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Kenyatta University Institutional Repository is a digital archive that collects, preserves and disseminates scholarly outputs of the Institution
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Principals’ Instructional Leadership Practices and their Influence on Students’ Academic Achievement in Public Secondary Schools in Nakuru County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-09) Nanjala, Fridah
Instructional leadership is associated with practices that the school principal does to enhance students’ academic achievement. This research sought to find out whether instructional leadership practices influenced learners’ academic achievement in the KCSE in public secondary schools in Nakuru County. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of principals’ instructional leadership practices on students’ academic achievement in the KCSE in public secondary schools in Nakuru County. The objectives of this study were; to determine the influence of goal-setting skills of the principal on the KCSE performance of students in public secondary schools in Nakuru county, to determine the influence of principals’ instructional supervisory practices on students’ achievement in KCSE in Nakuru county, to establish the influence of principals’ promotion of staff professional development on learners’ achievement in KCSE in public secondary schools in Nakuru county and to determine the influence of principals’ fostering of conducive learning environment on the learners’ academic achievement in KCSE in public secondary schools in Nakuru county. The study was guided by Carrier’s (2014) instructional leadership model, which demonstrated an experimental illustration of how the staff and the leader’s crossing point resulted in the institution’s desired achievement. The study employed an exploratory sequential research design, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study was conducted in Nakuru County. The target population included 285 teachers and 33 principals of public secondary schools in Nakuru County. Therefore, the total sample size for the quantitative phase was 30 principals and 166 teachers, totaling up to 196 respondents. The study employed the use of purposive sampling to select schools and principals. A simple random sampling technique was also used to select teachers in the selected schools. The study used questionnaires for both teachers and interview schedules for the principals. Content validity was established by seeking expert judgment from specialists in the Department of Educational Management, Policy, and Curriculum Studies. The reliability was tested using Cronbach’s alpha to determine whether the questions in the questionnaire reliably measured what was intended. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically and presented in the form of narrations. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS and presented using frequency distribution tables and bar graphs. A multiple linear regression test was used to establish the influence of principals’ instructional leadership practices on KCSE achievement. The major finding from the study was that the principals did carry out school programs with the main aim of attaining the set goals. The study recommended school principals to prepare capacity-building programs for teachers like seminars & workshops to equip them with relevant skills, attitude, and knowledge. Additionally, the Ministry of Education and TSC should design and implement structured programs for identifying professional development needs among teachers.
Climate Variability on Dodder (Cuscuta spp.) Infestation in Tea Farms in Nandi County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-10) Mongo, Faith Jepchirchir
Climate change and variability continue to significantly impact agricultural production and management worldwide. From the literature, it is reported that there has been an unprecedented emergence of pests and diseases associated with climate change and variability among other factors. In Kenya, crop cultivation and yield are affected primarily by changing climatic conditions, pests, and diseases. Of major concern in counties of Kenya, are the impacts of climate variability and parasitic dodder (Cuscuta spp.) on tea cultivation and production. From the literature, little is reported on the continuing invasion and effects of parasitic dodder on smallholder and large-scale tea farming. The purpose of this study was to assess the extent of dodder infestation on tea cultivation and yield in Nandi County. Specifically, the study sought to examine the trends of climate variability (temperature and rainfall) from 1992 to 2022. To assess tea farmers’ perceptions on the influence of climate variability on the spread of dodder. To assess tea-growing farmers' perceptions of the effects and control of dodder on tea farms. An exploratory survey design was chosen for this study. A designed questionnaire was administered to 354 statistically determined heads of tea farming households that are members of the Kenya Tea Development Agency. Six tea estate managers and two field managers who were purposefully chosen were interviewed. For the set variables, primary data from the administered questionnaire were extracted and analyzed (p≤0.05). Secondary data was sourced from libraries and relevant repositories. Rainfall and temperature data for the period were obtained from the Kenya Meteorological Department, Nandi Station. To assess the extent of dodder infestation on tea farms, GPS coordinates were captured and presented on a map. 205 respondents didn’t have dodder on their tea farms, while 149 reported a case of dodder infestation. In the Multinational tea estates, Siret, Chemomi, and Taito reported cases of dodder infestation in their catchment. Mann-Kendall Trend Analysis showed a significant increase in temperature, denoted by a Sen’s slope= 0.031 and a strong positive correlation of Kendall’s Tau 0.554 indicating an increase at...
Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic Containment Measures on Intra-Family Social Dynamics within Families in Ruiru Sub-County, Kiambu County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-10) Karinga, Esther Nyagaturi
Prior to the onset COVID-19 pandemic in December of 2019, life was generally characterized by a sense of normalcy and freedom that we often take for granted, as people gathered freely and socialized with each other. However, during COVID-19, a number of containment measures were imposed by national governments to contain it. These measures included restrictions on travelling, general home confinements, reduced tourism activities, curfews and ban on any and all social, cultural, sporting or religious events, and limited physical gatherings. Law enforcement authorities were mandated to ensure people complied with these measures. People were kept away from many aspects of social life and confined within their family and household settings. The confinement consequently brought positive and negative social effects on family life and social interactions. Based on the aforementioned, the study assessed the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on social interactions within families in Ruiru Sub-County, Kiambu County. The specific study objectives were to examine effects of COVID-19 on social interactions between parents and their children, siblings to siblings, spouses to spouses and suggest mitigation strategies to challenges posed by COVID-19 on family life and social interactions. The study was guided by two theories: family system theory and social interactionism theory. The study employed mixed research design, which allowed quantitative and qualitative data to be collected, analyzed, and interpreted simultaneously in order to explore the relationship between study variables on social interactions of families. The study target population was 58,264 households in Ruiru Sub-County (household being defined as any house with occupants who stay together regardless of composition). Yamane (1967) formula was used to determine a sample of 396 households for the study. The study participants were selected from the study area using simple random sampling. The study also involved 10 key informants who were 6 social workers and 4 chiefs. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data since the cost of administering them was relatively cheap. Quantitative data was collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented by frequency tables using Microsoft Excel while qualitative data was analyzed through narrative analysis and presented through narrations. Study findings showed that containment measures due to COVID-19 pandemic ensured families spent more time together than was usual affected social interaction in families between parents and their children and between spouses. However, the social interaction in families between siblings was not affected by the containment measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The study findings that the containment measures negatively impacted social interactions between parents and children and between spouses will benefit policy makers and social practitioners in preparing and responding to pandemics of similar magnitude in case they happen in future to prevent family break-down. The study recommends that the government and other players carry out a critical assessment and measurement of marital, parent-to-child and sibling-to sibling interactions to inform future policy formulation regarding social interaction in families. The study also recommends that the government establishes intervention measures such as family counseling services that address interaction issues within families in Ruiru sub-County.
Simulation, Optimization, and Economic Analysis of Biohydrogen Production Using Food Wastes from the Hotel Industry in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-12) Muchele, Emily Machuma
Disposed food waste produces greenhouse gases e.g., methane and carbon dioxide in landfills, destroying the environment through climate change and global warming. In the hotel industry, the serving-stage foods which include plate wastes (leftovers) and display (buffet) wastes prepared for consumption but never consumed, end up in waste bins that fill the landfills. About 230 kg of food wastes were collected from 21 hotels in Nairobi City County, Kenya, and characterized in the present study. Using characterization data, the study simulated and optimized bio-hydrogen production from food wastes. A numerical simulation model of air gasification of food wastes integrated with syngas conditioning for hydrogen-rich syngas production by use of Aspen Plus was developed. The influence of gasifier temperature, air-to-fuel ratio (A/F), and steam-to-biomass ratio (SBR) on hydrogen flow rate, yield, and syngas composition was studied. The combined effect of temperature, A/F, and SBR was studied using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to establish the optimal points for maximum hydrogen production. Furthermore, an economic analysis based on the optimum hydrogen yield was computed. The RSM analysis indicated an optimal performance at a temperature of 889.39 oC, A/F of 0.5, and SBR of 2.87 with a corresponding maximum hydrogen yield of 12.99 %. With a positive net present value (NPV) of $8741, a profitability index (PI) of 1.28, and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 20 %, the cost of investment would be recovered in 4.15 years. These economic results may vary significantly due to the advancement of technologies and changing local economies. The accuracy of the proposed model could be enhanced by incorporating hydrogen storage and hydrodynamics in the future. These results suggest that the raw syngas produced could be cleaned up by running through the cleaning chamber that separates various components and harmful impurities like mercury, sulphur, and unconverted carbon. The carbon footprint of hotels can be measured since it is possible to pull out carbon dioxide and either store it underground or use it for methanol or ammonia production. Hotels can embrace waste-to-energy technologies and zero waste systems to avoid to save on energy costs avoid environmental pollution. It is evident from this study that research on integrated biohydrogen production technologies using different wastes can be commercially explored for the hotel industry.
Utilization of Female Condoms among Women Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Murang’a County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-09) Ndwiga, Dorothy Njoki
To prevent the risk of transmission of the Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), as well as achieve family planning targets, the use of Female Condom, a women-initiated method, has been prioritized across the globe. Nevertheless, knowledge regarding utilization of Female Condoms among HIV positive women remains inconclusive. The main objective of this study was to establish the utilization of Female Condom (FC) among women living with HIV (WLHIV) in Murang’a County, Kenya. The study concentrated on a number of objectives that included assessment of the level of knowledge, Consistent utilization and establishing the factors that influence the use of female condoms in Murang’a County. This study adopted Analytical cross-sectional survey design. A total of 204 women living with HIV (WLHIV) were recruited in the study. Multi-stage sampling was conducted to get three participating Sub-Counties and three clinics. Purposive and systematic sampling techniques were used to select the County, WLHIV and healthcare workers. Structured questionnaires, interviews schedule and focus group discussions were used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were generated using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. The association between variables was determined using Pearson's Chi-square test at a significance level of p≤0.05. The response rate was 100%. The study revealed that most of the respondents 93.1% had heard about female condoms whereas 57.8% admitted to have ever seen the pack. Women’s knowledge on correct fitting of female condoms was not significantly affected by the age (χ2 = 5.093, P = 0.273), education level (χ2 = 7.348, P = 0.119), marital status (χ2 = 3.624, P = 0.605) nor religion (χ2 = 4.628, P = 0.104). The findings showed that 71.4% of younger women, aged 21 - 30 years, 66% of University graduates, divorced (71.4%) and Catholic (57.1%) women had the knowledge on how to correctly fit the FC. A majority of those who supported that there is need for FC cited reasons related to protection and safety 105 (58 %). Women’s views that overall use of FC is easy had a significant association with their current utilization of device (χ2 = 10.689, P = 0.005). The result also found out that those who got advises from the doctor/nurse currently used the device (χ2 = 6.247, P = 0.012.) Only 17.6% revealed to have ever used while 14 (6.9%) put/insert the device all the time. Women who feel comfortable and those who notice no difference when using FC currently used them (χ2 = 25.397, P = 0.0001 and χ2 = 32.541, P = 0.0001 respectively). The WLHIV were of the opinion that female condoms are not readily available (43.1%), are expensive (42.2%) and women feel shy to buy them (41.7%). In conclusion, there was low level of consistent utilization of FC among WLHIV in the study area. The study findings will be useful to policy makers and other stakeholders during planning, developing, and managing targeted capacity building on HIV/STIs resource needs and unwanted pregnancies prevention measures.