International Journal of Research and Scholarly Communication
International Journal of Research and Scholarly Communication is a peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal that publishes empirical and theoretical research papers in the fields of humanities and social sciences such as anthropology, business studies, communication studies, cultural studies, development studies, economics, education, film studies, geography, history, information science, linguistics, literature, library studies, media studies, philosophy, psychology, sociology, performing arts (music, theatre & dance), religious studies, visual arts, and women studies among others.
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A critical semiotic analysis of Amiso Thwango’s song “Nitie Nyako Moro”
This is a study of a Luo popular song track entitled Nitiere Nyako Moro (There is a Certain Girl) by Amiso Thwango. The objectives of the study are to demonstrate the aesthetic effects in music; identify instances of gender discrimination among the Luo society and to analyse the song as a literary narrative. Through qualitative method, the song was transcribed, translated and critically analysed. The investigation was conducted following structuralist and narratological theories. Where necessary, the entailed signs and symbols were given semiotic interpretations. Broad narrative structures were identified and examined in order to bring forth their creative significance in the text. The study revealed that the Ohangla musician used signs, symbolism and metaphors as motifs that emphasized how beautiful Akoth is. Moreover, the musician employed divergent linguistic and literary techniques to make music a creative art exhibiting fictional features of the narrative. Through this song, a complete story that develops characters that grow in attitude from naive infatuation with the love for Akoth to mature appreciation that love is perceived as something that can impair one’s judgement and can therefore not be trusted is brought to perspective.
aesthetics, dualism, narratology, semiotics, teleology
Copyright (c) 2022 Jack Ogembo, Cellyne Anudo, Benard Kodak https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Protesting corruption through online community engagement on social media in Kenya: A qualitative content analysis
Social media has changed how non-profits and social movements mobilize citizens and amplify their engagement in advocating for social justice and change through framing and dissemination of key messages. Buyer Beware, a non-profit organization in Kenya, has created a platform to inspire citizen journalism and engage the public to fight corruption using social media. This study analyzes how an anti-corruption campaign by Buyer Beware dubbed #STOPTheseTHIEVES has been used to mobilize Kenyans to speak up against corruption and spur action from law enforcement authorities to investigate suspects and apprehend those found culpable. Using qualitative content analysis, data from relevant tweets and Facebook posts were purposively selected and analyzed in order to identify the key messages. Additionally, video posts were also transcribed and analyzed and in-depth interviews conducted with select key informants. The findings reveal that twitter and Facebook are effective alternative tools for diffusion of information to mobilize and influence collective action. Besides, the study reaffirms the empowering role of citizen journalism and the growing relevance of social media as tool for raising voices against social ills albeit with the possible risk of unfair public image lynching. The study contributes to the practical understanding of how non-profits are increasingly using social media to strategically engage with their constituents and empower publics to carry forth their work.
citizen journalism, corruption, social media, social movements, #STOPTheseTHIEVES
Copyright (c) 2022 Elizabeth Ochola https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Evaluating spatial and temporal changes in land cover in the riparian zone in Sironga wetland in Nyamira County, Kenya between 2009 and 2019
This study sought to evaluate spatial and temporal changes in land cover in the riparian zones in Sironga wetland in Nyamira County, Kenya between 2009 and 2019. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study target population was 561 respondents. This included 11 key informants and 550 households in Nyamira County whose land borders the riparian areas from which a sample size of 151 respondents was drawn. The sample size included; 140 respondents selected through simple random sampling and 11 through purposive sampling. Questionnaires, interview schedules, observation schedules, satellite images and document analysis were used to collect data. Quantitative data collected was sorted, coded and analyzed with the help of statistical package of social scientist (SPSS) version 21. Qualitative data obtained was analyzed based on the themes drawn from study objectives and content for each listed. It is believed that the study findings will assist to improve local awareness of the importance of riparian zones and create positive perception among the riparian communities. This study could contribute in provision of data on riparian zones of wetlands in high agricultural potential areas in Kenya.
riparian zones, spatial, Sironga wetland
Copyright (c) 2022 Evans Kireki Gesora, Dennis Mamboleo, Dan Nyanika https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
We praise when it suits us: An analysis of the Kenya Moja song sung by Luo artists on Kenya’s the 58th Independence Day celebrations
As an adhesive that binds a society, music is pervasive in communicating issues affecting the society in one way or another. It permeates the political, social, economic and religious realms of communities. This study focuses on the political realm in Kenya where music has been used to address issues affecting the society. In some instances, it is used to point out the ills advanced by top political leaders, an issue that has oftentimes landed musicians in trouble. In addition, through music, the significance of politics in any society is brought to perspective. This paper has three objectives namely: to discuss the qualities of a good leader as highlighted in the Kenya Moja song; to identify and describe the image schemas in the Kenya Moja song and to explore the thematic concerns in the Kenya Moja song. This study uses the Image Schema Theory to analyze one of the objectives. To achieve these objectives, the research used a descriptive design and data was analyzed qualitatively.
adhesive, image schemas, perceive, political realms
Copyright (c) 2022 Cellyne Anudo, Benard Kodak, Jack Ogembo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Critical assessment of political pillar in Kenya’s vision 2030: Emerging perspectives in constitutional reforms, rule of law, electoral processes and public participation in governance
The measure of the world development agenda and its focus is contained in what has come to be known as the United Nation Sustainable Development goals (UN resolution agenda 2030, 2015). In this, the transformative agenda for the whole world is set on firm targets, indicators as well as the wide expectations. All nations are obliged to strive in order to augment the process of achieving the sustainable development goals (SDG), which are the blueprints laid down to realize a better and sustainable future. These goals are meant to propel the whole world towards an overall growth in the social, economic and political sphere. In this regard, every country has been given an opportunity to develop a plan on how to firmly implement the SDG as well as how to monitor its targets through a formative evaluation in order to achieve the required development level by 2030. In Kenya, the process of realizing this commenced by the initiation of Vision 2030 (2009) which was developed in line with the then Millennium Development goals (MDG) which later in 2015, was transited to SDG. Ideally, this was meant to align Kenya’s development agenda to the UN development matrix. One of the pillars of the Vision 2030 is the political pillar which focuses on creating political system which is issue based, people centered, and result oriented and accountable to the people. This emphasis was meant to bring about fundamental shift in the political landscape of the county. However, Kenya has remained volatile with little regard to the guiding principles of political pillars. The political orientation and direction in the county is such that the expectation has not been realized. This paper therefore makes a strong attempt to assess the achievements that have been realized in the political pillar since inception of Vision 2030.
democracy, electoral process, participation, political pillar, rule of law, vison 2030
Copyright (c) 2022 Eric Thomas Ogwora https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Examining the factors influencing changes in traditional funeral rituals among Frafra subgroupings in Northern Ghana
What connects people of all cultures, regardless of how or where people are born, is the reality that almost everyone eventually dies. Death is a passage from this world to the world beyond. When a family member dies, we are sobered with increased anxiety, sadness, and anguish. Befitting burial according to custom and tradition is the only obligation owed to the dead body. The rituals surrounding burial are designed to help the dead return to the realm of their ancestors. It has changed many things in our tradition and had significant impact on our people and culture. It is now costly for people to send their deceased to their family's home because the practice has changed. This research looks at altering funeral ritual trends and making positive impact in burial rituals, how it affects Frafra people of northern Ghana, and the impact of religious-cultural practices and socio-economic activity. From the dawn of time, there have been many funeral ceremonies. The funeral service gives one final opportunity to honor the dead. Funeral has a significance in African society Ghana inclusive. Many are unchanged even though funerary rites have been altered in the Frafra subgroup Traditional Areas due to modernization and technology in the last 50 years. The researchers utilized non-probability sampling to choose respondents into categories. Purposive and snowball sampling strategies were employed to gather respondents in this sampling. Information was mainly obtained through interviews and observation in the subject region; when this included recording and transcribing. It was discovered that funeral rites had sever negative financial and psychological turmoil for many families, including poverty, debt, prostitution, child labor, abortion, fighting, and death.
changes, factors, funerals, Frafra, rituals
Copyright (c) 2022 Maxwell Tengolzor Ba-an, Samuel Kwabla Segbefia, Chinnah Promise Chinwe, Joana Emefa Adansi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
An Assessment of Critical Issues in Freedom of Access to Information: A Systematic Literature Review with Special Reference to Kenya
This paper documents a dicey subject of the right to know - usually a sweet-bitter one owing to the way it has been regulated, legislated and implemented both at the local, national, and international arena. It examines view-points and documented arguments whether freedom of information or freedom of access to information is an attainable reality or a fallacy. It highlights a broad spectrum of issues that impede or accelerate access to information which is the lifeblood of education, innovation, economic and cultural development. A number of constitutional, statutory, and policy provisions in both the global and Kenyan ecosystems are mentioned to illuminate the balancing act existing in addressing this right.
Freedom of Information, Access to Information, Right to Information, Right to Know
Copyright (c) 2022 Samuel Muthami Wanjiru, Daniel Muthee Wambiri https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Evaluation of the effects of human activities on water resources in Masaba North, Nyamira County
Water is essential to sustain life and a satisfactory supply must be available to all. But, access to sufficient amounts of clean water has been recognized as the critical resource problem in the 21st century. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of human activities on water resources in Masaba North, Nyamira County. This study adopted a descriptive research design with both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The target population was 27913 households that live on catchment areas in Masaba North namely: Kiabonyoru, Keroka and Kianungu and along valleys of main rivers namely Gucha, Kenyamuchwachwa and Kenyamware. The study also targeted the department water officials of Nyamira County. The sample size of the study was 381 household heads. The study used interview schedules, questionnaires, observation and photography to collect primary data. Data collected by the use of questionnaires and interview schedules was analyzed using thematic analysis. The results were presented using line and bar graphs, tables and pie charts. Photographs taken were displayed and explanations given. The findings showed that all households unanimously agreed that sand harvesting along river and stream banks makes the waters turbid and murky, discharge of untreated waste domestic water, washing and bathing in rivers and streams, pollutes water. The findings of the study will be beneficial to the Nyamira residents and water department in Kenya.
anthropogenic activities, catchment area, water conservation, water resource, water cycle
Copyright (c) 2021 Angwenyi Samuel Bosire, Daniel Nyantika, Dennis Mamboleo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Functions of code-switching in the English language classroom: A case of Dambai College of Education, Ghana
Code switching is a common linguistic practice among bilingual and multilingual speakers all over the word Ghana is no exception. This phenomenon manifests itself in diverse ways and to achieve different goals. This paper examines the alternating use of English language and Ewe language during English language period against the language policy in Ghana in Dambai College of Education. The medium of instruction from upper primary to tertiary level is solely English language. This paper looks at the reasons for code-switching in the English language classroom, when tutors code switch, types of interactions that necessitate code-switching, interaction groups, functions of code-switching, importance of code-switching and related studies. Data was collected through observation, interview and audio-recordings. Each tutor was observed, their languages use were recorded, transcribed and grouped into themes and then analyzed. The results of the study showed that tutors and students of Dambai College of Education do code-switch for a number of reasons. The analysis of the data also revealed that, in most cases, code switching by tutors of Dambai College of Education was done to serve pedagogical purposes.
classroom, code switching, English lesson, multilingual, teachers
Copyright (c) 2020 John Bismark Tefeh https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Investigating request structures among the Anlos Requests strategies among the Anlos: A qualitative research
The purpose of this study is to investigate different request structures found among Anlo conversational participants in natural settings. It is intended to explore the various request strategies and responses to such strategies. The study employs qualitative research design. The population for this study is from three out of the thirty-six indigenous Anlo towns. In all, thirty-six respondents made up of children (aged between 9 and 14 years), youth (aged between 15 and 39 years) and the elderly (aged from 40 years and above) were selected from the three sites. The data collection instruments used for this study are observation, interview, role play and the use of discourse completion tests (D.C.Ts). The findings revealed that Anlos as a socio-cultural group follow a particular sequence in making a request. The performance of request according to this sequence shows a person’s competence. The use of the address terms, the head act and then the adjuncts to the head act makes the whole requesting process to either be a face threatening or a face serving one. The adjunct to the head act helps to mitigate whatever imposition that may accompany the head act.
interdependency, interpersonal relationship, request performance, request strategies, request structures, social interaction
Copyright (c) 2021 Calvin Mawuli Attricki, Agbemor Kwami Akpeleasi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Domestic solid waste management practices in an informal settlement: A gendered perspective
This study aimed at investigating the practices of men and women in the management of domestic solid waste in Kiandutu Informal Settlement in Kiambu County, Kenya. The consideration of men and women is paramount because a community is made up of the two genders each displaying different characteristics, perceptions and behaviour towards a similar situation. The study was guided by the Social Context Theory and Identity Theory. The findings reveal that gendered socialization processes played a big role in men’s and women’s daily encounter with domestic solid waste. The domestic solid waste practices exhibited were gendered and being regulated by socio-cultural and environmental factors. Men and women were found to engage in various solid waste management practices but motivated by different factors that had a gender connotation. The study therefore suggests that strategic gendered interventions are a prerequisite to effective management of domestic solid waste particularly in the informal settlement where solid waste management equipment and infrastructure are limited.
gender, management, participation, socialization, waste
Copyright (c) 2021 Willy Mwangi, Elishiba Kimani, Grace Okong’o, Christine Majale https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
A Pragma-semantic Survey of Newspapers and Academic Publication’s Portrayal of People with Mental Disorder
Previous studies have shown that the language use has had adverse effects on levels of tolerance for people with mental illness. New research suggests even subtle differences in how the society refers to people with mental illness can affect levels of tolerance. Granello submits that everyone, including the media, policymakers and the general public, need to change how they refer to people with mental illness (18). It is based on this premise that the present study surveys ways in which the media/academic practitioners portray people with mental illness and its perception from a pragma-semantic point of view. The main objective of the study is to ascertain the intention that underlie the language choices in referring to people with mental illness. The research is qualitative as it collects data from selected newspapers and academic publications including completed research works of post-graduate students of the University of Jos that discuss the subject matter. The data are analysed using pragmatic/semantic tools such as implicatures, presupposition, politeness principle, ambiguity and vagueness. The work adopts the tenets of systemic functional linguistics as its theoretical framework for analysis. The study concludes that language should not only be viewed in terms of political correctness but be humane and accommodating in order to achieve our communicative intentions
Media, Mental Disorder, Pragma-semantics, Systemic Functional Linguistics
Copyright (c) 2020 Maryam Nanman Julde-Adura, Blessing Vou Dakat https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
COVID-19 effects on gender equality and the application of the matrimonial property act of 2013 among the Gusii people of Kisii county, Kenya
The purpose of this study is to establish the extent to which the Matrimonial Property Act is applied among the Gusii of Kenya and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the steps that had been so far realized in the community under the said law. Further, the purpose of this study is to establish the extent to which the Matrimonial Property Act has impacted the gender equality and economic situation among the Gusii people of Kenya. The study utilized a descriptive research design. Data was collected by use of questionnaires and interview schedules. Possible results were shared and disseminated among stakeholders who serve as a major contributor to the enhancement of the implementation of Matrimonial Property Act. The study gave recommendations based on the findings of what needs to be done to reduce the effects of Covid-19 on gender equality in Gusii, Kenya.
COVID-19, gender, equality, law, matrimonial property act, property
Copyright (c) 2021 Fred O. Nyagaka, Callen B. Nyamwange https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Effect of relationship marketing concept of reciprocity on customer satisfaction among foreign owned supermarkets in Kenya: A case study of Carrefour Supermarket
The study sought to examine the effect of reciprocity on customer satisfaction among foreign owned supermarkets in Kenya. A positivist paradigm research philosophy guided the study with deductive research approach employed in order to allow for the development of hypotheses by use of existing theories. Quantitative research techniques were employed to analyze data. Data for the study was collected from a sample size of 384 customers from Carrefour supermarket outlets. A response rate of 85.68% was attained translating to 329 valid questionnaires. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize data and show meaningful patterns while inferential statistics (correlation and regression analysis) were employed to test the study hypotheses. The models were deemed fit due to significant F statistics at 0.05 level of significance. From the attained R2, the results revealed that reciprocity variable was significant in affecting customer satisfaction among foreign owned supermarkets in Kenya if other factors are held constant. Based on the significant beta coefficient attained, the study rejected the null hypothesis H01 (reciprocity has no significant effect on customer satisfaction among foreign owned supermarket in Kenya. The correlation analysis at 0.01 level of significance revealed reciprocity had a moderate positive correlation with customer satisfaction. The study recommends that supermarket management should focus on enhancing relationship marketing practice of reciprocity through training of staff on the same as a means of sustaining customer satisfaction.
customer satisfaction, equivalence, immediacy, reciprocity, relationship marketing
Copyright (c) 2021 Osman Wechuli Chesula, Stephen Ntuara Kiriinya, Ann Rintari https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Presupposition in some Ghanaian newspaper articles: A pragmatic analysis
Media has been described in democratic countries as being the ‘Fourth Estate of the Realm’. This status puts a lot of responsibility on the profession and as such its practitioners exercise a lot of power; ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’ is a familiar saying. The media, in reporting news, presuppose some vital pieces of information which are to inform their respective clients. This paper attempts to find out whether the presuppositions are fair or unfair based on the amount of processing efforts their clients may invest in their effort to fathom the information. Five articles from three daily newspapers have been selected for the analysis within the general framework of pragmatics. The conclusion is that the media stand to lose their clients if they continue to overburden them with unfair presuppositions. The study should inform people with interest in the core values of the media, media studies and the accessing and processing of information in the media.
audience, media, presupposition, pragmatics, relevance theory
Copyright (c) 2021 Nii Amartei Amartey https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Intersections of the knowledge-power nexus as a precursor to (dis)empowerment and resistance in the poetry of Maya Angelou
This article investigates how knowledge and its recursive relation with power is manifested in the poetry of Maya Angelou. It analyses how various contexts, such as the social, political, cultural and historical, inform knowledge production and how the Foucauldian concept of the knowledge/power nexus is employed as a strategy of (dis)empowerment and resistance by marginalized persons in her poetry. It also, explores how Angelou’s poetry utilises the female body as the site of the manifestation of the knowledge/power nexus and resistance. The article utilises textual data obtained through critical reading and analysis of poems from The Complete Collected Poetry of Maya Angelou. In its analyses, it makes use of three poems; Men and Phenomenal Woman and Seven Women’s Blessed Assurance. It concludes that the knowledge/power nexus as manifested in her poetry is representative of a vantage point from which one stands empowered to re-examine their social situation and re conceptualize ways in which to subvert domination.
empowerment, intersections, knowledge, power, resistance, social context
Copyright (c) 2021 Teresia Kaberia https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
In support of Ghanaian English: Probing the significance of Ahulu’s "How Ghanaian is Ghanaian English? (2008)”
Over the last four decades, the debate as to whether there is a variety of English in use that can be called Ghanaian still rages on. This article re-assesses Ahulu’s ‘How Ghanaian is Ghanaian English?’ with the aim of re-establishing the notion of the uniqueness of Ghanaian English. The article widens the argument to include the generality of ‘New Englishes’ so that the call for codification for its legality and validity will serve the purpose. It also calls for more scholarly works to support the acceptability and indigenization of Ghanaian English. The study should inform people with interest in Ghanaian English, new Englishes, language teachers, and policy makers to focus on the codification objective.
Ghanaian, (new, native) English, codification, Ahulu, Kachru
Copyright (c) 2020 Nii Amartei Amartey https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Social media and politics in Nigeria: A conceptual framework
This paper examines side by side social media and politics and the relationship between the two. Also worthy of examination in the article was social media and election and social media and democracy. This is because elections and democracy exist in a political space or environment, hence the relationship. The place of social media to rally political support is no longer in doubt. To advance the conversation and mobilize political supports, social media has become a critical political tool for campaign planners. The term social media refers to the use of web-based and mobile technologies to turn communication into an interactive dialogue. Politicians create several social media accounts and handle in other to reach the electorates and to have a more direct contact with them, something the traditional media didn’t provide. Some of these social media platforms are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc. The use of social media in elections appears to be gathering momentum that is altering the traditional practice of electioneering. This phenomenon is premised on the rapidly expanding access to internet, increased availability of internet ready smart phones and other communication devices, which enable individuals to simultaneously share information with any number of peers or even the public. Politicians have swerved from the use of the old media such as the print (newspapers) and the electronic media (television and radio), to the use of the new media during electioneering to actualize their political goals. In a modern democracy, social media can be used by governments to involve citizens in decision making, and make civil society to engage people in specific issues. Social media has transformed political communication in a number of ways, like segmentation of audience, weakening gate keeping capacity of traditional media, releasing most recent news and influences socio-economic and political settings. The study is anchored on two theories: the technological determinism theory and the uses and gratification theory. Social media has great impact on the voting pattern of the electorates, especially youths who constitute the largest proportion of social media users in Nigeria. We therefore, recommend that Nigeria’s political leaders and future aspirants should desist from using the social media to spread false stories, hate speeches, caricature figures etc. on other candidates that will destroy their public image. Rather, they should portray what they have to offer to the masses.
Social media, politics, democracy and election
Copyright (c) 2021 Chibuike Oparaugo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Determining the extent in which the use of Cuisenaire Rods as concrete materials sustain and motivate students’ interest in teaching and learning of fractions
This study looked at the extent of which the use of Cuisenaire rods as concrete materials sustains and motivate students’ interest in teaching and learning of fractions. Mathematics in general is an essential subject for scientific and technological development of any nation. The design for this study was an Action Research in the form of pre-test, intervention and post-test structured to examine how the performance of second year students in teaching fractions be improved using Cuisenaire rods at Dambai College of Education. Out of a total of two hundred (200) Second Year students, 50 students comprising 41 Males and 9 Females were involved in the study. The instruments used for the collection of data were test and questionnaire. The raw scores from the pre-test and post-test were inputted into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software for descriptive statistical analysis and interpretation. The results of the findings revealed that the standard deviation of post-test was less than that of the pre-test indicating that the scores in the post-test (by the use of intervention tool) were more spread around the mean mark of 32.12 than it was in the pre-test indicating significant improvement in students’ performance.
Post-test, Cuisenaire rods, Student performance, Unlike fraction, Mathematics, Equivalent fractions
Copyright (c) 2020 Togah Frederick Kwasi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Chinese foreign capital and Africa's quest for development: Determining the real positive and negative impacts.
This study sought to investigate the real impacts of Chinese foreign capital on Africa’s economic development. The emergence of China as one of the most prominent 21st Century development partners of Africa has been aided by China’s non-ideological foreign affairs policy of non-interference. China has consistently provided the much-needed financial capital and technical knowhow to different African countries with glaring positive impacts with optimists citing the use of China’s Official Development Assistance in form of concessional loans, zero-interest loans and grants to enhance Africa’s transport, energy, industry and telecommunication sectors. On the contrary, pessimists cite neo-colonialism tendencies and insist that such development projects have generated little if any tangible benefits for African economies while adversely increasing the continent’s debt burden. The latter believe and are adamant that Africa has rich minerals and natural resources that can provide great economic development if well harnessed and the proceeds rightly invested. Using Zimbabwe and Ethiopia as case studies, this paper attempted to determine the real impacts of Chinese funding to different African countries from the perspective of positive and negative impacts.
Copyright (c) 2021 Nancy Kambudzi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Resource-based conflict on women entrepreneurs in open air markets of Kisii County, Kenya
Resource based conflict are prevalent in open air markets. Open air markets are ever crowded and often become conflict flashpoints because they bring large numbers of people from different ethnic groups and backgrounds together in a congested area. Resources that commonly cause conflicts include; physical, natural, financial, environmental and social. This paper has a bias on natural resources with a concern on water and sanitation in open air markets. The potential of climate change has contributed to the current water shortages in the world. Water crisis rates up to 90% in Kenya and yet counties have not made necessary efforts to avail water in open air markets. This paper was necessitated by the fact that Kisii County open air markets experience serious water and sanitation challenges. The objectives of this paper include: To find out the challenges women entrepreneurs experience due to lack of water and poor sanitation, to determine the kind of conflict that have emanated due to water crisis and examine the measures the county government is taking to ensure water availability for market users. This study adopted conflict theory. The sample frame was 300 women entrepreneurs from the four purposively picked open air markets as per Krechie and Morgan table and explored four markets of Daraja Mbili, Nyakoe, Suneka and Riosir. The use of questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions were employed to solicit relevant information from the respondents. Information collected was analyzed using excel in terms of tables, graphs and pie charts. The findings clearly indicated that there is a serious water shortage and supply coupled with poor sanitation in the county especially in open air markets. In summary the demand for clean water and sanitation in Kisii County is wanting. It is the responsibility of the county to ensure the open air markets have sufficient supply of water and proper sanitation. This study recommends that the county seek for partnerships who assist and harvesting rainy water can be made mandatory in all open air markets.
open air markets, women entrepreneurs, water and sanitation, conflicts
Copyright (c) 2020 Grace Ogeto, Eric Thomas Ogwora, Lynnet Hamasi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Challenges to secure land ownership and their implications to social cohesion in Nakuru County, Kenya
Land ownership is a critical cause of land conflicts, which have deep social implications. These conflicts degenerate to violence, leading to deaths, displacements, dislocations, and mistrust among people, thereby adversely affecting social cohesion among individuals and communities. This study used a case study of Nakuru County, in Kenya to explore how historical land conflicts have evolved over time, their causes, and implication on social cohesion, given the ethnic diversity in the County. Nakuru county provided a rich ground for exploring the land conflict- social cohesion nexus given its past recurrent land-related conflicts and the heterogenic ethnic populations with differing land use behavior that set the stage for problematic competition for land resources. The study sought to identify and evaluate challenges to secure land ownership that drives land conflicts in Kenya and the implications they have on social cohesion. The study used a descriptive design to explain the underlined variables. Data collection tools were: questionnaires, interview schedules, Focused Group Discussions, and observations. The study recommended the involvement of communities in seeking solution to historical land injustices, sensitizing community members against negative ethnicity towards societal values of trust, respect for diversity and identities, tolerance as well as promoting equality and justice to enhance social cohesion.
land conflicts, land ownership, social implications, social cohesion
Copyright (c) 2020 Evanson Njiru Nyaga, George Mose, Anthony Ichuloi, Pia Okeche https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Investigating structural challenges in paragraphing in essays of student-teachers: A case of Mount Mary College of Education, Ghana
Paragraphing has posed challenges to several writers. Some of these challenges include failure to state the topic sentence, poor development of the topic sentence and wrong use of cohesive devices. The study focussed on unearthing the paragraphing challenges in the essays of the student-teachers with Mount Mary College of Education as the case study. The study employed quantitative approach to collect data from student-teachers and tutors. This comprised of 757 students in level 100 and 200. Written texts and interviews were used as research instruments. The Essay Analytical Framework (EAF) of Owusu (2012) was used for the analyses. The findings showed that most of the student-teachers encountered myriads of challenges in paragraphing the introductory, the body and the concluding paragraphs. Constructing the topic sentences and elucidating them with supporting sentences posed challenges to some of the students. Furthermore, the study found out that most of the student-teachers had problems with achieving unity, coherence and completeness in their paragraphs.
cohesive devices, introductory paragraph, paragraphing, supporting sentences, student-teacher
Copyright (c) 2020 Benjamin Kofi Salakpi https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Cultural Essentialism: A Sordid Boon at the Shores of Sub-Saharan Africa
In our Gikuyu tradition, it is the lead woman who urges the husband to marry again. “Get me a companion.” […] The management of a polygamous household is a matter of individual liberty. Each woman has her own hut…entirely under her own control. When age set peers visit, the wives exercise their freedom, which amounts to something like polyandry. Each wife is free to choose anyone among the age group and give him accommodation for the night. (Kenyatta, 1938, p. 181). The above quote from Jomo Kenyatta’s book underscores the passion with which most independent leaders in Africa desired for a return to past traditions and culture. From Leopold Senghor in Senegal to Aime Ceisar, the clarion call was the rejection of foreign culture and a return to a lost past to restore the African person. At this time, it is probable that none of them realized that the fixed identities they elevated would arm Africans with the much needed arsenal to fight each other. A few years after independence, ethnic conflicts arose as consequence of cultural difference. Favouritism of people of certain ethnic communities in government appointments, employment in companies and promotions in places of work became norms. Today, political mobilization is ethnic- based the competition of which degenerates to violent factions that destroy the social fabric of these nations. Ethnicity is politicized and politicians return to their people to form a formidable base before they seek support from other ethnicities in the country. In the event of allegations of corruption leveled against a politician, members of his community rally behind them. Vernacular media stations behind the mask of promoting African languages and culture perpetuate hate against those communities perceived as enemies to the privileged community. Okogu and Omudjere (2002) observe that tribal groups in African terrain have different cultures with different ideologies with inherent discrimination that evolve series of wars and terrorism (94). They therefore suggest that any tendency to encourage diversity exposes these nations to hostility and political strife. This paper interrogates the efficacy of cultural essentialism on African nations. Using postcolonial theory, the researcher analyses the effects of cultural essentialism on the social fabric of Sub-Saharan Africa. The ideas of Edward Said, Frantz Fanon and Homi Bhabha will form the theoretical basis of interpretation.
Kenyan Autobiographical Writings and the Use of Orature: An Analysis of Writings by Benjamin Kipkorir and Wangari Maathai
Kenyan autobiography is a cultural production that embraces orature. Although the flexibility of orature gives the individual greater leeway and enhances the ‘literariness’ of the autobiographical text, its use contravenes conventions and contests boundaries of autobiographical writing as signalled by the West. Orature in an autobiographical text is mediated by the individual sense of style, by the available cultural models of identity and the oral discourses evident. This paper analyses selected texts and how they borrow imagery from their cultural backgrounds and embed forms of oral literature such as myths, legends, oral narrative, songs and oral poetry into their writing. The present is the point of departure which organizes the autobiography. Autobiographical writers from Kenya have consistently returned to childhood, looking back at a childhood rich in orature and passed on knowledge, to find their personal as well as the historical roots, to expose the colonial past and to comment on present day issues. This paper engages theory of autobiography, African feminism, and Autobiographics to show that the choice of particular narrative strategies like orature is influenced by the relationship between context, gender and genre. It also interrogates how the chosen authors collectively articulate the nation albeit differently. The study falls within the context of trends in autobiographical studies that privilege location and positioning of autobiographical writings over conventions.
autobiography, diary, Kenyan autobiography, memoir, orature
Copyright (c) 2018 Elizabeth Jumba Mukutu, Wanjiku Mukabi Kabira
Insignias of Authority in David Mulwa’s and Dennis Kyalo’s Drama: Inheritance & The Hunter is Back
This study attempts to unravel the manifestations of the metaphors of power in David Mulwa’s and Dennis Kyalo’s plays: Inheritance and The Hunter is Back. In our analysis, we treat issues that unfold in the play Inheritance within the situation context in which they occur. This concurs with Halliday (1985) who argues that a text is completely detached from the external world and creates a “context of situation” for itself through the special patterning of its lexis. In this regard, we engage an interpretative approach on the various contexts created in the play in our attempt to analyze the manifestations of power in line with the objectives of the study.
Copyright (c) 2018 Christine Namayi, John Mugubi
Introducing the competency-based approach to ESL instruction in Cameroon: A Freirean reading
Education is not a banking process where all-knowing teachers stuff passive learners with static facts, but a dialogical process by which teachers also learn and learners also teach (Freire, 2000). In February 2013, the government of Cameroon through the Ministry of Secondary Education organized nation-wide week-long induction seminars for teachers of English as a Second Language (ESL). The goal was to get the teachers of ESL to understand the nature of and how to apply the Competency-Based Approach to English Language Teaching (CBAELT). The seminar was pedagogic in that the participants comprised ‘teachers’ (Regional Pedagogic Inspectors) and ‘learners’ (teachers of ESL). This study set out to, first, assess the relationship between the principles of the Competency-Based Approach to Language Teaching (CBALT), and the basis of Freire’s Dialogical Model of education, and, second, examine the extent to which the introduction of the CBAELT was dialogical. Data were obtained through participant observation and the CBAELT seminar document, and analysed using content analysis, interpretation and argumentation. The findings reveal that the principles of the CBALT largely align with Freire’s Dialogical Model of education. However, the top-bottom manner in which the CBAELT was introduced does adequately respond to the demands of Freire’s dialogical model of education.
Copyright (c) 2020 Kiwoh Terence Nsai, Mr. Kaki https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0
Towards widowhood rites: A comparative study of the Dagaaba and the Ewe people of Ghana
This study examined the practices of widowhood rites in Dagaaba and Ewe communities. It applied an approach to intersectionality and resilience to explore the idea of selfhood and personality, and uses case studies to explain the difficulties that arise in using a human rights approach to tackle the widows' plight in the two communities. The study adopted qualitative analysis techniques. In Dagaaba and Ewe, the predicament of widows has shown that much remains to be done to meet the concerns of several categories of African women. Seminars, workshops symposia and the media can be used as a genuine tool for educating the entire civil society and the masses about widowhood rites and projecting widows' rights to all facets of society. The study concluded that the morals for addressing widowhood in an African society should concentrate on addressing the "human aspect"–the limitations (e.g., legal, religious, cultural, and socio-economic) embedded in the social relations that restrict both the widow and community.
Dagaaba widowhood rites, Ewe widowhood rites, widowhood rites, Widowhood effects
Copyright (c) 2020 Alberta Aseye Ama Duhoe, Marcelline Tengepare
Does ICT influence teaching and learning in Ghana? An evidence-based study on ICT integration in classroom teaching
The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education and training has been a priority in most European countries during the past decades, but progress has been uneven. In most developed countries such as the United Kingdom (UK), schools have embedded the use of ICT in teaching and learning into the curriculum and demonstrated a high level of effective and appropriate use to support teaching and learning. This paper presents findings carried out on a total of 320 teacher trainees made up of students from all the eight colleges. They were chosen using both purposive and probability sampling techniques. The instrument used to collect data was a questionnaire while the data analysis techniques were statistic descriptive and multivariate analyses of variance. The study reveals that if students are continually exposed to the capabilities of ICT, their perceptions towards ICT would change. The teacher's involvement in the use of and perception has also changed positively towards the use of ICT in teaching and learning. The study recommends that teachers should be provided with sufficient training on how to use ICT in the teaching and learning processes to acquire the requisite knowledge and skills in integrating the technology in classrooms.
Computer, Computer literacy, Curriculum, E-learning, Hardware, ICT Integration, Integration
Copyright (c) 2020 William Yeboah, Rosemond Asianoa, Jefferson Oduro Asiamah
Availability of play resources for utilization of play in ECDE curriculum in ECDE centres in Kericho Sub-county
Play involves the child socially, emotionally, physically, cognitively and development of language and literacy skills. The aim of the study was to determine the availability of play resources and the use of play in child development learners at ECDE centers in Kericho sub-county. The study adopted Piaget's theory of intellectual development (1896-1980). The mixed-methods approach was used, adopting qualitative and quantitative techniques. The target population consisted of 161 school heads and 347 preschool teachers, in which a sample of 48 head teachers and 104 preschool teachers were selected using both simple and stratified random sampling techniques from all educational areas in the sub-county. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews and observation schedules and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of the study were presented in frequency distribution tables, pie charts and bar charts. Qualitative data of the interviews and the observation were analyzed in themes and categories, identifying the similarities and differences that emerged. The study concluded that different resources were available for use in ECDE curriculum. Locally available resources were available compared to purchased resources.
ECDE centers, play, resources, teaching and learning, utilization
Copyright (c) 2020 Koech Zipporah Mutindi, Ezekiel Nyambega Omwenga, Pamela Wandende