruments and legal frameworks of foreign jurisdictions such as Kenya and the Philippines. Findings: It has been revealed that the prevailing laws regulating M-banking in Tanzania do not adequately address and bridge the existing legal gaps. There is a need to enact a specific law regulating M-banking and confer such powers to a specific institution to deal with regulatory issues. Originality/value: This paper stresses the importance of enacting new laws that will offer room for financial inclusion in the digital economy and protect consumers against financial risk. It also intends to act as a catalyst and change agent in policy and legislative development in the M-banking industry. It would also bring special attention to addressing consumer rights, security and risky issues surrounding the M-banking industry. Although several other authors in Tanzania have written in this area, they have not clearly focused on disclosing the existing legal gaps resulting from the convergence of the financial and communication sectors. This paper is therefore trying to offer an extensive discussion on the legislative development in the M-banking industry in Tanzania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of yield gaps has become more complex, prompting the use of varied approaches to measure yields and a wider range of factors to explain these gaps. In the Global North, the focus is on precision farming, whereas in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a broader perspective is necessary due to pronounced variability in farmland conditions. While biogeophysical and management factors have been traditional focal points in yield gap analyses, socio-economic and institutional factors are increasingly recognized as significant, especially in SSA. This review synthesizes research from the past decade in SSA that integrates biogeophysical, management, farm characteristics, and institutional factors in yield gap discussions. The findings indicate a slow shift in including socio-economic factors, with management, particularly nutrient supply and crop management, remaining predominant. However, there is a growing trend towards methodological diversity, such as the adoption of remote sensing and GIS in recent years. Case studies from Kenya and Ghana, utilizing field surveys, interviews, panel data, and spatial analysis, highlight how a multifaceted approach can enhance our understanding of the various elements influencing maize yield gaps in SSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to develop a systematic review on integrating cultural diversity and social capital dimensions in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) based on regional experience of Africa, Middle East and Northern Africa, and the Northern America, where specific countries from these regions, such as Germany, Kenya, United Arab Emirates, and the United States, were chosen. It analyzes the role of TVET in providing inclusive and equitable quality education and training to a diverse population for social mobility and economic opportunity. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) statement was used as a formal systematic review guideline for data collection. A functional, organizational, and political approaches (FOPA) model and cosmo-uBuntu were applied as a conceptual framework lens to review the literature on the development of cultural diversity and social capital dimensions in TVET. FOPA is a lens for examining how the relationship between TVET institutions, education stakeholders, including the private sector, and the government influences TVETs' ability to address community needs and contribute to economic growth. On the other hand, Cosmo-uBuntu is a humanitarian, theoretical, and solution-oriented approach to integrating cultural diversity and social capital into TVET that addresses issues of social justice in order to meet the needs of the community and contribute to economic development initiatives. Data was obtained from research studies and reports over the period 2000 - 2021. The analysis included a total of 662 documents from ERIC (ProQuest), ProQuest Education Journals, and CONFINTEA databases with resources for adult education and workforce education. The results show that there is a lack of shared understanding of the integration of cultural diversity and social capital dimensions of TVET education. In order to promote an inclusive and equitable education and training, it is essential to address some assumptions about the concept of cultural diversity and social capital - what it means and how it can support the sustainable development of a globally competent workforce. Findings indicate that TVET is aware of the importance of cultural diversity and social capital dimensions in education but lacks clarity on implementing it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change has been identified as a major challenge in the achievement of sustainable development especially for developing countries like Kenya. There has been a wide acknowledgement that there is a need for long-term strategies for the industry players to reduce their contribution to climate change in line with other industries. Industries and societal sectors have sought ways of mitigating the causes of climate change. The Second International Conference on Climate Change and Tourism, held in Davos, Switzerland, on 3 October 2007, provided practical guidelines for the industry in response to climate change. This paper seeks to evaluate the adoption of the ‘Davos Declaration’ among selected Mombasa hotels in terms of water, energy and waste management. Results indicate that despite wide knowledge among hoteliers on the impacts of climate change and the role hotels can play in its mitigation, most hoteliers are slow in adopting the mitigation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The PanAfrican Research Agenda on the Pedagogical Integration of information and communication technology (ICT; PanAf) research project was initiated in 2006 to support initiatives in African countries to integrate ICT into teaching and learning through the frequent collection and analysis of data on ICT usage. The article examines the congruence between the intended and implemented ICT curricula in six African countries (Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, and South Africa) that participated in the study. Data obtained from the PanAf observatory (at www.observatoiretic.org) on these countries' use of ICT in education revealed that the national curricula documents (intended curricula) and teachers' classroom practices (implemented curricula) both emphasize ICT as the subject of learning rather than as a means of learning.

Over the years attempts have been made to standardize sign languages. This form of language planning has been tackled by a variety of agents, most notably teachers of Deaf students, social workers, government agencies, and occasionally groups of Deaf people themselves. Their efforts have most often involved the development of sign language books with lists of signs in alphabetical order (as distinct from sign language principles) and more recently as CDROMs, DVDs, or websites. With regard to the all-important question about language standardization, Karin Hoyer asks, "Who is behind the effort?" and goes on to say that "standardization actions (often with the aim of reducing lexical variation) have frequently been undertaken with the strong support of the hearing-run education system--from outside, often without any support from the language users themselves" (2012, 32). Today, sign language planning is still carried out largely by hearing professionals; thus, that standardization still needs to be examined in relation to "language ownership" (Eichmann 2009).

Climatic events and other natural-related disasters experienced in the arid and semi-arid lands of northern Kenya negatively affect the pastoral livelihoods of the communities. Addressing vulnerability to climate shocks among pastoral communities of Kenya's Arid and Semi-lands presents a persistent challenge. Cash transfer programmes have increasingly grown as one mode of building household resilience. Understanding the role of cash transfer interventions on household resilience to climate shocks is key to policy programming. This paper aimed at determining the effects of cash transfers on household resilience to climate shocks. The paper evaluated the Hunger Safety Net Program, which is one of the largest unconditional cash transfer programs in Kenya. The Hunger Safety Net Program targeted poor people in northern Kenya including the counties of Turkana, Wajir, Marsabit, and Mandera. To establish the impact the paper compares households which received cash transfers with those that did not receive transfers. The panel fixed effects model was used to determine the effects of cash transfers on household resilience. The results indicate that cash transfers have positive significant effects on household resilience to climate shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates effects of contagion in sub‐Saharan African stock markets by examining both crisis and non‐crisis contingent theories. Specifically, the paper examines cross‐market linkages through heteroskedasticity bias‐adjusted correlation in asset returns and assesses the impact of regional macroeconomic fundamentals on stock market volatility using GARCH‐MIDAS technique. The crisis contingent results reveal that there is no evidence of contagion in sub‐Saharan African markets from crises in global developed markets (the UK and the US). However, there is evidence of contagion from emerging market crises (China, South Africa, and Kenya). The non‐crisis contingent analysis underscores the significance of regional economic fundamentals, especially inflation and the GDP, on stock market volatility in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A research gap exists in the understanding of multi-level governance for watersheds in Kenya under the current devolved framework. This paper uses the Migori River watershed as a case study to elaborate on the institutional arrangement in the management of the watershed and how it influences the nature and level of coordination among the actors involved. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews and content analysis of secondary data. The target institutions were selected based on existing policy and legal frameworks, press releases, and published administrative reports. Respondents for the semi-structured interviews were identified through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The qualitative data was then analysed through content analysis. After analysis of the nature of coordination, a panel of experts rated each coordination dimension based on a comparison between the findings and the baseline indicators. The results on the structure and roles of institutions revealed adequate representation of the river basin management actors, but the associations among actors are weak due to overlapping mandates and gaps in the administration processes of river basin management programs. Coordination exists, but it is not all-encompassing; whereas efforts to collaborate were noted, they were inconsistent and tended to be on a per-need basis due to a lack of a common forum for stakeholder interactions and a common management plan for a clear vision and direction of actors' activities. There is an unclear delineation of roles in the institutional structure and thus causing institutional complexity, which further undermines coordination. To address the coordination gaps, the paper recommends the creation of a management council for the watershed to provide a central forum for the stakeholders' interaction, with a designated lead agency that organizes and facilitates meetings, oversees communications, and manages any emerging challenges, gaps and opportunities in collective actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the challenges of implementing antibiotic stewardship – reducing and optimizing the use of antibiotics – in agricultural settings of Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) as a strategic part of addressing the global problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). It does so through analysis of the rapidly transforming yet diverse Kenyan poultry sector, characterized by growing commercial operations alongside traditional smallholder farming. Our research involves interviews with farmers, processors, policymakers, and agro-veterinary stores in these settings. We blend Chandler's (2019, p. 8) notion of "antibiotics as infrastructure" with value chain frameworks to understand how the structural role of antibiotics in agriculture plays out through contrasting value chains, with different implications for stewardship. Weak regulation and intense market-based pressures are shown to drive widespread antibiotic use in poultry value chains involving small- and medium-sized farms supplying open markets. Antibiotic stewardship through adherence to agricultural and food safety standards is more evident, though unevenly observed, in value chains involving large commercial farms and processors supplying corporate buyers. Our findings reveal the complex structural roles of antibiotics in maintaining producer livelihoods in an intensely competitive and heterogeneous Kenyan poultry sector. This highlights challenges with applying global AMR policy to transforming food systems in LMICs without appropriate translation. We argue that attempts to reduce and optimize the use of antibiotics in agriculture must be informed by nuanced understandings of the roles of antibiotics in food systems in specific places including where very different scales and models of farming and value chain co-exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Test anxiety is a psychological variable that diversely impacts academic test performance. Test anxiety tools are developed to understand and predict its impact in different test settings. It is important to determine the reliability and validity of these tools to affirm the measures they provide. Additionally, where computers have been used in testing, there is a further need to assess the impact of test anxiety accurately. The purpose of this study was to find out the psychometric properties of the 10-item Westside Test Anxiety Scale (WTAS) that was adapted for use in Kenya. The study also investigated the effect of test mode on test anxiety. The study sample comprised 424 male and female pupils in public primary schools in Nairobi, Kenya. In a between-groups experimental set-up, 208 pupils were assigned randomly to sit a computerbased science test, and 216 pupils were assigned to the paper-based version. The WTAS was thereafter administered to pupils in both groups. An analysis of the test anxiety tool revealed adequate internal consistency and person reliability estimates. The tool also fulfilled the key Rasch model assumptions of local independence. Though all the items fitted the Rasch model, three items had disordered categories. Exploratory factor analysis revealed two additional test anxiety factors. An independent sample t-test showed that test mode had a small and insignificant effect on test anxiety. The study recommended that future studies consider developing localized test anxiety tools rather than adapting from foreign sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study applied the mixed approach on primary data. It is comprative study of democratic system in Kenya and Ethiopia. The developed theoretical framework prism of the two third world African Countries. The study explored the modules of the democracy in these neighboring east African states. Both nations have same colonial legacies and political mindset. It investigated causes behind post elections conflicts in these African nations and its effects. This paper explores the Democratization in Kenya and Ethiopia as third world countries, and provides a better understanding of the practical implementation of democratic principles in both Countries. The continuing wave of, as well as civil agitation carries spillover effects. It carried SWAT analysisThis paper advocates several recommendations Focus on Transparency Increase transparency and accountability in resource allocation to reduce insecurity and rebuild public trust. Both Kenya and Ethiopia need to strengthen their democratic institutions such as the judiciary and the electoral commission. Economic development is important, but it should not come at the expense of democracy. Regional Cooperation Encourage collaboration between Kenya and Ethiopia, along with other African nations, to share best practices in democratic governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The debate on the benefits of renewable electrification in late industrializing economies has mostly focused on improved electricity access and climate mitigation arguments. The literature pays less attention to understanding the opportunities for sustainable industrialization. This paper contributes to the latter with insights from a case study of Solinc East Africa, a Kenyan solar module manufacturer that has remained in the market, despite intense competition from imports of low-cost solar panels. Drawing on in-depth fieldwork in the solar energy sector in Kenya, we apply a global value chain framework to explore how and why Solinc has been able to sustain its business. Our findings highlight the challenges of localizing solar manufacturing in Kenya and suggest it may only be possible in rare instances. Specifically, a unique combination of circumstances and factors were revealed that enabled Solinc to gain several advantages including (i) initial access to knowledge and materials from upstream linkages; (ii) downstream integration and partnerships with key distributors and customers; (iii) close proximity to customers; and (iv) provision of complementary and increasingly high value-added services. Our findings present a more positive perspective on the localization of related services, which we argue deserves more attention in the sustainable industrialization debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The specialty of African politics lies within its historical contents and background. The continent grew from strength to strength to attain its political development stronghold. By doing so over the years, the continent has been reflected in most states' political development stronghold. While in some states, religion and tribal alliances are critical factors in political affiliation, in states such as South Africa and Kenya, democracy and ethnicity have been the leading courses to political development. Democracy and ethnicity have proven to be part of the party identification and evaluation factors and have also become the center point of growth and development in the state's politics. Thus, by focusing on Kenya and South Africa as case studies, the paper adopted a qualitative method of research to understand democracy as well as ethnicity as the bane of these states' political development. Although much has been documented on either state's political development, little is understood about democracy and ethnicity as the bane of their political leadership from 1989 to 2021, which is the complete focus of the paper. The paper relied on qualitative research methodology to collect and analyze the data on democracy and ethnicity as the bane of Kenya and South Africa from 1989 to 2021. Therefore, the study relied on secondary sources such as accredited journal articles, books, and reports to collect and analyze data on the phenomenon at hand. Thus, the paper's main findings suggest that democracy and ethnicity are the strongholds of South Africa and Kenya's political leadership development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]