School of Information, Communication and Media Studies

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An m- shopping adoption model for developing economies. A study of Kisii town retail shops
(2016) Onunga, Jeremiah
Mobile shopping has been growing at a very fast pace in the developed world, but the trend has not quite picked up in the developing nations, including Kenya. It is still a relatively new trend. This study examined factors influencing m-shopping adoption and critical success factors that influence the adoption of m-shopping using extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The study used descriptive survey research design as it was helpful in indicating trends in attitudes and behaviors and enabled generalization of the findings of the research study. This design was considered appropriate for this study because the quality information yielded was valid, while interviewer bias was reduced because participants completed identically worded self-reported measures. The population that was selected for the research was from Kisii Town, and a minimum sample of 384 respondents was selected to take part. The data was collected using questionnaires. An intercept personal interview approach was used to collect the data for the research. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel. The advancement in this research area is as a result of increased use of mobile computing technology to support new data analysis techniques and remote discovery of knowledge. The quantitative data about perceived risks, convenience, commodity prices and product variety were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The data presentation was done using frequency distribution tables. The findings of the study revealed that m-shopping was a new trend in the Kisii Town and was taking root. Some of the reasons cited for adoption of m-shopping included; time saving, easy comparison of alternative products, fairer prices of online goods, expert/user review of products and access to a market without borders. Some challenges of m-shopping adoption that needs to be addressed were perceived risks, negatively influences consumers’ intentions and actual use of m-shopping. Online stores ought to introduce security mechanisms to reduce associated risks. The findings further indicated that this model can predict consumer intention to use m-shopping. Specifically, perceived usefulness, perceived credibility and awareness about m-shopping have significant effect on user’s attitude thus influence the intention toward m-shopping. The study provides relevant business advantage in terms of providing insights on how m-shopping is being embraced the challenges, and how to improve it.
Influence of egesa fm’s programs on value addition practices of farmers in nyaribari chache sub-county, Kenya.
(2017) Marube, Martha Kerubo
Effects of social media use in participatory budgeting in county governance: a case study of kisii county, kenya
(2018) Nyamari, Amos Nyankanga
In an effort to curb fiscal stress, governments across the globe are increasingly pursuing participatory budgeting. However, public apathy, due to communication break down between the public and the governments is the major hindrance to the process globally. For instance, in Kenya, inadequate public debates on county budget priorities and choices, due to communication break down between the public and the county governments, has led to poor transparency and weak accountability. This has greatly undermined the spirit of devolution. Empirical studies indicates that, social media can be an effective platform for participatory budgeting. This study therefore set out to examine the effects of social media use in participatory budgeting in Kenya`s County governance, with a special focus on Kisii County. The specific objectives of the study were to; examine the influence of social media on public participation in Kisii County Government`s budget preparation process; identify the most effective social media platforms for public participation in kisii County Government`s budget preparation process; examine how the public uses social media as a participatory platform in Kisii County Government`s budget preparation process and explore how social media is used by Kisii County government as a platform for public participation in the budget preparation process. Bonchari Sub- County, which is one of the 9 administrative Sub-Counties constituting the Kisii County was purposively selected as the sampling area for the study that is anchored on the Uses and Gratifications Theory. Descriptive design was adopted and both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed to ensure methodological triangulation .The sample size was 399 residents. 4 key informants were also interviewed. Both Simple random and Purposive sampling techniques were employed. Data collection was via questionnaires and individual interviews. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS, in which data tabulation, descriptive and disaggregation procedures of statistical analysis were employed. Thematic Content Analysis was further used to analyse the qualitative data. Among the study findings is that social media platforms, especially Facebook and WhatsApp are popular among the citizens and thus effective for participatory budgeting. Unfortunately, their use by Kisii County government as participatory platforms in the budget preparation process is limited and sporadic. The results of the study will be significant to Governments and their budgeting stakeholders in determining the best ways of social media use for participatory budgeting. The study finally recommends that Kisii County government should be proactive in the use of social media technologies for effective e-participatory budgeting.
Communication function of student governing council in the administration of public secondary schools: a case of Awendo sub-county - Kenya
(2018) Oliech, Anne Akinyi
The role of communication function of Student Governing Councils (SGCs) in the administration of Public Secondary Schools is increasingly becoming important. Currently, the government in partnership with other stakeholders has made it mandatory for schools in Kenya to have active SGCs who should play active roles including communication between the students and the school administration. However, it is not empirically established what exact communication functions these SGCs exercise in Awendo Sub- County. It was in light with this that the researcher sought to investigation the communication functions of SGCs in the administration of public secondary school in Awendo Sub-County, Migori County, Kenya. This study examined the understanding, implementation and the success of the communication functions of SGCs in the administration of public secondary school in Awendo Sub County. The study employed qualitative research design. The target population for the study was 24 principals, 24 deputy principals and 118 student leaders making a total population of 166. The students leaders was selected from 3 schools out of the 24 public secondary schools based on the category of the school i.e. girls, boys or boarding. Simple random procedure was used to randomly choose the student leaders from the 3 public secondary schools. The research instruments were a structured questionnaire distributed to each participant. The study revealed that the students as well as the school administrators understand the communication functions of SGCs. Majority of the schools have fully implemented the communication functions and have acknowledge its success in the administration of public secondary schools. The student councils have acted as a channel of communication between the students and the school; a role that this research have discovered to be significant for school administrative purposes. However, when undertaking this communication function, the SGCs have faced various challenges such as being termed as a sell out by other students, lack of motivation as well as the inability to handle issues such as drug abuse, homosexuality and indiscipline cases in schools. The study concludes that the communication function of SGCs is not yet exhausted in various school and further investigations should be done to ascertain how it can be strengthened. The study recommends that the student councils should be trained in order to acquire skills that will enable them overcome the challenges. In addition, benchmarking programs should be encouraged for the student councils to learn how their colleagues do it elsewhere.
Contemporary vernacular broadcast media intervention in communities prone to intra-ethnic conflict: a case of the Abakuria in Kenya
(2018) Oluoch, John Osicho
The rapid growth in the vernacular broadcast media sector in Kenya has been lauded as key in the social and economic transformation of the rural communities. However, how they can be used in conflict management still remains datable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contemporary vernacular media intervention in the Abakuria community which has been prone to internecine intra-ethnic conflicts for a long time. The study analysed sources of information from broadcast media and their role in conflict resolution; evaluated the existing media reportage of intra-ethnic conflict; identified shortfalls in the usage of existing broadcast media platforms for resolving ethnic conflict and assessed the suitability of vernacular broadcast media in resolution of intra-ethnic conflict among the Abakuria community. The study used libertarian and social responsibility theories to advance understanding of the media in enhancing conflict management. It used a mixture of survey and qualitative methods of research design. Data was obtained from 162 victims of previous conflict and 162 local community members as well as 12 media practitioners and 12 key informants from the four divisions of Mabera, Ntimaru, Kegonga and Kehancha. Analysis of previous media reports was also done. Data were collected through observation, interviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions, and Participatory Vulnerability Analysis (PVA). The data were coded and entered in the computer for analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study established several findings. The main sources of information among the respondents were radio with 80% listenership, television (TV) with 40% viewership and newspapers at 20-25% readership. The most frequently used media for obtaining information was radio, followed by TV while newspaper was low and internet least preferred. Radio Citizen, Citizen TV and NTV were the most preferred channels from where information on intra-ethnic conflict is obtained. There were also up to 20% of the respondents who sought information from the Ekegusi language radio channel known as Egesa FM and another 3-5% of the respondents obtained information from one or the other of several Luo language FM stations. The national and vernacular broadcast media provided very little information about conflict resolution for the community. This study therefore recommends that a vernacular broadcast media channel distinctly dedicated to the Kuria language be established. It also recommends that a mass media advisory committee on conflict management should be set up at the local, county and national levels to advise media practitioners and coordinate activities of the mass media to set standards of enhancing management of intra-ethnic conflict among the communities in Kenya
Social media and tourism awareness: a case of Homabay county, kenya
(2018) Agalo, Rose Achieng’
Kenya’s Vision 2030 Economic Pillar, identifies tourism as one of the key six sectors in contributing to the 10% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate per annum as from 2012. It is a major source of foreign exchange for the Country and plays a major role in employment in the private sector. This research aimed at exploring ways through which social media can enhance the visibility of Homabay County as a tourist destination. This is as a result of curiosity of existing information flow to potential tourists in Homabay County. Regardless of Kenya’s unique existence of tourist attractions spread throughout the Country, tourism activities in the Country have always been almost exclusively centered on two geographical regions: the coastal beaches and a handful of game reserves and national parks. This research therefore anticipated to enhance the visibility of Homabay County as a tourist destination through the use of social media which has a worldwide audience. The study was, guided by the following research objectives: To identify the social media platforms used in creating tourism awareness for Homabay County. To investigate how tourism destinations can exploit social media strategies in creating tourism awareness and to examine the salience of user generated content in influencing tourists’ decision-making behavior. The research employed mixed research design to establish how social media can be used to enhance the visibility of tourism in the County. Theoretical conceptualization was based on psychological ownership theory and perceived control which elaborated concepts for understanding travelers’ behavior and the use of user generated content by travelers. The study targeted tourism stakeholders in Homabay County and used questionnaires and interview schedules as data collection instruments. Thematic analysis was used by the researcher to analyse data from emerging themes and subthemes guided by the research questions.Analysis of data showed that tourism and hospitality service providers in Homabay County have not fully embraced the use of social media hence missing on opportunities presented by social media to enhance their visibility. The researcher therefore reccomended ways in which social media potential could be realised, adoption of social media strategies and development of policies by the County goverment to ensure a conducive operating enviroment for tourism.
Organizational communication on devolved governance: a case of kisii county executive
(2018) Nyambeki, Diana Okemwa
In the year 2010, Kenya promulgated a new constitution that advocated for a devolved system of governance. This led to the establishment of 47 County governments in the country that are charged with the responsibility of providing services to the local people. Devolution, being a new phenomenon in Kenya, the capacity of the counties to face up with communication challenges and potential structural complexities to ensure that they are managed sustainably is a concern. County Government‟s capacity to entrench communication to ensure proper service delivery remains an area of concern. The purpose of this study was to assist in understanding how organizational communication contribute to the general performance of county governments in Kenya and possibly stimulate the exchange of ideas among public and private experts, policy makers and implementers on policy guidelines for optimal implementation of devolved governance. The specific objectives were to establish how organizational communication channels affect devolved governance in Kisii County, determine the effect of employee communication skills on devolved governance in Kisii County and examine the effect of organizational communication structure on devolved governance in Kisii County. The study targeted 620 employees and a sample size of 86 respondents was used for the study. The location of the research was limited to the county headquarters at the former Municipal building along Kisii-Daraja Mbili road. The study adopted a descriptive research design and also used stratified sampling technique. The study used questionnaires and observation in the collection of primary data while secondary data was obtained through published documents such as books, journals, periodicals, magazines and reports to supplement the primary data. Data was analyzed and presented in tables and column charts. Based on the study findings, the study concludes channels of communication, employee communication skills and organizational communication structure as the major factors that mostly affect devolved governance. The study recommends for improvement in the way the county executive conducts its management operations and activities by communicating to other employees properly besides equipping them with necessary communication skills through training to enhance and support devolved governance. It also recommends for an establishment of an internal communication policy in Kisii County government to guide the communication processes.
Influence of parent youth interpersonal communication barriers on hiv aids prevention study of north kamagambo location migori county Kenya
(2018) Okongo, Pamela Abonyo
This study examined the influence of parent and youth interpersonal communication barriers on HIV prevention in North Kamagambo Location, Migori County. The objectives of the study were: to investigate the existing nature of interpersonal communication between parent and youth on HIV prevention, to establish barriers to effective interpersonal communication between parent and youth on HIV prevention and to find out the measures that can be taken to overcome the barriers. The research questions that the study sought to answer were: what were the existing nature of interpersonal communication between parent and youth on HIV prevention? What were the barriers to effective interpersonal communication between parent and youth on HIV prevention? What measures should be taken to overcome those barriers? The study covered a population of 18,775 according to the 2009 National Census Report. The study was informed by literature that supported the presumption that, the youth rarely communicate with their parents on matters of HIV and this is a reality that increases their vulnerability. The study used Social Learning Theory and Health Belief Model to demonstrate how the youth can learn from their parents through modelling. However based on other social psychological and cultural factors, it is not always a process of a guaranteed learning and therefore Health Belief Model was also used to show how individuals adopt new health behaviours based on their personal beliefs of the benefits of such behaviours. Qualitative method was used to answer questions related to perception, attitude, emotion and opinion while quantitative method was to analyse the frequency of occurrence of thematic elements. Simple random sampling was used to select participants who consisted of fathers, mothers, sons and daughters with a target population of240, while stratified sampling was used to maintain the sample proportionality on the stratification. Focus group discussion and in-depth Interview revealed that, there was a problematic interpersonal communication relationship about HIV prevention between parents and their youth especially among well-educated parents. It was also established that, respondents depends on their cultural beliefs which hinders them from discussing sexual matters.
Dialogue as a management tool for conflict resolution at Rongo University
(2018) Okuthe, Awuor Pelesiah
Other approaches have been used for decades to solving issues in Kenyan public universities, but the methods have been found to be less humane and costly. The need to embrace dialogue is a better approach in conflict resolution and should be encouraged towards a transformed society. This study investigates dialogue as a management tool for conflict resolution at Rongo University. It raises the need for knowledge of what dialogue is, competence in how to employ dialogue and its use for it to be a tool in conflict resolution. Employees move beyond any one individual’s understanding to gain new insights and create new ideas in ways that cannot be achieved individually. It describes the dialogue process and explores how it shifts both individuals and a group to a collective, shared understanding. In dialogue all parties involved are givers and takers, dialogue can be carried out at different levels at which participants are influenced or influence others. The study was guided by the following objectives; to identify the importance of dialogue in conflict resolution at Rongo University, investigate the requirements for dialogue in conflict resolution at Rongo University and examine if dialogue can be used as a sustainable management tool in conflict resolution at Rongo University. Data was collected from employees of Rongo University. Descriptive study was applied, and purposive sample used. The target population was a total of 500 employees and a sample size of 217 using Krejcie and Morgan sampling table. It was anchored by dialogue theory. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were adapted using questionnaires and observation. Tables, graphs and pie charts were used in data presentation. Results indicated that some of the approaches used in conflict resolution were due to delays, fear of dialogue, and insensitivity of management. The conclusion from the study was that dialogue had not been fully embraced and lack of dialogue was due to the attitude that has developed over time. Employees have not been adequately informed on the importance of embracing dialogue as a better approach to conflict resolution.
Communication strategies utilized by women principals in managing workplace conflict in the Kenyan school context
(2019) Kokeyo, Carolyne Adhiambo
Despite several conflicts experienced in secondary schools in Kenya, very minimal research has been conducted to investigate potential causes of unrests in schools related to inappropriate communication by school principals. Furthermore, it is normally assumed that women have better communication strategies and that their schools experience less conflict. However, a review of relevant literature shows that the manner in which women principals utilise communication to manage workplace conflicts has not been established through research, especially, in the Kenyan school context. Therefore, this study sought to explore how women principals utilised communication strategies to manage workplace conflicts at secondary school level. The specific research questions were: First, what is the nature of workplace conflicts in secondary schools headed by women principals? Second, what is the nature of communication strategies utilized in schools headed by women principals? Third, how do the women principals utilize communication strategies to manage workplace conflict at secondary school level? Fourth, what challenges do women principals face? This study was informed by relativist-interpretivist paradigm which is consistent with the qualitative approach. The study adopted a case study method in which semi- structured interviews, focused group discussions and document analysis were used to generate data which were then analysed thematically. Forty research participants who were sampled purposively to take part in the study included women principals, the deputy principals, HoDs, Guidance and counselling leaders, the senior teachers as well as prefects from the student council of each study school. All relevant ethical issues were addressed. Findings indicate that first, the nature of workplace conflicts such as need-based, interest-based, data-based and social-based conflicts were unpredictable. Secondly, the nature of communication strategies utilised in schools headed by women principals such as counselling, monologue, dialogue, aggression as well as grapevine-based communication were convoluted and fluid. Thirdly, the women principals‟ utilised unique communication strategies in managing workplace conflicts such as: Nurturing counselling, Mongrel and Machiavellian communication. Lastly, the major challenges faced by women principals included inadequate skills as well as insufficient and undocumented policy guidelines. The contribution this study makes is that communication strategies as utilized by the women principals in real life context has not featured anywhere in communication literature. Therefore, this study recommends that there is need for social science scholars to explore what interpretivist perspective has to offer in order to better understand people‟s unique experiences, their actual practices and needs. The study being multidisciplinary makes contribution to the body of knowledge in communication studies while offering a relevant analysis on the role of communication in managing workplace conflict within school leadership using a gendered approach.This is applicable in the twenty-first century in which effective communication is placed at the center of organizational learning. Hence, there is need for organizational leaders to desist from dichotomy thinking in managing workplace conflicts as the nature of conflicts is convoluted and unpredictable. Therefore, this study proposes a mixed-breed approach referred to as mongrel communication.
An automated interface design for student-parent interaction in secondary boarding schools: a study of schools in rachuonyo south sub-county, Kenya.
(2019) Juma, Mary Akeyo
Ministry of Education banned the use of mobile phones by students in boarding schools without replacing it with a suitable interaction interface. This situation infringes on children’s right to information, as delineated in the Convention on the Right of the Child which include the right to be heard and to be taken seriously, to free speech and information, and to maintain privacy. The situation has thus led to sneaking and illegal use of phones making students to incline towards accessing destructive pieces of information. There is need to find a suitable replacement to letter writing, and mobile phones in secondary boarding schools. The study aims at assessing student-parent interaction needs to come up with requirements interaction that would enable the development of a suitable interaction platform. The study objectives were: to examine existing students-parents interaction platform used in secondary boarding schools, to establish requirement for an automated interface design for student-parent interaction while in secondary boarding school, to design an automated interface for student-parent interaction while in secondary boarding school. The study was confined to public boarding secondary schools in Rachuonyo South Sub-County, in Kenya. A survey methodology and stratified sampling technique with sample size of 330 students, 178 parents and 8 teaching staff were used to come up with appropriate data for research. Cochran equation formula was used to determine the sample size. The data collected were descriptively and inferentially analyzed using SPSS and ms-excel applications. The findings from the data analysis and interpretation showed that bigger percentage of students use mobile phones to interact with their parents despite the ministry’s ban. The administrators preferred an interaction interface that would filter destructive information while the students preferred a speedy and reliable interaction interface. Guided by research findings and studies on other successful student–parent interaction interfaces in other parts of the world, the researcher designed an interface in which each student had an account and logged in using log in credentials. Students’ problems were categorized into three as per the research findings. The categories were social, academic and financial problems. Each category had a list of problems designed as a dropdown menu. The students select their problems from the menu which is sent to their parents’ phone numbers as short messages. The interface administrator has to login to be able to register new students and deregister absent students by updating the students’ and parents’ Database. The administrators also update the problem menus to suite the student’s need especially in addressing emerging issues. Based on these findings, the ministry of education and the school head teachers should allocate funds for provision of a special room in schools equipped with adequate computers. Each computer to be installed with interaction interface and the number should be enough to enable each student get an opportunity to interact with their parents. A teacher on duty should be charged with additional responsibility of guarding the room and supervising studentparent interaction process.
Security control model for electronic health records
(2020) Kemboi, Lucy
Secure Electronic Health Records (EHR) is essential in provision of reliable information to support delivery of healthcare services. The adoption of (EHR) provides improved patient care that is more efficient. The use of EHR raises concerns over protection of patient’s information. Therefore, there is need of a security control model of Electronic health records in the expanded environment. This study developed a model that ensures that the Electronic Health Records is secure from any threat that will compromise the safety of patient’s information at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. The study was guided by three research objectives: To examine security controls of the current EHR system, establish the security controls requirements and to model a security control model for EHR for MTRH. This study was also guided by Systems Theory formulated on the relationship between independent variables and dependent variables on enforcing information security on Technical, Administrative and physical security controls in managing risks, internal process controls and information auditing. The study adopted a cross sectional survey study design on security of patient’s health records with a target population of 200 health records MTRH members of staff working in 8 departments and handling patient’s health information, with a sample size of 133. A three-level questionnaire with both structured and unstructured questions with five-point scale chart was used. The data collected was coded, entered and analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The summarized data was presented in percentages and frequency distribution tables, charts and graphs. The study findings showed that the administrative Security controls were well articulated in MTRH (60%) compared to Technical (36%) and Physical security controls (32%). Therefore, the study recommended a security control model that secures EHR for MTRH. This is represented by the three-security control in equal measure. This model ensures a proper organized structure for enforcing information security and vital approaches, techniques, procedures and necessary policies and technologies to ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability to ensure a secure EHR.
A framework for adoption and integration of e-health in maternal healthcare: a case of sub-county hospitals in uasin gishu county
(2020) Kosgei, Silas Kipkurui
Electronic health has fundamentality transformed the way patient data is shared and accessed across health systems. In Kenya maternal health care still faces challenges including, inaccessibility of quality maternal health services, delivery, ante-natal, and post-natal services. Adoption and integration of e-health into maternal health are expected to contribute to the delivery of maternal health and consequently increasing life expectancy at birth. Relatively few healthcare providers of maternal health have fully adopted E-Health, in Uasin Gishu County low diffusion is due partially to the quality of data Technology investment, which works on the far side getting technology to ever-changing work processes and cultures, and guaranteeing that physicians, nurses, and different employees use it. Manual record-keeping related to medical facilities is a theme of medical debates thanks to the confusion it’s caused by medical practitioners. The study was guided by the following objectives; to review the existing e-health framework in Uasin Gishu County; to identify challenges in adoption and integration of e-health on maternal health delivery in Uasin Gishu County; to develop a framework for e-health adoption on maternal healthcare in Uasin Gishu County. This study employed a descriptive survey research design. The study was carried out in sub-county hospitals, in Uasin Gishu County. The study subject was drawn from the target population of 408 respondents from the six sub-county hospitals including Ainabkoi, Kapsaret, Kesses, Moiben, Soy, and Turbo. The sample size was 124 calculated using the 30% formula of Mugenda and Mugenda (2003). The probability sampling technique was used in this study. The study used both questionnaire and interview schedule in data collection. The analysis was done through inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, with the aid of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 will be used to analyze collected data. Based on the study findings the study indicated that consumer health informatics as a form of e-health is commonly used and that M-health was the least used form of e-health among sub- county hospitals in Uasin Gishu County towards maternal healthcare. On forms of e- health that should be implemented in the facilities, the study concludes that Health information Systems is well entrenched in maternal healthcare provision among sub- county hospitals in the county. The study concluded that the average ICT technologies across the facilities in Uasin Gishu County are almost evenly distributed owing to a small standard deviation from the mean. Facilities were also found to be well connected to the Internet as the majority had an internet connection. On the application of e-Health achieved in the health sector, the study concludes that improved teaching methods are the most common application of e-Health achieved. There is a need to bring on board all the stakeholders in the health sector towards the implementation of e-health in maternal health. Stakeholders like the government were not found to be well involved in the process. The study also recommended that measures to improve the application of e-health need to be put in place. The study will be of importance to the management of sub-county hospitals and future scholars.
A framework for integrating radiology with hospital management information systems in selected public hospitals in Uasin Gishu County
(2020) Ogoti, Kelvin Wabwire
The main aim of integrating health information systems is more like transformation in business organizations, which is to streamline, interconnect, and compress the value chain or process. The aim of the study was to develop a framework for integrating a Radiology and Hospital Management Information System. The study had the following objective; To assess the status of the design framework of the Radiology and Hospital Management Information System in the selected public hospitals in Uasin Gishu County, to identify organizational factors that should be considered while integrating Radiology and Hospital Management Information System, to determine the capabilities of the existing infrastructure to support the integration of Radiology and Hospital Management Information System, and lastly to develop a framework for integrating Radiology and Hospital Management Information System. The study was carried out at selected public hospitals in Uasin Gishu County. The selected hospitals are Ziwa Sub County Hospital, Burn Forest Sub-County Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. The study aimed at developing a framework for the integration of Radiology and Hospital Management Information System. The study carried out an all-inclusive participatory investigation into ways of integrating Radiology and Hospital Management Information System in the selected public hospitals in Uasin Gishu County by administering questionnaires. Data from the questionnaires were analyzed using a statistical package for social sciences (SPSS v 20) and the findings presented as follows: On the design framework of the Radiology and Hospital Management information system used in the selected public hospital in Uasin Gishu county, the result showed that both Radiology and Hospital Management Information Systems used in selected hospital exist independent systems that do not exchange data; The results also showed that the Infrastructure framework in the selected hospitals contains poor communication channels, lacked proper data centers and the network infrastructure was also not up to the standards required for integration; On organizational factors to be considered in the integration framework, the study found that there was poor budgetary allocation to critical departments especially the Information Communication Technology section. The study recommended a complete overhaul of the network infrastructure in the selected hospitals, and evaluation of both the Radiology and Hospital Management Information System, and finally appropriate budgetary allocation.
Determinants of cloud computing adoption for health service delivery by public health facilities in Kisumu county, Kenya
(2020) Ogwel, Billy
Cloud computing has emerged as a technological paradigm to reduce Information Technology (IT) costs, foster collaboration while increasing productivity. Cloud computing if adopted would offer economic benefits (less capital expenditure, lower maintenance costs, reduced IT labor costs and energy savings), operational advantages (enhanced collaboration, improved security, unlimited computing resources and 24- hour platform) and functional benefits (easy integration because it uses standard protocols) and these would improve health service delivery. The healthcare sector has been slower to adopt cloud computing compared to other industries. Furthermore, it has been established that cloud computing adoption is sector specific due to the different features and security levels they need and as such, cloud adoption studies should be sector specific. Locally, there is limited literature concerning the adoption and benefits of cloud computing in Kenyan healthcare sector. The study was done in Kisumu County and it focused on 57 public health facilities in the county. This study was based on a conceptual framework integrated from the Technological Acceptance Model, Theory of Planned Behaviour and Technology-Organization-Environment model. The objectives of the study were to assess the extent of cloud computing adoption, determine the influence of technological factors, establish the influence of organisational factors and evaluate the influence of behavioural factors in cloud computing adoption for health service delivery. The target population was 114 healthcare personnel (facility in-charges and health records officers). The sample size was 88 healthcare personnel and it was computed using Yamane formula (1967) and sample was drawn using stratified random sampling. The study employed a cross- sectional study using questionnaires to collect data from respondents. Data analysis was done using Stata 14.0 software; logistic regression was used to establish the association of health service delivery and determinants of cloud computing adoption. The findings showed that cloud computing prevalence was at 53% and these cloud implementations were deployed as hybrid clouds with Software-as-a-Service (100%) being the most common implementation. Cloud computing adoption influenced health service delivery (Odds Ratio [OR]=7.14, p=0.016).The study found out the following factors to be predictors of cloud computing adoption for health service delivery: Technological factors (technological infrastructure OR=10.29, p<0.0001; technical competency OR=12.27, p<0.0001; security OR=7.40, p=0.0010; privacy OR=11.70, p<0.0001; expert scarcity OR=4.83, p=0.001), organisational factors (Budgetary allocation for IT OR=2.96, p=0.048; firm size OR=21.79 p<0.0001) and behavioural factors (Perceived usefulness OR=10.29, p<0.0001, perceived ease of use OR=8.48 , p=0.002; social influence OR=3.44 p=0.016). From the study findings, I recommend increased adoption of cloud computing to improve health service delivery: bottom-up systems that are unique to facility needs. On technological factors, I recommend, improvement of technological infrastructure in all facilities. On organisational factors, I recommend increased budgetary allocation for IT in health facilities. On behavioural factors, I recommend building the capacity of healthcare personnel in cloud paradigm, related skills and its benefits. I also suggest that future studies can improve on this work by diversifying the target population to include other healthcare workers to better understand use and acceptance of cloud computing for health service delivery.
Influence of social media on public relations practice in kenya’s banking industry: a study of chase bank kenya limited
(2020-12) Ogutu, Francis Odoyo
The banking industry in Kenya is crowded and these banks offer similar products pushing banks into cutthroat competition to entice customers. Social media platform offers these banks an effective platform to make their brands stand out, promote their products and help in crisis management communication. This study therefore aimed at surveying the influence of social media on public relations practice in Kenya banking industry a study of Chase bank Kenya ltd (IR).The specific objectives of the study were: to determine social media contribution to brand visibility of chase bank Kenya Ltd, to establish the role of social media on product promotion at chase bank Kenya Limited (IR) and finally investigate the role social media had on crisis management communication at chase bank Kenya Limited. The study aimed at advancing research and knowledge on how social media should be utilized by the banking industry in conducting their public relations practice. This will aid towards partially achieving Sustainable Development Goal 9 on Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. The research design used was survey and adopted quantitative approach. A target population of 46 former chase bank employees and clients based at former chase bank branches acquired by SBM bank were investigated.28 former Chase bank employees derived from sales and customer service departments responded to the questionnaires while 16 were former chase bank clients purposively selected for the study on grounds of having interacted with the banks social media platform participated in the study. Purposive sampling was used to select former chase bank employees in sales and customer service department since their roles allowed them to intensively interact with banks clients. Data was collected using closed questionnaires. Analysis was done on Microsoft excel package where data was manipulated in form of percentages, mean, mode and median then findings presented in tables, graphs and pie charts. The findings indicated that social media contributed immensely to brand visibility (58.3%), helped in product promotion (75%) and also contributed to creating and resolving crisis at chase bank Kenya limited (70.9%). Recommendations of the researcher are banks should utilize social media alongside traditional media to promote brand awareness and brand visibility to stand out in the crowded banking industry due to its cost effectiveness. Social media should be utilized by banks in product promotion for instance by creating online competition and giving awards and using celebrity endorsement on social media to promote their products. Banks should regularly monitor their social media platforms to promptly avert crisis and also utilize their social media for crisis management communication. Finally, banks should embrace social media on all other public relations function.
Participatory communication approach for sustainable solid waste management: a study of Migori county, Kenya.
(2022) Akong’o, Marren Atieno
Globally, community participation and stakeholder collaboration have been proposed as a way of improving SSWM. However, little remains known on how to structure collaborative communication for SSWM. The main objective of this study was to investigate participatory communication approach to SSWM so as to design community communication network for participatory communication of SSWM. The study was guided by four specific objectives namely; to investigate community involvement in dialogic communication of sustainable solid waste management in Migori County; to determine community access to media used in the communication of SSWM; to assess strategic messages communicated for SSWM in Migori County; and to design communication network for improving community participation in the communication of SSWM. The study was grounded on Participatory Communication theory which emphasizes use of dialogic communication for peoples’ empowerment and social change. Communicative Ecology theory was used to structure community communication networks for participatory communication of SSWM. The study was informed by pragmatic philosophical paradigm and was conducted using mixed methods approach where 399 respondents from Migori, Isebania and Rongo urban areas in Migori County were sampled using Yamane’s sampling formula. Purposive sampling was used to obtain 23 key informants: seven (7) from the department of Environment and Natural Resources, eight (8) from municipalities of Rongo, Migori and Isebania and eight (8) were community representatives. 144 members of the community were sampled using snowballing while another 233 were obtained by simple random sampling. Qualitative data was collected using semi structured interview and focus groups discussion guides while questionnaires were used for quantitative data. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically to produce themes and codes which were then used to construct scales and variables in questionnaires. Quantitative analysis was done using descriptive statistics. Data was presented using themes, quotes, tables, percentages and figures. Findings showed limited and uncoordinated community involvement in dialogic communication of SSWM; limited community access to media used in communication of SSWM; lack of focus on SSWM strategic messages and lack of appropriate communication structures for community participation in communication of SSWM. The study concluded that limited communication of SSWM and lack of participatory communication structures limit community participation in communication of SSWM and collaboration in SSWM. Lack of focus on strategic messages communicated for SSWM also contributes to inadequate knowledge of SSWM among the community. This thesis argues that limited community participation in communication of SSWM limits community understanding of SSWM, their involvement in decision making on SSWM, and empowerment needed for responsible SSWM. The study recommends the use of the proposed community communication networks to improve community participation in communication of SSWM. It also recommends community involvement in the construction and communication of strategic SSWM messages to make the messages more impactful.
The mediatization of sino-Kenya relations by the Kenya mainstream press
(2022) Okech, Josphat Ogweno
Like all the other commercial mainstream media, the Kenya mainstream press is more often superficial in their news coverage. This was expected in their coverage of Sino-Kenya relations. This study examined the nature of mediatization of Sino-Kenya relations by the mainstream press, to investigate the meanings of emerging discourses from Kenya’s press mediatization of Sino-Kenya relations and explore the implications of the meanings of emerging discourses to broader Sino-Kenya relations. The study sought to answer the following questions: what was the nature of mediatization of Sino-Kenya relations in the mainstream Kenya’s press? What are the meanings of emerging discourses from Kenya’s mainstream press mediatization of Sino-Kenya relations? In addition, what are the implications of such meanings to the broader Sino-Kenya relations as mediatized in the Kenya’s mainstream press? An explorative research design approach was adopted which described a collection of sequential procedures which sought to elaborate the meanings of the emerging discourses and the implications, explorative research design was appropriate because the study was based on a critical discourse evaluation of the contents in the Kenya’s mainstream press on mediatization of Sino-Kenya relations. Triangulation was used in the analysis which combined the use of Qualitative and Quantitative approaches. A two-step purposive sampling method was used in first, selecting the three mainstream newspapers because they are market leaders and they are the newspapers that covered broadly the relations and then secondly the period of study the years from 2015 and 2019 because the years covered broadly many activities concerning Sino-Kenya relations. The advantage of this sampling method is that the study objects are always available and accessible. The study examined three newspapers: The Daily Nation, The Standard and The Star. The content from the three mainstream press was sampled producing a sample size of 70 newspapers, in addition, 3 journalists and 3 Chief Editors were equally purposefully sampled. Interviews were conducted with key informants and analyzed qualitatively while the coding sheet assisted in collecting data that was then analyzed quantitatively to record the frequency of occurrence of the identified nature of mediatization. Qualitative approach was used to study the meanings of emerging discourses, use of attributive words, pictures, and discussions and the implications of the meanings from the discourses. The identified nature of mediatization were found to be fused with ideological undertones that served in mediatizing the Sino-Kenya relations. The results indicated that articles adopted neutral tone whose implication was a dual beneficial relation. The study suggested that the editorial policies of publishing houses should also be points of focus in future studies and should have a deeper discussion in its contents
Communication strategies in life skills education for underage pregnancy prevention : a case of rongo sub-county secondary schools
(2022) Ochola, Millicent
This study investigated communication strategies in Life Skills Education for underage pregnancy prevention among secondary school students in Rongo Sub-County. The rationale behind this study was that, underage pregnancy is on the rise despite the implementation of Life Skills Education in both primary and secondary schools in Kenya. Life Skills are psychosocial competencies which should enable an individual to effectively deal with demands and challenges in life for an active, healthy and productive life. The escalating numbers of underage pregnancies disclose that minimal attention is directed towards adolescence transfer of Life Skills to their daily lives. The study attempted to find out if the missing link was communication. This study was guided by three research objectives; to establish communication strategies used in Life Skills Education; to determine whether the communication strategies used in Life Skills education leads to underage pregnancy prevention and to examine the challenges in the use of communication strategies in Life Skills education to students in Rongo Sub-County secondary schools. This study was guided by Health Belief Model theory and adopted a qualitative descriptive design and collected data from students and teachers in Rongo Sub-County secondary schools using focus group discussions, interviews, and participant observation. A sample of fifty (50) students participated in the focus group discussion while six teachers participated in individual interviews. The sample was obtained through purposive, quota and chain sampling. Data was analysed thematically using manual open coding and NVivo 11 software. Results were presented in a narrative form, illustrated by direct quotes, mind maps and tables. The study revealed that, in the dissemination of Life Skills, teachers utilised non participatory, one directional and top bottom communication strategies which limited students‟ involvement in the learning process. As a result, there was limited Life Skills acquisition, and consequently no retention and application attested by the escalating poor sexual and reproductive health outcomes including underage pregnancy. The study also revealed that the utilisation of participatory communication strategies in Life Skills classrooms was hampered by a myriad of challenges ranging from administrative to lack of stakeholders‟ involvement. The study recommended urgent in-service training of teachers of Life Skills on participatory strategies, stakeholders‟ participation in inculcation of morals to children, provision of resources such as audio-visual aids and infrastructural developments in schools to facilitate participation.
The role of community radio in anti-female genital mutilation awareness: a study of togotane fm, Migori county, Kenya
(2022) Zattu, Isabel Ziz
Community radio is acknowledged as an effective tool for awareness creation and social action and has been employed worldwide to change behavior. It is however insightful that in the case of female genital mutilation (FGM), there appears to be no evidence on the effectiveness of community radio, considering that the practice continues unabated even in communities with community radios, such as the Kuria, in which Togotane FM, a popular community radio operates. This study, therefore, sought to establish the role of community radio in anti-FGM awareness, with a specific focus on Togotane FM. The specific objectives were to: examine the role of program content, assess the role of audience segmentation; and to evaluate the role of audience participation with respect to anti-FGM awareness on Togotane FM. The literature review took a thematic approach, guided by the study objectives. The study was anchored on the democratic participant theory of communication. The study adopted a mixed research approach, whereby both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using the survey design and content analysis of Togotane FM’s programs. The target population were 305,385 listeners of Togotane FM in the Kuria region, with a sample of 399 respondents that was arrived at using Yamane’s formula. Main respondents were selected through multi-stage clustering and then random sampling, while key informants who included Togotane FM staff and community resource persons were selected purposively. Data was collected from main respondents using a semi-structured questionnaire and focus group discussions, and from key informants using interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed via descriptive statistics and presented, charts while qualitative data were analyzed thematically and presented in narrative form. All ethical principles were observed. The study found that although three programs - Ikihita, Tabataba and Omogeka - occasionally carry anti-FGM content, there are no programs dedicated specifically to anti-FGM on Togotane FM. Furthermore, the station does not have a clear segmentation strategy, which could be contributing to the exclusion younger listeners from anti-FGM discussions. Finally, the study reveals that the audience participates in feedback only, but not in the production process. Based on the aforementioned, the study recommends that community radio should dedicate specific programs to anti-FGM content and conduct audience surveys to establish the best options for timing and content delivery strategy. It is also important to develop a scheduling policy to guide market segmentation, based on the results of audience surveys. Finally, community radio should involve audiences in all aspects, programming, including, content creation, hosting of radio shows, and providing feedback while programs are being aired.

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