A Case Study: Contemporary Forms of Bias and Prejudice and How it Negatively Impacts Scholars of Color Within the Academy

The session presents a Case Study to identify contemporary forms of bias that scholars of color inevitably experience from the classroom discourse to the tenure process. While “academic freedom” and the notion of “ diversity” are apparent politically correct ideals in theory, the reality is different on the average for scholars of color

The Role of commercial banks towards building local content capacity in upstream oil and gas industry in Kenya

A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Masters of Business Administration at Strathmore University Business SchoolThe discovery of commercially viable crude oil reserves in Kenya in 2012 and the delineation of “Oil, Gas and Other Minerals” as a new sector in the economic pillar of Kenya Vision 2030 suggests that the country is poised to start engaging in notable activities in upstream oil and gas. It is expected that oil exploration companies and the Government will identify and target local content initiatives as a means to create and share value from the exploitation of oil and gas deposits in Kenya. A robust and resilient banking sector in Kenya will be essential for the growth of local content capabilities in upstream oil and gas. This research study therefore sought to establish the extent to which the services currently provided by commercial banks in Kenya support local content development in upstream oil and gas sector in the country. The study recognizes that the upstream oil and gas sector is highly capital intensive and financing activities in this sector also involve unique, complex risks, which may require specialised knowledge. For this reason, the research study also sought to determine the lending capabilities of commercial banks in Kenya in financing upstream oil and gas transactions. The final objective of the study was to determine the strategies that commercial banks in Kenya can adopt to effectively support local content capabilities in upstream oil and gas. The research study employed both qualitative and quantitative approach. The primary target population of the study were commercial banks in Kenya. The source of primary data and unit of analysis were individual professionals within the banking industry. Data was collected through semi structured questionnaires. Additional data was also collected through interviews with the Kenyan oil and gas contractors in upstream oil and gas sector to validate the findings from the banking industry. The findings from the research study indicated that commercial banks have a major role to play in the development of local content capabilities in the upstream oil and gas industry. However, most banks lacked the technical capability to assess counterparty risks, formulate risk mitigation structures and provide solutions that can meet the unique requirements of the upstream oil and gas sector. The research study recommends that commercial banks adopt an ecosystem approach to offering banking services to local enterprises venturing into upstream oil and gas. The study proposes that further research be done to establish the initiatives that the Government of Kenya can introduce to encourage the use of commercial banks in Kenya in financing transactions in upstream oil and gas

Influence of paste thickness on the coated aggregates on properties of high-density sulphoaluminate cement concrete

An improved method for the densified mixture design algorithm and Fuller curve were used to design high-density sulphoaluminate cement concrete (HDSC). The performance of HDSC is significantly influenced by the paste thickness on the coated aggregates. Sulphoaluminate cement concrete mixtures containing aggregates coated with 3 different paste thickness of t=10μm, 20μm, and 30μm and water-binder ratios (W/B) of 0.25, 0.30 and 0.35 were prepared. The results of experiments show that paste thickness on the coated aggregates significantly influences the mechanical properties and durability of HDSC. With the increase of paste thickness, the compressive strength is increased, but the electrical resistivity is decreased, particularly at the early ages of 1 and 3 days. The sulfate corrosion resistance coefficients of HDSC are larger than 1.0, the total porosity can be less than 7%, and the micropore (i.e. with pore size less than 20nm) can be larger than 70%

Qualitative Release and Exposure Assessment on the risk of HPAI transmission between sector 4 farms and between sector 3 and sector 4 farms in Kenya

This study assessed the risk of transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) between backyard poultry (S4) farms and between S4 and semi-commercial (S3) farms in Kenya. It was designed to complement findings of a study that had been conducted in 2007 by the DVS and FAO to evaluate the risk of introduction of the disease into the country. It followed the OIE risk analysis framework where release, exposure and consequence assessments are done successively and their risk parameter estimates combined to obtain an overall risk estimate for a given pathway. Risk questions were formulated in a stakeholder workshop that was convened at ILRI in Nairobi on 2-3 October 2008.Non-PRIFPRI2; GRP40MTI

Prospecting Methods for Coloured Gemstone Deposits in Kenya

Prospecting methods adapted to gemstone prospecting are considered and described in this paper. They include geological mapping, systematic eluvial test pitting, geophysical and geochemical prospecting, and remote sensing. The geological characteristics of gemstone deposits must be understood in order to be able to select the most efficient methods. In the Kisoli prospect (Southern Kenya), the combined use of DC mapping, radiospectrometry, and soil geochemistry helped in identifying geological conditions favourable to some gemstone deposits. On a local scale, computerised treatment of data obtained from systematic test pitting allows to identify possible secondary deposits, and to locate primary deposits. (Af. J. of Science and Technology: 2003 4(1): 44-55

Listening to and learning from the "small voice" of African preachers: a practical theological examination of African preaching in Kenya

The few studies on African preaching tend to focus on various aspects of sermons, with minimal attention to preachers and their formation. This study, by contrast, centers on the “small voice”—the unnoticed, unnamed, silenced, marginalized, neglected, and rejected perspectives—of diverse preachers who self-identify as African Christian preachers. The dissertation employs this hermeneutical lens to focus on the experiences and practices of African Christian preachers and to draw out the theological implications of their homiletical activities. The study uses a three-part framework of African perspectives (voices); the African context and culture; and care and critique. Using a “small voice”-informed mixed-methods research to address the limitations of previous studies and with the western region of Kenya as a point of focus (due to the diversity of Christianity within it), this research addresses the questions, “How and why do African Christian preachers become preachers (formation, reflection, and preaching roles); and how do they define and describe their preaching (description)?” Through oral interviews with 17 preachers, 150 extensive survey questionnaires, participant observation, and literature reviews, this study yields thick descriptions of African preaching in context. The results of the research highlight the person and life of the preacher and offer a rare glimpse into the perspectives of women and young preachers. The study reveals that the majority of African preachers feel “called” to preaching. Also, they live, preach, and are educated within their own communities; and they remain within the religious tradition in which they were raised. The preachers speak multiple languages with varying degrees of fluency. They preach in diverse settings, though women preachers are hindered due to domestic duties and youth are limited due to their age. The findings of the study illuminate the dedication of African preachers to preaching, despite lack of financial compensation. They attain the highest level of education that they can afford and are open to continued training/mentoring. The study suggests that the education/mentoring of African preachers must be culturally and linguistically relevant. The findings anticipate that similar perspectives may exist throughout similarly situated contexts within other parts of Africa.2025-10-10T00:00:00

Long-Term Deformation Monitoring of Metro-Tunnel Airshaft Excavation during Construction Stage

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