Chuka University Digital Repository
Chuka University Repository is a Digital Hub for Knowledge Output From Chuka University.
Communities in DSpace
Select a community to browse its collections.
Recent Submissions
Investigation into the state of disaster preparedness in schools in Kenya
(Chuka University, 2015) Lutomia, G. A.; Kisurulia, S.
Disasters of various kinds have been witnessed in learning institutions in Kenya for many years. Indeed, disasters disrupt the education process and undermine quality of education. This study investigated preparedness of learning institutions in fighting instances of fire outbreaks. It was based on a survey conducted in 12 Counties in Kenya and targeted all learners in primary and secondary schools, teachers, school administrators, Boards of Management/School Management Committees, Chiefs, Sponsors and education officials. Descriptive survey research design was used. The research instruments used in collecting data were questionnaires and interview guides. Piloting of the instruments was done and validated for reliability in three Counties selected randomly. The pilot Counties were not part of the main study. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Education is hampered in learning institutions because the personnel were not sufficiently prepared to handle disasters or emergency situations, as 61% of the respondents had not attended drill demonstrations on disaster management. Only 39% of the respondents had been exposed to demonstrations on disaster management. The study makes recommendations at both the policy and programmatic levels. It is expected that these findings will provide insightful reference that policy makers, education officials, school administrators, teachers and stakeholders can rely on in regard to disaster preparedness and management in learning institutions. Strategies to contain disasters are crucial in helping ensure quality education in schools.
Demystifying negativism of Cartha edulis (miraa) and focusing on its religious-socio-economic and educational significance: A case of Meru north region in Meru county, Kenya.
(Chuka University, 2015) Bururia, D. N.; Nyaga, J. N.
For a long time, there have been conflicting stand points with regard to Cartha edulis (Miraa). Miraa is a substance that affects the psychological and physiological functioning of the human body, and therefore, falls under the category of drugs of abuse like alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana and heroin, among others. The National Campaign against Drug Abuse Authority and other scholars have confirmed this. The dilemma of many people, however, is that whereas there are numerous negativisms emanating from Cartha edulis farming, trade and consumption, there are also immense social, religious and economic benefits derived and associated with the same. This study addressed the impact of Miraa on religion-socio-economic and educational spheres of the society, especially in the growing areas of Meru North. It was motivated by conflicting incidences encountered by Miraa farmers and traders who also happen to be members of churches located within the study area and the alleged income purported to be derived from the trade used for social and economic developments. There are both positive and negative contributions brought about by Miraa farming and trade upon the families, schools and churches within Meru North region. Although the negatives outweigh the positives in terms of both short and long-term intangible damages to individuals, family and society, there are strong social, religious and economic attachments to Miraa. For the last few decades, Miraa has assumed political dimension. Exclusive focus on negativism has overshadowed the potential financial, social, educational and religious gains associated with the product, because apart from the economic contribution, Miraa is also alleged to have cultural, religious, as well as medicinal values. These contentions strongly agree that Miraa creates a contextual foundation for communication. However, the negative implications of Miraa and which greatly affect the individual user, the institution of marriage, school and church cannot be ignored. Thus, Miraa has diverse negative effects, but it could also serve a better purpose and value if handled properly since it has certain social-cultural values, especially among the community where is grown.
Improving technical education for human resource training for the realization of vision 2030: A case of technical training institutes.
(Chuka University, 2015) Muthaa, G. M.
The Kenyan Governments’ Vision 2030 seeks to make Kenya a middle level industrialized nation and improve the economic and social status of its citizens. The realization of this vision will be achieved with adequate human resource at the technology, technician and artisan levels. Technical Training Institutes are charged with the responsibility to train technicians and artisans. Concerns have been raised on the quality and quantity of the graduates coming out of these training institutions. The current study sought to investigate strategies that should be put in place to enhance the training in Technical Training Institutes. Descriptive survey research design was used for the study. Heads of academic departments and students were used for the study. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used for data collection. The study established that training was conducted with inadequate teaching staff and obsolete equipment. The researcher recommends that adequate staff should be hired in training institutions and programmes put in place to upgrade the skills and knowledge of trainers in the light of changing technology. Training facilities in the training institutions should urgently be upgraded. Thus findings of this study will benefit all stakeholders on the critical needs of Technical Training Institutes toward the realization of the Vision 2030.
Dynamic mechanical analysis and thermal properties of bitumen-acacia sap composites
(Chuka University, 2015) Mbithi, N. M.
Bitumen binder mechanical and thermal properties have been unsatisfactory. Different synthetic binder modifies that have been used to improve its performance have led to environmental problems such as incineration and landfill. Acacia sap, a natural and environment-friendly polymer, has been used successfully as a modifier. Composites of bitumen-acacia sap with different composition of sap percentage ranging from 0% to 62.5% cell sap were prepared by injection drawing process. The composites were analyzed by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) for mechanical properties and Thermogravimetric Analysis for thermal properties. Storage modulus and Loss modulus of bitumen binder increased with acacia sap loading. Glass transition temperatures were found to shift to higher values as acacia sap loading increased. Activation energies were determined from the thermogravimetric data of the bitumen-acacia composites using the Broido model. Pure bitumen binder had the highest thermal stability. Modification of bitumen binder with 25% acacia sap loading gave optimum mechanical properties. Further studies should dwell more on understanding morphological properties of bituminous binding elements and using different kinds of natural polymers and different grades of bitumen obtained from different crudes.
Influence of household socioeconomic characteristics on the prevalence of acute respiratory infections among children in Nakuru town, Kenya.
(Chuka University, 2015) Mugambi, M. M.
Prevalence of Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) in children under 5 years has been attributed to exposure to polluted indoor air from biomass combustion. In Kenya, ARI accounted for 67% of outpatient morbidity cases in children under 5 years, while in Nakuru Town, it accounted for 41%. The cause has been attributed to indoor air pollution from biomass use. Clear studies have not been done in urban areas to show if indoor air pollution from energy sources is an influential factor. In urban areas, household socioeconomic characteristics such as education level, income level, number of household members, sources of energy and the indoor structural characteristics such as ventilation vary. This study determined the influence of energy sources and household socioeconomic characteristics on prevalence of ARI among children. An observation, cross-sectional survey was conducted on 187 randomly selected households, comprising low-income and middle-income strata. In low-income homes, education (p=0.028), presence of carpet (no carpet) (p=0.007), hours spent indoor (p=0.004) and outdoor (p=0.006) had a significant impact on ARI in children. In middle-income homes, neither energy sources nor indoor socioeconomic characteristics influenced ARI presence in children. Exposure to outdoor and indoor environment, education level of caretakers and lack of carpet in low-income areas in urban centers were influential factors on the prevalence of respiratory illnesses affecting children under 5 years.