Browsing by Author "Simiyu, Kennedy"

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Contribution of New Media in the Reconciliation of Post-Genocide Rwanda: A Case Study of Selected Non-Governmental Organizations
(African Journal of Empirical Research, 2024-06-10) Ishimwe, Theodore; Simiyu, Kennedy; Ong’ong’a, Daniel Oloo
The 1994 Rwandan Tutsi genocide profoundly impacted social cohesion, highlighting the need for sustained reconciliation. Guided by Social Identity Theory, this study examines how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) leverage new media to promote reconciliation in post-genocide Rwanda. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research identifies the primary media platforms NGOs employ for reconciliatory messaging and assesses their influence on community perceptions. Data were gathered through a structured questionnaire of 395 respondents, aged 35 and above, from both urban and rural areas, who rated reconciliatory messages on a five-point Likert scale. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis, while semi-structured interviews with NGO program managers and youth leaders provided qualitative insights, analyzed thematically. The findings reveal a notable positive correlation (r = 0.596, p < 0.01) between interaction on new media platforms, especially Facebook and Twitter, and reconciliation outcomes. Approximately 88.6% of respondents reported that these platforms positively contributed to dialogue and mutual understanding. By combining quantitative and qualitative data, the study presents a wellrounded view of how NGOs apply digital tools to connect generations and promote social unity. The study concludes that strategic use of new media by NGOs can significantly support reconciliation in Rwanda. Recommendations include further investment in digital literacy programs to broaden access and specific assistance for NGOs to enhance their digital strategies. This research offers practical insights for NGOs and policymakers aiming to use digital platforms for fostering peace, unity, and social rebuilding in post-conflict settings. Ethical practices, including informed consent and confidentiality, were strictly observed throughout the study.
The Significance of Epic Features in Ngu͂Gi͂ WA Thiong’o’s the Perfect Nine
(International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science, 2025-06-10) Wanyonyi, Geoffrey; Orina, Felix; Simiyu, Kennedy
This paper explores the significance of the epic form in Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s The Perfect Nine (2020), with the aim of examining how the author repositions the epic as a vessel of pre-capitalist wisdom. It argues that Ngũgĩ employs the form not only to re-institutionalize orality but also to address the crises confronting contemporary humanity. The study identifies the poetics of the African epic within The Perfect Nine, employing a qualitative research design grounded in library research and textual analysis. These methods support an inquiry into whether a societal realignment—attuned to the demands of nature—is necessary to mitigate ongoing human crises. The analysis is guided by Ngũgĩ’s postcolonial philosophy of globalectics and Victor Shklovsky’s formalist theory. The Perfect Nine was purposively selected for its postcolonial engagement and its emphasis on indigenous knowledge systems. The findings contribute to scholarship on Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s oeuvre and reinforce key aspects of his postcolonial thought. Ultimately, the study underscores the vital role of the past in shaping the present and its potential in addressing contemporary human challenges. This research will be of particular interest to students and scholars of postcolonial African literature and those engaged in broader postcolonial discourse.