Kenya: manhood and violence

Article based on a book " Men of the Global South";2006, p226The article features John Kiriamiti, a Kenyan novel, who is famous for his novel "My Life in Crime." The section reflects on Kiriamiti's careers as an author and examines his literary skills in writing, which usually provide an overview of the life of a Kenyan criminal in the 1970s and 1980s. The author also profiles the novels by Kiriamiti including "My Life with a Criminal: Milly's Story," "Son of Fate," and "The Sinister Trophy."The article features John Kiriamiti, a Kenyan novel, who is famous for his novel "My Life in Crime." The section reflects on Kiriamiti's careers as an author and examines his literary skills in writing, which usually provide an overview of the life of a Kenyan criminal in the 1970s and 1980s. The author also profiles the novels by Kiriamiti including "My Life with a Criminal: Milly's Story," "Son of Fate," and "The Sinister Trophy.

Juvenile delinquency and violence in the fiction of three Kenyan writers

Published in Tydskriff vir Letterkunde 44 (2) 2007This essay is a preliminary examination of crime and violence in postcolonial Kenyan fiction. It examines how three Kenyan writers have dealt with the themes of crime and violence in their fiction. Through examination of the fiction of John Kiriamiti, Meja Mwangi and John Kigia, the paper postulates that the prevalence of juvenile delinquents in this fiction and the related acts of violence and criminality could be read as indicators of the failure of the postcolonial Kenyan state to “include” these young men (and women) into the mainstream of society. The essay further argues that there is a correlation between marginalisation of the youth in society and their adoption of anti-social behaviour as strategies to access material resources.This essay is a preliminary examination of crime and violence in postcolonial Kenyan fiction. It examines how three Kenyan writers have dealt with the themes of crime and violence in their fiction. Through examination of the fiction of John Kiriamiti, Meja Mwangi and John Kigia, the paper postulates that the prevalence of juvenile delinquents in this fiction and the related acts of violence and criminality could be read as indicators of the failure of the postcolonial Kenyan state to “include” these young men (and women) into the mainstream of society. The essay further argues that there is a correlation between marginalisation of the youth in society and their adoption of anti-social behaviour as strategies to access material resources

Reflections On The Detective Novel As A Moral Fable Of Contemporary Kenya

The detective novel has for a long time been seen as a popular genre, often supposedly read for entertainment as opposed to its concern with ‘serious’ issues about society. This paper reads two detective novels by Richard Crompton to examine what they seem to be suggesting about social reality in 21st century Kenya. Crompton’s The Honey Guide (2013) and Hell’s Gate (2014) appear to suggest that the Kenyan national body is ailing because of social turpitude. We argue that these two detective novels are profound commentaries, moral fables and critiques of given socio-economic, political and cultural realities in the 21st century Kenya; and that the corruption of the Kenyan body is partly a consequence of both local and international forces such as the circulation of what could be called ‘crimescapes.’ &nbsp

Juvenile delinquency and violence in the fiction of three Kenyan writers

This essay is a preliminary examination of crime and violence in postcolonial Kenyan fiction. It examines how three Kenyan writers have dealt with the themes of crime and violence in their fiction. Through examination of the fiction of John Kiriamiti, Meja Mwangi and John Kigia, the paper postulates that the prevalence of juvenile delinquents in this fiction and the related acts of violence and criminality could be read as indicators of the failure of the postcolonial Kenyan state to “include” these young men (and women) into the mainstream of society. The essay further argues that there is a correlation between marginalisation of the youth in society and their adoption of anti-social behaviour as strategies to access material resources

HIV/AIDS and the labour sector : examining the role of law in protecting the HIV positive worker in Kenya

Kenyan labour laws inadequately protect HIV positive worker. The Constitution of Kenya, 1963, does not prohibit stereotypical attitudes adverse to HIV positive workers and discrimination on the basis of health status. It does not provide for the right to employment, health and health care services, and fails to delimit privacy and dignity rights. Under the Industrial Property Act, 2001, the basis for Government exploitation of patent through compulsory licensing is whimsical and parallel importing is not envisaged. Employers unilaterally draft employment contracts notwithstanding their unequal power relations to employees. The HIV and AIDS Tribunal institutionalises discrimination against HIV positive workers on the basis of the ambiguous ‘inherent job requirements.’ Plausible international labour laws and practices have no place in Kenya unless they are domesticated. SUMMARY This thesis interrogates the Kenyan labour laws and policies to identify their inefficiencies and suggest recommendations for reform. It commences with an analysis of the topical issues associated with the HIV positive worker. It then examines the extent of prevalence and ramifications of HIV/AIDS in Kenya. Subsequently, it studies the efforts made at the international and domestic arena in protecting the HIV positive worker. A comparative analysis is made of the laws protecting the HIV positive worker in a number of countries, namely, South Africa, United States of America and Australia. The thesis draws conclusions and recommends measures on how best to protect the Kenyan HIV positive worker. The labour laws should be amended to prohibit discrimination on the basis of health status, provide for right to affordable medication and work, allow negotiation of employment contracts, list international laws that Kenya ratifies without reservation as a source of law and delimit the concept of ‘inherent requirements of a job.’ The public should be sensitised to embrace HIV positive workers. Once the new Constitution is enacted, it should list socio-economic rights as fundamental rights and reform the office of the ombudsman to deal with complaints against private employers.Mercantile LawLL.D

Factors causing reversed bullwhip effect on the supply chains of Kenyan firms

The study sought to determine the factors that cause supply variability along the supply chain of organisations. The study location was Kenya Pipeline Company, Kenya where from a population of 7 depots, purposive sampling was used to select a sample of 5 depots. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires with both open and closed ended questions to capture the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the pipeline operations. Descriptive survey and a case study research design that encompasses both quantitative and qualitative methods to collect and analyse data were utilized. The findings suggested that capacity constraint was the major factor contributing to supply chain inefficiency.The conclusion was that the supply chain was inefficient because of capacity challenges and government intervention. Recommendations included capacity adjustment strategies, equipment upgrade, additional man and machine hours, reliable source of power and a non-disruptive government intervention. Keywords: Reverse bullwhip, variability, supply chain, Keny

Effects of Variations in High Molecular Weight Glutenin Allele Composition and Resistant Starch on Wheat Flour Tortilla Quality

Tortilla sales are projected to exceed 9.5 billion by 2014. However, currently no wheat cultivars have been identified that possess the intrinsic quality attributes needed for the production of optimum quality tortillas. Tortillas made with refined wheat flour low in dietary fiber (DF) are popular in the United States due to their sensory properties. This study explored the use of wheat lines (WL) possessing variations in high molecular weight glutenin allele sub-units (HMW-GS) for production of tortillas and also investigated the use of corn based resistant starches (RS), type II (RS2) and wheat based RS type IV (RS4) to increase DF in tortillas. Tortillas were made with 0-15 percent RS and 100 percent whole white wheat (WW). Flour protein profiles, dough, and tortilla properties were evaluated to determine the effects of the allelic variations and RS substitution on tortilla quality. Sensory properties of tortillas with RS were determined. Variations in HMW-GS composition significantly affected the protein quality and tortilla properties. Flour from WL possessing allelic combinations (2*, 17+18, 7, 2+12), (1, 17+18, 5+10), (2*, 17, 2+12) and (1, 2*, 17+18, 2+12) had 12.8-13.3 percent protein. These WL had extensible doughs and produced large diameter tortillas with superior (greater than or equal to 3.0) flexibility after 16 days compared to control. However, WL with (17+18 and 5+10) and (2*, 17+7, 5) produced extensible doughs, large, but less flexible, tortillas compared to control. WL with (2*,17+18,5+10) and (1,2*,7+9,5+10) produced smaller diameter tortillas, but with superior flexibility compared to control. RS2, WW, and cross-linked-pre-gelatinized RS4 (FiberRite) produced hard, less-extensible doughs and thinner tortillas compared to control, due to high water absorption. Cross-linked RS4 (Fibersym) dough and tortillas were comparable to control. 15 percent of RS2 and RS4 increase DF in control to 6 and 14 percent respectively, compare to control (2.8 percent DF). WW tortillas were less acceptable than control in appearance, flavor and texture, while tortillas with 15 percent Fibersym had higher overall acceptability than control. RS2 negatively affected dough machinability and tortilla shelf stability. However, 15 percent RS4 improved the DF in refined flour tortillas to meet FDA's "good source of fiber claim," without negatively affecting dough/tortilla quality

Recovering lost gold with improved efficiency, productivity and environmental impacts in Kenya

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is a subsistence level livelihood for many rural communities across the world. In Kenya, it provides work for an estimated 40,000 people and produces 5 metric tons of gold per year (Barreto et al. 2018). The impact of ASGM is double-edged with the economic benefits offset by damage to the environment and the health of mining communities, particularly due to the widespread use of mercury to recover gold. As a signatory to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (UNEP 2017), Kenya has agreed to eliminate the use of mercury, formalize the ASGM sector, introduce good practice, and protect the health of mining communities

Factors Influencing the Occurrence of Cyberbullying on Facebook among Undergraduate Students in Kenyan Universities

This study investigated on factors influencing the occurrence of cyberbullying on Facebook among undergraduate students in Kenyan Universities. The study employed the mixed methods. Data was collected from 3,020 undergraduate students and 24 deans of students from 16 public and 8 private chartered universities in Kenya. A questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from students while qualitative data was collected through focus group discussions with the students and key informant interviews with the deans of students. Qualitative data was analysed thematically using ATLAS.ti while quantitative data was analysed statistically using STATA. The findings revealed that most undergraduate students in Kenyan universities experienced cyberbullying on Facebook. Factors which influenced the prevalence include number of friends and interactions on Facebook as well as selected demographic attributes. The study recommends that students should be made aware of the prevalence of cyberbullying through a comprehensive sensitisation programme in universities. Users of Facebook should be cautious about their interactions online by limiting friendships with strangers. Finally, students should use security settings to block or report bullying offences

Economic evaluation of a conditional cash transfer to retain women in the continuum of care during pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period in Kenya

There is limited evidence on the cost and cost-effectiveness of cash transfer programmes to improve maternal and child health in Kenya and other sub-Saharan African countries. This article presents the economic evaluation results of the Afya trial, assessing the costs, cost-effectiveness and equity impact of a demand-side financing intervention that promotes utilisation of maternal health services in rural Kenya. The cost of implementing the Afya intervention was estimated from a provider perspective. Cost data were collected prospectively from all implementing and non-implementing partners, and from health service providers. Cost-efficiency was analysed using cost-transfer ratios and cost per mother enrolled into the intervention. Cost-effectiveness was assessed as cost per additional eligible antenatal care visit as a result of the intervention, when compared with standard care. The equity impact of the intervention was also assessed using a multidimensional poverty index (MPI). Programme cost per mother enrolled was International (INT)$313 of which INT$ 92 consisted of direct transfer payments, suggesting a cost transfer ratio of 2.4. Direct healthcare utilisation costs reflected a small proportion of total provider costs, amounting to INT$21,756. The total provider cost of the Afya intervention was INT$808,942. The provider cost per additional eligible ANC visit was INT$1,035. This is substantially higher than estimated annual health expenditure per capita at the county level of$INT61. MPI estimates suggest around 27.4% of participant households were multidimensionally poor. MPI quintiles did not significantly modify the intervention effect, suggesting the impact of the intervention did not differ by socioeconomic status. Based on the available evidence, it is not possible to conclude whether the Afya intervention was cost-effective. A simple comparison with current health expenditure in Siaya county suggests that the intervention as implemented is likely to be unaffordable. Consideration needs to be given to strengthening the supply-side of the cash transfer intervention before replication or uptake at scale