PHD-School of Humanities & Social Sciences

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This collections contains bibliographic information and abstracts of PHD theses and dissertation in the School of Humanities & Social Sciences held in Kenyatta University Library

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The Position of Women in the Luo Societies: Case Study of Jok'Onyango A.D. 1750-1920
(Kenyatta University, 1990-11) Ayot, Theodora Olunga O.
This thesis is a detailed study of the position and role of women in the political, economic and social life as well as decision-making processes. The study is based on four communities which were established by the Luo as they expanded their settlements into South Nyanza in the period between A.D. 1750 and 1920. The first Luo groups in the present-day South Nyanza District were Joka- Jok who arrived in the area from A.D. 1688 onwards, having crossed over the lake at the Uyoma peninsula. They established settlements in Kanyamwa, Kadem, Karungu and Karachuonyo. In the subsequent years these Luo groups have been referred to as Joka-Chwanya or Jok'Onyango. Chwanya is given in their tradition as one of the sons of Jok and that he was the son of Onyango Rabala. This is why these people are referred to as Joka-Chwanya or Jok'Onyango. The study is divided into three parts, comprising ten chapters. Part one centres on the founding of the society. It is composed of two chapters. Chapter one deals with identification of the area under study, the period chosen for the study and why that period was chosen. It contains the statement of the problem, the objective of the study and justification of the study. Also examined in this Chapter are the various modes of analysis in historical development. Methods of historical research used during the field work are fully explained as well as secondary sources and archival materials consulted. Sample questions used during the field work are also included. (See appendix I). Chapter Two gives a general geographical context of the study in terms of origin and expansion of Jok'Onyango. Part Two concentrates on the socio-cultural activities and economic set up of Jok'Onyango. It is composed of four chapters. Chapter Three discusses the importance of women in the Luo society and the role of matrilineal dominance in a society that was basically patrilineal in nature. It distinguishes patrilineal from patriarchal system. Chapter Four examines the role of women in the evolution and emergence of some of the Jok'Onyango communities where both women and men are eponymous founders especially at the clan level. Chapter Five addresses itself to the role of women in cultural history especially in the dissemination of knowledge to the youth in the society. Chapter Six concerns the historical analysis of the contribution of Luo women in subsistence production, the right to land use and the question of inheritance. Part Three deals with women and the world of politics. Chapter Seven surveys the nature of political institutions in the Luo society with a view to determine factors which contributed or hindered the participation of women in politics and decision-making processes. Chapter Eight deals specifically with the participation of women in political activities and military warfare, while Chapter Nine discusses the imposition of alien rule in Kenya and its impact on the women in the Luo societies and how the women responded to these outside forces.
Children's literature in Tanzania: A literary appreciation of its growth and development
(Kenyatta University, 1995) Mpesha, Nyambura Grace Alice
This study is a critical appraisal of the growth and development of children's literature in Tanzania. It arises from a recognition of the dearth of critical works on this literature and is based on the premise that children's literature requires an evaluative framework for guiding the literary and creative needs of children in Tanzania. The thesis collates the various categories of this literature and establishes a framework for assessing their literary qualities, wholesomeness, suitability for and impact on the child reader. It traces the growth of this literature from its oral beginnings through the colonial written literature to the contemporary works written in English or Kiswahili. The first sections of the thesis present an analysis of the context, stylistic features and visual presentation of colonial, East African and Tanzanian literature available to the child in Tanzania. The study collaborates this discussion with further analysis and interpretation of children's responses to the subject matter, moral, style and illustrations of the most widely read children's books in Tanzania. From these analyses it isolates and evaluates both the existing literature and its emerging trends. It points out that the best literature for children is always skilfully and carefully written and communicates meaningfully to the child about childhood and experiences relevant to his/her world; that this literature is enjoyed by the child reader and has tremendous significance and influence on him or her. The study concludes that Tanzanian children's literature has gradually emerged as a noticeable branch of literature in its own right, but that writers will in future need to be more conscious of children's interests so that the growth in the future can point more towards a wholesome, meaningful and diverse literature.
A Theory of Scientific Terminology
(Kenyatta University, 1998) Kibuuka, Balubuuliza Kiingi,
The central aim of the study is twofold. First, a well-grounded .theory of scientific terminology is to be formulated and argued for. Secondly, the theory is to be applied to the problem of terminological elaboration of a Bantu language Luganda, whereby conceptual formalisation is the main point of departure. The study is conducted in four stages. First, a periodic system of conceptual elements is originated taking a general conceptual structure of formal and natural science into account. A conceptual calculus is developed on the periodic system. The calculus and criteria for scientific terminology are fused into a theory of scientific terminology. Secondly, the scope and nature of conceptual and expressional sharing which is necessary for the terminological elaboration of Luganda are explored with a view of setting the stage for the extrapolation of Luganda expression formation processes. Thirdly, terminological systems in physics, chemistry, biology, geology and medicine are articulated in Luganda. English and German materials in these fields together with logic and mathematics are translated into Luganda.:-;1 Finally, a group of Primary and Secondary school teachers of science and mathematics, and a group of Luganda-speaking linguists. are confronted with and exposed to the terminological systems articulated in Luganda together with techniques of coining Luganda expressions. Since the systems and techniques constitute an apparent chasm separating present-day Luganda and full-fledged scientific Luganda, it would be methodologically disputable to test for their acceptability per se. Logically speaking, successful learning of a problem solving system is not necessarily tantamount to acceptance of its principles. Nevertheless, the teachers and linguists critically receive the systems and techniques to such an extent that they eventually collaborate with the researcher on a compilation of a school dictionary of science and mathematics.
Verb morphology in Gikuyu in the Light of Morpho-syntactic Theories
(Kenyatta University, 2001) Mwangi, Phyllis W.
Among the many controversies in linguistics today, there are two that have captured our interest. The first and the main one involves the status of morphology and its relationship with other components of grammar like syntax, phonology and semantics. Some linguists believe morphology can adequately be catered for in these other components and therefore does not need a separate component in language. Others however feel that there are issues that are morphology-specific worth studying. The second controversy addressed in this work involves the distinction normally drawn between inflection and derivation. There are those who believe that the dividing line between the two is rather fuzzy and not really meaningful. The opposing camp, however, thinks that the two are distinct. Our research was prompted by these two debates. In addressing the first one, we have looked at morphological and syntactic implications of four valency-changing morphemes in Gikuyu, namely: the applicative, the causative, the passive and the stative. We have sought to explain the syntactic effects of the affixation of these morphemes within the Merger Theory (Marantz, 1984) and the Incorporation Theory (Baker, 1988a,b), both of which are syntactic in orientation. As a preliminary to the above task however, this research addresses the distinction drawn between inflection and derivation in Gikuyu. We have employed four distinguishing criteria on the four morphemes in order to determine to what extent each exhibits features associated with inflection on the one hand and derivation on the other. In relation to the first research issue, we have found that the syntactic theories of Merger (Marantz, 1984) and Incorporation (Baker, 1988a,b) cannot adequately account for the morpho-syntactic behaviour of valency-altering morphemes in Gikuyu. We have explained what the shortcomings of the theories are, and where possible, suggested alternative analysis. Finally, we have concluded that although morphology interacts closely with other components of language, it retains a distinct place in the study of language. We have recommended that further research is necessary in this area, especially geared towards a lexical- functional approach given the rich and complex morphology evident in Gikuyu and in Bantu languages generally. Concerning the distinction between inflection and derivation, our analysis has shown that the four distinguishing criteria do not give conclusive results, tbus making it difficult for us to classify the morphemes as either inflectional or derivational. In view of this, we have reformulated the distinguishing criteria to suit Gikuyu after arguing that the distinction is necessary especially for lexicographical purposes.
A moral response to the conflict of interests between humans and non human nature
(2002) Makokha, Tadayo Kibaba
Environmental protection and care is increasingly becoming a major pre-occupation of many scholars and various fields of intellectual pursuit. This is mainly prompted by the current environmental crisis occasioned mainly by soaring human populations and increased capacity by human beings to interfere with the natural processes. This increased interference with nature has precipitated unprecedented increase in pollution in various forms, destruction of forests, problems of disposal of toxic wastes and garbage, extinction of both plant and animal species and so on. Thus, human beings have become pervasive, overwhelming and abusive to the natural environment. This raises serious ethical concerns in particular; we discern serious conflict between humanity and nonhuman nature. It is against this backdrop that this study set out to argue for a moral intervention to the environmental crisis. The study is premised on the centrality of morality in harmonization of relationships, as exemplified in human relationships. The present study has endeavoured to demonstrate that ethical relationships transcend human to human to include the human to nonhuman nature category. Hence, the question of conflict applies to human to nonhuman nature relationship in as much as it does to human relationships. The central thesis of the study is anchored on the moral standing of nonhuman nature; the view that nonhuman beings have a value of their own, upon which their interests and well-being are predicated. It is on the basis of this that we have argued for the extension of moral considerability to nonhuman nature. We have also endeavoured to concretise our thesis within the specific context of an African worldview to test the validity of some of our arguments. Specifically, a reconstruction of Bukusu environmental ethical values gathered through intensive oral emphasizing the unique place of humanity in nature. Thus, the ensuing ethic is in pursuit of principles aimed at achieving ecological balance and harmony. This is perfectly in line viii with one of the central functions of morality, namely, harmonizing relationships. In addition, these findings perfectly fit into and reinforce the conceptual paradigm of ecosustainability, identified, clarified and argued for in this thesis. In sum, the thesis is structured as follows: Chapter one outlines the general introduction, purpose, and scope of the study. Chapter two, explores the centrality of the institution of morality in relationships involving humans, setting the ground for the central thesis of this study, namely, to invoke moral reasoning and guidance in attempt to surmount conflicts between humans and nonhuman nature. Chapter three endeavours to clarify the problematic and controversial question of the basis of moral concern for nonhuman nature, thus grounding moral intervention in human - nonhuman nature relationship. Chapter four, by way of exemplification reconstructs Bukusu environmental values as a way of concretising some of the central arguments of the study and as a contribution towards an understanding or theory of environmental ethics. Chapter five on the other hand interrogates prevailing theoretical formulations in environmental ethics, with the view to showing their weaknesses in articulating human - nonhuman nature relationship. Then we present our considered conceptual framework of ecosustainability as this study's contribution towards an understanding of environmental ethics. Chapter six in a recap, attempts self - assessment particularly in the light of the objectives and assumptions of the study. summarizes and concludes the main arguments of the study, with a final note on the recommendations and the way forward
Rethinking frantz fanon in the co text of the Kenyan Decolonization experience, 1895-1992
(Kenyatta University, 2003) Kisiang'ani, Edward Namisiko Waswa
There is no doubt that the problematic of decolonization remains one of the most intriguing subjects in contemporary scholarship. With regard to the African continent, the mention of the term decolonization evokes profound emotions, debates and controversies, just as it raises some very fundamental questions. One of the questions that is often raised with regard to this subject is this: when did the process of decolonization in Africa actually begin and when did it end? Another question related to the foregoing one concerns the definition of the term decolonization. It: -for Africa, decolonization implies the dismantling of the European imperialist structures on the continent, has this so far been achieved? Is it possible to argue that, over forty years into the independence experience, Africa can confidently boast to be free of colonialism? These and many other stimulating questions have perennially consumed the intellectual energies of scholars and political theorists grappling with the historically complex relationship between the African continent and the Euro-American axis. Frantz Fanon is, possibly, a leading scholar and political theorist on the discourse of decolonization in Africa. Born in Martinique in 1925, Fanon spent most of his adult life in French North Africa. Indeed, he became the chief architect of the Algerian revolution that resulted into the political collapse of the French regime in Algeria. Throughout his writings, Fanon tackled critical colonial issues that embraced but were not confined to alienation, racism, exploitation, political participation, class struggle, liberation, socialism, culture, the nation-state, national leadership, neo-colonialism, tribalism and above all, violence. No doubt, these issues are crucial entry-points for anybody wishing to interrogate the structure of European colonialism in Africa. This study highlights and critiques some of these issues within the context of Kenya's decolonization experience. Given that Fanon's discourse on colonialism was derived from his own experience under French imperialism, this study appropriates some of his ideas to an alternative British colonial situation in Kenya in order to ascertain if his conclusions could polymorphously be employed to interpret any given imperial situation. Guided by Fanon's pessrrrusrn about what seemed to be Africa's premature celebration of independence in the early 1960s, the study adopts the view that, in Kenya, the formal colonialism which began in 1895 did not end with the political collapse of the British rule. Rather, the study looks at the attainment of Kenya's independence in 1963 as a well-calculated transitional move by the British to re-invent and Africanize colonialism so as to maintain their hegemony over the African country. Consequently, the study treats both the Kenyatta and Moi states as continuities in the colonial project which began in the late 19th century. To capture this reality, the study has employed the analytical devices of the postmodernist and the postcolonialist theoretical dispositions. Notably, through the post-modernist perspective, the study finds space to generally question the grand narratives of the West, some of which came to justify the installation of colonial rule in Africa while others have tended to influence the way in which the discourse on decolonization has been developed. On the other hand, the postcolonial theoretical standpoint has enabled the study to question Eurocentric forms of knowledge which seem to give Africa and its people certain identities of disability and inferiority and which have, in turn, justified colonialism in both its formal and hegemonic dispensations. Thus, through the postcolonial domain, the study enriches the counter-hegemonic discourse that. remains fundamental to the realization of the goal of true liberation in Africa. The study derived its data from both primary and secondary sources. While secondary data was fundamentally limited to library research, primary data was procured from the Archives and from the oral respondents. Finally, this study demonstrates that there is a lot of literature dealing with Kenya's experience with formal and informal variations of colonialism (for example Odinga 1967, Kanogo 1987, Ngugi 1980, 1981, 1986; Furedi 1989, Edgerton 1990, Rosberg and Nottingham 1966, among others), but no study has so far been undertaken to specifically interrogate Fanon in the light of the Kenyan decolonization experience. Consequently, this study undertakes a modest intervention to address this intellectual gap.
The Child Character in Adult Literature: A Study of Six Selected Caribbean Novels
(Kenyatta University, 2003-08) Mugubi, John G.O.; Francis Imbuga; Nyambura Mpesha; Muigai Wa Gachanja
This study examines the child character in post- emancipation and colonial West-Indian fiction in order to determine his position in' that society and his role as a literary agent. Our samples in this endeavour are six Caribbean novels namely: Merle Hodge's Crick Crack, Monkey, Michael Anthony's The Year In Sail Fernando, Jan Shinebourne's The Last English Plantation, Ian McDonald's The Humming Bird Tree, Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea and Namba Roy's No Black Sparrows, The study adopts the sociological literary and psychological approaches as the theoretical framework, These approaches enabled us to understand the development of the child within the Caribbean social experiences. This Study argues that the child characters in novels designed for adult readership are employed intentionally for concrete goals. Such children, particularly in West Indian novels, while essentially childlike, are not gullible and puerile. They are cogently perspicacious and active. -Reasonable and cognizant of their surrounding, these children are invested with boundless potentials. Hence, although childhood is seen as a period when diverse influences impinge on the child, each child is endowed with the capacity to either withstand or succumb to negative influences, The genius of the child disregarding, owing to the psychic and physical stature of the child vis a vis that of their adult guardians, the position of the child is delineated as that of a gudgeon, a sacrifice to the adult world's benightedness, selfishness and savagery. The anatomic and intellectual vulnerability of children makes them easy prey to varied forms of victimization from adults. The child's plight in a racially stratified and class society is seen as ghastly. The child from the subjugated race and class suffers triply. He is debased as a member of a disfavoured race, execrated class and also as a child .. The girl child suffers additionally because of her gender. The child from the advantageous group is also seen as a victim of the ravages of her people's jaundiced eye. Made to feel the ultimate in perfection, such a child is obtuse, psychologically and ethically stunted since he becomes blinded to his own limitations. Such a child is impaired and is therefore incapable of moral advancement. Subsequently, the child character emerges as a metaphor. It is therefore feasible to read the Caribbean childhood novels as allegories in which the child characters epitomize a breed of people at a particular moment in their history. The eminent nonwhite children embody the confidence and aspirations of their people. Together with the tolerant white children, such children seek to make sense out of the jumble of racism, colonialism, class and gender-oriented compartmentalization and thereby endeavour to construct structures of 'sanity'(and therefore 'stability') that tally with their ideals. As metaphors therefore, the child characters in Caribbean novels are employed to underscore an array of childhood idiosyncrasies that may restore the muddle of human relationships. The thesis concludes the argument by reiterating that the child is an effective tool for inquiring into not only the plight of the child but also the racial, class and gender disparities and struggles in the Caribbean during the enfranchisement (post-slavery) and colonial periods. Through prudent exploration of a child's psychological makeup, the authors delineate the child as a powerful agent thr~ugh which other themes such as: poverty, police brutality, alienation, religion and politics are surveyed. Generally, we have established that the child has been employed by the West-Indian writers to express their humanism and consequently, the kind of society they espouse. The child has therefore been revealed as a beam of ethicalness through which the world can be humanized.
Factors that hinder women's participation in theological education in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2004) James, Ruth Muthei
This study identifies and discusses factors that hinder women's participation in theological education in Kenya. Reference is made to theological institutions that belong to two church traditions, namely, the main line protestant and evangelical traditions. The study seeks to address the paradox of under representation of women in institutions that have openings for them. The objectives of the study are; To analyze the status of women in the history of Christianity since its inception, to identify and assess the modalities applied in admitting women into theological institutions in Kenya, to identify and discuss factors that influence women's experiences in theological institutions in Kenya, and, to identify and evaluate strategies that could enhance the participation of women in theological education in Kenya. To achieve the above objectives, ten theological institutions have been selected on the basis of their church affiliations as well as the academic programs they offer. The study concentrates on institutions that offer diploma, bachelors and masters programs. The significance of these programmes is that the institutions that offer them are interdenominational and the fact that churches in the study only ordain persons that are trained at diploma level and above. The mam argument of this study is that women are under represented in theological education in Kenya. This has been authenticated by the examination of the actual numbers of women students and faculty in theological institutions. Their numbers are much lower than those of men, a factor that has been attributed to the attitude of churches toward theological education for women and the type of ministries open to women in the churches. The entire study portrays women in a struggle to venture into theological education. The struggle begins with their access to theological institutions. Once enrolled, they struggle through college life with administrative and social structures that are unfavourable to them. After graduating from college, women struggle with job placement as well as acceptance by those they are to serve. The study identifies three main factors that hinder women's access to and their experiences in theological institutions. They are; The structures of theological institutions, policies of churches that sponsor theological institutions, and, African culture. It has been confirmed in this study that churches have a direct and powerful influence in the enrolment of students, appointment of teaching staff, as well as the formulation of the curricula taught. Consequently, a church's view of the status and role of women in its ministry influences their enrolment in theological institutions. This study employs the concepts of the 'lenses of gender' theory by Sandra Bem (1993). The lenses are; androcentrism, gender polarization and biological essentialism: The analysis establishes that the characteristics exhibited by the three lenses interact to reproduce male power in human institutions. In such setups, females and males are channeled into different and unequal life situations with the females being relegated to the subordinate sphere and the males to the super ordinate sphere. Finally, the study offers suggestions 111 form of strategies that could enhance women's participation 111 theological education. They are; Advocacy, transformation of the structures of theological institutions and churches, and, the revision of the curricula of theological institutions. Networking among women and between women and men in theological studies and in the church has also been advanced as a strategy.
Women religious leaders as actors in ethnic conflict management and resolution in Nakuru and Uasin Gishu districts, Kenya
(2004-01) Maina, Newton Kahumbi
This study investigated women religious leaders as actors in ethnic conflict management and resolution in Nakuru and Uasin Gishu districts, Kenya. These two districts in the Rift Valley Province, suffered the worst effects of the ethnic clashes that took place between 1992-1998. [he study was based on the general premise that in all conflict related situations women bear the greatest brunt of the violence. Yet, they are hardly represented in peace negotiations and in the various structures of peace making. Where they are included, the number of women is miserably minimal or negligible. By and large, the study shows that during the ethnic clashes, women were the main victims of the mayhem perpetrated by the attackers. Nevertheless, women are sidelined in various structures and processes of peace building. They are also under represented in the various peace meetings. The study has demonstrated that religion can be integrated with gender dimension in peace building, conflict prevention and management. This is underscored by the significant roles of women in peace building. These roles are evident from the work of Rural Women Peace Link, a network of women groups that is geared to peace building in the areas that have suffered the effects of ethnic clashes and other violent related conflicts such as cattle rustling. Various organizations that are involved in peace building, and conflict prevention and management are identified and discussed. These include the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK); the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJ&PC) and Catholic Women Association (CWA) under the auspices of the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru (CON); Centre for Conflict Resolution (CCR); and Mothers Union and Nakuru Region Inter-diocesan Christian Community Services, under the aegis of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK), Diocese of Nakuru. The role of women religious leaders in peace building, conflict prevention. management and resolution is discerned from the various programs that are run by these organizations. The study employs a theoretical framework that is reconstructed from the functionalist theory of religion and the roles of religious women. This is in view of the fact that women religious leaders operate within the purview of religion. Hence it is within the context of religion that the roles of women religious leaders has been explained and understood.
The MStory of the Informal Enterprises in Kenya: A Case Study of the Jua Kali Sub-Sector of Nairobi, 1899-1998.
(Kenyatta University, 2006) Kiruthu, Felix Macharia; Eric Masinde Aseka; Mildred A. Jalang'o Ndeda
The study examined the origin and the transformation of the jua kali sector of Nairobi from 1899 to 1998, and its consequences on the African communities in the town. A case study research design based on qualitative procedures was adopted employing three types of data, .namely: Archival data, oral interviews and library research. Among the jua kali sites identified and examined in the study included: Gikomba, Kamukunji, Ziwani, Kawangware, Kariobangi ,Githurai and .Roysambu. 90 knowledgeable informants on the history of Nairobi and jua kali sector were interviewed from 2001 to 2005. These included jua kali operators, Non- Governmental Organisations' personnel, civil servants, and Asian business people. In order to analyse the complex relations in the jua kali sector of Nairobi, the study adopted an integrated theoretical approach comprising the dependency and underdevelopment approach, the articulation of modes of production and the concept of neo-patrimonialism. It is argued here that the city of Nairobi emerged as a colonial urban centre along the Uganda railway and was, therefore, the product of international capitalism, which creates a global division of labour that consigns the periphery to primary production. The prime motive behind the construction of the Uganda Railway was to facilitate British colonial authority, and transportation of resources to the East Coast enroute to the metropole in London. As the colonial headquarters in Kenya, Nairobi was strategic to the British. It served as the administrative, commercial and transport centre for organising the drainage of resources and surplus to the metropole. A number of Christian Missionaries, Asians and white settlers settled in the , country, particularly near Nairobi, after the completion of the railway in 1901. XII The three groups were by the First World War socialising the African communities to serve the colonial system, through western education, apprenticeship and wage labour. Moreover, the alienation of land, forced many Africans to migrate to the White settler farms, Nairobi and other urban centres, in search of wage labour. Those who failed to secure wage labour in Nairobi turned to hawking, prostitution and other marginal activities such as the brewing of illegal liquor. It is further argued that although a number of Africans acquired artisanal skills from the government departments and mission schools by the inter war period, very few of them practised artisanal businesses in Nairobi. Rather, most of them acquired jobs in the formal sector. Therefore, the African pioneer jua kali artisans were those who acquired their skills informally from the Asian artisans. The Second World War marked the increased exploitation of the Kenyan economy. Desperate for more labour, financial and agricultural resources to support the war effort, the British recruited more Africans into the war and even allowed for a small number of manufacturing enterprises to be set up in Nairobi. The war also led to an influx of Africans into Nairobi in search of wage- employment opportunities. Many of them turned to the informal sector particularly after the War. The demobilized soldiers and the African squatters evicted from white settler farms after the mechanization of agriculture also flocked into the city. Consequently, many Africans turned to petty theft, illegal brewing of liquor, and prostitution in Nairobi as a way of survival. Others turned to artisanal trades in Burma, Kariokor market and in the Nairobi African locations such as Kibera, Pumwani and Mathare. They engaged in carpentry, metal work, woodwork, bicycle and motor vehicle repair, as well as shoe repair. Evidently, these jua kali trades, were a direct consequence of the inadequate job opportunities in the waged sector of the economy. Xlll Unhappy with the illegal activities of the African entrepreneurs, the colonial authorities in Nairobi resorted to constant harassment and arrests of the African street traders and artisans. This contrasted sharply with the granting of business premises and licenses to the African elite, viewed as loyalists by the rest in Nairobi. It is, argued here that the harassment subjected to the unemployed Africans and jua kali artisans resulted in the emergence of the Mau Mau guerrilla movement in Nairobi. This could explain why the Mau Mau activity in Nairobi involved frequent murders and other forms of violence against the Europeans, Asians and the African loyalists who enjoyed colonial patronage. At independence in 1963, the influx control measures against African movement into Nairobi were lifted. This in turn accelerated the influx of thousands of the ex-detainees and other Africans who had been repatriated from Nairobi during the Emergency. These were soon followed by thousands of school leavers who sought better employment opportunities and higher wages available in Nairobi. Evidently, the capitalist-oriented policies of the Kenyatta government privileged the small group of Western investors and African elite. Educated individuals in official positions acquired patronage resources, including the best arable land. Consequently, the landless resorted to the jua kali sector for a means of livelihood. The Moi government inherited its predecessor's economic policies, at a time when the oil prices were high and the cash crops from Kenya were performing dismally at the international market. In the meantime, the international political environment also took a new dimension especially after the collapse of the former Soviet Union in 1989. Multilateral and the bilateral donors began to enforce strict lending terms, including the Structural Adjustment Programmes, on the country. It is against this background that many Kenyans were pushed into the jua kali sector in the 1980s and 1990s. Although the Moi regime re~ognised the important role played by the sector in the face of the XIV economic crisis facing the formal sector of the economy, economic mismanagement due to political patronage worsened the economic situation of the jua kali operators. This was evident in the grabbing of jua kali plots and the subsequent demolition of their sheds by politicians and government officials. Conclusively, the jua kali sector produced several innovators and entrepreneurs but these could not succeed fully without the strategic and active support of the state.
A genre analysis of selected Master of Arts (MA) and master of science (MSc) Theses in Kenyan public universities
(2011-07-19) Maroko, Geoffrey Mokua
The present study is a genre of analysis of selected Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MSc) theses of Kenyan universities. First, the study uncovers the competencies expected in the MSc and MA thesis. Second, it explores and describes how writers use generic features such as moves, tense, citation, authorial stance, and hedging to realise the typical competencies. Third, the study of specifies the similarities and differences found in the use of the generic features. Finally it describes the linguistic rationale for the MSc and MA thesis in the light of the generic features identified above. The motivation for studying the thesis stemmed from the view that it is high stakes document in higher studies which has not been given adequate scholarly attention in terms of research. Six theses produced in the 2003/2004 academic year were selected using non-probability sampling methods to represent the then six public universities in Kenya. Three theses were drawn from the MA disciplinary culture. Guided by theoretical perspective of the salient generic featured in the literature, my institution and introspection, I manually elicited the tokens representing moves, tense, citation, writer stance, and subjected them to both quantities and qualitative analysis procedures. A number of fundamental outcomes emerged from the analysis. First, all but one thesis adopted the Standard/Traditional format with the one thesis following the topic-based one. Variations were noted in the number and sequence of moves and/or elements in the two disciplinary cultures. However, MA these were found to employ more simple present tense forms than the simple past while MSc these recorded a higher incidence of simple past than present. Thirdly, the agentless passive point of view was the most preferred form of expressing writer stance in both disciplinary cultures. While the agentless passive predominated all rhetorical moves in MSc theses, MA theses employed a variety of forms of expressing writer stance such as the personified, third person, and first person singular pronoun points of view. With regard to citations, MSc these had a much lower density than MA theses. In the two disciplinary cultures, the Results and discussion move recorded the highest incidence of citations. It also emerged that the frequency of non-integral citations was higher than that of integral citations in both disciplinary cultures though MA theses recorded higher occurrences of both forms than MSc theses. In addition, the present study revealed that the general incidence of hedges in MA theses was marked higher than in MSc theses. It also emerged that epistemic lexical verbs were the most frequently employed hedging devices followed by epistemic modal verbs with epistemic nouns being the least frequently used. Lastly, the study revealed that the notion of communicative purposes is very versatile as the various levels of the thesis express diverse purposes. Such purposes can be traced to the thesis as a whole in relation to the context in which it is produced; the rhetorical moves, and the elements in each move. The findings of this study have implications for the development of classroom or reference materials, teaching academic genres, syllabus design, and academic genre-based research, hence adding to on-going work in applied linguistics
Adaptation levels of family caregivers of people living with HIV and AIDS: a case of Thika district,Kenya
(2011-07-25) Kathuri-Ogola, L. N.
People Living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) often require specialized care especially from those closely related to them. Most of this care giving of the infected takes place in the home and is by relatives. However, very little is understood about how these caregivers adapt to care giving. The study therefore, sought to investigate factors that predict levels of adaptation to care giving of family caregivers (FCGs) of PLWHA in Thika District. The District has had a high HIV prevalence in the country. A total of 177 primary FCGs of PLWWA drawn through proportionate stratified random sampling from three divisions in the study area were used. Data was collected using interview schedules and Focus Group Discussion (FGDs). The collected data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitative data was analyzed with the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) where descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were computed in order to understand the patterns and nature of relationships. Qualitative data was analyzed by use of content analysis, where labels were assigned to various categories and themes of the data. In addition, the data was presented where possible through the use of verbatim quotation. The results showed that the FCGs face numerous challenges in care provision the most prominent ones being financial, food provision, stress and stigma. Consequently they adopt coping strategies to ensure economic endurance, psychosocial wellbeing and spiritual support. Generally, caregivers' have a positive perception of HIV and AIDS and the care recipient (PLWHA) and a negative perception of their care giving roles. Support for FCGs is in form of training, medicines and equipment, food and psychological support largely provided by CBOs, FBOs, neighbors, friends and extended family. More or less an equal number of FCGs had adapted and mal-adapted to the situation. Chi-square results at 0.05 probability error revealed a significant relationship between adaptation levels and caregivers'; residence (p=0.013), sex (0.021), occupation (p=0.005)and income (p=0.010); training on; self protection (p=0.016), PLWHA daily care (p=0.032), PLWHA nutrition and feeding (p=0.000); timing of training (p=0.012) length of training (p=0.014); caregiver experiencing challenges (p=0.003), the caregiver experiencing the challenge of, stress (p=0.011) and stigma (p=0.005), borrowing as a coping strategy (p=0.039), caregivers' perception of; the disease (p=0.014) , the care recipient (p=0.021) and overall perception (p=0.009). Regression results revealed that income, training on PLWHA nutrition and feeding, the length of training, the challenges of stigma and stress and the perception of; the PLWHA and HIV and AIDS significantly predict adaptation levels of FCGs. The study recommends that policies and interventions be put in place to ensure that the FCGs are empowered economically, given psychological support and their capacity strengthened. These are fundamental in enhancing their adaptation. The result of which would be quality care for the PLWHA.
Crime differentials in metropolitan slum areas: an analysis of the city of Nairobi slums, Kenya
(2011-07-25) Ndikaru, Ndungu John
Crime differentials in metropolitan slum areas: an analysis of the city of Nairobi slums, Kenya This research provides an in-depth investigation into the problem of crime in Kenya's capital city with specific reference to slums which are the epicenter of urban poverty. The overall objective of this study was to seek explanations of crime differentials in Nairobi slum ares, with a view of suggesting crime prevention strategies. The four major Nairobi slums considered for this study include Kibera, mathare, Korogocho and Mukuru. Whilst acknowledging the wider origins of crime differentials, very little has been focused on those that affect the urban poor. The present study attempts to fill this gap by doing a crime related study in the Nairobi slums. The major objectives guiding this study are: to identify and compare the types and causes of crime between the four slum areas in the City of Nairobi, to compare crime victimization within different demographic characteristics of Nairobi's slum residents, to assess the awareness, attitude and perceptions of safety as experienced by residents in the studied slum areas of Nairobi and to investigate crime mitigation strategies currently employed in the slum areas of Nairobi. The major theories considered were: Differentials association theory by Edwin Sutherland, which by the findings from this study have shown that youth unemployed is one of the major causes of crime. Social Disorganization theory by Clifford Shaw and Henry McKay which argues that slums where residents had more social organizations showed that they had lower rates of crime. Anomie theory by Emile Durkheim makes a contribution to this study that there is a possible that the different slums have different structural patterns that would regulate behaviour such as crime. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative method of data collection. The questionnaires and interview schedules for Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and key informant Interview were the key study insruments. For the quantitative part, a stratified random sample size of 660 respondents was used and was limited to persons aged 18 years and above. Four FGDs were done, one in each of the slums. The interviews were done between March and June 2007. The major findings of this study were that, even through structurally the four slums surveyed are social-demographically homogenous, the study confirms crime-related inter-slum heterogeneity. The study revels the existence of huge differences in the nature and typology of crime; victimization and vulnerability to crime profiles; safety perceptions and crime prevention between the slums. The occurrence and prevalence of specific crime types is different between the slums. Again, vulnerability to crime as revealed by the findings from this study shows that those likely to be affected by any type of crime differ between the slums. In terms of prioritizing the most effective crime prevention strategies this study shows that what is effective in one slum might not necessary work in another. The conclusion from the study are that slums have similar social-demographic characteristics but have varied levels and intensities of crime. This leads to a differentiation in safety perceptions and the choice of crime prevention is generic to all the slum areas. The second level would include slum specific strategies that would be championed by the slum community itself.
Evangelizing executives: a case study of club members in Nairobi, Kenya
(2011-07-25) Mungai, G.M. Patrick
The purpose of this study was to examine evangelization of executives in Kenya. Specifically, the study sought: to establish the biblical and theological basis for evangelizing executives in Kenya; to evaluate the role of the executives both in the church and in the society; to establish the culture of the executives in Kenya; to examine the current approaches used by Christian groups and Church to evangelize the executives in Kenya; to investigate the challenges faced by Christian groups and churches in evangelizing the executives; and to recommend ways and strategies for the Christian Religious Education (CRE) curriculum to effectively reach out the executives in Kenya. The study was exploratory in nature and adopted both qualitative and quantitative approaches. It was implemented through surveys of a sample of executives in Kenya and senior leaders of mainstream Churches in Nairobi. Four case studies of both church and unchurched executives were used to complement these surveys. The study was conducted in Nairobi with the main field research being carried out in members clubs. This study had two populations, namely Kenyan executives and the top leaders of the ten mainstream churches in Kenya. Simple random sampling procedure was used to select the sample respondents from membership registers obtained from various golf clubs. Ten senior most leaders from each of the ten mainstream churches in the country were further selected for the survey of evangelists. Primary data were collected through surveys while secondary data were collected through library research. Questionnaires and an interview guide were used as researcher instruments after pre-testing. Data collection was conducted by the researcher with the help of two trained research assistants. The data were analyzed by applying a mix of both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Quantitative data were summarized and presented using graphs, charts and frequency tables. This was done to exemplify main trends that were derived from certain concrete responses. The quantitative data for this study were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis. This exercise involved classifying data into key themes, patterns and relationships. Propositions and conclusion were then made based on the apparent patterns or relationship within the data. The findings of the study established that the Bible emphasizes on the need for theologians to preach out to all categories of people (including executives) so that they can be drawn closer to Christ. The task of the evangelist is to proclaim and explain the gospel (Romans 10: 14-15; Acts 8:35; Luke 24: 47, 32; 2 Timothy 4: 2-5; 1 Timothy 4: 13). Hence, evangelizing executives has a theological and biblical basis. Secondly, the findings identified the roles of the executives in the church along five broad categories namely: implementing values, monitoring, evangelization, giving resources and leading the church. Mentorship and evangelization were cited as the leading roles of executives. Thirdly, the study established that the executive class in the Kenya society is characterized by highly salaried professionals, business persons and the chief executives. They are financially able to provide financial support for various church programmes, especially evangelism. The effective means of reaching out the executives that were identified include Christian literature, story books/novels, newspapers, inspirational or motivational literature, golf/sports, social events, movies, televisions, expeditions- and family outings. Their business cultures provide a good platform for the Church and other religious groups to evangelize executives. The understanding of their culture provides three areas of concern from which they can be approached for evangelization. They include: knowledge, character and tactics. The study further identified various approaches that can be applied by churches and Christian groups in evangelizing executives. The study found a number of challenges faced by churches and Christian groups in evangelizing executives. Unavailability of executives due to their tight and busy schedules has hindered the churches' outreach programmes. Some of the executives demonstrate resistance and lack of acceptance to the gospel. The prevalence of strong social divides, discrimination on basis of sociocultural, ethnic, and religious lines has in some instances scuttled efforts by churches to evangelize executives. Finally the study proposes a number of measures that the churches and Christian groups need to address to effectively evangelize executives. In addition, a design of a Christian Religious Education curriculum has been proposed with the view of supporting some of the proposed recommendations.
Gender relations and food crop production: a case of Kiambu district Kenya, 1920-1985
(2011-08-09) Musalia, Wangari Martha
The study examined gender relations and on food crop production in Kiambu district between 1920 and 1985. The socialeconomic relations between females and males are characterised often by different assignments to labour tasks, control over decision-making and differential access to and control over resourses has changed over time. These relations of production has been influenced by the social-political and economic transformation that has taken place over the period of the study. The study employed gender analysis to analyse the alterations of gender relations and food crop production since if focuses on the systems which determines gender roles/ responsibilities, access to and control over resourses and decision-making and not on the individuals women and men. Gender analysis was significant in the identification and understanding of the inequalities, challenges and responses of Kiambu women and men in their endeavour to produce food during the period of study. The study was done in three locations, namely, Limuru, Kiganjo, and Komathai of Kiambu District, using both primary and secondary data. A total of 56 informants both men and women of varying ages were interviewed. The study established that changes in land tenure, labour provision as well as promotion of cash crops had affected production of food crops. The alienation of kikuyu land and later consolidation and registration on an individual basis were major in affecting people's access to productive land. This was, however, gendered with women being the most affeted because of the existence partriarchal system which undermined women's ownership rights. Gender division labour had also changed over the years and was particularly enhanced by migrant labour system. Change in both land and labour organisation affected the decision-making on the type of food crops that were grown in the district. There was shift from the dependence on indigenous crops like millet, sorgum cassava yams, and traditional maize to more market-oriented horticultural crops like irish potatoes, carrots, kale, spinach and cauliflower, and cabbage among others. In effect, the district was producing less staple food crops by mid-1980s than it did by the beginning of the 20th century. But women continued to dominate in food crop production. Nevertheless, the study noted that though women continued to provide most labour, they did not remain passive victims of patriarchial control but they engage productive activities for instance, food - related trades to make of their own money.
Defamiliarization in the novels of Euphrase Kezilahabi and Said Ahmed Mohamed
(2011-08-15) Osore, Miriam Kenyani
The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of defamiliarization techniques in selected novels of Euphrase Kezilahabi and Said Ahmed Mohamed. The novels analysed were purposefully sampled. Kezilahabi's Rosa Mistika (1971), Kichwamaji (1974), Gamba la Nyoka (1978), and Mohamed's Utengano (1980), Dunia Mti Mkavu (1980), Asali Chungu (1978), Kiza katika Nuru (1988) and Babu Alipofufuka (2001) were analysed. The study examined the following defamiliarization techniques: metaphor, irony, simile, synecdoche, metonymy, analogy, symbolism, juxtaposition, allusion, dream and magical transformations. The study adopted Critical Discourse Analysis Theory (CDA). This post-modernist conceptual framework is an interdisciplinary approach in the study of discourse, which views any use of language as a form of social practice. It postulates that discourses are shaped and constrained by social structures and culture. This study therefore, contextualized the texts as discourses and interrogated them to reveal social problems that are mediated by mainstream ideology and power relations. These techniques were analyzed within (CDA) variables such as the notions of ideology, religion, gender, power and culture. The results were presented in form of an informed discourse.The study found out that both Euphrase Kezilahabi and Said Ahmed Mohamed make deliberate and strategic use of defamiliarization techniques for foreground meaning. The authors utilize the techniques either to depict the reality of African life or to contest and protest against the dominant ideologies. The study found out that defamiliarization techniques utilized are ideologically motivated and reveal social, cultural, political, religious and historical constructs of the African society. The study concludes that CDA can be utilized effectively to analyse texts as a way of reading society. The study calls for further research in which CDA could be used to analyse other genres of literature as well as other Kiswahili fiction writers. Other defamiliarization .techniques such as neologism, oxymoron, parody, parallelism and antithesis could also be analysed
Secondary traumatic stress among young people orphaned by AIDS in Kenya: prevalence, severity and predictors
(2011-08-15) Mumah, Solomon Juma; Nwoye, A.; Kigen, E. M.; Muga, Richard O.
Recent advances in Psychological research suggests that family, friends and professionals are susceptible to developing traumatic stress symptoms from being empathetically engaged with victims of traumatic events. The phenomenon of learning about another's traumatic ordeal, and in the process, experiencing traumatic stress is called Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS), and the condition of AIDS orphans is suspect to this. Many are dispossessed of their parents' property and must contend not only with the normal stress, dissatisfaction or work, but also with the emotional and personal feelings for their parent(s) and suffering sibling(s). This study assessed prevalence and extent of severity of STS among young people orphaned by AIDS, thereby identifying factors that predispose them to STS. Some 309 orphans from Rachuonyo District in Kenya participated in the study. The single cross-sectional survey adopted the questionnaire as the main tool for primary data collection. Quantitative data were collected using the STS test at three levels: burnout (BO), compassion satisfaction (CS) and compassion fatigue (CF). These were analyzed quantitatively. Based on results, orphans exhibited at least 17 of the 30 symptomatologies of STS investigated at a level that is comparable to people who would seek treatment for those symptoms. On the overall, more males (57.7%) than females (42.3%) exhibited symptoms of STS. The respondents also reported experiencing moderate levels of risk for BO (mean=25.6616), high levels of potential for CS (mean=27.7374), and high levels of risk for CF (mean=29.940). Greatest risk for STS was associated with BO and CF whereas the least risk for STS was associated with CS. Average scores of the participants were significantly higher on all the three sub-scales while the observed differences were statistically significant at a = 0.01 (2-tailed); and at a = 0.05 (2-tailed) (p<0.001). Regarding the relationship between STS symptoms and the development of STS, the study established that CF was more strongly correlated to STS (correlation=0.875; p<0.001) [a = 0.01 (2-tailed); and at a=0.05 (2-tailed)] than 130, which was more strongly correlated to STS (correlation=0.633; p<0.001) than CS (correlation=-0.148; p<0.05). Further relationships were established between STS and sex of the respondents (F=4.947; p= 0.027), level of formal education attained (F=3.013; p=0.034), number of years of paternal orphanhood (F=4.812; p=0.003), number of hours per day spent in caregiving (F=9.827; p= 0.000), person(s) to whom such care was rendered (F=9.202; p=0.000) and the involvement with household chores (F=3.348; p=0.021). The major predictors of STS were established, thus: sex (t=-2.083; p=0.045), level of formal education attained (t=-2.019; p=0.051) and number of years of paternal (t=2.199; p=0.035) and maternal (t=2.702; p=0.011) orphanhood. Thus, there is need for additional studies about the process of how some orphans develop STS symptoms while others appear not to be in distress. Research on emotional expression will offer important conceptual understandings by providing evidence to support the deleterious effect that orphanhood-realted emotions have on overall well-being of AIDS orphans. Research to help develop theory related to STS will be worthwhile in addition to a longitudinal study to help clarify the cumulative effects of STS
Antecedents of adolescent parenthood: a study of Bombo and Nairobi districts in Kenya
(2011-08-15) Lodiaga, Mildred Jennifer A; Kisovi, L. M.; Paul W. Achola; Regina M. Karega
The main objective of this study was to investigate factors that can explain high levels of adolescent parenthood in two districts in Kenya: Bondo and Nairobi. Nairobi represented an urban area while Bondo represented a rural environment. The study is bawd on a sample of 533 adolescents. Of these 272 (51 percent) were females while 262 (49 percent) were males. Of this total of 533 informants, 296 were from Nairobi (55.5 per cent), the remaining 273 (44.5 per cent) were from Bondo. The study aimed at comparing identified behavioural factors of socio-cultural and socioeconomic nature that explain the differentials in adolescent childbearing by gender and urban-rural place of residence. The target populations were adolescent females and males, in and out of school, with and without children, in and out of marital unions. The inclusion of male adolescents in the study of adolescent fertility was as a result of a number of factors one of them being the recognition of the important role adolescent males could play in understanding and preventing pregnancy and births among this population. Information on adolescent reproductive behaviour was obtained using interview schedules, focus group discussions and observations. Data obtained were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative approaches to complement each other in explaining the individual and collective contributions of identified determinant factors. The key findings from this study indicate that adolescent parenthood is a function of an array of factors and not a single behavioural phenomenon. The results further showed that parenting results from the interaction of a number of background factors and adolescent characteristics (referred to as antecedent factors) namely socio-cultural and socioeconomic factors as well as intermediate or proximate factors. Fertility behaviour was found to be the results, first and foremost of adolescent characteristics; parental socioeconomic status; community reproductive values: norm and practices: and finally policy statements especially those that related to service provisions and management of young peoples' reproductive behaviours. Adolescent characteristics considered in this study were gender, place of residence, sex of the household head, number -of siblings, birth order, age at first sexual debut, level of education, employment status and level of income. These factors were found to separately and independently influence adolescent reproductive behaviour. Factors such as gender, level of education, employment status and parental socioeconomic status in their own right, were found to be significantly associated with parenting among young people. This study has also highlighted the magnitude of adolescent parenthood in terms of proximate determinants, namely: marital status, health seeking behaviour, contraceptive use, coital frequency, pregnancy and abortion. Among these factors, four were found to directly or independently influence parenthood. It was further noted that the antecedent factors did influence fertility behaviour not only directly, but also through individual proximate variable as well as through a combination of these variables. In addition, the factors in the larger society or community and policies, which either support or disapprove adolescent behaviour, did exert powerful additional influences on young people's reproductive behaviour. Factors such as parental and community values interacted in complex ways to reinforce the influence of adolescent characteristics and proximate factors on parenthood. Community values were those that reflected the social norms, beliefs and practices in the society in which the studied young people were raised. For instance, parenting was found to be the result of the characteristics of the family and those of the community in which they lived. The influence of cultural practices, norms and values explained the differentials in parenting by females and males in the sample; and they also accounted for rural and urban differences. Furthermore, it was revealed that young people had their own `community' with specific values, practices and norms. What this seems to confirm is the existence of peer group culture. This context inadvertently influenced their reproductive behaviour and all these explained the differential reporting of, for example, abortion cases and live births, early involvement in coital activities and frequency of the same. It was concluded that factors that explain adolescent premarital sexual indulgences resulting in increased number of child births include decline in the social institutions that traditionally ensured the transition to adulthood and management of sexual health; increased unprotected coital activity; their exposure to western values; inadequate information and access to health facilities and services; negative peer group influence; gender roles, social norms and economic conditions; permissiveness of parents and the community and patriarchal ideology in the country that disempowers young people, particularly girls from making effective use of contraceptive methods and sex negotiation skills to protect them. It was therefore recommended: • that any programme aimed at empowering adolescents to take charge of their sexuality needs, must take into account the transformative role of education. • that guidance and counselling be mounted to sensitize both girls and boys about the risks but also to accept and respect each other as individuals and to underscore the importance of each others feelings and views about sexual relations and decisions. Urban parents and guardians should as a matter of urgency be involved in monitoring and counselling in matters concerning sexuality. They must in particular monitor their children's friends, what they see on visual media as well as what they read in the print media. • that alternative ways of controlling adolescent sexual and reproductive behaviour be identified. For instance, in the absence of relatives, there is need to consider reaching out, informing and involving a diverse network of community groups, for instance, influential stakeholders, including urban parents, religious and education institutions, community leaders, medical professionals as well as young people. This was seen as critical to increasing community support in these areas and their discussion of adolescent reproductive health
Educating for integral personal development in the catholic secondary schools in Nairobi archdiocese, Kenya
(2011-08-15) Churu, Beatrice W
The study set out to survey the understanding of education for integral personal development of students in Catholic secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Nairobi and to assess the efforts made and challenges encountered in the bid to facilitate this development. Schools were sampled to cover a representation of the varieties of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese. In the field research, questionnaires were issued to Form IV students and interviews carried out with some key personnel in the sampled schools. A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was carried out with a group of students in each of the schools. The findings of the research show that there is a common understanding of integral personal development of students, constitutive of developing the various elements or facets of a person's capacities and many efforts are made towards achieving this. However, lack of cooperation between the various stakeholders in the schools, and overwhelming pressure to prepare students for examinations often sabotage these efforts. The study recommends the building up of the community in the school, with conscious, ongoing and sustained recourse to Christian and African anthropologies as reference points in responding to the challenge to mediate integral development of the students and all members of the school community. It also recommends that the Catholic Church in Kenya endeavors to distinctively define Kenya Catholic Education philosophy and institute mechanisms of its cultivation and sustenance across the schools
An assessment of responses towards African women's theology in selected institutions in Kenya
(2011-08-16) Okemwa, Pacificah Florence
This study is an assessment of responses to African Women's Theology in selected institutions. The study centres on why Feminist Theology which emerged in the developed countries of the West and has spread to other parts of the world under different labels has not been wholly embraced in Africa. It has focused on selected public institutions of higher learning and theological schools. The main argument in this study is that, African Women's Theology has not been included in the Theology and Religious Studies curriculum of many institutions because the meaning of the term feminism commonly used is considered foreign. Besides, the methodology and concerns of this theology have not been wholly contextualized. The study selected some church-sponsored institutions of higher learning as well as public universities for our research. The data were gathered by use of oral interviews and questionnaires and library research among other methods. The overall data were then collated, analyzed, interpreted and presented in six chapters. The study established that Feminist Theology in general and African Women's Theology in particular has been subordinated in most of the institutions. This is because it has also been seen as a foreign importation. To correct this, it is argued that African Women's Theology should be contextualized so as to highlight local societal concerns as opposed to Western theologies. More courses on African Women's Theology should also be taught at undergraduate and graduate levels. The study argues that women in Kenya have concerns that arise from their unequal status in relation to men in society. The whole society suffers from subordination of gender issues in the academy as only male perspectives and participation are considered. It is therefore suggested that favourable recognition of gender perspectives will prepare service providers such as church ministers, teachers, managers and economists to readily explore and exploit female and male talents for the good of the whole community. In light of the above, it is suggested that women theologians and gender sensitive male theologians need to campaign for the upgrading of the status of Women Theologies in general and African Women's Theology in particular and also participate in preparing appropriate curriculum. This will ensure that the whole society benefits from gender sensitive formation that prepares students for equitable regard of both women and men. The study recommends that there is need to include African Women's Theology in the curriculum of all theological schools and institutions of higher learning that offer Theology and Religious Studies.

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