Socio-Economic Factors That Influence Recidivism in Kakamega County, Kenya

Recidivism is the relapse into criminal activity and is generally measured by a former prisoner’s return to prison for a new offence. The rate of recidivism in Kenya is estimated to be about two‐thirds, which means that two‐thirds of released inmates will be re‐incarcerated after their release from prisons. As a result of this, crime by former inmates alone account for a substantial share of the current and future crimes. From the trend in the high prevalence of recidivism in Kenya, there is a staggering high number of people being incarcerated and eventually released back to the community and the high risk of re-arrest and re-incarceration is a concern for policymakers, criminologists, and those involved in corrections. High rates of recidivism result in tremendous costs both in terms of public safety and in monies spent to arrest, prosecute, and incarcerate re‐offenders. High rates of recidivism also lead to devastating social costs to the communities and families of offenders, as well as the personal costs to the offenders themselves. A sample of 146 respondents comprising male and female recidivists at Kakamega and Shikusa Prisons in Western Kenya were considered for the study. Research objective and hypothesis were formulated based on the study constructs. A standard questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents who were identified using purposive sampling technique. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected and analyzed. Statistically quantitative data was analyzed using inferential statistics. Findings revealed a statistically significant relationship between socio-economic factors and recidivism. This implied that socio-economic factors such as gender, age, level of education, employment status and housing influence the possibility of re-offending. Therefore the need to come up with working pre-release programs meant to enable inmates to have smooth transitions from correctional institutions to their communities by working with the offenders to develop plans, including housing, employment and participation in post-release programs. Keywords: Socio-Economic Factors, Recidivism, Prison

Mobilizing the past:Creuseurs, precarity and the colonizing structure in the Congo Copperbelt

The Copperbelt of Congo was once the bastion of industrial development and no individual embodied its modernity as fully as the salaried industrial miner. Today, with the near collapse of the state-run mining company, Gécamines, and the lib-eralization of the mining industry starting in 2002, the majority of miners are no longer trained and salaried industrial workers but rather children and youth eking out a precarious living as artisanal miners or creuseurs. In Congo, artisanal mining is paradoxical, for, although it indexes a future of unskilled, untrained, flexible work in rural and peri-urban enclaves, its organization of labour and rudimentary techniques of copper extraction allude to and borrow from the colonial and pre-colonial past. Creuseurs mobilize the past as a strategic response to the threat of dispossession of ‘their’ land by the state and foreign investors, and they do so by laying claim to an anterior ‘sovereign’– the ancestors – whose existence predates colonialism. This paradoxical emplacement of artisanal mining, its entanglement in time, invites interrogation of some of the ways in which scholars have under-stood precarity not only as a politically induced condition resulting from neo-liberalism but also as an outcome of the enduring nature of the colonizing structure in Africa

Resource Management Practices and Performance of Commercial Housing Projects in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Housing projects have gained a lot of attention in almost every country both industrialized and developing economies. This is because it is one of the basic human needs and a source of income to the housing developers. It is one of the big four agenda to the current government of the republic of Kenya. However, many commercial housing projects in Kenya are facing performance challenges in the sense that some projects remain stalled; others get completed late beyond the planned time, reduced scope while others collapse because of poor quality. This study sought to examine the effects of resource management practices on the performance of commercial housing projects in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Particularly the study aimed to establish the effect of human resource management, financial management and material management on the performance of commercial housing projects in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The survey made use of descriptive research design. It targeted a population of forty commercial housing projects within Nairobi City County, Kenya completed between the years 2017 and 2020. The respondents were top housing projects managers (engineers, contractors and quantity surveyors), housing projects supervisors and housing projects owners in these selected projects. Collected data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results were presented using tables and graphs. The results indicated that human resource management, financial resource management, and material resource management were highly significant at p=0.0430, p=0.0436and p=0.0451respectively.On the human resource management this study recommends that commercial housing projects in Nairobi City County should match their human resource management strategies with dynamic environment in order to achieve projects which are completed within scope, completed within budget, completed within time and achieve quality of the houses. On financial resource management, the study recommends that Nairobi county management needs to adhere to financial resource management practices as it enhance performance of commercial housing projects. It is therefore recommended that the county should carry out financial resource management in the manner that is approved by the IFRS. On material resource management, the survey makes a recommendation that there should be a centralized material management team co-ordination between the site and the county Project management. Keywords: Resource Management Practices; Performance; Commercial; Housing; and Projects DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-10-06 Publication date:May 31st 202

Challenges That Confront Offenders During Reentry Into Kenyan Communities

Over the last several years, the issue of prisoner reentry has dominated the corrections literature, which should not be surprising considering the volume of ex-inmates who are returning to our communities each year. As a direct result of this nation’s increased reliance on imprisonment as a response to criminal behavior, there are record numbers of individuals serving time in correctional facilities. Inmates face many challenges as they attempt to transition from the institution to the community. Securing suitable housing, finding employment, and addressing substance abuse and mental health problems present formidable obstacles to offenders as they attempt to reconnect with society.  At the same time, there is strong evidence to suggest that inmates are leaving confinement less prepared to face life in the community. As Petersilia (2001) noted, fewer programs, and a lack of incentives for inmates to participate in them, mean that fewer inmates leave prison having participated in programs to address work, education, and substance use deficiencies. One undeniable consequence of the imprisonment binge has been the release of record numbers of inmates, who have served longer sentences and are less prepared to face life in society. While these facts are in themselves concerning, prisoner reentry takes on a new level of significance when one considers the impact these returning inmates will have on their communities. As Travis et al. (2001) report, “nearly two-thirds of released prisoners are expected to be rearrested for a felony or serious misdemeanor within three years of their release,” which “translate[s] into thousands of new victimizations each year.” While public safety concerns are paramount, the consequences of prisoner reentry are not limited to fears of re-offending. Given evidence from available research studies, the impact of prisoner reentry has far reaching consequences, a fact which has not escaped the attention of either policymakers or academics. Over the last several years, this issue has received considerable attention. At the same time, this issue has become the focal point for many researchers, which has both increased our awareness of the consequences of this phenomenon, as well as guided policy makers in the development of new programs. It is upon this backdrop that this study sought to investigate the challenges facing prisoners as they return to the community after serving their sentences. A sample of 146 respondents comprising male and female recidivists at Kakamega and Shikusa Prisons in western Kenya were considered for the study. Research objective and hypothesis were formulated based on the study constructs. A standard questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents who were identified using purposive sampling technique. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected and analyzed. Statistically quantitative data was analyzed using inferential statistics. Study findings revealed that that offenders face challenges during reentry and the time spent in prison was a statistically significant predictor of the reentry experience of offenders. Keywords: Prisoner, re-entry, communit

Small Migrant Nonprofit Organizations: Leadership Approaches That Connect to the Country of Origin

As a Kenya migrant who has observed leaders of migrant organizations play a great role both in country of origin and their host, I was motivated to undertake this study to find out the approaches migrant leaders use to connect to their country of origin. This study aimed to review literature on small migrant nonprofit organizations with emphasis on Kenyan registered migrant nonprofit organizations in Minnesota. Other migrant organizations were also explored to help bridge the gap in the literature. The literature review conducted found few registered migrant nonprofit organizations of Kenyan descent in the Minnesota registry based on their location, mission statement, projects and role of leaders to connect their ancestral homeland. International migration, transnationalism and globalization played a major role in establishing nonprofit organizations among Kenyan migrants. Migrants of these nonprofit organizations send remiffances from their host country to help their families and communities in their country of origin. This remittance to their country of origin boosts families and communities social class economically and politically and helps reduce dependency ratio. Significant information obtained from the literature review for this study was used to apply The Five Principles and Ten Tenets of exemplary leadership by Kouzes and Posner to leadership approaches used by leaders of nonprofit organizations. It was found that these migrant leaders model the way, inspire a shared vision, challenge the process, enable others to act and encourages the heart of others as they connect to the country of origin. This study was important as it helped to bridge the literature gap of Kenyan migrant nonprofit organizations compared to other migrant organizations. It also provided a basis for future research to be replicated hy other researchers to study deeply the roles of these migrant nonprofit organizational leadership both to their countries of origin and the host

Improving Self-Management of Diabetes with Culturally Sensitive Interventions

Abstract Adult Latino patients with diabetes may require education and skills that are culturally appropriate to achieve optimum results. The purpose of this DNP project was to improve diabetes self-management among Latino and other at-risk adults. The project used an intervention bundle to streamline screening, education, and improve patients’ self- confidence. Adult patients were screened during triage to obtain vital signs and blood glucose levels per the routine at the clinic and via phone to discuss management of diabetes. Implementation of the project included provision of culturally sensitive diabetes education material, culturally sensitive “traffic light” food guide in English and Spanish. The Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire was the primary tool used before and after the implementation to determine the effect of the intervention. In total, 44 adults participated in the intervention. The results demonstrate a positive impact of the culturally sensitive “traffic light” food guide in participants’ knowledge and selection of healthy food. The nurse practitioners, physician assistant, prelicensure and nurse practitioner students at the clinic were in favor of continued use of the materials. The findings support the use of culturally sensitive food guide to improve diabetes self-management in Latino and a culturally diverse patient population. Keywords: diabetes, Latino, adults, self- monitoring, blood glucose, A1

Improving Self-Management of Diabetes with Culturally Sensitive Interventions

Abstract Adult Latino patients with diabetes may require education and skills that are culturally appropriate to achieve optimum results. The purpose of this DNP project was to improve diabetes self-management among Latino and other at-risk adults. The project used an intervention bundle to streamline screening, education, and improve patients’ self- confidence. Adult patients were screened during triage to obtain vital signs and blood glucose levels per the routine at the clinic and via phone to discuss management of diabetes. Implementation of the project included provision of culturally sensitive diabetes education material, culturally sensitive “traffic light” food guide in English and Spanish. The Diabetes Self-Management Questionnaire was the primary tool used before and after the implementation to determine the effect of the intervention. In total, 44 adults participated in the intervention. The results demonstrate a positive impact of the culturally sensitive “traffic light” food guide in participants’ knowledge and selection of healthy food. The nurse practitioners, physician assistant, prelicensure and nurse practitioner students at the clinic were in favor of continued use of the materials. The findings support the use of culturally sensitive food guide to improve diabetes self-management in Latino and a culturally diverse patient population. Keywords: diabetes, Latino, adults, self- monitoring, blood glucose, A1

The Hemoglobin A1C of African-Americans/Blacks with Diabetes Mellitus Type Two Using Low-Fat Diabetes Plate Diet

Diabetes Mellitus type two (DMT2) is a chronic disease that leads to high blood sugar in the body and if not corrected over a period of time, it leads to development of complications. Some of those complications include blindness, kidney failure, and retinopathy, among others. DMT2 continues to affect many people in the USA, especially African-Americans/Black who have the highest prevalence as compared to other races. Proper diet management especially the Low-Fat diabetes diet helps to decrease Hemoglobin A1c, which could result in reduction of risk of developing complications and morbidity related to DMT2. This project was done to educate African-American/Black population in Benton Harbor Health Center with DMT2 on Low-fat diabetes diet. The results indicated a significantly lower hemoglobin A1c and BMI among patients that were in the experimental group who had education intervention as compared to those who were in the control group and did not receive any diet education. This project took place over three months for each participant and pre-test and posttest measures were reported for HbA1C, BMI, as well as fat-related diet knowledge

Evaluation of Secondary School Principals’ Views on the Use of Untrained Teachers in Lesson Delivery in a Free Secondary Education System Era in Kenya

This article reports on the findings from a quantitative research study on the views of secondary school principals regarding the teaching competences of untrained teachers in free secondary schools in Kenya. Aim: To investigate the views of secondary school principals’ views on the qualifications and teaching skills of untrained teachers. Study Design: The study adopted a quantitative survey design and took place in Nyamira County. The study was conducted for six months. Methodology: The study is a quantitative survey involving 81 secondary school principals (70 % Men and 30 % Women). Just fewer than two-fifths had been in principalship position for less than five years, a third between five and ten years and another a third over ten years. 42% were in their first headship, 38% second headship and 12 % third headship. 83% work in rural schools and 89 % public schools. Result: One quarter of the schools employed Board of Governors (BOGs) teachers who have neither formal teaching qualifications nor pedagogical skills. There are also issues of inadequate syllabus coverage and overworking or overloading of qualified teachers associated with that. The study also highlights issues linked to recruitment of staff, for instance, corruption, clanism and nepotism practices among BOGs. Conclusion: Unqualified teachers experience limitations in necessary competences in delivering lessons effectively and therefore negatively impacting on the quality of teaching and learning. Keywords: Free secondary education, quality education, Kenya, untrained teachers, pedagogical skills and teachers’ qualification

Effect of Camel Variables on Financial Stability: A Dynamic Panel Analysis of Commercial Banks in Kenya

A stable banking sector is significant in ensuring economic growth as well as sound, efficient and stable financial system. However, the banking sector in Kenya has been considered fragile and this is evident from the increasing trend of non-performing loans, fluctuating deposit trend of some commercial banks and fluctuations of foreign liabilities in commercial banks in Kenya, which is associated with financial stability. Furthermore the collapsing of some commercial banks and some being put under receivership is of great concern to the financial stability of the commercial banks in Kenya. The general objective of the study was to establish the effect of CAMEL variables on financial stability of commercial banks in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the effect of operational efficiency, capital adequacy, bank liquidity, profitability and asset quality on financial stability of commercial banks in Kenya. The study was carried out in 17 fragile commercial banks in Kenya between 2011 and 2018. Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) model guided by dynamic panel regression results revealed that operating efficiency had a statistically significant positive effect on financial stability (β= 0.3104109, p=0.037) of commercial banks in Kenya. The study also established that capital adequacy had a statistically significant negative effect on financial stability (β= -0.1560403, p=0.050) of commercial banks in Kenya. The study further revealed that bank liquidity had a statistically insignificant negative effect on financial stability (β= -0.0073553, p=0.881) of commercial bank in Kenya. In addition, profitability had a statistically significant negative effect on financial stability (β= -0.1064231, p= 0.036). Finally, the study revealed that asset quality had a statistically significant positive effect on financial stability (β= 0.0987029, p= 0.032). Based on these findings, the study recommends for mergers and acquisition among the fragile commercial banks as per the fragility index, adoption of internal economics of scale, limits on insider loans to be established and credit to borrowers should not exceed 15% of the capital. This would ensure a sound and vibrant economy towards achieving the Vision 2030 that advocates for well-functioning, efficient and stable financial system. Keywords: Camel Variables, Firm characteristics, Financial Stability, Dynamic Panel Regression. DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/11-18-10 Publication date:September 30th 2020