Humanities

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.chuka.ac.ke/handle/chuka/418

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 48

The Quest for Quality in University Education in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Do Anti-plagiarism Tools Still Matter?
(KLISC, 2023) M. Kavulya, Joseph; Bob Kiilu, Vincent; N. Kyengo, Bernadetta
Plagiarism is a major global challenge to quality assurance in higher education. Various efforts have been made to overcome the menace including the use of anti-plagiarism tools. At the same time, many questions have been raised about the efficacy of the current generation of tools in detecting, preventing plagiarism, and guaranteeing the quality of education.This paper examines the limitations of plagiarism detection tools in enhancing the quality of academic outcomes and proposes measures for improvement. The paper argues that while anti-plagiarism software has a role in preventing plagiarism in academic writing and academic integrity, they are not the panacea to the plagiarism pandemic, especially in the COVID-19 era. It proposes that there is a need to reform methods of assessment and implement forward-looking policies to address the underlying causes of plagiarism, provide students with appropriate information literacy skills training, and above all cultivate a culture of academic integrity in higher education institutions (HEIs).
EFFECTS OF IMPRISONMENT ON INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS AMONG FEMALE INMATES IN SELECTED PRISONS IN KENYA
(International Journal of Education and Research, 2015-07) Mwithalii Kamoyo, John; Dr. K. Nyaga, Veronica; Dr. K. Barchok, Hillary; Dr. Mburugu, Beatrice
This study explored the relationship between imprisonment and interpersonal relationship among female inmates in selected prisons in Kenya. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. A total of 295 respondents formed the survey sample. The sample comprised of 291 female inmates’ and 4 prison staff. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling methods were used to select the respondents. The study utilized questionnaires, interview schedules and an observation guide as instruments for data collection. Piloting was conducted in one selected prison to enable the researcher to improve on the reliability and validity of the research instruments. The reliability of the research instruments was estimated using Cronbach Alpha Coefficient. The instruments yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.857 which was considered appropriate for the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The study established that there was a statistically significant relationship between imprisonment and interpersonal relationship among female inmates in Kenyan prisons.
Information and Communication Technology Usage in Record Management Practices in Prevention of Corruption in Public Universities in Kenya
(Centre for Democracy, Research and Development (CEDRED), 2020-05) Guto, Richard
Record management is one of the key success factors in any organization; poorly managed records have a devastating consequence such as delayed service delivery, corruption and dishonesty. Therefore, this study assessed the usage of Information Communication Technology in record management practices in prevention of corruption in the University of Eldoret. The study adopted a case study design and the target population was 64 respondents. Purposive sampling was used to select deans of schools and heads of department and then census method was applied to the remaining administrative staff. Data was collected through questionnaires given to all members of staff in each department except the head of department, observation schedule and interview schedule was used for the heads of departments and Deans of schools, documentary evidences was also used. Qualitative data from interview schedule and observation checklist was analyzed thematically and reported in narrative form while the data from questionnaires was analyzed by use of descriptive statistics and presented in form of tables and percentages. The finding of this study indicated that the usage of ICT in record management practices will help in preventing corruption since automated record management process provides evidence and track each action. The study recommends that, the university institution should invest heavily in the use of technology on record management in terms of creation, maintenance, use and disposition of records.
Paralinguistic Strategies for Persuasion in Kenyan Commercial Banks Television Advertisements
(THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL STUDIES, 2019-08) Kagwiria Mbui, Mercy; N. Karuri, Mary
This study analyzes paralinguistic strategies in the discourse of Kenyan commercial banks adverts. It focuses on the inter action of language,imageandlayout,andexaminesadvertisingpersuasivetechniques.The study mainly focused on the use of language in banks advertisements and strategies employed by advertisers to manipulate and influence their customers. The analysis is based on Fair clough’s three-dimensional framework. The focus is on consumer advertising, which is directed towards the promotion of some banks’ products or services to the general public. The study established that advertising texts contain manipulative language that is loaded with paralinguistic techniques which invest on cultural, social and ideological values to in turn acknowledge some services and convince people to trust them. As a result, individuals seeking banks services need to subject the information given to critical thinking so that they can make decisions from an informed point of view
Politeness Strategies Employed by Chuka University Students in their Social Media Discourse
(ARC, 2019-08) Miriti, Gervasio; Dr. K. Ireri, Humphrey
This article sheds light on the politeness strategies employed by Chuka University students in their social media discourse using WhatsApp interaction platform. The four broad categories of politeness strategies (Positive politeness, Negative politeness, Bald on record and Off- record strategies) as spelt by Brown and Levison in their Politeness Theory were analysed using the data collected from the university students conversations via their WhatsApp platforms. This study employed a qualitative research technique and a descriptive research design. It utilized the snowball and purposive sampling procedures. Upon the collection of the data, content analysis was done in order to analyse the politeness strategies inherent in the discourse. The study revealed that university students strive to maintain cordial relationships by use of positive politeness, and they normally avoid imposing on each other by use of negative politeness strategies. Sometimes students use Off-record strategies in order to avoid being accused of committing a Face Threatening Act (FTA), which is likely to ruin their relationships.
Representation of Socio-Economic Activities and Conflict in Traditional Oral Narratives of the Tharaka People in Kenya
(Society for Science and Education, United Kingdom, 2019-07-25) Muriungi, Prof. Colomba Kaburi
This study looks at oral narratives collected from the Tharaka people who live on the eastern region of Kenya, in Tharaka Nithi County. The Tharaka people were from time immemorial pastoralists and peasant farmers, who often had conflicts with the neighboring communities and amongst themselves. This background was often reflected in their oral literature and this is what this research pays attention to. My thesis in this paper will be that oral literature in any community acts as a memory reservoir for the community. The research explores how oral narratives help to represent the society’s economic activities and in re-narrating and configuring the types of conflict that the community experienced in the past. The narratives were collected through identifying expert oral narrators and recording oral narratives from them. Narratives were purposively sampled to get a population of narratives enough for the analysis done in this paper. The study concludes that preservation of such genres helps in not just representation of the economic activities of a community but they also help in preserving the community’s past experiences, specifically, the history of conflict and conflict resolution in pre-literate communities in Africa.
PHILOSOPHICALLY, THERE IS A NECESSARY NEXUS BETWEEN BEING AS THE OBJECT OF KNOWLEDGE AND KNOWLEDGE
(American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research (AJHSSR), 2019) Nyangau, Dr. Dynesius
This paper looks at the question of validity and justification of knowledge from the perspective that without being there can be no knowledge in the first place. It advances an argument that being is a condition sine qua non for any knowledge’s theory. The paper looks through problem under investigation through Kantian epistemology as contained largely his Critique of Pure Reason which is adequate response and resounding agreement and disagreement with the rationalists in their assertions and negations.
Kimwimbi Women as Mirrored in the Cultural & Social Notions & Expressions
(TechMind Research, 2019-10) Atieno, Christine; Kathomi, Jane
Among the Mwimbi linguistic group, expressions exist or are used for a variety of purposes including communication and all are geared towards socialization of societal members so as to enable each fit in their expected caliber. In the social context words and expressions have been used by Mwimbi speakers to explicitly devalue women by normally not saying what they mean. The purpose of this study therefore, is to establish the notions expressed by cultural and social beliefs and practices upon which devaluing of women is based. The objective of this paper is to find out the cultural and social notions and expressions used to devalue women in Kimwimbi Language. Halliday's Social Semiotics Theory was used. A qualitative research design was used. Data was collected in Mwimbi in Ganga Ward Maara sub county, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The population includes all the expressions that contribute to devaluing women in Kimwimbi. Speakers of the language were selected through purposive sampling. Data was collected using focus group discussion guides and a semi structured interview guide. The paper established that the Kimwimbi Language uses expressions that are heavily embedded on cultural and social attitudes to devalue women.
CATEGORIES OF DISCOURSE MARKERS USED IN GICHUKA SPEECH
(International Journal of Creative Research and Studies, 2019-06) Peter, Dr. Christine Atieno; Kirimo, Ms. Elsie Njeri
Discourse markers are linguistic items that are frequently used in the course of daily communication. These are not only connecting words that contribute to cohesion of discourse but are also crucial tools for achieving intended communicative purposes in the course of discourse. Studies have been carried out on discourse markers as used in other languages of the world but since every linguistic variety is unique and culture dependent, it is not obvious that these linguistic items are similar in all languages. The goal of this article is to provide an analysis of Gichuka discourse markers. The objective is to categorize discourse markers in Gichuka speeches. The article is guided by the Relevance Theory by Sperber and Wilson. It utilizes qualitative research technique and it was carried out in Chuka, Meru South Sub County, Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya. The population includes all discourse markers captured in social events conducted in Gichuka. Five real life events conducted in Gichuka were purposively sampled. Data was collected using an observation schedule that was used to record the contextual information, and a guiding card was used to record the types of discourse markers realized. The transcribed discourse markers were ninety-two. Guided by the principles of relevance, ninety-two discourse markers used in Gichuka speeches were identified and classified. It was established that Gichuka has a number of discourse markers and the most commonly used types of these discourse markers are topic markers and message related markers. The findings enhances the analysis of Gichuka discourse markers and adds to the existing knowledge on the analysis of discourse markers in various languages. It specifically enriches knowledge on the application of the tenets of the Relevance Theory.
Corporate Communication Types Employed in Public Universities in Kenya
(THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL STUDIES, 2019-06) Munyi, Jesee Mutugi; Peter, Dr. Christine Atieno
In the management world today, it’s widely accepted that the future of any organization critically depends on how it is viewed by key stakeholders. Several research studies have shown that corporate communication when effectively used can help organizations acquire goodwill to operate among their stakeholders. The bulk of these studies, however have been conducted in business organizations, government ministries and parastatals. There have been few studies investigating the effectiveness of corporate communication in academic institutions yet the phenomenon of lack of the goodwill granted by stakeholders is well and alive in universities. The proposed study sought to investigate the effectiveness of corporate communication as a management tool in public Universities in Kenya. The study was guided by the Legitimacy theory, Stakeholder theory and the Stakeholder Salience Model. The scope of the study was four public universities in Kenya. The target population for the study was 2040 administrative staff working in public universities in Kenya where a sample size of 334 administrative staff was used. The objectives of the study were to: survey the types of corporate communication used in Kenyan Public Universities; The study adopted a descriptive research design. Primary data was collected through use of semi-structured questionnaires. Additionally, interview guides were used to get insights from students and external publics. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis which involved identification and classifying findings based on themes. The study found that Universities were practicing mainly four types of corporate communication (stakeholder relations, corporate branding, reputation management and change communication).
Colonialism and The Agikuyu Women’s Indigenous Knowledge Systems on Food Crop Production in Kiambu, Kenya, 1902-1963.
(Macrothink Institute, 2019) Muraya, Martha Wanjiru; Gathungu, Geofrey King’ori; Kinyua, Lazarus Ngari
The introduction colonial capitalist economic policies and practices such as land alienation, forced labour and commercial crop production acted as a major catalyst of change on the existing African indigenous subsistence production especially the Agikuyu Women’s Indigenous Knowledge System (AWIKS). This research paper focused on examining the effects of European colonialism on the AWIKS on food crop production from 1902-1918. The study employed descriptive research design and historical trend analysis and it was donein three sub-counties of Kiambu West, namely, Limuru, Lari and Kikuyu. Purposive and snowballing technique was used to get the respondents who were the bearers of the most relevant information. The main source of information was the corroboration of oral interviews, archival records analysis and secondary data. Oral interviews data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) and reported using basic simple descriptive statistics. The Women and Development (WAD) theory helped to examine the nature in which the Agikuyu women were integrated in colonial capitalist economy, which explains their marginalization, subordination, oppression and dependency on men. The study found out that during the establishment of colonial rule the Agikuyu people were moved from their indigenous land and were pushed to poor, marginal and unproductive reserve areas where they did not have enough experience and accumulated indigenous knowledge system of the new agro-ecosystem. In addition, most of the drought tolerant food crops were neglected and others destroyed a move that may have led to underutilization of AWIKS on food crop production. This implied that the food supply was compromised and the society became more vulnerable to drought and famine. Therefore, in order to enhance food supply in the households some of the AWIKS on food crop production may be integrated into the modern western agricultural production practices.
Representation of Socio-Economic Activities and Conflict in Traditional Oral Narratives of the Tharaka People in Kenya
(Society for Science and Education, 2019-07-25) Muriungi, Prof. Colomba Kaburi (PhD)
This study looks at oral narratives collected from the Tharaka people who live on the eastern region of Kenya, in Tharaka Nithi County. The Tharaka people were from time immemorial pastoralists and peasant farmers, who often had conflicts with the neighboring communities and amongst themselves. This background was often reflected in their oral literature and this is what this research pays attention to. My thesis in this paper will be that oral literature in any community acts as a memory reservoir for the community. The research explores how oral narratives help to represent the society’s economic activities and in re-narrating and configuring the types of conflict that the community experienced in the past. The narratives were collected through identifying expert oral narrators and recording oral narratives from them. Narratives were purposively sampled to get a population of narratives enough for the analysis done in this paper. The study concludes that preservation of such genres helps in not just representation of the economic activities of a community but they also help in preserving the community’s past experiences, specifically, the history of conflict and conflict resolution in pre-literate communities in Africa.
Challenges Facing Corporate Communication in Public Universities in Kenya
(IOSR Journal of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS), 2021-03) Munyi, Jessee Mutugi; Peter, Dr. Christine Atieno
In the management world today, it’s widely accepted that the future of any organization critically depends on how it is viewed by key stakeholders. Several research studies have shown that corporate communication when effectively used can help organizations acquire goodwill to operate among their stakeholders. The bulk of these studies, however have been conducted in business organizations, government ministries and parastatals. There have been few studies investigating the effectiveness of corporate communication in academic institutions yet the phenomenon of lack of the goodwill granted by stakeholders. The study sought to investigate the challenges facing corporate communication as a management tool in public Universities in Kenya. The study was guided by the Legitimacy theory, Stakeholder theory and the Stakeholder Salience Model. The scope of the study was four public universities in Kenya. The target population for the study was 2040 administrative staff working in public universities in Kenya where a sample size of 334 administrative staff was used. The objective of the study was to: explore the challenges facing corporate communication as a management tool in Public Universities. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Primary data was collected through use of semistructured questionnaires. Additionally, interview guides were used to get insights from students and external publics. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis which involved identification and classifying findings based on themes. The study found that a number of challenges were hindering corporate communication including. failure by Universities to measure communication for both internal and external stakeholders, failure by Universities to take into account contribution of communication practitioners in governance decisions, lack of involvement of stakeholders when implementing organizational change and lack of inducting new employees on communication skills, Universities have not put in place stakeholder communication strategies and communication policies, communication offices are under-funded making execution of communication plans a major challenge and most Universities are yet to fully embrace social media platforms by collecting statistics on their utilization in order to inform decision making. Furthermore, social media policies have not been formulated and implemented in most Universities.
MODERATING EFFECT OF MANAGEMENT STYLE ON INTERNAL COMMUNICATION AND EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT IN TECHNICAL TRAINING INSTITUTIONS IN KENYA
(International Journal of Recent Research in Social Sciences and Humanities (IJRRSSH), 2021) NGUGI, MARGARET NJOKI; MBERIA, PROF. HELEN; WA NGULA, DR. KYALO
The purpose of this research was to investigate the moderating effect of management style on the relationship between internal communication and employee engagement in technical training institutions in Kenya. The study was conducted using survey research design. Study population was all the 3780 trainers in the 102 technical institutions in Kenya out of which a sample of 360 respondents was used. Stratified random sampling, random sampling and stratified proportionate random sampling technique design were employed. A pilot test was conducted so as to correct weaknesses in design and instrumentation. Data was collected using a questionnaire which had both open and closed-ended (Likert type scale 1-5) questions. Questionnaires were distributed to 360 respondents out of which 322 completed the questionnaires giving a response rate of 89.4%. Cronbach’s alpha was used to test for internal reliability of each variable used in the study. Data analysis was done by use of descriptive and inferential statistics. The study established that management style had a moderating effect on the relationship between internal communication and employee engagement. Hence, the current study recommends that the management in these institutions should embrace favourable leadership practices such as training those in positions of leadership on best practices in communication.
Collaborative Teaching Strategy and Learner Ability Interaction on Students’ Academic Achievement, in Physics in Nyeri County, Kenya
(THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL STUDIES, 2021-09) Otiende, N.U.; Njagi, M.W.; Mugambi, J.M.
The study of the Physics subject continues to play a vital role in industrial development and economic revitalization. For instance, the Physics of the electronic chip has seen tremendous improvements in communication, entertainment, medicine and industry. However, secondary school students continue to achieve dismally. Different factors including the different strategies used in teaching Physics and learner factors have been reported to affect students’ achievement in Physics. Based in Nyeri County the study investigated the interactivity between strategies, learner abilities and academic achievement secondary school students in Physics. The Solomon Four group quasi experimental design was used. A sample of 173 form four students in four mixed day secondary schools in Nyeri County participated in the study. The sample was obtained through purposive sampling to obtain a list of mixed day secondary schools that offer the Physics subject at form four. Through random sampling a list of four schools that participated in the study was obtained. The schools were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The research instruments consisted of Physics Pretest (PPT) and Physics Achievement Test (PAT). The Kuder Richardson test was used to determine the reliability of the PPT and PAT. A reliability coefficient of 0.7 and 0.8 was obtained for the PPT and PAT respectively. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (t-test and ANOVA) were used in data analysis. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. The hypothesis was tested at α=0.05 level of significance. The study established that Collaborative Teaching Strategy enhanced achievement of students of all abilities in Physics. The study recommended that teachers should expose students to Collaborative Strategy more frequently and teacher training programs to equip teachers with skills for collaboration. The findings of the current study are helpful to the curriculum developers in revising curriculum towards learner centeredness by in cooperating collaborative activities. Institute of Curriculum Development may find the information useful during in servicing of teachers towards making the curriculum more learner centered. The Instructional material developers may find the information useful while developing materials that enhance learner activity. The findings of the study may be useful to teachers while implementing the competence-based curriculum at secondary school level during and after transition stage.
The Contribution of the Colonialism on Cottage Industry in Tharaka South Sub-County, Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya from 1907 to 1963
(CRDEEP Journals, 2021) Mugao, D.K.; Kithinji, C.M.
The Tharaka people had various forms of cottage industries which they used to produce myriad traditional items and weapons to sustain their livelihood during the pre-European period. Such articles and weapons are boats, pots, baskets, mats, bee hives, swords, spears and hoes. These cottage industries were negatively impacted by the arrival of the European colonialists, consequently affecting the socio-cultural and economic life of the Tharaka people. However, the aspect of contribution of colonial rule on the Tharaka cottage industry has not been adequately researched by the economic historians. This gave the impetus to this study that sought to investigate the contribution of the colonialism on the traditional cottage industries in Tharaka South Sub-County. The colonial rule was extended to Tharaka in 1907 when the British colonialists arrived in the area. The study was carried out in Tharaka South Sub-County in Tharaka-Nithi County. The study was anchored on the articulation of modes of production theory. The data was collected from oral, archival and secondary sources. Fifty respondents for oral interview were sampled through purposive and snowballing techniques. Research instruments employed comprised the interview schedules and focus group discussions. The study found that colonialism had far-reaching negative consequences on the Tharaka traditional cottage industries. It was noted that there was decline in production in cottage industries, abject poverty among the traditional crafts, majority of the artisans lost their employment, change in social roles and mass emigrations of the traditional technologists in search for alternative source of livelihood. This research contributes to the wider comprehension of the cottage industry in the pre-colonial Kenya and Africa in general. The study contributes to Tharaka historiography.
ASSESSMENT OF RELIGIOUS INITIATED PROGRAMMES AS INTERVENTION MECHANISMS IN CURBING HIV/AIDS PANDEMIC IN KENYA: SOME SELECTED PROGRAMMES IN MERU SOUTH SUB-COUNTY
(2019) Muthai, Lucy Mutare; Bururia, David; Kagema, Dickson Nkonge
Over the years, HIV and AIDS pandemic has brought enormous burden upon the lives of many people throughout the world. Since the first cases of AIDS were identified in 1981, millions of people have lost their lives. An estimated 70 million people are living with HIV and AIDS by now and more than 35 million people have died. As the burden of HIV and AIDS increases in different communities of the world, new organizations are being formed to help curb its impact. Kenya has about 1.6 million people living with HIV and AIDS and in 1999 it was declared a national disaster. It is in response to this that many development partners including the religious organizations, the government and NGOs came up with programmes to fight the scourge, yet there seems to be little success as new infections continue to be experienced. Christianity being the religion followed by the majority of the Kenyans and the Church being the most trusted institution has not been left behind as efforts to curb this pandemic is are made. This study assessed the effectiveness of Church based initiated programmes in curbing HIV/AIDS in Kenya. Selected programmes in Meru South Sub-County were used for the purpose of this study. These were Redeemed Gospel Church, Presybyterian Church of East Africa, Salvation Army Church and Baptist Church. The target population was 1040 subjects comprising 1000 Church members and 40 beneficiaries. The Church ministers/pastors were our key informants. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedule and focus group discussions. Systematic random sampling procedure was used to select 100 Church members. Beneficiaries of the HIV and AIDS programmes initiated by the Church were obtained using snowball sampling method. The findings were that the selected programmes provided services such as HIV prevention education, orphan care, support of people living with and personally affected by HIV and AIDS, prevention activities that involved campaigns, and caring for the affected and infected. The programmes were found out to be successful particularly in supporting the people orphaned by HIV and AIDS, reducing stigma, organizing training, seminars and workshops, conducting voluntary counselling and testing among others. They were found to be effective in curbing HIV and AIDS, though they face the challenge of lack of adequate funding. There was also lack of trained personnel which hamper the effective implementation of these programmes. If the government, Church, development partners and other well-wishers support these religious initiated programmes the war against HIV/AIDS pandemic can be easily worn as they are effective.
Identity Gender and Politics in Ngugi wa Thiong'o's Wizard of the Crow
(2013-07) Waita, Njogu
This paper provides a critical overview of the treatment of the questions of identity, politics and gender in Kenyan novelist Ngugi Wa Thiong’o’s work, The Wizard of the Crow. The issue of identity is explored against the backdrop of the experiences of slavery, colonialism, neocolonialism and globalization in Africa. The critical question raised in the novel is why the disease of contradicting identities continues to afflict the African.. The novel suggests that unless the African recaptures his identity, he/she would continue to exist in unredeemed state of alienation. The paper further discussed The Wizard of the Crow as a political Novel. We interrogate the political dispensation of Aburiria, a prototype African country immersed in a dictatorship that controls all aspects of the lives of the people. The paper discusses the authors emerging consciousness that indicate the new multi-party political dispensations as nothing but despotic mutations. Finally the paper explores the maturity of the novelist’s feminist vision. In the presentation of the character of Nyawira, we have an articulate woman ready to confront the social, cultural and political challenges of postcolonial Africa in the 21st Century. The paper concludes that this novel, does not offer any explicit solutions to the problems facing Africa. Nevertheless, it suggests that the African renaissance can never be achieved under a condition of alienation. Africa should reach out to other countries in the East like India and China and learn about the possibilities of resisting domination and minimizing the effects of globalization.
Orality and Written Word in the Age of Globalization: The Case of Ngugi wa Thiong'os Kikuyu Novels
(2014-11) Waita, Njogu
Ngugi Wa Thiong’o is one of the foremost post-independence novelists in Africa. His novels include, Weep Not Child (1964), The River Between (1965), A Grain of Wheat (1967), Petals of Blood (1977), Devil on the Cross (1983), Matigari (1987), and The Wizard of the Crow (2007).Since 1978. Wa Thiong’o vowed that he would create artistic works only in his vernacular language, Kikuyu. Consequently, his last three novels mentioned above and a number of children’s stories have all been published in Kikuyu language. Our paper discusses the interface of the oral and the written in his last three novels. The novels were all first published in Kikuyu language before being translated into English. They were originally published as Caitaani Mutharaba-ini (1980), Matigari Ma Njirungi (1986), and Murogi Wa Kagogo (2004).In our analysis, we discuss the influence of indigenous Kikuyu folklore on the narrative strategies and thematic conceptualization of these novels. The paper further discusses how the folkloristic material is used to interrogate and communicate to the reader the new realities of globalization. The paper in effect assesses the extent to which the Kikuyu folkloristic tradition has contributed to the greatness of the works even in their translated forms.
Oral Literature and the Communication of Change and Innovations in Kenya
(University of Cape Town, 2003) Waita, Njogu
The major object of pursing this study was to understand how oral literature has been used in the communication of change and innovations in Kenya. The study focuses attention on Central Province of Kenya. In the work, oral literature has been studied as a literary media delineating the genre's communicative role in relationship to messages in social-cultural, political and health ﬁelds. In this study, we begin from understanding the traditional context and the literary content of the study sample and proceed to analyze and discuss the new and innovative messages communicated by the genre. In the course of the work, oral literature emerges as continually changing and adapting to the social, historical and health challenges that confront the people of the Central Province of Kenya. The primary sources of data used for analysis in this study have been from the Kikuyu people of Central Kenya. Oral texts were recorded and sourced from oral artists, composers and storytellers during ﬁeldwork in this region. Oral narratives, oral poetry in the form of songs, proverbs and oral dramas constitute the main data used for analysis in this study. We have also used in the analysis a few texts from secondary sources. The texts are analyzed as literary genres that are culture-bound. Interviews provided useful collaborative and augmentative data for the study. We have four broad categories of classifying content in our analysis. These include: (i) courtship, marriage and family, (ii) social construction of gender, and (iii) politics and governance and (iv) HIV/AIDS communication. Oral literature among the Kikuyu emerges in this study as a genre that continues to communicate normative values while at the same time exploring new contradictions that have affected the various institutions of courtship, marriage and family. The study also indicates that oral literature continues to play a visible role in gender socialization validating disparate roles for men and women. The genre contributes to the gender debate by extracting a multiplicity of standpoints on gender relations. At the same time, it emerges a medium of contesting not only traditional gender values but also the emerging modernist positions. Over the last century, oral literature also emerges as having played a key role in communicating change and innovations in the politics and governance of Kenya. The resilient nature of the genre is further demonstrated in this study by the way oral literature has responded to HIV/AIDS epidemic in the country. In confronting this relatively new phenomenon, oral literature becomes a tool that helps the people in conceptualizing and protecting themselves against the disease. The conclusions that we draw from this study is that oral literature continues to play a signiﬁcant role in social communication in spite of various technological and literacy changes that have taken place in Kenya. The genre is constantly being created and recreated to serve speciﬁc needs and to respond to the crises of the moment.

Browse

Recent Submissions