Theses and Dissertations

CONTEXTUALISING IMPLICATIONS OF TRANSITION OF KENYAN CONTINGENT IN AFRICAN UNION MISSION IN SOMALIA ON KENYA’S NATIONAL SECURITY

2026-07-08T13:35:32Z

CONTEXTUALISING IMPLICATIONS OF TRANSITION OF KENYAN CONTINGENT IN AFRICAN UNION MISSION IN SOMALIA ON KENYA’S NATIONAL SECURITY Kamais, Ekwom Cosmas This study sought to contextualise the transition implications of the Kenyan Contingent in the African Mission in Somalia on Kenya's National Security. Peace support operations portend challenges to, as well as opportunities for, national security objectives. Statist national security perception tends to overlook the broader context in which states exist, strategise and function, including peace support operations in immediate neighbouring states, which influence national security. A dearth of studies examine the implications of peace support operations transition to a State's national security. The specific objectives of the study were to: assess African Union Mission in Somalia transition strategies affecting Kenya's National security, examine the impact on Kenya's National security from the Transition of the Kenyan Contingent in the African Union Mission in Somalia, and explore challenges and opportunities for Kenya's National security from the transition of Kenyan Contingent in African Union Mission in Somalia. Neo-functionalism theory, Strategic theory and securitisation theory underpinned the study. The study used a descriptive survey research design entailing mixed methods approach. The study was conducted in Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Lamu counties and Jubaland in Somalia. The target population was 3,340 comprising Security Personnel, County officials, NPS officials, KRA officials, Immigration Officials and community elders. The study used cluster and purposive sampling to select respondents and key informants. A sample of 400 respondents and 49 key informants were selected for the study. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews guides and analysed using SPSS for quantitative data and thematically for qualitative data. The results were presented using descriptive statistics such as percentages, charts, graphs, frequency distribution, and thematic analysis of the excerpts. The study was justified academically owing to the dearth of research on the topic and as a basis for further research. Regarding policy justification, the study informed the process of formulation of the transition strategy, revision of key national security policy documents and multilateral PSO engagement. The study contributed to the rational realist philosophy requiring rational consideration of external and internal factors in advancing national security objectives. The study established that although AMISOM was generally successful, it failed to achieve adequately security and governance mandate objectives critical to creating suitable conditions for Somalia's long-term stability and development. Thus, the AMISOM transition portended negative security implications to Kenya's National Security, affecting border Counties, viz territorial claims, Al Shabaab terrorism, armed incursions, contraband smuggling, and diplomatic misunderstanding. The study established that the opportunities for National Security include shaping and influencing STP, strengthening buffer zone, improving the socio-economic development of border Counties, and comprehensive border security measures. Inter alia, the study found that the challenges to Kenya's National security include the Al Shabaab resurgence, the spread of terror groups such as ISIS, violations of territorial integrity, and economic sabotage. Overall, the study concluded that the ways, means and ends of the AMISOM transition were not adequately aligned, thereby limiting the creation of a conducive environment for Somalia's long-term stability and development; thus posing a threat to Kenya's National Security. The study recommends a review of STP to factor security forces of federal member states, enhance SSF capacity, sufficient transition timelines, securitisation of national security effects, and mitigation of national security challenges and seizing of the opportunities to enhance Kenya's national security.

CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON FOOD SECURITY AMONG SMALL-SCALE FARMERS IN NYAMIRA COUNTY, KENYA

2026-07-08T13:31:47Z

CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON FOOD SECURITY AMONG SMALL-SCALE FARMERS IN NYAMIRA COUNTY, KENYA Otwori, Otwori Dennis; Otwori, Dennis Otwori Climate change and climate variability threaten global food security, especially in sub Saharan Africa, where agriculture is central to income generation and the economy. Nyamira County in Kenya, despite its high agricultural potential, experiences challenges arising from climate change and climate variability. The overall objective was to examine climate-smart agriculture and its implications on food security among small-scale farmers in Nyamira County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine rainfall and temperature trends and patterns on food security among small scale farmers in Nyamira County, determine the existing Climate Smart Agriculture practices among small-scale farmers in Nyamira County, examine the influence of climate-smart agriculture practices on food security among small-scale farmers in Nyamira County and evaluate the effectiveness of climate-smart agriculture practices in enhancing food security among small-scale farmers in Nyamira County. The study adopted descriptive, correlation, and evaluation research designs, with a sample size of 384 households selected through a multistage sampling approach. Data collection methods included questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), observation checklists, and structured interview schedules. Secondary data was gathered from various sources such as the internet, journals, publications, and document analyses. Climate data for Nyamira station was obtained from the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD). These data were analyzed using the Mann-Kendall test analysis for the various seasons (MAM, JJA, SON, and DJF). Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists version 25, while qualitative data was summarized through narrative analysis. Inferential statistics involved Pearson Chi Square tests, correlation, and logistic regression model analyses. The study findings revealed that the rainfall trends for Nyamira station covering the seasons MAM (y = 0.2769x + 177.3), SON (y = 2.2095x + 104.43), and JJA (y = 0.109x + 131.63) were increasing. The station exhibited statistically significant trends in maximum and minimum temperatures (p-value < 0.05). The second objective revealed that mixed cropping at 20.50% (230), crop rotation at 15.15% (170), organic farming at 10.52% (118), and cover cropping at 7.93% (89) had a significant influence on the food security of the small-scale farmers (p<0.05). Conversely, agroforestry 14.53% (163), drought resistant crops 7.49% (84), water harvesting 13.10% (147), and integrated soil fertility management 7.31% (82) did not exhibit a significant influence (p-value > 0.05). The logistic regression model showed a statistically significant χ2 = 20.267, p < 0.05, between CSA practices and food security. On effectiveness, over 50% of respondents perceived mixed cropping, crop rotation, agroforestry, traditional crop varieties, organic farming, and cover cropping as either effective or highly effective strategies. However, traditional weather forecasting and pest control methods were perceived as ineffective. The study revealed that different CSA practices have varying effectiveness in enhancing household food security. The study recommends that the two levels of government strengthen the extension services to improve upscaling of CSA practices in Nyamira County. This will help small-scale farmers to adapt to changing climatic conditions and ensure long-term food security.

ASSESSMENT OF COMPOSITE FILTER PERFORMANCE AND COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE ON QUALITY OF EFFLUENT AT SHIRERE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IN KAKAMEGA MUNICIPALITY, KENYA

2026-07-08T13:18:56Z

ASSESSMENT OF COMPOSITE FILTER PERFORMANCE AND COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE ON QUALITY OF EFFLUENT AT SHIRERE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IN KAKAMEGA MUNICIPALITY, KENYA Philip, Otenyo Makonjio Release of effluent directly from aerobic maturation ponds into natural water bodies has presented not to be very efficient. Consequently, people downstream are exposed to greater risk of contracting waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid. Skin problems, eye infections, and diarrhea have all been linked to lack of clean water and inadequate sanitation among community members. Introduction of filtering technologies such as sand, biochar, coconuts shells, pumice and crushed stone aggregates have been used to treat the municipal wastewater. However, these have proved to be inadequate. Even then no effort has been made to apply such technologies in the removal of wastes discharged into River Isiukhu from Shirere waste water oxidation ponds. As a consequence, its waters have been shown to be increasingly getting covered by algae which indicate the presence of cyno-bacteria and other compounds toxic to human and animal health. The overall objective of the study was to assess composite filter performance and community knowledge on quality of effluent at Shirere wastewater treatment plant in Kakamega municipality. Specific objectives included; to determine the silica pumice composite filter performance efficiency at its optimal conditions; To develop a mathematical model for the removal of waste from effluent by composite granular filter at Shirere wastewater treatment plant; to evaluate the trend of effluent quality before and after installation of composite granular filter from Shirere wastewater treatment plant upto river Isukhu; to asses community knowledge, attitude and perception towards effluent quality discharged from Shirere wastewater treatment plant upto river Isukhu. Effluents, drinking water from Shirere WWTP, Shikoye stream, River Isiukhu and protected spring along Shikoye stream, were collected using pre sterilized water sampling containers for microbial quality analysis at MMUST and KACWASCO laboratories. The measurements were carried out using UV-VIS spectrophotometer at 752 nanometer wavelengths. Sampling strategies were purposeful and random. Sample size was 8 for water, 28 for wastewater. Research design was experimental. Data analysis used, regression and correlation methods. The average reduction of COD in the mid-season of June to August was 42.2 ±4.6%, being the highest. Concomitantly, the BOD removal by the filter in the season of June to August was19.6±7% and 15.6 ±3.5% for September to November. The average rate of TSS removal in June to August was 19.3±4.5% followed by 16.6±3.8% of September to November and 11.6±7% of March to May. The average rate of Nitrate removal in June to August was 41.8±7.6% followed by 30.0±2.2% for March to May and 25±8.6% for September to November. Phosphates had an average rate of removal in June to August as 31.9±2.7% followed by 20.6±4.8% for September to November and 20.0 ±4.3% for March to May. The use of filters in wastewater treatment reduced the organic matter intake, resulting in oxygen levels that were within natural values. Specifically, for the first season of March – May 2021 at 200mm filtration depth were carried out at effluent flow rate of 0.0032 and volume, 0.234 the model arrived at was .The model results showed minimal variation from the measured values. The first season measured COD as 0.236kg/m and model gave 0.2174kg/m. The model will be used in prediction of parameter concentrations at any given time. Concentrations of most parameters were above NEMA standards, like COD was322mg/l yet maximum should be 100mg/l. Community members need more sensitization on matters pollution as revealed by this study. Therefore, it was concluded that silica pumice composite filter performance is evidenced by big variations in the concentrations of COD, BOD, TSS, Phosphates and Nitrates at Shirere WWTP after filtrations which was attributed to effective filtering capacity. Similarly, the developed model, C=C_in (1-e^(-t(Q⁄V))) was found to be reliable in depiction of pollutant concentration by substituting time. The effluent concentrations from sampling sites S1-S3 and S5-S7 were found to above the NEEMA standards implying the high risk of Isukhu water and catchment area. It was also concluded that the level of knowledge of the community around Shirere Waste Water Treatment Plant had a negative attitude and no bearing on the effluent pollution into River Isiukhu. The study recommends that the composite filter should be applied in non-compliant WWTPs and the developed mathematical should be adopted for prediction of waste removal by substituting the values for time.

A PRAGMATIC INTERPRETATION OF VERBAL SEXIST HUMOUR IN KENYAN STAND-UP COMEDY: A CASE OF THE CHURCHILL SHOW

2026-07-08T13:09:18Z

A PRAGMATIC INTERPRETATION OF VERBAL SEXIST HUMOUR IN KENYAN STAND-UP COMEDY: A CASE OF THE CHURCHILL SHOW Nyakundi, Naftal This study examined verbal sexist humour in live performances on The Churchill Show which aired on TV47 in Kenya, focusing on episodes in November 2023. Drawing upon the theories of Conversational Implicature by Paul Grice (1975) and Norman Fairclough’s (2001) sociocultural approach to Critical Discourse Analysis, the study investigated a pragmatic interpretation of verbal sexist humour in Kenyan stand-up comedy: The Churchill Show. A descriptive research design was used. Utilizing purposive sampling, 25 humorous utterances that met specific inclusion criteria were selected for analysis. The study aimed to achieve three primary objectives: to describe linguistic strategies employed by selected stand-up comedians in their live performances on The Churchill Show on TV47 to construct verbal sexist humour; to analyze sexist inferences underlying live comedic performances of selected stand-up comedians on The Churchill Show on TV47; and to determine the sexist implicatures that manifest in live performances by selected stand-up comedians on The Churchill Show on TV47 as a result of flouting conversational maxims. To achieve these ojectives, primary data gathered from the show was analyzed using content analysis. By employing a pragmatic approach, the study aimed at offering insights into the sociocultural dynamics at play in the interpretation of verbal sexist humour, while also considering the unique cultural and contextual elements specific to Kenyan stand-up comedy. It was observed that comedians use various linguistic strategies to create verbal sexist humour. Such strategies include: juxtaposition, similes, metaphors, hyperbole, ambiguity, wordplay and pun, irony, and satire. Such strategies are not merely for comedic effect but also serve to embed and perpetuate certain sexist stereotypes and ideologies. Findings from data analysis revealed the perpetuation of sexist stereotypes targeting men and women. The analysis of comedic discourses from The Churchill Show revealed a pattern of reinforcing sexist stereotypes and ideologies through flouting of the conversational maxims. For instance, comedians frequently violate Grice’s maxims of quantity, quality, relation, and manner to generate humour that has underlying sexist implications. The findings of the study contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities of humour, gender representation, and language within the realm of Kenyan stand-up comedy, with implications for both academic discourse and societal understanding of gender dynamics in comedic discourse. The study provides a nuanced perspective on how humour can simultaneously entertain and perpetuate cultural stereotypes.