Browsing by Author "Mbuthia, Susan W."

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    Farming-related transport needs and provision in Mwea Tebere irrigation scheme, Kirinyaga district, Kenya
    (2012-04-03) Mbuthia, Susan W.
    This study analyses farming related transport needs and provision in Mwea Tebere Irrigation Scheme, Kirinyaga District, Kenya. The objectives of the study are to: (a) describe the basic transport features at the farm level, (b) examine how farmers meet their agricultural transport needs, (c) identify and determine the type, severity and effects of transport constraints faced by farmers on farming related activities and (d) discuss the farmers' efforts in overcoming the transport constraints facing them. The following hypotheses are tested in this study: (a) there is no significant difference in average trip lengths travelled daily by farmers in different sites of Mwea Tebere Irrigation Scheme, (c) there is no significant difference in average time spent on farming related movement by men and women in Mwea Tebere Irrigation Scheme, (e) there is no significant difference in the means of transport used by men and women , and (f) there is no discernible pattern in rating of transport constraints experienced by farmers in Mwea Tebere Irrigation Scheme. Data for the study were collected by the use of a space-time movement frequency matrix, a questionnaire and focus discussions. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 6.3 was used for data processing and analysis. The following statistics and tests were used to summarize the data and test the hypotheses: mean, percentages,frequencies, chi-square test, student's t-test, analysi of variance ( ANOVA) and factor analysis. The results were presented using tables and photographs. ANOVA test reveal s that there is a significant difference in the average distances travelled daily by farmers. The test also indicates that there is no significant difference in average time spent on farming related movement in Mwea Tebere Irrigation Scheme. The student's t-test analysis indicates that men spend more time than women do on farming related movement. Chi-square test reveals that there is a significant difference in the means of transport used by men and wome. The factors analysis demonstrates a discernible pattern in the rating of transport constraints by farmers. These constraints are identified and labeled as: administrative and management constraint, financial constraint, inaccessibility, load transport constraint, poor road infrastructure and inadequate motor vehicle services. The overall effect of these constraints is delay in performance of farm activities, leading to less farm production. To overcome the transport constraints they face, farmers have adopted two main coping strategies: use of non-motorised means of transport and reducing the number of visits to the market. Whereas these coping strategies are important to the farmers they could still be improved. It is , therefore, recommended that: the current Irrigation Act should be reviewed to address the existing farming related transport needs of farmers, non-motorised means of transport, particularly the bicycle, be modified and all the stakeholders (government, farmers, traders) in the transport service in Mwea Tebere Irrigation Scheme be involved in construction, repair and maintance of roads within the Scheme.
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    The influence of ethnicity on leisure pursuits and tourism behaviour of Somali immigrants in Leeuwarden, Netherlands
    (Academic Journals, 2010-07) Mbuthia, Susan W.; Maingi, Shem W.
    This study is based on the premise that there are fundamental differences in tourism behaviour of immigrants in Europe, such that, there are certain ethnic and cultural determinants to travel preferences, choice and behaviour. Previous studies in Europe reveal certain socio-economic constraints that face ethnic minorities in Europe. This study sought to identify these ethnic determinants/ constraints of travel behaviour amongst Somali immigrants in the Netherlands. A field survey was conducted through the use of structured interviews. The interviews were conducted to twenty nine adults living in the city of Leeuwarden, Netherlands. The respondents were college students and other adults from twenty one years and above, specifically of Somali decent. The results indicated that there were in deed ethnic differences in leisure and tourism behaviour of Somali immigrants to the Netherlands. The Bantu Somalis were more liberal and would adapt more than the other Somalis when they come into contact with other cultures. Travel preferences of these respondents were based on their personal values; personal liking; family ties and the level of interest of places to travel. Racialized expressions and social encounters played a pivotal role in the way the Somalis living in the Netherlands chose to travel and engage in their daily and leisure activities. These individuals were more or less influenced by other cultural contexts, therefore having significantly different preferences in leisure pursuits and travel behaviour. Majority of the findings confirmed that there were ethnic constraints and determinants to leisure and tourism behaviour of Somali immigrants in Leeuwarden, Netherlands. This work has demonstrated that there were indeed constraints experienced by immigrants and especially those of Somali ethnicity, and close attention to the experiences of other Netherlands immigrants such as those from Caribbean or Middle East should be researched on. This would help develop a broader analysis of immigrants’ forms and ways of travel and their experiences.
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    The influence of ethnicity on leisure pursuits and tourism behaviour of Somali immigrants in Leeuwarden, Netherlands
    (2011-10-31) Mbuthia, Susan W.
    This study is based on the premise that there are fundamental differences in tourism behaviour of immigrants in Europe, such that, there are certain ethnic and cultural determinants to travel preferences, choice and behaviour. Previous studies in Europe reveal certain socio-economic constraints that face ethnic minorities in Europe. This study sought to identify these ethnic determinants/ constraints of travel behaviour amongst Somali immigrants in the Netherlands. A field survey was conducted through the use of structured interviews. The interviews were conducted to twenty nine adults living in the city of Leeuwarden, Netherlands. The respondents were college students and other adults from twenty one years and above, specifically of Somali decent. The results indicated that there were in deed ethnic differences in leisure and tourism behaviour of Somali immigrants to the Netherlands. The Bantu Somalis were more liberal and would adapt more than the other Somalis when they come into contact with other cultures. Travel preferences of these respondents were based on their personal values; personal liking; family ties and the level of interest of places to travel. Racialized expressions and social encounters played a pivotal role in the way the Somalis living in the Netherlands chose to travel and engage in their daily and leisure activities. These individuals were more or less influenced by other cultural contexts, therefore having significantly different preferences in leisure pursuits and travel behaviour. Majority of the findings confirmed that there were ethnic constraints and determinants to leisure and tourism behaviour of Somali immigrants in Leeuwarden, Netherlands. This work has demonstrated that there were indeed constraints experienced by immigrants and especially those of Somali ethnicity, and close attention to the experiences of other Netherlands immigrants such as those from Caribbean or Middle East should be researched on. This would help develop a broader analysis of immigrants’ forms and ways of travel and their experiences