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893
Research Publications
103
Postgraduate Theses

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    Reviewing Peer-Review: A Case Study of the Current Challenges in the Peer-Review Process of Academic Publishing in Kenya
    (International Journal of Professional Practice, 2026-03-16) Otuoma, Sanya Peter; Riungu, Nicholas; Mwangi, Grace
    The growing demand for academic publishing has led publishers to engage in unethical practices, resulting in predatory publishing. This lack of transparency in the peer-review process undermines scientific integrity and public trust in research. However, specific challenges faced by academic publishing landscape in Kenya remain largely unexamined. In the literature reviewed, the peer-review process is often criticized for opacity and also for limited stakeholder participation. This study explored the challenges and opportunities for improving transparency and accountability in the peer-review process among journal publishers in Kenya. A case study research design was employed to enable in-depth, contextual analysis of issues. The target population comprised 14 members of the editorial board at the International Journal of Professional Practice. Responses were collected through a structured online questionnaire. A total of 12 responses were received, yielding an 86% response rate. Findings revealed mixed perception of transparency in the peer-review process, with more than half of the respondent’s expressing dissatisfaction or strong dissatisfaction with current practices. While 58% of respondents agreed conflict-of-interest management is effective, a significant minority raised concerns about gaps in policy implementation. Review delays emerged as a unanimous challenge, with respondents identifying them as a critical issue. Other concerns included poor review quality, editorial and reviewer bias, lack of reviewer accountability, and non-transparent reviewer selection. The study concludes that while existing peer-review structures provide foundation for quality control, significant improvements are needed to enhance trust and credibility in the process. Recommendations include strengthening transparency by publishing reviewer reports, improving accountability mechanisms, and addressing systemic issues, such as delays and reviewer workloads. These findings have direct implications for editorial policy and practice, underscoring the urgent need for Kenyan journals to adopt transparent review models, enforce stricter conflict-of-interest disclosures, and implement robust accountability mechanisms to enhance the credibility and efficiency of scholarly publishing.
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    Integration of RNA-Seq and Metabolite Analysis Reveals the Key Floral Scent Biosynthetic Genes in Herbaceous Peony
    (MDPI, 2024-06-10) Kimani, Shadrack Kanyonji; Wang, Shuxian; Xie, Jinyi; Bao, Tingting; Shan, Xiaotong; Li, Hongjie; Adnan; Wang , Li; Gao, Xiang; Li, Yueqing
    Floral scent is an essential and genetically complex trait in herbaceous peonies (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.); however, specific genes related to metabolic and regulatory networks remain scantily studied. Our study integrated metabolite profiling and RNA-sequencing to screen floral scent biosynthetic genes. Hence, the major molecules identified by headspace collection combined with cultivar-specific GC-MS analysis were geraniol, β-caryophyllene, 2-phenylethanol (2-PE), citronellol, and 1,8-cineole. Genes related to terpenoids and 2-PE biosynthesis were identified after the assembly and annotation of the P. lactiflora transcriptomes. Eight angiosperm-specific terpene synthases (TPSs) from the TPS-a and TPS-b clades, as well as enzymes linked to 2-PE synthesis such as aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), phenylacetaldehyde reductase (PAR), and geranial reductase (GER) were identified. The biochemical analysis of the enzymes encoded by PlPAR1 and PlGER1 generated 2-PE from phenylacetaldehyde (PAld). The pairwise alignment of AADC1 reveals a splice variant lacking a 124 bp fragment, thus highlighting the possible role of alternative splicing in modulating floral scent composition. This study offers insights into the molecular-level biosynthesis of terpenoids and 2-PE in Peonia taxa, and provides the basis for the functional characterization, breeding, and bioengineering of prospective candidate genes for the production of floral volatiles in the Paeonia genus.
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    The Relationship between Community Adherence to COVID-19 Containment Measures and the Wellbeing of Older Adults in Rural Kenya.
    (Gerontological Society of America, 2022-12) Thuku, Pauline
    The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted lives globally but disproportionately affected older adults due to their increased vulnerability to severe illness and higher mortality. To protect older adults from infection, community members in rural Kenya have ensured enhanced adherence to COVID-19 containment measures. However, while restricted social contact is highly recommended in the control of COVID-19 infection, limited research exists on its effect on the psychosocial wellbeing of older adults. This study therefore assessed the relationship between community adherence to COVID-19 containment measures and the overall wellbeing of older adults. Nyeri County in Central Kenya was selected for the study and all adults aged 70 years and above targeted. Snowball sampling was used to collect data from a sample of 360 respondents. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in data analysis. The study established a significant inverse relationship between the level of community adherence to COVID-19 protocols and the wellbeing of older adults. Furthermore, the wellbeing of most older adults had deteriorated during the pandemic, with older married women with higher incomes being less affected. The study concluded that although the COVID-19 pandemic had affected everyone, effective containment is a multi-dimensional issue that requires targeted interventions.
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    The Potential for Gender-Based Violence Among the Eastern Bantu Ethnic Groups of Kenya: Evidence from Oral Literature
    (2023-06) Mwenzwa, Ezekiel; Thuku, Pauline
    Oral literature is a powerful tool for human socialization. It works to perpetuate social relations between men and women, parents and children, and old and young among other dichotomies. It is used to preserve and perpetuate culture hence maintain the status quo despite social costs. When reinforced by associated beliefs, it propagates such practices as Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), spousal battering and forced marriages among others. That the foregoing practices are rampant among many Kenya communities cannot be gainsaid. While mainstream literature lays blame on drugs, character, economic and other drivers of gender based violence, this paper provides an alternative to this conventional belief. Through the use of key informant interviews among five (5) community sages and documentary review, this article analyses selected songs, proverbs, oral narratives and sayings used by Eastern Bantu ethnic groups of Kenya and argue that their inter-generational transfer and associated beliefs institutionalize the potential for gender-based violence. From the foregoing, it is important to institute affirmative action measures that respond directly to the needs of the society and in particular to avail self-actualizing opportunities to women in equal measure with men.
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    Is Geropsychology "Forever Young" on the Mother Continent? Addressing the Limited Research on Psychology of Aging in Africa
    (Gerontological Society of America, 2023) Chukwuorji, JohnBosco Chika; Thuku, Pauline; Cassimjee, Nafisa; Mbuthia, Kezia; Olawa, Babatola D
    Objectives: Our paper highlights areas of interest to psychologists studying aging in Africa and what has already been learned about aspects of psychological aging from studies done in the African context. We also considered whether there are issues that are unique about aging in the African context that might challenge how aging is typically considered in psychology research. Methods: We reviewed articles recently published in major gerontology journals focusing on African older adults, with the goal of identifying key themes of current geropsychology in Africa. Results: We identified a number of dominant themes including: subjective aging, psychosocial impact of widowhood at old age, aging in place, stress and caregiving, cognitive aging, interrelations between HIV and aging, and successful aging. Discussion: The themes of psychological aging research identified as especially relevant in Africa provide a starting point for psychological aging researchers in general to engage with the African context. Many African countries may be facing common challenges, but the existing studies are not fully representative of the aging population in the continent. Creating a framework for organizing and coordinating funding will help to address the limited research on geropsychology in Africa. Collaborative research projects/programs, joint classrooms, and fellowships that support African geropsychology scholars will be helpful. Geropsychology will benefit from more engagement with the African context by applying innovative approaches such as the adoption of longitudinal designs, mixed-method research, Experience Sampling Methods, translation of measures into indigenous languages, involvement of rural samples, and implementation science and community-engaged research.

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