Master Theses and Dissertations

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Effects of dexamethasone on antibody response and anaemia in Sprague Dawley rats infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei.
(Kenyatta University, 1991-09) Gitonga, Linus Muthuri
Sprague Dawley rats infected with Trypanosom·a brucei brucei strainIL3579 (2616) developed parasitaemia characterised by intermittent remission and relapses. Infected rats developed progressive anaemia that was macrocytic normocytic. The rats responded to trypanosome infection by formation of antibodies, as shown by, enhanced y-globulin levels and agglutination of trypanosomes by serum derived from infected rats. Dexamethasone treatment, using different concentrations administered 24 hours before infection, ablated the antibody response as evidenced by reduced r-globulin levels in the treated groups. In dexamethasone treated rats, parasitaemia were elevated and remission eliminated, suggesting the involvement of an antibody in trypanosome clearance in rats whose humoral response was not compromised. The corticosteroid treatment also ameliorated the infection induced anaemia, as evidenced by reduced percentage fall in haematocrit. It is, therefore, most probable that the r-globulin fraction not only plays a key role in trypanosome clearance but also in the aetiology of anaemia in rodent trypanosomiasis.
Survey of Production Practices and Evaluation of Onion Varieties Susceptibility to Thrips in Kirinyaga District, Kenya
(2009) Kibanyu, James Kimani
In Kenya, dry onion, Allium cepa L., is among the most important vegetable crops for domestic market. However, records indicate that onion production does not meet the local market demand resulting to imports. To identify onion production constraints experienced by onion growing farmers, a field survey was conducted in Kirinyaga District of Central Kenya, an area where commercial production of onions was promoted since 1950s. Insect pests were significantly rated as the most limiting factor in production of onions followed by diseases, lack of capital, unreliable onion market, weed control and inadequate supply of water for irrigation in that order. The findings of the present study were expected to provide baseline information upon which solutions to the many problems affecting onion production would be addressed. The second part of this study involved evaluation of the level of susceptibility of onion varieties to attack by onion thrips (Thrips tabaci Lind.). Field trials were conducted at the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) centres at Mwea and Thika. Results indicated that different onion varieties available in Kenya had different levels of susceptibility to attack by onion thrips. BSS 230 Hybrid and Red Comet onion varieties significantly harboured the highest and the lowest number of onion thrips respectively. Red Creole, Bombay Red and Texas Grano had medium levels of susceptibility. Highly leafy onion varieties tended to harbour a higher number of thrips compared to the less leafy ones. Infestations of onion varieties by large number of onion thrips adversely affected the growth of onion crop. Red xxi Comet although significantly harbouring the least number of onion thrips displayed the highest loss of growth and was, therefore, the least tolerant to damage by thrips. Onion varieties grown in Kenya had the capacities of producing over 30 t/ha. Texas Grano onion variety significantly produced higher yield than all other varieties tested. BSS 230 Hybrid was also high yielding despite the high number of thrips harboured by the variety. Red Creole and Bombay Red had moderate yield capacities. Red Comet significantly produced the lowest yield. Increased thrip load led to increased yield loss for all the varieties. However, Red Comet onion variety recorded the lowest thrip load but had the highest percent yield loss implying that it was least tolerant to damage by onion thrips. Infestations of various onion varieties by thrips were found to peak three months after transplanting. High temperatures and low rainfall tended to encourage higher levels of onion thrips on onion plants. It was revealed that the damage of onion leaves by onion thrips depended on their numbers. BSS 230 Hybrid and Bombay Red onion varieties were found to significantly show the highest foliar damage score compared to the rest of the varieties. There were no significant differences in the mean frequencies of onion foliar disease incidences among the varieties. However, infestations by onion thrips had the potential of increasing incidences of onion foliar diseases. Results indicated that Texas Grano and Red Comet onion varieties significantly produced the highest and the lowest quality onion bulbs respectively. Arising from the above findings, it could be recommended that regular outreach programmes should be conducted in the onion growing area by relevant stakeholders to address the identified production xxii constraints. The present study should closely be followed by another survey to evaluate the impacts of the implementation of intervention strategies. On the other hand, Texas Grano could be recommended as an important variety to be grown in Kenya for markets where pungency was not an important quality factor. BSS 230 Hybrid, Red Creole and Bombay Red could also be recommended to farmers in Kenya. BSS 230 Hybrid and Red Comet required improvements through plant breeding programmes.
Gender Relations and its Implication in Rural Development: A Case Study of Mwingi Central Division, Kenya.
(University of Nairobi, 2004-08) Mwenzwa, Ezekiel Mbitha
In every human society, gender relations are an integral part of everyday life. In Kenya, they are crucial in rural development particularly when it is observed from a human development perspective. Based on the foregoing, the study set out to explore the prevailing gender relations and their implication for rural development in Mwingi Central Division, Mwingi District, Kenya. The objectives of the study were: to determine the effect of an individual’s decision-making capacity on personal access to community resources; to find out the nature of conjugal property ownership and its relationship to individual empowerment; and to investigate the interaction between gender-based division of labor and individual participation in development activities. Three theoretical frameworks guided the study.
A balanced scorecard approach to measuring performance of five star hotels in Nairobi, Kenya.
(Kenyatta University, 2015-07) KUIRA, JOB
Performance measurement is a term that refers to the process of quantifying the efficiency and effectiveness of past actions. Traditional models for determining the performance and effectiveness of employees rely heavily on financial accounting indicators. However, this study shifts the perspective of how performance measurement can be conducted. In today‟s competitive environments, hotels are competing in terms of non-financial measures like product quality, delivery, reliability and customer satisfaction. None of these variables are measured by traditional financial measures despite the fact that they represent major goals of hotel operations. The purpose of this study was to measure performance using the balanced scorecard. This study sought to measure the performance of five star hotels in Nairobi County using the balanced scorecard approach; to compare selected indicators in five star hotels in Nairobi according to perceived performance; to establish if there is a relationship between performance of hotels using the balanced scorecard with selected variables such as age, gender, professional qualification and experience of the managers. The study was a complete census of five star hotels in Nairobi. The research design was a cross sectional survey and purposeful sampling method was utilised. Research instruments comprised of semi structured questionnaires which were administered to the respondents who were the departmental managers in the hotels sampled. Research instruments were pretested so as to establish their validity and reliability. The research had fifty-five respondents. Data was analysed both qualitatively and using descriptive statistics. One way ANOVA was used to compare the performance of the selected indicators in successive years. Chi-square test and Correlations were also used. The findings of the study revealed that 20 (36%) of the respondents used a balanced scorecard as a method of measuring performance, while 16 (29%) used key performance indicators (KPI). The use of a balanced scorecard for measuring performance in five star hotels resulted in improved quality of guest profiles for 40 (73%) of the managers in five star hotels in Nairobi County whereas 37 (67%) of the managers experienced an increase in training hours per employee. From the analysis of variance (ANOVA), there were significant differences in the mean performance of financial (p=0.000), learning and growth (p=0.014) and internal process (0.000) indicators at 5% level of significance. The study recommended that employees in the five star hotels in Nairobi County through the departmental heads should be enlightened on the value of performance measurement especially using a balanced scorecard approach.
Developing a Knowledge Management Strategy for The Marist International University College, Nairobi - Kenya.
(University of South Africa, 2015-02) Anduvare, Everlyn Mmbone
Marist International University College, Nairobi – Kenya is challenged with problems like duplication of work due to lack of a central repository for knowledge, loss of knowledge through expertise leaving the institution without knowledge being captured and over reliance on a few known subject experts as others have not been identified. This research thus set out to address these problems. The aim of the study was to conduct a knowledge management assessment at the Marist International University College (MIUC) in order to identify and recommend a suitable strategy for the institution. The study employed a concurrent triangulation mixed methodology approach which encompassed a questionnaire and an interview schedule to collect data from 33 academic staff and 9 members of the MIUC management respectively. These two groups were purposively selected as the target population for the study as they play the key role in knowledge creation at MIUC. All 33 copies of the questionnaires that were distributed to the teaching staff were returned by respondents and all the 9 MIUC members of management were successfully interviewed. Data transformation analysis was applied during which qualitative data from open-ended questions and interviews were quantified using content analysis. Quantitative data in the questionnaires was descriptively analysed using SPSS. The study revealed a variety of informal knowledge management structures and resources at MIUC and the challenges of managing knowledge at Marist. The main challenge was that there was no uniformity and consistency in the management of knowledge. The study hence, formulated a KM strategy for MIUC that would help leverage its knowledge assets.
Assessment of Language Shift among the Youth in Nairobi County, Kenya
(Karatina University, 2019-09) Kimani, Rosemary Wamaitha
Language shift among multilingual societies is an issue of global concern. Kenya, a multilingual society, is gradually losing her indigenous languages especially among the youth in towns and cities. The purpose of this study was to explore the extent of language shift among the youth in Nairobi County. The study was guided by the following objectives: to explore the domains in which the youth in Nairobi County use their ethnic languages; to establish the attitude the youth in Nairobi County have towards ethnic languages; to assess the influence of the gender variable on language shift among the youth in Nairobi County; and to determine the effect of ethnicity on language shift among the youth in Nairobi County. The study was based on the Domain Theory. The study employed the ex-post facto research design. The study targeted students and language teachers in public day secondary schools in Nairobi County. Simple random sampling was used to select the schools and the students to be studied. Ninety eight (98) students and seven language teachers participated in the study. Questionnaires were used as the tools of data collection. Descriptive statistics in form of frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation were used to analyse findings. Chi-square tests were conducted to establish the relationships between gender, attitude and ethnicity and the use of mother tongue in social and formal domains. The study found that the youth use their mother tongue sparingly and in very limited contexts such as at home or when their parents visit their schools. Students had negative attitudes towards mother tongue as they did not find it very useful. The study found that there was a significant relationship (χ2=18.143, p<0.05) between gender and the language used by students in communication with friends of the same sex. The findings also show that there was a significant relationship (χ2 =13.144, p<0.005) between gender and the language used at school. However, there was no significant relationship between ethnicity and any of the indicators of language shift. The study concludes that although majority of youth are conversant with their mother tongue, the extent to which the youth use mother tongue in social and formal domains is very low. The findings of the study would inform linguists on the current trend of indigenous languages in Kenyan urban centres and cities. The findings would also inform both the policy makers and curriculum developers on the challenges threatening the survival of the indigenous languages.
A Cognitive Semantics Analysis of Selected Ekegusii Pop Songs
(Karatina University, 2019) Ondara, Ntabo Victor
Pop songs convey social messages in different perspectives. Studies on pop songs reveal that composers employ metaphors to express their subjective feelings. The meaning of the metaphors in Ekegusii pop songs need to be interpreted to understand the message of the composers.The purpose of the study was to undertake a cognitive semantics analysis of Ekegusii pop songs. The study was guided by the following research objectives: to identify the metaphors in the Ekegusii pop songs using the Metaphor Identification Procedure Vrije Universiteit; to analyse the metaphors in the Ekegusii pop songs using the Conceptual Metaphor Theory; and to determine the influence of the demographic variable of sex in the conceptualization of the metaphors in Ekegusii pop songs. The Conceptual Metaphor Theory was employed to map the metaphors in the Ekegusii pop songs into different corresponding conceptual mappings.The study employed the mixed methods research design. The target population was the Ekegusii speakers. An interview was conducted among the 36 participantsselected based on sex. The Ekegusii pop songs were purposively sampled using the criterion of richness in metaphoricity. The qualititative data were analysed thematically by classifying the identified metaphors into four conceptual domains using the principle of Great Chain of Being metaphor. Four annotators, including the researcher, collected 54 Metaphor Related Words basedon the criterion adapted from the Metaphor Identification Procedure Vrije Universiteit. The identified metaphors were translated into English and presented in a table which containedthe metaphor value and the level of the metaphor in the principle of Great Chain of Being Metaphor. Three lexical units were marked as Discard From Metaphor Analysis. The study further classified the Metaphor Related Words as direct, indirect and possible personifications. The quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences in which Chi square at a significance level of 0.05 was employed to test the statistical relationship between sex and metaphoric conceptualization. The study found that sex significantly influences the conceptualization of the conceptual domains of: A HUMAN BEING IS A HUMAN BEING, A HUMAN BEING IS AN ANIMAL and A HUMAN BEING/EDUCATION IS AN OBJECT. However, Chi square test analysis showed insignificant association between sex and the conceptual domain ofA HUMAN BEING/EDUCATION IS A PLANT in the negative metaphor value.The research concludes that metaphor is a useful cognitive tool of conceptualizing human beings and the concept of education in Ekegusii pop songs. The study recommends that language researchers should employ the Metaphor Identification Procedure Vrije Universiteit in metaphor studies.The findings of the study will benefit the audience of the Ekegusii pop songs, ethnographers and metaphor theorists to conceptualize Ekegusii pop songs and culture.
Influence of Youth Enterprise Development Fund Efficacy on the Financial Performance of Youth-Owned Enterprises in Kirinyaga County
(Karatina University, 2018-10) Maina, Runyora Jackson
Youth development funds play a great role in availing resources to the youth so that they can start their own enterprises with an aim of being self-reliant. The government of Kenya through the youth Enterprise Fund finances viable youth enterprises in the country. Despite the effort made by the government in provision of funds, the youth owned enterprises continue to perform poorly. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of Youth Enterprise Development Fund efficacy on financial performance of youth owned enterprises in Kirinyaga County. Specific objectives were to determine how the, access to credit, loan repayments conditions, and financial literacy, financial planning relates to profitability of youth-initiated enterprises. The significance of the study is to generate knowledge and data on the influence of youth enterprise development, assist the policy makers and program implementers, useful to students in this field of business as the findings will form bankable empirical literature and also bring to the surface the efficacy of YEDF on enhancing performance of youth owned enterprises. Two main theories were used as a base for this study: permanent income theory and portfolio theory. The target population was 525, a sample size of 227 was chosen. Stratified sampling method was used to achieve a representative sample from the chosen geographical areas of the study. Data was analyzed on the SPSS software for both descriptive and inferential statistics. The chisquare test was done at 95% level of confidence and a significance level of 0.005. The findings showed a p-value of 0.11 for variable credit access; for the loan repayment was 0.134 the financial literacy variable had a p-value of 0.0185 and financial planning had a p-value of 0.0165. This indicated a significant association between all the independent and dependent variable. Data presentation was done using charts and tables. The recommendations are that there is need to enhance access to credit by the youth owned enterprises so there is enhanced efficacy on the financial performance of youth enterprises.
Efficacy of Alternative Methods of Enforcing Learners’ Discipline in Primary Schools in Nyeri-Central Sub-County, Kenya
(Karatina University, 2018-10) Ruirie, Kagoiya Patrick
Following the ban on corporal punishment in schools, various alternative methods enforcing learners discipline have been tried. This study sought to survey the efficacy of alternative methods of enforcing learners discipline in primary schools in Nyeri Central Sub-County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: to examine factors contributing to indiscipline; to examine the alternative method of managing learners’ indiscipline; and, assess the effectiveness of the alternative methods of instilling discipline. Planned Behaviour Theory guided the study by exploring guidance and counseling, good classroom management, effective teaching methods and the children’s government electing their leaders as a guidance tool in learner management. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The target population of the study consisted of 616 respondents comprising of 572 teachers, 43 head teachers and one Sub County Quality Assurance and Standards Officer (SCQASO) from Nyeri Central Sub County. Simple random sampling was employed to select 91 teachers from 13 schools. Purposive sampling was used to select 13 head teachers and one (SCQASO). The employed research instruments were the Head Teachers’ Questionnaire, Teachers’ Questionnaire and SCQASO’s Interview Guide. A pilot study tested the validity and reliability of the research instruments. Research supervisors input was sought to improve the content and construct validity of the instruments. Cronbach Alpha formula was used to test the reliability of the questionnaire and a coefficient of 0.76 was obtained confirming the instruments reliability. The data acquired from the questionnaire, was coded and analyzed qualitatively using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 19). Presentation of data was done by use of charts, tables, percentages and frequencies. Qualitative data from the interview schedule was presented in expository form. The study revealed that a huge number of the teachers (55%) used guidance and counseling in discipline enforcement in schools though 7.1% still used corporal punishment as a disciplinary procedure. The study also found out that absenteeism and lying were prevalent in many schools. The study recommended that parents should play a greater role in the management of learners’ discipline. It also recommended that teachers need to be trained and sensitized to embrace alternative methods of enforcing discipline. The findings of the study may benefit education policy makers and practitioners in developing and enforcing effective and acceptable disciplinary policies in schools.
Leadership Dynamics Facing Principals in Managing Schools within Devolved Government Structure in Mbeere South Subcounty, Kenya
(Karatina University, 2018-09) Mwangangi, Musyoka Moshe
Leadership dynamics that face principals while managing educational institutions in the world and Kenya in particular are not clearly understood. The situation is compounded further when the context in which principals’ function is fundamentally changed as it happened in Kenya upon promulgation of constitution of Kenya 2010. The constitution of Kenya 2010 introduced devolution in the governance of the republic of Kenya which radically and fundamentally introduced different structures and chains of command in the management of state affairs including education. During this dispensation, principals have found themselves faced by leadership challenges brought about by the new political and administrative system. Mbeere South Sub-county has had a fair share of challenges in the provision of education during the dispensation of the devolved government structure. This study sought to evaluate leadership dynamics that face principals while managing education within the devolved government structure in Mbeere South Sub-county in Embu. The objectives of the study were to; establish leadership dynamisms with regard to decision making function that the principals faced while managing secondary schools in the devolved system of government in Mbeere south sub-county in Kenya; find out leadership dynamisms with regard to delegation function that the principals faced while managing schools in the devolved system of government in Mbeere south sub-county in Kenya; determine leadership dynamisms on time management function that the principals faced while managing schools in the devolved system of government in Mbeere south sub-county in Kenya and analyze resistance to change by principals while managing schools in the devolved system of government in Mbeere south sub-county in Kenya. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. A sample of 60 principals, 3 QASOs and 38 teachers was selected from the target population that comprised of three education officials, 60 principals and 381 teachers. Purposive sampling was used to select the education officials and principals while Stratified random sampling was used to select teachers. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data. A pilot study was conducted to assure validity and reliability. The reliability of instruments was ascertained by test-retest method. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in frequency counts, means and percentages. Qualitative data was transcribed and coded in thematic clusters. The study established that pprincipals were not effective decision makers, teachers (52%) felt that principals leave school programs stagnated when they attend official duties; 66% and 58% of principals observed that they did not avail and maintain timetables and use diaries and programs of events due to excess demands from the devolved structures (Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and Ministry of Education Science and Technology (MoEST). The Quality Assurance and Standards Officers (QASO) report indicated resistance to change by principals. In conclusion, there were mixed reactions regarding the influence of decision making, delegation, time management and resistance to change on principals’ secondary school management in the devolved structures. It is recommended that harmonization of TSC and (MoEST) policies could help streamline operations.

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