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Influence of Rainfall Magnitude on Maize, Beans and African Nightshade Production in Nyando Sub-County of Kisumu County, Kenya
(INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS), 2025) Odundo Tom; Dr. Omedi Gilbert
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 2 appreciates that sustainable agriculture is significant in empowering small-scale farmers, promoting gender equality, ending rural poverty, ensuring healthy lifestyles, and tackling climate change. Regrettably, the global issue of hunger and food insecurity has increased since the inception of the SDGs, not sparing Nyando sub-County. This study employed a quasi-longitudinal research design to investigate the influence of rainfall magnitude on maize, beans and African Nightshade production in Nyando sub-County of Kisumu County, Kenya. Primary data was collected using questionnaire, key informant interview, focus group discussion, and observation and photography. Secondary data was obtained from Kenya Meteorological Department and sub-County and County Agricultural Offices. Qualitative data was analyzed using themes. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis. Findings of the study showed a significant effect between rainfall magnitude and maize, beans, and African Nightshade yields, overall, and during both long and short rain seasons. About 44 percent, 38 percent, and 34 percent of the variation in maize, beans, and African Nightshade yields, respectively, could be explained by change in rainfall magnitude. This implied that rainfall magnitude affected the production of the three crops: maize, beans, and African Nightshade. There is need to engage precision agriculture, adopt climate-smart farming, minimize absolute reliance on rain-fed farming, and use hybrid seeds for early crop maturity. Keywords: Rainfall magnitude; Maize; Beans; African Nightshade; Nyando
Reversal in Infant Mortality in Kenya Based on Type of Place of Residence
(Africa Population Studies, 2018) Dr. Omedi Gilbert
key words:
Levels, Trends and Differentials in Infant Mortality in Kenya: Analysis of 1998, 2003 and 2008/09 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey Data
(IISTE (International Institute for Science, Technology and Education), 2015) Dr. Omedi Gilbert
Reduction in the number of babies dying before their first birthday celebration is a global priority, the United Nations having targeted a two-third reduction in infant and child mortality between 1990 and 2015. As a nation, Kenya observed a normal curve in infant mortality rate in the period 1998 through 2008/09: 74 (1998), 77 (2003) and 52 (2008/09). This study used three consecutive Kenya demographic and health survey datasets to examine the trends of infant mortality over time, their levels and differentials based on socioeconomic, geographic and demographic factors. Direct estimation technique was used to obtain levels and trends of infant mortality while crosstabulation analysis was used to compute infant mortality differentials based on the study covariates. It was observed that infant mortality was significantly high in Nyanza region where it was 2.6 times that of Eastern region. Except for Nyanza and Western regions, neonatal mortality rate constitute a greater proportion of infant deaths in all other regions. Births to older mothers and small-sized births had higher infant mortality rates than births to women aged less than 35 years and medium to large-sized births. Maternal illiteracy and currently working women accounted for higher infant mortality rates than mothers who had some literacy skills and who were not working. The significant associations of socioeconomic, geographic and demographic variables with neonatal, post-neonatal and infant mortality suggest the need for sector-specific policies and programmes to address the need for increased child survival.
Influence of Women Factors on Modern Contraceptive Usage among Currently Married Women in Malawi
(IISTE (International Institute for Science, Technology and Education), 2015) Dr. Omedi Gilbert
Family planning and family planning interventions are among the most cost-effective health interventions especially considering their close link with maternal and infant health and survival. This study employed logistic regression analysis to assess the influence of women factors on modern contraceptive use among currently married women in Malawi using 2010 Malawi demographic and health survey data. Findings of logistic regression analysis show that level of education of the woman, current age of the woman and the fertility preference of the woman are significantly related to modern contraceptive use when analysis is done on the association of contraceptive use with women factors. Controlling for couple factors, the analysis found level of education of the woman, current age of the woman, fertility preference of the woman, religious affiliation and type of place of residence to be significantly related to modern contraceptive use. Results in the full model which controlled for both couple and partner factors found current age of the woman, fertility preference of the woman, religious affiliation and current age of the partner to be significantly related to modern contraceptive use among Malawian women. The fact that the fertility preference of a woman remains statistically significant throughout the analysis is a pointer on how policy makers and program implementers need to come in to support Malawian women to ensure that their contraceptive needs are met. Availing a wide range of contraceptive choice for all women will help to address the unmet need for family planning services and hence contribute towards improving the health of both mothers and children, reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and reducing family sizes by limiting unintended and unwanted pregnancies. Key words: women factors, modern contraceptive use, binary regression analysis, Malawi
High-risk fertility behavior and infant mortality in Kenya
(World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024) Dr. Omedi Gilbert
Study purpose: To establish the contribution of high-risk fertility behavior on infant mortality in Kenya. Methodology: The study used cross-sectional survey data obtained from the 2022 Kenya demographic and health survey. Descriptive analysis involved frequencies and cross-tabulation. Inferential analysis involved multinomial logistic regression. Results: Young age at first birth of under-20 years was significantly related to neonatal (OR = 1.001; ; CI = 0.347-0.850), post-neonatal (OR = 1.542; ; CI = 0.364-0.809), and infant (OR = 1.043; ; CI = 0.372-0.791) mortalities. Mothers who gave birth under-20 years of age had higher odds of experiencing neonatal mortality (OR = 1.183; ; CI = 0.374-1.733). Births of orders 2 to 3 had lower odds of neonatal (OR = 0.710; ; CI = 0.436-1.157) and infant (OR = 0.802; ; CI = 0.494-1.304) mortalities. Nulliparous women were 0.31 times less likely and 0.45 times more likely, to report neonatal and post-neonatal mortalities, respectively. Conclusion: Analytical findings revealed under- birth, underorder births, and births to nulliparous women to be high-risk fertility behaviors related to infant mortality. Old age at first birth and preceding birth interval were unrelated to infant mortality. Advocacy on the need to delay entry into marriage and sexual debut should be done so as to address the issues of child brides and young age at first birth. Keywords: Age at first birth; Age at motherhood; Birth order; Parity; Preceding birth interval; Infant mortality
Factors Associated with Low Birth Weights in Kenya
(IISTE (International Institute for Science, Technology and Education), 2015) Omedi Gilbert1 & Amwoliza Victoria
Sustainable development goal number three aims at attaining healthy lives for all at all ages come 2030. This is at the backdrop of the continued experiences of adverse birth outcomes in most of the developing countries, births whose effects on life quality cannot be denied. This paper employed multinomial logistic regression analysis on 2008/09 Kenya demographic and health survey data to identify factors that contribute to low birth weights in Kenya. Of the assessed factors, only work status of the mother and maternal age were found not to be significantly associated with low birth weights. Births to women who had not attended any antenatal care visit had a more than double likelihood of being low birth weights than those births to women who had attended a minimum of four antenatal care visits. To reduce on cases of low birth weights is a call for promoting women education beyond elementary level, improving the living standards of women especially during pregnancy, checking on urban lifestyles, and encouraging women to attend optimum antenatal care visits. Keywords: low birth weight; antenatal care visits; Kenya demographic and health survey
Determinants of Unmet Need for Family Planning among Women in Rural Kenya
(African Population Studies, 2014) Benard Nyauchi; Dr. Omedi Gilbert
This paper aimed at identifying factors that contribute to unmet need for family planning among women in rural Kenya. Logistic regression analysis was carried out on 2008/09 Kenya demographic and health survey women-file data that left out currently pregnant and amenorrheic women. Among the variables found to be significantly related to unmet need for spacing, limiting childbearing and total unmet need were: marital status, current age, level of education, number of living children, employment status, region, household wealth index and exposure to mass media communications. In order to reduce unmet need for family planning in rural areas of Kenya, region-specific programmatic family planning action should be adopted; the government should prioritize female education and economic empowerment to women in rural areas; agencies involved in family planning provision and communication in rural Kenya should offer suitable services that target specific age groups, and with a greater focus on married women. Keywords: unmet need; fertility; contraception; unintended pregnancy; rural residence.
Ideologies Celebrities Represent in Television Advertisement in Kenya: A Case of Downy Lavender
(International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 2022) Dr. Jackton Midigo
This study focuses on the ideologies that celebrities convey in television advertisement in Kenya. Celebrity endorsements have become pervasive mode of communication in advertising. The idea is intended to shape consumer perceptions on purchasing decisions. Assessing the effectiveness of existing regulatory frameworks in ensuring responsible portrayal of ideologies by celebrities in television advertisement, is crucial for promoting ethical advertising practices. The study therefore analyzes the modes of signification (visual and verbal cues) to uncover the underlying messages communicated through the portrayal of Lulu Hassan (news anchor) in the advertisement of Downy Lavender. By adopting a multimodal discourse analysis approach, the study investigates the linguistic and visual strategies employed to construct celebrity personas to convey specific ideologies. The study examines how the celebrity is depicted in the advertisement and the messages the celebrity endorses to influence consumer attitude and behavior. The findings reveal that the celebrity is represented in the television advertisement of Downy lavender, to highlight themes such as luxury, sophistication, freshness, and trustworthiness. These depicts the ideologies of gender norms, attitude towards luxury, beauty standards, social status and aspirations for advancement. These findings contribute to understanding the complex dynamics of advertising in Kenya’s media landscape, using celebrities. The findings are intended to provide valuable insights to advertisers on creating content for advertisement. Key words: Advertising language, celebrities, modes of signification, multimodal discourse and advertisement discourse.
Morphological Analysis of Dholuo Number Markers
(Eastern Africa Journal of Contemporary Research, 2024) Dr. Jackton Midigo; Wambura Boke Joyce
This study examines plural morphemes in Dholuo nouns by investigating their number markers. Dholuo being an agglutinative language, some nouns can hardly be noticed to be broken down into multiple meaningful parts. It is then hard to predict their number marker patterns. Nouns in Dholuo can exist as bare roots without prefixes or suffixes. They can also exist as polymorphemic words with suffixes hard to comprehend. Data for this paper constitutes Dholuo nouns which were collected from twenty Dholuo speakers purposively sampled from Suna East SubCounty in Migori County, Kenya. These were analyzed through descriptive research design, guided by the morphological theory. The findings show that plural morphemes in Dholuo nouns are irregular and number markers majorly forming plural morphemes are suffixes -e, -i and -ni. In compound nouns, number markers are formed through inflection of plural morphemes on the left base, right base or both and in some instances, there is no inflection. The inflection then makes Dholuo nouns vary in form in expressing grammatical contrast in number. The findings of this paper would be significant to syntacticians in contributing towards the ongoing attempts to describe aspects of languages in theoretical linguistics. The findings on Dholuo noun morphology can also help gain insight on how Dholuo how speakers conceptualize and categorize the world, revealing underlying cognitive processes. Keywords: Agglutinative Language, Dholuo Nouns, Number Markers, Plural Morphemes
Integrating Multiple Teaching Strategies in Language Learning for Teacher Training in the Digital Era
(Zhongyu International Education Centre-Innovations in Pedagogy and Technology., 2025) Dr. Jackton Midigo
In the digital era, integrating multiple teaching strategies into language instruction is increasingly vital in teacher education. This study investigates the adoption and effectiveness of multiple teaching strategies in enhancing the pedagogical competencies of pre-service language teachers in Kenyan universities. Anchored in Multimedia Learning Theory, the research explores how textual, visual, auditory, and interactive digital resources contribute to more engaging and effective language learning experiences. A descriptive research design incorporating both qualitative and quantitative methods was employed. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews and questionnaires from a purposive sample of 30 informants, comprising five language lecturers and twenty-five pre-service teachers, from two public and three private universities in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study aimed to capture diverse perspectives on the impact of multiple teaching strategies in language teacher training programs. Interviews with lecturers provided insights into the practical benefits and challenges of using these strategies, while the questionnaires revealed how pre-service teachers perceived their influence on instructional delivery, comprehension, and classroom engagement. Findings indicate that incorporating varied media formats can enhance learners’ understanding and participation, however lecture-based method is frequently used due to barriers such as limited digital literacy and inadequate technological infrastructure. The study recommends enhanced digital training for educators, improved access to educational technology, and curriculum reforms that support the integration of diverse instructional strategies. These findings contribute to ongoing conversations about innovative approaches in teacher education, emphasizing the importance of flexible and adaptive teaching methods suited to the evolving demands of 21st-century classrooms. Keywords: Multiple Teaching Strategies; Language Learning; Teacher Training; Digital Era; Pedagogical Competency
AI-Powered Innovations for Documenting and Revitalizing African REVIEW Languages
(Japan Bilingual Publishing Co. - Cultural Arts Research and Development, 2025) Dr. Jackton Otieno Midigo
The documentation and revitalization of African languages are crucial for preserving the continent’s linguistic and cultural heritage amid increasing threats of language endangerment. This study presents a systematic review of existing literature on artificial intelligence (AI)-driven approaches to language documentation and revitalization, adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data were collected from twenty academic digital repositories and peer-reviewed journals specializing in computational linguistics, AI applications in language preservation, and African linguistics. Four major databases were specifically searched: Google Scholar, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect, and African Journals Online (AJOL). Peer-reviewed articles from established repositories were analyzed to explore key AI applications such as speech recognition, machine learning for transcription, neural machine translation, and digital archiving. The findings reveal that AI significantly enhances language preservation by enabling automated transcription, corpus development, and the creation of interactive learning tools. Nonetheless, challenges remain, including limited data availability, ethical concerns over language ownership, and technological accessibility in marginalized communities, which hinder widespread implementation. The study emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among linguists, AI developers, and local communities to ensure culturally sensitive and effective AI solutions. Ultimately, this review highlights the transformative potential of AI in supporting the sustainable revitalization of indigenous African languages and contributing to global linguistic resilience. Keywords: African Languages; Artificial Intelligence; Language Documentation; Revitalization; Systematic Review; Linguistic Resilience
Functional Heads in the Dholuo Determiner Phrase
(Journal of Advances in Linguistics, 2018) Dr. Jackton Otieno Midigoa 2; Jerry Agalo
This paper focuses on functional heads existing in a Dholuo DP. The notion of functional heads in the extended Projection of the CP (Complementizer Phrase) has led to a new approach in the analysis of projections in syntactic theory. The objective was to identify the functional elements in the Dholuo DP, analyze the functional elements and explain their occurrence. The study used Government and Binding theory which enables us to analyze the functional heads. The study also used descriptive research design to analyze collected data. The data was collected from 40 informants aged 35 years to 50 years; which was a sample from population of Dholuo speakers living in Homa Bay County around Lake Victoria. Data collected had sentences with Dholuo DPs. The study found eleven elements commonly occurring in Dholuo DP. These elements form the structure of Dholuo DP and can be categorized as lexical and functional heads. The lexical elements identified in the Dholuo DPs are: Nouns, Adjectives, prepositional phrases and genitive phrases. The functional elements identified included: Pronouns, article affixes, demonstratives, possessives, quantifiers, numerals, and relative clauses. In Dholuo, genitive phrases have prepositions acting as possessives. Relative clauses on the other hand, contain relative word, verb, pronoun, preposition and demonstratives. Keywords: Functional Head, Dholuo Determiner Phrase, Lexical Items, Genitive Phrases, Relative Clauses, Relational Features, Agglutination, Co-Occurrence and Functional Projection
Parents' academic expectations and psychological distress among adolescents in private secondary schools in Nairobi County, Kenya
(International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 2021) Dr. Joel Kiambi Muriithi; Angeline Kalondu Kiamba; Dr. Florence Wamahiga Githuthu
The increase in levels of psychological distress among adolescents due to different factors are alarming, however since most adolescents are attending school. This study worked to establish the relationship between academic expectations and psychological distress experienced by adolescents in private secondary schools in Nairobi County Kenya. Specific objective was to determine if teachers’ academic expectations contribute to psychological distress among adolescents in private secondary schools in Nairobi County. Ecological Systems Theory founded by Urie Bronfen brenner in 1979 and General Strain Theory founded by Robert Agnew in 1992 anchored the study. A convergent parallel mixed method design was adopted, which involved descriptive survey and phenomenological methods for quantitative and qualitative enquiries respectively. A total sample of 387 respondents from 28 private secondary schools was used which included 380 students and 7 guidance and counseling teachers sampled through simple random, proportionate, and purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential analysis specifically chi-square and correlation using SPSS version 22 .The qualitative data from guidance and counseling teachers was analyzed using content analysis. The results were then presented using tables for quantitative data, and data collected through semi-structured interviews was presented through quotes and narrative descriptions. The findings showed that adolescents experienced academic expectations from teachers. Teachers’ academic expectation was significantly influenced by age and mothers’ educational level. In relation to psychological distress, teachers’ academic expectations had a weak positive relationship with anxiety, stress and depression symptoms. Key Words: Academic expectation, psychological distress
Relationship between Family Flexibility and Substance Use Disorders among the Youth in Selected Rehabilitation Centres in Nairobi County, Kenya
(International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2021) Joel Kiambi Muriithi; Alice Wangui Gikandi; Dr. Joyzy Pius Egunjobi
This study investigated family dynamics and substance use disorders among the youth in selected rehabilitation centers in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was guided by the family structure theory. The research design was mixed method embedded research design. Using Yamane (1967) formula, a sample of 172 clients was obtained and selected randomly to take part in quantitative study. Another 12 clients who had stayed in rehabilitation centers for the longest time were purposively selected in order to provide qualitative data. Similarly, 10 parents were conveniently selected in order to provide qualitative data. Therefore the total sample size comprised of 196 respondents. Quantitative data was collected using FACES-IV, AUDIT-10, and DAST-10 questionnaires while qualitative data was collected using interview guides. Cronbach Alpha technique was run to test the reliability of FACES-IV, AUDIT-10, and DAST-10. FACES-IV scale was found to have a reliability coefficient of .723, AUDIT-10 had reliability of .861while DAST-10 scale had a reliability coefficient of .812. Quantitative Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics while qualitative data was analysed thematically backed by narratives from respondents. The study had the following findings: Most families recorded unhealthy flexibility with majority of respondents coming from families which had chaotic family flexibility (Mean= 24. 4015; SD= 10.001) followed by Rigid flexibility (Mean= 17.4167; SD= 5.1244), there was a weak negative and significant correlation between balanced family flexibility and drug use disorder (r=-0.299; P= 0.001)
Determinants of Infant Mortality in Rural Kenya
(IISTE (International Institute for Science, Technology and Education)., 2014) Dr. Omedi Gilbert; Wanjiru Gichuhi
Findings of 2008/09 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey reveal that one in every 19 live births dies before age one. The most striking observation is the reversal in infant mortality based on type of place of residence. The report indicates that, unlike what preceding surveys reported, infant mortality is high in urban than in rural Kenya. This study used Cox regression analysis to examine the determinants of infant mortality in rural Kenya. Analytical results show that region, maternal age, birth order/preceding birth interval, and source of drinking water are significantly related to post-neonatal mortality in rural Kenya. Further, occupation of the mother, region, birth order/preceding birth interval, and source of drinking water were found to be significantly related to infant mortality in rural Kenya. Unlike in the case of post-neonatal mortality where births in Nyanza were found to be 154 percent more likely to die relative to those in Central, the study found Nyanza residence not to be significantly related to infant mortality. The study findings indicate that health policy initiatives meant to kindle family planning methods that shall result in increased birth spacing and reduced higher order births are welcome in the quest to reduce infant mortality further. Seemingly, maternal education is losing grip on early childhood mortality. Future research should focus on bringing out an understanding of the role of maternal education on infant mortality. Key words: post-neonate, infant, mortality, rural Kenya
Delayed Completion of Graduate Studies: An Assessment of the Growing Academic Demands
(INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJRISS), 2025) Dr. Omedi Gilbert; Wanja Sarafina; Wanja Sarafina
Graduate programmes are necessary in training and equipping graduate students with skills relevant to the current and emerging demands of life. As much as a number of students enroll for graduate studies, graduation rates in these programmes are generally lower than expected. This study used survey research design to establish reasons behind the delayed completion of graduate studies amongst graduate students, at Masters and PhD levels, enrolled in Kenya’s universities. The study established the average fee to be Ksh. 412,456 and Ksh. 771,031 for Masters and PhD studies, respectively. Some students: were not assigned supervisors; could not submit their theses for examination; and differed coursework due to inability to raise school fees, all contributing to a stall in their academic journeys. About 34.5% of the respondents reported that completion of their graduate studies was affected by work-related demands. Some students opined that they took unpaid leaves so as to create time for studies; others indicated that they had little time for data collection and theses writing; while others found it a tall order to obtain study leaves from their employers. About 52% and 32% of the respondents met their academic supervisors on rare and irregular basis, respectively, thus delaying their graduation. Majority of students with multiple supervisors indicated that they met them separately (72%), with the rest meeting them jointly. Attempts to jointly meet supervisors escalated the cost of study to some students. Some students delayed their graduation because of: supervisors wanting them to take up topics of the supervisor, and not student, interest; helping supervisors with their errands as their academic work stayed on halt; supervisors not responding to their communication; and disagreements between the supervisors. Clearly, completion of graduate studies is, to an extent, affected by financial constraints, work-related obligations, and academic supervisor demands. There is need to lay down support mechanism for students who are in dire need for academic funding, conduct refresher courses on the role of academic supervisors, invest in hybrid academic supervision, and stick to supervision guidelines in case of disagreement between supervisors. Keywords: Graduate studies’ completion; Financial constraints; Work-related demands; Academic supervisor(s) demands
Influence of Family Cohesion on Substance Use Disorders among the Youth in Selected Rehabilitation Centres in Nairobi County, Kenya
(International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) |, 2021) Dr. Joel Kiambi; Alice Wangui Gikandi; Joyzy Pius Egunjobi (PhD),
This study investigated family dynamics and substance use disorders among the youth in selected rehabilitation centers in Nairobi County, Kenya. Using Yamane (1967) formula, a sample of 172 clients was obtained and selected randomly to take part in quantitative study. Another 12 clients who had stayed in rehabilitation centers for the longest time were purposively selected in order to provide qualitative data. Similarly, 10 parents were conveniently selected in order to provide qualitative data. Therefore the total sample size comprised of 196 respondents. Quantitative data was collected using FACES-IV, AUDIT, and DAST-10 questionnaires while qualitative data was collected using interview guides. Cronbach Alpha technique was run to test the reliability of FACES-IV, AUDIT, and DAST-10. FACES-IV scale was found to have a reliability coefficient of .723, AUDIT had reliability of .861while DAST-10 scale had a reliability coefficient of .812. Quantitative Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics while qualitative data was analysed thematically backed by narratives from respondents. The study had the following findings, most respondents came from families with unhealthy cohesion (disengaged family cohesion (Mean= 25.4545; SD= 9.3575), there was a strong negative and significant correlation between disengaged family cohesion and drug use disorder (r=-0.527; P= 0.000).
Influence of Information Literacy Skills Policies on Kiswahili Language Instruction in Kenya: A Case of Fourth-Year Kiswahili Students at Lukenya University
(Eastern Africa Journal of Contemporary Research (EAJCR), 2025) Dr. Peter Karanja,; Dr. Evans Motari; Emily Ng’eno
Information literacy skills (ILS) have emerged as a critical competence in the knowledge economy, essential for academic success and lifelong learning. In the context of language training, especially in Kiswahili—a national and official language in Kenya—information literacy skills play a pivotal role in enhancing students’ engagement with linguistic, literary, and cultural resources. This paper examines the influence of information literacy skills policies on Kiswahili language instruction at Lukenya University, a case of fourth-year Kiswahili students as a case study. The ability to identify information needs and formulate them as researchable questions in Kiswahili, search for information from a variety of sources, such as databases, digital repositories, and Kiswahili texts, and interpret and synthesize information using suitable Kiswahili grammar and vocabulary are all made possible by information literacy skills. This improves their critical thinking skills and linguistic ability, particularly in academic writing and communication. The research investigates the extent to which ILS policies have been implemented, their impact on pedagogical practices, and how they influence students' academic performance and research capabilities. A mixed-methods approach involving questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis was employed. The findings reveal that while IL skills policies exist, their implementation is inconsistent, affecting students’ ability to effectively engage with Kiswahili academic content. The study recommends institutionalizing comprehensive ILS programs integrated into the Kiswahili curriculum and fostering collaboration between academic departments and libraries to support language learning. Keywords: Information Literacy Skills; Language Training; Kiswahili; Policy Implementation; Higher Education; Kenya, Academic Libraries
Commercialising Indigenous Pottery Industry to Support Economic Empowerment among Indigenous Akamba Women
(The Technical University of Kenya, 2024) Pascaline Ndila
Commercialising is introducing products or services to the market for profit making. Pottery was an indigenous industry that supported pre-colonial societies’ social, cultural, and economic activities. For some reasons, such as colonisation, pottery industries waned in most indigenous societies. The Akamba community, a subset of Bantu communities, practised pottery as one of their economic activities in the pre-colonial period. Today, the community has a significant number of women who engage in unpaid domestic labour and live in abject poverty. The study was conducted to identify the economic potential of the indigenous pottery industry and identify strategies to commercialise the industry and convert it into an economic hub for indigenous Akamba women. The study was a survey that used non-probability sampling techniques to select the sample. Questionnaires were used to gather data that was analysed descriptively with the help of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). A regression analysis was conducted to test the study hypothesis. The findings of the study indicated that the pottery industry has economic potential in Ukambani, and thus, commercialising the industry would lead to the economic empowerment of the indigenous Akamba women. If the findings above are actualised, society will achieve SDG No. 5, which seeks to empower women economically and give them financial independence. This paper contributes to the literature because limited information exists on how to commercialise indigenous industries. The paper is relevant to policymaker’s keen on implementing SDGs supporting financial empowerment for indigenous women. Keywords: Traditional pottery manufacturing, economic mobility, financial independence, native women
An Ngram-Based Approach to Determine Trends and Patterns in the Social Networks
(IEEE AFRICON, 2023) Constance Mukina Ngila; Waweru Mwangi; Michael Kimwele
The recent progress in computing has made it easier to collect and store huge amounts of information in a text. The growing size of text datasets in text mining and the high dimensionality associated with knowledge discovery is a great challenge that makes it difficult to classify documents into various categories and sub- categories. This paper focuses on how text can be mined from social networks and then categorized using n-grams to determine specific trends and patterns. The main aim of Knowledge Discovery is to extract knowledge from data in the context of large databases. The volume of information that is available is increasing every day. This data ranges from that used in business transactions to scientific data, sensor data, pictures, videos, etc. There is, therefore, a need for a system capable of extracting the core of available information and automatically generating reports, opinions, or summaries of data to aid organizations in better decision-making. Knowledge Discovery is a repetitive process where evaluation measures are often enhanced, mining done on data can be refined, there is an integration of new data, and the data is transformed to get accurate and more appropriate results. The data collected from social networks need to be filtered to capture specific text that will be useful to a PR brand following what clients say about their products online. There is a need for a technique that will provide a quick and precise way of fetching specific text from huge amounts of data on social networks to help analyze the feedback. This research analyzes the use of ngrams to fetch specific text from near-real-time customer feedback that is in the form of large data on Twitter to help Public Relations agencies determine the trends and patterns that will help them align their brands with customer preferences. Keywords—knowledge discovery, data mining, trends, and patterns.

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