Browsing by Author "Wabwoba, Franklin"

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A Critical Evaluation of the Environmental Effects of the Existing E-Waste Management Practices in Kenya
(2019) Simiyu, Peter Wamalwa; Wabwoba, Franklin; Ronoh, Richard
Information Communication Technology (ICT) gadgets and other electronics are extensively being used in the health, industries, education, homes, communication and trade sectors. With the expected introduction of use of laptops in primary schools in Kenya, the use of these electronics is expected to drastically increase, thus, leading to an increase in electronic waste. Although e-waste has parts and components of value, they contain many toxic components, which prompt a potential need of this research to assess the contents, qualities and impact of e-waste material. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the environmental implications of the existing e-waste management practices. The study adopted survey research design. The sample population included 18 policy officers in County Government of Bungoma, 28 electronic shop repairs, and 61 institutions and collectors of e-waste material. The study is expected to provide guideline on Green ICT practices and e-waste management as a platform for evaluation, policy enforcement, guidelines and further research on electronic waste management.
Alternative Risk Scoring Data for Small-Scale Farmers
(2023-01) Otieno, Benjamin; Wabwoba, Franklin; Musumba, George
Small-scale farmers suffer unfairness during credit risk scoring. This arises from the fact that scoring done using computer machine-learning algorithms has an inherent bias, otherwise called algorithm bias. The data that the small-scale farmers present is another source of bias. This paper explores these data types to bring out the specific challenges with the data and how the same can be remedied. The research findings show that of the possible 23 data types lenders ask from farmers, 14 are regarded as important. Out of these 14, 7 are commonly unavailable while the remaining 7 are not, introducing missing data records. The findings also show that other than the personal/behavioral data that the loan-seeker provides, where the lender asks for historical or environmental data, there is room for the loan-seeker to provide misleading information. This paper proposes 14 data types that can improve the quality of credit risk scoring. The study further proposes using the Internet of things and blockchain to source the environmental and historical data to improve the availability of the missing and outlier challenge in data.
Classifying Program Visualization Tools to Facilitate Informed Choices: Teaching and Learning Computer Programming
(2012) Mutua, Stephen; Wabwoba, Franklin; Ogao, Patrick; Anselmo, Peter; Abenga, Elizabeth1
Program Visualization (PV) is a technique that has been found useful in teaching computing programming. This has seen proliferation in development of PV tools with an aim of enhancing teaching/learning programming over the last two decades. However, the tools usage has remained minimal. Perhaps because it becomes challenging to ascertain the appropriate tool for the right task. This paper presents a classification of program visualization tools with the focus of aiding teachers and students in choosing the most appropriate tool for an interesting experience in the classroom. The paper is based on six various PV tools evaluated over a period of two consecutive academic years in a Kenyan public University. The classification augments the Price’s taxonomy of software visualization arm of PV by presenting four basic levels which are further subdivided into lower levels. Index Terms– Classification, Pedagogy, Program Visualization and Taxonomy
Evaluating the Role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Support towards Processes of Management in Institutions of Higher Learning
(2012-07) Ujunju, Michael Okumu; Wanyembi, G.; Wabwoba, Franklin
The role of Information and Communication Technology in achieving organization’s strategic development goals has been an area of constant debate, and as well perceived in different management dimensions. Most universities are therefore employing it (ICT) as a tool for competitive advantage to support the accomplishment of their objectives. Universities are also known to have branches or campuses that need strong and steady strategic plans to facilitate their steady expansion and growth. Besides, production of quality services from the various levels of management in these universities requires quality strategic plans and decisions. In addition, to realize the steady growth and competitive advantage, ICT not only has to be an additive but a critical component towards supporting management processes in the universities. This research sought to determine the role of ICT in supporting management processes in institutions of higher learning in Kenya. The research investigated how the different levels of management used ICT in their management processes and whether the use had any effect on management processes. The research further made recommendations to the universities on better use of ICTs in their management processes. A public university in Kenya was used as a case study in this research.
Green ICT Readiness Model for Developing Economies: Case of Kenya
(2013) Wabwoba, Franklin; Omuterema, Stanley; Wanyembi, Gregory W.; Omieno, Kelvin Kebati
There has been growing concerns about the rising costs of doing business and environmental degradation world over. Green ICT has been proposed to provide solutions to the two issues yet it is not being implemented fully in developing economies like Kenya. For its implementation, it is critical to establish the level of green ICT readiness of organisations to inform where to start and where to put more emphasis. Over the past few years this has been done using Molla’s G-readiness model. However, this model assumes the basic level of Greadiness to be same for both developed and developing economies to be the same with regard to ICT personnel preparedness. Based on green ICT readiness in Kenya, the relationship between ICT personnel’s gender, age and training with the G-readiness variables as proposed in Molla’s G-readiness model was investigated. The study surveyed ICT personnel in four cases using a questionnaire on a seven scale likert scale. It established that there exists a significant relationship between the ICT personnel related variables and the G-readiness variables. Based on the findings on the relationship, the study extended Molla’s G-readiness model to include a sixth dimension of personnel readiness.
ICT Definition Implication on ICT Career Choice and Exclusion among Women
(2016-05) Muchiri, Michael Njoki; Wabwoba, Franklin; Micheni, Elyjoy Muthoni
One of the most noteworthy challenges in society in the 21st century is sustainable development. The usefulness of ICT has led to an overwhelming demand for electronics such as computers and mobile phones. ICT is vital for poverty reduction and in the growth of sectors such as agriculture, business, health, education etc. Applying ICT to drive any development has its advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, its measurement should be focused on whether the benefits outweigh the pitfalls. The purpose of carrying out this research is because most development initiatives in Africa are being undertaken with the use of ICT. Therefore, this paper surveys the literature on ICT for sustainable development without the digital divide and how ICT can lead to un-sustainability in Africa. Findings indicate that driving sustainable development through ICT initiatives bring much greater benefits than negative consequence.
Implementation Evaluation Metrics for Enterprise Resource Planning Solution – A Case of Kibabii University
(2019-01-17) Mbuguah, Samuel Mungai; Wabwoba, Franklin; Wanjala, Chrispus Kimengich
Most institution of higher learning are implementing and Enterprise Resource planning (ERP) in automating various activities. The architecture of most of the ERP is based on the Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) where each module can be called as service. In most of the contract signed between the vendor and the university, payment is tied to the level of implementation. The Question is how to then measure the level of implementation? This paper proposes a metric that could be used in evaluation of the degree of implementation. The metric was derived based on an acceptance test on each of functionality of module as per terms of reference. The result of a test was rated as a Fail, Pass, or Query The result was then coded such that a fail was assigned a zero (0), pass one (1) and query a half (½). From which a metric was derived which measures the level implementation.
Pervasiveness of green ICT awareness amongst Kenyan ICT personnel
(2013-01) Wabwoba, Franklin; Wanyembi, Gregory W.; Omuterema, Stanley; Mutua, Stephen Makau
There has been growing concerns about the rising costs of doing business and environmental degradation world over. Green ICT has been proposed to provide solutions to the two issues yet it is not being implemented fully in developing nations like Kenya despite the availability of the technologies of doing it. The study investigated pervasiveness of green ICT awareness amongst the ICT personnel, how they perceive it to be relevant to their organisations and the drivers towards implementation of the same. The study surveyed ICT personnel in four cases using a questionnaire on a seven scale likert scale. The study established that awareness level of green ICT in Kenya is low when compared with developed nations. It also established the green ICT drivers and how ICT personnel perceived it to be relevant to their organisations. The study recommends the raising of green ICT awareness levels through aligning the ICT personnel’s capacities.
Simplifying the Opaqueness and Dilemma of the Computing Disciplines for the Common Person in Society
(2023-12) Mohammed Swaleh Mohammed; Wabwoba, Franklin
The computing fields have grown increasingly influential in modern times, yet their complexities and technical terms can prove problematic for the public to comprehend. This paper proposes to bridge this gap, introducing readers to the five major computing disciplines as per the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), 2016: computer science, Information System, software engineering, computer engineering, and information technology. An additional more recent discipline which does not fall under the 5 ACM disciplines, Information Communication Technology was also introduced. The paper first examines the evolution of the Computing disciplines from the 1960s. Then the paper briefly discusses each discipline and how the disciplines overlap with each other through using secondary data materials. A section on the new and emerging computing technologies outlines the recognition status by the society. The interdisciplinary nature of the computing disciplines necessitated the need to simplify it. Thus, a table was done which summarized various works of various researchers who had researched on the computing disciplines.
Students Selection for University Course Admission at the Joint Admissions Board (Kenya) Using Trained Neural Networks
(2011) Wabwoba, Franklin; Mwakondo, Fullgence M.
Every year, the Joint Admission Board (JAB) is tasked to determine those students who are expected to join various Kenyan public universities under the government sponsorship scheme. This exercise is usually extensive because of the large number of qualified students compared to the very limited number of slots at various institutions and the shortage of funding from the government. Further, this is made complex by the fact that the selections are done against a predefined cluster subjects vis a vis the student’s preferred and applied for academic courses. Minimum requirements exist for each course and only students having the prescribed grades in specific subjects are eligible to join that course. Due to this, students are often admitted to courses they consider irrelevant to their career prospects and not their preferred choices. This process is tiresome, costly, and prone to bias, errors, or favour, leading to disadvantaging innocent students. This paper examines the potential use of artificial neural networks at the JAB for the process of selecting students for university courses. Based on the fact that Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have been tested and used in classification, the paper explains how a trained neural network can be used to perform the students’ placement effectively and efficiently. JAB will be able, therefore, to undertake the students’ placement thoroughly and be able to accomplish it with minimal wastage of time and resources respectively without having to utilise unnecessary effort. The paper outlines how the various metrics can be coded and used as input to the ANNs. Ultimately, the paper underscores the various merits that would accompany the adoption of this technique. By making use of neural networks in the university career choices, student placement at JAB will enhance the chances of students being placed into courses they prefer as part of their career choice. This is likely to motivate the students, making them work harder and leading to improved performance and improved completion rate. The ANN application may also reduce the cost spend on the application processing and the time the applicants have to wait for the outcome. The ANN application could further increase the chances of high quality applicants getting admission to career courses for which they qualify.
Students Selection for University Course Admission at the Joint Admissions Board (Kenya) Using Trained Neural Networks
(2011) Wabwoba, Franklin; Mwakondo, Fullgence M.
Every year, the Joint Admission Board (JAB) is tasked to determine those students who are expected to join various Kenyan public universities under the government sponsorship scheme. This exercise is usually extensive because of the large number of qualified students compared to the very limited number of slots at various institutions and the shortage of funding from the government. Further, this is made complex by the fact that the selections are done against a predefined cluster subjects vis a vis the student’s preferred and applied for academic courses. Minimum requirements exist for each course and only students having the prescribed grades in specific subjects are eligible to join that course. Due to this, students are often admitted to courses they consider irrelevant to their career prospects and not their preferred choices. This process is tiresome, costly, and prone to bias, errors, or favour, leading to disadvantaging innocent students. This paper examines the potential use of artificial neural networks at the JAB for the process of selecting students for university courses. Based on the fact that Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have been tested and used in classification, the paper explains how a trained neural network can be used to perform the students’ placement effectively and efficiently. JAB will be able, therefore, to undertake the students’ placement thoroughly and be able to accomplish it with minimal wastage of time and resources respectively without having to utilise unnecessary effort. The paper outlines how the various metrics can be coded and used as input to the ANNs. Ultimately, the paper underscores the various merits that would accompany the adoption of this technique. By making use of neural networks in the university career choices, student placement at JAB will enhance the chances of students being placed into courses they prefer as part of their career choice. This is likely to motivate the students, making them work harder and leading to improved performance and improved completion rate. The ANN application may also reduce the cost spend on the application processing and the time the applicants have to wait for the outcome. The ANN application could further increase the chances of high quality applicants getting admis sion to career courses for which they qualify.
The Role of ICT in Social Inclusion: A Review of Literature
(2023-01) Muchiri, Njoki; Wabwoba, Franklin
The questions we seek to answer in this paper are; Have ICT contributed to enhance social inclusion? Has use of ICT brought new forms of exclusion? And what is the way forward in using ICT for an inclusive society? Desk Top research was used. From the findings, one form of exclusion often leads to another, resulting to a cycle. a spanner and Nut Model was developed to show how Knowing which exclusion to reduce in order to break the cycle is critical in determining the type of ICT and how to apply it in order create an inclusive society.
The Role of Virtualization towards Green Computing and Environmental Sustainability
(2017-06) Motochi, Vincent; Samuel Barasa; Owoche, Patrick; Wabwoba, Franklin
The environment has become a key concern by the entire world and global warming is increasingly attracting attention in many conferences. Moreover, energy usage in data centers has become a concern bearing in mind the fact that the more energy is used in data centers, the more it affects the environment with emissions, which eventually cause global warming. This paper studies the role of virtualization towards green computing and environmental sustainability. Server virtualization is emerging as the prominent approach to consolidate applications from multiple applications to one server, with an objective to save energy usage. This research identified the virtualization environments, identified green computing environments, and then established how virtualization could be used to attain environmental sustainability. This paper was developed on an experiment design. The researcher reviewed an empirical experiment to investigate how server virtualization affects the energy usage in physical servers. Through this analysis, the researcher identified a fundamental trade-off between the energy saving from server consolidation and the detrimental effects (e.g., energy overhead and throughput reduction) from server virtualization. This paper found out that a server consumes a substantial amount of energy when idle thus the importance of consolidation. Secondly the energy overhead depends on the type of hypervisor used and the application architecture. Thirdly for a given traffic load, the energy cost can be minimized by launching an optimal number of virtual machines. The analysis and review results show that virtualization brings substantial energy savings, promotes green computing and would be a clear methodology to conserve the environment in the technology world today. Therefore, green computing is a well balanced and sustainable approach towards the achievement of a greener, healthier and safer environment without compromising technological needs of the current and future generations.
Usability Evaluation of Kenyan Universities Websites for Webometrics Ranking
(2022-02) Mukanda, Adeline; Buguah, Samuel M.; Wabwoba, Franklin
The study aimed to evaluate the usability of Kenyan universities websites for webometrics ranking using web analysis tools. The target population for the study was the top five (5) universities in the January 2020 edition of webometrics ranking in Kenya. The study collected, analyzed, and evaluated website usability of the following website attributes: URL structure, Website Age, Uptime, Content Management System, website hosting service provider, Responsiveness, Browser compatibility, Color contrast, Domain Authority, Domain Backlinks, Website traffic, Broken Links, Number of Subdomains, Website Speed, Indexed webpages, Website compression, Search Engine Optimization, Website content utility, Website design and Website Accessibility. After analysis, it was noted that Kenyan universities need to improve on some of the usability criteria used in the study where a score of less than 50% was attained, such as Website compression, website speeds, website subdomain, website indexed pages, website traffic, website backlinks, website colour contrast and website design.
Virtual reality in education trends and issues
(2013-01-01) Omieno, Kelvin K.; Wabwoba, Franklin; Matoke, Nahason
common form of education in institutions of higher learning (IHL). Many IHL in developing nations, such as Kenya, have greatly experienced an increase in demand for higher education. On the other hand, the ability to connect people with required sets of skills, regardless of their location in the world has been enabled by advances in information technology over the past 20 years. Use of virtual learning systems (VLS) has rapidly emerged as a very promising technology that will probably match the innovation of technologies such as multimedia/hypermedia. These VLS have the potential to provide opportunities for active, flexible, and increasingly individualized learning experiences. It also explains virtual reality principle, describes the interactive educational environment, highlights the challenges higher education face in the traditional mode of delivery and discusses educational benefits of implementing virtual learning environments in IHL. The paper makes a number of recommendations for successful adoption of VLS in higher education