https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/69 2026-05-15T14:17:03Z 2026-05-15T14:17:03Z Awiti, Victoria Phildah Wanyama, Fredrick Ouma Owiso, Michael Omondi https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6172 2024-10-28T18:01:03Z 2024-03-04T00:00:00Z

From Securing the State Security to Regional Disorder: An Exploration of Instability in North Eastern Kenya Awiti, Victoria Phildah; Wanyama, Fredrick Ouma; Owiso, Michael Omondi From the colonial time to date, North Eastern Kenya has witnessed sporadic incidents of instability characterised by conflict and insecurity. Scholarly studies have attributed instability to state capacity that includes structural weaknesses such as inability to monopolize the use of violence, poor border controls and ineffective law enforcement. However, such studies do not explain why the state does not function to its optimal capacity in the region. This paper argues that instability in North Eastern Kenya is a deliberate creation of disorder by the state. Measures taken by both the colonial and post-colonial governments to secure their interests have subsequently rendered the region unstable. It argues that the colonial government in an attempt to secure the white highlands used the Northern Frontier District as a buffer zone with minimal investment. Similarly, the post-colonial government curved it out as a security zone to tame insurgency and denied it the necessary attention required to make it safe and secure. The online version of this article can be found at: https://www.asianinstituteofresearch.org/

2024-03-04T00:00:00Z Korir, Geoffrey https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6164 2024-08-11T11:26:50Z 2024-02-02T00:00:00Z

A Broad Conceptualization of Social Change in Agritourism: An Examination of How Mobile Phone Technology Usage in Africa is Making it Possible Korir, Geoffrey This chapter examines the broad concept of social transformation in various domains, including agritourism, as well as the intricacies inherent in the process of its implementation, notably across African countries. It demonstrates within the framework of contending discourses that these complexities can be viewed more clearly in historical terms and through multiple lenses, including but not limited to: the existing spectrum of approaches to social science, primarily positivist and constructivist traditions; Karl Marx’s conceptual traction of economic determinism (1859); the New World Information and Communication Order (NWICO) framework; and Communication for Development (C4D), particularly through its conception of participatory uses of media. Power relations and their obstruction to social change are a significant corollary matrix that arises from these lenses. This insight provides an important context for understanding how mobile telephony is overcoming this limitation in order to bring about societal change in African countries. It is crucial to highlight that the discussion in this chapter is based on a qualitative systematic and broad-stroke examination of the extant literature, rather than multiple, more detailed case studies on the African continent, which would be too cumbersome and, in my view, difficult to achieve. It is also important to recognize that terms such as ‘less developed environments’ and ‘states in the global south’ are used regularly in this discussion and that they are used intentionally to refer to African countries. Another phrase that is frequently used is ‘ordinary people’, which refers to those who are disenfranchised in power dynamics. The article can be accessed in full via:https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1079/9781800623705.0006

2024-02-02T00:00:00Z Korir, Geoffrey Amunga, Hellen https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6163 2024-08-11T11:21:32Z 2024-02-02T00:00:00Z

Social Media Marketing in Agritourism in a Pandemic World: Essential Ethical Considerations Korir, Geoffrey; Amunga, Hellen A global pandemic, such as Covid-19, can cause multifaceted crises, yet can also be viewed as an opportunity for agritourism enterprises to accelerate the adoption of digital technology, which is systematically reflected in increased internet marketing on social media networks. In the context of burgeoning investment in digital marketing by such enterprises, discussion surrounds the ineffectiveness of such strategies for generating an expected return on investment. This inefficiency is premised, albeit rudimentarily, on the poor adherence of some agritourism enterprises to the ethical values essential for creating and disseminating an effective social media marketing strategy. We encounter Pyrrhonism from several commentators that a marketing strategy conceived and disseminated in such a manner can yield positive returns. This skepticism has led us to develop a comprehensive narrative about how a lack of ethics in formulating any marketing message is both illusory and dangerous in the context of an audience’s receptivity. Here, we provide a vital backdrop for the chapter’s discussion by establishing ethical values that subsume the embodiment and dissemination of an efficacious social media strategy; derive critical forms of reflexive thinking regarding the causes behind the insufficient adherence of the ethical values in the formulation and dissemination of a social media strategy; and demonstrate how this deficiency is an ineliminable feature of an audience’s consumption of messages and its behaviour after that. This discussion was developed qualitatively based on the review of relevant qualitative and quantitative secondary data from recent empirical studies. Based on this review, it is concluded that even though digital marketing is chiefly dialectical in several agritourism enterprises today, its current form and dissemination seem unable to result in the enterprises’ endogenous vision of more returns. In light of this conclusion, it is proposed that there is a need for agritourism enterprises to adopt a desirable and obligatory approach that is explicitly structured to consider ethical aspects in the formulation and dissemination of a social media strategy. The article can be accessed in full via: https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1079/9781800623705.0007

2024-02-02T00:00:00Z Awiti, Victoria Phildah Wanyama, Fredrick Ouma Owiso, Michael Omondi https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6151 2024-08-07T13:50:59Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

From Securing State Security to Regional Disorder: An Exploration of Instability in North Eastern Kenya Awiti, Victoria Phildah; Wanyama, Fredrick Ouma; Owiso, Michael Omondi From the colonial time to date, North Eastern Kenya has witnessed sporadic incidents of instability characterised by conflict and insecurity. Scholarly studies have attributed instability to state capacity that includes structural weaknesses such as inability to monopolize the use of violence, poor border controls and ineffective law enforcement. However, such studies do not explain why the state does not function to its optimal capacity in the region. This paper argues that instability in North Eastern Kenya is a deliberate creation of disorder by the state. Measures taken by both the colonial and post-colonial governments to secure their interests have subsequently rendered the region unstable. It argues that the colonial government in an attempt to secure the white highlands used the Northern Frontier District as a buffer zone with minimal investment. Similarly, the post-colonial government curved it out as a security zone to tame insurgency and denied it the necessary attention required to make it safe and secure.

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z Ochieng, Owuor John Owiso, Michael Omondi Kniventon, Dominic Calvince, Barack Omondi https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6144 2024-08-07T12:45:09Z 2023-11-10T00:00:00Z

An Analysis of the Influence of Fisher-Folks’ Perceptions on Uptake of Impact-Based Forecasting Weather Information for Adaptation to Nocturnal Storms Ochieng, Owuor John; Owiso, Michael Omondi; Kniventon, Dominic; Calvince, Barack Omondi One key hindrance to successful adaptation to climate change in poor-low-resourced regions is the continued use of traditional weather prediction methods. To change this story and enhance adaptation in the fisheries dependent villages of Suba-North sub-County in Kenya, The High Impact Weather Lake System (HIGHWAY) project was initiated in 2017 and launched an early warning system called impact-based weather forecasting. Nonetheless, academically sound analyses remain dearth particularly as regards the extent to which current perceptions are pro-or-against uptake of IBF. In the face of continued death toll – 1500 to 5000 casualties annually – due to high incidences of storms, this study, focusing on six beaches where the HIGHWAY WISER Project was implemented, undertook an analysis of the influence of fisherfolks’ perception on IBF on the innovation’s uptake. Four perception variables, awareness, accuracy, relevance, probabilistic dimensions, and spatial/geographic coverage of IBF, were examined. Data was gathered from 412 fisherfolk through semi-structured questionnaires, supplemented by interviews with 30 key informants among policy makers and beach management unit leaders, and further enriched by six Focus Group Discussions with fisherfolk. While the study revealed that 73% of respondents were aware of IBF’s existence, 75% perceived it as accurate, very accurate, or extremely accurate, these varied with category of fisherfolk, type of boat owned, gender of fisherfolk, and type of fishing undertaken. Even more strikingly, knowledge gaps persisted, particularly concerning the probability and spatial-temporal specificity dimensions of IBF. Study revealed more need for intentional multi-sectorial, and fisher-folk targeted interventions in dissemination of storms and other related extreme weather event information. Traditionalism remains a key hindrance but change is a process and with sustained interventions, the story will change for the better. Sustained efforts in awareness raising and training, emphasizing the importance of tailoring weather forecasts to the specific needs of vulnerable fisherfolk populations. Ultimately, the HIGHWAY project represents a promising step towards mitigating the perils posed by Lake Victoria’s treacherous weather conditions.

2023-11-10T00:00:00Z Awiti, Victoria Phildah Wanyama, Fredrick Ouma Owiso, Michael Omondi https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6143 2024-08-07T12:35:49Z 2024-03-04T00:00:00Z

From Securing the State Security to Regional Disorder: An Exploration of Instability in North Eastern Kenya Awiti, Victoria Phildah; Wanyama, Fredrick Ouma; Owiso, Michael Omondi From the colonial time to date, North Eastern Kenya has witnessed sporadic incidents of instability characterised by conflict and insecurity. Scholarly studies have attributed instability to state capacity that includes structural weaknesses such as inability to monopolize the use of violence, poor border controls and ineffective law enforcement. However, such studies do not explain why the state does not function to its optimal capacity in the region. This paper argues that instability in North Eastern Kenya is a deliberate creation of disorder by the state. Measures taken by both the colonial and post-colonial governments to secure their interests have subsequently rendered the region unstable. It argues that the colonial government in an attempt to secure the white highlands used the Northern Frontier District as a buffer zone with minimal investment. Similarly, the post-colonial government curved it out as a security zone to tame insurgency and denied it the necessary attention required to make it safe and secure. The online version of this article can be found at: https://www.asianinstituteofresearch.org/

2024-03-04T00:00:00Z Awiti, Victoria Phildah Wanyama, Fredrick Ouma Owiso, Michael Omondi https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6097 2024-07-24T15:09:26Z 2024-03-04T00:00:00Z

From Securing the State Security to Regional Disorder: An Exploration of Instability in North Eastern Kenya Awiti, Victoria Phildah; Wanyama, Fredrick Ouma; Owiso, Michael Omondi From the colonial time to date, North Eastern Kenya has witnessed sporadic incidents of instability characterised by conflict and insecurity. Scholarly studies have attributed instability to state capacity that includes structural weaknesses such as inability to monopolize the use of violence, poor border controls and ineffective law enforcement. However, such studies do not explain why the state does not function to its optimal capacity in the region. This paper argues that instability in North Eastern Kenya is a deliberate creation of disorder by the state. Measures taken by both the colonial and post-colonial governments to secure their interests have subsequently rendered the region unstable. It argues that the colonial government in an attempt to secure the white highlands used the Northern Frontier District as a buffer zone with minimal investment. Similarly, the post-colonial government curved it out as a security zone to tame insurgency and denied it the necessary attention required to make it safe and secure. The online version of this article can be found at: https://www.asianinstituteofresearch.org/

2024-03-04T00:00:00Z McAteer, Boel Amado, Patricia García Krisciunaite, Akvile Owiso, Michael https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6059 2024-03-21T17:38:40Z 2023-11-01T00:00:00Z

Somali refugees in Kenya McAteer, Boel; Amado, Patricia García; Krisciunaite, Akvile; Owiso, Michael Kenya hosts more than 500,000 refugees, most of whom live in camps. The new Refugee Act (2021), which came into force in 2022, creates potential for new policy allowing increased mobility between camp and city. This paper reports on findings of the Protracted Displacement in an Urban World project, which examined the wellbeing and livelihoods of people living in protracted displacement in camps and cities, focusing on Somali refugees in Dadaab camp and Eastleigh, Nairobi. Key findings highlight the need for increased recognition of urban refugees, free movement between camp and city, and more targeted support, particularly for women refugees in the city.

2023-11-01T00:00:00Z Wainaina, George Kiambuthi Ochieng, Fredrick Peter, Maryna Raude, James Messo Meierhofer, Regula Marks, Sara J https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5850 2023-11-15T17:58:06Z 2023-06-08T00:00:00Z

Determinants of consistency of use of household water filters in emergencies: Insights from a protracted drought in Northern Kenya Wainaina, George Kiambuthi; Ochieng, Fredrick; Peter, Maryna; Raude, James Messo; Meierhofer, Regula; Marks, Sara J The consistent use of household water treatment and storage (HWTS) technologies is necessary for human health. However, most HWTS options are designed for typical household use as opposed to emergency contexts, where use is less consistent. To investigate ways to improve the consistency of HWTS use in emergencies, we conducted in-person surveys with 108 households in northern Kenya and comparatively analyzed factors that influenced the use of household filters during a protracted drought. Findings showed that about 50% of respondents used their filter consistently over the course of the study. The main limitation to usability was that none of the filters were well-suited for the indoor living environment of the survey respondents. The factors associated with consistency of use varied by filter design. For one-bucket filters, consistent use was associated with ease of assembly, reported availability of spare parts, and peer approval of HWTS use. For two-bucket filters, consistent use was best explained by the certainty regarding when the filter was functioning or not. We suggest that filter manufacturers should reduce the number of parts to mitigate assembly difficulties and should develop flexible filter designs to improve compatibility across households in terms of space and height requirements. Those disseminating filters during protracted emergencies should conduct user training on the assembly and disassembly of unfamiliar filters and ensure affordable access to necessary replacement parts. Finally, to improve consistency of use of new types of filters, implementers should assess the peer approval of these HTWS options among the target population. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pwat.0000093

2023-06-08T00:00:00Z Owiso, Michael Omondi Kniventon, Dominic Omondi, Barack Calvince https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5839 2023-11-08T16:38:25Z 2023-09-08T00:00:00Z

Fisheries-based Determinants of Fisherfolks’ and their Influence on Access to Impact-based Weather Forecasting in Suba-North sub-County, Homabay County, Kenya Owiso, Michael Omondi; Kniventon, Dominic; Omondi, Barack Calvince Lake Victoria, the world’s largest freshwater fishery, supports the livelihoods of 4 to 5.6 million economically vulnerable people, with many living on less than $1.25 a day. However, the Lake also witnesses a staggering annual drowning toll of 1,500 to 5,000 fatalities, with two-thirds attributed to storms. Recognising the need for an effective advisory and warning system known as impact-based forecasting (IBF), the HIGHWAY-WISER Project commenced in 2017, focusing on 10 East African beaches, including those in Kenya. Despite its significance, this donor-funded initiative remains relatively unknown and under-researched. This study investigates how fisheries-based factors affect access to IBF in the Lake Victoria region. Data collection involves two key stakeholder groups: policymakers and implementers from the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) and the fisherfolk community, segmented across six beaches. A combination of proportional stratified and simple random sampling yields a sample size of 422 fisherfolk who complete semi-closed questionnaires. Additionally, 30 policymakers and beach management unit (BMU) members are purposively selected as key informants and interviewed. The study reveals that fisheries-based determinants significantly influence IBF access among fisherfolk. These determinants encompass BMU politics and leadership, social networks, the adoption of flags and noticeboards, exposure to storms, boat size, energy sources for propulsion, fisherfolk experience, and timing of fishing activities. To enhance awareness and accessibility, the study recommends greater involvement of community-based organisations and increased training on IBF for fisheries decision-making contexts. This research underscores the importance of further exploration into fisheries-based factors as pivotal determinants of IBF access. It illuminates how these understudied variables factor into the decision-making processes of fisherfolk regarding whether to embark on fishing expeditions, irrespective of the presence or absence of IBF at their respective beaches. Such insights can inform more effective strategies for improving IBF access within this vital socioeconomic context https://doi.org/10.37284/ajccrs.2.1.1414

2023-09-08T00:00:00Z