School of Information, Communication and Media Studies

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An adoption model for WhatsApp messaging in enhancing public participation in budgeting process: a study of Migori county government
(2024-10) Omondi, Juma George;
Globally the use of WhatsApp messaging has gained momentum. Governments and other institutions have embraced WhatsApp messaging to enhance access to information on development processes. However little is known about possible usage of WhatsApp messaging in public participation in the budgeting process. Migori County has been grappling with challenges in its journey to involve the citizen in its budgeting process as required under the Kenyan constitution 2010.Ineffective communication is among the challenges undermining the budgeting process. The purpose of the study was therefore to design an effective Adoption Model for WhatsApp messaging which can enhance the county’s public participation in the budgeting process. The specific objectives of the study were: to examine the use of WhatsApp messaging as communication tool in public participation in the budgeting making process, investigate the factors influencing the adoption of WhatsApp messaging as means of communication in public participation budgeting process and finally design an adoption model of WhatsApp messaging for public participation in the budget making process for Migori County. The study relied on participatory development theory and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) .This study was carried out in three sub counties in Migori County which are Rongo, Awendo and Suna East with a study population of 143,468 and a sample size of 399 identified using Yamane’s formula. This study used a survey design because it involved exploring people’s opinion and attitudes. Seven county staff key in public participation budgeting process were sampled purposively while the 392 member of the public from Rongo, Awendo and Suna East sub counties were sampled using stratified and systematic sampling technique. Data from 7 county government officials key in public participation process were collected using semi-structured Key Informant interviews while questionnaires were administered to 392 members of the public involved in budgeting process. Quantitative data were studied using descriptive analysis, and qualitative data were narratively presented and thematically assessed. The majority of survey participants learned about public participation in the budgeting process via WhatsApp, according to the study. Majority of the respondents in the study proposed the use of WhatsApp messaging for public participation because of the conclusiveness in WhatsApp discussions, convenience, timeliness, ease of use among others. The respondents however indicated that high cost of data bundles, non-inclusivity, poor coordination and identification of people to participate in public participation should be addressed. The study has also proposed a five staged model for WhatsApp messaging. Finally, social, political, technological; individual and organizational influence the proposed model. Based on the findings the study has recommended that the county government of Migori can consider using WhatsApp messaging as one of the communication tools for public participation while considering existing political, social, political technological, organizational and individual factors. The county government of Migori can also consider using the proposed 5 staged WhatsApp messaging model.
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.
Communication approaches for promotion of tourism in Homabay county, Kenya
(2022-12) Bwanah, Jacinta Nonkwe
This study was conducted with the aim of finding out the communication approaches used for promotion of tourism in Homabay county. This is based on the fact that Homabay county is rich in tourists‟ attractions but continue to receive very few tourists; Kenya also aims to meet the requirements of its vision 2030 as far as the tourism sector is concerned. Promotion of tourism is necessary to enable the sector generate revenue to the county and improve the livelihood of the people around the area. The study aimed to investigate the communication approaches used in the promotion of tourism in Homabay county. The specific objectives of the study were to examine communication channels used in the promotion of tourism in Homabay county, to assess communication messages for promotion of tourism in Homabay county and to determine the communication frequency for promotion of tourists‟ sites in Homabay county. The study was guided by Media Framing theory and adopted mixed research approach. Data was collected from stakeholders of tourism in Homabay County by use of questionnaires, interviews and document analysis. The target population was 1,433 with a sample size of 100. Purposive and convenient sampling was employed. Qualitative data was analysed thematically using manual open coding and NVivo 11 software while quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Four themes emerged: channels of tourism promotion, attraction points for tourists in Homabay county, promotion of tourism and the level of frequency of tourism promotion. 35 of the 80 tourists were referred by a previous tourist to visit Ruma national park, while 10 of them got the message from the internet; 39 of them stated that the tourism promotional information is convincing while 41 of them said it is not. 50 tourists stated that there is need to increase the frequency of promotion of tourism, 12 said no, while 18 did not know. The study found that the channels through which tourism promotion is done include electronic and print media as well as events such as Miss tourism Homabay. It was also established that the promotional messages contained cultural and historical information while highlighting the uniqueness of the sites. The promotion of these sites is however not done frequently and the channels used mainly reach the local tourists leaving out the potential tourists in the international arena. The ministry of tourism Homabay county attributes inadequate promotion of the sites to lack of adequate funds from the county government. The study recommends that the Homabay county government, KWS intensify promotion of the sector by using channels that target both local and international tourists. The promotional messages should be easily accessible, adequate, persuasive and convincing. The frequency of the promotional activities should also be increased and done periodically.
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.
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.
Communication strategies in life skills education for underage pregnancy prevention: a case of Rongo sub-county secondary schools
(2022-11) 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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Effects of motivation on the performance of librarians at Rongo University Library.
(OSF, 2022-12) Ouma, Cary F. O.; Nakitare, Joel
Scholars in management aver that the success of any organization is mostly pegged on the level of its staff motivation. In spite of this reality, many organizations spend much of their resources on other pursuits while ignoring the need to motivate their staff. This reality affects libraries just like it affects other institutions, and it calls for efforts to lobby for more investment in the motivation of librarians for the greater success of the institutions that they serve. It is against this background that this study seeks to investigate factors affecting the motivation of staff and their correlation to the work performance of librarians at Rongo University. The objectives of the study were to investigate factors affecting librarians at Rongo University, assess the effect of motivation on the performance of librarians at Rongo University, and propose a framework for motivating librarians at Rongo University. The study was based on a qualitative research approach and guided by descriptive survey design. The study also adopted the census method, whereby data was collected from all employees of the library using questionnaires. According to the findings, librarians at Rongo University felt that. In conclusion, librarians at Rongo University generally feel that the employers have not provided them with most of the requirements for motivation. Further, they generally agreed that providing the requirements for motivation would make them perform better in their assignment. The study recommends that the employer should improve working conditions by improving the provision of lunch, tea, accommodation and office space; invest more on professional development of librarians, reward academic excellence, base promotions on academic achievement and provide incentives for academic advancement; address all the promotional factors associated with remuneration and invest more on their employee motivation as a means of addressing its performance challenges.
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.
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.
Influence of egesa fm’s programs on value addition practices of farmers in nyaribari chache sub-county, Kenya.
(2017) Marube, Martha Kerubo
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.
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.
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.
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
Mitigating Election Violence through social media Micro-Influencers
(Center for Media, Democracy, Peace and Security-Rongo University, 2022-06-24) Ogenga, Fredrick
There has been a growing concern about the role of social media in peaceful elections in Kenya yet very minimal evidence that demonstrates the causal relation between social media and peaceful political transitions therefore presenting a gap that is worth exploring. Contrarily, evidence is abounded on how social media contributes to chaotic elections in Kenya with 2007, 2013 and 2017 serving as excellent examples. The good news, though, is that much of this evidence is local and focuses on the double-edged sword- nature of social media as both a tool for conflict prevention and peacebuilding. So, the question that begs then, is the extent to which this evidence has been utilized to inspire or inform program intervention at the praxis level locally. The answer to this critical question would explain why there is evidence gap on the direct role of social media in peaceful elections in Kenya which implies that there could be very few local interventions that are inspired by locally produced knowledge that would compel peace researchers to initiate ground -breaking studies that would further contribute to literature in the area. This study could not clearly get hold of any good examples as reference points. However, what has remained clear is the double- edged sword-nature of social media in electoral conflict and peacebuilding. The fact that social media can be used both for escalating conflict and peacebuilding is a reminder of its technical composition. However, the fact that it has thrived more in escalating electoral conflict than peacebuilding in Kenya and beyond, over the years, as shown by scholarly evidence, is a cause for concern. It seems as if social media operates within the confines of algorithms that amplifies negativity and makes it easier for misinformation and disinformation, hate speech and propaganda to spread and thrive. Nevertheless, in Kenya, the reality is that politically motivated ethnic hate is a product that is generated or manufactured consensually offline and sustained online bringing to the fore critical discussions of the online offline dynamics in addressing social media hate speech, misinformation and disinformation as ingredients for social media weaponization and therein violence. The study that this report is based on revealed that the latter is perpetrated by politicians who work in tandem with a significant number of unemployed youths for political mileage before, during and after elections. So, in mitigating social medias potential in conflict prevention and appraising its role as a tool for peace building, this policy related research report by the Center for Media, Democracy, Peace and Security- Rongo University aims at supporting stakeholder in understanding the salience of local approaches and whole of society approach in interventions that would tap on social media affordances for peacebuilding. This would include appreciation of local produced evidence, local expertise (Southern Voices) and attendant recommendations coupled with the conceptualization of well thought out coordination mechanisms that would be able to address the online–offline triple dynamics of social media hate speech, misinformation and disinformation used as fuel for politically instigated violence going forward.

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