African Journal of Emerging Issues

ECOLOGICAL STEWARDSHIP AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS IN UGANDA: INSIGHTS FROM RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS, ROOT CAUSES OF CRISIS, AND PATHWAYS TO SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS

Bernard Rabwoni — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This paper explores the concept of ecological stewardship in addressing Uganda’s pressing environmental challenges, emphasizing the integration of religious teachings into conservation efforts. Uganda is facing an escalating environmental crisis, characterized by deforestation, wetland loss, and widespread pollution. The paper analyses the root causes of these issues, including economic pressures, inadequate regulatory frameworks, and a lack of environmental awareness. It argues that religious teachings can provide a powerful ethical foundation for fostering a deeper commitment to environmental conservation. The paper concludes by proposing practical solutions, and presenting a case study. The aim is to promote a unified and sustainable approach to environmental management, ensuring the preservation of Uganda's natural resources for future generations.Through this exploration, the paper aims to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on environmental conservation in Uganda, providing insights that can inform policy decisions and inspire collective action towards a sustainable future.

Key words: Ecology, Environment, Ecological Stewardship, Religious Insights, Importance, Environmental or Ecological Crisis, Root Causes, Sustainable Solutions.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE OF FAITH-BASED HOSPITALS IN KENYA: MEDIATING EFFECT OF SERVICE INNOVATION

Jacob Kimote, Angeline Wambugu, Patricia Chemutai — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Objective of the Study: The overall objective of this paper was to determine the mediating effect of service innovation on the relationship between corporate governance and organisational performance of Faith-Based Hospitals in Kenya.

Research Methodology: This paper used cross-sectional survey research design utilizing quantitative data from the questionnaires. The study also used a cross-sectional survey study. The units of analysis comprised the 115 Level 4 and 5 Faith-Based Hospitals in Kenya. Primary data was obtained through structured questionnaires.

Results and findings: The study findings revealed a statistically significant relationship between corporate governance and organisational performance of faith-based hospitals. A partial mediation effect of service innovation on the relationship between corporate governance and organisational performance of Faith-based Hospitals in Kenya was found.

Recommendations: To guarantee strategic direction, accountability, and moral governance practices, the study advises the organization to strengthen the capability and supervisory responsibilities of hospital boards in faith-based hospitals. The empirical data generated from study findings will be useful to the government and other sectors in formulating policies aimed at improving corporate governance and performance. To guarantee accountability and strategic direction, clearly, faith-based hospitals should define the tasks and responsibilities of the board of directors. To establish credibility and trust, faith-based hospitals should use open and honest decision-making procedures and consistent communication with stakeholders, encourage a company culture built on moral precepts and religious beliefs, and make sure that these values are reflected in every aspect of the business, build the organization's leadership capabilities to lead innovation in healthcare services and overcome obstacles. On service innovation, faith-based hospitals should embrace advances made possible by technology, such as telemedicine, electronic health records, and mobile health applications in order to improve service delivery and efficiency. Invest in strong IT systems and infrastructure that encourage creativity and help healthcare providers communicate and work together.

Keywords: Corporate Governance, Service Innovation, Organisational performance, Faith-based hospitals

REVOLUTIONIZING PRE-PROBATION ASSESSMENTS IN KENYA: A MIXED-METHOD ANALYSIS OF JUVENILE EVALUATION PRACTICES AND RECIDIVISM REDUCTION

Kenneth Seth Omonya , Charles Mwirigi , Nyachoti Otiso — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose of the Study: The study's purpose was to assess existing juvenile assessment practices prior to probation placement and their effect on probation outcomes.

Methodology: The current study used a concurrent-triangulation mixed-method approach, with 226 respondents drawn from Nairobi County's juvenile probationers and probation practitioners. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and a key informant interview guide, and it was analysed descriptively (frequency and percentages), inferentially (binary logistic regression model), and qualitatively.

Findings: The study found that properly carried out pre-probation assessment practices significantly reduce recidivism. However, the lack of juvenile-specific Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) assessment tools, a one-week induction period with only passing mentions of juvenile issues, and insufficient training in the existing juvenile assessment mechanisms hampered the optimal juvenile assessment procedure. Rushed assessments were also identified as a barrier to the optimal juvenile assessment process.

Conclusion: Overall, while the existing probation assessment process plays an important role in shaping the outcomes for juvenile offenders by lowering recidivism rates, a number of flaws limit its effectiveness.

Recommendations: The study recommends that probation develop and implement specialized Risk Needs and Responsivity (RNR) assessment tools tailored to juveniles. The probation department's entry-job induction guidelines should be revised to include training with a strong emphasis on juvenile topics, as well as the use of RNR assessment tools. Further, juvenile probation officers require more training focused on the juvenile offender population.

Keywords: Revolutionizing, Pre-Probation, Juvenile, Recidivism, Reduction

CARBON FINANCE READINESS: A REVIEW OF INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORKS AND POLICIES IN KENYA

David Haritone Shikumo — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 04:16:29 +0000

Purpose of Study: Carbon finance is vital to global efforts to combat climate change, particularly in developing regions like Africa. It facilitates investments in climate-smart projects that are essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing resilience to climate impacts. As countries and corporations strive to achieve the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C, adopting carbon finance mechanisms becomes increasingly critical.

Problem Statement: Africa has encountered significant challenges in accessing and utilizing carbon finance effectively. This study examines the institutional frameworks and policy environments that influence Kenya’s readiness for carbon finance.

Methodology: A comprehensive review of scholarly articles, government reports, and documents from development partners was conducted using keywords such as "Kenya," "carbon finance," "climate change," and "institutional frameworks."

Result: The findings indicate that while Kenya has made considerable progress in establishing carbon-related policies, legislation, and institutions, several gaps remain. These include challenges in data management, policy alignment, and mobilizing private-sector investments.

Recommendation: Addressing these issues is crucial to enhancing Kenya's access to carbon finance and promoting sustainable development. This review is valuable for the Kenyan government, development partners, and the private sector involved in climate finance initiatives.

Keywords: Carbon Finance, Climate Change, Institutional frameworks, Sustainable Development

GENDER AND PHYSICAL LOCATION DISPARITIES IN FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN KENYA

Nicholas Mbithi Maingi , Isaac Kimunio — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Purpose of Study: This study aimed to determine the gender gap in financial inclusion in Kenya by examining how different socioeconomic variables and characteristics contribute to the gap. It also explored factors that lead to geographical disparities in financial inclusion across Kenya.

Problem Statement: Despite progress in financial inclusion in Kenya, gender-specific and geographical disparities remain. Financial services must be accessible to all individuals, but barriers persist that prevent certain groups, particularly women and those in disadvantaged areas, from using these services effectively.

Methodology: Secondary data for this research was sourced from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics' 2021 Fin Access Household Survey. The Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition methodology was applied to decompose the differences in financial inclusion outcomes between males and females into portions due to observable characteristics, such as education and experience, and portions that remain unexplained.

Result: The study found significant gender and geographic disparities in financial inclusion. These disparities were primarily influenced by socioeconomic factors like education and wealth quantile. The Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition showed that these characteristics play a crucial role in explaining the financial inclusion gap.

Conclusion: While progress has been made in financial inclusion in Kenya, gender and geographical disparities continue to hinder full financial access. The study advocates for policies that promote education, financial literacy, and accessible financial services for disadvantaged groups. Such efforts would aid in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and Kenya’s Vision 2030 by fostering inclusive economic growth.

Keywords: Financial Inclusion, Gender Disparities, Geographic Disparities, Oaxaca-Blinder Decomposition, Sustainable Development Goals, Vision 2030.

INFLUENCE OF PRINCIPALS’ MOTIVATION STRATREGIES ON TEACHERS’ JOB SATISFACTION IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MAKUENI SUB-COUNTY, MAKUENI COUNTY, KENYA

Edwin Otieno Makokha, Mary Chui Mugwe — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Statement of the Problem: Principals play a crucial role in providing instructional leadership by adopting motivation strategies to enhance teacher performance. However, teachers in public secondary schools in Makueni Sub-county have continued to express dissatisfaction with their professional roles, despite initiatives aimed at improving educational standards.

Purpose of the Study: To assess the influence of principals’ motivation strategies on teachers’ job satisfaction in public secondary schools in Makueni Sub-county, Makueni County, Kenya.

Methodology: The study employed a mixed-methods approach with a descriptive survey design, targeting a sample of 380 respondents (8 principals, 228 teachers, and 144 students) selected through stratified and purposive sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires and interviews, and analyzed thematically for qualitative data and through descriptive statistics using SPSS for quantitative data.

Findings: The study found that many teachers expressed dissatisfaction with their roles, attributed to principals' inability to implement effective motivation strategies. Conversely, motivated educators tend to be more satisfied with their positions and actively contribute to a collaborative and supportive learning environment, as they feel valued and appreciated.

Recommendations: Principals should establish acknowledgment systems, whether through formal awards or informal praise, to significantly boost morale. Additionally, they should encourage participation in workshops, conferences, and collaborative projects that enhance skills and knowledge.

Keywords: Principals’, Motivation Strategies, Teachers,’ Job Satisfaction, Public Secondary Schools

UNDERSTANDING MEANING SHIFTS IN FACEBOOK CULTURE-SPECIFIC EXPRESSIONS THROUGH LEXICAL, RHETORICAL, AND GRAMMATICAL ANALYSIS

Okemwa Carolyne Barongo, Jane Mutiga , Gideon Marete — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 04:38:26 +0000

Purpose of Study: This study sought to identify lexical, rhetorical, and grammatical mismatches contributing to meaning shifts of culture-specific expressions on Facebook, particularly between English and Kiswahili translations.

Problem Statement: The challenge in developing natural language processing technologies for social media platforms like Facebook lies in preserving cultural integrity while reducing meaning shifts when translating or interpreting expressions across different languages and cultures. Such shifts often lead to miscommunication, loss of cultural meaning, and misconceptions about culturally significant terms, ultimately affecting intercultural understanding.

Methodology: The research employed a qualitative approach using a descriptive research design. The study focused on 11 Facebook pages, chosen through purposive sampling that had a high number of followers and were based in Kenya. The analysis involved identifying meaning shifts, stylistic, and grammatical errors in the translations, particularly focusing on posts within conversations on the selected Facebook pages.

Results: The findings revealed that meaning shifts in translating culture-specific expressions are common on Facebook. For instance, Kenyan dishes such as "ugali" and "Nyama Choma" were often reduced to overly simplified translations like "cornmeal" and "grilled meat," missing their rich cultural significance. Fashion expressions like "kanga" were mistranslated, stripping away the deeper meanings tied to heritage and tradition. Similarly, cultural architecture terms like "Simba" from the Luo community were reduced to basic descriptors like "small house," failing to convey the structure’s social and symbolic value.

Conclusion: Meaning shifts of culture-specific expressions on Facebook negatively affect the accurate portrayal of Kenyan cultural practices, particularly in food, fashion, and architecture. These shifts undermine cultural understanding and lead to simplified or distorted representations that fail to convey the true significance of cultural terms.

Recommendation: Social media platforms like Facebook should improve their translation tools to reflect cultural nuances accurately and involve local experts to ensure contextually relevant translations.

Keywords: Meaning Shifts, Culture-Specific Expressions, Facebook Translation, Lexical and Rhetorical Mismatches, Digital Communication

ADAPTIVE LEADERSHIP AND CRISIS PREPAREDNESS IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN KENYA: MODERATING EFFECT OF BUSINESS CONTINUITY PRACTICES

Disterius Ondieki Nyandika — Thu, 03 Oct 2024 12:59:42 +0000

This study examined the influence of adaptive leadership on crisis preparedness in Kenyan public universities, with business continuity practices as a moderating variable. The research addresses a critical gap in understanding how leadership approaches and organizational practices contribute to institutional resilience in the face of crises. The theoretical framework was grounded in High Reliability Organization Theory. The study employed a positivist philosophy and a survey research design, targeting all 35 public universities in Kenya as the unity of analysis. The study applied purposive sampling and selected six key participants from each university for the survey. The study achieved a response rate of 92% with the return of 193 questionnaires from 210 target respondents. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The study finding was that business continuity practices have significant moderating effect on the relationship between adaptive leadership and crisis preparedness by public universities in Kenya. The study concluded that the conceptual model of adaptive leadership as an independent variable and business continuity practices as a moderating variable and crisis preparedness as a dependent variable provides an integrated framework for enhancement of crisis preparedness in public universities in Kenya. The study recommends that University Management should invest in developing and implementing comprehensive business continuity practices. It is recommended that policy makers should allocate adequate resources for embedding crisis preparedness systems and processes including the continual implementation of business continuity practices in public universities. These practices should be integrated into the institution's strategic plans and regularly updated to reflect evolving risks and operational challenges. The deployment of appropriated technology is also important in embedding the crisis preparedness systems and processes in the organization and should be prioritized by practitioners and policy makers.

Keywords: Adaptive Leadership, Crisis Preparedness & Public Universities in Kenya