Analysis of kenya’s print media framing of the Dusit D2 terror suspects

The reporting of Terror Incidents (TIs) by the media in Kenya started when the first case was reported under the reign of President Jomo Kenyatta (1963-1978), with the first incident reported in 1980, when Palestinian militants staged an attack at Norfolk Hotel on New Year’s eve. Whereas the media has had to balance covering TIs in a timely, factual and objective manner, journalists also need to frame their narratives to reflect the event\u27s social, economic and psychological dimensions. They strive to avoid sensationalism, bias and a presentation of facts that could be seen to fan militants’ propaganda. This study aimed to analyse frames the mainstream print media applied in the coverage of the Dusit kenya. The study sought to identify the frames adopted by mainstream print media in the coverage of the Dusit D2 terror attack in Kenya, which took place in 2019. The study examined factors influencing the framing of perpetrators involved in the Dusit D2 hotel TI by the mainstream print media. The framing theory guided the study. The study employed a concurrent research design using a mixed methods approach. The population of the study was all 44 print publications/newspapers in Kenya. The target population consisted of 217 stories on the Dusit D2 TI identified pre-study published by the Daily Nation and the Standard over three weeks, between 16th January and 6th February. The study used individual articles (hard news, features, commentary, letters to the editors, and editorials) on Dusit D2 hotel TI, as a unit of analysis. The study also interviewed key journalists and editors who covered the event to understand their knowledge of framing, framing considerations, and measures they would apply to bridge framing gaps. The study used a coding sheet and interview guides as the main tools to gather quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. The data analysis was carried out using descriptive analysis for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative data. The study found that the responsibility frame was the major frame used. The other major frames used were human interest, crime, and conflict. The findings also indicated that the newspapers framed the terrorists as homegrown but with foreign ideologies, with some articles framing them as foreigners. It was also determined that Al-Qaeda/Al Shabab was the main organisation mentioned in the coverage of the stories. The study determined that social media, phone calls, fellow reporters and the use of television were major sources of receiving information on the terrorists’ attack at the Dusit D2 Hotel on January 16, 2019. The study concluded that the newspapers initially reported that the terror suspects were foreigners and Somalia-based in the first week of the reporting. This perception lingered on, portraying the terror suspects as foreigners, even as emerging news disproved that the suspects were Somalis or Somalia-based. The study recommends an approach reporters and editors can use to publish stories that give factual and verified data. This means that the coverage of terror-related incidences should incorporate facts, both objective and interpretive analyses, that provide accurate information. The study also recommends that the newspapers should involve terrorism experts in their future reporting stories, which will help provide solutions to issues surrounding terror attacks

Determinants of University Student’s Academic Achievements and Gender Differences: The Case of Addis Ababa University Main Campus

The study was conducted to assess university students’ academic achievement and identify the factors that determines the differences in academic achievement between gender. Purposive sampling techniques was used to select study site, whereas we used accidental sampling to draw respondents. Questionnaires was distributed to 75 students while, qualitative data was obtained from 12 interviewees. Quantitative data was analyzed by ordinal logit and logistic regressions, whereas qualitative date was analyzed by describing of respondents’ opinion. The result of ordinal logit model revealed that high school type, family income, and whether students live in dorm, mother education and university entrance score positively influences students’ academic achievements. Regarding, the differences in academic performances, more than half (59.15%) of respondents stated that, there was difference in academic achievement between genders. Accordingly, nearly more than half (54.35%) of respondents and highest proportion of interviewee stated that boys were better than female students. The result of logistic regression shows that family income, mothers education, fathers occupation, mothers occupation and CGPA have a significant association with the gender difference in academic performance.  Therefore, students for excellent academic performance requires in addition to other factors a good home and school environment.  For excellent academic performances students require very good high school type and university entrance score.  Furthermore, in order to reduce gender gap and disparity in education attainment, female students should be empowered though adequate training, guidance, tutor and consoling in and outside of the class. Keywords: Gender and education; Difference between gender; Gender roles; university education; Ethiopia; Addis Abab

Economics of Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L) Seed Marketing By Smallholders Producers in Boricha District, Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia

This study was conducted in Boricha district to examine the performance of a common bean seed market and determinants of bean seed supplied to the market. In Ethiopia, seed sector analyses have focused on generic marketing and production processes. However, sector-specific studies are important to measure the different economic aspects of production and productivity. The data was collected from 140 bean seed-producers by using an interview schedule. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models (MLR) were used to analyze the data. Four bean seed marketing channels were identified. A high volume of 1179 quintals of bean seed was marketed through the producers-primary cooperatives-unions-governments-consumers channel and the lowest quantity of 378 quintals were marketed through the producers-local collectors-wholesalers-retailers-consumers channel. Among all actors in the chain, 47% of gross profit generated by producers. Government-owned organizations that are responsible for moving seed from different marketers to farmers have generated a minimum gross profit of 2.5%. The MLR result indicated that educational status (p<0.01), farm gates price expectation (p<0.05), access to market price information (p<0.01) and farm experience (p<0.01) significantly determined the marketed supply of bean seed. Therefore, adequate functional adult education, timely and accurate market price information and farm experience skill development are policy directions towards improving the farmers’ market participation. Keywords: Bean seed, multiple linear regressions, Channels, marketed supply, generic, sector-specific DOI: 10.7176/JMCR/67-03 Publication date: April 30th 202

Fiscal Decentralization and Determinants of Property Tax Performance in Kenya: Cross-County Analysis

This study investigates determinants of property tax performance across 47 counties in Kenya. We aim to contribute to limited empirical research in developing countries on factors contributing to low property tax performance. Though property tax is considered ideal for sub-national governments, its performance in Kenya is not only low but its share in both gross domestic product and own-source revenues are declining. There is growing consensus among fiscal decentralization experts that adequate own-source revenue for sub-national governments is a precondition for successful fiscal decentralization. In 2010 Kenya promulgated a new Constitution that mandates sub-national governments with more fiscal responsibilities; hence performance of property tax in Kenya is of immense policy interests than ever before. Past policy efforts to reform property tax in Kenya has hardly yielded positive results. The results show that urbanization, population density and administration capacity are key factors explaining property tax performance across the Kenyan counties. The results have implications for developing countries in terms of design of horizontal revenue sharing, and the need to enhance administration capacity for sub-national governments. Key words: Property tax, developing countries, Keny

Characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern to commonly prescribed antimicrobials of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in patients attending Thika district Hospital - Kenya, 2014.

Background: Diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) are associated with outbreaks of severe diarrhea and multiple drug resistance. We characterize DEC among diarrhoeal patients attending Thika Hospital and determine their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients of all ages seeking diarrhea treatment. Stool samples were collected, inoculated on bacterial differential media for growth of enteric pathogens, characterized and antimicrobial susceptibility of DEC isolates determined.Results: A total of 402 stool samples were cultured. E. coli was isolated from 269, of which 72 (27%) were DEC; 60 (83.3%) enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), 6 (8.3%) enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and 6 (8.3%) enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC). Of the 72, 58% were female, median age was 8 (IQR: 2-28) years, 75% did not boil water and 100% did not treat water. Twenty five (35%) patients with DEC were under-five years. Drinking un-boiled water (OR: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.36-4.61) was associated with having DEC. All DEC isolates were sensitive to cefoxitin, meropenem, amikacin, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin. They were resistance to ampicillin (92%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (92%) and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (85%).Conclusion: The predominant DEC strain was EAEC. High resistant to ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid were observed. All isolates were sensitive to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin.Keywords: Diarrhea, E. coli, Diarrheagenic E. coli, Characterization, KenyaAfr J Health Sci. 2016; 29(1):25-3

Pastoralism: Animal health and food safety situation analysis, Kenya and Tanzania

Pastoralism is a farming system in societies that derive majority of their food and income from livestock production. This form of farming system is practised in the world’s arid and semi arid lands (ASALs). It is estimated that 70% of the landmass in the Horn of Africa is dry land; in Kenya 80% of the landmass is classified as ASAL while approximately half of Tanzania consists of dry land. These dry lands can only be effectively utilised when used for livestock rearing, supporting wildlife resource harvesting and tourism. In this paper we present a current situation analysis of animal health and its implication on food safety based on primary data collected from pastoralists in Kajiado County, Kenya and in Tanga and Morogoro regions in Tanzania. Less than 10% of pastoralists in these communities engage in crop farming to supplement household income, and with their high dependency on livestock rearing, animal health challenges are a significant problem. We report on the livestock diseases with high prevalence and postulate their effects on food safety and food security in pastoral communities. We also explore the extent of species rearing diversification, pastoralist trade orientation, and practices that may expose the community and their trading partners to animal and zoonotic infections. We also assess access to animal health service providers within these pastoral areas and veterinary drug usage that may have significant implications on animal health and food safety

Antimicrobial resistance: capacity and practices among clinical laboratories in Kenya, 2013

Introduction: antimicrobial resistance is neglected in developing countries; associated with limited surveillance and unregulated use of antimicrobials. Consequently, delayed patient recoveries, deaths and further antimicrobial resistance occur. Recent gastroenteritis outbreak at a children's home associated with multidrug resistant non-typhoidal Salmonella spp, raised concerns about the magnitude of the problem in Kenya, prompting antimicrobial resistance assessment preceding surveillance system establishment. Methods: eight public medical laboratories were conveniently selected. Questionnaires were administered to key informants to evaluate capacity, practice and utilization of antimicrobial susceptibility tests. Retrospective review of laboratory records determined antimicrobial resistance to isolates. Antimicrobial resistance was defined as resistance of a microorganism to an antimicrobial agent to which it was previously sensitive and multidrug resistance as non-susceptibility to at least one agent in three or more antimicrobial categories. Results: the laboratories comprised; 2(25%) national, 4(50%) sub-national and 2(25%) district. Overall, antimicrobial susceptibility testing capacity was inadequate in all. Seven (88%) had basic capacity for stool cultures, 3(38%) had capacity for blood culture. Resistance to enteric organisms was observed with the following and other commonly prescribed antimicrobials, ampicillin: 40(91%) Salmonella spp isolates; Tetracycline: 16(84%) Shigella flexineri isolates; cotrimoxazole: 20(100%) Shigella spp isolates, 24(91%) Salmonella spp isolates. Comparable patterns of multidrug resistance were evident with Shigella flexineri and Salmonella typhimurium. Ten (100%) clinicians reported not using laboratory results for patient management, for various reasons. Conclusion: antimicrobial susceptibility testing capacity was inadequate and the available approved guidelines for this in Kenya were adhered to by one laboratory. The resistance patterns indicated potential resistance to commonly prescribed antimicrobials

Uptake of isoniazid preventive therapy and its associated factors among HIV positive patients in an urban health centre, Kenya

Background: Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) is an effective intervention for prevention of tuberculosis (TB) among HIV positive patients, and its use is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Unfortunately the uptake of IPT in Kenya remains low (33%-40%) with limited knowledge on the factors that affect its uptake.Objective: To determine the uptake of IPT and its associated factors among HIV-positive patients enrolled in a urban health centre.Design: Hospital based cross-sectional studySetting: Riruta Health Centre, Nairobi, KenyaSubjects: HIV-positive patients ≥18 years who have been on care and treatment services in the health centre for at least six months preceding the study.Results: Four hundred and thirty six participants were enrolled with a mean age of 41 years (standard deviation± 9years). Females were 276 (63%), anti-retroviral therapy uptake of 427 (98%) and overall IPT uptake rate of 336 (77%). On multivariate analysis, fear of acquiring TB (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.6, 95% confidence interval, CI 2.6-8.1), having received IPT-associated health education (AOR 5.0, 95% CI 3.0-8.4) and having a good relationship with the healthcare worker (HCW) (AOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2-3.4) were independently associated with initiation of IPT.Conclusion: The uptake rate was above the current national coverage but fell below the national set target of 90%. Fear of acquiring TB, receipt of IPT-associated health education and favourable relationship with the HCWs promoted the initiation of IP

Notes on the behaviour, plumage and distribution of the White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis

The White-tailed Swallow Hirundo megaensis is a threatened and poorly known bird endemic to southern Ethiopia, where it is restricted to a small area of Acacia savanna. Despite the paucity of previous nest records, we found 67 nests in the years 2010–14, commonly in village huts lived in by people, and report the first confirmation of nesting (two certain records) in termite mounds. Its nests are small mud cups lined with grass and animal hair, fixed to roof joists and similar to those of its sister species, the Pearl-breasted Swallow H. dimidiata of southern Africa, although it appears to lay larger clutches (3–4 pure white eggs) and breed less frequently, producing one brood in each of its two rain-driven breeding seasons (April–June and October–November). The same nests are reportedly used in these two seasons, presumably by the same pairs. Incubation lasts 16–17 days, with some broods showing clearly smaller chicks and hence presumably asynchronous hatching. Study of nestlings in the hand and museum skins confirmed that juveniles can be determined by their shorter tails, browner heads and frequently also wings, and reduced white in the tail. Although birds are typically seen singly or in pairs, flocks of up to 50, sometimes mixed with other hirundines, can occur. The breeding range appears to be almost identical to that of the Ethiopian Bush-crow Zavattariornis stresemanni but regular sightings of White-tailed Swallows since 2005 at the Liben Plain, 120 km to the east of the core area, suggest that the birds are frequent visitors there.We are grateful to the numerous funding bodies which have supported this research over several years: NERC, RSPB, British Birdfair, African Bird Club, British Ornithologists’ Union, Gesellschaft für Tropenornithologie, Tim Whitmore Zoology Fund, Magdalene College (Cambridge), Cambridge Philosophical Society, and BirdLife Preventing Extinctions Programme; and especially to Julian Francis. We also thank Robert Prys-Jones at the Natural History Museum (NHMUK) for access to specimens; Les Colley for his photograph used in Fig. 5; Stefanie Rick for her excellent drawings used in Fig. 9; Steve Rooke (Sunbird Tours), Bernard, Willem and Sjoerd Oosterbaan, Simon Busuttil, Merid Gabremichael and Claire Spottiswoode for providing additional information and sightings; Alazar Dakar, Abiy Dange, Birhan Dessalegn, Solomon Desta, Okotu Dida, Ali Guche, Sam Jones, Gufu Kashina, Stuart Marsden, Tesfaye Mekonnen, Samson Zelleke and many others including all the staff of Borana National Park for help with fieldwork; Angela Turner and John Atkins for their services as referees; and the Borana villagers who so kindly allowed us into their homes to study the White-tailed Swallow’s nests and without whose hospitality our knowledge of this species would be much poorer.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from African Bird Club

The Rwanda Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program: training skilled disease detectives

Rwanda still suffers from communicable diseases which frequently lead to epidemics. In addition to other health workforce needs, Rwanda also lacks a public health workforce that can operate multi-disease surveillance and response systems at the national and sub-national levels.In 2009 and 2010 the Rwanda Ministry of Health and its partners from the Government of Rwanda (GOR) as well as the United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the African Field Epidemiology Network, and other partners embarked on a series of activities to develop a public health workforce that would be trained to operate disease surveillance and response systems at the national and district levels. The Rwanda Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (RFELTP) is a 2-year public health leadership development training program that provides applied epidemiology and public health laboratory training while the trainees provide public health service to the Ministry of Health. RFELTP is hosted at the National University of Rwanda School of Public Health for the didactic training. RFELTP is funded by GOR, the US Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and the World Bank; it is managed by a multi-sectoral steering committee headed by the Minister of Health. The first RFELTP cohort has 15 residents who were recruited from key health programs in GOR. Over the first year of implementation, these 15 residents have conducted a variety of field investigations and responded to several outbreaks. RFELTP has also trained 145 frontline health workers through its two-week applied short courses. In the future, RFELTP plans to develop a veterinary track to address public health issues at the animal-human interface