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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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Contradiction in Immanuel Kant’s Hierarchical Racism and Egalitarian Humanism
(Kenyatta University, 2025-06) Ndole, Philip Ochieng
Immanuel Kant (1724–1804), a well-known and significant philosopher of the German Enlightenment, holds that white people are superior to non-white people. "White" (Europeans), "yellow" (Asians), "black" (Africans), and "red" (American Indians) are the four categories he separates humanity into. According to Kant, no race, apart from the white race, has the talent (a gift of nature) necessary to develop moral maturity. According to him, Native Americans are lethargic and uninterested, while Black people can obtain an education but only as slaves. White people, on the other hand, possess all the drive and skills. His egalitarian humanism conflicts with this. By arguing that everyone should be viewed and treated as "ends," rather than as means to a goal, he puts forth the ideas of universal democracy and categorical moral imperative. The adage "one would wish the action to be a universal law" also states that one should behave as one would like everyone else to behave toward oneself. In the absence of evidence of Kant denouncing his position on hierarchical racism, his advancing universal rights theory spells a conceptual contradiction. What is observed in our contemporary society is the political ideology that holds that Humans are divided into independent and exclusive biological entities, called races, which determine human traits and capacities. Therefore, the goals of this study are to: First, explain and explain Kant's idea of hierarchical racism; Next, explain and explain Kant's idea of egalitarian humanism; and finally, examine and assess the viability of egalitarian humanism on the one hand and Kantian hierarchical racism on the other. To examine and assess the viability of egalitarian humanism on the one hand and Kantian hierarchical racism on the other, the study employs the laws of thought, namely the principles of identity, non-contradiction, and excluded middle. The research is library-based. It involved logical analysis of particular works of Kant on race and morality. In this regard the work is fundamentally informed by conceptual analysis employing the typical philosophical approach of evaluation, analysis, synthesis, reflection, contemplation and dialectics, all that culminate in philosophical speculation. This work interrogates whether the apparent contradiction is a product of the law of challenge and response or a reconstruction of the Role of Teleology in Kant's Philosophy of History and Natural Law. Relevant literature including books, Journals, Encyclopedias and commentaries by other scholars have been used. In the end analysis, the thesis demonstrates that Kant contradicts himself with regard to the two positions he adopts by postulating Hierarchical racism and at the same time conceptualizing egalitarian Humanism, the implication being that either Hierarchical Racism holds or Egalitarian Humanism. The two positions cannot hold at the same time, in the same manner and the same circumstances
Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence, Dietary Practices and Nutrition Status of Adolescents Attending Kiambu Level 5 Hospital, Kiambu County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-09) Wanjohi, Nyawira Patrick
Adolescents living with HIV face challenges in maintaining adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), adopting appropriate dietary practices, and achieving optimal nutritional status. In Kenya, adolescent HIV prevalence is 4.44%, with Kiambu County reporting 5.6%, placing it among the six most affected counties. This study assessed ART adherence, dietary practices, and nutritional status among adolescents living with HIV attending Kiambu Level Five Hospital. A cross-sectional design was used, with data collected from 271 adolescents aged 10–19 years through structured questionnaires, 24-hour dietary recall, anthropometric measurements, and focus group discussions (FGDs). Systematic random sampling was used for quantitative data, and purposive sampling for the FGD. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 23 and NutriSurvey, with chi-square tests and logistic regression used to determine associations and predictors. Participants were 51.3% male and 48.7% female, mean age 15.6 years. Most (74.9%) were in secondary school, and 50.2% lived in households with ≤6 members. Socio-economically, 74.5% lived in rented houses and 52.4% of caregivers worked in the informal sector. ART adherence was moderate to high in 56.2%, while 43.8% had poor adherence. Dietary diversity was low in 38.1%, medium in 41.9%, and high in 20.0%, with many showing micronutrient inadequacies. Nutritional assessment revealed 15.2% underweight, 74.3% normal weight, and 10.5% overweight/obese. Chi-square analysis showed significant associations between nutritional status and both ART adherence (p = 0.013) and dietary diversity (p = 0.003). Logistic regression identified ART adherence (AOR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.14–4.65; p = 0.020) and dietary diversity (AOR = 2.89; 95% CI: 1.41–5.93; p = 0.004) as independent predictors of normal nutritional status. Caregiver education and household income were also significantly associated with dietary practices and nutritional outcomes. Qualitative findings highlighted stigma, school schedules, and limited adolescent-friendly services as barriers to adherence, while food insecurity and inadequate nutrition knowledge constrained dietary diversity. The study concludes that ART adherence and dietary diversity are significant, modifiable determinants of nutritional status among adolescents living with HIV in Kiambu County. It recommends integrating targeted nutrition education into adolescent HIV care, enhancing adherence counselling through peer support and flexible clinic schedules, and strengthening caregiver engagement. Policy measures should institutionalize routine nutrition assessment, foster multi-disciplinary care, and promote caregiver economic empowerment to address food insecurity. Further research should explore long-term effects of integrated interventions and evaluate the role of school-based programs in improving adolescent health outcomes
Role of Capacity Building in Enhancing Water Service Delivery: A Case Study of Mandera County, Kenya
(African Journal of Emerging Issues, 2026-03) Omar, Mohamed Ali; Muna, Wilson; Minja, David
Purpose of Study: The study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the role of capacity building in enhancing the provision of water services in Mandera County.
Problem Statement: The Kenya National Water Policy 2021 was developed with the aim of ensuring sustainable water resource management and equitable access to clean water across the country. However, there exists gaps in its implementation especially in Mandera County, where water scarcity continues to be a severe and ongoing challenge.
Methodology: The study was informed by pragmatism philosophy and employing a descriptive survey research design. The target population comprised 535 participants drawn from various key stakeholders in Mandera County. The researcher used Slovin’s formula to obtain a sample size of 229 respondents.
Result: Analysis yielded a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.428, indicating that 42.8% of the variation in the provision of water services in Mandera County is explained by capacity building. The ANOVA results revealed that the overall model was statistically significant (p = 0.000<0.05). Regression coefficient results indicated that capacity building has a positive but statistically insignificant effect on the provision of water services in Mandera County (β = 0.414, p = 0.078 > 0.05).
Recommendation: Water sector development partners, NGOs, and the Mandera County Public Service Board should work together to reform and scale up capacity-building programs across the water sector workforce.
Impact of Daily Acetylsalicylic Acid Intake on Commensal Vaginal Bacteria and Yeast
(Kenyatta University, 2025-10) Onyango, Anne Wendy Adhiambo
Genital inflammation plays a crucial role in the acquisition of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) as it leads to the migration of susceptible HIV target cells to the genital mucosa. Mucosal surfaces, such as the female genital tract, are critical in understanding HIV transmission since they form the first point of contact for HIV during sexual transmission. Certain factors like bacterial vaginosis and yeast infection trigger inflammation at the mucosal barrier. The reduction in the levels of Lactobacillus spp. and increased diversity of microbial communities such as Gardnerella vaginalis, Prevotella bivia and other anaerobes have been associated with genital inflammation and increased risk of HIV infection by enhancing high infiltration of immune cells that are susceptible target cells for HIV infection and disruption of the epithelial barriers. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a prevalent condition among women in Kenya, particularly among high-risk populations such as female sex workers. Some studies reported a BV prevalence of 38% among female sex workers in Nairobi, indicating a significant public health challenge that could facilitate increased susceptibility to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address BV and its implications for sexual health in this vulnerable population. Since women are more vulnerable and at higher risk of acquisition of HIV and other STIs, various interventions, including use of pharmacological drugs, have been rolled out as prevention tools. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to evaluate the impact of the daily acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) intake on the commensal vaginal bacteria. This study was designed as a prospective longitudinal study nested in a randomized open label clinical study. The study hypothesized that daily intake of acetylsalicylic acid would not alter commensal vaginal bacteria in the genital tract. The study involved 100 HIV seronegative female sex workers recruited from the Sex Workers Outreach Program (SWOP) Majengo clinic in , Nairobi. The participants were randomized to three arms (no drug, 81mg or 325 mg). Vaginal swabs were collected from consenting participants and smears were made and Gram stained for microscopy. Gram staining and the standard Nugent score system were used to measure the abundance of Lactobacillus spp. ,Gardnerella vaginalis morphotypes and yeast cells, thereby diagnosing and quantifying BV at baseline, 3 months and 6 months of (ASA) intake. Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA to compare differences in BV prevalence and bacterial populations across the treatment arms. Out of 100 women, only 64 had complete BV results at all time points in the study. In these 64 sex worker women, no significant differences were observed regarding the, proportion of women having bacterial vaginosis, across the drug arms at any point during drug intake. Arm D (p=0.1836), Arm K (p=0.0898), and Arm H (p=0.1181). Additionally, there were no significant differences observed in bacterial populations, Lactobacillus spp. median scores for Arm D were 2 (IQR 0-4), 2 (IQR 0-2), and 1 (IQR 0-3) at v1,v3 and v6 respectively. Arm K had median scores of 2 (IQR 0-4), 2 (IQR 0-3), and 0 (IQR 0-3) at v1,v3 and v6 respectively and Arm H had scores of 2 (IQR 0-3), 2 (IQR 0-3), and 1 (IQR 0-2) with corresponding p-values indicating no significant differences, Arm D (p > 0.9999), Arm K (p=0.2918), Arm H (p=0.4966). For Gardnerella vaginalis, median scores for Arm D were 0 (IQR 0-1), 0 (IQR 0-2), and 0 (IQR 0-0) for v1, v3 and v6 respectively. Arm D (p>0.9999), Arm K (p>0.9999), Arm H (p=0.8949). The median score for yeast cells was 0 for all arms and no significant difference was observed in the yeast cells scores Arm D (p>0.9999), Arm K (p>0.9999), Arm H (p>0.9999). Overall, the findings of this study suggested that acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) had no impact on the commensal vaginal bacteria associated with BV over the course of the study. The conclusion of the study is that taking ASA daily does not alter the vaginal microbiome and therefore does not put women at additional risk of HIV. The findings from this study can inform future research to evaluate the impact of ASA and other anti-inflammatory drugs on the vaginal microbiota
Dietary Intake, Morbidity and Nutrition Status among Institutionalized Older Persons in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Ombogo, Lorraine
Aging is associated with physiological decline and vulnerability to nutrition-related illnesses. The global increase in the older population and the high prevalence of malnutrition, including institutional settings, underscore the need to understand factors influencing nutrition outcomes among older persons. This study therefore assessed dietary intake, morbidity, and nutrition status among institutionalized older persons in Nairobi City County, Kenya. A cross-sectional analytical design was used. Two homes were purposively selected, and a proportional sample of 141 older persons aged 60 years and above was drawn. Data were collected using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), 24-hour dietary recall, and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics, while Chi-square and regression analyses examined associations among dietary intake, morbidity, and nutrition status. Most respondents (49%) were aged 60–70 years, with 73.9% residing in the privately owned home for older persons. The mean daily energy intake was 2663.5 Kcal, (SD 1490.53) and nearly half (46.4%) had high dietary diversity. 53.6% of the participants reported suffering from various chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes, while 26.1% took three or more prescription drugs daily. Using BMI classification, the MNA tool showed that 97.8% had ≥23 kg/m², with 66.7% overweight and 26.1% obese using the WHO BMI categorization. Using the MNA tool scores, 81.2% were considered malnourished, and 18.8% were at risk. Chi-square tests showed weak associations between age, institution, and nutrition status but significant associations between gender, dietary intake, morbidity, and nutrition status (p < 0.05). Regression analysis indicated that dietary diversity, presence of illness, and sex were strong predictors of nutrition status, with males being 2.9 times more likely to be malnourished than females. The study concludes that nutrition status among institutionalized older persons is influenced by dietary intake, morbidity, and gender which further contributes to malnutrition risk. It recommends that homes for older persons integrate diversified dietary intake with physical activity considering the number of respondents reported with high BMI. Additionally, based on the outcome of the regression analysis which revealed a significant association between sex and nutritional status where males were more likely to be malnourished than females, the study recommends qualitative research to explore underlying factors explaining this difference