The Yokes of Gender and Class: The Policy Reforms and Implications for Equitable Access to Education in Kenya

Kenya, a former British colony, attained its political independence in 1963. Despite its political independence, Kenya inherited a colonial education system that was based on segregation and exclusion because of race, culture, class, and gender. This is a qualitative analysis examining the education system in Kenya. In the analysis, we explore gender and class barriers that may inhibit education for women in Kenya. We review existing secondary literature on policy documents; reflect on our experiences and observations; and also reflect on interviews with Njeri and Nyokavi, who live in the 21st century ‘post-colonial’ Kenya. As Kenyan women from subsistence-farming backgrounds, we, the authors, seemed destined to remain at the very bottom of the hierarchical education structure established during the colonial period. We explore the impact of contemporary, globally and locally mandated education policy reforms and emerging social service provision partnerships. These are often packaged as policy reforms and viable strategies of a just, equitable, and fair distribution of opportunities for all, meant to correct the colonial disparities. Our arguments are informed by the system's discursive framework (Wane 2000b) and the anti-colonial discursive framework (Amadiume 1989, 1997; Dei 1999, 2000; Oyewumi 1997; Wane 2002). The analysis authenticates that, since independence, Kenya has realized tremendous educational growth at all levels. However, such educational reforms have resulted in the exclusion of many children who are from low socio-economic groups, in essence replacing the racial segregation of the colonial system with cultural and class-based inequities of the post-colonial society.

Digitalization of Records for Transparency and Accountability at the Office of Controller of Budget in Nairobi, Kenya

In public agencies, records are the main source of information. Consequently, availability and accessibility of public information is a critical avenue for promoting transparency and accountability. Therefore, information held by the public agencies should be disseminated widely to allow citizens to interact with the information for them to use it by keeping public officers accountable for their actions. There is limited knowledge on how digitalization of records in public institutions promotes transparency and accountability in the public sector. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of digitalization of records for transparency and accountability at the Office of Controller of Budget (OCOB) in Nairobi, Kenya. The objectives of this paper therefore were to: Investigate factors affecting the process of digitalization of public records at the Office of Controller of Budget in Nairobi, Kenya and determine the relationship between digitalization of public records and the level of transparency and accountability.  The study was guided by the Diffusion of Innovation Theory. The study was undertaken at the OCOB, Nairobi, Kenya. The OCOB staffs were the main participants. However, views from OCOB stakeholders were sought to validate the findings obtained from OCOB. The stakeholders were consumers of budget implementation information created by OCOB. The study used mixed method approach which involved administering questionnaires and interviewed key informants from OCOB. Quantitative data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and presented graphically in tables, graphs and charts while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The findings of the study revealed that proper digitalization of records at Office of the Budget had enhanced transparency and accountability; proper leadership at OCOB had also enhanced transparency and accountability at OCOB; Inadequate financial support had to some extent affected the digitalization process at OCOB; inadequate infrastructure was a challenge to the digitalization process; reliance on OCOB data had enabled Auditor general to carry out audits on the use of public funds among others. The study concluded that digitalization of records at OCOB had enhanced access to records thus promoting transparency and accountability at the Office of the Controller of Budget. The study recommends that there is need for the management to provide finances to support digitalization at OCOB and proper infrastructure to be put in place to enhance digitalization process; there is need for political good will to prosecute leaders who hold public office but mismanage public finances and there is need to build capacity in terms of digitalization to enhance skills of staff so that the public can access timely and reliable budget information among others. Keywords: Accountability; Digitalization of Records; Office of the Controller of Budget; Public Records, Records Management; Transparency; Kenya. DOI: 10.7176/IKM/13-4-04 Publication date:July 31st 202

Comparative performance of bone char-based filters for the removal of fluoride from drinking water

There is a great need for effective, reliable and inexpensive filters for the removal of fluoride for the millions of people affected in low and middle-income countries. This paper compares field and laboratory performance of bone char (BC) filters and filters, known as contact precipitation (CP), based on a combination of bone char and calcium-phosphate pellets

The Student Movement Volume 106 Issue 2: Alumni Run Back to AU: Race Honors the Late Dr. Fay Bradley

HUMANS WeCare4U: Not Just a Club - A Ministry, Interviewed by: Irina Gagiu I\u27m Proud of My Hispanic Heritage Because..., Caryn Cruz Senior Spotlight: Grant Steinweg (senior, music composition), Interviewed by: Lauren Kim ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Creative Spotlight: Evin-Nazya Musgrove (senior, psychology), Interviewed by: Megan Napod Jordan Feliz Comes to Town, Joshua Deonarine TV On Strike, Anonymous Student NEWS AU Presents the Alumni Homecoming Gala Concert, Caralynn Chan Suicide Prevention Week, Jenae Rogers Volunteering at the 2021 Bradley Family Harvest Run, Brendan Syto IDEAS Raising the Minimum Wage to $15 an Hour, Abraham Bravo Should Chapel Be Mandatory?, Lyle Goulbourne The Texas Heartbeat Act, Gabriela Francisco PULSE A Recap of Apple\u27s 2021 iPhone Event, T Bruggeman Explorations Around Andrews (Driving Distance). Wambui Karanja Social Issues, Politics, and Performative Activism: Our Place in Creating Change, Karenna Lee THE LAST WORD Why Baljeet Sucks: The Denigration of South-Asian Culture in American Media, Alyssa Henriquezhttps://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/sm-106/1001/thumbnail.jp

The Student Movement Volume 106 Issue 13: Know Your Roots: Reclaim Your Narrative

HUMANS Black History Month at Andrews University: Interview with Michael Nixon, Interviewed by: Timmy Duado Promoting Black Beauty Products as an Influencer, Interviewed by: Taylor Uphus What does Black History Month Mean to You?, Interviewed by: Caryn Cruz ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Black and Proud: An Exhibition by Courtney Saunders, Qualyn Robinson Creative Spotlight: Michael Davis, Interviewed by: Steven Injety Current Favorites: Black Figures in Media Edition, Kaela McFadden Signal Boost: Abbott Elementary, Solana Campbell NEWS Andrews University Hosts a New Career Center, Nathan Mathieu The Honorable Decision: News on Joe Biden\u27s Nominee For the Highest Court in the Land, Chris Ngugi The Sweet Potato Journey, Timmy Duado IDEAS Being Bat at Being Black, Qualyn Robinson Music vs Musician, Sion Kim The Day I Became Afro-Latina, Gabriela Francisco The Devastating Effects of Climate Change on Economically Disadvantaged Countries, Denique Black PULSE An Ode to Breakfast Burritos, T Bruggemann Diaspeirein: The Bridge Across, Wambui Karanja How to Write a Great Personal Statement, Alannah Tjhatra THE LAST WORD The Diminishment of Dr. King\u27s Legacy, Lyle Goulbournehttps://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/sm-106/1012/thumbnail.jp

The Student Movement Volume 107 Issue 15: Moving Forward: AU Rings in Black History Month

HUMANS Current Book Reads, Anna Pak Interview with Kayla Goodman, Lamson Student Dean, Interviewed by: Grace No Meet Julaine Phillips, BSCF Vice President, Interviewed by: Grace No ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Creatives on Campus: Black History Month, Mora Martin Currently: You People, Jonathon Woolford-Hunt Shining Talent at Young Artists Concert 2023, Aiko J. Ayala Rios NEWS BSCF\u27s IMPACT Vespers Kicks off Black History Month, Andrew Francis Death of Tyre Nichols: Catalyst for Change or Recurring Event?, Hannah Cruse Honors Agape Feast, Gloria Oh Pre-Vet Club Fundraisers for Stray Cats, Alannah Tjhatra IDEAS I Don\u27t Understand Poetry, T Bruggemann Open AI\u27s Chat GPT. Gabriela Francisco The Diasporic Black History Month, Elizabeth Getahun PULSE A Glance into the Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Gloria Oh Duality in Spirituality: A Shift in Perspective, Wambui Karanja Our Food: Can We Cook It?. Charisse Lapubla LAST WORD Black in (Almost) Every Language, Chris Ngugihttps://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/sm-107/1014/thumbnail.jp

The Student Movement Volume 107 Issue 12: Revisiting The Dream : Students Celebrate MLK Day

HUMANS Andrews Gaming Club, Interviewed by: Grace No Meet Gio Lee, Interviewed by: Nora Martin New Year, Happier Me, Gloria Oh ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Art @ AU: Harrigan\u27s Gallery, Ysabelle Fernando Currently: The Way of Water, Solana Campbell Ode to 2022, Amelia Stefanescu Where Do I Find God - Part I, Anonymous NEWS Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.\u27s Legacy, Brendan Oh Is America Safe?: First Grader Shoots Teacher, Julia Randall A House Divided: Current Issues Within the School of Architecture and Interior Design, Student Movement Editorial Staff IDEAS Harry & Meghan: Unpacking Royal Pains, Gabriela Francisco A New Space for Creativity and Reaching Across Disciplinary Boundaries: The Inspiration Center, Peter Lyons, Anthony Bosman, Martin Hanna, Ryan Hayes, and Karin Thompson PULSE Our Food: Can They Cook It?, Melissa Moore Should We Have Bible Classes in the Core Curriculum?, Wambui Karanja What Comes First is a Question, Part II, Desmond H. Murray LAST WORD College in the Rearview Mirror, Scott Moncrieffhttps://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/sm-107/1011/thumbnail.jp

Prioritising the most needed paediatric antiretroviral formulations: the PADO4 list

Despite considerable progress in paediatric HIV treatment and timely revision of global policies recommending the use of more effective and tolerable antiretroviral regimens, optimal antiretroviral formulations for infants, children, and adolescents remain limited. The Paediatric Antiretroviral Drug Optimization group reviews medium-term and long-term priorities for antiretroviral drug development to guide industry and other stakeholders on formulations most needed for low-income and middle-income countries. The group convened in December, 2018, to assess progress since the previous meeting and update the list of priority formulations. Issues relating to drug optimisation for neonatal prophylaxis and paediatric treatment, and those relating to the investigation of novel antiretrovirals in adolescents and pregnant and lactating women were also discussed. Continued focus on identifying, prioritising, and providing access to optimal antiretroviral formulations suitable for infants, children, and adolescents is key to ensuring that global HIV treatment targets can be met