PHD-Department of Sociology

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Browsing PHD-Department of Sociology by Subject "Nairobi City County"

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    Determinants of Diversification of Livelihoods in Slum Areas in Nairobi City County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2021) Masese, Stellah Mong’ina; Daniel M Muia; Dickson Ombaka
    By 2030 it’s projected that the world population will be 8.6 billion. With these increase, one of the anticipated challenges will be ensuring sustainable livelihoods. Over time households are being subjected to livelihood vulnerability. The study sought to establish determinants that led to diversification of livelihood by households in Mukuru slums in Nairobi City County. Specifically the study find out; livelihoods strategies used in slums, coping mechanisms adopted by households and extent to which financial assets ,social capital and human assets influence diversification of livelihoods. Rational choice theory and social exchange theory were used to explain diversification. In which rational individuals are motivated by alternatives that support their wants or goals and that which has the greatest satisfaction. Similarly social exchange theory explained the different exchanges that individuals undergo as they try different choices. The study was carried out in Mukuru slums; with a population, of 44,427 households spread in twenty (20) villages. Descriptive cross sectional survey design was used to collect data. Unit of analysis for the study was the households. Multistage sampling was used where Mukuru slum was purposively sampled; villages were clustered into three according to their population. Two villages were selected from each cluster to have a sample of 397. Key informants and focus group discussion discussants were purposive sampled. The data was collected through interviews, focus group discussions and simple observation. Data was analyzed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) V 22 both qualitative and quantitative data using logistical regression model and Chi-square analysis. Qualitative data from FGDs and key informants interviews was thematically analysed as per the objectives of the study. Ethical considerations were taken into account. It was found out that; firstly, on social demographics men were the majority in Mukuru, respondents between 18 and 28 years were the majority, with most of them being married and majority had secondary level education. Secondly, on livelihood strategies majority were self-employed. Thirdly, on vulnerabilities a majority experienced challenges when securing their basic needs due to threats and shocks such as sickness, loss of a source of income and crime. Fourthly, on financial capital households diversified due their basic needs that were required by their dependants. Fifthly, social capital groups were found to be a determinant for diversification of livelihoods due to their saving and borrowing activities. Sixthly, on human capital it was found a majority found it very hard to secure an employment opportunity, due to lack employment opportunities and required skills/education. Lastly on how to make livelihoods successful slum upgrading was advocated for by respondents. It was recommended that one, social groups need to be strengthened and their capacities. Two, development of adult functional literacy centres to help in skill development and training for Mukuru slum residents and three; financial literacy education should be enhanced. In terms of policy a review of slum upgrading programmes so as to include the new emerging issues.
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    Sexual Behaviours and their Determinants among Adolescents Living with Hiv And Aids in Nairobi City County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2021) Kinoti, Jesca K.; Parvin Moloo; Anne Kamau
    Adolescents living with HIV and AIDS just like the rest of the adolescents in the general population experience and express their sexuality which is mediated within a socio-cultural context. HIV and AIDS has the potential to significantly modify adolescents’ sexual behaviours for various reasons. The association between HIV and AIDS with sexual intercourse which is the common mode of HIV transmission among adults population renders the adolescents living with HIV and AIDS to be subjected to the same sexuality constrains as adults in as much as they may not have contracted HIV through sexual intercourse. Thus, as the adolescents’ living with HIV and AIDS handles their sexual lives, they still have to worry about; one having to disclose their HIV status to a potential partner, infecting their partners/spouse or a child, and are faced with stigma that generally compound living with HIV and AIDS. This study sought to examine; the sexual behaviours among adolescents living with HIV and AIDS, how HIV status disclosure influence sexual behaviours, how felt stigma influence sexual behaviours, and the nature of communication between adolescents and persons significant to their lives on sexuality and HIV and AIDS. The sexual scripting theory and life course perspective were the key theoretical foundations that guided this study. A cross-sectional research design was employed in the study which involved both quantitative and qualitative research approaches in data collection and analysis. The adolescents living with HIV and AIDS were identified through a community outreach programme, Lea Toto which was purposively selected. Simple random sampling was applied in the selection of a sample of 262 adolescents of which 255 were interviewed through face-to-face interviews. Key informant interviews were conducted with programme staff while the focus group discussions were conducted with caregivers of the adolescents. Quantitative data were analysed by the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, 21) while qualitative data were analysed using descriptions along thematic areas. The study findings show that adolescents were engaged in both passive (being attracted to a boy/a girl, being seduced and petting privacy) and active types (being in a relationship, seducing someone, and being engaged in sexual intercourse) of sexual behaviours. HIV status disclosure and felt stigma which are some of the key determinants that relate to living with HIV and AIDS were found to have a close association with engagement in types of sexual behaviours among adolescents. Communication on sexuality and HIV and AIDS between adolescents and persons to their lives (family members, peers in school, teachers, doctors who visited the school, and religious leaders) were found out to be low (below 30%) except with parents (61.8%). The key challenges that were linked to low communication were, issues of trust, fears of one being discovered that adolescents were HIV positive as well as fear of being stigmatized. In conclusions, this study shows that transitioning of sexual lives of the adolescents is compounded with HIV and AIDS. Adolescents are faced issues of handling HIV status disclose to partners and the experience of felt stigma. The key recommendation generated from this study was the need to re-examine the existing HIV primary prevention interventions that inform behaviours change communication in HIV programming with a view to addressing sexuality issues of adolescents living with HIV and AIDS
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    Socio-Cultural and Economic Determinants of Accessing the Criminal Justice System by Victims of Spousal Abuse in Nairobi City County, Kenya
    (Kenyatta University, 2021) Ollando, Omondi Scholastica Awino; Daniel M. Muia; Wilson A. P. Otengah
    Spousal abuse is acknowledged globally as a major social problem that affects the victim, perpetrator, their families and the community in general, irrespective of social, economic, religious or cultural background (Eriksson & Mazerolle, 2015; ICRW & UNFPA, 2009). Globally, there is a high attrition level where cases of spousal violence reported to the police drop out of the ‘justice chain’ (Eriksson & Mazerolle, 2015; UN Women, 2012). Limited studies in Kenya make it difficult to design an effective intervention strategy. The main objective of the study was to investigate the social, cultural and economic determinants in accessing justice from the Criminal Justice System (CJS) by Victims of Spousal Abuse (VSA) in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to find out the CJS’s response to spousal abuse, to determine the social, cultural and economic barriers and facilitators to accessing justice by victims of spousal abuse, to identify the available alternative mechanisms of resolving spousal abuse and recommend measures towards enhancing access to the CJS by victims of spousal abuse in Kenya. The study applied four theories namely feminist, masculinities in crisis, the family conflict theory and the theory of justice. The research target population comprised of 681 married male and female VSA who had reported their cases to the police, FIDA and GVRC (Nairobi Women’s Hospital) in the last twelve months (2012-2013) before data collection. The study interviewed one hundred and thirty-four spousal-abuse victims (male and female) (20% of the target population according to Mugenda & Mugenda, 1999). Thirty-one key respondents were purposively sampled due to their roles in handling spousal abuse in the CJS. The study conducted three focused group discussions. The study applied interview guides and focused group discussion guides as the instruments to collect data. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS while qualitative data was analysed using inferences and verbatim citations of the voices of the Respondents. The study found that majority (89%) of spousal abuse victims are unable to access justice from the CJS due to its adversarial nature, formality of procedures, delays, legal expenses, inflexibility and corruption, leading to a ‘pyramidal progression’ of spousal abuse cases in the CJS, as the victims opt for Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms. The study concludes that spousal abuse is a major concern nationally that needs to be addressed urgently to protect the family from its impact and that the current CJS in Kenya is unsuitable for the resolution of spousal abuse cases. The study recommends that the President should declare spousal abuse as a national concern that threatens the family as the basic unit of society and direct the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (in collaboration with Kenyatta University Sociology Department and other NGOs working in the area of Gender- Based Violence such as FIDA, GVRC, Maendeleo ya Wanaume) to develop a policy on family protection. In addition, the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the Ministry of the Labour and social protection should spear head a national debate on spousal abuse cascaded to the regional, county and household levels to re-socialize the society on relationships between spouses. The study further recommends that the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) in collaboration with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), the Kenya Law Reform Commission (KLRC) and Parliament should operationalize Article 159 of the Constitution and strengthen ADRMs by creating a quasi-judicial system such as a Family tribunal composed of experts from different disciplines to handle cases of spousal abuse. Only very serious and life threatening cases which cannot be resolved by the Tribunal should be prosecuted through the CJS. There is also need for further research to establish and address the causes and impact of spousal abuse.