Characteristics of Magistrates’ Courts that Impede Access to Justice within Nairobi County

In Kenya, access to justice remains a mirage for many especially the poor, the minorities and the vulnerable. Despite this there is scanty empirical data on factors that influence access to justice in Kenya. The broad objective of this study was to establish factors that impede access to justice in the Magistrates’ courts within Nairobi. Specifically, it examined courts’ characteristics and their implications on access to justice. The study was grounded on modernization theory and the New Public Management theory. It was designed as a descriptive survey and targeted the parties to cases within selected magistrates’ courts, the lawyers, police and professional prosecutors, the court users’ committees, representatives of the Law Society of Kenya, Kituo Cha Sheria, the Chief Justice, the Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Inspector General of Police. Purposive sampling was used in identifying the participating courts, while stratified random sampling and snowballing sampling techniques were employed to select the respondents. The sample size was 177. Out of the target sample, 152 responded meaning the response rate was 86%. Questionnaires, oral interviews and Focused Group Discussions were used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) and presented using text, charts, graphs, and frequency and percentage tables. The study found that the court did not have provision for people with physical disabilities, prosecutors and magistrates were few while adjournments contributed to case delays. The adversarial nature of court processes was seen as an impediment, low understanding of legal procedures and processes as well as low ICT usage were also identified as impediments to access to justice. Keywords: Access to Justice, Court Characteristics, Physical Location, ICT, Alternate and Traditional Dispute Resolution, robes and wigs, specialized and Small claims court

SNSs and deliberative governance in a polarised society : the role of WhatsApp groups in Kenyan counties

Kenya has experienced polarisation that has sometimes resulted in conflict. As a remedy, the Kenyan constitution, reviewed in 2010, and other legislation prescribes deliberative governance as one of the solutions to polarisation in sub-national Kenyan counties. The legislation mandates counties to use the mainstream and social media platforms for deliberative governance to promote national cohesion and integration. This study examines the growing use of WhatsApp groups for such deliberations. It is based on the proposition that the outcomes of deliberative governance and its impact on polarisation depends on the quality of deliberation and, in particular, on the platform’s (WhatsApp’s), structure and norms. The deliberative norms analysed here are based on the Habermasian model of tolerance, inclusivity, diversity, incivility, and heterogeneity of viewpoints, whilst the deliberative structure examines WhatsApp group’s affordances and composition. Based on these propositions, this study empirically explores the impact of deliberative governance on polarisation in WhatsApp group platforms in four Kenyan counties. Guided by a critical realism paradigm, the study uses an original mixed-methods approach involving a quantitative (online survey) and qualitative (WhatsApp-based focus group discussion). The study revealed that the socio-demographic profile of WhatsApp groups participants is predominantly young males with high educational attainment, similar to other SNSs participatory platforms. The research also suggests that achieving deliberative norms such as civility, tolerance, and inclusivity is challenging in WhatsApp groups. Therefore, the quality of deliberations in WhatsApp groups falls short of the Habermasian deliberative ideals, and this has worsened because WhatsApp has enhanced the sharing of stereotypes, misinformation, and conflict frames which have aggravated polarisation. Consequently, deliberations in WhatsApp groups have further augmented polarisation around county governance issues. Regarding the deliberative structure, the study proposes that the platform’s affordance, the composition of participants, the information sources, and the discussion topics in WhatsApp groups affect the quality of deliberations and polarisation. Additionally, this study makes a significant contribution by using an fresh, integrated methodological approach based on WhatsApp’s affordances for data collection and analysis

Challenges Faced by the Women Enterprise Fund in Kenya A Survey of Hamisi Constituency, Vihiga County- Kenya

Access to microcredit has been identified as a principal element for micro entrepreneurs to succeed in their drive to build productive capacity, to create jobs and contribute to poverty alleviation in developing countries. However access to finance for the rural poor especially women has not been easy. This is because women in Kenya experience social and economic discrimination because of the patriarchal nature of the Kenyan society. The Kenyan government acknowledges that women have not been at par with their male counterparts and therefore special provisions have been made for gender mainstreaming. To stimulate economic activity and growth, and to ultimately reduce unemployment, the Kenyan government has placed emphasis in the development and expansion of microenterprise, more specifically the women run enterprises. This has been made possible with the introduction of the women enterprise fund. This study therefore sought to establish the challenges faced by women who access the women enterprise fund. The survey research conducted in Hamisi constituency used interview schedules to collect data from 145 respondents. The data was analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively and presented through frequency tables and percentages. The study found out that WEF faced numerous challenges both at the lender and borrower level. This affected the effectiveness of the fund. This study concluded that the challenges faced need to be addressed to enhance the effectiveness of the programme. It recommends the WEF should increase loan sizes, improve staffing, work out ways of providing individual loans though group lending and sensitize men to get involved. Keywords: Constituency women enterprise scheme (C-WES), Microcredit, Microenterprise, Revolving loan fund.

Effects of Dividend Policy on Share Price of Firms Listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya

Dividend policy is a widely researched topic in the field of corporatefinance; however, it still remains a mystery as to whether dividend policyaffects the share prices of quoted firms. During the period under review(2001-2011), share prices of listed firms in the Nairobi Securities Exchangeseverely fluctuated making it difficult for investors to make informedinvestment decisions. The general objective of this study was to investigatethe effect of dividend policy (cash and share dividend) on the stock prices,specifically, the study sought to establish the relationship between cashdividend and the share prices and to determine the relationship between sharedividend and share prices of firms listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange.The data set consisting of volume weighted average price as dependent variableand cash dividend per share and share dividend per share as independentvariables were collected using data collection schedules for 55 companiessampled for the study. Secondary data was obtained from Nairobi SecuritiesExchange, Capital Market Authorities, Kenya Bureau of Statistics and fromsampled companies for a period between the years 2001 and 2011. Ordinary LeastSquare diagnostic tests were run to ascertain the suitability of the model andthe results showed that the model was suitable for estimation since it did notsuffer from multicollinearity, heteroscedasticity and non-normality problems.Random Generalized Least Square regression analysis was carried out with thehelp of STATA at five percent level of significance. The results of the marketindicated that there was a statistically significant positive relationshipbetween cash dividend and share prices while there was statisticallyinsignificantly negative relationship between share dividend and share prices.This implied that dividend policy affects the share price and that increase incash dividend would result in increase in share price for companies listed atthe Nairobi Securities Exchange, Conversely, an increase in share dividendwould result in an insignificant decrease in share price for companies listedat the Exchange. The results of the study confirmed relevance of dividendpolicy on firm’s value. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommendedthat the management of Capital Markets Authority of Kenya should amend Cap 485ALaws of Kenya and other relevant laws and regulations and ensure enforcement ofthose laws among other measures to guarantee consistent practices by listedfirms that lead to efficiency in the market for the benefit of the investors.Further, the management of listed firms should consider adoption of cashdividend policy more than share dividend as a strategy aimed at increasing thevalue of the firms due to its positive effect on the share price. If this isdone consistently, the shareholders’ wealth would be maximized in the long run.It is thus recommended that further research could be conducted to establishwhether macroeconomic variables affect equity price for firms listed at theExchange. Keywords: Dividend policy, Share price, SecuritiesExchange, investment decisions, stock prices, cash dividend per share and sharedividend per share

Factors Determining Choice of Clean Domestic Energy by Households: Evidence from Nakuru Municipality, Kenya

As in most developing countries, many attempts have been made and are continuously made to in Kenya to reduce dependence of forests as a source of energy through introduction of bans on logging and campaigns to households to shift to cleaner energy sources. Attempts through rural electrification program as envisaged in the energy policy of Kenya have been geared towards expanding clean energy access to previously unconnected sections of the population. Yet the majority households in urban areas as exemplified by Nakuru municipality residents of Kenya continue to depend on semi-clean fuels as primary source of energy. Using survey data from 300 randomly selected households in Nakuru Municipality, we sought to empirically determine the factors that influence household choice of clean domestic energy. A Multinomial logit model results showed that household’s choice between clean and semi-clean fuels was influenced by Socio-economic and demographic factors, and government energy policies. In particular,  the likelihood of clean fuels was significantly higher in households with higher relative incomes while the likelihood of use of “dirty” and semi – clean fuels was higher with middle and low income households. Based on the study results we draw policy implications. Keywords: Energy, Choice and Domestic Fuels, Multinomial Logit, Kenya, Nakuru Municipalit

IGG-antibody seroprevalence of West Nile Virus among blood donors in Nairobi and Nakuru regional blood transfusion testing centers in Kenya

Background: West Nile Virus (WNV) is an arbovirus transmitted by infected mosquitoes which cause most of its incidence (CDC, 2015). It is transmitted by the culex mosquito which is prevalent in Kenya.Objective: To determine and compare the sero prevalence of WNV among blood donors in Nairobi and Nakuru Regional blood transfusion testing centers in Kenya.Study design: A cross-sectional studySetting: It was carried out in two Regional Blood Transfusion Centers (RBTCs) which are based in Nairobi and Nakuru. These two centers are associated with possible low and high prevalence respectively.Subject: A total of 180 blood samples were randomly selected over a period of one month. These blood samples were tested for WNV IgG using ELISA. Results: Majority of the donors were below 35 years of age and were predominantly male. WNV IgG prevalence was 15% in blood donors (95% CI 10-20.5%). Prevalence of cross infection of TTI and WNV was 8.3% (95% CI 4.4- 12.2%). The prevalence of WVN IgG was highest in the 19-35 years’ age group (16.5%) and females (21.6%) though the results were not statistically significant. There was no difference in the IgG positivity between the different centers.Conclusion: Infection with WNV should be of public health concern because about a fifth of those infected with WNV develop illness. About 10% of those who develop neurological symptoms succumb to the disease

Supply-chain strategies for essential medicines in rural western Kenya during COVID-19

Problem: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted health systems worldwide and threatened the supply of essential medicines. Especially affected are vulnerable patients in low- and middle-income countries who can only afford access to public health systems. Approach: Soon after physical distancing and curfew orders began on 15 March 2020 in Kenya, we rapidly implemented three supply-chain strategies to ensure a continuous supply of essential medicines while minimizing patients' COVID-19 exposure risks. We redistributed central stocks of medicines to peripheral health facilities to ensure local availability for several months. We equipped smaller, remote health facilities with medicine tackle boxes. We also made deliveries of medicines to patients with difficulty reaching facilities. Local setting: Τo implement these strategies we leveraged our 30-year partnership with local health authorities in rural western Kenya and the existing revolving fund pharmacy scheme serving 85 peripheral health centres. Relevant changes: In April 2020, stocks of essential chronic and non-chronic disease medicines redistributed to peripheral health facilities increased to 835 140 units, as compared with 316 330 units in April 2019. We provided medicine tackle boxes to an additional 46 health facilities. Our team successfully delivered medications to 264 out of 311 patients (84.9%) with noncommunicable diseases whom we were able to reach. Lessons learnt: Our revolving fund pharmacy model has ensured that patients' access to essential medicines has not been interrupted during the pandemic. Success was built on a community approach to extend pharmaceutical services, adapting our current supply-chain infrastructure and working quickly in partnership with local health authorities

Spatial heterogeneity of malaria vectors and malaria transmission risk estimated using odour-baited mosquito traps

Background Prior to the commencement of a large-scale malaria intervention study on Rusinga Island, western Kenya, intensive baseline surveillance of the mosquito population was performed using odour-baited traps. The survey aimed to determine the relative abundance and species composition of malaria vectors, and to measure seasonal and spatial heterogeneity in populations. Human malaria prevalence was combined with entomological data to provide information about malaria transmission risk before the intervention began. Materials and methods From September 2012 until June 2013, mosquito monitoring took place over successive six-week sampling periods. MM-X traps baited with attractant lures and carbon dioxide were used to collect mosquitoes from inside and outside houses, and a new random sample of 80 households was drawn for each sampling round. During the baseline period, malaria prevalence was measured twice in a randomly selected 10% of the human population. A QuickBird satellite image and digital elevation map were used to describe environmental features of the island. Mosquitoes were initially identified on the basis of morphology and anophelines were processed by PCR to confirm species identifications. Results Odour-baited MM-X traps proved to be a good tool for monitoring malaria vectors inside and outside houses. Using this tool a marked temporal and spatial heterogeneity was described for the malaria vector species Anopheles gambiae s.s., An. arabiensis and An. funestus. Regions of potentially high malaria transmission intensity were identified after mapping the distributions of malaria mosquitoes and Plasmodium-positive persons. Despite studying a range of environmental and topographical features, no strong associations were found between environmental variables and the presence or absence of adult Anopheles. Conclusions Malaria vectors and malaria prevalence are not homogeneously distributed across Rusinga Island; the risk of malaria transmission is therefore greater in some areas than others. The finding that environmental features were not closely associated with adult malaria vector distribution, indicates that other factors, such as house construction or the presence of livestock, may play a more important role in the decision of a female anopheline to approach the domestic environment of a particular house in search of a blood meal. The findings of this study demonstrate how trans-disciplinary data can be integrated to provide a better understanding of mosquito population dynamics and malaria transmission risk. Intensive mosquito monitoring before the commencement of, as well as during, a large-scale malaria intervention study, contributes valuable information which will be used in describing the eventual impact of the intervention

Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage: a photobook of traditional foodways of the Isukha and East Pokot communities of Kenya

This photobook presents the results of traditional foodways documentation conducted in Isukha and East Pokot communities of Kenya within the project ‘Safeguarding traditional foodways of two communities in Kenya’ executed by UNESCO Nairobi Office. The documentation was undertaken between 2008-2012 largely by pupils of primary schools in Isukha and East Pokot. The pupils received great assistance from their teachers, local project coordinators and the project team mainly consisting of staff from National Museums of Kenya, Bioversity International and the Department of Culture