KANTIAN PERSPECTIVE IN MITIGATING RADICALISATION IN KENYAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

This study investigates the role that education can play in mitigating radicalisation of students. The violent acts of radicalisation have caused diverse effects in education sector in Kenya. The research uses Kant’s philosophy of categorical imperative as its theoretical framework. The theory states that we should always treat people as an end rather than means to an end. The research reveals that the focus on training of highly skilled labour at the expense of instilling values in learners makes it possible for radical elements to target them and use them as means for their political end. As a result of this their dignity is denied. To sort out the problem, the research proposes pedagogical reorientation, a pedagogy that will instill a critical mind to the learners and make them autonomous rather than heteronymous. This study addresses the philosophical approach to the issue of terror and radicalisation of students in schools and how education can be used to tackle the problem. The suggestions given to the study on how to mitigate the threat of radicalisation will benefit the stake holders among them teachers, education managers and guardians. The study can be used to enhance the development of a curriculum that addresses the issue of radicalism in schools. The study also recommends that Kant’s categorical imperative be adopted as a philosophical base for education in Kenya, whereby the curriculum be readjusted to embrace peace education and finally integration of different religions in Kenya so as to be taught as single subject which is to be renamed Religious Studies.   Article visualizations

THE ROLE OF MORAL EDUCATION IN MITIGATING RADICALISATION IN KENYAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

The purpose of this research is to philosophically investigate the role that education can play in mitigating radicalisation of school going children. The violent acts of radicalisation have caused diverse effects in education sector in Kenya. The research is guided by Kant’s philosophy of categorical imperative as its theoretical framework. This theory states that we should always treat people as an end rather than means to an end. The research found out that the focus on training of highly skilled labour at the expense of instilling values in learners, makes it possible for radical elements to target them and use them as means for their political end. The research proposes the need of an education for an end that instills a sense of duty to learners. This will help them value themselves and others. There is also need for education to instill the sense of autonomy in learners so that they cannot be easily indoctrinated by the radical ideologies. The study recommends that there is need to embrace moral education in schools as a way of mitigating radicalism in Kenyan secondary schools.  Article visualizations

Factors associated with clinically significant hyperbilirubinemia among abo-incompatible newborns at a tertiary care hospital in Kenya.

Background: ABO incompatibility is one of the most common causes of immune-mediated neonatal jaundice. It occurs in approximately 20-25% of all pregnancies. Literature shows that 60- 80% of newborns will develop physiological jaundice within the first week of life. Globally, the incidence ranges from 10-41%. Early detection of newborns with ABO incompatibility-related jaundice can prevent the incidence of bilirubin-induced neurological dysfunction. Whereas there have been extensive published data on rhesus isoimmunization, very few studies have examined ABO incompatibility and isoimmunization. From the published literature, there has been no known study that has assessed risk factors for developing clinically significant jaundice amongst ABO-incompatible neonates in the Kenyan context. Objectives: To determine the factors associated with clinically significant hyperbilirubinemia among ABO-incompatible newborns at a tertiary care hospital in Kenya. Methods: An unmatched case-control study was conducted amongst neonates with blood group A or B who were born to mothers with blood group O positive between March 2016 and December 2022. Consecutive sampling was done until the desired sample size of 83 cases and 83 controls was achieved. Factors such as gestational age, baby’s blood group, mode of feeding, gender, direct Coombs test, mother’s gravidity, and the mode of delivery were obtained from the medical records. Data was collected using a data collection form and entered into Microsoft Excel. Results: One hundred and sixty-six participants were recruited, comprising 83 cases and 83 controls. Only three of the factors studied were associated with clinically significant jaundice among ABO-incompatible newborns. Mixed feeding with an adjusted OR of 40.22 (CI 5.67-283.95), P= Conclusions: Isoimmunization caused by ABO hemolytic disease in the newborn has been overlooked as a disease. In the ABO setup, newborns with a positive direct Coombs test, a high reticulocyte count, and mixed or formula feeding are more likely to develop severe jaundice. Therefore, caution should be used when providing for newborns with the abovementioned risks. ABO incompatibility-related jaundice in high-risk infants should be risk-stratified, and prompt interventions should be taken

The Determinants of Performance in Semi Intensive Tilapia Aquaculture Projects in Dar Es Salaam

Enterprise budget, breakeven and sensitivity analyses were conducted in selected fish farms in Dar es salaam to assess the determinants of performance in Semi Intensive Tilapia Aquaculture (SITA) projects. Field data was collected using structured questionnaires, checklists and face to face interviewing and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The research findings revealed that the feed prices, survival rate, and farm size have a significant effect on performance of SITA projects and therefore should be optimized in order to attain a profitable and sustainable SITA projects. Higher feed prices decreases net returns and increases the breakeven price per kilogram. It was also evidenced that, the higher the survival rate the higher the net returns and the lower the breakeven prices per kilogram. Also the farmers are advised to ensure that they develop as bigger farms as possible as the farm size increases, the net returns per cubic meter increases and breakeven price above total cost decreases. The study recommends that SITA farmers should conduct a detailed financial plan prior to establishing SITA projects, farmers should establish good quality fish feeds sources with reasonable prices prior to establishment of the farm, farmers should be conversant of all the biological aspects of tilapia farming in order to increase survival rate of his/her stock and lastly farmers should locate the farm in the area where there is a potential of enlarging his/her farm in future

SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ DROPOUTS AND CRIME ESCALATION IN VIHIGA COUNTY, KENYA

Crime escalation in Africa has been associated with politics. Statistics reveal that to some extent, secondary school dropouts are a trigger to crime in Kenya. The period between 2009 and 2012 had seen the number of children aged between 15 years to 19 years in conflict with the law steadily rise in Vihiga County, Kenya. It was against that background that the current study sought to examine the relationship between secondary school dropouts and crime escalation in Vihiga County, Kenya. The objective was to discuss the criminal activities by secondary school dropouts in Vihiga County, Kenya. The Study was anchored on a conceptual framework of Labeling Theory and Conflict Theory. The target population was 5,760 whose respondents were 112 Principals, 5 District Probation Officers, 5,568 students who had dropped from school, 64 Chiefs, 1 County Commander, 5 Officers Commanding Police Divisions and 5 Divisional Criminal Investigating Officers. The sample size was 1,738. In-depth interviews with key informants were conducted to supplement information obtained from the questionnaire. Systematic random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the respondents. Data were collected through interviews with chiefs, District Probation Officers, Officers Commanding Police Stations and Divisional Criminal Investigating Officers to get information on criminal activities by dropouts. Questionnaires were administered to Principals and Drop-outs to get information on reasons for dropping out of school. The data were transcribed and analyzed using Correlational survey research design. Findings that emerged from this study indicated that secondary school dropouts committed different types of crimes like alcohol and drug abuse, stealing assault, affray, defilement, robbery with violence and murder. The current study was significant in that it was likely to remain a permanent record of study and would be used to advance knowledge by future researchers. It was also anticipated that by using the findings of the current study, Security and Education Agencies would benefit by understanding better the current nature of crime that was committed by secondary school dropouts. Article visualizations

CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE, RELIGIOUS PROPAGANDA AND RADICALIZATION IN KENYAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS: A PHILOSOPHICAL ANALYSIS

Radicalisation which leads to violent extremism has been a worrisome phenomenon which has assumed global dimension and has engaged the attention and concern of governments, civil society, security agencies and institutions. The violent aspect of radicalisation has greatly decimated populations, maimed innocent citizens and destroyed unqualified number of property. This negatively affects the social-economic and political development of affected nations. Religion which occupies a central position in human life becomes a medium of propagating this socio-political conflict into a moral one. This research surmises that the misuse of Religion is executed by those whose motivations and aims have a predominant religious influence is rooted in the misinterpretation of theological epithets, or it could be the result of extreme forms of delusion that may alter reality, and thus subject an individual or a group of people to distorted versions of religious facts and episodes. The research uses Kant’s philosophy of categorical imperative as its theoretical framework. The theory states that we should always treat people as an end rather than means to an end. The research reveals that the focus on training of highly skilled labour at the expense of instilling values in learners makes it possible for radical elements to target them and use them as means for their political end. Religion that is also supposed to play a vital role in society is also being used as a means to an end rather than an end itself. The research recommends pedagogical reorientation so as learners as exposed to all forms of religion, by doing this they will appreciate others who have divergent religious views thus value their dignity.  Article visualizations

Assessing the sustainability of the Campi ya Kanzi Maasai wildlife conservation trust model ‘wildlife pays’ on Kuku group ranch

Conference paper presented at the 1st African Conference on Sustainable Tourism in Strathmore University, Kenya.„Wildlife Pays‟ is a wildlife compensation model funded by tourism revenue at Campi ya Kanzi (resident eco-lodge) in partnership with the local community of Kuku Group Ranch under the “Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust.” An assessment of the impact and sustainability of the program in conservation of wildlife explored the determinants of wildlife compensation, examined trends and made projections as to whether changes in variables have the potential to compromise the continuity of “Wildlife Pays”. Findings indicate that depredation peaks in the second half of the year when it is dry, approximately 90% of incidents occur when herding, and the high number of livestock killed in the dry season are attributed to an increased vulnerability when herders venture far from their villages with emaciated livestock in search of pasture. Given the annual compensation pattern, there is also a higher peak every second year. The average amount of money paid in compensation annually shows a slight positive trend attributed to rising value of livestock, while the compensation pattern shows a diminishing oscillation suggesting that the scheme is progressively becoming stable. The strict conditions put in place to qualify for maximum compensation encourage better constructed homesteads, improved herding methods and deters community members from hunting and retaliation, thus having a positive impact on wildlife populations and managing human-wildlife conflict

User Based Assessment of the Appropriateness and Effectiveness of Printed Visual Media Materials Currently in Use for HIV/AIDS Information Dissemination in Dodoma Region

Despite the notable and commendable efforts directed towards the relentless national wide struggle to combat and contain the notorious HIV/AIDS this struggle is still to make full use of the printed visual media

ETHICAL PATHWAY TO MITIGATING TERRORISM IN KENYA

Terrorism has become a global concern. Soft targets range from social places like supermarkets, vehicles, stadiums, political and religious gatherings, and leaning institutions at all levels. Military Measures are being used which is yielding little because they attempt to solve a problem that has already occurred. There is need to address the core problem which is lack of moral values in people. It is in response to this that this paper attempts to state how moral values can be used to counter terrorism. Critical method as a method of research in Philosophy was used. Various texts on terrorism and morality were explored from which moral implications on terrorism were made. The findings revealed that human beings are moral agents and solutions to problems facing them including terrorism should be resolved using moral principles. The significance of this paper was to provide moral insight on response to terrorism by governments affected by terrorism. This is based on the assumption that, governments and policy makers also see themselves as victims of violence.  Article visualizations

Rethinking human resources and capacity building needs for malaria control and elimination in Africa

Despite considerable success in controlling malaria worldwide, progress toward achieving malaria elimination has largely stalled. In particular, strategies to overcome roadblocks in malaria control and elimination in Africa are critical to achieving worldwide malaria elimination goals-this continent carries 94% of the global malaria case burden. To identify key areas for targeted efforts, we combined a comprehensive review of current literature with direct feedback gathered from frontline malaria workers, leaders, and scholars from Africa. Our analysis identified deficiencies in human resources, training, and capacity building at all levels, from research and development to community involvement. Addressing these needs will require active and coordinated engagement of stakeholders as well as implementation of effective strategies, with malaria-endemic countries owning the relevant processes. This paper reports those valuable identified needs and their concomitant opportunities to accelerate progress toward the goals of the World Health Organization's Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030. Ultimately, we underscore the critical need to re-think current approaches and expand concerted efforts toward increasing relevant human resources for health and capacity building at all levels if we are to develop the relevant competencies necessary to maintain current gains while accelerating momentum toward malaria control and elimination