Department of Psychology and Communication Technology
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Item MAU MAU PRISONERS CONTRIBUTION TO THE CONVERSION OF DESOLATE MWEA INTO KENYA’S LARGEST RICE PRODUCTION SETTLEMENT SCHEME 1952 -2018(KARATINA UNIVERSITY, 2024-09) CHIERA, PETER MAINAIn the 1950s in Kenya a nationalist uprising against colonial rule erupted in Kenya. The Mau Mau prisoners were detained in detention camps spread in the whole country. In Mwea detention camps hardcore prisoners provided labour in the rice fields started by British colonialists in Kirinyaga County. After release from detention camps some of the Mau Mau prisoners became tenants in Mwea Irrigation Scheme. The purpose of this study was to examine the role played by the Mau Mau detainees in Mwea to the growth of the rice irrigation scheme. The objectives of the study were: to examine the British colonial land policies that led to the establishment of Mwea Irrigation Scheme, to analyze how Mau Mau prisoners labour transformed Mwea Rice Irrigation Scheme and finally to assess how settlement of Mau Mau prisoners in Mwea Rice Irrigation transformed their social economic status. The study was informed by the political theory of decolonization and post-colonialism advanced by Margaret Kohn and Keally MacBride. The theory holds that understanding of colonialism and decolonization can help to understand contemporary politics. The study used historical research design which employs document analysis and validated with oral interviews from participants. The design is appropriate to establish facts in order to arrive at conclusions concerning past events. The sample population comprised of thirty nine key informants. The study used interview guides as research instrument to generate qualitative data. Information was taped and later transcribed. The study used snowballing and purposive sampling techniques to collect information. Data was analyzed qualitatively. The study demonstrated that Mau Mau prisoners detained in Mwea prison camps contributed to the establishment of Mwea rice irrigation scheme. The prisoners constructed water canals, furrows, residential houses, and growing of rice. It is noted from the study that some of the prisoners were rejected after rehabilitation by their own people. They were taken back to Mwea and became tenants, thus contributing to the growth of Maurice Irrigation Scheme. The study recommends that policy makers initiated programs to address some of the challenges facing ex-Mau Mau prisoners and other farmers in Mwea Irrigation Scheme. The study findings will contribute to Mau Mau historiography.Item MEDIA COVERAGE, CONTENT FRAMING AND AUDIENCE PERCEPTION OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION DISCOURSE IN KENYA(Karatina University, 2023-10) MBURU, JINARO PAULAudience perception of wildlife conservation discourse in Kenya has been negative as evidenced in the results of conservation efforts. The general objective of the study was: to investigate the influence of media coverage, content framing and audience perception of wildlife conservation discourse in Kenya. The specific objectives were to: examine the influence of the choice of media channel on audience perception; evaluate the timing of media messages on audience perception; investigate the effects of frequency of media messages on audience perception; assess the combined influence of choice of media channel, timing of media messages, and frequency of media messages on perception; and to investigate the moderating influence of content framing on the relationship between media coverage and audience perception of wildlife conservation discourse in Kenya. The study was anchored on framing and semantic meaning theories using a pragmatism philosophical paradigm. It employed a convergent parallel mixed methods design, combining quantitative and qualitative data for a comprehensive analysis. The target population consisted of 297 individuals, with a sample size of 133. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select 6 environmental journalists, a census identified 12 park managers, and through simple random sampling, 115 human-wildlife conflict resolution committee members joined the sample. Data collection tools comprised of interview guide for media practitioners and park managers, Focus Group Discussions guide targeting human-wildlife conflict resolution committee officials and a questionnaire administered to the other committee members. Qualitative data was thematically analyzed and presented in narrative form, while quantitative data underwent descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, with findings presented through linear texts and graphics. The study findings showed that there was lack of effective communication channels for wildlife conservation initiatives, which led to community resistance and jeopardize conservation efforts. The relationship between media channel choice and audience perception showed an R-squared value of 0.656, indicating that media channels explain 65.6% of the variation in perception. Timing of media messages had an R-squared value of 0.779, explaining 77.9% of perception variation. Frequency of messages had an R-squared value of 0.856, explaining 85.6% of variation. In each case, the calculated F-values were significantly greater than the critical F-values. Content framing was found to moderate the relationship between media coverage and perception, with a significant ANOVA result (F = 240.355; p-Value<0.05). This emphasizes the need for strategic communication approaches in wildlife conservation. The study concluded that when framing wildlife conservation messages, the target audiences were not satisfied with the manner in which these messages were communicated. The study findings will assist media practitioners in formulating guidelines for media coverage and content framing of wildlife conservation discourse. The study therefore recommended that practitioners should use correct media channels and effective content framing strategies in order to change audience perception of wildlife conservation.Item BEHAVIOUR CHANGE COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES AND MEN’S RESPONSE TO PROSTRATE CANCER SCREENING IN CENTRAL KENYA(Karatina University, 2022-11) NDUNG’U, SAMUEL KAHURAEffective communication has been proven to influence people’s attitude and approach towards an issue that affects them. The use of Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) has been recommended as one of the strategies that can help create awareness of Prostate Cancer (PCa) and encourage its early screening and treatment. However, there is little evidence that this strategy has been used in Central Kenya region to address the PCa problem. The main objective of this study therefore was to investigate the influence of BCC strategies on men’s response to PCa screening in Central Kenya. Specifically, the study aimed to: investigate the influence of interpersonal communication on men’s response to PCa screening in Central Kenya, determine the influence of message framing on men’s response to PCa screening, examine the influence of mass media campaigns on men’s response to PCa screening and to identify the influence of participatory communication on men’s response to PCa screening. The study further sought to determine the moderating influence of culture and gender on men’s response to PCa screening. The study was guided by Cognitive Dissonance Theory, Theory of Reasoned Action and Health Belief Model. It was anchored on the Pragmatist philosophical paradigm and it used the Exploratory Sequential Mixed Method design. The target population of the study was 700,010 men aged 40 years old and above from Central Kenya. A sample of 384 men was selected using the Finite Population Correction for Proportions (n0) formula by Kothari. Quantitative data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire while qualitative data was collected using interviews and focus group discussions. Qualitative data was analysed thematically and presented in both non-linear and narrative forms. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data to show the relationship between variables and their significance. The findings indicated that interpersonal and participatory communication, message framing and mass media campaigns have a statistical significant influence on men’s response to PCa screening. The values for each objective were: Mass Media, R2=0.654, p-value=0.000<0.05, Message Framing, R2=0.644, p-value=0.000<0.05, Participatory Communication, R2=0.714, p-value=0.000<0.05, and Interpersonal Communication, R2=0.605, p-value=0.000<0.05. It was further established that culture has a statistical significant moderating influence on men’s attitude to PCa screening, it had R2=0.572, p-value=0.000<0.05. The study concludes that although mass media was used to disseminate information about PCa, it was not adequate and the PCa messages were poorly framed and ineffective. The study therefore recommends the use of participatory and interpersonal communication to equip community and health workers, and peer counsellors with basic education on PCa and communication skills to supplement efforts by health and communication officials. There is also need for use of intensive mass media campaigns and correct message framing for effective PCa screening awareness.Item CONTEXTUAL FACTORS INFLUENCING LONELINESS AMONG LEARNERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MURANG’A COUNTY, KENYA(Karatina University, 2020-12) BARU, PETER MURIUKIThe impact of loneliness on productivity among human beings and especially learners in secondary schools continue to be a subject of great concern to philosophers, educationists and policy makers. The contextual factors that influence loneliness among learners in secondary schools in Kenya and particularly in Murang’a County are not clearly known and documented. The purpose of this study was to assess the contextual factors that influence loneliness among learners in secondary schools in Murang’a County in Kenya. The objectives of the study were to; examine prevalence of loneliness among learners in secondary schools in Murang’a County, compare the correlates of loneliness among learners and evaluate the effectiveness of counselling in managing loneliness among learners in secondary schools in Murang’a County in Kenya. The study tested the following null hypothesis; HO1: there is no statistically significant difference in correlates of loneliness among learners in secondary schools in Murang’a County. The study was guided by Vygotsky’s Social Cognitive Learning Theory. The study adopted the cross-sectional survey research design. The target population was 100,684 learners found in the 303 public secondary schools in the County. Krejecie and Morgan Table was used to determine the sample size and stratified random sampling was used to select between 10% and 30% of the schools to participate in the study. All form two learners in the selected schools were purposively sampled to participate in the study. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data. Scales to measure teacher-learner relationships and sense of belonging to school were adapted by the researcher for the study while PAL scale was used to measure level of loneliness. The scales and the questionnaire were piloted in similar type of schools in Kiambu County. Cronbach’s alpha Correlation Coefficient test of reliability of the questionnaire and scales yielded 0.83 which was acceptable. Descriptive and inferential statistics analysis was done using SPSS version 20. The study found that 39% to 55% of learners had had serious episodes of loneliness. Correlates of loneliness were found to vary by gender, school type and perception on effectiveness of guidance and counselling services. The study concluded that coeducation boarding schools presented unique challenges in management of loneliness. The study recommends strengthening of guidance and counselling services which should be tailored to specific school environment for effective management of loneliness.