Theses and dissertations

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2-MODULAR REPRESENTATIONS OF UNITARY GROUP U3(4) AS LINEAR CODES
(Kibabii University, 2019-12-01) Maina, Janet Lilian
A monumental achievement in group theory was done with the announcement of the completion of classiﬁcation of simple ﬁnite groups in 2004. The proof of this work which was termed, a theorem, consists of tens of thousands of pages in several hundred journal articles written by about 100 authors, published between 1995 and 2004. Such voluminous work cannot be understood by any single person. Attempts to simplify the proof has already been embarked on. It is thought that a knowledge of internal structures associated with the groups and more so representation theoretic methods, could go along way to help simplify the proof. This has sparked research of combinatorial objects like codes obtained from groups and their interplay. This thesis is a study of linear binary codes obtained from primitive permutation representations of the simple ﬁnite classical group U3(4). Using the established magma databases and the Meataxe software, we consider for each primitive representation over F2, the permutation module obtained from the action of the group on the cosets of its maximal subgroups and the subsequent maximal submodules. Each submodule constitutes a binary code invariant under the group. In this thesis we study linear binary codes, designs and graphs obtained from the group U3(4). Using modular theoretic methods , we construct and enumerate all linear binary codes and designs from primitive permutation representations of degrees 208 and 416 and classify most of the codes. Furthermore, we determine their properties and establish the interplay between these codes and other combinatorial objects like designs and graphs. In the process, we have uncovered the lattice structure of the submodules. We have also determined the full automorphism groups of the codes and designs. Codes are applied in many areas particularly in error correction, storage and transmission of data. The properties of a code determines its usage. We found some codes with good parameters. We found some self-orthogonal, doubly even codes, irreducible and decomposable codes.
A Comparative Study of Natural Radioactivity and Associated Radiological Hazards of Imported Sanitary Ware Products Sold in Kenya
(IRESPUB Journal of Natural & Applied Sciences, 2024-08-25) Natang’ah, Edwin Chemos; Waswa, Michael Nakitare; Khakina, Peter Nyongesa; Kibe, Horace Eyinda
Natural radioisotopes are present in all ceramic products used in building construction at varying rates. The primary source of outdoor radiation that residents of homes or workplaces are exposed to is these radioisotopes. Determining the radiation levels of ceramic items used in buildings is crucial. In this investigation, Thallium doped sodium iodide detector NaI(Ti) was used to measure the natural radioactivity levels (226Ra, 232Th, and 40K) in twelve ceramic sanitary ware products manufactured in India, China and Uganda imported and used in Kenya. For the studied samples, the average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K radionuclides were 19.5±0.99Bq/kg, 89.75±4.49Bq/kg and 405.75±20.29Bq/kg for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K respectively. With the exception of the average 232Th concentration of studied samples, these results are lower than the global average values (50, 50, and 500 Bq/kg).Values for radium equivalent activity (Raeq), gamma index (Iγ), external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (HIn), absorbed dose rate (ADR), annual effective dose (AED), and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were also computed in order to assess the radiological risks resulting from naturally occurring radionuclides of the ceramic sanitary ware samples under examination. The mean of the radioactive hazard parameters (Raeq, Iγ, Hex, HIn ,D, and AEDE,) computed for every sample of ceramic sanitary equipment was discovered to be below the upper bounds suggested by global organization safe for ELCR which registered slightly higher values.
Ab initio study of phase transition, structural and elastic properties of beryllium chalcogenides
(KIBU, 2018-11) Oketch, Vincent Odhiambo
Ab initio study of phase transition, structural and elastic properties of beryllium chalcogenides
Adoption of mobile computing for ubiquitous data management within sugar companies in Kenya
(KIBU, 2016-11) Ndukuyu, Arnold C
Mobile Computing provide users with greater opportunity to manage data and access information and services stored on the Internet and central repositories, regardless of users’ physical locations and movement behaviours. Field officers in sugar companies spend more than 50% of their time in the field, have their appropriateness of mobile computing in their working. However, field operations and services often experience extensive delays or rework due to information that is unavailable, inaccurate or out dated as a result of manual processes thus leading to production inefficiencies. This study proposed to explore the extend of adoption of mobile technologies for ubiquitous Data Management within Sugar companies in Kenya. This was achieved through determining usability of mobile computing technologies, establishment of utilization of mobile data management, assessing challenges affecting adoption of mobile computing for ubiquitous data management and eventually proposing an optimum strategy for use of mobile computing for ubiquitous data management within sugar companies in Kenya. The study employed largely descriptive survey design. The target population consisted of ten strategy managers, 1179 extension officers, 30 ICT business systems managers and 500 active system users. The Study sample of 325 workers from the sugar companies in Kenya comprising of 240 extension officer, 2 strategy managers, 6 business system managers and 40 system active users. Extension officers and system active users were selected using simple random sampling technique, strategy managers and business system managers were selected using saturated sampling technique. To ensure face and content validity of the research instruments ICT experts in software development firms, Oracle, Amity and EIM were consulted. Pilot study was conducted on 15 workers from the sugar companies who did not participate in the study and Pearson product moment correlation coefficient was used to determine the reliability of the questionnaires at alpha level of signifance of 0.05 both qualitative and quantitative data was collected and analysed. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis while qualitative data was analysed thematically. The study found out that; network capability, security, data and service portability and policy formulation ranked top as critical elements in an enterprise mobility framework. The study established that through a majority of workers at 76.92% agree that mobile technology is being used for data management, 56.98% indicated that they do not rely on mobile technology for data management. The study also found out that though 74.18% of workers agree that business operations in sugar companies depend on mobile technologies for data management, 87.36% of the workers undertake transactions using desktop computers and not mobile devices. However, 93.41% of the workers appreciate mobile computing as effective for data management. It was also found out that management support for mobile computing was not significant. The study further established that mobile computing adoption was hindered in the sugar industry by inadequate technological infrastructure and concerns about security of information. The study developed a framework for adoption of mobile computing for ubiquitous data management in sugar companies in Kenya. developed framework if used can help companies improve on their operational and production efficiency. The findings of the study are also critical for policy makers on enterprise mobility and integration with IT governance. The study concludes that adoption of mobile computing strategies affected profitability of companies positively.
Analysis of EDXRF spectroscopic elemental efficacy: A case study of Kibabii University sewage treatment system
(KIBU, 2018-11) Situma, Yonah
Analysis of EDXRF spectroscopic elemental efficacy: A case study of Kibabii University sewage treatment system
Analysis of student characteristics and school predictors on academic achievement in Kenya certificate of secondary education examination in Busia county, Kenya
(2017-12) Echaune, Manasi
Students’ academic achievement in secondary school examination is critical in preparing students for further education and the world of work. This is the very reason unsatisfactory academic achievement in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination that has been witnessed in Busia County over the last three years should be a cause worry to the stakeholders in education. This study analyzed the student characteristics and school predictors on academic achievement in KCSE examination in Busia County. The specific objectives of the study were; to establish whether student characteristics influence students’ academic achievement in KCSE in Busia County, to determine the effect of school characteristics on academic achievement in KCSE examination in Busia County, to investigate the effect of teacher inputs on academic achievement in KCSE examination in Busia County and to examine the effect of non-teacher school inputs on academic achievement in KCSE examination in Busia County. The study employed the production function theory. A descriptive survey design was employed. The study targeted 152 principals, 2360 teachers and 7550 students. A sample of 100 secondary schools and 1091 respondents was used. The respondents comprised of 100 principals, 236 teachers and 755 students. The study employed simple random sampling to select teachers and students. Purposive sampling was used to select principals while stratified random sampling was used to select schools. Self administered questionnaires and document analysis guide were used to collect data. Questionnaires were piloted in fifteen secondary schools within Busia County and the schools used to pilot the instruments were not included in the actual study. Test re-test technique was used to ascertain reliability of the questionnaires. The test re-tests of the questionnaires used to collect data yielded reliability coefficients of 0.810 and 0.873 for the student and teacher questionnaire respectively. Experts in the Department of Educational Planning and Management were requested to ascertain both the face and content validity of the instruments. Data was analyzed using STATA version 14. Descriptive statistics including percentages, frequencies, means, and standard deviations were used in the preliminary analysis of data. Inferential statistics including t-tests, ANOVA, correlation and regression were used to test the study hypotheses. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to test the relationship between academic achievement in KCSE examination, school predictors and students characteristics. The findings of the study were presented in tables and figures. The study revealed that school predictors accounted for the largest variation in academic achievement in KCSE examination (56.86 percent) compared to student characteristics which accounted for 43.13 percent of the variation in academic achievement in the same examination. School characteristic and teacher inputs had no statistically significant effects on academic achievement in KCSE examination. Non teacher school inputs particularly adequacy of physical facilities and textbooks had statistically significant effects on academic achievement in KCSE examination. The study concluded that variation in students academic achievement in KCSE had more to do with school predictors than students’ characteristics. National government, County government, educational planners, principals and School Boards of Management will find the findings of the study useful in planning for education and improvement of academic achievement in KCSE examination. The study recommended that the focus should be on the school predictors such as physical facilities and text books which accounted for a larger variation in academic achievement in KCSE examination.
An analysis of the influence of civic education on public participation in elections in Bungoma County, 1992-2013
(KIBU, 2018-11) Birachi, Jane Nesuwu
An analysis of the influence of civic education on public participation in elections in Bungoma County, 1992-2013
Application lifecycle management activities and tool integration for quality assurance in software development
(KIBU, 2016-11) Otibine, Tobias Okumu
Lifecycle Management approaches promise more systematic and efficient ways to support the development and management of complex products. The concept of Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) indicates the coordination of activities and the management of artifacts during the software (SW) product’s lifecycle. Most of the currently available unified ALM solutions are either based on basic version control and other ‘low level’ point-to-point integrations, or advocate the adoption of a new and expensive all –in-one solution form a single vendor without considering the aspect of quality. The problem with these current solution is that the first does not go far enough to really provide the previously described benefits of applying an ALM solution while considering quality, while the second one is often associated with high costs in tools, infrastructure and personnel. Thus the purpose of the research was to develop an ALM framework that would improve on quality of software by effectively managing Application Lifecycle Management activities and tools involved in software development, to determine the level of integration of the Application Lifecycle Management tools in providing Application Lifestyle Management solutions and to develop an Application Lifecycle Management framework for quality assurance in software development. The research employed multiple case study design. The target population for the study was the various specialists involved with ALM activities in software development industries consisting of 200 respondents and included 6 homogenous strata comprising of 10 managers, 60 Developers, 60 Testers, 30 Analysts, 20 Directors and 20 Architects. The data collection tools included Questionnaire, Observation and Interviews. In order to test the validity and reliability of the instruments, first the questionnaires were scrutinized and approved by the university supervisor and a group of experts before issuing them. Then a test-retest of the instruments was done by piloting in two companies which were not part of the study and the internal consistence of data from the questionnaire’s computed by sing the Cronhach’s alpha coefficient. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential analysis. ALM activities and tool integration were found to be a direct predictor of Software quality assurance in software development. This research found out that ALM elements and their relations together with food documentation were very key in coming up with a efficient ALM solution for SME’s. The study found that with improved process support and better knowledge and experience on ALM, application lifecycle management activities and tool integration greatly affected the quality of software’s developed thus improving on quality assurance in software development and hence contributing to the world of knowledge.
Attitudes of secondary school students towards premarital sex: effects on schooling and impact on management of HIV/AIDS scourge in the lager Bungoma district
(2009) Wepukhulu, Rispa
A study was carried out in the rural setup of the larger Bungoma District to determine the attitudes of secondary school students towards pre-marital sex (PMS) and the possible impact on school performance and implications for prevention of HIV/AIDS. The study used sets of questionnaires and interview schedules to collect data from 284 form three students, head-teachers and guidance and counselling teachers from selected secondary schools, At community level, data was collected from parents and community-based religious leaders. Student health and class performance records were collected to identify victims of PMS and assess their performance. Descriptive statistics were used in data analysis and interpretation. Chi square (χ2 ) test was used to test whether there was significant association between attitude or behaviour of the youth and school type, gender and household socio-economic status. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-statistics were performed to determine whether PMS had a significant effect on academic performance of known cases of PMS and to confirm whether PMS was a significant practice among secondary school students, respectively. It was found out that PMS was a common practice among the students though they generally had favourable attitude towards PMS. The practice was consistent with the unfavourable attitude towards PMS as a tool for expression of intimacy and love. Inadequate communication between parents and the students, lack of comprehensive sexuality education curriculum in schools and programmes in churches left peers and the media as the major source of sexuality information. This impacted negatively on the attitudes and sexual behaviour among the youth. High PMS prevalence impacted negatively on the education sector in terms of decreased completion rate and poor class performance. From the results, it was concluded that the high prevalence of PMS among students in secondary schools in the larger Bungoma District is due to the perception of sex as a tool for intimacy and expression of love. It is recommended that a comprehensive curriculum be developed and introduced in schools at an appropriate stage preferably at upper primary level to equip the youth with right information to help them make informed decisions about sexuality later in their school life. Such curriculum will in addition prepare the youth to confidently face the challenges as future parents. It also recommended that teachers be trained to handle sexuality issues among the youth and to strengthen positive peer group counselling programmes
Biometric properties and network technologies as determinants for a secure electronic voting architecture
(Kibabii University, 2017-11) Rotich, Erick Kiptanui
Capitation grant and textbook student ratio in public secondary schools in Bungoma south subcounty Bungoma county Kenya
(KIBU, 2019-11) Amadi, Omega Kennedy
The Kenyan government spends part of Capitation Grant (CG): 54% of the tuition amount for purchase of textbooks in Public Secondary Schools in order to attain ratio of one textbook per student. From 2009 up to 2017 Public Secondary Schools had faced challenges in implementing the above policy. The study sought to establish the relationship between CG and Textbook Student Ratio in Public Secondary Schools in Bungoma South Sub-County, to identify the relationship between CG received towards textbook purchase and actual tuition Amount spent on purchase of textbooks in Public Secondary School, to determine the relationship between government policy on CG towards provision of textbooks and Curriculum diversity in Public Secondary Schools and to find out the effect of textbook ‘Harvesting’ and Donation on use ofCG towards purchase of textbooks in Public Secondary Schools. The study was guided by Human Capital Theory (HCT). The study used descriptive survey design to carry out the study with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The target population was 53 Public Secondary Schools comprising of 637 respondents. The sample size was 379 respondents comprising of one Sub County Director of Education (SCDE), 27 Principals, 159 HODs, 27 accounts Clerks’ 27 Librarians, and 138 Students (Class secretaries). Yamane (1967) formula was used to get the sample size for the 159 HODs and 138 students/class representatives. Random sampling was used to recruit 159 HODs and 138 students (class representatives) while purposive sampling was used to recruit one SCDE, 27 principals, 27 accounts clerks and 27 librarians. The study used questionnaires and document analysis. Split-half reliability and coefficient alpha were used to ascertain reliability of the instrument. Validity of the instruments was conducted in 4 public secondary schools through piloting and any wanting instrument component was adjusted accordingly. The quantitative data collected was processed and analyzed using both descriptive; mean standard deviations and inferential statistics; ANOVA, tukey test and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The study established that CGs were not adequately utilized to attain the desired 1: 1 textbook student ratio due to divers’ challenges. This may in the long run escalate through the 100 transition rate policy, Findings of this study indicate that insignificant amount of capitation grant funding was used towards textbooks over the years. The study recommends that, the MOE and school managers should come up with a robust CG policy for proper utilization of funds meant to purchase textbooks through enhancing monitoring systems for prudent management of the funds to avoid future high textbook student ratio and maintain the recommended ratio of 1:1.
Change management and employee performance in commercial banks Trans Nzoia county, Kenya
(KIBU, 2019-11) Mukhebi, Hellen Nafula
Increasing market pressures and market regulations have forced commercial banks to implement drastic organizational changes in order to remain competitive. However, while organizational change is a constant experience, the process of managing change involves a lot of challenges which if not well dealt with could hinder the attainment of desired goals. The purpose of this study therefore was to investigate the effects of change management on employee performance in commercial banks in Trans Nzoia County, Kenya. The specific objectives of this study were to; determine the effect of downsizing on employee performance, examine the effect of change in technology on performance of employees, determine the effect of structural change on performance of employees and determine the effect of organization culture on performance of employees in commercial banks in Trans Nzoia County. The study was guided by Uncertainty Management Theory, Lewin’s Change Management and McKinsey 7-S Change Management Models. Literature was reviewed as per the study objectives. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Target population of the study consisted of 470 employees drawn from 14 commercial banks in Trans Nzoia County. A sample size of 216 of employee was arrived at and stratified simple random sampling used to categorize managers, supervisors/administrators and clerical /tellers. Data was collected using the questionnaires. Validity and reliability of the study instrument were ascertained and results showed that the instrument was valid and reliable. Cronbach alpha coefficient was determined and yielded an alpha value of 0.770 which was considered reliable. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicated that downsizing (β=0.489; p=0.), technological change (β=0.654, p=0.), structural change (β=0.673.; p=0.), organizing culture (β=0.435, p=0.), had statistically significant effect on employees performance in commercial banks. Therefore, the study concluded that change management had significant effect on the employee performance in commercial banks in Trans Nzoia County. The study recommended that management of commercial banks undertaking organizational change should focus on participatory leadership and communication strategies to enhance employees’ readiness for change. Further, commercial banks management should strive to be a learning organization and promoting changing attitudes that support organizational change management. The findings of this study would be beneficial to the employees of commercial banks as they would be sensitized about the culture and structure of their organization, downsizing and technological change adopted by their organization. The findings of this study would also be invaluable to future researchers who would wish to explore further how change management impacts on employee performance in organizations.
Codes, designs and graphs obtained from some projective symplectic group
(KIBU, 2019-11) Kananu, Rukaria Lydiah
After the classiﬁcation of ﬁnite simple groups, there is still much work to be done to give a clear geometric identiﬁcation of the ﬁnite simple groups. There are also many problems in enumerating and characterizing a structure which either has a particular group acting on it or which has some degree of symmetry from a group action. It has been shown that there exists interplay between ﬁnite simple groups and codes. In this thesis we construct and enumerate binary linear codes for the projective symplectic group S8(2) from the permutation representations of degree 120, 136, 255, 2295, 5355, 5440 and 11475. We ﬁnd that the support of codewords of a given weight in a code hold a combinatorial design, or represent points of a projective space PG(2m−1,q), or represent the rows of the adjacency matrix of a graph or equivalently are the incidence vectors of the blocks of a design. Through coding theory, the interplay between the combinatorial objects is enhanced and the internal structures of the group characterized.
Community radio and the development agenda of slum areas in Kenya: The case of Pamoja FM in Nairobi, Kenya
(KIBU, 2019-11) Manje, Isaac Wamalwa
This study sought to examine the role of community radio in promoting the development agenda of slum areas with a specific focus on Pamoja FM that serves Kibera slums in Nairobi. The main objectives of this study were to investigate the role of community radio in the development of slum areas; to analyse the relevance of existing regulatory framework of community radios in Kenya in reference to the development agenda; and to explore the development messages and programmes disseminated by community radios. This case study utilised a descriptive design using qualitative approaches. The study utilised interviews, observations, and review of documents as the strategies of collecting data. Data was collected from a census sample of five newsroom staff and thirty regular listeners of Pamoja FM together with key informants who were interviewed and also participated in focus group discussions to provide information on the role of Pamoja FM in promoting the development agenda of their communities. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data based on study objectives and field work. Data was presented in narrative form and direct quotations. The role of community radio in the provision of information and knowledge for development in slum areas were found to include fostering of peace building, promoting security, overcoming language barrier challenges in communication, encouraging community participation and mobilisation in development matters, acting as a government watchdog, empowering communities economically, and providing communities with a form of communication that they can closely identify with. The study concluded that community radio is a crucial part of the communication process that aids in social change because of its potential to facilitate participation and inclusion in development agenda. Most times, if community radio is part of the communication process in development agenda, the results include peace building, achievement of development goals, accountability, good governance and reduction of poverty. Regulatory restrictions greatly limit the income of community radio stations, thus hindering them from effectively carrying out their mandate. This study established that while community radios would effectively deliver information and knowledge about development to members of their communities, it does not necessarily mean that those people are paying particular attention to that information. The community radio has played its role of transmitting that information but this study recommends that it is important to also carry out an impact assessment to find out if people are really using that information which is readily available to them, or whether the information they receive is even useful to them or if it has any impact to them. The study further recommends that the government should make the regulatory framework friendlier for community radios and that community radios should find sustainability mechanisms to help them promote the development agenda of the communities they serve.
Cost-effectiness of using thin-client technology in enhancing service delivery in school computer laboratories in Kenya
(KIBU, 2018-11) Asenahabi, Bostley Muyembe
Computer literacy is essential for a workforce to compete favorably in this increasingly computerized environment. Most organizations and institutions require a workforce that is computer literate. This calls for schools to equip more students with computer skills. Schools should be adequately equipped to offer hands-on experience and nurture rapid learning, yet be intuitive and interesting to students. Setting up and maintaining a computer laboratory goes with a cost which most schools cannot keep pace with thus the need to embrace other cost-effective computer architectures. This research modeled the cost-effectiveness of using thin-client computing technology on service delivery in school computer laboratories. It aimed at establishing constraints encountered by schools while teaching computer studies, determining the computer architectures deployed in school computer laboratories and analyzing the cost-effectiveness of thin client computing technology on service delivery in school computer laboratories. This is a descriptive research. It adopted a mixed method research design which involved survey and experimental research designs. Probability sampling technique which involved stratified and random sampling techniques was used to arrive at a sample size of 16 of the 52 secondary schools within Bungoma County which offer computer studies. Primary data was collected using questionnaire, observation and discussion. To ensure quality of the research data and to ascertain the instruments’ reliability, a pilot study was performed, face and content validity were also performed on the data collection instruments. Quantitative data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics and presented in form of frequency tables, percentages, bar graphs, line graphs and pie charts. Qualitative data was presented in narrative form. The research findings revealed that many secondary schools shy away from offering computer studies due to financial constraints to equip their computer laboratories, the main computer architectural configuration deployed by secondary schools for computer studies is stand-alone computer architecture. The break even power consumption point is when two thin clients are in ON state, consuming ninety five watts compared to two stand-alone computers consuming one hundred and thirty two watts. Thin-client computer architecture is more cost-effective compared to stand-alone computer architecture which if deployed in computer laboratories, schools will be able to offer computer studies to more students thus making more people computer literate.
Creative accounting practices and financial performance of tier II commercial banks in Kenya
(KIBU, 2018-11) Toroitich, Carolyne Jepchumba
Creative accounting practices and financial performance of tier II commercial banks in Kenya
Designers’ ontologies and applications usability evaluation framework for unified virtual market platform
(KIBU, 2016-11) Khaoya, Muyobo Daniel
Virtual product and process development is viewed as one of the most promising business strategies, which can address global competition. Consumers around the world are now able to establish and maintain connection, regardless of their locations, through virtual market applications. This has generated new dimensions through which, consumers access content. In recent years, the development of ontologies has been moving from the Artificial-Intelligence Laboratories to the desktops and smart phones of domain experts. The designs and usability aspects need to be considered in order to facilitate a unified virtual market platform. The purpose of this study was to investigate designers’ ontologies and usability of Virtual Market applications and develop a framework that realizes a Unified Virtual Market Platform. The objectives of the study were; to examine existing designer ontologies for designing virtual Market applications, investigate the levels of users’ competencies against various designers’ ontologies on virtual market applications, and establish the relationships between ontologies and user characteristics across different virtual market platforms in Kenya. The study adopted a mixed research design, involving case study and experimental designs. The study collected both descriptive and inferential data. The study Targeted designers, consumers and virtual market applications. Purposive sampling technique was used in selecting designers, consumers and virtual market applications from the sample frame. The sample population size for this study was obtained using Cochran formula n=z2pq/e2. Which was estimated to be 196 consumers, and 7 popularly used applications to represent the population. The data was collected through content analysis, questionnaires, questioning protocol, focus group discussion and think-aloud protocol. Face validity and content validity validation was done to ascertain the validity of the research instruments. Reliability of the instruments was tested via a pilot study. The researcher acquired a research permit from relevant bodies before proceeding to data collection. During data collection, 200 questionnaires were administered out of which 125 were completed and returned for analysis. The researcher also collected a complementary result via a focused group discussion which comprised 18 members. Privacy of the respondents’ data was protected during and after the study. The primary analysis of the collected data was done using descriptive statistics. Confirmatory analysis was done using inferential statistics. The major findings were as follows; that though many applications are designed to make virtual market platform a reality, design factors such as payment modes, security and ontology mapping, user characteristic factors and usability factors are not adequately addressing the needs of the market. The user characteristics were evaluated through usability heuristics factor and usability directed by user competence on task completion. The study came up with a unified Virtual market platform framework for virtual market platform. The framework was presented to thirteen (13) experts to test its reliability, validity and acceptance. This was to simplify the access to products and usability of various virtual market applications. The researcher concludes that; the virtual market applications are not popularly used in most parts of Kenya since most people fear that they do not guarantee security of the product quality, delivery and are subject to frauds. Other than perception, competence and attitude towards design and usability of virtual market application, especially understanding the consumer’s attitude; further researches to be carried on factors affecting consumer access to products on virtual market may be of great value to the virtual market platforms.
Development of kiswahili education In Kenya between 1900 - 2000
(Moi University, 2007-08) Namulungu, R.I.S.
The purpose of this study was to gather information on the historical development of Kiswahili education and establish the extent to which this development could be linked to the present challenges experienced in the teaching and learning of Kiswahili. Specifically, this research aimed at collecting information on the changes and innovations in instructional methods and resources, the policies and the curricula that have been in place since 1900 and give suggestions and recommendations for dealing with these challenges. The study was confined to Kenya. Both the historical and analytic methods were used in the collection and analysis of data. It drew heavily from both the primary and secondary sources of information. Snowball, purposive and convenience sampling methods were used in the selection of respondents. Interviews with members of staff in the departments of educational foundations, curriculum and educational communication and technology, and teacher college trainers in Kiswahili education were carried out. External and internal criticisms were used in the analysis of the data collected. In some cases triangulation process was applied in the analyses to avoid uncertainty from conflicting data from different sources of information. Findings from the data obtained revealed that at the inception of the discipline in the country, Kiswahili language was not delineated from Kiswahili education. The duo was seen as one or reference to one was mistakenly used to refer to the other. Consequently, little was done to develop theories and methods specific to Kiswahili education. The trend has continued to date. Similarly no policy was put in place during the colonial period that explicitly spelt out how Kiswahili education was to be implemented in teachers’ colleges. After independence, policy statements made sounded ambivalent and are yet to be clearly spelt out. Still, innovations that have been done in both the production of material and human resources from the colonial period throughout the post-independent era were quite insignificant. Hence, this rendered the whole process of Kiswahili education a vicious circle. Furthermore, it is evident that the curricula and syllabuses that were designed from 1900 up to 2000 hardly considered the emerging issues of the times. From the findings and conclusions, it is recommended that a Policy on Kiswahili education and an instruction model should be developed. Similarly, the content of Kiswahili education should be regularly reviewed to cover emerging issues. Further regular research in the area of Kiswahili education should be conducted and seminars organized to disseminate findings. This should be the responsibility of the higher institutions of learning in conjunction with the Kenya Institute of Education.
Dialectics of power and resistance in Francis Imbuga’s betrayal in the city and the return of Mgofu
(KIBU, 2019-11) Wekesa, Inviolata Naliaka
This study is an examination of dialectics of power acquisition, maintenance and resistance as depicted in Francis Imbuga’s two selected plays. The study addresses literature as a mirror of the society in relation to power discourses. The objectives of the study are: to investigate Imbuga’s use of characters to show how power is acquired and maintained in his two plays, to establish how Imbuga uses characters to resist power through diversified dialectical approaches and to examine the language use by Imbuga to dramatize the power discourses in Betrayal in the City and The Return of Mgofu. This study is guided by Karl Marx’s theory of Marxism particularly the strand of Dialectical materialism and revolution. Marxism theory is used to help explain power discourses in the society as portrayed by the playwright and also to establish the force behind the playwright that makes him present his ideas in the manner he does in the selected texts. The study is complemented with Sigmund Freud’s Psychoanalysis Theory to help explain and analyze Imbuga’s diversified approaches to power discourses and the forms of resistance used in his works of art. The study is qualitative in nature that entails close reading and analysis of texts. The two texts, Betrayal in The City and The Return of Mgofu written in a span of about 35 years are selected to help investigate and identify the trend in Imbuga’s approach to power discourses in society. The major findings of this study are the shift in leadership from the concentration of power among individuals to council leadership, careful use of literary language is a safe means of addressing societal ills without brushing state harassment and the most appropriate approaches of resisting power is inclusion and use of diplomacy. This study is significant as it may be used to address the power obsession problems among African leaders who cling to power; which in turn lead to protests from the masses and civil strife in their countries. It is noted that Dialectical materialism and revolution strand of Marxism is the most appropriate way of negotiating for space in a highly polarized society. This is because those in authority do not feel directly attacked as compared to other Marxist approaches. This study can be used to recommend that literary artists should embrace Imbuga’s way of enlightening society by applying Marx strand of Dialectical materialism and revolution. This does not take leaders head on while cautioning the use of other strands of Marxism that are likely to cause more destruction of life, property and the general disintegration of society. Similarly, it recommends that writers should embrace literary language aspects that avoid direct confrontations with the authorities like the use of Horatian satire that Imbuga uniquely uses to achieve his objectives.
DIT 0560:Communication skills
(KIBU, 2025-01-21) KIBU
DIT 0560:Communication skills

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