Socio-Economic, Religious and Educational Significance of Miraa (Cartha Edulis): A Case of Meru North Region, Kenya

For a long time, there have been conflicting stand points with regard to Cartha Edulis (Miraa). On one hand Miraa is a substance that affects the psychological and physiological functioning of the human body, and therefore, falls under the category of drugs of abuse like alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana and heroin among others. Studies conducted by the National Campaign against Drug Abuse Authority (NACADA, 2007) and other scholars have confirmed this. The dilemma of many people, however, is that whereas there are numerous negativisms emanating from Miraa (Catha endulis) farming, trade and consumption, there are also immense social, religious and economic benefits derived and associated with the same. This study was an attempt to address the impact of Miraa on the religion-socio-economic and educational spheres of the society especially in the growing areas of Meru North.  The research was motivated by the diversity of conflicting incidences encountered by Miraa farmers and traders who also happen to be members of churches located within the study area and the alleged income purported to be derived from the trade used for social and economic developments.  The findings of the research showed that there are both positive and negative contributions brought about by Miraa farming and trade upon the families, schools and churches within Meru North region. Nonetheless, although the negatives outweigh the positives in terms of both short and long term intangible damages to individuals, family and society, there are strong social, religious and economic attachments to this product. In fact for the last few decades, the product has assumed political dimension. Exclusive focuses on negativisms only, have overshadowed the potential financial, social, educational and religious gains associated with the product. This is because apart from the economic contribution, Miraa is also alleged to have cultural, religious as well as medicinal values. These contentions strongly agree with that of Kobia, (2014), that miraa creates a contextual foundation for communication. However, the negative implications of Miraa and which greatly affect the individual user, the institution of marriage, school and church cannot be ignored.  The study concluded that, Miraa has diverse negative effects, but it could also serve a better purpose and value if handled properly since it has certain  social-cultural values especially among the community where is grown. Keywords: Miraa, Socio-cultural, religious, economic impact, demystificatio

Contribution of Peer Counseling to Student Behavior Change in Secondary Schools in Maara Sub County, Kenya

Peer counseling has popularly been accepted as an important contributor of behavior change among learners in learning institutions. Peer counseling utilizes role- playing and modeling to change behavior. The study assessed the contribution of peer counseling skills like mentoring, role modeling and academic tutoring in student behavior change in Maara sub County Kenya. The study employed descriptive survey research design. Stratified and purposive sampling technique methods were used to come up with a sample size. Data was collected by use of questionnaires for the students and peer counselors and an interview schedule for teacher counsellors. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis.  The study established that peer counselors are important in mentoring other students as they address issues related to  the youth.  Most peer counselors are academically above average making them effective academic tutors.  Peers counselors are further more established in many schools giving them the opportunity to model good behavior.  The study recommends that peer counselors require adequate orientation on their roles like basic counseling skills. Keywords: Peer, Peer Counseling, Students behavior, Secondary Schoo

Traditional Versus Modernism: The Persistence of Tharaka Traditional World-view among the Evangelical Coverts in Tharaka, Kenya

The evangelical Churches have evangelized the Tharaka for decades since 1940s. Although the evangelicals in most instances urge their converts to abandon their traditional world-view and adopt a new way of life (which they term as Christian cosmology), the evangelical converts in Tharaka continue to hold firmly to their traditional world-view while at the same time following Christianity. Some aspects of traditionalism which the evangelical converts still regard include: belief in the influence of the spirits, the mystical power in its manifestation in witchcraft, magic divination and others. This study investigated this scenario and found that the reasons for the persistence of the traditional world-view include: the failure by the Evangelical Churches to adequately meet the converts’ needs, poor evangelism, failure to make use of the Tharaka world view in evangelism, lack of serious grounding in the word of God and psychological factors. There is no way the evangelicals can ignore the traditional Tharaka traditional world-view as they have done for years if they hope to be relevant to the Tharaka people. Keywords: Tharaka; Tharaka Traditional World-view; Evangelical Denominations.

Contextualization of the Christian Gospel in Kenya: A Case of Tharaka Community

It is indisputable that the success of Christian mission lies in the ability to make the gospel of Jesus Christ incarnate in every culture where it is preached. The early church was aware of this fact and used this approach to spread the gospel in the Roman Empire. However, those who introduced Christianity in its present form in Africa, and indeed in Tharaka, were by and large indifferent to the African culture and hence condemned it. While there is a growing outcry to take cognizance of the culture in which the gospel is being preached to, exactly how this should be done is an ongoing debate. This paper recognizes that contextualization of the gospel at the surface level is an ongoing process; there is need for critical contextualization at the theological level to make the gospel relevant. The significance of critical contextualization of the gospel in Tharaka so that it becomes relevant to the Tharaka people is discussed. Keywords: Kenya; Tharaka Community; Contextualization, Christian Gospe

Factors Influencing Migration of Church Members from Methodist Church of Kenya to Other Denominations: A Case of Kaaga Synod

Migration of church members from one denomination to another is of concern to many churches especially the relatively established mainline ones.  The study sought to investigate the factors influencing migration of church members form the Methodist church in Kenya, Kaaga Synod, to other denominations.  The study endeavored to ascertain whether conservatism, struggles for power, increased monetary giving and the emergence of prosperity gospel have any significant influence on the migration.  The study was guided by the Relative Deprivation Theory which explains how individuals are influenced by deprivation.  Descriptive survey research design was used.  The study targeted 4,6000 members from Kaaga circuit and 205 migrants to other denominations.  Cluster sampling technique was applied and data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedule and focus group discussions.   Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that individuals migrated from the Methodist church due to conservatism, power struggles, and emergence of prosperity gospel and high demand of monetary giving.  The study recommended that church activities should be flexible and responsive to modernization and social changes . Keywords: Migration, Methodist church, Power struggle, monetary giving, Prosperity gospel

Women Literacy and Household Food Security in Igambang’ombe Division, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

Many counties in Kenya are generally faced with food insecurity. Women play an active role in food production. However, the women’s potential is limited by inadequate levels of literacy which affects the way they access and utilize resources for sustainable agricultural production and household food security. This study examined the impact of women literacy on household food security in Igambang’ombe Division, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya.  The study established that the division is faced with food insecurity in spite of the fact that women play an active role in food production.  Women’s potential in Igambang’ombe Division is limited by inadequate level of literacy.  The study recommended that all agricultural stakeholders should be sensitized on literacy competencies and its relationship with sustained food security. Keywords: Household Food Security, Literacy Competencie

Relationship Between Teachers’ Motivation Teaching HIV/ADS Education And Students’ Knowledge And Attitude Towards Sexual Behaviour In Secondary Schools In Coast Region, Kenya

Education plays an important role in curbing the spread of HIV and AIDS among the youth. However, there is little known how teachers’ motivation in teaching HIV/AIDS education affects students’ knowledge and attitudes towards sexual behaviour. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between teachers’ level of motivation in teaching HIV/AIDS education and students’ knowledge and attitude towards sexual behaviour in secondary schools in the Coast Region of Kenya. The study used descriptive survey research design. Proportional, purposive and random sampling methods were used to choose the participants. The samples comprised 421 respondents of which 33 were teachers and 388 students in 13 secondary schools. Questionnaires, document analysis and interview schedule were used to collect the data. Reliability coefficients of the instruments were 0.8 for both teachers and students. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in data analysis. The descriptive statistics that were used were frequencies and percentage. Chi-squire statistics was used to test the hypothesis in the study. The hypothesis testing was done at α = 0.05 level of significance. The data collected in this study was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer programme version 20.0. The findings showed that there is a relationship between teachers’ level of motivation in teaching of HIV/AIDS education and students’ knowledge and attitudes towards sexual behaviour. It further revealed that majority of Form 4 students had negative attitude towards sexual behaviour. The study recommends that the Teachers Service Commission and other stakeholders should motivate teachers who teach HIV/AIDS education in secondary schools. Key words: teachers’ motivation, students’ knowledge, students’ sexual behaviou

Socio-Cultural Factors that Influence Access to Secondary School Education in Tharaka South Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract Access to secondary school education in Tharaka Sout