Relevance of Kenya secondary school chemistry instruction in preparation of students pursuing chemistry at university level

Chemistry is one of the most important branches of science and its knowledge is necessary in the understanding of composition, properties and behavior changes of matter that form the environment around us. Chemistry is highly important in modern societies because of its requirement as a prerequisite to the study of many other science oriented courses such as medicine, engineering and pharmacy. Due to the significance of chemistry, there is need for students to be academically prepared at secondary school level for higher level pursuits. Chemistry as a subject in Kenya is introduced to learners at secondary school level. The purpose of the study was to explore the relevance of secondary school chemistry instruction in preparation of students pursuing chemistry at university level. The study sought to determine whether secondary school background, learning environmental experiences and pedagogical experiences are in accordant to preparation of students pursuing chemistry at the higher level. The study employed descriptive research design and data was obtained using questionnaire. The subjects of study were second year students taking chemistry courses as a main subject. The research was carried out in selected universities in Kenya. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used for data analysis. Results indicated that students find secondary school chemistry relevant in the courses they are pursuing but proper coverage of syllabus, more practicals and more projects would make it more relevant and appropriate. The findings of the study may provide insight to chemistry educators to refocus student preparation in secondary schools and equip them with knowledge and skills necessary to help them solve problems in everyday life rather than passing exams and fitting in prestigious careers

サブサハラアフリカにおける「緑の革命」の可能性に関する研究: ケニアのムウェア灌漑からの教訓

政策分析プログラム / Policy Analysis Program政策研究大学院大学 / National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies論文審査委員: 大塚 啓二郎（主査）, 大山 達雄, Jonna P. Estudillo, 木島 陽子（筑波大学）, 真野 裕吉（一橋大学

Use of Interactive Techniques in Teaching English Spoken Language in Primary Schools

Interactive activities are paramount in the teaching of speaking skills. This is because the learners are actively involved in the lesson. This study sought to investigate techniques used in teaching English spoken language in primary schools Standard One in Mwea East District, Kirinyaga County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to: establish the nature of teaching techniques used by teachers during English speaking skills lessons in standard one, and to identify the challenges teachers of English face in the teaching of speaking skills in standard one. The theory that guided this study was the social learning theory as advanced by Vygotsky. A descriptive survey design was adopted for this study. The sample was selected using stratified sampling techniques and random sampling technique. The respondents were: Standard one teachers. The data was collected by use of questionnaire which was administered to the standard one teachers in the sample and observation schedule were used in observing standard one teachers during the oral English lessons Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data. The data was then presented descriptively and summarized as frequencies and percentages in tables and graphs. The study found out that most standard one teachers did not use the interactive techniques as stipulated in the syllabus. The teachers also found difficulties in involving the learners in the suggested interactive activities during the lessons. The study also identified some of the challenges faced by standard one teachers that hindered the teaching of oral skills The study recommends that teachers prepare for the oral lessons, use interactive activities and teaching and learning resources to enhance dialogue among the learners. Keywords: Interactive Techniques, Teaching, Spoken Languag

Реалізація стратегії: чи має значення ієрархічна культура в ліцензованих професійних товариствах в Східній Африці

Purpose: This study is aimed at establishing hierarchy and strategy relationship in registered professional bodies in Kenya. Design/Method/Approach: The dependent variable was measured through policy implementation, resource assessment and motivation. Hierarchy culture as an independent variable was measured through dominant characteristic and management of employees. Using a descriptive design approach, the study collected a return of 132 responses from a target of 168 in professional bodies of Kenya.  The study set up a null hypothesis to be tested using a linear regression model to establish the relationship between dependent and independent variables. Findings: For hierarchy constructs, it was established that there was a significant correlation between strategy implementation and dominant characteristics r = .316, p < .05 with the management of employees r = .288, p < .05. Theoretical Implications: This paper expanded the body of research on organizational culture by showing that there is a significant relationship between the hierarchy culture and strategy implementation with both dominant characteristics and management of employees showing positive effects for the relationship. Originality/Value: This research shows that the organizations that are most successful in the market have a strong hierarchy culture within their environment. Therefore, professional bodies must at least have a mechanism of ensuring hierarchy culture within the organization. Research Limitations/Future Research: The study only looked at the association between hierarchy culture and strategy implementation. Future studies should investigate the relationship between strategy implementation and other dimensions of an organizational culture.   Paper type: Empirical Цель работы: Данное исследование направлено на установление иерархии и стратегических взаимоотношений в зарегистрированных профессиональных организациях в Кении. Дизайн/Метод/Подход исследования: Зависимая переменная измерялась посредством реализации политики, оценки ресурсов и мотивации. Культура иерархии как независимая переменная измерялась через доминирующие характеристики и управление сотрудниками. Используя подход описательного дизайна, в исследовании было получено 132 ответа из целевых 168 в профессиональных организациях Кении. В исследовании была создана нулевая гипотеза для проверки с использованием модели линейной регрессии для установления взаимосвязи между зависимыми и независимыми переменными. Результаты исследования: Для иерархических построений было установлено, что существует значимая корреляция между реализацией стратегии и доминирующими характеристиками r = 0,316, p <0,05 с управлением сотрудниками r = 0,288, p <0,05. Теоретическая ценность исследования: Эта статья расширила объем исследований организационной культуры, показав, что существует значительная взаимосвязь между культурой иерархии и реализацией стратегии, причем как доминирующие характеристики, так и управление сотрудниками демонстрируют положительное влияние на эти отношения. Оригинальность/Ценность исследования: Это исследование показывает, что наиболее успешные на рынке организации имеют сильную иерархическую культуру в своей среде. Следовательно, профессиональные органы должны иметь как минимум механизм обеспечения иерархической культуры внутри организации. Ограничения исследования/Будущие исследования: В исследовании рассматривалась только связь между культурой иерархии и реализацией стратегии. В будущих исследованиях следует изучить взаимосвязь между реализацией стратегии и другими аспектами организационной культуры.   Тип статьи: ЭмпирическийМета роботи: Дане дослідження спрямоване на встановлення ієрархії і стратегічних взаємин в зареєстрованих професійних організаціях в Кенії. Дизайн/Метод/Підхід дослідження: Залежна змінна вимірювалася за допомогою реалізації політики, оцінки ресурсів і мотивації. Культура ієрархії як незалежна змінна вимірювалася через домінуючі характеристики і управління співробітниками. Використовуючи підхід описового дизайну, в дослідженні було отримано 132 відповіді з цільових 168 в професійних організаціях Кенії. У дослідженні була створена нульова гіпотеза для перевірки з використанням моделі лінійної регресії для встановлення взаємозв'язку між залежними і незалежними змінними. Результати дослідження: Для ієрархічних побудов було встановлено, що існує значуща кореляція між реалізацією стратегії і домінуючими характеристиками r = 0,316, p <0,05 з керуванням співробітниками r = 0,288, p <0,05. Теоретична цінність дослідження: Ця стаття розширила обсяг досліджень організаційної культури, показавши, що існує значний взаємозв'язок між культурою ієрархії і реалізацією стратегії, причому як домінуючі характеристики, так і управління співробітниками демонструють позитивний вплив на ці відносини. Оригінальність/Цінність дослідження: Це дослідження показує, що найбільш успішні на ринку організації мають сильну ієрархічну культуру в своєму середовищі. Отже, професійні органи повинні мати як мінімум механізм забезпечення ієрархічної культури всередині організації. Обмеження дослідження/Майбутні дослідження: В дослідженні розглядалася лише зв'язок між культурою ієрархії і реалізацією стратегії. У майбутніх дослідженнях слід вивчити взаємозв'язок між реалізацією стратегії і іншими аспектами організаційної культури.   Тип статті: Емпірични

Knowledge, Attitude and Perceptions of Village Residents on the Health Risks Posed by Kadhodeki Dumpsite in Nairobi, Kenya.

This study sought to assess the knowledge, attitude and perceptions of the residents of Kadhodeki village on the health risks posed by the Kadhodeki dumpsite. Using households as units of sampling, a descriptive cross sectional survey was carried out in June 2012. Random data were collected using a face-to-face researcher administered structured questionnaire and 323 participants were interviewed. Chi square was used to determine the association between the different variables. Findings indicate that residents possess a significantly low knowledge and a positive attitude (χ2 (1) = 224.03, p < 0.01; χ2 (1) = 8.697, p < 0.01) towards the Kadhodeki dumpsite. They were however no differences in risk perceptions. Participant’s age, duration one had lived in the village and their level of education, were proxy measures of knowledge, attitude and perception. Odds ratio analysis indicates that age and duration did not influence participant’s knowledge, attitude or perceptions. Rudimentary however, education accounted for a non significant 28% variation in respondents’ attitude towards the health risks of the dumpsite (OR= 1.282; CI 0.828- 1.997). Also adequate education significantly accounted for 67% variation in respondents’ health risk perception (OR= 1.671; CI 1.304-2.140). This study would recommend that the ministry of Health come up with health education programmes for the general population on the dangers of uncontrolled waste disposal sites

The Potential of High Oryzanol Rice Bran Oil as an Antioxidant in Whole Milk Powder.

Lipid autoxidation of whole milk powder (WMP) during storage lowers its organoleptic quality and causes accumulation of oxidation products. This study evaluated the effectiveness of high-oryzanol (2.5%) rice bran oil (RBO) as an antioxidant in WMP. The powder was fortified with 0.1% and 0.2% RBO and its oxidation studied during accelerated storage at 45°C and 0.31 water activity for 40 days. Free radicals were determined by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Oxidation was estimated by determining thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and cholesterol oxidation products using gas chromatography. The effect of RBO on flavor and consumer preference of freshly manufactured milk powder was also evaluated. The oryzanol content of the WMP was 0.00 mug/g, 49.16 mug/g and 180.11 mug/g for 0.0%, 0.1% and 0.2% RBO fortified samples respectively. The alpha-tocopherol content was 0.00, 3.72 and 7.54 mug/g for 0.0%, 0.1% and 0.2% RBO fortified samples respectively. Addition of RBO significantly affected the color of the powder. The fortified powders had darker, more yellow color than control samples. Consumer tests showed that 0.2% RBO caused a detectable flavor change in milk powder, but at 0.1%, it had no significant effectonflavor. The RBO at 0.1% and 0.2% caused a significant reduction in free radicals during manufacture and after 10 days storage. High-heat powder had higher concentrations of free radicals than low-heat powder. Lipid oxidation was not significantly affected by RBO immediately after manufacture, but was significantly reduced by 0.1% and 0.2% RBO after storage for 10 or more days. The TBARS for all powder samples increased up to 30 days storage but reduced on further storage, probably due to their reaction with proteins. Rice bran oil did not have a significant effect on the accumulation of COP. The data on COP however was not conclusive, due to wide variability that may have resulted from thermal degradation of COP in the GC column during analysis. Results indicated that RBO reduced oxidation of WMP. Further work is necessary to determine the optimum application rate and method for process optimization

EFFECT OF PROCESS-RELATED PARAMETERS ON BAND GAP OF ELECTROPHORETICALLY DEPOSITED TIO2NB2O5 COMPOSITE THIN FILMS

Nano-crystalline composite thin films of titanium dioxide and niobium (v) oxide (TiO2/Nb2O5 ) were successfully deposited on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrate using electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique. The colloidal suspension utilized in EPD cell consisted of mixture of TiO2 and Nb2O5 nanopowders and 2-propanol in a Pyrex glass. Values of potential difference (25 to 60V) were applied across the EPD electrodes placed in a parallel configuration 1.2cm apart and partially immersed in the suspension. The optimization of EPD parameters was achieved from transmittance measurements and band gap energy calculations. Both Nb2O5 and TiO2 nanoparticles were seen in XRD graphs to be present in the composite films in the ratio 1 to 1.78 which confirmed that both type of nanoparticles suspended in 2-propanol developed positive surface charges and were moved towards and deposited on the cathode upon application of an electric field. The band gap energy was evaluated for films deposited from varied EPD process-related parameters namely, concentration, deposition times and applied potential. The maximum values of band gap were obtained for films electrophoretically deposited from particle concentration of 0.01g/40mL (or 0.25g/L), applied voltage of 35V, and deposition time of 90s. These values of EPD process-related parameters formed the optimum values for deposition of crack free films of good porosity. The changes in band gap values are attributed to either energy shift of conduction band or valence band energy levels. The TiO2/Nb2O5 composite thin films, fabricated in this study from optimized parameters of EPD technique had smooth morphology as shown by SEM images. Further work is needed to evaluate the potential of TiO2/Nb2O5 composite films deposited by EPD for dye–sensitized solar cell application.Keywords: Electrophoretic deposition (EPD), TiO2/Nb2O5 composite thin films, PV applications, Solar energy, Optical band ga

Financial risk, vulnerability and equity of access to healthcare services in Kenya

This dissertation is underpinned by the global call to achieve universal health coverage (UHC). It responds to the concerns on how best to ensure equity of access to healthcare services, while guaranteeing adequate protection for the most vulnerable against the financial costs of ill health. It focuses on the impact of lack of financial risk protection for individuals who use healthcare services and those who forgo healthcare services due to financial barriers. It starts by highlighting what is known on the extent of the financial risk gaps and the drivers of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) across Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) countries. Using Kenya as a case study, it adds to the knowledge and evidence on equity of access by examining the socioeconomic inequalities in financial risk protection and the factors that sustain these inequalities. In addition, it explores the cost-related barriers to access healthcare services and the effect of shocks on the ability of households to invest in healthcare

The State and Sexual Politics: An Analysis of Abortion Discourses in Kenya

Unsafe abortion, an issue that leads to over 2,000 deaths and health complications for more than 21,000 women annually in Kenya, remains largely unaddressed by the Kenyan state. Despite the significant public importance of abortion, there has been little or no scholarly attention directed at the role of the state in shaping sexual politics through its regulation of abortion. In this thesis, I undertake a feminist analysis of the Kenyan state to explore how the state, through its policy regime, shapes sexual politics. I argue that Western-based feminist theorisations of the state, although useful, do not fully account for the Kenyan state’s treatment of the issue of abortion. Consequently, I draw on the range of scholarship in feminist theorisations of the state and in African politics to develop the Critical African Feminist Perspective on the state. Using this perspective, I undertake a discourse analysis of archival material, policy texts, and interviews with key actors in abortion politics. The analysis of the state over three phases – colonial, dictatorial, and democratic – reveals the neo-patrimonial character of the state, resulting in policies and practices that systematically ignore or marginalise issues affecting women. This study demonstrates that across consecutive governments, the Kenyan political elite, in an attempt to consolidate political power and popularity in the face of low levels of legitimacy and complex tribal politics, has deployed a tactic of “strategic ambivalence”, wherein the law criminalising abortion has been sustained but not enforced. State efforts have therefore been directed at presenting a positive image of itself to both pro- and anti-abortion actors, rather than substantively tackling the problem of unsafe abortion. The study establishes that although neoliberalism, capitalism and patriarchy play significant roles, neo-patrimonial politics is the key impediment to creating policies and institutions that will ensure Kenyan women’s access to safe abortions. I note that although Kenya’s new Constitution guarantees women better access to legal abortion, it has not conclusively addressed neo-patrimonialism, which is therefore likely to continue to have negative implications for sexual politics and issues of gender equality in general