Browsing Theses and Dissertations by Title
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Kimani, Mary N (Daystar University, school of Human and Social Sciences, June , 2016)[more][less]
Abstract: For the last three decades, participation has become an increasingly emphasized aspect of and a key tool for public policy and service delivery within the realm of good governance across the world. This research assessed constraints to community participation in the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of development activities in the rural communities in Kenya using Caritas Capacity building projects in Machakos County as a case study. The objectives included establishing the role played participation by local community members, challenges involved, and suggesting strategies for enhancing community participation. The study employed in-depth interviews, structured questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGD) as data collection methods. It involved a total of 112 respondents drawn from Katangi Division of Machakos County. Of the above, 100 respondents consisted of household heads who were randomly selected from the division while the remaining included the Caritas Capacity Building Project team members as well as members of the local churches who usually partner with community members and project team in the monitoring and evaluation of the project activities. Research findings revealed that participation existed in the implementation of Caritas programs and beneficiaries have benefited from it. It was however more confined to farmers’ group level activities while the important decisions were made at higher administrative levels particularly at the diocesan level with minimal local community members’ involvement. In view of the above the study, the researcher recommended a more vivid bottom-up approach in the implementation of Caritas projects. Particularly, much effort need to be put beyond the farmer group level to decision-making process at inter-group level with increased local farmers’ involvement. Description: Master of Arts in Monitoring and Evaluation URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3440 Files in this item: 1
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Lukoye, Veronica Nyambura (Daystar University, School of Arts and Humanities, October , 2021)[more][less]
Abstract: Kenya’s foreign policy towards Chinese infrastructural development in Kenya for the period of 2002-2019 is important in the extents of diplomacy, trade, foreign aid as well as investment. This study explored Kenya’s foreign policy towards Chinese infrastructural development, 2002-2019. The study objectives were to investigate the nature and development of Kenya’s foreign policy relations towards China; to establish the impact of Chinese infrastructural development on the Kenyan economy and to examine the domestic political processes of Kenya and their influence on Kenya’s foreign policy relations with China. Qualitative case study approach was used in the study. The data collection tool used was an interview schedule. The study targeted respondents who had expert knowledge on Kenya-China foreign policy undertakings. The target population of the study was 20 participants covering 6 officials working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 6 government representatives and 8 foreign policy scholars. The study used Purposive sampling technique in the state agency selection which is the Ministry of foreign affairs, the Kenyan Parliament and the Kenya National Archives. On the nature and development of Kenya’s foreign policy relations towards China, the findings indicated that there are notable similarities in regards to Kenya’s foreign policy relations with China during Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta era is that they both continue to look and reinforce the looking East policy relations through partnerships in infrastructural development like the building of roads, and the standard gauge railway. The study recommends that the Kenyan government should maintain transparency with the general public about the agreements signed with other countries. Description: Master of Arts In Diplomacy, Development and International Security URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3890 Files in this item: 1
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Tovey, Anna Katrina (Daystar University, School of Human and Social Sciences, November , 2018)[more][less]
Abstract: The spread of HIV infection is on the increase among young people aged between 15 and 24 years in sub-Saharan Africa, a group containing the majority of university students. Due to their propensity to risky sexual behaviour, university students are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection. The purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge and attitudes of university students regarding HIV/AIDS and the nature of their risky sexual behaviour. The objectives were to assess the knowledge and attitudes of university students regarding HIV/AIDS, to determine the nature of risky sexual activity among university students and to establish the impact of university students’ knowledge and attitudes on their sexual behavioural practices. The scope of the study was undergraduate students from Daystar University, from both Athi River and Nairobi Campus, and the sample population comprised of 350 students across all five schools, in both campuses. Descriptive research design was used in the study and the primary data was collected through questionnaires. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22 was used to analyse the data. The study revealed that students had high knowledge about HIV, females having greater knowledge than males, and they had fairly good attitudes towards HIV. A greater percentage of students were sexually active (62%) than not (38%). It was common for sexually active students to have had multiple sexual partners over their lifetime and to be engaged in other risky sexual behaviours, however the majority of students had low risk perception regarding contracting HIV. The results concluded that while students had high knowledge and good attitudes regarding HIV, neither of these made a significant impact on their sexual behaviour, which was risky. The study recommended that further education on HIV/AIDS and risky sexual behaviours be implemented within Daystar University and within the wider community. Description: Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3439 Files in this item: 1
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Bukachi, Grace Nyambura (Daystar University, School of Arts and Humanities., June , 2008)
[more][less]Abstract: This study explores the opportunities, challenges and perceptions of women clergy in two urban churches. Additionally this study set out to establish why there are few women serving in fulltime pastoral ministry in the two churches, Christ is the Answer Ministries (CITAM) and the All Saints Cathedral, Nairobi. The study population was women clergy from the two mentioned churches and their immediate leadership of both genders. The researcher administered two questionnaires to each respondent from the leadership of CITAM to establish their perception of the leadership capabilities among the women clergy. Focus groups comprised of some male pastors and purposely selected individuals from both All Saints Cathedral and CITAM leadership. Questionnaires were administered to the leadership teams which provided additional information towards this study. The researcher also carried out church archive research to ascertain the records of women clergy with CITAM and the All Saints Cathedral Church. Various Womanist, Feminist and leadership theories were addressed and the experiences of African women clergy in this African region also reviewed. The results from the study indicate that women clergy have a myriad of opportunities for leadership and should pursue them uncompromisingly. The church leadership may to some extent be skewed toward patriarchal cultural norms, but with time and given the dispensation of this millennium, they are able to maximize their opportunities by responding to the call of God to serve according to Matthew 28: 18-20. Additionally this study recommended that various programs and activities be instituted to develop avenues for encouraging women to follow through and to remain in church ministry with the help of older clergy who would be their mentors and team members. Description: Master of Arts in Christian Ministries URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3344 Files in this item: 1
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Mailu, Esther Syokau (Daystar University, School of Business and Economics, May , 2012)[more][less]
Abstract: The research explored the leadership styles and challenges facing women in career progression in the manufacturing sector in Nairobi. The key objectives of the study were to identify leadership challenges facing women within the manufacturing sector, to explore the leadership styles employed by women in the manufacturing sector and to evaluate the various aspects of career success for women in the manufacturing sector. The leadership designs used in the study were behavoural and skills approach to leadership. The target population was companies from different economic sectors based in Nairobi and with an ordinary membership with KAM. The data collection tools that were used are questionnaires and interviews. A total of 97 questionnaires and 5 personal interviews were analyzed. The study found out that women struggle more than men to attain career success and that some leadership challenges affect women alone. The most prominent leadership challenge facing women is gender related like male dominance at the work place and women negative stereotyping. The study also found out that women use different leadership styles from men and that they prefer leadership styles which are collective and support teamwork. From the study, majority of the leaders have progressed in their career and that gaining of new skills and technical expertise was the most prevalent measure of career success. The study recommends holding of more trainings and women forums which would serve as an avenue for enlightening people on the possible leadership challenges and propose possible leadership styles and ways of career growth. Women also need to use affiliative and democratic leadership styles which encourage teamwork. Another recommendation is to have the manufacturing sector deploy a friendly work environment in order to attract more women into the industry and incorporate them into leadership. Description: Masters of Business Administration in Strategic Management URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3438 Files in this item: 1
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Mbutu, Paul Mutinda (Texas A&M University, August , 2012)[more][less]
Abstract: While many non-governmental organizations provide leadership training in interethnic conflict management to Kenyan youth, relatively little is known about what goes into such training. This dissertation is a case study illustrating how the training structure operates. The purpose of this dissertation is to address the challenges associated with youth leadership training in inter-ethnic conflict management, how these challenges are managed, what differences the training makes, and how it is transferred back into the real-life of the youth. To better understand these issues, a two-month qualitative study was conducted divided in two phases involving trainers, youth participants, program designers, and community leaders. Twenty two interviews and 2 focus groups were completed. Results demonstrated four communicative challenges involved in the design of youth leadership training were: (1) audience analysis, (2) material resources, (3) participant challenges, and (4) diversity. Results showed that trainers addressed the communicative challenges by using the following management strategies: needs assessment, financial management, iv stakeholder education, and dialogue facilitation. The analysis suggested that the conditions that facilitate transfer of training were: participatory models, training organization, and trainee motivation. Similarly, conditions that inhibit training transfer included: resource constraints, youth motivation, environmental conditions, and diversity. Finally, results also suggested that the differences that leadership training made in the lives of the youth were: behavioral transformation, participant input, improved peaceful relationships, and skill development. Successfully managing the communicative challenges in the design and implementation of the training were the main goals of trainers, and the more they took ownership of these goals the more likely the training would be successful. This dissertation suggests that managing the communicative challenges associated with the design and conduct of youth leadership training is the first step to ensuring the training transfer for youth participants and achieving a workable leadership training in inter-ethnic conflict management. Description: Doctor of Philosophy URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3946 Files in this item: 1
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Kimama, Patricia (School Business and Economics, Daystar University, May , 2010)
[more][less]Abstract: Kenya is poised to become the preferred destination for business processing outsourcing (BPO) services in Africa. With the opening up of the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Sector in Kenya, new opportunities have emerged in the area of establishment of call centres. Traditionally, call centres have been viewed as ‘high-tech sweat shop’ that have been riddled with management problems ranging from poor staff morale, absenteeism, high staff turnover, escalating operational costs, low service quality and service levels, high levels of conflict from cultural and communication differences among others. With this background of the opportunities arising, this thesis examined the various management practices employed in existing Kenyan call centres and their relative importance in the success of the call centre. Data was collected with the use of questionnaires and personal interviews. The analysis of the results reveals that the most common practices in call centres include the use of technology, a focus on training, performance management via both qualitative and quantitative approaches and the design of work and environment to maximize productivity. Also noted as necessary for success is effective employee reward and recognition. This study recommends that for the call centres to be successful, the use of technology must always enhance how the people do their work and automate mundane tasks that do not necessarily require the intervention of an agent such as the use of interactive voice recording systems. With the knowledge of what makes for a successful call centre, entrepreneurs venturing into the establishment of such an organization can operate within these parameters to make them competitive and successful. Description: Thesis URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3265 Files in this item: 1
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Musyoki, Esther Yula (Daystar University, School of Communication. Nairobi, October , 2021)[more][less]
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between the marketing communication tools used by Daystar University and their efficacy in attracting students. The objectives were to examine the marketing communication tools Daystar University used to attract students, to establish which marketing communication tools impacted students’ choice of Daystar University, and to determine the factors that influenced students’ choice of Daystar University. The study was anchored on social marketing theory. A descriptive research design was adopted, and the target population was first year students who were enrolled at Daystar University in 2018. Purposive sampling technique was utilized to select 130 first year students. A questionnaire and in-depth interview guide were used to collect data which was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0 and presented in form of charts and figures. Study findings indicated that most students heard about Daystar from friends and family. Social media, events and TV were also identified as the best communication channels that Daystar University should use to attract potential students. Facebook was considered the most effective social network for reaching potential students. A majority of the students picked Facebook since it covers a wide reach of potential students. Further, the courses offered, family, and location were highly voted among the factors that influenced students to choose Daystar University. In addition, the university has positioned itself with its products by having communication as the flagship program. Having identified marketing communication channels that influenced student’s choice to join Daystar University, the study recommends that is vital for Daystar University to find ways to attract more students, with a particular focus of increasing her presence and activities on social media channels, mostly Facebook. Description: Master of Arts in Communication URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3834 Files in this item: 1
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Martin, M. Munyao (Daystar University, May , 2012)[more][less]
Abstract: African Christianity has seen many phases of expressing spirituality since the European colonial authorities gave way to African independent states. Many of the African churches that started during and after colonialism were mainly driven by protest against white domination and fight for independence. It is almost fifty years after the independence of most African nations and Christianity in Africa is now importing foreign traits of Christianity namely, Pentecostalism, whose modern origin is the Azusa Street Revival of 1873 – 1929, in Topeka, Kansas. Pentecostal Christianity and its materialistic approach to spirituality, which defies biblical teaching on the same, has been overwhelmingly embraced in Africa. Pentecostal Christianity, largely an import of American Christianity, has now become a popular expression of spirituality in Kenya. This study focused on the deception of materialism: desire to be wealthy and healthy, as distinctive characteristics of Pentecostalism in Mombasa city. Prosperity gospel was evaluated in light of the teaching of the Scriptures. Churches in Mombasa were selected through the use of in-depth interviews to know what views the prosperity gospel teaching pastors held on success, health and material wealth. Questionnaires were issued to the youth, men and women in Pentecostal churches that have embraced prosperity gospel teachings, to determine their views on the same. The data was analysed with the intention of comparing and contrasting the findings in the field concerning prosperity with the biblical position on the same and found out that there is deception in the presentation of prosperity gospel. Pastors who present prosperity gospel twist the Scriptures so as to make money out of the unsuspecting congregants. Theological knowledge was found wanting among pastors and their congregations. Therefore, it is highly recommended that pastors get exposed to adequate theological training before they lead churches. URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/1268 Files in this item: 1
Martin M. Munyao FINAL THESIS.doc (726.0Kb) -
Wachira, Francis (Daystar University, School of Communication. Nairobi, October , 2021)[more][less]
Abstract: The main purpose of the study was to analyze the media aesthetic component of advertising communication and its violation of consumer rights in selected television advertisements. The study aimed to analyze the application of media aesthetics elements in select television advertisements in Kenya; examine consumer protection regulations put in place to guard against violation of consumer rights; and find out how, if at all, the media aesthetic elements in these television advertisements violate consumer rights. The media aesthetics theory and media literacy model by Zettl formed the study’s theoretical framework. The study chose five advertisements in different categories. These advertisements were purposively selected based on their commercial transaction. Data was collected by use of textual analysis for the advertisements and Focus Group Discussion. The qualitative data was analyzed for the aesthetics elements application, the observance of consumer protection regulations, and ways that they may be found to violate consumer rights. The findings indicated that the building blocks for contextual aesthetics have been applied in the advertisements. The focus group discussion (FGD) pointed to a direct link between the aesthetic elements and consumer patronage. The study concluded that contextual media aesthetics are critical building blocks for media literacy, the Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK), though formed with good intentions, has not succeeded in championing people’s rights and consumers agree that there is a growing number of deceptive advertisements. The study recommended that there is need for media literacy among consumers. Description: MASTER OF ARTS in Communication URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3846 Files in this item: 1
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Muiru, Paul Njuguna (Daystar University, School of Communication. Nairobi, October , 2021)[more][less]
Abstract: The media plays an increasingly important role in how the military conducts warfare. There have been reports of failure by military to appropriately integrate and coordinate with media leading to the compromise of national security, operational security, and the deterioration of public trust and confidence because of how media frames military operations. This study's main purpose was to establish how newspapers in Kenya covered and framed the military Operation Linda Nchi. Specifically, the study sought to find the dominant and prominent images of Operation Linda Nchi as framed by Kenya newspapers (Daily Nation, The Standard, The Star and East African), establish the types of frames used in imaging Operation Linda Nchi by the media, establish trends in the framing of Operation Linda Nchi in the media over the period of five months and finally determine the frequency of Operation Linda Nchi stories in each of the newspapers during the period of study. The study utilized framing theory and agenda setting theories. Content analysis, a method used to describe communication content in a quantitative or numerical form, was used in this study with a coding sheet as data collection instrument. A total of 503 articles in all the selected newspapers mentioned Operation Linda Nchi. The findings showed that the military operation was constructed disparately by different newspaper articles. Going to war with al-Shabaab was framed as a win by Kenyan military. Al-Shabaab was presented as a violent group and threat to Kenya. Besides, the sheer volume of coverage devoted to Operation Linda Nchi and some newspaper articles were more likely to use the military conflict and violence of war frame; others emphasized the rebuilding of Somalia frame. The study concludes that articles with conflict frames contain more interventionism and less strategic framing, more journalistic intervention in quality newspapers and less substantive news stories. Description: MASTER OF ARTS in Communication URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3894 Files in this item: 1
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Mushi, Janeth John (School of Communication, Daystar University, June , 2010)
[more][less]Abstract: The researcher set out to find out the influence of multi-party system on the framing of the presidential candidates on issues by the Daily News and The Guardian in 1995 and 2005. This study compared the framing of the presidential candidates’ campaign on issues between the first multi-party election in 1995 and that of 2005, ten years after the adoption of multi-partism covered by a government and private owned newspapers. Content analysis was the method used in this research. The unit of analysis was the sentence framing a presidential candidate. The total population of the sentences was 1,240 from 230 newspapers randomly selected from a total of 300 newspapers. The sentences were categorized in the following categories: governance, economic, health, self-related, gender and social issues. The study found out that despite the introduction of multi-partism the media was minimally influenced on framing presidential candidates, because both newspapers put salience on the ruling party candidate by first placing him on front pages, framing him positively and strongly on issues of governance and economy in 1995 and on issues of economy and self-related issues in 2005. Second, there were changes on the kind of attributions made to the specific frames used on presidential candidates. However, gender was given minimal salience in 2005 when there was a female candidate. For over thirty years the Tanzanian media exercised their operations under a one-party system, which informed then the framing of the presidential candidate. Yet, ten years into multi-partism, thus democracy, the media appeared not to have learned how to exercise freedom of expression accorded by the democratic space. The ruling party candidate still dominated the framing of the election news. Description: Thesis URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3213 Files in this item: 1
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Ogweno, Judith Oriya (School Human and Social Sciences, Daystar University, June , 2011)
[more][less]Abstract: There has been an increase on the number of children in conflict with the law who are being confined in penal institutions in Kenya. Yet these institutions seem to be faced with many challenges that could affect these children’s’ psychosocial development. This situation is what led to the study entitled meeting the psycho-social developmental needs of children in penal institutions in Kenya: Nairobi County. The study design is descriptive. The study population consisted of 386 children, 53 caregivers, four managers and four deputy managers. The sample from which the data were collected consisted of 56 children, 21 caregivers, one manager and three deputy managers. The sampling techniques were as follows; stratification and random sampling for the children, random sampling for the care givers and purposive sampling for the administrators. Data from the managers were collected using interview method while data from the children and the care givers were collected using questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were generated before analysis and interpretation. Information was then presented in form of frequency distribution, charts, tables and notes. The summary of the findings are: First, some of the major psychosocial factors in the children’s backgrounds that predisposed them to delinquency included parenting, lack of schooling, and the presence of alcohol and drugs in their family environments. Second, some practices in the institutions which contributed to the meeting of the children’s psychosocial needs included: orientation of children during admission, formal schooling, involvement in co-curricular activities, and visiting by relatives. Finally, the institutions faced challenges in: provision of basic needs, programming needs, lack of recreational facilities and training of the staff. The major recommendations are: there is need to empower parents economically and social. There is also need for the government to supervise the institutions and monitor the practices therein. Then, the institutions need government support in terms of funding, training of caregivers, facilities and resource provision. The findings of the study may contribute to knowledge on various issues on children’s psychosocial developmental needs. Description: Thesis URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3266 Files in this item: 1
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Eboka, Christopher Anamani (Daystar University, May , 2019)
[more][less]Abstract: Cameroon is among the African states that signed agreement to the 2006 ITU recommendation for migration to digital terrestrial television broadcasting. Yet, upon evaluating the process in Africa, three years after the deadline, Cameroon was among four other nations whose status in the process was unknown. In order to find out the disconnect between Cameroon’s agreement to the ITU recommendation in 2006 and her seeming disinterested, this study sought to verify Cameroon’s status with respect to migration to DTTB, to identify migration challenges peculiar to Cameroon and to evaluate the reasons for her slow response to the ITU recommendations. Being chiefly qualitative, the study employed an exploratory design and by means of in-depth interviews, interacted with participants among whom were policy makers, editors in chief of media houses and lecturers of media studies in the University of Buea and University of Bamenda. The participants intimated that the said migration is at the experimental stage with CRTV as the main broadcaster. Yet most of the consumers still could not access the digital signals in their homes because they could not afford the appropriate devices. In addition, the participants identified advanced age of Cameroonian policy makers, lack of proper collaboration among the stakeholders, inadequate sensitization and mobilization of the people, disorder in the media sector as well as high cost on consumers and non availability of digital equipment, as major challenges to the switchover drive. Finally, evaluating the reasons for Cameroon’s slow response to the transition process, the study found that there could be a lack of political will on the part of Cameroon government. In conclusion, the study recommended that the government supports the project to make it work by providing subsidy scheme for the consumers, ensuring proper representation and collaboration among stakeholders, creating order in the media sector and promoting proper sensitization campaigns among the rural communities in particular. Description: Thesis URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3178 Files in this item: 1
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Komen, Leah Jerop (University of East London, 2014)[more][less]
Abstract: Research on Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Development involves assumptions about the potential of such technologies to engender social transformations and development. Corporate organisations have financed studies that seek to understand the impact of such technologies in a bid to push for their business agenda (Castells et al., 2007; Vodafone, 2005; ITU, 2004) and also act as a means of helping developing nations eradicate poverty levels in the wake of the millennium development goals (MDGs). This kind of development is seen as synchronic, without considering the target populations’ involvement in decision making, and also tends to dictate what development should look like in the eyes of most development economies where such ICTs like mobile telephones have come from. Such development is also considered as being linear in nature (Melkote and Steeves, 2003; Donovan, 2011). This thesis is an attempt to advance the second kind of development that is diachronic in nature, which pays attention to the interrelationships of human technology rather than the former that privileges technology as engendering social transformations and development. This kind of development has been conceptualised as maendeleo, a Swahili term that denotes process, participation, progress and growth. Unlike the first perspective of development that views technology as causing changes, maendeleo sees social transformations and development as an interaction between mobile telephony users and their specific contexts. It is a localised understanding of development from the participants’ encounters with mobile telephony in their everyday life. This thesis thus examines the role of mobile telephony in the social transformation and development of the Marakwet people of rural Kenya, using ethnographic methods of data collection and assemblage theory as theoretical framework. Historically the Marakwet community of Kenya suffered from decades of insecurity due to cattle-rustling with their neighbours. Since its advent in Marakwet a decade ago, mobile telephony still remains complex. On one hand, it is seen as answering the insecurity question by allowing users to alert each other in case of an invasion, but at the same time is seen as the source of more insecurity, especially since mobile phones can also aid the enemies to cattle-rustle. Physical meetings that are the domain of most Marakwets are also affected by the technology, with it being seen as reducing the need 9 for social gatherings, yet enhancing it at the same time. Mobile money transfers, discussed as M-PESA, have not been spared either regarding services deemed to boost development and bring about social cohesion, on one hand, while still believed to cause disharmony within households and also be a ‘risky’ endeavour with lack of sufficient money deposit security, on the other. Twenty-five ethnographic interviews were conducted with 12 households, taking into account age, gender, literacy levels and the length of time the device had been accessed by users. The interviews were complemented with data obtained from 5 focus group discussions among homogeneous groups (women, men, clan elders, girls and boys). The findings show that mobile phone is implicated in everyday life of the people of Marakwet, challenging concepts such as co-presence, power and gender relationships, interpersonal networks and also the idea that the use of mobile telephony in the region incorporates older modes of communication models such as the community horn. Mobile telephony influences and is influenced by all areas of community life: health, education, and agriculture, religion forming assemblages of people (users), financial institutions, government and mobile phone service providers. This thesis challenges the dichotomisation of society into micro (individual or household) and macro (national or societal) that ignores the intermediate or meso levels. The boundaries suggested by such categorisation are blurred by communication technologies that re-define terms, such as time and space, public or private places, here and there. In a way, macro and micro distinctions also assign power to macro forces to determine the micro, which in the advent of technologies, the micro can only be changed if they so wish and not necessarily because change has been decided, packaged and delivered to them via mobile telephony or any other communication technologies. Instead, it is how they negotiate power, gender relations, cultural inclinations and socio-economic dispositions in their domesticated use of mobile telephony that facilitates social change and development. Description: Doctor of Philosophy URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3937 Files in this item: 1
MOBILE ASSEMBLAGES AND MAENDELEO IN.pdf (3.052Mb) -
Komen, Leah Jerop (Journal of Development & Communication Studies, July , 2016)[more][less]
Abstract: The integration of mobile phones into social life has attracted divergent views on its technosocial capacities for social transformations especially its disruption on the integrity of space and time. While celebrated as a technology that liberates users from the constraints of time and place, it is equally reviled for the defilement of place or space and face to face social encounters (copresence). This paper discusses the influence of mobile telephony on social interactions with specific focus on conversations around copresence in Marakwet. Through ethnographic interviews and observational notes, the paper argues for the need to study mobile telephony as a social assemblage. Drawing from Delanda’s (2006) version of assemblage theory, the researcher finds that copresent encounters has changed the way time and place is conceptualised, with distinctions between private and public places blurred and transformation of social interaction evidenced. Description: Journal Article URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3938 Files in this item: 1
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Ngesa, Maureen Onyango (Daystar University, School of Human and Social Sciences, August , 2020)
[more][less]Abstract: This quasi-experimental study tested the efficacy of a Modified Complicated Grief Therapy (MCGT) in treating complicated grief (CG) among orphaned children in selected public primary schools in Siaya County. The study had 241 participants comprising orphaned children aged 10-15 years. The participants were grouped into treatment and control groups, and only the treatment group received 12 weeks of the MCGT intervention. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the participants’ grief prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics. Pearson correlation coefficient (p) and linear regression helped to determine the risk factors associated with CG, while t-tests were used to assess the efficacy of the MCGT intervention. The prevalence of grief among the participants was 66%. Over half of the participants were paternal orphans (56.5%), most had lost their parents through sickness (74.2%), and almost half had also lost a sibling (48.9%). The number of siblings, separation from siblings, and perceived level of closeness to deceased mother (prior to her death) showed significant association with CG. In contrast, age, gender, perceived level of closeness to deceased father (before his death), and cultural factors did not show significant association with CG. The MCGT was effective in the reduction of CG symptoms with an average total reduction of 16.75 points in the 12 weeks, and a weekly average reduction of 1.29 scores. The study recommends that MCGT be included as a component in all programs targeting orphaned and vulnerable children, be adopted as a school-based grief program, and be used in capacity building for guidance and counseling teachers and practicing therapists. Description: Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3377 Files in this item: 1
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Mugambi, Evans Mwirigi (Daystar University, School of of Arts and Humanities, October , 2021)[more][less]
Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the effects public motorcycle transport on security due to alleged unregulation. The objectives of this study were to examine the nature of crime associated with motorcycles use, establish reasons why motorcycles operators do not strive to have their motorcycles registered, and assess initiatives employed by the county government to curb motorcycles related crimes in view of proposing measures for the industries safe operations. This study focused on three wards of the north Imenti sub-county where sample elements were derived. The study was underpinned on securitization and constructivism theory which describes an issue as being a security threat if the population or audience deems it to be so. Where else, constructivism theory puts emphasizes on the world being what we make of it. Descriptive research design was the blue print that was used in the study to systematically describe facts of the population under study which are residents of North Imenti Sub County, consisting of a sample size of 110 derived from a population of 110,000 using random sampling technique. Lastly, data was collected through face to face interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires which was then analysed and interpreted by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences commonly referred to as (SPSS). The findings of the study indicate that 94% of the riders operating as commercial transporters had riding license which is good and commendable but way over half accounting for 56% were not genuine riding licenses. Another finding showed that lack of enforcement by the relevant authorities accounting for 54% was quite surprising. The study recommends that relevant body in charge of registration of motorcycles which is the NTSA, to ensure that a re-registration exercise is conducted. Further and extensive study on the implications motorcycle transport has on security but in a widened scope to capture others regions of the country. Description: Master of arts In diplomacy, development, and international security URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3909 Files in this item: 1
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Komen, Leah Jerop (Ada: A Journal of Gender, New Media, and Technology, February , 2021)[more][less]
Abstract: The increased adoption of mobile telephony for development is based on the assumption that mobile telephonyhas the potential to foster social change. To some, such technology can aid most developing countries to leapfrogstages of development. Yet to others, the technology is at most counterproductive: development has beenunderstood differently by the developed in comparison to the underdeveloped. Missing in this narrative is thepeople’s own conceptualization of the term development as well as their gender roles, often a component ofdevelopment programs. This study presents findings on an alternative conceptualization of development, dubbed maendeleo, a Swahili term that denotes process, participation, progress, growth, change, and improved standardof living—as defined by the people or women themselves as they interact with mobile telephony in rural Kenya.Using Manuel DeLanda’s assemblage theory to analyze interviews, this study proposes an alternativeconceptualization of development. This different perspective on development denotes both process andemergence, through the processes and roles that mobile telephony plays in the techno-social interactions ofusers, context, and other factors as they form social assemblages that are fluid in nature, hence challenging theWestern proposition that new technologies produce development understood as social transformation. Description: Journal Article URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3940 Files in this item: 1
My Mobile Phone, My Life.pdf (275.9Kb) -
Radoli, Lydia Ouma (BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, January , 2019)[more][less]
Abstract: This dissertation examines how migration and development narratives are (re)produced in transnational digital migrant media using an example of Kenyan migration to Europe, as its main sociological question. It also raises questions about existing gaps in the literature on the role of the media specifically, transnational digital migrant media in constructing influential discourses. It achieves this quest by submitting to an objective to examine the contribution of migrant media discourses to development in migration-sending countries (De Haas, 2007). Using postcolonial-discourse theoretic approach, the thesis analyses the criteria for selection of texts on migration and development, and how the texts inform the discourse. It establishes that postcolonialism is prevalent in European social research, but limited to justifying historical occurrences and re-writing wrongs done to Africans and others formerly colonized. The theoretical concepts of development in this thesis follow Arturo Escobar’s (1995) deconstruction of conventional development theory. It includes an appreciation of multi-faceted theoretic dynamics, especially historical effects on development and creation of hegemonic disparities causing migration of Kenyans to Europe. The dissertation explores the relation of liberal development narratives to Postcolonial perspectives of Edward Said (1977), Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak (1986) and Homi Bhabha (1983), whose writings expose stereotypes like those found in development constructs. This dissertation highlights similar aspects of representations of migration and development in the media. It does not only expose migrant’s contribution to development but accentuates the discourse forming function of migrant media in the production of heterogeneous narratives on migration and development. This reflection is an attempt to look at possibilities of alternative development trajectories in migrant media and Postcolonial texts, that resist neo-colonial economic narratives forced on people of African descent. The findings for this thesis show that migrant media provides hegemonic ideas on development, as well as alternative counterhegemonic views. Hence, development in modern Africa since self-determination in the 1950s and 1960s continues to furnish the media’s socio-economic and political discourse. Even though poverty and political instability of Africa characterize narratives in the mainstream media, migrant media utilizes new media platforms for “subalterns” to be heard. Migrants’ inputs on development (re)produced in migrant media, inform a discourse that champions initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods in migration-sending countries. To answer the main sociological question on (re)production of narratives this dissertation learns from Norman Fairclough’s (1995, 2012) guidelines to discourse analysis, as informed from Michel Foucault’s (1980) theoretic approach. As a qualitative research strategy, the dissertation explores Texts from transnational digital migrant media for Kenyans in Europe (Germany and UK) and expert interviews with Kenyan media producers in Germany and in Britain. On this basis, the thesis argues that not only are media expert’s contributors to development but are also important creators of a discourse that qualifies migration as a reality in Kenya’s development. Description: Doctoral dissertation URI: http://repository.daystar.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/123456789/3943 Files in this item: 1