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Plagiarism Awareness and Practice by Postgraduate Students in Public Universities in Kenya: From an Academic Integrity Standpoint
(egional Journal of Information and Knowledge Managemen, 2025-06) Odongo, Stephen Odera; Njoroge, Rose Wambui; Njoroge, George Gitau
Rationale of study-The study assesses plagiarism awareness and practice as a means of academic integrity among postgraduate students. Methodology -The study adopted a descriptive design with a mixed-methods design utilising both questionnaires and interviews to collect data. The population consisted of 711 postgraduate students from three public universities in Kenya. Findings -The study obtainedresponses from a sample of 499 participants.The findings revealed a significant discrepancy between the theoretical knowledge possessed by postgraduate students regarding plagiarism and their actual writing practices. The doctoral students' understanding of academic integrity was significantly shaped by their awareness of plagiarism and university policies, their engagement with plagiarism practices, and their use of library resources. However, the emergence of new challenges, such as AI-generated content and paraphrased plagiarism, adds to this complexity.Implications -It recommends that the focus should shift from theoretical knowledge about plagiarism to developing comprehensive, practically oriented programs that build real skills. A multi-faceted intervention is required, involving postgraduate students, the library,and various departments.Originality -This study examines plagiarism awareness and practices among postgraduate students in public universities in Kenya.
Headteachers’ Teacher Capacity Building Strategies’ Influence on Learners’ Acquisition of Core Competencies in Public Primary Schools in Nyandarua County, Kenya
(International Academic Journal of Social Sciences and Education, 2025-06) Kabiru, Patricia Wairimu; Kariuki, Damaris; Guantai, Hellen Kiende
This paper investigates the role of capacity building as a strategic management practice employed by head-teachers and its influence on learners’ acquisition of core competencies in public primary schools in Nyandarua County, Kenya. Despite the rollout of Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), performance in core competencies among learners remains uneven across counties. Nyandarua County, in particular, has consistently underperformed in comparison to neighboring regions. This study employs a descriptive survey design with quantitative and qualitative approaches to examine how head-teachers implement teacher development strategies and the extent to which these strategies affect learner outcomes. Drawing on Skills Acquisition Theory and Contingency Theory, the paper presents a synthesis of global, regional, and local literature, including policy analysis, and primary data collected through questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis. Findings indicate that teacherfocused capacity building, comprising inservice training, professional mentoring, and collaborative learning platforms, significantly improves instructional delivery, thereby enhancing learners’ core competencies in communication, critical thinking, digital literacy, and problemsolving. The paper concludes by recommending targeted investments in professional development, integration of continuous feedback systems, and strengthening of school leadership capacities to align teacher practices with CBC expectations.
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Prevalence among People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Nairobi City County, Kenya.
(2024-09) Nyabera, Roseanne Aloo Ogola
The life expectancy of people with HIV living in developed countries is fast approaching general population norms. While this is because of better treatments, this optimism is tempered by a range of other conditions that are appearing as people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV), get older and live longer predisposing them to nonmodifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. (CVDs). The dual burden of CVDs and HIV in sub–Saharan Africa is of public concern. People living with HIV are 1.5-2fold increased risk of coronary artery diseases mechanism based on a pro-inflammatory state due to HIV diseases and more likely to develop CVD risk factors compared to the non-infected individuals. Studies on associations between ARVs and CVD risk factors prevalence are mainly from developed countries thus need to get data from this region and document. This survey determined the CVD risk factors among PLHIV in Nairobi City County. Further, the study determined the relationship between the sociodemographic characteristics associated with CVD, biological CVD risk factors, the relationship between behavioural factors and CVD risk factor, and the relationship between the use of ARVs and biological and behavioural CVD risk factors among PLHIV. A descriptive cross-sectional study design, conducted in four (4) comprehensive care clinics, purposively selected, sampling technique used to determine the sample size of 405 participants. A data collection form with measurable elements used. The prevalence of CVD was found to be higher in male than female (7.2: 4.0), mean age at 47 years compared to the older population. Prevalence of 25.2% was found compared with the national data of 25.4%. The results indicated that 25.2% were overweight, 35.8% had elevated RBS, and 20.3% had 200 mg/dL and above, 48.1% of PLHIV had Prehypertension (Stage 1)130-139 <90 and 12.8% had stage 2 hypertension (>140 or >90). Gender and age significant at (P<.05), Frequency of BP measurements resulted in CVD risk factor at 0.010, CD4 count levels significant at 0.04. (Lower levels below 500cells/mm). Regression analysis results indicated that with other factors held constant at 7.744, then a .310 change in socio-demographic characteristics, .419 change in Use of ARVs factors and a .360 change in behavioural factors will contribute to a unit change in the CVD risk factors. In conclusion prevalence of CVD risk factors was high in PLHIV. Male patients at a higher risk than female and Mean age of 47years. The prevalence of Pre-hypertension Stage I and Stage II, obesity and elevated blood sugar levels was significant, but no association was observed with ART regime or duration of ARV use. There is a need to integrate CVD management into regular HIV care.
Establishment of Traditional Boundaries for Sustainable Forest Management in Loita Forest, Narok County, Kenya.
(Kenyatta University, 2024-08) Kimiri, Kiramba Lestan
In alignment with Kenya's decentralized approach to natural resource governance, various community forests have been placed under the stewardship of local communities, often facilitated by councils of elders. While some Maasai groups near urban areas have opted to subdivide their land, the Loita Maasai have resisted this due to concerns about potential external ownership and the erosion of their cultural heritage. Consequently, the management of the Loita forest has traditionally remained under the council elders' jurisdiction. However, a gradual transition of authority to village elders within the provincial administration has begun. The Kenya Forest Service, established under the Kenya Forest Act of 2005, aims to foster coexistence between communities and forest conservation. The formation of Community Forest Associations (CFAs), such as the Loita Community Forest Association, is crucial for this initiative. This study focuses on the challenges of creating and modifying resource boundaries, examining the alignment between user boundaries and CFA boundaries concerning forest resources. Additionally, it evaluates the adequacy of Kenyan government policies on these boundaries and forest resource management within the community. Conducted in a traditional setting where elders, led by the renowned Oloibon, make most resource decisions, the study area is remote with extensive forest and savanna lands. The Loita Maasai, organized into age sets, utilize their forest for grazing, fuel wood harvesting, water extraction, and religious and cultural purposes. Using purposive sampling, 52 respondents from nine Loita sublocations were interviewed. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews, participant observations, focus group engagements, and tape recordings, involving both community members and relevant organizations. The study employed summative content analysis for qualitative data and descriptive statistics for household survey data. It provided insights into the state of traditional resource use boundaries, the sufficiency of government laws and policies in enhancing forest governance, and the assertion of individual indigenous rights in community forest resource use and governance. The study recommends documenting indigenous knowledge and traditional governance systems for sustainable forest management, formally recognizing traditional governance in decision-making, demarcating physical forest boundaries to prevent encroachment, and protecting water sources from degradation.
Ecological Impacts and Utilization of Urtica Dioica L. In Nyeri County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2024-05) Kamicha ,Wairimu Joseph
Though the stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) is categorized globally as an invasive species, the plant is a source of vital nutrients and an ingredient in many local medicine practices. However, there is inadequate information on the edaphic factors enhancing the invasiveness of U. dioica, the subsequent impact on local flora diversity, and upcoming value-addition opportunities. Hence, this study sought to determine the invasive effects of U. dioica on herbaceous plants density and diversity. Then analyze the relationship between U. dioica density with soil mineral contents and investigate the market presence of raw and value-added products. Lastly, this study intended to document local knowledge of U. dioica in Nyeri County, Kieni Sub County areas namely; Endarasha, Charity, and Watuka. Sites with high colonization of U. dioica were purposively identified. Based on land use types, Stratified random sampling method was used to place five transects each measuring one hundred metres long. Ten quadrats each measuring one square metre in roadside, riverbank, pastureland, residential, and cropland areas were used for data collection. Fifteen soil cores were taken from each land use type and mixed to form soil samples for each land use type in Endarasha, Charity, and Watuka. Questionnaires were administered to 196 respondents from the study area. Results from Pearson correlation analysis between the density of U. dioica and other herbaceous species indicated that there was a strong negative correlation between the density of U. dioica and other herbaceous species diversity (r=-0.8). One-way ANOVA showed significant statistical differences in the concentration of nitrogen (F=4.8495, df=4, 14, p < 0.05) and phosphorous (F=4.3589, df=4, 14, p < 0.05) among different land types confirming their different impacts on U. dioica density. The study also established that locally, U. dioica is used in the food, medicine, and veterinary sector. Such consumption could indicate the economic potential of the plant species in the local cottage industries to support the government's manufacturing agenda. This study recommends increasing public awareness of the benefits of U. dioica to boost its consumption hence reducing its invasiveness.