Local Institutions in Climate Change Adaptation by Smallholder Farmers: A farm level study in Homabay County, Kenya.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of local institutions in climate change adaptation by smallholder farmers in Homabay County, Kenya. The study employed cross-sectional survey design in which data was collected from smallholder farmers in one survey round. Quantitative data was collected from 398 smallholder farmers, while 48 key informant interviews and 12 focus group discussions were used to collect qualitative data to buttress information from farmers. Data was analysed using frequencies, percentages, cross-tabulations and chi-square at 0.05 significance level. The study established that local institutions and social networks had a positive influence on climate change adaptation by smallholder farmers. Local institutions and social groups enable smallholder farmers to deploy specific climate change adaptation practices. Local institutions pursue adoption of effective adaptation strategies relevant to local needs of the smallholder farmers. They also provide information on climate change adaptation options and give some external support to enable farmers cope with climate change. The study recommended the need to promote institutional partnership to enhance climate change adaptation at local level. Partnerships among local institutions are associated with area specific adaptation practices and communal pooling. The study also recommended the need to enhance the capacity of local institutions as the impacts of climate change are likely to intensify with time. Support in the form of new information and technology aimed at improving effective coping mechanisms and financial support will be necessary.

Socio-Economic Factors and Utilization of Formal Financial Services among smallholder Farmers in Kenya.

The main aim of this research was to establish the effect of socio-economic factors on utilization of formal financial services among smallholder farmers in Kenya. Farmers in low-income counties encounter a number of challenges among them limited access to finance. Financing agriculture, therefore, becomes a critical service to enable the full realization of the sector’s potential. In Kenya, the advent of innovative banking models through commercial banks such as Equity bank have seen a higher proportion of the rural population who were previously unreached being reached by financial services. That said, the subscription to formal financial services by small holder farmers is still low and many of them either shy away from formal financial institutions or are simply ineligible for the services due to lack of a banking profile with the institutions. Cross-sectional survey research design was adopted. The target population for this study were smallholder farmers from Nakuru, Busia and Kirinyaga Counties in Kenya. The study sample was determined using simple random sampling. The sample size was 560 smallholder farmers. The questionnaire and secondary information were the key instruments for data collection. Quantitative data was analysed using multiple linear regression equations with the aid of SPSS software. The study established that the socio-economic factors significantly affected utilization of formal financial services by the smallholder farmers in the country. Policy Makers should therefore, encourage small holder farmers by way of incentives to disclose their annual income so as to improve their chances of accessing formal financial services that can expand their enterprises.

Influence of the Payment Intervals on Beneficiaries’ Social and Economic Development in Moyale Sub-County, Marsabit

The objectives of this research were, to assess the effects, the payment intervals to beneficiaries influence their social and economic development in Moyale Sub-County, Marsabit. The study was anchored on Amartya Sen’s Human Development Theory, Abraham Maslow’s Pyramid of Hierarchy of Needs and the Participatory Development Theory propagated by the Asian Development Bank. The researcher embraced a descriptive survey design, using clustering and proportional random sampling in arriving at the research sample. The research population was 1196 households in the study area. Out of this, a sample of 300 households were determined using a verifiable statistical formula. Of the selected households, both adult and children, participated as respondents. A questionnaire, an interview schedule and a focus group discussions guide were used in collecting the data. The tools were tested through a pilot study in three purposively selected clusters (Locations) to determine their reliability and validity. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings were presented using various cartographical presentations. The use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was applied in analysing of the data. The study concluded that Cash transfer programs could be an effective way of addressing poverty, hunger, gender inequalities among children in marginalized areas and communities. The study recommends that the beneficiaries of the cash transfers be given training on financial management, long-term investments, and savings.

Assessment of Climate Change Related Disasters in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands. A Case of Baringo County, Kenya

The main objective of this study was to identify Climate Change Related Disasters (CCRDs) in Arid and Semi-arid Lands such as Baringo County. The study used a descriptive survey design. Purposeful sampling and stratified proportionate random sampling procedures were used to obtain the Sample. A sample of 376 households were selected for the study in Baringo County. Questionnaire, key informant interview schedule and observations were the main instruments of data collection. Analysis of data was done using the SPSS. Percentages were used to analyse CCRDs. Drought, storms and floods are climate change related disasters affecting Baringo County. About 80 percent of the households strongly agreed that drought is the most common disasters affecting the County. Vegetation clearance is the main cause of CCRDs in Baringo County hence there is need to increase awareness on climate change and encourage people to use alternative sources of energy and plant trees.

Strategies Used to Mobilize Resources for Clergy Remuneration in Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) Embu Diocese, of Embu County, Kenya

This study sought to investigate strategies used to mobilize resources for clergy remuneration in ACK Embu Diocese. The study was carried in Nginda, Kagaari, Kianjokoma and Karungu districts, inferential statistics were obtained using SPSS. The district has a population of 278,196, with a total Christian population of ACK numbering to 25,000. The research used descriptive research design. Kerringer (1969) state, descriptive studies are not only restricted to the facts finding Kerringer (1969) state, descriptive studies are not only restricted to the facts finding but may frequently result in the formulation of critical principles of knowledge and solution but may often result in the formulation of important principles of knowledge and solution to significant problems. The study employed a questionnaire as the method of data collection. The researcher targeted a population of 300 people (clergy and laity). From the target population, a sample of 70 clergies and 120 laity people was purposively selected from the four archdeaconries. After data collection, the researcher put together all raw data and analyzed it by tabling it under respective groups of the respondent (clergy, laity and administration). At the end of analyses, the researcher presented the results in the form of tables, pie charts and bar charts from helping the readers understand the analyses in a better way. Validity and reliability were tested using pretesting methods. Validity is the accuracy and meaningfulness of the inferences, which are based on the research resource. Quota payments was the current major strategy used to mobilize resources for clergy payment. Respondents identified various strategies for mobilizing resources as decentralizing quota payments to the parish, (60% of quota to go to the diocese and 40% to pay the clergy) and by exploiting other resources available.

Effect of Education and Training Role of Catholic Women Association on Women Empowerment in Nyandarua County, Kenya

This study's objective was to investigate the effect of education and training role of Catholic Women Association on women empowerment in Nyandarua County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design. A sample size of 224 subjects was used in the study. Simple random sampling and stratified random sampling and procedures were used to obtain study participants. Using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23, the researcher coded, entered and analysed quantitative data. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were computed. The study found out that all (100%) of the participants agreed that education and training programs by CWA had provided women with skills on small business management and sustainability. A vast majority (97.5%) of the participants affirmed that new businesses had been started by women as a result of entrepreneurship training received from CWA in Nyandarua County. There was a statistically significant association between education and training offered by CWA to women and women empowerment in Nyandarua County, F (5, 193) = 15.188, p = .000. The study concluded that women training on small business management and entrepreneurship have resulted in start-ups of many income-generating activities by rural women that promote household income and reduce poverty levels. The study's recommendation is that both governmental and non-governmental institutions should support informal education and training programs for rural and informal settlement women to help them learn basic small business management skills, basic rights and litigations, peace building and conflict resolution strategies among other courses.

The Role of Problematic Internet Usage in the Risk of Addiction to Online Sexual Violence among Undergraduate Students in Universities in Kenya

The objective of the study was to investigate the role of problematic internet usage in the risk of addiction to online sexual violence among undergraduate students in Kenyan universities. The study utilized Behaviourist Theory and Social Learning Theory. Ex-post facto research design was used for this study. The target population for the study was 97284 comprising all the undergraduate students in four universities and the accessible population was 2nd and 3rd year students comprising of 18911. The sample size comprised of 391 undergraduate students, 16 peer counsellors and four (4) student counsellors making a total of 411 participants. Data was collected by use of a questionnaire, an in-depth interview schedule and focus group discussion. The questionnaire was administered to undergraduate students, in-depth interview schedule was used on the student counsellors and focus group discussion was conducted among peer counsellors. Each focus group discussion comprised of four participants. Purposive sampling was used to select the universities of study. Purposive and simple random sampling was used to select the respondents. One university with similar characteristics with the sampled universities was purposively selected for piloting to ensure reliability of the research instruments. The pre-test was administered to and the instruments were modified accordingly. The reliability coefficient was online sexual violence 0.770. Descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages and means were used to analyse data. Chi square was used to test the null hypotheses while t-test was used to compare the study variables. Quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23.

Influence of Socioeconomic Status on Risky Sexual Behaviours among Undergraduate Students from selected Universities in Nakuru County, Kenya

This study's purpose was to establish the influence of socioeconomic status on risky sexual behaviours on risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students of main campuses in Nakuru County. Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura and Person-Centred Theory by Carl Rogers guided the study. The study was carried out among 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th-year undergraduate students from main campuses in Nakuru County. The study adopted a correlational research design. The target population was 18570 undergraduate students. The accessible population was 8456 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th-year undergraduate students whose sample was 367. Respondents were selected by applying the simple random sampling technique. The study included a sample of 10 peer counsellors and 2 student counsellors from the Egerton University and Kabarak University main campuses who were selected through purposive sampling. Data were obtained using a questionnaire for undergraduate students, focus group discussions guide for peer counsellors and interview schedule for student counsellors. Validation of research instruments was done through peer and expert review and also through pilot testing, which was done in Mount Kenya University (MKU) - Nakuru Campus. Quantitative data was analysed by both inferential and descriptive statistics using SPSS Version 25, whereas the qualitative data was analysed thematically. The analysed data was presented in tables, graphs, and narratives. The findings indicated that the majority of the respondents were of the view that socioeconomic status influences risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students.

Examining the Benefits of Lake Kenyatta Water Users Association (LAKWA) Water Kiosks Project to Women

This research focused on examining examine the benefits that women's have realised from the implementation of Lake Kenyatta Water Users Association (LAKWA) water kiosks for supplying water to households in Mpeketoni Lamu County, Kenya. The research used mixed-method design in which quantitative and qualitative methods were used to collect and analyse data. Data was collected using open and closed-ended questionnaires. They were administered using questionnaires. The research had 200 respondents comprising of 100 women from the rural settlements and 100 women in Mpeketoni division of Lamu County in Kenya. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics were used to summarise data and compare the results between rural versus urban women and large families versus small families in the research area. According to this research, it's evident that the majority of respondents have a positive perception with large families seeing more benefits of LAKWA kiosks than small families, especially for domestic uses. These are common expectation since the quantity of water raised by large families is higher than the small families. It's in their perception that the situation remains the same in the next 10 to 20 years. It was evident from this research that, women are satisfied with the design aspects of the LAKWA water kiosks. I suggest further research on the ways of including women perceptions in water management planning to improve the water intake and efficiency of LAKWA water system and indeed other water stakeholders in ensuring that it meets the objectives of sustainable development goals and vision 2030 on water and sanitation.

The Economic Benefits of Quarry Stone Mining Activities to Women from Kwa V, Kirinyaga County, Kenya

This study sought to investigate the economic benefits that women derive from the small-scale quarry stone mine at Kwa V, Kirinyaga County. The research used a mixed-methods approach which both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analysed. Data collection was carried out from a survey of 100 informal female quarry workers. Data from open-ended questions were analysed using content analysis to identify emerging themes. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results showed evident variation in the number of days women work at the stone quarrying between rain and dry seasons. There was evident variability in the income women derive from quarrying between seasons. The activities women engage in the quarrying ranged from blasting stones to crushing stones to ballast. Income derived from informal quarrying was invested in various ways, namely, building a financial base through participation in women’s chamas, table banking, investing towards access to lease land for cultivation to diversify income assets, purchasing physical assets, investing in human capital, for instance, education of children, to meeting basic day-to-day needs. This study's findings have important implications to public health interventions required to support informal female quarry workers, particularly given that most of these lack access to quality health care to mitigate health risks associated with stone quarrying.