Research Publications

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://localhost:4000/handle/20.500.12092/1797

Welcome to Karatina University Research papers. The community has research papers produced by Karatina University Community

Browse

Start date: 2020Subject: search.filters.subject.Kenya

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 28
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Effect of team diversity on team cohesion in faith-based organizations: Acase of St. Martin catholic social apostolate in Nyahururu, Kenya
    (2022) Wanjiku, Daniel Kabiru; Gichuhi, David; Mwaura, Peter
    eam diversity management helps to improve the cohesion of a team and ultimately, organizational development is enhanced. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of team diversity management on team cohesion at St. Martin Catholic Social Apostolate, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population for the study was 115 employees at the St. Martin Catholic Social Apostolate in Kenya. Stratified and simple random sampling procedures were used to sample 92 employees. Data was collected using a questionnaire and the collected data was analyzed through the use of the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 21. Descriptive statistical analysis involved the calculation of percentages and frequencies while inferential statistical analysis involved Pearson correlation in establishing the association of the variables under investigation. and Chi-square tests. Data was presented in the form of tables and charts. Qualitative data were analysed thematically and presented in the form of narratives. The study ensured that ethical considerations were adhered to. The study found a statistically significant relationship between team diversity management and team cohesion (p<0.05). The study concludes that each team member is held accountable for their activities and the decisions they make regarding the team and is included in team activities. The study recommends that the team leaders ensure that all team members are included in all team activities. This can be achieved through creating environments and opportunities that allow the team members to provide their opinions openly
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Participatory Communication Strategies Used in the Implementation of Public Water Projects in Murang'a County, Case Study of Northern Collector Tunnel, Kenya.
    (2020-05-14) Maina, Bernard Muhoro; Biwott, Caroline; Ombaka, Beatrice
    Development communication plays a major role in informing and influencing the behavior of the receiver of information. Effective development communication motivates people to participate in planned activities, changing the behavior and attitudes of people and empower them tofocus on interactions between different stakeholders to address a common problem. Community involvement is a very important aspect in implementation of any project. Without community buy-in, a project may never get off the ground or will not be accepted once it is completed. Community involvement is regarded as a nuisance and is ineffectively addressed,or there is a lack of knowledge as to how to engage the community. Either way, the results can be disastrous and would lead to delays in construction, loss of money, filing of law suits, disgruntled citizens providing negative comments to the media or non-acceptance of the revitalization project, the very thing that was supposed to be remedied. The study sought to establish Participatory Communication Strategies used in implementation of public water projects in Murang'a County, study of Northern Collector Tunnel. The Study was anchored on the theory of Kinkaid Convergence Model of Communication. The design was descriptive survey. Target population was 192,589 households. Krejcie and Morgan sampling formula was used to arrive at 384 respondents. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study established that participatory communication strategies play a critical role in the implementation of public water projects. The study recommends the involvement of community grouping, meeting with opinion leaders and the use of various media platforms including radios, local newspapers, and television and billboard illustration will go a long way in facilitating the successful implementation of Northern Collector Tunnel project.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Salinity tolerance, growth and survival of three Artemia franciscana (Kellogg, 1906) populations under laboratory conditions
    (Wiley, 2024-04) Ngarari, Morine M.; Rugendo, Derrick G.; Nyonje, Betty M.; Hinzano, Sheban M.; Midumbi, David O.; Ngugi, Charles C.; Gatune, Charles W.
    In the 1980s, Artemia franciscana from San Francisco Bay (SFB) was introduced into Kenyan saltworks, where it has colonized and established stable populations. However, little is known about its biology, particularly with respect to its parental SFB population. This study compared the salinity tolerances of Kenyan (KEN) population, their SFB progenitors and those of Great Salt Lake (GSL) populations. Growth and survival of these A. franciscana populations were evaluated under varying salinity levels in a laboratory set up. A. franciscana nauplii were cultured at a rate of 1 nauplii/mL in 36 Erlenmeyer flasks and fed microalgae (Chaetoceros sp.) at 1.5 × 106 cells/animal/day for 8 days. Survival was evaluated daily and survivors were fixed in individual vials with Lugol solution. The total length of each fixed A. franciscana nauplii specimen was measured under a compound microscope. All populations were susceptible to salinities greater than 100 g/L. Compared with the parental SFB population, the KEN population exhibited significantly reduced survival and growth at 140 g/L, suggesting a narrower salinity tolerance range. These findings underscore the need for further studies focusing on other physiological parameters, abiotic factors and genetic characterization to confirm whether the KEN population is experiencing ecological adaptation. This will contribute to the optimization of Artemia practices in various salinity environments as a result of climate change.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Salinity tolerance, growth and survival of three Artemia franciscana (Kellogg, 1906) populations under laboratory conditions
    (Wiley, 2024-04-17) Ngarari, Morine M.; Rugendo, Derrick G.; Nyonje, Betty M.; Hinzano, Sheban M.; Midumbi, David O.; Ngugi, Charles C.; Opiyo, Mary A.; Okalo, Francis A.; Gatune, Charles W.
    In the 1980s, Artemia franciscana from San Francisco Bay (SFB) was introduced into Kenyan saltworks, where it has colonized and established stable populations. However, little is known about its biology, particularly with respect to its parental SFB population. This study compared the salinity tolerances of Kenyan (KEN) population, their SFB pro-genitors and those of Great Salt Lake (GSL) populations. Growth and survival of these A. franciscana populations were evaluated under varying salinity levels in a laboratory set up. A. franciscana nauplii were cultured at a rate of 1 nauplii/mL in 36 Erlenmeyer flasks and fed microalgae (Chaetoceros sp.) at 1.5 × 106 cells/animal/day for 8 days. Survival was evaluated daily and survivors were fixed in individual vials with Lugol solution. The total length of each fixed A. franciscana nauplii specimen was measured under a compound microscope. All populations were susceptible to salinities greater than 100 g/L. Compared with the parental SFB population, the KEN population exhibited significantly reduced survival and growth at 140 g/L, suggesting a narrower salinity tolerance range. These findings underscore the need for further studies focusing on other physiological parameters, abiotic factors and genetic characterization to confirm whether the KEN population is experiencing ecological adaptation. This will contribute to the optimization of Artemia practices in various salinity environments as a result of climate change.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Macroinvertebrate metrics and lipid profiles as potential indicators of land use influence in a high altitude tropical highland stream (Sagana River Basin, Kenya)
    (Elsevier, 2024) Odhiambo, Charles O.; Ngugi, Charles C.; Sharma, Rekha R.; Oyoo-Okoth, Elijah
    Land use practices near river ecotones result in numerous inputs of terrestrial materials into the river ecosystem. While macroinvertebrates population metrics is widely used in monitoring water quality changes, including those induced by humans, the use of lipid profiles in these organisms to monitor influence of land use practices is rather ignored. The aim of this study was to determine lipid profile in macroinvertebrates as potential indicator of human influence in Sagana River Basin, a high altitude tropical highland stream in Kenya. Sites were selected based on differences in land use activities delineated: forest with minimal land use activities, while cropland and saw milling areas had varying degrees of land use activities, with urban areas designated as sites with most human impacts. The macroinvertebrate metrics such as occurrence, abundance, diversity, percentage of oligo chaetes and chironomids (%OC), as well as the Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (%EPT) index differed relative to land use changes. Variation in the Fatty Acids (FAs), alcohols and sterols in benthic mac roinvertebrates was related to the land use activities along the stream. Evidently, streams traversing the urban areas had higher concentrations of Phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA), while streams traversing croplands had the highest neutral lipid fatty acids (NLFA). The dominance of monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs) in forest, shortchain FAs (SCFAs) and polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs) in croplands and longchain FAs (LCFAs) near urban areas clear indicate different sources of these materials, mainly from terrestrial sources. Individual fatty acids, alcohols and sterols profiles discerned difference in land use changes. The concentrations of SCFAs, MUFAs, LCFAs, TeoH, 27Δ5.22, 28Δ5,24, 28Δ5,22, 29Δ5,22 and 29Δ5,22 in the benthic macroinvertebrates samples were positively associated with OC%, EPT, total abundance and eH’. Meanwhile the concentration of phytol, AqOH, 27Δ5 and SCOH were associated with Simpson index. The current findings support the combination of macroinvertebrates species composition, abundance, diversity and lipids profiles to detect land use activities at the riverine scale. While implementing catchment-based river management and conservation activities should incorporate lipid analysis as a management tool. There is need for continuous monitoring of long term trends in land use activities on the changes in lipid content of the macroinvertebrates
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    "The Influence of Shared Vision on Organizational Ambidexterity in Coffee Marketing Co-operative Societies in Kenya”.
    (2023-09) Kiura, H. M.; Wanjau, K. L. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3146-5324; Kiai, R.
    Coffee production in Kenya has plummeted, hurting the economy and worsening social inequality and poverty. Kenyan coffee marketing cooperative associations have failed to boost exports. Coffee is Kenya's main cash crop. Coffee is the country's principal foreign exchange earner, rural employment source, food security source, and revenue source. The reduction in coffee export earnings shows that coffee marketing cooperatives are inefficient and less flexible. This study examines how shared vision affects organizational ambidexterity. This transformational leadership-based study used exploratory and cross-sectional survey methodologies. The target audience was Kenyan coffee marketing cooperatives. The sample size was 242 Kenyan coffee marketing cooperative societies. A self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire collected primary data from cooperative society managers. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results show that shared vision favorably impacts organizational ambidexterity (R = 0.547, R2 = 0.299), explaining 29.9% of variation. Further, shared vision significantly affected organizational ambidexterity (P-value = 0.00). The study found that shared vision affected organizational ambidexterity. Thus, managers of coffee marketing cooperative societies should constantly discuss their vision with other employees to improve ambidexterity. Key Words: Organizational ambidexterity, coffee production, employment, shared vision, Ambidexterity Leadership, Entrepreneurial leadership, coffee marketing.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Faculty and students’ perspectives of online learning during COVID-19 crisis: Constraints and opportunities for Kenyan universities.
    (2023-04-15) Wekullo, Caroline S.; Kabindio, Brendah; Juma, Iddi
    At the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, all higher education institutions had to abruptly migrate from face-to-face mode of learning to virtual learning. Students and faculty members were thrown into the process of acquainting themselves with a fully virtual system. How prepared were institutions, faculty members, and students for the abrupt and massive transition to online learning? The study examined the faculty and students’ perspective of online learning during COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the study examined the perceptions of faculty and students on the preparedness of higher education institutions for online teaching and learning. The study also determined the perceptions of staff and students towards online education, constraints, and opportunities. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted at a public university in Kenya. A semi-structured interview was conducted on a total sample of 36 respondents; 24 students and 12 faculty members to capture unique, idiosyncratic and whole individual viewpoints. A conventional Content Analysis was done to determine words or concepts within the transcripts. The findings showed that the study institution, faculty members, and students were unprepared for the immediate and massive shift to online teaching and learning and had challenges using virtual technologies for teaching and learning during the lockdown. These challenges ranged from insufficient or lack of internet bandwidth, training, increased teaching and learning workloads to limited time for interactions. Based on the findings, the study suggests significant implications for higher education institution leaders, policymakers, faculty, and students. The study contributes to the existing literature by analyzing the perceptions of faculty and students about the preparedness of institutions, faculty, and students on the abrupt shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Mechanisms Used by Academic Libraries in Kenya to Enhance Webometrics Ranking
    (2023-04) wamahiga, George M.
    Libraries essentially provide equal and fair access to information. Thus, they have a significant influence on the Webometrics ranking of universities across the world. Academic libraries affect Webometrics ranking through the generation of scientific publications and other scholarly resources. The purpose of this study was to examine mechanisms used by academic libraries in Kenya to enhance Webometrics ranking and to analyse the extent to which Webometrics ranking mechanisms in place in university libraries in Kenya have been successful. This study adopted a mixed research design. The target population included staff members of the University of Nairobi, Chuka University, and Kirinyaga University. A total of 73 staff members from the library, ICT, and research departments involved in Webometrics ranking were selected purposively. Semi-structured questionnaires were used as the data collection instruments. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively while qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The study established that mechanisms put in place to enhance the participation of university libraries in Kenya in the Webometrics ranking include improved us and submission of e-resources as well as promotion of high-quality research in the institutions. Webometrics ranking mechanisms currently in place at the university libraries in Kenya have only been moderately successful. The findings of this study may be used by other institutions of higher learning on the mechanisms they can adopt to increase the capacities of their academic libraries so as to improve the contribution of these libraries to Webometrics and consequently to the overall ranking of the individual universities nationally and internationally.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Mechanisms Used by Academic Libraries in Kenya to Enhance Webometrics Ranking
    (2023-04) wamahiga, George M.
    Libraries essentially provide equal and fair access to information. Thus, they have a significant influence on the Webometrics ranking of universities across the world. Academic libraries affect Webometrics ranking through the generation of scientific publications and other scholarly resources. The purpose of this study was to examine mechanisms used by academic libraries in Kenya to enhance Webometrics ranking and to analyse the extent to which Webometrics ranking mechanisms in place in university libraries in Kenya have been successful. This study adopted a mixed research design. The target population included staff members of the University of Nairobi, Chuka University, and Kirinyaga University. A total of 73 staff members from the library, ICT, and research departments involved in Webometrics ranking were selected purposively. Semi-structured questionnaires were used as the data collection instruments. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively while qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The study established that mechanisms put in place to enhance the participation of university libraries in Kenya in the Webometrics ranking include improved use and submission of e-resources as well as promotion of high-quality research in the institutions. Webometrics ranking mechanisms currently in place at the university libraries in Kenya have only been moderately successful. The findings of this study may be used by other institutions of higher learning on the mechanisms they can adopt to increase the capacities of their academic libraries so as to improve the contribution of these libraries to Webometrics and consequently to the overall ranking of the individual universities nationally and internationally.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Analysis of Short-Term Drought Episodes Using Sentinel-3 SLSTR Data under a Semi-Arid Climate in Lower Eastern Kenya.
    (2023-06) Musyimi, Peter K.; Sahbeni, Ghada; Timár, Gábor; Weidinger, Tamas
    This study uses Sentinel-3 SLSTR data to analyze short-term drought events between 2019 and 2021. It investigates the crucial role of vegetation cover, land surface temperature, and water vapor amount associated with drought over Kenya’s lower eastern counties. Therefore, three essential climate variables (ECVs) of interest were derived, namely Land Surface Temperature (LST), Fractional Vegetation Cover (FVC), and Total Column Water Vapor (TCWV). These features were analyzed for four counties between the wettest and driest episodes in 2019 and 2021. The study showed that Makueni and Taita Taveta counties had the highest density of FVC values (60–80%) in April 2019 and 2021. Machakos and Kitui counties had the lowest FVC estimates of 0% to 20% in September for both periods and between 40% and 60% during wet seasons. As FVC is a crucial land parameter for sequestering carbon and detecting soil moisture and vegetation density losses, its variation is strongly related to drought magnitude. The land surface temperature has drastically changed over time, with Kitui and Taita Taveta counties having the highest estimates above 20 ◦C in 2019. A significant spatial variation of TCWV was observed across different counties, with values less than 26 mm in Machakos county during the dry season of 2019, while Kitui and Taita Taveta counties had the highest estimates, greater than 36 mm during the wet season in 2021. Land surface temperature variation is negatively proportional to vegetation density and soil moisture content, as non-vegetated areas are expected to have lower moisture content. Overall, Sentinel-3 SLSTR products provide an efficient and promising data source for short-term drought monitoring, especially in cases where in situ measurement data are scarce. ECVs-produced maps will assist decision-makers with a better understanding of short-term drought events as well as soil moisture loss episodes that influence agriculture under arid and semi-arid climates. Furthermore, Sentinel-3 data can be used to interpret hydrological, ecological, and environmental changes and their implications under different environmental conditions.