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Analysis of the Value of Forgiveness in Marriage: A Case of “African Bible on the Ground” in Laikipia County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Shamala,Khayimba Bernard
Forgiveness is core value of humanity and enhances health relationships,
psychological and physical wellbeing of people. It reveals the meaning and purpose
of human existence. To the divine institution of marriage, forgiveness is a core value
of marital success. The Church across the globe and Kenya in particular has been
championing and fostering forgiveness in marriage, Despite of this, conflicts and lack
of forgiveness continue to escalate in most marriages. This is an indication that there
is a weakness in the methodologies employed in teaching forgiveness. This
necessitated the current study to investigate methodologies and approaches used at
the ABG and to establish the efficacy of these methods and approaches. Four
objectives guided the current research: firstly, to study the causes and consequences
of conflicts and lack of forgiveness experienced by couples who visit the ABG,
secondly, to investigate methodologies and approaches used in teaching the value of
forgiveness in marriage at the ABG, thirdly and to assess the significance of
forgiveness in marriage at the ABG. Fourthly, to recommend strategies that enhance
forgiveness in marriage at the ABG.The study the functionalist theory of human
values and linked it with the cognitive theory of forgiveness. The literature reviewed
unveld the gaps in knowledge which were filled with the current study. Study
inquiries besides premises aided this research preparation of instruments, which were
questionnaires, interviews and FGDs schedules. The study was justified for it was
timely when conflict in marriage is at an alarming rate globally and precisely in
Kenya. The research engaged an evocative survey strategy then data remained
analysed both quantitatively and in-depth qualitatively. The findings revealed that
there were different causes of marital conflicts: they included unmet expectations,
consumption of alcohol, interference with in-laws and friends, poor communication,
childlessness and lack of forgiveness. Further, the findings indicated that these
conflicts had negative consequences that included psychological traumatic
experiences, living marital single life, low self-esteem, termination of marital
relationships, separation, divorce and other health issues. Moreover, the results
indicated that there were many different coping styles but forgiveness is the essential
foundation of a happy marriage. Besides, the study established that there are different
methodologies and approaches of teaching forgiveness at the “African Bible on the
Ground”, they were Bible therapy model, lecture method, listening to the story and
pain of others, dialogue, empathy, remorse and repentance and reflection at the feet of
the cross of Jesus. Others were visual aids, rituals and a walk on the ABG. The
methods and approaches were found to be effective because the couples admitted
having experienced healing fashionable in their relationship and family life. The
study recommends that the causes of conflicts and identified and methods of teaching
forgiveness be applied to assist couples live peacefully in their marital life. There is
need for healing and peace
Institutional structure and implementation of social welfare programs: a case of Tana River County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2026-06) Mohamed, Lugumba Abdi
Counties have faced persistent challenges in implementing social welfare programs due to utmost weak institutional structures. As a result, vulnerable populations continue to experience unmet basic needs and limited access to essential social services. The purpose of this research study was to assess the effect of institutional structures on implementation of social welfare programs in Tana River County Government, Kenya. The study was guided by the following research specific objectives; to establish the effect of coordination structure, resource allocation structure organizational culture and compliance structure on implementation of social welfare programs in Tana River County Government, Kenya and to evaluate the effect of monitoring structure on implementation of social welfare programs in Tana River County Government, Kenya. The Institutional Theory, Resource-Based View (RBV) Theory and the Organizational Culture Theory guided the research. The research used descriptive research design. The target population was 900 respondents comprising of the management staff and area elders denoted as ‘Nyumba Kumi’ as part of the population. This study used Slovin's formula to determine the appropriate sample size to ensure representativeness and accuracy; the sample size was 305 respondents. Primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires. The researcher established the content validity by seeking the opinion of education experts and revising the questionnaires accordingly. The pilot test involved checking on validity by consulting the allocated supervisor and administering the questionnaires to 10% of the sample size. Reliability check was achieved by were using Cronbach alpha values to identify any weaknesses or inconsistencies in the questionnaire. The questionnaire was revised based on the feedback from the pilot test. The collected data underwent a meticulous process of organization and revision to ensure completeness and consistency. The analysis of the data encompassed descriptive statistics, inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics involved calculating percentages, frequencies, mean, and standard deviation. Furthermore, in terms of inferential statistics, both correlation analysis and regression analysis was conducted as part of the study. Correlation analysis was the suitability of the research variables for further investigation, while regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between the variables. The results of the analysis were effectively presented through tables, graphs, and charts. This study concludes that the coordination structure within the Tana River County Government plays a vital role in the implementation of social welfare programs. All ethical matters were observed especially on data protection and anonymity as well as protection of respondents expressed some concerns about the sufficiency of the budget and the monitoring of resource allocation, indicating that a more detailed assessment of program needs and better monitoring mechanisms are essential for ensuring effective resource use. The study concludes that the Tana River County Government’s organizational culture supports the implementation of social welfare programs. For the compliance structure, the findings highlight that adherence to regulations and policies significantly supports program implementation. There is a need for a more detailed assessment of the needs of social welfare programs to ensure that resources are allocated in line with those needs. the Tana River County Government should work on reinforcing shared values and commitment to social welfare goals across all levels of the organization. The Tana River County Government should strengthen its feedback loops and use monitoring results to inform both policy adjustments and improvements in program delivery
Magical Realism as a Narrative Strategy in Ben Okri’s The Famished Road and Infinite Riches
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Mbaabu, Alfred Mutuma
Magical realism fuses the real and the marvelous to expose the complexities of postcolonial life. The study investigates magical realism as a narrative strategy in representing postcolonial realities in Ben Okri’s The Famished Road and Infinite Riches. This research is driven by the need to understand how postcolonial writers employ the magical to question the contradictions and disillusionment of independence. Drawing on Homi Bhabha’s notions of ambivalence and hybridity, Gayatri spivak’s insights on subalternity and silenced voices and Mikhail Bakhtin’s concept of dialogism, the study examines how Okri’s narrative forms challenge colonial authority and reticulate African subjectivity. Chapter Two, The Use of Magical Realism to represent the socio-political ills in The Famished Road and Infinite Riches, finds that Okri exposes corruption, greed and moral decay, contributing to scholarship by demonstrating magical realism’s role in socio-political critique. Chapter Three, The Nexus Between Magical Realism and Postcolonial Discourse, reveals how Okri negotiates Western realism and African cosmologies to express hybridity and cultural resistance, highlighting the link between narrative technique and postcolonial identity. Chapter Four, Ben Okri’s vision of the postcoloniality, shows that his fiction fosters hope, spiritual resilience and imaginative renewal, providing insight into reconstructing African futures. Chapter Five synthesises these findings, arguing that Okri’s magical realism functions as both artistic and ideological tool that critiques power, affirms African subjectivity, and envisions liberated nationhood. Overall, the study contributes to scholarship by positioning magical realism as a critical instrument in postcolonial literature.
Men’s Involvement in Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention in Mathare Informal Settlement, Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-09) Rakuomi, Joan Esther
This study sought to establish men’s involvement in adolescent pregnancy prevention in Mathare
informal settlement, Nairobi City County. Adolescent pregnancy is an increasing challenge that
negatively impacts individual girls, society, and the country’s economy. A lot of efforts have been made
to end these pregnancies over the years, including empowering the girls, sexual and reproductive health
and rights (SRHR) laws and policies, among others, but only a slight decrease has been seen. This
increasingly widens the gender divide. Though men are part of the causes of adolescent pregnancies
and there have been calls to have them take part in preventing the vice, there was limited information
on their involvement. It was therefore important to gather information about men’s involvement in
preventing adolescent pregnancies to inform relevant programs, policies, and action plans, as well as
support self-initiatives by these men. The objectives of this study were: to find out ways in which men
were involved in adolescent pregnancy prevention, the factors influencing their involvement, and to
determine the strategies that could be used to ensure increased involvement of the men in preventing
adolescent pregnancies. The study was guided by the caring masculinities concept that supports care
values such as equal relations while rejecting domination that often leads to gender-based violence.
Additionally, the socio-ecological model was used to determine men’s levels of involvement and situate
the strategies. This study was based on the assumption that if men were involved in preventing
adolescent pregnancies, then the rate would go down. The levels and influence of their involvement are
modified by the National SRHR and gender policies, as well as gender-related conventions. The study
was conducted in Mathare Sub-County in Nairobi County, collecting data from men aged 18-70 years.
The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design with a mixed-method approach, collecting
both quantitative and qualitative data from about 376 men. Key informant interviews with
knowledgeable individuals on the study subject were conducted to enable triangulation of the data.
Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and bivariate correlations between variables
using SPSS version 26, while qualitative data from KII were transcribed and analysed thematically
through QDA Miner Lite and ATLAS.ti. The findings for objective one showed that only 32.7% of
men in Mathare exhibited their caring masculinities through their involvement in adolescent pregnancy
prevention and were more engaged at the individual, peer, and community levels. Some organizations
included men in their adolescent pregnancy prevention programs, especially in awareness creation. As
per objective two, the study found that different factors influenced men’s involvement in adolescent
pregnancy prevention. These included: beliefs & misconceptions about men's involvement, knowledge
of men’s involvement, relationship status, number of children, peer influence, and weak
implementation of laws. On the final objective, the study established that the strategies proposed by the
respondents and those implemented by the key informants include: making men aware of the
consequences of adolescent pregnancy, educating men on SRHR, economically empower men, and
conducting media campaigns on men's involvement. The study concluded that men need gender
transformational approaches that work to challenge the social norms around adolescent pregnancies
and nurture caring masculinities. These approaches need to be situated in the socio-ecological model
to ensure that they reach everyone around these men. Future researchers have an opportunity to assess
strategies that successfully mitigate negative peer influence and promote positive engagement in
adolescent pregnancy prevention
Impact of Human Activities on Carbon Stocks and Implications on Sustainability of Community Livelihoods in Kanyabaha Wetland in Rukiga District, Uganda
(Kenyatta University, 2025-10) Walakira Paul
Climate change in addition to utilization of land and natural resources can negatively impact
biodiversity, hydrology and soil carbon stocks of tropical wetlands, thereby negatively impacting the
sustainability of wetland-dependent livelihood activities. Wetland cover has been steadily declining
in Uganda primarily due to rapid population growth thereby rising food consumption and settlements.
This study assessed the impact of wetland-dependent livelihood activities on carbon stocks and plant
species diversity in Kanyabaha wetland, Rukiga District, Uganda, with a focus on carbon stock
variations, land use changes affecting carbon sequestration and the implications for plant species
diversity and local community livelihoods. The study combined both scientific methods and socio
economic survey designs. Landsat images containing multi-temporal datasets covering a period from
1990 to 2021 were processed using remote sensing software. Field verification was conducted through
ground truth validation. Simpsons, Shannon-Wiener and Pairwise Jaccard diversity indices were
applied to quantify vegetation diversity. Peat soil and vegetation samples were analysed to assess the
carbon stocks. The socio-economic survey was conducted using questionnaires administered to 388
respondents across six villages found in the study area. Three key informant interviews and six focus
group discussions were also conducted to purposively selected informants. Data were analysed using
ANOVA, Chi square and regression analysis. The results of the study revealed that during past 30
years, the wetland vegetation cover in Kanyabaha wetland had significantly diminished. Land use and
land cover analysis showed that papyrus was the dominant vegetation but its cover decreased from
51.5% in 1990 to 39.1%, (P<0.05; R2=0.757) in 2021. During the same period, grassland cover
decreased from 34.2% in 1990 to 9.5% (P<0.05; R2=0.893) in 2021. Tree plantations, built-up areas
and bare ground expanded significantly during the 30-year period. Soil carbon density varied with soil
depth and across land cover types. Woodlands had the highest mean soil carbon density (530.2±205.5
tons/ha), followed by built-up area (107.7±28.8 tons/ha) and then tree plantations (98.3±12.5 tons/ha).
The least mean soil carbon density was observed in grasslands (45.5±3.7 tons/ha). The local
community depended on wetlands for water, crop farming, harvesting of wetland plants and grazing
their livestock. Eucalyptus trees had the highest total carbon stock (372.5±81.1 tons). Statistical
analysis confirmed the relationship between livelihood activities and carbon stocks (F= 5.02, DF = (1,
4), P<0.05). The results for species diversity revealed a statistically significant effect of site on
diversity (F₍₅, ₁₁₄₎ = 12.88, p < 0.0001), indicating that the diversity index varied meaningfully between
sites. The key drivers of wetland utilisation were low income (65.8%), demand for farmland and
settlements (8.2%), inadequate enforcement of existing wetland conservation and management
regulations (10.8%) and community limited knowledge of the law and poor farming practices (4.5%).
The adaptive strategies included diversified livelihoods (16.1%), climate-resilient agriculture (20.7%),
rainwater harvesting and storage (12.5%), agroforestry (10.3%), strengthened social networks
(18.3%), efforts to access climate information (13.3%), as well as wetland conservation (8.7%)
initiatives. The study recommended that drivers of wetland biodiversity loss be addressed by
sensitizing communities on the significance of wetland conservation, and promoting climate smart agriculture.
Additionally, comparative research on season variations in carbon dynamics in relation to land use and
climate variability was recommended.