Ethical Issues in Health Care in Kenya. A Critical Analysis of Healthcare Stakeholders

The main aim of this paper was to examine and analyze the ethical and moral issues in the healthcare systems in Kenya, with special emphasis being given to physician performance, nursing care and professionalism. The research was carried out in 8 (eight) provinces of Kenya, due to their cultural similarity and findings established. Research questionnaires were prepared and hand delivered to top administrators, employees, students pursuing healthcare professions, religious leaders and patients as well as private cooperates, government officials in Kenya especially in research regions. The paper employed ethical theories such as virtue ethics theory, deontological ethics theory, ethical learning and growth theory. Teleological ethics, utilitarian theory and ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, double effect, confidentiality and informed consent to build its content. The research involved survey approach to get responses from the eight provinces. An analysis of the data was carried out using principal component analysis. A major finding was found to be the weakening influence of the healthcare institutions to instill ethical concerns on the physicians, nurses and other members of society on healthcare management in Kenya. It was recommended that ethics should be employed to help in healthcare management and reinvent the affected parties especially the patients, nurses, physicians and healthcare institutions at large. This was to involve healthcare management aided by ethical theories and values of humane living, through establishment of ethical committees whose members live by ethical standards of honesty, integrity, commitments and accountability. This paper is purely ethical and first in its entirety in Kenya to focus on ethics as a tool of enlightening and controlling healthcare institutions in Kenya

Short Communication: Management of TB in the wake of MDR-TB and XDR-TB in sub-Saharan Africa: how prepared are we?

No Abstrac

Drinking Culture and Alcohol Management in Kenya: An Ethical Perspective

The need for refocusing and reengineering the drinking culture and the new emerging effects on the youths and older population in Kenya cannot be underestimated. The youth who are the future professionals for any developing nation like Kenya, should be given special attention through proper education on alcohol consumption. The study was cross-sectional and sought to establish the extent to which alcohol education and management is executed in Kenya, with greater emphasis being directed towards the youth and young adults in Kenya. The research was carried out in 7 (seven) provinces of Kenya, due to their cultural differences and findings established. Research questionnaires were prepared and hand delivered to religious and social leaders, managers, educational heads, operators in alcohol industry and officials in the research regions. The paper employed ethical theories such as virtue ethics, deontological ethics, ethical learning and growth and teleological ethics to build its content. The research involved survey approach to get responses from the seven provinces. An analysis of the data was carried out using principal component analysis.  A major finding was found to be the weakening influence of the social institutions to instill ethical concerns on the youth and other members of society on alcohol management and education. It was also established that the society, family and institutions have lost their superiority thus allowing the youth to engage in unproductive and irresponsible drinking to seek satisfaction and pleasures. This therefore makes them the endangered age group in Kenya. It was recommended that ethics should be employed to help management and reinvent the affected parties especially the family, schools and community at large. This was to involve alcohol education and management aided by ethical theories and values of humane living. This paper is purely ethical and first in its entirety in Kenya to focus on ethics as a tool of enlightening and controlling alcohol consumption through mutual education and management by social institutions in Kenya

Living More Humanely and Sustainably: A Framework to Embracing Environmental Ethics as a Driver to Stable, Just and Self- Sustaining Societies and Economies of the World

It is becoming increasingly more apparent that today’s societies and economies are faced with multiple, interconnected challenges, such as climate change and significant ecosystem degradation; but it also has the unique opportunity to design and create a sustainable living for posterity. These challenges that necessitate the development of capable, responsible and effective ethical environmental frameworks are crucial to forming and implementing humane and sustainable societies and economies. There has been an explosion of concern in world economies and societies about the destruction of the environment leading to inhumane and unsustainable living. In response to these concerns, a range of environmental ethical philosophies that foster sustainable development have been developed by environmentalists, ethicists and philosophers. The philosophy of sustainable development offers new moral and ethical ideals for environmental concerns and has been widely adopted globally by many societies, leaders and economies. While many projects are guided by the principles of sustainable development, an environmental ethic has not fully been engendered in the process. Despite widespread environmental concerns, many global societies and economies, in general, focus on the domination of nature through science, technology, engineering, innovation and leadership, and ignore surrounding natural ecosystems. In this regard, it is urgently required that an environmental ethical theory which can be inculcated as a driver to the global societies and economies’ behaviour be embraced. From the theoretical analysis of different views and debates of scholars and researchers on sustainability and environmental stability, this paper therefore recommends that there is a need for societies and economies to adopt ethical duties and virtues of a ‘green’ and sustainable society with an emphasis on positive environmental ends. This is because if societies and economies are to reduce their impact on the environment and preserve it for future generations, it is imperative that their actions are challenged and that they adopt new ways of revamping and protecting the environment to create a humane and a self sustaining world. Keywords: Humane living, self-sustaining societies and economies, environmental ethics, Sustainable developmen

Ethical Issues in the Construction Industry in Kenya: A Critical Analysis of the Professional Conduct in Engineering Technology Management

This research paper addresses the ethical issues facing the construction industry in Kenya. It forms a framework for ethical standards in the construction industry by recommending concrete measures on the cases of collapsing buildings such as Nyamakima building in Nairobi in 2006, sunbeam building and another building at Nyamakima unfinished and poorly constructed roads in 2012 as well as corruption. These have been based on the identification of ethical issues from the results of comprehensive and in depth research carried out through questionnaire survey, interviews and telephonic survey of various stakeholders in sample projects, employees of each of them and also study of related engineering journals. Many Institutes, Societies and Boards of Engineers globally provide guidelines for engineers. In Kenya, the Engineers Registration Board (ERB) has likewise issued strict and professional stipulations for engineers, consultants, contractors and other stakeholders in this field, but in practice these are rarely followed to the letter. The existing standards in this paper have been compared with our socio cultural traditions and with ethical standards and practices of developed countries. Finally, a mechanism has been recommended which can deal with most of the ethical issues confronting construction industry in Kenya. Purpose: The main purpose of this paper is to find out ethical issues facing construction industry in Kenya with a greater emphasis being placed on knowledge of ethical codes of conduct, corruption and bribery, favoritism, unfair conduct, strict rules and overriding of the audit process. Methodology: The paper employed a survey research design. A survey of the selected study population in Kenya was carried out by use of questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions (Engineers). The sample size of this research was estimated at 600 participants. Findings: - A major finding was found to be the weakening influence of the engineering institutions to instill ethical concerns on the engineers and other members of the profession on ethical consideration construction industry in Kenya. Conclusion: This study is focused on the ethical considerations in construction industry in Kenya. Taken as a whole, our findings suggest that, there are some shortcomings associated with the current construction and engineering process and thus ethical consideration could help revamp the whole system. Keywords: Construction industry, Professional conduct, engineering, ethical issue

Mobile Money Transfer in Kenya: An Ethical Perspective

The main intent of the research project was to diagnose the ethical and moral issues in mobile money transfer in Kenya. The research seeks identify technical and ethical issues which the mobile money transfer agents and mobile industry operators have been surpassing while pursuing profit motives in Kenya. The research employed various ethical theories, which include; Virtue ethics, Deontological ethics, Teleological ethics and Ethical learning and growth. A survey questionnaire was developed and employed to collect data from 200 Kimathi university College of Technology (KUCT) students in Central region, Kenya and 100 employees of mobile money transfer Vendors operating in Nyeri, Thika, Murang’a, Karatina, Kiambu, Nyahururu, Kerugoya and Naru Moru within Central province of  Kenya, as a sample of the entire Country. This was because of the commonality in the use of mobile money transfer services in all parts of the country. The findings were derived from the comments of the focus groups discussion and the vendor employees, which established that ethical theories and values have not been adopted by mobile players in the money transfer technologies, despite having them.  Despite a number of researches in this area which have largely focused on mobile money transfer technology and their related benefits, both in Africa and Asia such as Tanzania and Malaysia, only to mention a few, this research project goes on further to contribute to the body of knowledge to engrain ethical and moral values in mobile money Transfer in Kenyan context, as it is becoming a centre of commerce in East and Central Africa. From the diagnosis of the of the responses from the focus groups and vendor employees, supported by ethical theories and values, mobile players should among other recommendations adopt anti-money laundering policy to avoid cases of unethical conduct through money transfer technologies. These are the main recommendations. In conclusion, it is very imperative that mobile players adopt ethical theories and values, implement them and continue to review these technologies of money transfer to avoid potential misuse. This was the achievement of these research objectives

An Empirical study to Measuring Corruption and Integrity in Kenyan Police Agency: An Ethical Perspective

Integrity is universal to human experience; it can be considered the measure of an individual, an agency, an institution, a discipline, or an entire nation. Integrity is a yardstick for trust, competence, professionalism, and confidence. A growing body of literature on police officers regarding integrity issues focuses on their perceptions of corruption prevalence. Currently, the police sector in Kenya is undergoing reforms which includes vetting of the top officers as stipulated in the new constitution dispensation of 2010.But this exercise has not decreased corruption in the police service .Even the ongoing traffic law enforcement at various road blocks in all corners of the country seems to have widened the window of bribery and corruption in the police traffic chain. Recently, even the president admitted that the police officers serving in the statehouse thrive on corruption and bribery and promised stun action against them. Integrity seems to be very elusive and a mirage in the police sector. The current analysis sought to examine empirically and determine corruption and integrity in the Kenyan Police Agency, with an ethical inclination. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires by the researcher. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics, multiple regression analysis and correlation analysis. Results indicate a significant relationship between ethics and corruption in the Kenyan police force. In this regard, there is a need to inculcate ethical integrity into the whole process of police administration in Kenyan Police Agency. This paper helps police management by providing useful information on ethics and corruption in Kenyan police organization and how they can benefit from this information in reducing the opportunity for corruption among members of this critical service agency. Keywords: Ethical Policing, police integrity, professionalism, occupational culture, organizational rules,corruptio

Rethinking, Redefining and Reinventing Leadership in the Modern Society: The Role of Ethical Leadership in Fostering Future Leaders in Sustainable Development

In the current world of modernity and globalization, as in the past, leadership remains an imperative ingredient at all levels of human life and stability of our societies. In this time of historic transition in our society we urgently need an ethical leadership that, while constantly and closely attuned to the rapidly changing pulse of human ventures and affairs, can project a comprehensive, coherent, and compelling vision of human society, communicate that vision convincingly to the whole world, foster its implementation through holistic and cooperative endeavor, and make and follow through on the hard decisions that will be bound to ensue. The quality of leadership we engender – at the grass-roots level, nationally, and globally, – will determine the kind of society we live in, and the state of the world that future generations will inherit. By embracing, rethinking, redefining and reinventing ethical leadership into the principles of sustainability as an expression of the shared common good; individuals, communities and organizations involved in leading ventures will be able to share their values and philosophies towards profitable development and sustainability, thus making our society. Keywords: Rethinking Ethical Leadership, Sustainable development, Transitional societ

Ethical Issues in Education and Training in Kenya: A Critical Analysis of Teaching Methodology

The main objective of this paper was to diagnose the ethical and moral issues in the teaching and training modalities offered by higher learning institutions in tune with relevance to entrepreneurship among the graduates in Kenya. The paper sought to explore the success of Vocational education training institutions in Kenya in producing human capitals, with greater emphasis on teaching and training methods. Education is judged on how well the trainees secure formal and informal employment.  The paper employed ethical theories such as Virtue ethics, Deontological ethics, Ethical learning and growth and Teleological ethics to build its content. The research involved survey approach to get responses from 20 education and training institutions 50 Lecturers and 200 students, 10 Leading managers and 30 government officers working in different ministries and government agencies in Mt Kenya region. An analysis of the data was carried out using principal component analysis. From the diagnosis of the study, it was found that ethics as a discipline of critical thinking and learning has not been widely integrated in the current training and education system. . It was found that students who undertake ethical and critical thinking are more productive because of the high memory comprehension, retention and awareness of reality. From our recommendation, in order to spur innovation and Invention among trainees in Kenya, so as to develop the spirit of entrepreneurship, then ethical thinking and learning should be integrated in all the training and educational programmes. The findings and recommendations indicated that the research objectives had been achieved