JA-School of Humanities & Social Sciences

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Open Access
The demands of a changing society: English in education in Kenya today
(2001-03-01) Kioko, Angelina N.; Muthwii, Margaret J.
English plays a key role in Kenya's educational system, not only as an important subject but especially as the medium of instruction. It has been claimed that the model and the norm of the English used in Kenya, apart from pidgin varieties, is the British Standard variety and in particular, Received Pronunciation (RP) (Schmied, 1990; Zuengler, 1982). Is this indeed the case? If not, what are the actual norms of correctness and appropriateness with regard to pronunciation, grammar, semantics, or pragmatics within the Kenyan community? There exists a discrepancy between the theoretical norm and the actual language behaviour, what challenges does this state of affairs present to an education system that relies heavily on the use of the English language? In examining these issues the paper adopts a historical perspective and discusses the factors that indicate the presence of a discrepancy between a theoretical norm and the actual language behaviour and then explores the consequences of such a situation. It also considers the valuable lessons that could be learnt, firstly from local creative writers' adaptation to the sociolinguistic/sociocultural reality, secondly from the move towards the democratisation and Africanisation of education in Kenya's history, and thirdly from what is happening in other non-native English contexts
Open Access
English variety for public domain in Kenya, speakers' attitudes and views
(Multilingual matters Ltd, 2004-01) Muthwii, Margaret J.; Kioko, Angelina N.;
The study sought to establish the attitudes of Kenyan speakers (n=210) towards 3 varieties of English: 1) ethically marked Kenyan English, 2) standard Kenyan English and 3) native speaker English (British, American, Australian etc) of the three varieties, the most preferred by both rural and urban respondents for use in the media and education was standard Kenyan English. Most of the respondents also considered this as the variety used by successful professionals like lawyers, doctors, engineers and successful business people. Contrary to expectation, intelligence, ambition, expertness are attributed to speakers not when they use native varieties of English but when they use the non ethnic marked variety of Kenyan English. The study suggests that further research should be less concerned about the deviation of Kenyan English from native speaker norms and concentrate more on the formal description of the variety of English that Kenyan speakers overwhelmingly prefer
Open Access
Socio-cultural and gender issues in substance abuse in Kenya
(Association of third world studies-Kenyan chapter, 2004-11-01) Njoroge, Martin C.
In the global scene, today substance abuse is said to contribute to many social problems, including the break-up of family structures, decreased productivity, injuries and automobile accidents. Criminal activity is often the result of substance abuse or the desire of money to purchase drugs. There are many factors that lead members of a specific society to abuse drugs. These could be religious, curative, cultural, social or recreational. However, some questions do arise: are there any gender disparities in substance abuse? Are there socio-cultural factors that, for example, push a man to substance abuse and leave out a woman or vice versa? What socio-cultural and gender issues do children, adults and the elderly face that predispose them to substance abuse in Kenya? What does the current literature on substance abuse say as regards gender disparity in the field? In this paper, we purpose to address the problem of substance abuse in Kenya and discuss how socio-cultural and gender disparities interplay in pushing both male and female members of society into substance abuse den. There is also a review of literature on gender and substance abuse specifically highlighting any disparities in how society generally view men and women who abuse drugs. In our discussion, the term social denotes all that relates to human society while culture summates the total range of the inherited ideas, beliefs and knowledge which constitutes the shared basis of social action. In discussing gender issues, we take account of special pre-dispositions or strengths that come about because of being male or female.
Open Access
Translator training: The on-going search for relevance and appropriateness in anglophone Africa
(The bible translator, 2006-04-02) MUTHWII, MARGARET J.
The term “Anglophone” is misleading because many languages are spoken in each of the nations of “Anglophone Africa.” The people are not English speaking or Anglophone. A high percentage of them often are not proficient in English. Rather, in most speech domains, they speak their native tongues or local regional languages of wider communication. What makes these nations “Anglophone” is that they are countries in which English was the former language of the colonial power. And my colleagues would agree that the same can be said about both “Francophone” and ”Lusophone” Africa as well (see the two articles to follow). So in this case, whether we talk of “English-speaking” or “Anglophone” to refer to these nations, both are a misnomer. However, since the term “Anglophone” is widely used in UBS literature, it is also used in this article for ease of discussion. There are several Bible translation agencies in Anglophone Africa but the work done by Bible Societies exhibits the longest tradition and most varied products. Often there is collaboration and fellowship among these agencies in the training of translators. Some agencies work with the smaller language communities while the Bible Societies traditionally tend to work with larger language communities. Initial translator training needs vary from one community to another depending on the education level of the members of these communities. The small language communities have often been marginalized while larger groups have enjoyed more advantages, such as early exposure to schooling and literacy. Today, there are more openings for higher education in most of these English-speaking nations than in the past. What does this mean for training of translators? It means that increasingly Bible Societies no longer need to give potential translators a “basic higher education.” There are many Christians with training in theology, linguistics, and related fields. It is important to note also that theological training in Africa has expanded tremendously over the last few decades in keeping with the growth of the church on the continent. Biblical studies are taught in most of the theological institutions; however, many of them have not yet seen the need to include Bible translation components. A few universities and colleges have designed programs that focus on Bible translation. This is a great move in the continent, but these programs must be evaluated in terms of relevance of the course content itself, and the way they respond to the needs on the ground. More specifically, we need to ask whether these programs are flexible enough to meet the needs of translators who work with Bible Societies. Is the philosophy by which they were designed and structured still applicable to the African communities of today? Since in some cases a basic higher education is no longer an adequate prerequisite for translation, are the training institutions sensitive enough to run programs that equip graduates to produce diverse products as the church may have need of? In this article, we will suggest that when the recruiting and training process is sensitive to local conditions, not only as perceived by foreign agencies but by informed local leadership as well, then the road to adequate training of translators need not be that long.
Open Access
CONTRIBUTORS TO STUDENTS’ USE OF COUNSELLING SERVICES IN KENYAN UNIVERSITIES
(Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 2010) Kamunyu, Ruth N.; Ndungo, Catherine; Wango, Geoffrey
Transition to university life can be stressful for all students. In mitigation, most universities including those in Kenya offer social support to students in form of counselling, financial assistance, health and academic support. Despite this it has been documented that only a minority of university students who experience psychological distress seek professional counselling. This paper looks at contributors to students’ use of counselling services in Kenyan universities. These are classified into four: the social and behavioural issues, academic issues, psychological issues and economic issues. The study applied descriptive survey research design guided by Person Centred and Social Learning Theories. Data was collected using questionnaires, in-depth interview schedules and Focus Group Discussions. The study findings indicate that both male and female students are faced with many counselling issues such as academic, psychological, social, personal, economic, health, physical, vocational and spiritual. It can be concluded that the threat to masculine ideology encourages males to have more positive attitude towards seeking help for academic issues and that female students seek social psychological counselling to help them gain understanding of root causes of their problems.
Open Access
REASONS WHY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DO NOT SEEK COUNSELLING SERVICES IN KENYA
(Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 2010) Kamunyu, Ruth N.; Ndungo, Catherine; Wango, Geoffrey
Transition to university life can be stressful for all students. In mitigation, most universities in Kenya offer social support to students in form of counseling, financial assistance, health and academic support. Despite this it has been documented that only a minority of university students who experience psychological distress seek professional counseling (Khan and Williams, 2003, Raunic and Xenos, 2008) a situation that is the same in Kenya. According to university counselors, university students undergo tremendous stress from personal issues, academic pressure, career emphasis and social problems. Counseling is meant to provide linear paths for students to address their problems. However, some students are reluctant to seek help from counselors. This paper is a report on a study that sought to establish the reasons why university students in Kenya do not seek counseling services.
Open Access
PREVALENCE OF COUNSELLING SERVICES AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN KENYA
(Research on Humanities and Social Sciences, 2010) Kamunyu, Ruth N.; Ndungo, Catherine; Wango, Geoffrey
Transition to university life can be stressful for all students. In mitigation, most universities both private and public, including those in Kenya offer social support to students in form of counselling, financial assistance, health and academic support. Despite this it has been documented that only a minority of university students who experience psychological distress seek professional counselling. This paper aimed at establishing the prevalence of counselling services among university students in Kenya. The study applied descriptive survey research design and guided by Person Centred and Social Learning Theories. Data was collected using questionnaires, in-depth interview schedules and Focus Group Discussions. Findings reveal that university students are faced with various life challenges such as academic, psychological, social, personal, economic, health, physical, vocational and spiritual. However, only 35% of students with issues in both private and public universities seek counselling services, either frequently or rarely, majority of which are females. The study recommends that university counsellors should initiate vigorous campaign to encourage male/female students to seek for counselling services.
Open Access
A linguistic analysis of HIV/ AIDS messages in Kenyan Primary school textbooks
(Egerton journal of Humanities, social sciences and Education, 2011-03-02) Kinuthia, Jane Wanjiku; Chai, Furaha; Yieke, Felicia Arudo
In Kenya, government agencies, line ministries and non governmental organizations have for several decades now made concerted efforts aimed at prevention of HIV/AIDS through increased awareness about the risk of transmission and promotion of positive behavior change. One such effort was the introduction, in 2003, by the Kenya Institute of Education, of the integrated HIV/AIDS syllabus in both primary and secondary schools. This study was conceived with the objectives to identify and analyse the language used in primary school textbooks in order to determine its suitability in communicating the HIV/AIDS message, and to provide empirical data on the kind of language used. Six class seven textbooks used in three compulsory subjects in six percent of primary schools from Nakuru municipality, and the views and comments of ten class seven teachers yielded the data. The data was analysed according to the Mills (1995) model of stylistic analysis. The findings were that most of the HIV/AIDS related concepts feature in science textbooks, and that of all stylistic forms, transitivity choices are the most popular with textbook writers. The study also established that the stylistic forms used have a bearing on how the readers process and interpret the information presented in the text. The study recommends that to make the integration of HIV/AIDS messages a successful venture, textbook writers need to consider what is the appropriate amount of information on HIV/AIDS in each subject and the suitable stylistics (style of language usage in different contexts) for the level of the reader. It is hoped that the implications of the study will be useful to teachers, textbook writers and the general society.
Open Access
The Effect of Burnout on Teacher Counselors Work Engagement
(Kenya Journal of Guidance, Counselling and Psychology, 2011-12) Kiarie, J.M.; Sirera, Merecia A. M.; Mwenje, Margaret K.
School teacher counselors are at higher risk of burnout than individuals in other occupations due to individual. interpersonal. and organizational factors. Burnout teacher counselors are a liability to the school. students. colleagues. and themselves. On the contrary, engaged teachers feel strong and vigorous at work. are enthusiastic and optimistic about the work they do and are very often immersed in that work. Using Utrecht (2003) Work Engagement Model and the Maslach and Leiter (1997) Model of Burnout, the study explored the effect of teacher counselor burnout on their work engagement. The research design adopted was a cross sectional survey employing both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The target population included all the 102 teacher counselors in secondary schools in Thika West district Kiambu County in Kenya. Data was collected using two main questionnaires adapted from Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale. Data analysis utilized the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) 15.0 to explore significant relations among the research variables. using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The Pearson Product Moment of Correlation Co-efficient was used to determine the extent of association between burnout and work engagement. at alpha level of 0.05 (a. = 0.05). The study generated empirical evidence on the effect of burn out on the work engagement of teacher counselors within Kenyan secondary schools. There was a strong significant inverse correlation (r=-0.508, p<0.05) between work engagement and burnout. The regression model suggests that burnout is a significant predictor of work engagement among teacher counselors and explains 25.8% of the variation in work engagement. The findings could benefit school head teachers. policymakers as well as teacher counselors and form a basis for future research in this field.
Open Access
Molecular Diversity among Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) Landraces in Uganda
(International Journal of Botany, 2012) Mbeyagala, Emmanuel K; Kiambi, Dan D; Okori, Patrick; Edema, Richard
The variability in sorghum germplasm is an invaluable input for sustaining and improving sorghum productivity. A wide range of variability in phenotypic traits exists among landraces in Uganda. However, the diversity of the germplasm at the molecular level is not described and therefore not known which hinders its use in modern plant improvement programs. This study was therefore undertaken to classify 241 sorghum accessions collected from different agro-ecological regions based on genetic distances estimated using 21 Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers. The SSR primers were highly polymorphic with average Polymorphic Information Content (PIC) of 0.65 ranging from 0.09-0.89. A total of 205 alleles (9.8 alleles per locus) as well as a number of rare alleles were observed across all the accessions and this provides an opportunity for generation of a comprehensive fin' gerprint database. Gene diversity ranged from 0.09-0.90 with an average of 0.68. The average heterozygosity detected was 0.18 ranging from 0.00-92%. Analysis of molecular variation showed that variation was higher within races and agro-ecologies than among races and agro-ecological zones, respectively and this indicated the significance of gene flow. Cluster analysis delineated the accessions into to two distinct clusters each with seven sub-clusters main' ly according to agro-ecological zone. Clusters IA and IB had the most distill' ct accessions and these could be utilized in. pre-breeding programmes aimed at overcoming yield barriers. The results confirm the ability of SSR markers to discern variability and also serve as guide for germplasm collection and conservation strategies.
Open Access
Relationship Between Locus of Control and Criminal Behaviour Among Inmates at Thika Prison, Kenya
(Kenyan Journal of Guidance, Counselling and Psychology, 2012) Ouma, Caroline A.; Musili, Phelista M.; Mwenje, Margaret
The rate of crime in the country is increasing tremendously. Most criminals relapse back to crime once they are released after serving their jail term. This trend only shows that there is need to make Kenya prisons a transformative environment for prisoners. The study was based on Rotter's locus of control model to identify control orientation of prisoners. It is through such a process that a classification can be made of which prisoners have a disposition that is liable to transformation of attitudes and those who believe that what happens to them is not under their control. It is against this background that the present study was designed to explore the Locus of control of male and female inmates at Thika prison. A descriptive survey was adopted. The study sample comprised of 250 inmates (213 male and 37 female). Stratified random sampling was used to select participants. The survey was directed at identifying the Locus of control of inmates using the Locus of Control scale (I-E scale). Data collected was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings established that majority of inmates manifested an internal Locus of Control, with the recidivists manifesting an external control orientation. Since internals are people who believe they can introduce order in their lives and their destiny, it can be deduced that the prison has an inability to empower and support the positive direction of inmates. The prison may also have support services which are not strong enough to redirect psychological attitudes, beliefs of recidivists. In light of these, there is there is need to incorporate professional counselling to assist recidivists to redirect their beliefs and attitudes, as a result transform their control orientation.
Open Access
The impact of HIV/AIDS message in selected Kenyan primary school texts: A linguistic perspective
(International Journal of Linguistics, 2012-06-01) Kinuthia, Jane Wanjiku; Tchai, Furaha; Yieke, Arudo Felicia
In Kenya, HIV and AIDS education has been integrated into the school curriculum as an effort to curb transmission of HIV and AIDS. The current study identified the phrases with HIV and AIDS message in selected textbooks of English, Science and Social Sciences in primary schools which were classified according to Mills (1995). Standards of textuality in the phrases were then examined and their impact on the readers evaluated as per Beaugrande & Dresseler classification (1981). The target population were class seven pupils and their teachers, in five randomly selected primary schools in Nakuru Municipality Division, Kenya Oral interviews and elicitation tests were used as data collecting tools. Evaluation of 39 phrases identified from 6 textbooks showed that none of the standard of textuality was upheld 100%. However, acceptability scored the highest (71.7%) while informativity scored the least (29.2%). Cohesion & Coherence, Intentionality, Situationality and Intertextuality had average scores ranging between 45 to 67.8%. It was concluded that the extent, to which each standard of textuality is upheld, correlates to a text’s appropriateness. Therefore, text book writers should design material that upholds all the standards of textuality to enhance effective communication. Such a move would ensure that the education system achieves its objectives.
Open Access
The inferior stone in the language hearth: The quest for recognition of indigenous african languages in the global arena
(Yale university, Language in African performing and visual arts, 2012-07-01) Njoroge, Martin C.
This paper discusses the language situation in an African setting considering that there are marginalized languages found in the continent. It highlights the imbalances in status and functions of different language categories in the country and explains why indigenous African languages continue to be marginalized. The paper also argues for the need to preserve, promote and develop these indigenous languages since. It observes that every unique language plays a vital role to the global village in its uniqueness hence, losing a language would mean losing a lot, more than just its basic function as a tool of expression. The paper concludes by pointing out the way forward for Kenya to address equitability of all languages within her sociolinguistic environment.
Open Access
Current Alcohol Use and Mental Health of Adolescents Among Secondary School Students in Nakuru County, Kenya.
(Journal of special needs and disabilities studies, 2013-07) Oteyo, John S.; Mwenje, Margaret
Adolescents engage in behaviours that compromise their health and futurepotentials. However, these behaviours are preventable. The current study was designed to establish the association between current alcohol use and the mental health state of secondary school students in Nakuru County, Kenya. Multi-stage cluster, stratified proportionate and simple random samplingmethods were used to selectparticipating divisions (n=6), schools (n=14) and students (n=1000). Global School based Health Survey (GSHS) was used to collect data on health risk behaviours. Sixteen percent (n=161) of students reported use of alcohol 30 days prior to the survey and of these 23.6 (n=38) and 32.9% (n=53) reported a low state of mental health and had seriously considered attempting suicide.The study established that an alcohol drinker was 1.3 (95% C.I: 1.282-1.878) times likely to report a low state of mental health than an alcohol abstainer. A co-occurrence between adolescents' mental health and alcohol use provide an opportunity to draw together separate areas of research in designing a comprehensive approach that may promote better health and education outcomes in secondary schools.
Open Access
The omnipresent gendered career pathways for women and the role of career counsellors in Kenya
(IJSR, 2013-08-15) Gitonga, Ciriaka M.
Girls are socialised to grow knowing that their role is taking care of the families. The homemaking role continues to override women career aspirations among the Kenyan women. With emerging trends in the last three decades in Kenya, more girls have continued to access higher education with most studies showing that they still fall under the social sciences. Very few women enroll and complete training in science and technology fields at higher education. This paper examines the role of career counsellors in informing career decision-making process for girls to empower them to aspire fields in science fields, a Kenyan perspective.
Open Access
Harmonizing the orthographies of Bantu languages: The case of Gikuyu and Ekegusii in Kenya
(University of Nairobi journal of languages and linguistics, 2013-10-01) Mwangi, Phyllis W.; Njoroge, Martin C.; Mose, Edinah G.
Despite the multiplicity of African languages, available literature on the development of these languages points to the need to have their orthographies harmonised and standardised. This is because properly designed orthographies can play a monumental role in promoting their use in all spheres of life, and hence contribute to Africa’s socio-economic development. Such harmonisation is practical, especially among languages such as Gĩkŭyŭ and Ekegusii, two distinct Kenyan Bantu languages that are mutually intelligible. This paper examines how similar or dissimilar their phonologies and orthographies are, with a view to proposing how they can be harmonised. The paper concludes that there are benefits that can accrue from such harmonisation efforts, especially because there will be greater availability of literacy materials accessible to the speakers of the two languages.
Open Access
Barriers to Sexual and Reproductive Health Education on Students' Sexual Behavior in Secondary Schools in Lugari District, Kenya.
(Journal of Research and Innovation, 2014) Mayabi, J.M.; Kariuki, M.; Mwenje, Margaret
Reproductive health education is a key strategy for promoting good sexual behavior among students. The study sought to establish barriers to sexual and reproductive health education on students sexual behavior in secondary schools in Likuyani division of Lugari district, Kenya. The study utilized a descriptive survey research design and targeted form two students in six selected schools in the area. A total of 241 stiudents and 30 teachers formed the study sample. Data was collected using two questionnaires, one for students and another for teachers. The questionaires were considered reliable after yielding a cronbachs coefficient of 0.70. Data collected was analysed using both Descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of Computer Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 17. The study findings confirm that policy and programmatic gaps exists in addressing the RHE needs of the students. This is attributed to lack of clear guidelines on how to address the RHE needs of students, challenges of dealing with students' RHE in general as well as cultural constraints. The study therefore recommended the need for clear guidelines on dealing with RHE of students in schools; demystify the cultural beliefs and attitudes towards sex and reproductive education that hinder the implementation and providing training and reorientation of RHE providers. The findings of the study will assist all stakeholders, who will include ministry of education, health and the general public in appreciating the value of reproductive health education, in changing students sexual behavior.
Open Access
Psychosocial challenges faced by retired police of officers: A case of Retired Administration Police Officers in Kenya
(IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science, 2014-08) Muthondeki, David; Sirera, Merecia A. M.; Mwenje, Margaret
Police work demands and engagements and effects on the psychosocial wellbeing of the officers has been studied extensively. However, few studies have examined the psychosocial challenges experienced by retired officers. The present study examined the psychosocial challenges experienced by the retired administration police officers in Kenya and how this impacted on their psychosocial well being after their active service in the force. A descriptive survey using questionnaire and face to face interviews was used to collect data from police retirees who had left service between 1998 and 2008. The results of the study show that due to the nature of the police work and the police subculture, the officers hardly plan for their retirement hence find it difficult to adjust to life in the civilian world. The study also found that there is no psychological support system in Kenya administration police force that helps the officers’ deal with psychological challenges while on duty. As such, officers carry into retirement work related stressors that impact negatively on their psychosocial wellbeing when outside the service. The findings suggest the need for psychological support system for the police officers during active service and in the life after active service.
Open Access
Effects of Alcohol Abuse on Parental Guidance of Children
(IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science, 2014-08) Sirera, Merecia A. M.; Mwenje, Margaret
Alcohol abuse and dependence can be disabling to the family functioning and especially nurturing of the children. However, information on the effect of alcohol abuse and dependence on the role of parents as nurturers in the rural settings of Kenya is limited. The purpose of this study was to establish effects of Alcohol abuse and dependence on parents in the rural settings and how this impacted on their parental roles as nurtures and especially in guiding children. The parents who use alcohol frequently experienced alcohol related disorders that could be disabling them from their parental duties. The effects of alcohol abuse and dependence on parental guidance in Marachi central location in Butula Division in Busia County and Mathira division in Nyeri County were derived from a questionnaire and focus group discussions with parents who frequently use alcohol. A total of 83 parents, 41 from Butula Division Busia County and 42 from Mathira Division in Nyeri County participated in the study. The findings from this study indicate that alcohol abuse and dependence not only drained family resources but more importantly led to negative self assessment that worked against the role of parents as models and nurturers hence their inability in guiding children to grow into desirable persons for individual development and functioning of the society.
Open Access
Gender differences in Holland
(IJERN, 2014-09-15) Gitonga, Ciriaka M.....[et al.].
This journal article is based on a research to test the influence of gender on the choice of a degree program. The results showed that gender was significantly correlated to the Holland personality types and the choice of degree programs. The results supports Holland’s theory that gender predicts the choice of a degree program.