Colonial State and the Transformation of Inter-Ethnic Conflicts in Uasin Gishu County Up to 1963

Inter-ethnic hostilities have persisted over a considerable duration on a worldwide scale, originating from socio-economic and political issues. Ethnic conflict has been extensively documented in several African countries throughout the continent, spanning from the pre-colonial era to the colonial period. The occurrence of this ethnic conflict can be attributed to the policies implemented by the colonial state. Hence, the principal aim of this research was to document and examine the extent of the colonial state's engagement in the endeavor of mitigating inter-ethnic conflicts in Uasin Gishu County, particularly during the era preceding 1963. The primary objective of this study was to examine the impact of the colonial state on the development of inter-ethnic conflicts in Uasin Gishu County, specifically focusing on the period leading up to 1963. The research employed a historical methodology, incorporating primary and secondary data sources. The study incorporated a diverse range of primary data sources, such as annual reports, conclusions derived from appointed commissions, interviews conducted with key stakeholders, court judgments, and official government statistics. In addition, the study incorporated secondary materials. The sources encompassed a heterogeneous array of materials, including printed books, scholarly papers, and unpublished archival documents. The study was positioned within the existing body of literature by incorporating these sources. Land alienation and the subsequent establishment of settler farms coupled with setting up squiredom labour served to inadvertently lay the foundation for inter-ethnic friction. The study posits that the implementation of a holistic strategy that encompasses various actors from both the public and private domains is necessary to effectively tackle the root causes of disputes and avert their recurrence in subsequent instances. Simultaneously, it is imperative to enhance regulations to dissuade the political class from employing land issues as a tactic to incite ethnic differences and escalate tribal wars within the designated region. The output of this research is expected to have a positive impact on various stakeholders, such as historians, policymakers, political bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and religious institutions. The aforementioned findings have the potential to make a significant contribution to the promotion of peace and justice in Uasin Gishu and similar contexts

Prioritising employee-organisation relationships in non-profit organisations in Kenya: Antecedents, queries and contradictions

Although employees are the most critical of organisation publics, it is unclear whether employee-organisation relationships (EORs) in non-profit organisations (NPOs) in Kenya are prioritised. To investigate this question further, the study explored relationship antecedents in two non-profit organisations. The study was informed by relationship management theory and the symmetrical communication framework. Semi-structured, indepth interviews were carried out among 24 purposively sampled management and nonmanagement employees. The data was manually analysed and requisite a priori and in vivo codes and themes identified. The study findings suggest a lack of understanding about the strategic role of public relations in the organisation. Further, technician oriented PRdepartments mediate the perceptions of and effort expended on internal relationships. Managing employee-organisation relationships was perceived more as a human resource rather than a PR function which precludes more robust forms of PR practice. The researchers recommend a clear demarcation between the public relations and human resource function and to build strategic PR departments that embrace internal relationship management. Keywords: Relationship management, employee-organisation relationships, public relations, organisation-public relationships, relationship antecedent

Influence of Age of the Firm as Moderating Effect on the Relationship Between Knowledge Management and Organizational Performance of State Owned Commercial Enterprises in Kenya

Purpose of this study was to examine the moderating influence of age of the firm on the relationship between knowledge management and organizational performance based on return on equity and return on assets of state owned commercial enterprises in Kenya. This study was based on explanatory and descriptive research designs since they were more appropriate to test the hypotheses. The target population comprised of 275 members of top management team of 55 commercial state-owned enterprises in Kenya, as at 31st October 2016. The study utilized simple random sampling to select a sample of 268 members of top management team in the 55 commercial state-owned enterprises. Response rate of 71% was obtained and analytical tests conducted were Pearson correlation coefficients, one way ANOVA, and Multiple linear regression. The correlation analysis between age of the firm (moderator) and organizational performance were: return on asset (r = 0.02, p = 0.782) and return on equity (r = 0.102, p = 0.164). The result for One-Way ANOVA was F (14,172) =1.243, p = 0.249. The regression coefficient for interaction terms between age of the firm on performance and knowledge management were: knowledge acquisition, β= 0.111, t (2.47), p = 0.015; knowledge creation, β= 0.149, t (4.03), p = 0.000; knowledge conversion, β= -0.234, t (-4.178), p = 0.000; knowledge sharing β= -0.082, t (-1.843), p = 0.067; and knowledge storing β= -0.051, t (-1.156), p = 0.249 respectively. This concludes age of the firm does not moderate the relationship between knowledge management and organizational performance based on return on assets, but age of the firm moderates the relationship between knowledge management and organizational performance based on return on equity of state owned commercial enterprises in Kenya. Keywords: Age of the firm, Moderation, Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE) DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-3-0

Influence of Knowledge Acquisition on Organizational Performance Based on Return on Equity and Return on Assets of State Owned Commercial Enterprises in Kenya

Purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of knowledge acquisition on organizational performance based on return on equity and return on assets of state owned commercial enterprises in Kenya. This study was based on explanatory and descriptive research designs since they were more appropriate to test the hypotheses. The target population comprised of 275 members of top management team of 55 commercial state-owned enterprises in Kenya, as at 31st October 2016. The study utilized simple random sampling to select a sample of 268 members of top management team in the 55 commercial state-owned enterprises. Response rate of 71% was obtained and analytical tests conducted were Pearson correlation coefficients, One Way ANOVA, and Multiple linear regression. The correlation coefficients for return on equity was (r = -0.052, p = 0.481) and return on asset was (r = 0.075, p = 0.309) on knowledge acquisition respectively. Result for One-Way ANOVA on two segments of state owned commercial enterprises was, F (14, 173) = 3.104, p=0.000. The regression coefficients on return on equity were: unmoderated model; β= -0.957, t (-1.392), p>0.05 and moderated model; β= -4.957, t (-2.567), p<0.05 respectively. While the regression coefficients on return on assets were: unmoderated model; β=0.0002, t (-0.001), p=0.999 and moderated models; β= -0.088, t (-0.118), p=0.906 respectively. The study concludes there is significant influence of knowledge acquisition and organizational performance based on return on equity of state owned commercial enterprises but there is no significant influence of knowledge acquisition on organizational performance based on return on assets of state owned commercial enterprises in Kenya. Keywords: Knowledge acquisition, Return on Assets (ROA), Return on Equity (ROE) DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/11-3-01

Forest management and conservation in Kenya: a study of the role of law in the conservation of forest resources

Public, Constitutional and International LawLL

Traditional medicine trade and uses in the surveyed medicine markets of Western Kenya

Background: There exist vast traditional medicine and herbal remedies prescribed for diseases and socio-cultural ills that are sold in local medicine markets.Objectives: To assess the common traditional medicine traded in the local medicine markets and used for treating common diseases.Methods: The study was carried out in nine purposively selected medicine markets spread out in seven administrative counties of Western Kenya. Purposive sampling with elements of snow ball method was employed in the identification of willing respondents.In addition, face to face interviews were conducted with the aid of a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire that sought to extract a targeted and expertise information from the respondents.Results: The survey recorded 45 commonly traded plant families composed of 78 genera and 87 medicinal plant species. Meliaceae, Apocynaceae and Fabaceae were leading plant families whereas Trichilia emetica, Azadirachta indica, Dregea schimperi and Aloe spp. were commonly traded.Conclusion: Traditional medicine traded in the local medicine markets continue to play a significant role in the treatment of common diseases. Frequently traded medicinal plant species should be prioritized for conservation.Keywords: Traditional Medicine; Common disease treated; Medicine markets

Effects of cooperative e-learning approach on students attitude towards chemistry in Koibatek sub-county, Kenya

The study investigated the effectiveness of Co-operative E-learning approach (CELA) on students’ attitude towards Chemistry. The Solomon Four Group, Non-equivalent Control Group Design was employed in the study. The study was carried out in Koibatek sub-county, Kenya where there has been persistent low achievement in the subject. Form three students from twelve county schools, purposively selected from the sub-county were taught the same course content on mole for a period of five weeks. The experimental groups received their instructions through the use of CELA approach and control groups using the conventional teaching method. The researcher trained the teachers in the experimental groups on the technique of CELA before treatment. Student Attitude Questionnaire (SAQ) was used for data collection. One way ANOVA, ANCOVA and t-test were used in data analysis. Hypothesis of the study was tested at level of significance. The results indicated that students in experimental groups outperformed the control groups in attitude towards Chemistry. It was concluded that CELA enhanced better performance in Chemistry than the conventional method. Chemistry teachers should be encouraged to incorporate this method in their teaching and should be included in regular in-service of teachers in Kenya

Effects of cooperative e-learning approach on students attitude towards chemistry in Koibatek sub-county, Kenya

The study investigated the effectiveness of Co-operative E-learning approach (CELA) on students’ attitude towards Chemistry. The Solomon Four Group, Non-equivalent Control Group Design was employed in the study. The study was carried out in Koibatek sub-county, Kenya where there has been persistent low achievement in the subject. Form three students from twelve county schools, purposively selected from the sub-county were taught the same course content on mole for a period of five weeks. The experimental groups received their instructions through the use of CELA approach and control groups using the conventional teaching method. The researcher trained the teachers in the experimental groups on the technique of CELA before treatment. Student Attitude Questionnaire (SAQ) was used for data collection. One way ANOVA, ANCOVA and t-test were used in data analysis. Hypothesis of the study was tested at level of significance. The results indicated that students in experimental groups outperformed the control groups in attitude towards Chemistry. It was concluded that CELA enhanced better performance in Chemistry than the conventional method. Chemistry teachers should be encouraged to incorporate this method in their teaching and should be included in regular in-service of teachers in Kenya

Effects of cooperative e-learning approach on students attitude towards chemistry in Koibatek sub-county, Kenya

The study investigated the effectiveness of Co-operative E-learning approach (CELA) on students’ attitude towards Chemistry. The Solomon Four Group, Non-equivalent Control Group Design was employed in the study. The study was carried out in Koibatek sub-county, Kenya where there has been persistent low achievement in the subject. Form three students from twelve county schools, purposively selected from the sub-county were taught the same course content on mole for a period of five weeks. The experimental groups received their instructions through the use of CELA approach and control groups using the conventional teaching method. The researcher trained the teachers in the experimental groups on the technique of CELA before treatment. Student Attitude Questionnaire (SAQ) was used for data collection. One way ANOVA, ANCOVA and t-test were used in data analysis. Hypothesis of the study was tested at level of significance. The results indicated that students in experimental groups outperformed the control groups in attitude towards Chemistry. It was concluded that CELA enhanced better performance in Chemistry than the conventional method. Chemistry teachers should be encouraged to incorporate this method in their teaching and should be included in regular in-service of teachers in Kenya

Prevalence, virulence genes and Antimicrobial Resistance of Shiga-toxigenic E.coli in diarrhoea patients from Kitale, Kenya

Introduction: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are among the most important causes of food-borne diseases. They cause illnesses ranging from mild diarrhea to more severe conditions that may progress to hemorrhagic colitis (HC) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The burden of STEC in patients with diarrheal illness in Kitale county referral hospital, Trans-Nzoia County had not been established.Objectives: To determine the prevalence of STEC, its associated virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance among patients seeking treatment for diarrhoeal illness at Kitale County Referral Hospital.Methods: Stool samples from patients seeking treatment for diarrheal illness and had consented to participate in the study were collected and cultured for enteric bacteria. Suspect E.coli isolates were further identified using conventional biochemical methods. Conventional multiplex PCR targeting Shiga toxins (stx1, stx2, hlyA and attaching and effacing mechanisms (eaeA) were used to detect STEC virulence markers responsible for the Pathogenicity of STEC infection among other E.coli pathotypes.Results: A total of 295 participants were enrolled; median age 120 months (IQR: 36-312). 39 %( 115) were children aged <5yearsof whom 54% (160) were females. The prevalence of pathogenic E.coli was 19%56/295 and STEC was the most prevalent among E.coli pathotypes at5.4%16/295. The Stx2 gene and the Stx1/Stx2/hlyAcombination were the most prevalent in the STEC strains. The virulence genes (Stx1, Stx2, eaeA* and HlyA*)were observed in 13, 19, 9 and 14 in STEC isolates respectively.The most common gene was Stx2 and combinations of (Stx1+Stx2+hlyA)genes. Antimicrobial resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics: chloramphenicol, ampicillin 10μg, erythromycin15μg, gentamicin10μg, ciprofloxacin 5μg, tetracycline 30μg, Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole 25 μg, Cefotaxime 30 μg, furazolidine (8μg) and nalidixic acid 30 μg. were observed for all E.coli isolates except one (1.8%; 95% CI=0.1-9.6%). No isolates among STEC showed resistance to Furazolidine drug. However, Trimethoprim / Sulphurmethoxazole) was the drug which exhibited the highest resistance at (94%, 95% CI 70 to 99%).Conclusion and recommendation: Prevalence of STEC was 5.4%, (Stx1/Stx2/hlyA) virulence genes combination was the most common. High resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics were observed in E.coli isolates and may be an existing problem that needs to be further research investigation.Keywords: Shiga-Toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC), antimicrobial resistance, Kitale County referral hospitalAfr J Health Sci. 2017; 30(2):105-11