Proposal Titles for Projects and Theses (PT)

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Accessibility of anal cleansing materials for public primary school pupils in Kajiado North sub county, Kenya.
(Kenyatta University, 2014-09-25) Sabla, Abduba Umuro
Anal, cleansing is the hygienic practice of cleaning anal area after defecation; it is an important aspect of personal hygiene as it contributes to prevention of enteric and .respiratory infections; 'Use of inadequate anal cleansing materials leads to hand contamination which leads' to transfer .of ' disease causing organisms to 'the body systems, this increases the risk of intestinal parasites infestation and diarrheal diseases. Different materials are used for anal cleansing depending generally on accessibility and specifically on affordability, availability, acceptability, physical location of the materials and one's social-demographic characteristics. Corumon materials used for anal cleansing are tissue paper, stones, leaves, newspapers among others and water used by Muslims. Discussion around these materials has been neglected by researchers and Water Sanitation and Hygiene programme implementers. Observation in most of the schools in Kajiado North Sub County shows shortage of anal cleansing materials and gaps ill sustainability of access of such materials as indicated by smearing of faeces on Iatrine walls. The study will be conducted in public primary schools in Kajiado North Sub County. School pupils are affected by the issue because of their age and limited instruction from their school administration on which materials to use for anal hygiene. The main objective of the study is to determine accessibility of anal cleansing materials for pupils in public primary schools Kajiado North Sub County. Current situation access, social demographic and institutional factors influencing access and choice, and sustainability of the same will also be assessed. Descriptive cross sectional study design will be used, sampling will be done by stratified random sampling technique to select schools from zones and pupils from .selected schools by age and gender. Mixed method of data collection will be' used and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version. The study will shed light on the extent to which pupils have access to anal cleansing materials in the Sub County and findings will inform strategies for increased accessibility and sustainability, and options to be adopted in schools at county and national levels by informing policy formulation and strategic planning. Findings will be presented the form of text, charts, graphs and tables.
Adoption and Sustainability of Small Hydro Power and Biogas Plants and their Contribution to Energy Poverty Alleviation in Kirinyaga County
(2013-12-14) Njiru, C. W.; Letema, S. C.; Maingi, S. M.
Energy is an essential component in the development of any nation. In the last decades, the main sources of energy have been fossil fuels mainly petroleum, coal and natural gas, but they are major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases contribute to climatic changes, thus a need for a shift to clean renewable energy sources such as biomass, solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower to reduce greenhouse gases. Many developing countries, Kenya included, are facing major challenges in energy provision and many rural populations are experiencing energy poverty exhibited by lack of access to electricity and reliance on traditional fuels for cooking. The main purpose of this research, therefore, is to examine the contribution of adoption of small hydropower and biogas plants to energy poverty alleviation in Kirinyaga County. The research design will be exploratory case study. The sampling procedure will be purposive sampling for those who have adopted biogas and those connected to the small hydro power projects. Sampling of non adoptees of biogas and small hydro power and those connected to the national grid will be through simple random sampling based on administrative divisions. Data collection will be through structured interviews for schools principals, managers of community based organizations, biogas contractors, small hydro power projects operators and government institutions that support them. Questionnaires will be administered to users and non-users of small hydro power and biogas plants. Visits will be made to the farms and small hydro power stations to make observations. Focus group discussions will be used to validate obtained information or capture new information. Primary data will be analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square) for questionnaires and in themes for interviews, focus group discussions and observation. Secondary data will be analyzed through content analysis and descriptive statistics. The study findings will give the status of energy in rural Kirinyaga County, contribution of small hydro power and biogas plants to rural energy poverty alleviation and recommendations for improving renewable energy policies and practices.
Adoption and use of self sanitizing biodegradable toilet bags in Kibera slums, Nairobi county
(2014) Nderitu, Faith Wanjiku
Informal settlements suffer from lack of improved sanitation facilities, including toilet, showers and sewage disposal. With few toilets and pit latrines, this has resulted in growth of flying toilets due to inaccessibility of toilet facilities during late hours, lack of even distribution and lack of convenience due to insecurity. The aim of the current study is to investigate the community's perception of the adoption of single use self-sanitizing biodegradable toilets and its impact on the flying toilets menace. Specific objectives will focus on perception on adoption, community level of awareness and socio-economic and environment impact of adopting single use self-sanitizing biodegradable toilet bags.The study will be carried out in Kibera slums. Using questionnaires a survey will be conducted to collect information from community on their perception, awareness and valuation of the single use biodegradable toilets from schools and households. Data collected using questionnaire will to Chi-square and spearman's correlation to determine the relationships of the respondent's views on the self-sanitizing biodegradable toilets. The current study will increase the level of awareness on the use and benefits of single use self-sanitizing biodegradable toilets and identify the challenges the community experience in the adoption of the use of single use biodegradable toilet bags and recommend informed solution.
Adoption of information and communication technology in the management of public primary teacher training colleges in Meru county
(Kenyatta University, 2014-10-31) Nkonge, Janet Kathure
ICT has contributed greatly to educational management in teacher training colleges globally. However, in Kenya teacher training colleges minimally use rcr- to manage the quality of output or to raise tutor productivity, to reduce the costs through analyzing spending, or to analyze student's assessment. This is attributed to a myriad of challenges facing most TTCs in Kenya with regard to adoption of ICTs in management. This has resulted to a slow rate of adoption of technology despite its promise and potential for use in educational management in TTCs. The purpose of this study therefore is to investigate the challenges facing the principals in the adoption of ICT in primary teacher training colleges in Meru County. Specific objectives of the study will be: To investigate the influence of availability of equipment on adaptation of ICT in primary TTC, to determine the influence of institutional support on the adoption of ICT, to find out the perception of the tutors on the adoption of ICT in primary TTCs and finally to investigate the application of computers in the management of public primary TTC's. The study will adopt a descriptive survey design which will be a combination of both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis techniques. The target population will be 2362 respondents consisting of; 2 principals, 90 tutors and top administrators from Egoj i TTC, 70 tutors and top administrators from Meru TTC, 1200 student teachers from Egoji TTC and 1000 student teachers from Meru TTC. Stratified random sampling will be used to select the tutors and the student teachers to be included in the study and the 2 principals picked from the two colleges. The sample size will be 710 respondents which is 30% of the total population. This comprises; 28 tutors and top managers from Egoji TTC, 22 tutors and top managers from Meru TTC, 360 student teachers from Egoji TTC and 300 student teachers from Meru TTC. This translates to 48 tutors and top managers and 660 student teachers from both the institutions. Questionnaires will be used as instrument for collecting data from the tutors and the student teachers while interview schedule will be administered to the principals. To ascertain reliability, test-retest technique will be used and then correlated using the Spearman's rank order, so as to obtain reliability. Content validity will be used employing expert review of the research instruments. Data analysis will be done using descriptive statistics after data cleaning and coding. Quantitative data will be analyzed using frequency counts, means and percentages while' qualitative data will be analyzed by tallying the numbers of similar response. Results of data analysis will be presented using frequency distribution tables and bar graphs
Agricultural transformation in Masaba north district, Nyamira county, 1945 -2002
(2014-07-31) Motanya, Isaac; Ndeda, M. A. J.; Kiruthu, Felix Macharia
This- proposal seeks to investigate agricultural transformation in Masaba North, Nyamira County in Kenya, 1945-2002. The district comprises of three divisions, Gesima Gachuba and Rigoma. They will be the focus of our study. The major economic activity in the district is fanning. The inhabitants have been involved in growing cash and food crops over the years. Agricultural development in the district has witnessed transformation from the onset of World War II and after up to 2002. Various agents have contributed to this transformation while experiencing a number of challenges with far reaching socialeconomic impacts. It is in the light of this, the researcher is persuaded to investigate and unfold these developments. Our literature review will be based on general overview on agricultural transformation causes, challenges and its socio- economic impacts among the Gusii of Masaba North, 1945-2002. The study will be guided by two theories; articulation of modes of production where Europeans incorporated and involved African in Various forms in Agriculture resulting to underdevelopment. Here farming activities in third world countries are changing to fit the world Economic system while developed countries are progressing at the expense of the less developed leading to application of second theory of underdevelopment. Our study will adopt descriptive research design. Primary and secondary data will be used to explain the agricultural transformation in the area of study in the period 1945-2002. A sample study will be selected from the district and findings analyzed using descriptive methods. The data will be collected through interview and use of questionnaire. The research will be of value to economists and agriculturalist in understanding trends, challenges and social economic impact of agricultural transformation of Masaba North in the period 1945-2002. It will benefit a wide range of scholars in Economic and Social History.
Alcohol related parental behaviour disorders and their effects on learner’s academic achievement in public primary schools in Marmanet, Laikipia County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2016-02) Kamau, Anne N.
The purpose of the study was to establish alcohol related parental behavior disorders and their effects on children’s academic achievement. Alcoholism has been a major challenge not only in our country but globally. No matter the type of alcohol consumed, when taken excessively, the user and the significant others get affected. This study investigated the effects of alcohol related parental behavior disorders on academic achievement among learners in public primary schools. The study was guided by the social learning theory (SLT) and parental acceptance and rejection (PAR) theory. The target population was 1376 persons consisting of head teachers, teachers and learners in class 6 and 7 in the nine public primary schools in Marmanet zone. This is because pre-adolescent and adolescent children are the most prone as they go through the physical, emotional and psychological changes of this stage. They are also maturing up and become aware of the happenings at home. In each school, the study sampled 10% of the population in each class using stratified and systematic random sampling. The researcher purposively selected two class teachers in each school. All the head teachers in the schools selected participated in the study. The data was collected using questionnaires which were later coded and analyzed with the aid of SPSS computer program. The quantitative data was organized in frequency tables, graphs and pie charts. The study established that most of the parents in Marmanet zone take alcohol. It is readily accessible in homes, shopping centers and in rare cases has been brought to school .Due to this rampant parental alcoholic disorder, the parents have neglected their children hence denying them the much needed support for achievement of academic grades. This neglect was manifested in children lacking basic needs, being unkept, carelessness in their academic assignments, lack of concentration in class, chronic absenteeism, truancy, deviancy and antisocial behavior. The effects of this neglect cause the children to perceive rejection and therefore, are unable to achieve their full potential in academic work. The study recommended that there was need to enforce the liquor laws as given out in the Kenyan law. The fight against illegal ‘second generation’ alcohol should be maintained until it is fully eradicated .Also the learners, teachers and parents should be counseled and be made fully aware of the effects of alcohol and coping skills for alcoholics. Children of alcoholics (COAs) should also be empowered on coping mechanisms.
Anal yse contrastive de la traduction francafs-anglafs du reglement fnterfeur de la cour Afrfcafne de drofts de l'homme et des peuples
(Kenyatta University, 2014-10-10) Nyangayo, Christine Juma
This research proposal falls within the context of research on machine translation (Mathieu, 2008) and translation techniques ( Vinay& Darbelnet, 1958) used by these translation software. It concentrates on the translation of specialized texts, in this case the legal translation from French to English using the translation software. Its objectives are: to identify translation techniques used by translation software, identify main challenges faced by translators while using the translation software and compare the quality of translation done by different software, in this case (Power translator and Babylon 9). Data collection methods (observation forms and tables), will enable us identify the translation techniques used by the translation software with the aim of proposing critical reflexions in this field. Choosing a translator is the most difficult and yet most important aspect in the translation process. The translator must be experienced and has to fulfil the needs of his clients. Sometimes documents to be translated can be too many or even too long; therefore machine translation becomes a major remedy to facilitate translation. In fact, time deadlines for translation are important factors to be considered. Thus, the study attempts to propose some translation solutions to those who are interested in machine translation by identifying the translation techniques used by the mentioned software.
Analyse semio-linguistique des Emballages et Etiquettes de Medicaments en Vente Llbre Vendus a Nairobi
(2013-12-28) Abong'o, D. C.; Nzunga, P. K.
Over the counter drugs have become part and parcel of urban lifestyle. They are easily available and affordable. The internet has made it possible to access information on health issues. This has resulted into more and more people turning to self medication as a form of treatment of common ailments. Because of the ready market for over the counter drugs, more pharmaceutical companies have come up to get a share of the lucrative trade. This has led to competition. Marketing plays a big 'role in the competition for the market. We would like to study the advertising structures put in play by the pharmaceutical companies at the packaging level to commercialize their products. We are interested in the semio-linguistic analysis of packaging of painkillers and cough and cold medicines manufactured and sold in Nairobi.
Analysis of the gum myrrh and oppoponax chain and its implications communities (hagar) market on the livelihood of local in Wajir county and Kenyan economy
(2014-07-24) Makee, Albert Luvanda
This study seeks to assess the distribution and area coverage of Commiphora. myrrha and Commiphora holtziana in its natural stands; assess the gum myrrh and opoponax production potential from natural stand; assess the socio-economic factors influencing the production of gum opoponax on the lives of the local communities; assess the gum myrrh and opoponax market chain analysis and document the constraints affecting the commercialisation of gum myrrh and opoponax in Wajir County. Research evidence carried out in the neighbouring countries such as Ethiopia show that there exists multitude of economic and ecological benefits from C. myrrha and C. holtziana though little efforts have been made to explore, investigate, document, sustainably manage and conserve the resource in its natural range. Therefore, there exist knowledge gap on the distributioh, production potential, economic uses and marketing, particularly on the genus Commiphora in Kenya. This study will be undertaken through resource mapping, resources assessment, household and market surveys using GIS and remote sensing techniques, participatory techniques, designed data sheets, the market structure, conduct and performance model, checklist and questionnaires. This study expected to generate policy recommendations that will guide decision making on the sustainable exploitation, commercialisation and socio-economic contributions to the livelihood of the local communities in Wajir County and the Kenyan economy.
Analysis of bovigam and tuberculin tests in detection of bovine tuberculosis in cattle in Laikipia County and associated risk factors
(Kenyatta University, 2014-10-03) Mochere, Nyanchoka Lydia
Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is an infectious disease of cattle caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis which can also infect and cause tuberculosis in other mammals including goats, pigs, dogs and cats. The disease is an important zoonosis worldwide that has been emerging and re-emerging in different ecological scenarios. Amongst livestock the disease is most commonly associated with cattle and has a large economic significance. As a zoonotic disease, bovine tuberculosis is also a threat to public health where consumption of infected unpasteurized milk and other dairy products can be a source of human infection. However, exposure to aerosols containing Mycobacterium bovis is also likely to be an important risk factor for bovine tuberculosis in humans. Despite huge global efforts in tuberculosis control, pastoral areas remain under-investigated. Bovine tuberculosis has been extensively studied in countries neighboring Kenya. Little research has been done in Kenya concerning bovine tuberculosis and yet the disease causes major economic losses on animal productivity and human transmissions constitute a major public health concern. This study aims at detecting bovine tuberculosis in live cattle in Laikipia County by use of comparative intradermal tuberculin and bovigam tests and then compare results obtained from the two methods. This will involve sampling a total of 753 cattle from the sampling sites (Laikipia North, East and South). Animals aged six months and older will be selected for sampling. Ear tags and nail vanish will be used to identify test animals. The animal will then be shaved using a scapel two areas of 2 em, 12 em apart at the mid neck region of the animal. The thickness of the skin will be measured with a digital calliper and disinfected with 70% ethanol. Four (4) mls of venous blood will then be drawn from the animal after shaving and disinfection of the area in a vacutainer containing heparin, packaged in temperature controlled delivery boxes. 0.25 ml of the blood will be inoculated with 25 ul, bovine and avian purified protein derivatives and incubated at 37°C overnight within 24 hours of collection. Plasma supernants will then be harvested after incubation, stored at -20°C and then transported to the laboratory for quantification with sandwich ELISA using the commercially available BOVIGAM®Plate Kit. Intradermal injection of 0.1 ml (2,500 IV/ml) bovine purified protein derivative and 0.1 ml (2,500 IV/ml) avian purified protein derivative will be made in two shaved sites. In young animals in which there will be no room to separate the sites sufficiently on one side of the neck, injection shall be made on each side of the neck at identical position in the centre of the middle third of the neck. Skin thickness will be measured again at both injection sites after 72 hours. The reaction at each site will be derived as the difference of the skin thickness after 72 hours minus before injection. Data will be analysed by Statistical Package for Social Science software utilizing Chi-square analysis to test fOFrates of reactors according to study site, breed, sex, age and herd size obtained from comparative intradermal tuberculin test and bovigam (interferon gamma test). Descriptive analysis will be utilized where applicable. The findings from this study will be important as they will shed light on the presence of bovine tuberculosis in live cattle.
An analysis of practical approach of teaching geometry in public primary schools in Thogoto zone, Kiambu county, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2014-10-03) Mwangi, Peter Gachoka
Over the years poor performance by KCPE candidates has consistently been observed in geometry items. Geometry has an important place in primary school mathematics curricula. This study will aim at analyzing the effects of practical approach to teaching geometry in public primary schools in Thogoto zone, Kiambu County. The main objectives of the study will be to determine the extent to which primary mathematics teachers use the practical method in teaching geometry, establish effects of practical teaching in performance in geometry questions in primary schools and establish pupils' most common spatial reasoning errors made in primary schools in Thogoto Zone. This study will be carried out in public primary schools in Thogoto educational zone in Kiambu County. Target population will be 1035 standard seven pupils in 12 public primary schools and 24 mathematics teachers. The categories of schools will be public day and boarding. In standard seven 343 pupils will be randomly sampled representing 33.14 %. This will be made of 180 boys and 163 girls. The sample will be from four purposively sampled schools for the main research and one school for the pilot study. Eight mathematics teachers will be randomly sampled from the four purposively sampled schools. Experimental survey design and causal comparative design will be used. Questionnaire on geometry and geometry standard tests will be used to obtain data. Geometry achievement test will be administered to all standard seven pupils in two phases. Data on teaching /leaming materials used will be gathered using classroom practices and teachers and pupils questionnaires. Quantitative data analysis will consist of measuring numerical values from each description such as mean and standard deviation. Frequency tables, graphs and pie charts will be used to represent data. Data will be analyzed using statistical and descriptive survey method together with statistical package for social sciences (SPSS
Analysis of technical efficiency in hospital settings in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2014-10-07) Rithaa, Koome Gilbert
The World Health organization called attention to the importance of efficiency in all functions of a health system and in ultimately achieving the goals of health improvement, stewardship, responsiveness and fairness in financing (WHO, 2000). Although, efficiency improvement should be seen as a strategy for mobilizing domestic resources and utilizing the available resources. without waste to achieve the desired health sector goals; it is not usually the case especially in low income countries like Kenya. Practically, there is not much consideration to efficiency by health care administrators in contrast to it being mentioned in health policies (~ollingsworth, 2008). Currently, Kenyan health system is under intense pressure to deliver improved health services using proportionately fewer resources. Quantifying the current level of inefficiency in the hospital system helps provide insight into the 'degree to which these pressures could be met by a more effective use of resources (Kirigia, 2004). The general objective of this study is to analyze the technical efficiency in hospital settings in Kenya. The study will use a mix of analytical and descriptive study design employing econometric techniques for its analysis. Simple random sampling will be used to select a study sample of 30 County referral hospitals from the 47 main County referral hospitals in Kenya for the study. A cross sectional model will be used to analyze secondary data collected using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to determine efficiency levels followed by Tobit regression analysis of environmental variables using STATA version 10 to determine explanatory variables for inefficiencies in the hospitals. The findings of this study will be useful to the policy-makers, county and health facility managers in their effort of designing appropriate policy anq managerial interventions for ensuring efficient mobilization and use of health care resources
Anti-jiggers sensitization campaigns on school attendance: a case study of selected primary schools in Mathioya sub-county, Murang' a county, Kenya
(2014-07-30) Githinji, Susan Wanjiku; Otiende, J.E.
Jigger infestation among school going children has affected school attendance among primary school pupils especially those in jigger prone areas. Despite many efforts to fight the menace by different organizations, many pupils are still affected with many dropping out of school. The purpose of this study is to establish the impact of anti-jiggers sensitization on school attendance in primary schools in Mathioya Sub-county in Murang'a County. The study will be guided by the following specific objectives: to find out the prevalence of jiggers infection in primary schools in Mathioya Sub-county, to establish the effect of anti-jiggers campaigns on the affected pupils, to assess the impact of sensitization campaigns on reduction of infestation rates and to determine the effect of anti-jigger sensitization campaigns on attendance in primary schools in Mathioya Sub-county in Murang'a County with a view to recommend ways of improving the effectiveness of anti-jiggers campaigns in the County. The descriptive research design will be used in the study. The study will be carried out in selected primary schools in Mathioya Sub-county with a specific focus on schools with infested pupils. Primary schools in the sub-county have been chosen for the study due to high prevalence of jigger infestation in the schools. The target population for the study will be pupils, class teachers and the Sub-county Quality Assurance and Standards Officer. There are 58 primary schools in Mathioya Sub-county. The study will employ the purposive sampling method .Questionnaires, an interview schedule, documentary analysis guide and observation will be used as the tools of data collection. Questionnaires will be used to collect data from teachers and pupils and the interview schedule from the Sub-county Quality Assurance and Standards Officer. Piloting will be done to test the validity and reliability of the data collection instruments. Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics which entail means, standard deviation, frequencies and percentages. Inferential statistics whereby the researcher will employ Chi-square tests, Spearman rank: correlation order test and Anova test will be used. Content analysis techniques will be used to analyze qualitative data collected using interview schedules. The analyzed data will be presented in the form of frequency tables and percentages.
Application of Genetic Engineering Approach in the Control of Cassava Brown Streak and Bacterial Blight Diseases
(2013-12-14) Njiru, J. M.; Mgutu, Allan Jalemba; Tripathi, L.
Cassava is the fifth most important food crop in the world. Cassava's importance in Africa and South America can't be overstated. As a drought-tolerant crop that does well in poor soils, it enhances household food security and is a source of income that provides livelihood to 800million people globally. Annual global production of cassava is estimated at 232 million tonnes; an average yield of 12.5 tonnes per hectare. Diseases and pests are the greatest biotic problems to cassava production across the East" and Central Africa (ECA) sub-region causing yield losses. Cassava bacterial blight (CBB) caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. manihotis (Xam) is the most destructive bacterial disease in all cassava growing areas of the world causing yield losses of about 50% to 75%. Cassava is vulnerable to at least 20 different viral diseases, cassava brown streak disease (CBSD), being one of the most important viral diseases in Africa. CBSD is more lethal than other cassava viral disease because it causes severe necrosis within the edible storage roots. Crop improvement efforts through conventional breeding have aimed at attaining CBSD and CBB resistance, however these efforts have been largely unsuccessful due to the nature of the cassava plant for example poor flowering and low pollen fertility. This study aims at generating CBB and CBSD resistant plants through genetic engineering. Hypersensitivity response assisting protein (Hrap) gene will be used for transforming cultivar 60444. The constitutive expression of the Hrap in plants generates durable resistance against plant bacterial pathogens. This study seeks to use the Hrap gene to generate CBB resistance in cassava. There is no robust genotype-independent transformation protocol that has been developed for African farmer preferred cultivars. Through this study :;t protocol for transformation of three farmer preferred cultivars (TME 14, Mkombozi, Albert) using friable embryogenic callus (FEC) as the explant will be optimized, then transform one of the cultivars for resistance against CBSD using the optimized protocol. Post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS) offer significant potential for controlling RNA plant viruses like CBSD. Therefore this study aims at using the RNA interference (RNAi) approach in developing CBSD resistant lines. The presence, integration and expression of the transgenes will be confirmed by PCR, Southern blot and RT-PCR analysis followed by screen house evaluation to gauge resistance. Data on different stages of optimization during transformation and regeneration will be collected and analysed by ANOV A (p<0.05) and means will be separated using LSD (p<0.05). For FEC and cotyledon induction a completely, randomized design (CRD) will be used for all experiments with the FEC as the observation unit and the plate as the replicate. At list three replicates will be set per experiments. The regeneration Frequency (RF) and transformation frequency (TF) of all the cultivars will be determined
Appraisal of the adequacy and implementation process of the English language curriculum in state primary schools in Burundi
(2014-08-12) Ndayimirije, Marie- Immaculee; Bwire, A. M.; Ndethiu, Sophia M.
Burundi's admission into the East African Community in 2005 led the then new government to introduce learning of English and Kiswahili in state primary schools in the same year. The innovation faced numerous challenges that the authorities are still trying to address. Whereas poor preparation of teachers and provision of resources have been partly addressed, very little has been done to investigate 'the curriculum and its implementation. The proposed research sets out to appraise the English curriculum with a view to assessing its adequacy and the effectiveness of its implementation. The study objectives are: to analyze the course books used to teach English, to examine the methods and resources used in teaching English, to find out the challenges faced in the teaching of English, to establish the level of teacher preparedness to teach English, and to establish the effectiveness of teacher support services in implementing the Primary English curriculum. Data will be collected using questionnaires, classroom observation, and a content analysis guide. The questionnaires will be administered to a population sample of 371 teachers of English, 80 school principals, and 8 curriculum designers. Classroom observation will involve 8 teachers of Grade 5 and Grade 6 classes. The teachers and principals will be sampled from 2 provinces, respectively urban and rural. The information sought will seek their perceptions on aspects of the curriculum content, guidance in the Teacher's Manual, and supervisory support provided to facilitate the implementation process. Classroom observation will focus on the teachers' ability to implement the curriculum methods and to communicate with the pupils. Content analysis will be done on all 6 textbooks - and their Teachers' Manuals - which make up the curriculum. Qualitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics. Quantitative data will be processed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), then analyzed using both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. A check will also be done for correlations between measures of groups of teachers or principals. It is hoped that the findings will provide education authorities with useful insights about the adequacy of the curriculum content and the needs for its effective implementation. The study will also offer itself as an opportunity for the Quality Assurance Board to gain deeper understanding of the benefits of appraisal as a tool for monitoring the efficiency of educational innovations in Burundi.
Assessment of butyltin compounds in water and sediment matrices along Kilindini harbour, Mombasa county Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2014-10-03) Mulima, Henry
Tributyltin (TBT) is an organotin compound used primarily as biocide in antifouling paints to prevent colonization by barnacles and drag-inducing taxa on ship hulls. It is extremely toxic to aquatic life and it is an endocrine - disrupting chemical that causes severe irreversible reproductive effects in aquatic organisms such as imposex. Human toxicology of tributyltins include, disturbance of smell sense, neural necrosis, hepatic lesions and interference with immune system. The TBT is relatively stable and resistant to natural degradation in water and sediment. Because of its chemical properties and wide spread use as antifouling agent, concerns have been raised over the risks it poses to both freshwater and salt water organisms. Therefore, continued monitoring and control of TBT in water ways is necessary all over the world. The TBT derivatives include monobutyltin (MBT) and dibutyltin (DBT) which are used as heat and light stabilizers in manufacture of PVC and polyurethane foams. Kilindini harbor has been receiving ships since 1896, and is the gateway to Eastern Africa. There is thus a high chance of TBT and its derivatives being found in the harbor. Studies on TBT and its derivatives along Kenyan coastline have not been reported. Therefore the study proposes to determine TBT and its derivatives in water and sediments at the Kilindini harbour. Purposive study design will be used in sampling. The water and sediment samples will be collected from Kilindini harbor and analyzed for TBT, DBT and MBT using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The data will be analyzed using special excel software computer package and analysis of variance (ANOVA) used to determine the variation in the levels of TBT and its derivatives in water and • sediment matrices. The results will be availed to relevant authorities and used to sensitize the public.
Assessment of the quality of household drinking water in Mbeere south sub-county, Embu county
(Kenyatta University, 2014-10-03) Njiru, Daisy Mutitu
Good quality household drinking water is an important determinant of public health in rural communities especially in Africa. The rationale behind protecting drinking water sources is therefore the provision of good quality household drinking water. Nevertheless, recent studies have shown that improved public water supply does not necessarily improve water quality at the point of use. Drinking water quality quickly deteriorates after collection and during storage in the home; and therefore imperative for emphasis on home based water treatment and safe storage. The use of household water treatment and safe storage technologies has received wide recognition in the reduction of diarrheal diseases. This study seeks to evaluate the quality of household drinking water in Mbeere South Sub County, Embu County. To achieve this broader objective, the study will investigate the bacteriological quality of drinking water at the source and at the point of use. The study will also establish water handling and hygiene practices in households as well as household water treatment methods. The study will be a cross sectional descriptive study survey on 192 households drawn from Mwea and Makima divisions as well as microbial water analysis. Two-cluster sampling design will be used. Administrative sub locations will form the clusters. Households will be selected by equal probability systematic sampling from clusters sampled by probability proportional to size procedure. Data will be collected using interviewer administered questionnaires and observational checklists. 112 drinking water samples will be analyzed for total coliforms and Escherichia coli using multiple tube fermentation. Statistically analyses will be conducted by SPSS version 20.Descriptive statistics will be used; cross tabulations, ttest and multivariate logistic regression will be used. The results will be displayed graphically and in tabular form. The findings will provide useful intervention measures to ensure quality of household drinking water in Mbeere South Sub-County. The findings will also contribute to the general body of knowledge in the field of public health. The study will also be informative for future researches on drinking water quality in the area and elsewhere
An assessment of the relationship between hotel ratings and customer satisfaction with service delivery in hotels in Mombasa county, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2014-11-28) Mburu, Cecilia, N.
Kenya is among the famous tourist destinations in Africa. The government has initiated various campaigns to promote tourism. One of the major and significant components of tourism that should be considered is hotels. A high level of tourist satisfaction with hotels' service delivery is crucial in maintaining an image of a tourist destination. The most visible method used by the GOK to manage hotels' service standards and increase customer satisfaction is hotel classification. Hotel classification is ranking of hotels into classes according to the quality of hotels' facilities and services. There is need for consistency between hotel classifications and the extent to which they reflect customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction is the key for success of hotel businesses and tourist destinations: it affects business profitability, increases customer loyalty; influences repurchase intentions and leads to positive word-of-mouth. However, the Kenyan hotel sector still faces challenges associated with customer satisfaction: reduced numbers of customers and market share, tourists' expenditure per capital, repeat guests, and return on investment. The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether the hotel ratings in Kenya match customer satisfaction. To achieve this, the study will use three specific objectives: to establish the perceptions of hotel GMs on features of a hotel rating system that may enhance customer satisfaction in hotels; to assess customer satisfaction levels in rated hotels in Mombasa County; and to determine the relationship between hotel ratings and customer satisfaction in Mombasa County of Kenya. The study will review literature on hotel ratings across different countries. The study will use conceptual, theoretical and operational models to link theory to practice. The theoretical theories guiding the study are SERVQUAL (Service Quality) theory and Expectancy Disconfirmation theory. The study will use survey research design to collect information from the classified hotels in Mombasa County of Kenya. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques will be used. Primary data will be collected using self-administered questionnaires and personal interviews. Data collected will be analyzed using descriptive and non-parametric tests. Analyzed data will be presented using various descriptive statistical techniques such as frequencies, percentages, graphs, tables and charts. Hypotheses will be tested using Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and Chi square. Appropriate interpretation of the findings and recommendations will be done accordingly. The expected results of this study will be useful to GOK and MEAACT in improving hotels service standards through hotel rating to enhance customer satisfaction.
Assessment of the teaching resources for implentation of physical education curriculum in public secondary schools in kisii county -kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2014) Obungu, Gikenyi David
The ministry of education in Kenya recognizes Physical Education (PE) as an integral part of the secondary education process as attested in the Preamble of PE syllabus for secondary schools (K.I.E 2002). The purpose of this study is to investigate the provision of teaching resources for PE in public secondary schools in Kisii County-Kenya. This is due to the fact that PE is largely a practical subject and for effective teaching, learning resources have to be availed. The study aims to find out if there are enough facilities, equipment, supplies, text books, qualified PE personnel and allocation of recommended curriculum time in school time tables to implement the 'secondary PE curriculum in public secondary schools in Kisii County. The study will adopt the descriptive survey design. Head teachers and PE teachers in 306 public secondary schools in the county will be the target population. Stratified and simple random samplings procedures will be used to attain a sample of 41 head teachers and 41 Physical Education teachers which represents 30% of the population for National and County schools and 10% for district schools who will be respondents in the study. A questionnaire and an observation check list will be used to collect the data from the respondents. After collecting the data it will be coded and organized for analysis using SPSS version 17.0 Descriptive statistics will be computed using charts, graphs, frequency distribution tables and percentages. The hypotheses of the study will be tested using chi-square test of significance. The study findings will be used by all stake holders involved in the development of PE (School inspectors, curriculum developers, head teachers, teachers, parents, and the academia) to ensure full implementation of the PE curriculum in Public Secondary Schools in Kenya. This will enhance correct acquisition of skills in various sports for both leisure and competitive purposes.
Assistive technology as a factor of improving education achievement for students with visual impairment at Kibos secondary school Kisumu county, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2014-10-03) Oira, Maaga
The purpose of the study is to encourage teachers and students to shift from over relying on old technology to new technology that is quick and efficient in acquisition of education. Also to analyze the contribution and role of assistive technology in improving education achievement for students with visual impairment at Kibos special secondary school. The objectives of the study include; to establish the access technology engaged in the teaching of students with visual impairment at secondary school level, identify the kind of technology used in Kenyan secondary schools, examine the criteria used in selecting the best media that suits the student's individual needs, to find out the challenges faced by teachers and students using access technology, determine ways teachers and students with visual impairment cope with the various types of assistive technology and finally, the impact of assistive technology on the education achievement of students with visual impairment. Students in United States and countries like Canada and Australia work independently as they use modem technology to complement them in their academic activities in revision, socialization and sharing in many areas of education. In Kenya, the curriculum and policies guiding technology utilization among students and teachers are lacking. It is even worse among students with visual impairment whose education has been emancipated by technology. Technology used by these students is manual braille through use of bailers, slate and stylus which require to be replaced with efficient technological innovations such as Smart Bailers; computers fitted with assistive technology such as large print access, speech access, Braille access, and scanned material access. Modem technology has a high ability to unlock learning and expand possibilities of students. Assistive technology can be a great equalizer in the sense that for the Braille user, it allows students to provide feedback by producing materials in Braille for personal use and then in print for the teacher, classmates, parents and others who may not be conversant with Braille. The technology gives students with visual impairment the power of storing, retrieving and disseminating information. The study methodology employed is case study and the design is descriptive. The sample size is 40 respondents, comprising 30 form two and three students, eight teachers, a transcriber and a librarian. Methods of data analysis will be Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) and will be presented in percentages, graphs, charts, and tables to reflect the findings ofthe study

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