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This article presents processes for developing contextualized training procedures to better appreciate partnership, capacity-building experiences, and specific implementation challenges and opportunities for mental and public health teams. The program enrolled 469 out-of-school adolescents to participate in the integration of youth mental health into health and life-skill safe spaces. The teams utilized various methods to achieve process outcomes of restructuring and adapting curricula, training youth mentors, and assessing their self-efficacy before integrating the intervention for 18 months. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic became an additional unique concern in the preliminary and the 18-month implementation period of the program. This necessitated innovation around hybrid training and asynchronous modalities as program teams navigated the two study locations for prompt training, supervision, evaluation, and feedback. In conclusion, out-of-school adolescents face a myriad of challenges, and a safe space program led by youth mentors can help promote mental health. Our study demonstrated how best this can be achieved. We point to lessons such as the importance of adapting the intervention and working cohesively in teams, building strong and trusting partnerships, learning how to carry out multidisciplinary dialogues, and continuous supervision and capacity building. This article aimed to document the processes around the design and implementation of this innovative intervention and present a summary of lessons learned.

Introduction: Research on snakebite has mostly been conducted on settled populations and current risk factors and potential interventions are therefore most suited for these populations. There is limited epidemiological data on mobile and nomadic populations, who may have a higher risk of snakebite. Methods and results: We conducted a scoping review to gather evidence on survey methods used in nomadic populations and compared them with contemporary survey methods used for snakebite research. Only 16 (10.5%) of 154 articles reportedly conducted on pastoralist nomadic populations actually involved mobile pastoralists. All articles describing snakebite surveys (n = 18) used multistage cluster designs on population census sampling frames, which would not be appropriate for nomadic populations. We used geospatial techniques and open-source high-resolution satellite images to create a digital sampling frame of 50,707 households and used a multistage sampling strategy to survey nomadic and semi-nomadic populations in Samburu County, Kenya. From a sample of 900 geo-located households, we correctly identified and collected data from 573 (65.4%) households, of which 409 were in their original locations and 164 had moved within 5km of their original locations. We randomly sampled 302 (34.6%) households to replace completely abandoned and untraceable households. Conclusion: Highly mobile populations require specific considerations in selecting or creating sampling frames and sampling units for epidemiological research. Snakebite risk has a strong spatial component and using census-based sampling frames would be inappropriate in nomadic populations. We propose using open-source satellite imaging and geographic information systems to improve the conduct of epidemiological research in these populations. Author summary: Nomadic populations are at increased risk of snakebites, but interventions will not be developed or improved without reliable data on this risk. Highly mobile populations require specific considerations in selecting or creating sampling frames and sampling units for epidemiological research, and using census-based sampling frames would be inappropriate. We conducted scoping reviews to gather evidence on survey methods used in nomadic populations and compared them with contemporary survey methods used for snakebite research, which we used to inform our methodology. We describe the creation of a sampling frame of 50,707 households, the selection and geo-tagging of a sample of 900 households, and the identification and enrolment of participants from 875 households between August 2019 and March 2020. We propose using open-source satellite imaging and geographic information systems to improve the conduct of epidemiological research in these populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Appropriate paper-based technology (APT) is used to provide postural support for children with cerebral palsy (CP) in low-resourced settings. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the impact of APT on the children's and families' lives., Materials and Methods: A convenience sample of children with CP and their families participated. Inclusion was based on the Gross Motor Function Classification System levels IV and V. APT seating or standing frames were provided for six months. A mixed methods impact of APT devices on the children and families included the Family Impact Assistive Technology Scale for Adaptive Seating (FIATS-AS); the Child Engagement in Daily Life (CEDL) questionnaire; and a qualitative assessment from diary/log and semi-structured interviews., Results: Ten children (median 3 years, range 9 months to 7 years). Baseline to follow-up median (IQR) FIATS-AS were: 22.7 (9.3) and 30.3 (10.2), respectively ( p =.002). Similarly mean (SD) CEDL scores for "frequency" changed from 30.5 (13.2) to 42.08 (5.96) ( p =.021) and children's enjoyment scores from 2.23 (0.93) to 2.91 (0.79) ( p =.019). CEDL questionnaire for self-care was not discriminatory; seven families scored zero at both baseline and 6 months. Qualitative interviews revealed three key findings; that APT improved functional ability, involvement/interaction in daily-life situations, and a reduced family burden of care., Conclusions: APT devices used in Kenyan children with non-ambulant CP had a meaningful positive effect on both the children's and their families' lives.Implications for rehabilitationAssistive devices are often unobtainable for children with cerebral palsy (CP) in low-income countries.APT is a low cost and sustainable solution to make seating and standing devices for disabled children in Kenya.The regular use of a postural support device enhanced the children's motor skills, ability to function and participate in everyday activities, reduced the burden of care for the families and promoted the children's social interaction.The postural support devices were highly valued and utilised by the children and families in this study.

Amid a rise of misinformation worldwide, this paper examines digital misinformation literacy as it relates to COVID-19 news in East Africa. The study is grounded in inoculation theory and contributes to the body of scholarship examining misinformation literacy beyond the Western world. Data came from a comparative, cross-national survey in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda (N = 3,203), making this the largest known empirical investigation into digital misinformation literacy in the region within the context of a pandemic. Paper surveys were distributed throughout all three countries in 2021. The data revealed differences in actual and perceived misinformation literacy levels. Kenyans and Rwandans were better at detecting false COVID-19 statements in the media, whereas Ugandans were better at detecting true messages. Similarly, Kenyans' and Rwandans' perceived levels of digital misinformation literacy were higher than Ugandans'. Regarding perceived exposure to COVID-19 information, Kenyans felt they were exposed to fake COVID-19 news online more often than Ugandans, who felt more exposed than Rwandans. This research contributes to the growing literature on digital misinformation literacy, an area which isn't significantly studied in many world regions, especially in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Persons with submicroscopic malaria infection are a major reservoir of gametocytes that sustain malaria transmission in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite recent decreases in the national malaria burden in Kenya due to vector control interventions, malaria transmission continues to be high in western regions of the country bordering Lake Victoria. The objective of this study was to advance knowledge of the topographical, demographic and behavioral risk factors associated with submicroscopic malaria infection in the Lake Victoria basin in Kisumu County. Methods: Cross-sectional community surveys for malaria infection were undertaken in three eco-epidemiologically distinct zones in Nyakach sub-County, Kisumu. Adjacent regions were topologically characterized as lakeshore, hillside and highland plateau. Surveys were conducted during the 2019 and 2020 wet and dry seasons. Finger prick blood smears and dry blood spots (DBS) on filter paper were collected from 1,777 healthy volunteers for microscopic inspection and real time-PCR (RT-PCR) diagnosis of Plasmodium infection. Persons who were PCR positive but blood smear negative were considered to harbor submicroscopic infections. Topographical, demographic and behavioral risk factors were correlated with community prevalence of submicroscopic infections. Results: Out of a total of 1,777 blood samples collected, 14.2% (253/1,777) were diagnosed as submicroscopic infections. Blood smear microscopy and RT-PCR, respectively, detected 3.7% (66/1,777) and 18% (319/1,777) infections. Blood smears results were exclusively positive for P. falciparum, whereas RT-PCR also detected P. malariae and P. ovale mono- and co-infections. Submicroscopic infection prevalence was associated with topographical variation (χ2 = 39.344, df = 2, p<0.0001). The highest prevalence was observed in the lakeshore zone (20.6%, n = 622) followed by the hillside (13.6%, n = 595) and highland plateau zones (7.9%, n = 560). Infection prevalence varied significantly according to season (χ2 = 17.374, df = 3, p<0.0001). The highest prevalence was observed in residents of the lakeshore zone in the 2019 dry season (29.9%, n = 167) and 2020 and 2019 rainy seasons (21.5%, n = 144 and 18.1%, n = 155, respectively). In both the rainy and dry seasons the likelihood of submicroscopic infection was higher in the lakeshore (AOR: 2.71, 95% CI = 1.85–3.95; p<0.0001) and hillside (AOR: 1.74, 95% CI = 1.17–2.61, p = 0.007) than in the highland plateau zones. Residence in the lakeshore zone (p<0.0001), male sex (p = 0.025), school age (p = 0.002), and living in mud houses (p = 0.044) increased the risk of submicroscopic malaria infection. Bed net use (p = 0.112) and occupation (p = 0.116) were not associated with submicroscopic infection prevalence. Conclusion: Topographic features of the local landscape and seasonality are major correlates of submicroscopic malaria infection in the Lake Victoria area of western Kenya. Diagnostic tests more sensitive than blood smear microscopy will allow for monitoring and targeting geographic sites where additional vector interventions are needed to reduce malaria transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Kenya, the mango (Mangifera indica L) cultivar 'Apple' is commercially important but it often suffers excessive russeting, which both compromises its appearance and impairs its postharvest performance. Together, these effects seriously reduce its market potential. Exposure to surface moisture is implicated in russeting of cv. 'Apple' mango. The objective was to establish the effect of bagging on russeting. Developing fruit were bagged at the onset of the exponential growth phase, using brown paper bags (Blue star®). Un-bagged fruit served as controls. The brown paper bags were selected because of their high permeance to water vapor. At harvest maturity, bagged fruit were larger, less russeted and had smaller lenticels than un-bagged control fruit. Staining with aqueous acridine orange in conjunction with fluorescence microscopy revealed numerous microcracks and larger lenticels on un-bagged control fruit but these were not evident on bagged fruit. Postharvest mass loss (principally water loss) of bagged fruit was lower than of un-bagged control fruit. In the un-bagged control fruit, the skin's water permeance increased as the russeted surface area increased (r2 = 0.88 **). Fruit skins were less permeable to water vapor than the brown paper bags. The brown paper bags contributed not more than 4.2 to 9.1% of the total in-series diffusion resistance of skin + bag. The masses of isolated cuticular membranes, and of dewaxed cuticular membranes, and of wax per unit surface area were higher for un-bagged control fruit than for bagged fruit. Bagged fruit were also greener and showed less blush. There was little difference in skin carotenoid content between bagged and un-bagged control fruit, but skin anthocyanin content was lower in bagged fruit. The rates of respiration and ethylene evolution of bagged fruit were lower than those of un-bagged control fruit. There were no differences between bagged and un-bagged control fruit in their organoleptic and nutritional properties including titratable acidity, total soluble sugars, sucrose, glucose, fructose, vitamin C and calcium content. In conclusion, bagging decreased russeting and increased postharvest performance of fruit of mango cv. 'Apple'. • Bagging increased fruit size and decreased cuticle thickness. • Bagging did not change background color, soluble solids or total acidity. • Bagging decreased anthocyanin content and blush area of the fruit surface. • Bagging reduced cuticular microcracking, russeting and postharvest water loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests and related environmental assets are crucial for fostering environmental and socioeconomic development. Different forest management paradigms, such as sustainable forest management, ecosystem-based forest management, adaptive management, multiple-use forest management, and restoration ecology, have influenced the policy formulation of different countries at different times. However, while implementing forestry development reforms, few documented studies have explored the changing forest management paradigms and their implications on the sustainability of forests and societies in many developing countries. A case study design and literature review using document-content analysis was used to evaluate secondary data obtained from online sources. This paper aims to explore the changes in forest management paradigms in Kenya from 1968 to the present to contribute to a better understanding of the strategies needed to achieve sustainable forest management in the future. Results show that Kenya has implemented three formal forestry policies since independence in 1963. These include Sessional Paper No. 01 of 1968, Forest Policy of 2005, and the National Forest Policy of 2014. The evolving forest management paradigm reflects a progression from Sessional Paper No. 01 of 1968 to subsequent forest policies in 2005 and 2014. The 2005 and 2014 forest policies emphasize holistic ecosystem management and ecosystem services and integrate a human rights-based approach to community involvement. Moreover, all three forest policies have had positive and negative implications for Kenyan society. The Forest Policy and the National Forest Policy demonstrated more positive environmental and socioeconomic outcomes, such as increased forest cover, biodiversity conservation, community empowerment, poverty alleviation, and improved transparency compared to the Sessional Paper No. 01 of 1968. Unfortunately, some negative consequences include conflicting stakeholder interests, elite capture, and slow decision-making. Based on these findings, there is a need for policy impact assessment, addressing the adverse effects of policy, and long-term monitoring for sustainable future forest policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Physician scientists have both advanced medical specialist and research training and are a critical link between research and improved standards of care. Physician scientist training has existed for more than four decades in the USA, and Western European but is almost non-existent elsewhere. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a need to develop a physician scientist training program. Methods -Medical doctor faculty in the faculty of health sciences of the University of Nairobi were categorized into physicians for those with medical specialist qualifications and physician scientists if they had in addition a research degree. The two groups were compared in terms of total number and frequency of peer reviewed publications since graduating with a medical degree, number of first author publications, and productivity before and after their research training. Data on training was extracted from the publicly available curriculum vitae on the institution's website while pubmed was used to verify the number of publications up to December 2013. Results: Of the 235 eligible faculty, 183 [78%] were physicians and 52 [22%] were physician scientists. The median number of publications in peer reviewed journals was 20 for physician scientists and 6 for physicians [p<0.001] which translated into 1.03 and 0.29 published papers per person-years, respectively [Wilcoxon rank test p<0.000]. Among the 28 faculty whose research training followed medical specialization, mean publications per year before and after research training was 0.4 compared with 2.4 [p=0.01]. Conclusion: Physician research training increases scientific productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Survivors of sexual violence deserve timely and high-quality forensic examination, evidence collection, and documentation as part of comprehensive care. However, in many countries, the quality of medical-legal documentation is severely limited. MediCapt is an innovative digital application that enables clinicians to document forensic medical evidence as well as capture and securely store forensic photographs of injuries. This study evaluated the effectiveness and usability of MediCapt to document forensic medical evidence of sexual violence. Methods: This mixed-methods evaluation involved key-informant interviews, usability questionnaires, and forensic record reviews. Participants included clinicians, medical records personnel, information technology personnel, and health facility administrators, as well as law enforcement and legal professionals in Kenya. Results: The Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) data quality checklist found that using MediCapt led to significantly higher data-quality scores compared to paper-based forms. MediCapt forms scored higher on 23 of 26 checklist items. While a wide difference in quality was seen among paper-based forms, MediCapt appeared to both standardize and improve quality of documentation across sites. MediCapt strengths included data security and confidentiality, accuracy and efficiency, and supplemental documentation with photography. Weaknesses included infrastructure challenges, required technological proficiencies, and time to learn the new system. Although it is early to assess the impact of MediCapt on prosecutions, providers and law and justice sector professionals were optimistic about its usefulness. They identified MediCapt as appropriate for use with survivors of sexual violence and reported MediCapt's legibility and photography features had already been commended by the court. Conclusion: MediCapt was well-received across all sectors, its use was perceived as feasible and sustainable, and it significantly improved the quality of collected forensic data. It is anticipated this improvement in forensic documentation will increase successful prosecutions, strengthen accountability for perpetrators, and improve justice for survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to estimate the effect the five different generations and the key financial inclusion indicators of gender, education and location (rural–urban) in exacerbating disparities in financial inclusion in Kenya. This paper considers whether the five generational cohort groups in Kenya differ on the financial inclusion determinants and behaviour as predicted by common generational stereotypes. Design/methodology/approach: The authors applied a multinomial logistic regression approach to nationally representative household survey data from Kenya to estimate the effect that key financial inclusion indicators have on belonging to one of the five generations: Z, Y, X, baby boomers and traditionalists. Findings: The authors found significant links between all tested variables and financial inclusion. The authors found an access gap between Generations X and Y, with the latter being more prone to access and use financial services and products. These differences are compounded by gender and rurality. People in rural locations and women generally were found to have less access to financial services and products, thus causing significant exclusion of a large proportion of the population. Practical implications: The research has important implications for governments, financial institutions and educational providers, notably on targeted policies and programmes that strategically aim to eliminate disparities and promote greater financial inclusion, denoting the value of such variables as generational differences and gender inclusivity. Originality/value: This paper deepens the understanding of differences that can divide generations on financial inclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the role of housing in the achievement of prosperity from a capabilities perspective. Prosperity, according to Jackson (Prosperity without growth: economics for a finite planet, Earthscan, Oxford, 2009), is built on Amartya Sen's notion of capabilities for flourishing. Then, in the pursuit of understanding the role of housing as an enabler of capabilities for the achievement of prosperity, this paper investigates the gaps in the views/concepts of housing through comparisons of the ten central capabilities, the right to adequate housing, and meanings of home. Data from a recent qualitative study in rural and urban Kenya is used for empirical analysis as a way to develop a localised application of the discussion. Looking through the lens of the Capabilities Approach brought a useful framework that made it possible to capture human and social housing values that are many times neglected. In that sense, the paper explores housing both as the physical conditions of the house and as the social and psychological dynamics that construct the meanings of home. The research demonstrated that the extent to which housing enables the enjoyment of capabilities for flourishing increases or diminishes insofar housing acknowledges and incorporates both material and non-material functions. Hopefully, this exercise can serve to inform and enrich future localised housing design, research and policy, where a more comprehensive understanding and conceptualisation of housing seems imperative: Housing, as House + Home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper acknowledges the progressive efforts under the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, statutes and jurisprudence on the rights of accused persons vis-àvis victim rights under Kenya’s criminal justice system. It conceptualizes the place, scope, and evidentiary weight of victim impact statements by arguing that VISs have evidentiary value especially during court sentencing. Secondly, the paper evaluates what “reasonable access” means in a criminal justice system and whether the discretion of the Court under section 329C(4) of the Kenyan Criminal Procedure Code is constitutional, equitable and promotes access to justice. Thirdly, whereas discretion is a fundamental element of judicial independence, further conceptual and theoretical studies on access to justice are necessary in understanding the intersectionality of different variables under Kenya’s criminal justice system, the need for progressive development of the law. Lastly, this paper contributes to the body of knowledge on the intersectionalities under criminal justice systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In‐field soil testing and soil mapping can contribute to addressing the challenge of poor soil fertility and limited fertilizer application across sub‐Saharan Africa. Semi‐quantitative colorimetric methods, such as paper test strips, are frequently employed in soil nutrient assessment across developing countries, especially in South‐East Asia. This research investigated the accuracy of nutrient‐sensitive paper strips and smartphone, which was re‐purposed to act as a reflectometer, to assess soil nitrate‐N, and different methods for mapping soil fertility to identify areas of land that are suitable for human waste‐derived fertilizers (HWDF) application. The study entailed testing soil samples across 42 different farms in Kenya and Ghana and compared it to laboratory results in‐country. It was found that paper strips were capable of assessing available nitrate‐N concentration present in the soil within ±20 kg ha−1 of the standard method for 86% of the farms. Paper strips were less effective in Ghana as they had been calibrated for a method that was not used by local laboratories. Paper strips were not effective for HWDF samples, where chemical interferences and concentration of different forms of nitrates were too high, resulting in overestimation of readings and thus negatively affecting any associated nutrient management advice. Soil mapping has the potential to use open‐source data to inform farmers through mobile technology. For soil mapping two methods were deployed which includes targeting organic matter deficient areas and stakeholder led mapping, with the latter shown to be more effective in identifying areas for HWDF application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to develop a systematic review on integrating cultural diversity and social capital dimensions in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) based on regional experience of Africa, Middle East and Northern Africa, and the Northern America, where specific countries from these regions, such as Germany, Kenya, United Arab Emirates, and the United States, were chosen. It analyzes the role of TVET in providing inclusive and equitable quality education and training to a diverse population for social mobility and economic opportunity. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) statement was used as a formal systematic review guideline for data collection. A functional, organizational, and political approaches (FOPA) model and cosmo-uBuntu were applied as a conceptual framework lens to review the literature on the development of cultural diversity and social capital dimensions in TVET. FOPA is a lens for examining how the relationship between TVET institutions, education stakeholders, including the private sector, and the government influences TVETs' ability to address community needs and contribute to economic growth. On the other hand, Cosmo-uBuntu is a humanitarian, theoretical, and solution-oriented approach to integrating cultural diversity and social capital into TVET that addresses issues of social justice in order to meet the needs of the community and contribute to economic development initiatives. Data was obtained from research studies and reports over the period 2000 - 2021. The analysis included a total of 662 documents from ERIC (ProQuest), ProQuest Education Journals, and CONFINTEA databases with resources for adult education and workforce education. The results show that there is a lack of shared understanding of the integration of cultural diversity and social capital dimensions of TVET education. In order to promote an inclusive and equitable education and training, it is essential to address some assumptions about the concept of cultural diversity and social capital - what it means and how it can support the sustainable development of a globally competent workforce. Findings indicate that TVET is aware of the importance of cultural diversity and social capital dimensions in education but lacks clarity on implementing it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Test anxiety is a psychological variable that diversely impacts academic test performance. Test anxiety tools are developed to understand and predict its impact in different test settings. It is important to determine the reliability and validity of these tools to affirm the measures they provide. Additionally, where computers have been used in testing, there is a further need to assess the impact of test anxiety accurately. The purpose of this study was to find out the psychometric properties of the 10-item Westside Test Anxiety Scale (WTAS) that was adapted for use in Kenya. The study also investigated the effect of test mode on test anxiety. The study sample comprised 424 male and female pupils in public primary schools in Nairobi, Kenya. In a between-groups experimental set-up, 208 pupils were assigned randomly to sit a computerbased science test, and 216 pupils were assigned to the paper-based version. The WTAS was thereafter administered to pupils in both groups. An analysis of the test anxiety tool revealed adequate internal consistency and person reliability estimates. The tool also fulfilled the key Rasch model assumptions of local independence. Though all the items fitted the Rasch model, three items had disordered categories. Exploratory factor analysis revealed two additional test anxiety factors. An independent sample t-test showed that test mode had a small and insignificant effect on test anxiety. The study recommended that future studies consider developing localized test anxiety tools rather than adapting from foreign sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A research gap exists in the understanding of multi-level governance for watersheds in Kenya under the current devolved framework. This paper uses the Migori River watershed as a case study to elaborate on the institutional arrangement in the management of the watershed and how it influences the nature and level of coordination among the actors involved. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews and content analysis of secondary data. The target institutions were selected based on existing policy and legal frameworks, press releases, and published administrative reports. Respondents for the semi-structured interviews were identified through purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The qualitative data was then analysed through content analysis. After analysis of the nature of coordination, a panel of experts rated each coordination dimension based on a comparison between the findings and the baseline indicators. The results on the structure and roles of institutions revealed adequate representation of the river basin management actors, but the associations among actors are weak due to overlapping mandates and gaps in the administration processes of river basin management programs. Coordination exists, but it is not all-encompassing; whereas efforts to collaborate were noted, they were inconsistent and tended to be on a per-need basis due to a lack of a common forum for stakeholder interactions and a common management plan for a clear vision and direction of actors' activities. There is an unclear delineation of roles in the institutional structure and thus causing institutional complexity, which further undermines coordination. To address the coordination gaps, the paper recommends the creation of a management council for the watershed to provide a central forum for the stakeholders' interaction, with a designated lead agency that organizes and facilitates meetings, oversees communications, and manages any emerging challenges, gaps and opportunities in collective actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food security, a vital determinant of overall health and well-being, hinges on the simultaneous achievement of four dimensions: physical availability of food, economic and physical access to food, utilization of nutrients, and stability over time. This paper explores the complex and multi-faceted food security situations in Kenya and Zambia, emphasizing key factors such as agricultural production, government policies, and socio-economic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to assess the legal and regulatory framework for mobile banking (M-banking) in Tanzania. The technological development in information and communication technologies has converted a mobile phone from a simple communication device to a very complex instrument that allows people to perform various digital transactions and extra operations such as web browsing and email reading. Such tremendous developments have brought in place the regime of M-banking. The birth of M-banking has brought legal and institutional challenges that were not anticipated before. It has complicated the traditional role of the telecommunication regulator and financial regulator in the business and caused legal gaps that need to be bridged. Design/methodology/approach: To disclose the legal gaps and bridge them, the study used doctrinal legal method and comparative study to learn the experience of international legal instruments and policies and laws of other jurisdictions. This paper has evaluated the contribution of international legal instruments and legal frameworks of foreign jurisdictions such as Kenya and the Philippines. Findings: It has been revealed that the prevailing laws regulating M-banking in Tanzania do not adequately address and bridge the existing legal gaps. There is a need to enact a specific law regulating M-banking and confer such powers to a specific institution to deal with regulatory issues. Originality/value: This paper stresses the importance of enacting new laws that will offer room for financial inclusion in the digital economy and protect consumers against financial risk. It also intends to act as a catalyst and change agent in policy and legislative development in the M-banking industry. It would also bring special attention to addressing consumer rights, security and risky issues surrounding the M-banking industry. Although several other authors in Tanzania have written in this area, they have not clearly focused on disclosing the existing legal gaps resulting from the convergence of the financial and communication sectors. This paper is therefore trying to offer an extensive discussion on the legislative development in the M-banking industry in Tanzania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of yield gaps has become more complex, prompting the use of varied approaches to measure yields and a wider range of factors to explain these gaps. In the Global North, the focus is on precision farming, whereas in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), a broader perspective is necessary due to pronounced variability in farmland conditions. While biogeophysical and management factors have been traditional focal points in yield gap analyses, socio-economic and institutional factors are increasingly recognized as significant, especially in SSA. This review synthesizes research from the past decade in SSA that integrates biogeophysical, management, farm characteristics, and institutional factors in yield gap discussions. The findings indicate a slow shift in including socio-economic factors, with management, particularly nutrient supply and crop management, remaining predominant. However, there is a growing trend towards methodological diversity, such as the adoption of remote sensing and GIS in recent years. Case studies from Kenya and Ghana, utilizing field surveys, interviews, panel data, and spatial analysis, highlight how a multifaceted approach can enhance our understanding of the various elements influencing maize yield gaps in SSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climatic events and other natural-related disasters experienced in the arid and semi-arid lands of northern Kenya negatively affect the pastoral livelihoods of the communities. Addressing vulnerability to climate shocks among pastoral communities of Kenya's Arid and Semi-lands presents a persistent challenge. Cash transfer programmes have increasingly grown as one mode of building household resilience. Understanding the role of cash transfer interventions on household resilience to climate shocks is key to policy programming. This paper aimed at determining the effects of cash transfers on household resilience to climate shocks. The paper evaluated the Hunger Safety Net Program, which is one of the largest unconditional cash transfer programs in Kenya. The Hunger Safety Net Program targeted poor people in northern Kenya including the counties of Turkana, Wajir, Marsabit, and Mandera. To establish the impact the paper compares households which received cash transfers with those that did not receive transfers. The panel fixed effects model was used to determine the effects of cash transfers on household resilience. The results indicate that cash transfers have positive significant effects on household resilience to climate shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The specialty of African politics lies within its historical contents and background. The continent grew from strength to strength to attain its political development stronghold. By doing so over the years, the continent has been reflected in most states' political development stronghold. While in some states, religion and tribal alliances are critical factors in political affiliation, in states such as South Africa and Kenya, democracy and ethnicity have been the leading courses to political development. Democracy and ethnicity have proven to be part of the party identification and evaluation factors and have also become the center point of growth and development in the state's politics. Thus, by focusing on Kenya and South Africa as case studies, the paper adopted a qualitative method of research to understand democracy as well as ethnicity as the bane of these states' political development. Although much has been documented on either state's political development, little is understood about democracy and ethnicity as the bane of their political leadership from 1989 to 2021, which is the complete focus of the paper. The paper relied on qualitative research methodology to collect and analyze the data on democracy and ethnicity as the bane of Kenya and South Africa from 1989 to 2021. Therefore, the study relied on secondary sources such as accredited journal articles, books, and reports to collect and analyze data on the phenomenon at hand. Thus, the paper's main findings suggest that democracy and ethnicity are the strongholds of South Africa and Kenya's political leadership development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates effects of contagion in sub‐Saharan African stock markets by examining both crisis and non‐crisis contingent theories. Specifically, the paper examines cross‐market linkages through heteroskedasticity bias‐adjusted correlation in asset returns and assesses the impact of regional macroeconomic fundamentals on stock market volatility using GARCH‐MIDAS technique. The crisis contingent results reveal that there is no evidence of contagion in sub‐Saharan African markets from crises in global developed markets (the UK and the US). However, there is evidence of contagion from emerging market crises (China, South Africa, and Kenya). The non‐crisis contingent analysis underscores the significance of regional economic fundamentals, especially inflation and the GDP, on stock market volatility in South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The debate on the benefits of renewable electrification in late industrializing economies has mostly focused on improved electricity access and climate mitigation arguments. The literature pays less attention to understanding the opportunities for sustainable industrialization. This paper contributes to the latter with insights from a case study of Solinc East Africa, a Kenyan solar module manufacturer that has remained in the market, despite intense competition from imports of low-cost solar panels. Drawing on in-depth fieldwork in the solar energy sector in Kenya, we apply a global value chain framework to explore how and why Solinc has been able to sustain its business. Our findings highlight the challenges of localizing solar manufacturing in Kenya and suggest it may only be possible in rare instances. Specifically, a unique combination of circumstances and factors were revealed that enabled Solinc to gain several advantages including (i) initial access to knowledge and materials from upstream linkages; (ii) downstream integration and partnerships with key distributors and customers; (iii) close proximity to customers; and (iv) provision of complementary and increasingly high value-added services. Our findings present a more positive perspective on the localization of related services, which we argue deserves more attention in the sustainable industrialization debate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study applied the mixed approach on primary data. It is comprative study of democratic system in Kenya and Ethiopia. The developed theoretical framework prism of the two third world African Countries. The study explored the modules of the democracy in these neighboring east African states. Both nations have same colonial legacies and political mindset. It investigated causes behind post elections conflicts in these African nations and its effects. This paper explores the Democratization in Kenya and Ethiopia as third world countries, and provides a better understanding of the practical implementation of democratic principles in both Countries. The continuing wave of, as well as civil agitation carries spillover effects. It carried SWAT analysisThis paper advocates several recommendations Focus on Transparency Increase transparency and accountability in resource allocation to reduce insecurity and rebuild public trust. Both Kenya and Ethiopia need to strengthen their democratic institutions such as the judiciary and the electoral commission. Economic development is important, but it should not come at the expense of democracy. Regional Cooperation Encourage collaboration between Kenya and Ethiopia, along with other African nations, to share best practices in democratic governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper is part of a larger study examining the effects of Computer- Assisted Language Learning (CALL) on secondary school students' achievement in learning English pronunciation, which was carried out in December 2016 in Kenya. The paper seeks to determine the difference in English language pronunciation achievement between two groups of secondary school students in Gucha subcounty, Kenya: those taught using CALL and those taught using the traditional method. The content taught was the same, and while the experimental group was exposed to CALL method, the control group was taught through the traditional method. The two groups were tested prior to the implementation of CALL treatment. The findings revealed that CALL positively affects students' achievement in English pronunciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the colonial time to date, North Eastern Kenya has witnessed sporadic incidents of instability characterised by conflict and insecurity. Scholarly studies have attributed instability to state capacity that includes structural weaknesses such as inability to monopolize the use of violence, poor border controls and ineffective law enforcement. However, such studies do not explain why the state does not function to its optimal capacity in the region. This paper argues that instability in North Eastern Kenya is a deliberate creation of disorder by the state. Measures taken by both the colonial and post-colonial governments to secure their interests have subsequently rendered the region unstable. It argues that the colonial government in an attempt to secure the white highlands used the Northern Frontier District as a buffer zone with minimal investment. Similarly, the post-colonial government curved it out as a security zone to tame insurgency and denied it the necessary attention required to make it safe and secure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development and practice of inclusive research with people with intellectual disabilities is complex, revealing challenges and lessons that inform innovative and novel methodological approaches. In Africa, inclusive research still lags for various reasons. First, due to societal misconceptions that portray people with intellectual disabilities as unable to self-advocate or as lacking agency and self-determination; second, due to a lack of trained researchers and ethics committees on inclusive research practices. This paper critically reflects on and discusses the strategies and methods used to conduct an inclusive research study in Kenya. The focus was on the methodological approach of including people with intellectual disabilities as researchers in Kenya. Two people with intellectual disabilities were trained as research assistants. This paper describes the experiences with Institutional Review Boards, the processes and experiences while training this research assistants using a UK-developed curriculum, and fieldwork experiences while piloting interview guides, conducting interviews, and conducting focus groups with this research assistants. This study findings indicate the need to culturally adapt co-researcher training, the importance of working with support personnel who empower researchers with intellectual disabilities, and the need for greater advocacy to change negative attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities that hinder their participation in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The International Journal of Tropical Insect Science (Int J Trop Insect Sci) is a peer-reviewed journal established in 1980 to promote insect science mainly in the tropics. This study aimed to provide a Bibliometric overview of Int J Trop Insect Sci publications and citations between 2012 and 2020, ending September 2020. A sample of 488 documents extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) was analysed using widely used bioclimatic indicators. The articles were written by 1726 authors. During this period, the most productive authors comprised S Roy, followed by S Ekesi, S Subramanian and M Tamo. The dominant keyword was 'resistance', followed by 'Homoptera'. India took a leading position in Single Country Publications (SCP) while Kenya took the lead in Multiple Country Publications (MCP). Bibliometric analysis reveals vibrant collaboration between African and Western countries and active publication of multi-country authored articles. We conclude that there is an increasing trend for collaboration among different countries on the general topic of insect science. Research in insect science has the potential to impact both academic researchers and practitioners the knowledge use chain. This study will help researchers, journal editors, science policy makers managers, and others working in the biodiversity space and potential research gaps needing for further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prevalence of substandard and falsified medicines in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is a major global public health concern. Multiple screening technologies for post-market surveillance of medicine quality have been developed but there exists no clear guidance on which technology is optimal for LMICs. This study examined the return on investment (ROI) of implementing a select number of screening technologies for post-market surveillance of amoxicillin quality in a case study of Kenya. An agent-based model, Examining Screening Technologies using Economic Evaluations for Medicines (ESTEEM), was developed to estimate the costs, benefits, and ROI of implementing screening technologies for post-market surveillance of substandard and falsified amoxicillin for treatment of pediatric pneumonia in Kenya. The model simulated sampling, testing, and removal of substandard and falsified amoxicillin from the Kenyan market using five screening technologies: (1) Global Pharma Health Fund's GPHF-Minilab, (2) high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), (3) near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR), (4) paper analytical devices / antibiotic paper analytical devices (PADs/aPADs), and (5) Raman spectroscopy. The study team analyzed the population impact of utilizing amoxicillin for the treatment of pneumonia in children under age five in Kenya. We found that the GPHF-Minilab, NIR, and PADs/aPADs were similar in their abilities to rapidly screen for and remove substandard and falsified amoxicillin from the Kenyan market resulting in a higher ROI compared to HPLC. NIR and PADs/aPADs yielded the highest ROI at $21 (90% Uncertainty Range (UR) $5-$51) each, followed by GPHF-Minilab ($16, 90%UR $4 - $38), Raman ($9, 90%UR $2 - $21), and HPLC ($3, 90%UR $0 - $7). This study highlights screening technologies that can be used to reduce costs, speed up the removal of poor-quality medicines, and consequently improve health and economic outcomes in LMICs. National medicine regulatory authorities should adopt these fast, reliable, and low-cost screening technologies to better detect substandard and falsified medicines, reserving HPLC for confirmatory tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aimed at examining ethnicized politics in Kenya and their contribution to elections and public governance from independence to date. This paper looks into the historical context of ethnicized politics in Kenya and events that have entrenched this undesirable factor of Kenya political landscape from colonialization to date. The paper demonstrates how political elites take advantages over their ethnic groups to form political parties that enable them to occupy positions of leadership as tribal chiefs, As politicians they purport to advance their ethnic group’s political interest but their aim is to form governments and to consolidate power. The paper shows that ethnicized politics have led to marginalization of small tribes and their subsequent resentments that have resulted to major conflicts like the post elections violence of 2007, the conflicts witnessed in 2017 and the post elections tensions of 2022. Ethnicized politics have led to demonstrations and political violence in Kenya leading to loss of life and property, human rights violation and abuse of the rule of law. The paper recommends de-escalation of ethnicized politics and enhanced national cohesion. It advocates for granting of national jobs to individuals based on meritocracy rather than ethnicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In resource poor environments, identifying those most in need of limited available resources is challenging. Kenya's older persons cash transfer programme (OPCT) targeted at the most poor used a 2-stage targeting process to identify beneficiaries, combining community-based selection with a proxy means-test. This paper investigates whether the process "correctly" identified targeted vulnerable older people in Nairobi's informal settlements and whether receipt of the OPCT resulted in an improvement in perceived financial wellbeing. Regression results show that individuals with greater need were covered under the OPCT. Using propensity score matching, the paper evidences that the OPCT improved subjective financial wellbeing among beneficiaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kenya like many of the African states is a multiethnic nation. Conflict always arises as a result of the unequal distribution of national resources among ethnic communities. While ethnicity has featured prominently in most studies on Kenya, the majority of them have used ethnicity to explain conflicts and political trends in the country. Very few studies have, however, focused on the efforts to promote national cohesion and integration in Kenya. The study argued that the challenge of identity in Kenya had been exacerbated by failure in nation-building and the creation of a national identity. This paper seeks to unearth how ethnic conflict in Kenya has impeded national cohesion and integration. In order to adequately answer the above subject under the study, the researcher will be led by this objective; to find out the extent to which dynamics of ethnic conflict have impeded national cohesion and integration in Kenya from 1963 to 2007. In order to adequately answer this objective, the study adopted a qualitative approach by critically analysing the available literature on the subject matter to reach a logical conclusion. The paper found that since its independence in 1963, Ethnic conflicts have been perfected and formed patronage that has been to the detriment of Kenya's nationhood. The paper concludes that unless there is political goodwill to reframe socioeconomic policies that would in turn lead to equitable distribution of national resources among all ethnic groups and tame human nature through instilling national ethos, the initiatives for national cohesion and integration will be in vain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: mHealth has increasingly been touted as having the potential to help Sub-Saharan Africa achieve their health-related sustainable development goals by reducing maternal mortality rates. Such interventions are implemented as one-way or two-way systems where maternal clients receive pregnancy related information via SMS. While such technologies often view the users (the maternal health client) as having agency to adopt, we know from pregnancy literature that the pregnancy experience in Africa and other developing countries is often more collective. In addition to the maternal health client, other members of the community have high stakes in the pregnancy, and this often affects maternal healthcare-seeking behavior. Objective: The aim of this paper, therefore, is to understand the pathways through which these other members of the community affect mHealth use. Methods: The study used a qualitative approach and a case study research design. We analyzed two mHealth cases from Kenya and Malawi. In the Kenyan case, maternal health clients had mobile phones to receive pregnancy-related messages, while in the Malawi case, maternal health clients did not have mobile phones. Data were collected through interviews and focus group discussions. The study used an inductive thematic analysis to analyze the data. Results: The findings show that maternal stakeholders form a community of purpose (CoP) that plays a crucial role in the implementation, uptake, and use of mHealth. The CoP influences maternal health clients through a diverse range of mechanisms ranging from sensitization, bridging the digital literacy gap and legitimization of the intervention. The nature of influence is largely dependent on the contextual socio-cultural nuances. Conclusion: Our results provide useful insights to mHealth implementers to know how best to leverage the CoP for better mHealth uptake and usage. For example, engaging healthcare providers could champion adoption and use, while engaging other family-related stakeholders will ensure better usage and compliance, encourage behavior change, and reduce mHealth attrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic waste has recently become a major global environmental concern and one of the biggest challenges has been seeking for alternative management options. Several studies have revealed the potential of several coleopteran species to degrade plastics, and this is the first research paper on plastic-degradation potential by lesser mealworms from Africa. This study evaluated the whole mitogenomic profile of the lesser mealworm to further identify the insect. The ability of the mealworm to consume Polystyrene (PS) was also evaluated alongside its associated gut microbiota diversity. Our results showed a complete circular mitochondrial genome which clustered closely to the Alphitobius genus but also suggested that our insect might be a new subspecies which require further identification. During the PS feeding trials, overall survival rates of the larvae decreased when fed a sole PS diet while PS intake was observed to increase over a 30-day period. The predominant bacteria observed in larvae fed PS diets were Kluyvera, Lactococcus, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Enterococcus, while Stenotrophomonas dominated the control diet. These findings demonstrated that the newly identified lesser mealworm can survive on a PS diet and has a consortium of important bacteria strongly associated with PS degradation. This work provides a better understanding of bioremediation applications, paving the way for further research into the metabolic pathways of plastic-degrading microbes and bringing hope to solving plastic waste pollution while providing high-value insect protein towards a circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health system responsiveness to public priorities and needs is a broad, multi-faceted and complex health system goal thought to be important in promoting inclusivity and reducing system inequity in participation. Power dynamics underlie the complexity of responsiveness but are rarely considered. This paper presents an analysis of various manifestations of power within the responsiveness practices of Health Facility Committees (HFCs) and Sub-county Health Management Teams (SCHMTs) operating at the subnational level in Kenya. Kenyan policy documents identify responsiveness as an important policy goal. Methods: Our analysis draws on qualitative data (35 interviews with health managers and local politicians, four focus group discussions with HFC members, observations of SCHMT meetings, and document review) from a study conducted at the Kenyan Coast. We applied a combination of two power frameworks to interpret our findings: Gaventa's power cube and Long's actor interface analysis. Results: We observed a weakly responsive health system in which system-wide and equity in responsiveness were frequently undermined by varied forms and practices of power. The public were commonly dominated in their interactions with other health system actors: invisible and hidden power interacted to limit their sharing of feedback; while the visible power of organisational hierarchy constrained HFCs' and SCHMTs' capacity both to support public feedback mechanisms and to respond to concerns raised. These power practices were underpinned by positional power relationships, personal characteristics, and world views. Nonetheless, HFCs, SCHMTs and the public creatively exercised some power to influence responsiveness, for example through collaborations with political actors. However, most resulting responses were unsustainable, and sometimes undermined equity as politicians sought unfair advantage for their constituents. Conclusion: Our findings illuminate the structures and mechanisms that contribute to weak health system responsiveness even in contexts where it is prioritised in policy documents. Supporting inclusion and participation of the public in feedback mechanisms can strengthen receipt of public feedback; however, measures to enhance public agency to participate are also needed. In addition, an organisational environment and culture that empowers health managers to respond to public inputs is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the rarely examined experiences of unaccompanied refugee minors in Nairobi, Kenya. Children are thought to comprise up to a third of Nairobi's refugee population, however, there is virtually no data on them. The paper provides a first analysis of a unique dataset to ascertain unaccompanied minor refugees' experiences of physical, emotional, resource related, and sexual violence. Our research findings indicate widespread violence among refugee children living in Nairobi, and denote the prevalence of several kinds of violence in particular. Our results also reveal which children are most at risk and the type of abuse they are most likely to experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kinship care and child fostering are a common practice in certain parts of Africa. This narrative review seeks to explore and thematically code the contextual circumstances in which children leave their natal homes and are fostered across Africa and the corresponding outcomes for these children. It draws on case studies from Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Namibia and other countries across the region to illustrate the diversity and cultural importance of kinship care and child fostering. These countries were selected based on their inclusion in the Thrive by Five International Program, a child rearing program promoting social, emotional, and cognitive development of children from birth to age five. The importance of kinship care and child fostering is also reinforced by outcomes from codesign workshops conducted for the Thrive by Five International Program in which parents, caregivers, and subject matter experts discussed their perspectives on child rearing practices and the challenges faced by caregivers in their home countries. The paper highlights the need to support kinship and foster caregivers in Africa with culturally adapted and place‐based child rearing programs to help ensure fostered children reach their full developmental potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The last two decades have seen an increase in climate financing channelled to the Global South from multiple sources, putting a spotlight on climate finance coordination challenges in recipient countries. However, the climate finance coordination debate has largely been centred at climate finance provision at the global level. Emerging literature has called on recipient countries to establish effective climate finance coordination mechanisms. Yet, the calls have not clarified what accounts for an effective coordination mechanism. This paper addresses the gap by analyzing stakeholder perceptions of effective climate finance coordination in Kenya. Kenya has instituted a legal and institutional framework to guide climate finance coordination, but challenges of coordination persist. Using the political economy framework, the paper analyzes political economy factors influencing stakeholder perceptions and climate change policy implementation to identify political contestations that need to be reconciled. Data is drawn from relevant literature, 29 key informant interviews and 4 focus group discussions at the national level in Nairobi and at the sub-national level in Turkana County. Deductive thematic analysis is adopted for coding and analyzing data. Results indicate that different ideologies, interests, incentives, politics, power relations and contestation over resources largely influence stakeholder perceptions of an effective climate finance coordination mechanism and climate policy implementation. The operationalization of the National Climate Change Council and the National Climate Change Fund are the most contested. The paper calls on policy actors to reconcile political issues of contention for recipient countries to institute coordination mechanisms that gain ownership and widespread legitimacy from stakeholders. Underlying political economy factors including different ideologies, interests, politics, incentives, power relations and contestation over resources largely influence stakeholder perceptions of effective climate finance coordination as well as climate change policy implementation. The consequential political contestations need to be reconciled; otherwise, the established coordination mechanism is less likely to gain ownership and widespread legitimacy from climate change stakeholders. This calls for meaningful and extensive stakeholder engagements and consensus building to minimize contention, particularly over the operationalization of the National Climate Change Council and the National Climate Change Fund in Kenya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The US Army Medical Research Directorate – Africa, also known as the "Walter Reed Project," is at the forefront of the US military's malaria research and surveillance practices. Since its establishment in Kenya in 1970, the Walter Reed Project's research capacity and infrastructure has significantly expanded, now placing it in a civilian‐led global health network. In this paper, I trace the development of the Walter Reed Project's malaria research and surveillance practices in Kenya from 1970 to today. I explore the geopolitical logics driving the Walter Reed Project's development, its growing infrastructure in Kenya, and its changing relationships with civilian institutes and global health networks. In doing so, I demonstrate the intersections between geopolitics and global health the Walter Reed Project reveals. The paper demonstrates how the Walter Reed Project brings geopolitical logics to bear on its collaborative global health research practices; how it reveals an often overlooked position of state power and geopolitics in mainstream global health networks; and how its health intervention sites in Kenya are points in a geopolitical topography of war‐making, connected to geographies of militarism, empire, and violence in disparate spaces. The paper reveals the attachments to war that underpin the military's global health engagement practices and that permeate mainstream global health networks and sites of health intervention. This paper traces the development of the US military's malaria research in Kenya from the establishment of its "Walter Reed Project" in 1970 to today. It explores the geopolitical logics driving its development, its growing infrastructure in Kenya, and its changing relationship with global health networks. In doing so, the paper demonstrates how the Walter Reed Project brings geopolitical logics to bear on global health research agendas; how it reveals an often overlooked position of geopolitical power in mainstream global health networks; and how its health intervention sites in Kenya are connected to geographies of war, empire, and violence across the US military's global footprint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in East Africa. Lower extremity (LE) injuries are especially debilitating, negatively impacting quality of life and employment prospects. This systematic review characterizes the proportion of LE injuries due to RTAs in four members of the East African Community: Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Methods: Embase, Medline, Web of Science, and PubMed were queried for studies from 2010 to 2022 providing information on lower extremity injuries caused by RTAs in the countries of interest. Proportions of RTA-related LE injuries were extracted from eligible papers. Study quality and bias were assessed using the framework for systematic reviews established by Zaza et al.1 Results: Seven studies met the eligibility criteria--four for Kenya, two for Uganda, and one for Tanzania; however, no eligible studies were found for Rwanda. The proportion of RTA-related injuries affecting the lower extremities ranged from 0.39 to 0.49. In patients presenting with LE injuries, RTAs were the most frequent cause, representing more than 70% of cases in the examined studies. Motorcycle accidents were not more likely to cause LE injuries, but they were the most significant contributor to the overall LE injury burden due to their prevalence. Conclusions: With urbanization and the increased adoption of low-cost motorcycles, RTAs will continue to pose a public health challenge. Investments in traffic enforcement and physical infrastructure will alleviate the risks to both motorists and pedestrians. In addition to primary prevention, there is a significant need for improvements in emergency care and surgical capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One implementation of global, community-based engineering-student design projects invites students to engage in remote design practice. While it may not be feasible to physically bring an entire engineering design class to an international location for direct interaction between students and various stakeholders, a meaningful global experience can still be educational and beneficial for all stakeholders involved. Recognizing that the impact of community-based projects extends beyond just the students to numerous stakeholders, this paper proposes a multi-stakeholder lens to examine the roles, interactions, motivations, and responsibilities of stakeholders in a global, community-based design project. The lens was developed, in part, through a case study of a global design project that connected a first-year Canadian engineering design course, a rural Kenyan preschool, a non-profit organization, and additional stakeholders from both Kenya and Canada. The paper, authored by three stakeholders involved in the case study--the course instructor, a Canada-based community partner, and a design student--concludes with recommendations on how to incorporate global projects in a domestic setting. By adopting a multi-stakeholder lens, the focus shifts from being myopically student-centric to an inclusive experience for all stakeholders, fostering partnership in the design process and achieving a broader range of objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: As Covid-19 became a pandemic, numerous people were forced to stay at home, leading to increased intimate partner violence (IPV) in many countries, particularly in developing and least-developed ones. This paper aims to highlight the IPV based on 15 different cases formed from the practical evidence of five developing countries. Design/methodology/approach: The authors interviewed 15 women from five countries who were the victims of IPV during the early periods of Covid-19 outbreak. Due to geographical remoteness, the authors conducted informal telephone interviews to collect the participants' personal experiences. The conversations were recorded with participants' permission; afterwards, the authors summarized participants' experiences into 15 different cases without revealing their original identities (instead, disguised names were used). Findings: It was revealed that the women were the primary victims of such violence, particularly from their intimate partners (husbands). In most cases, such IPV, as reported by the interviewees, originated or increased after the pandemic when they were forced to stay at home, losing their partners' jobs or income sources. Originality/value: The authors summarized the causes of IPV and put forward a few action recommendations based on the interviewees' practical experience and existing literature. This paper will open a new window for research investigations on IPV during emergencies such as Covid-19 outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public imagination and academic scholarship present queer migrants as being uprooted due to their embodiment of non-normative sexual identities. Drawing from ethnographic research with a male sex worker-led organisation (SLO) in Nairobi, including 41 in-depth interviews with members, this paper explores this perceived uprootedness by highlighting Kenyan queer migrants' multi-layered and multi-dimensional social experiences of home. Using the concept of 'homing', the paper explores the men's lifelong efforts to feel at home, and the embeddedness of queer identities in this process. The SLO generates feelings of safety, acceptance and recognition and provides a 'second home' in the city. In the process of creating ties with chosen families in the city, the men still maintain close ties with family back in their villages, while economic opportunities induce back-and-forth mobilities. The men's individual trajectories might fluctuate yet still fit within a more linear route in which they aspire to acquire land and properties in their ancestral homeland. The analysis of queer homing supports a reimagining of queer people's mobilities that stresses their embeddedness in society and illustrates how it relates to the 'queering' of queer in the African context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the recurring activities of insurgents that have been at the core of security crises in Nigeria and Kenya arising from the activities of the Boko Haram (BH) and the Al-Shabaab adopting terrorist strategies and tactics. Data are generated from primary source through in-depth interviews with selected key informants and secondary sources with the review of relevant textbooks, journal articles, internet and other archival materials. The paper adopts content analysis of relevant literature and comparative analysis of the psychological elements of BH and Al-Shabaab groups in Nigeria and Kenya. It shows that insurgent activities have been a fundamental problem in Nigeria and Kenya in the last decade. The study identifies two psychological perspectives of insurgency - "syndrome" and "tool". The paper also shows that, intimidation, chaos, provocation, attrition, virtual and cyberspace elements of terrorism strategies are common to Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab operations in Nigeria and Kenya. The paper concludes that individual African societies and the continent must address the syndrome factors to be able to combat terrorism as a tool in the hands of individuals and groups who disagree with states and see terrorism as an instrument to fight against perceived and/or real psychological trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]