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Recent Submissions

Gender roles and constraints in enhancing hybrid chicken production for food security in lower Eastern Kenya
(University of Embu, 2025-03-03) Musyoka John K.; Nyarindo Wilckyster N.; Robyn Alders; Isaboke Hezron N.
The adoption of hybrid chicken production as a source of income and food security among smallholder farmers has recently taken significant global attention. However, the effect of adoption of hybrid chicken across different genders on household food expenditure and food security remains unknown. This study employed propensity score matching (PSM) and endogenous switching regression (ESR) models to analyze the effect of adoption of hybrid chicken on smallholder households’ consumption expenditure and food security in Machakos County. The PSM and ESR models were estimated on a sample of 582 households selected using multistage stratified random sampling method. The descriptive results indicated that adopters of hybrid chicken spent on average KES 1296 compared to the non-adopters who spent KES 1400 on food consumption per month. Furthermore, the adopters of hybrid chicken were more food secure compared to the non-adopters. About 74% of female were also likely to experience chronic food insecurity compared to their male counterparts. The econometric results indicated that farm location, access to credit, access to market, access to feeds, group membership and cost of feeds significantly influ enced the adoption of the hybrid chicken production for both male and female decision makers. The average treatment effect results showed that non-adopters spent higher costs on food consumption. Moreover, half of the adopters of hybrid chicken were food secure compared to the non-adopters. The treatment effects of adopting hybrid chicken on house hold food consumption and food security were positive suggesting that adopters bene f ited more compared to the non-adopters. To boost food security, this study recommends the National and County governments to develop a facilitating policy environment which supports chicken production systems that are socially, environmentally and economically sustainable while enhancing appropriate technical and extension support to enable cost effective chicken production, marketing, and disease control
Determinants of Adoption Intensity of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies Among Sorghum Farming Households in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands of Embu and Tharaka-Nithi Counties, Kenya
(UoEm, 2026-01-11) Njiru, Moses Muchangi; Kirimi, Florence Kaumi; Mogaka, Hezron Rasugu; Ndirangu, Samuel Njiri; Onyari, Charles Nyambane; Kiprotich, Shadrack; Muriithi, Lydia; Otara, Nyaboe Elvin; Mutungi, Scholastica Kavata; Kyalo,Annastacia Maitha; Kamau, Ezekiel
Climate variability and change is a major concern globally. Global warming has altered weather patterns turning extreme events of weather changes particularly drought and floods to be new normal experiences. This has contributed to declining productivity of sorghum among other cereal crops, intensified food insecurity, and threatened livelihoods of millions of people especially in developing countries. The effect of rapidly varying and changing climatic conditions in various agroecosystems is exacerbated by poor extension services and poor climate change adaptation (CCA) strategies. To gain full control of the impacts created by climate change, farmers must be well equipped with CCA strategies. The adoption of CCA strategies remains a challenge among farming households. The study used cross sectional survey research design, multi-stage and random sampling techniques to obtain a sample of 426 sorghum farming households in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) of Embu and Tharaka-Nithi Counties. Ordered probit model was used to assess socioeconomic and institutional factors that influence adoption intensity of CCA strategies. The results revealed access to extension services, access to credit, hired labour, access to weather information and agro-advisories had positive statistically significant influence on adoption intensity of CCA strategies while marital status and age had negative correlation. The results revealed that sorghum farming households had medium adoption intensity of CCA strategies. Based on the findings, the policy and decision makers should devise strategies of improving delivery of extension services through capacity building, use of modern technologies and community engagement. National and County governments to enact policies that promote financial institutions to offer affordable credit to farmers. Weather institutions to offer timely and reliable information that would inform farmers and government’s decisions both short as well as long term to adapt and mitigate to climate change. This will help create an efficient use of the CCA strategies in production of sorghum in the ASALs which will reduce the households’ vulnerability and create resilience to the ever changing and unpredictable trend of climate change.
Towards Critical Literacy Approaches in Access to Information Resources by Students in Selected University Libraries in Kenya.
(UoEm, 2025-11-25) Mutegi, James Njue
The future of university libraries relies on Critical Information Literacy (CIL) to empower students, challenge traditional systems, and ensure fair access to knowledge. CIL interrogates the effectiveness of Information Literacy (IL), disrupts inequitable systems, and creates student-driven training. Further, it supports inclusive and ethical publishing models while rejecting the notion of libraries as neutral spaces. CIL and Metaliteracy are interdependent. Metaliteracy is a form of user education that promotes critical thinking and collaboration in a digital age, providing a comprehensive framework to effectively participate in social media and online communities. This study aimed to investigate CIL approaches and how students can improve access to information in selected university libraries and provide a framework for the same. The objectives of this study were to: examine the types of CIL information resources that the selected university libraries offer; analyze the methods used by librarians in implementing CIL; explore the factors affecting the implementation of CIL in selected university libraries, and propose a framework to enhance CIL in selected university libraries in Kenya. The Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and Critical Research Paradigm (CRP) provided a theoretical framework for this study. The research design adopted for this study was a convergent parallel mixed method containing both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study targeted a population of 473 respondents comprising 431 undergraduate and postgraduate students, 28 ICT/Reference Librarians, and 14 University Librarians. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the final population consisted of 337 undergraduate students, 94 postgraduate students, 28 ICT/Reference Librarians, and 14 University Librarians. A census approach was adopted to involve all 473 eligible respondents in the study. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using questionnaires and key informant interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS, and qualitative data was collected using Atlas. ti. The study findings established that the selected university libraries offered a range of CIL resources for students, with library OPAC and LCC leading and shelf signage being the least offered CIL resources. Findings also revealed that the selected university libraries offered various CIL methods, with library orientation leading and feminist pedagogy being the least offered. Among the challenges were a lack of trained librarians to teach CIL, power dynamics, inadequate ICT infrastructure, and a lack of interest in learning CIL. The study concluded that several challenges confronted CIL resources and delivery methods, and that students lacked self-efficacy in the use of CIL resources and methods of teaching. The study recommended developing national guidelines on CIL approaches and drawing principles for implementing CIL. The other recommendations of the study were awareness creation on CIL resources, enhancement of CIL resources, enhancing students’ metaliteracy skills, faculty and librarian collaboration, developing CIL Curriculum, establishing a feedback mechanism, and providing librarian support. Keywords: Access, Critical Information Literacy, Metaliteracy, Critical Librarianship, Librarian power, University library, University Librarian
The Moderating Role of Institutional Policy Implementation on Quality of Work Life - Employee Performance Nexus: Evidences from Public and Private Hospitals in Kenya
(University of Embu, 2025) Mabele, Trinner Mukamba; Kinyua, Jesse Maina; Bengat, Joseph
This study purposed to determine the moderating role of Institutional Policy implementation on the relationship between quality of work life and employee Performance in Public and private hospitals in Kenya. Correlation and cross-sectional descriptive research designs were adopted. Primary data were collected, using structured questionnaires, from 370 hospital employees, drawn from 2 level 6 and 10 level 5 hospitals in Kenya. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data and hypothesis was tested at 5 percent level of significance. The study findings revealed that Institutional policy implementation positively and significantly moderates the quality of work life -employee performance nexus in both public and private levels 5 and 6 hospitals in Kenya. It was therefore concluded that improvement in Institutional policy implementation on medical supply and training significantly increases the positive influence that quality of work life has on driving employee performance in Kenyan hospitals. The study recommends the hospitals in Kenya to effectively implement favorable hospital policies in order to enhance their employee performance. The study results make substantial contributions to the existing literature on moderating effect of institutional policy implementation and offer valuable input in policy formulation in hospitals.
Exploring Genetic Diversity: Optimizing Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) Markers in Crotalaria for Enhanced Precision in Biodiversity Research
(University of Embu, 2025-05-14) Odhoch Phenny Sharon; Budambula Nancy L. M.; Felix Kiprotich; Muli Joshua Kiilu
Crotalaria is a plant genus with more than 700 species of shrubs and herbs. Despite its potential economic importance, Crotalaria has received limited research attention; hence, there is limited information on its genetic diversity. Hence, there is need to establish its genetic diversity as a foundation for its conservation and breeding. The current study aimed to optimize and validate simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers polymerase chain reaction—conditions for the assessment of genetic diversity in Crotalaria. The genomic DNA of 31 Crotalaria accessions was extracted from 2-week-old leaves using a modified CTAB protocol and Quick-DNA Plant/Seed Kits (Zymo Research Corp) were used for recalcitrant samples. The samples were then amplified using the 29 SSR markers under the optimized conditions. The polymorphism information content (PIC) of the polymorphic markers was calculated to determine their effectiveness. This study determined that the optimal concentrations of dNTPs, MgCl2, and primers as 2.5, 2, and 5 mM, respectively, and the quantity of the DNA template was 1 μL, and the quantity of Taq was 0.125 μL in a 25 μL reaction mixture. The mean PIC value was 0.233, which shows that the markers were slightly informative. The marker PC004 was the most informative marker with the highest PIC value (0.605) and it detected the largest number of alleles despite being a hexanucleotide motif repeat. Its uniqueness augments its potential use in the assessment of genetic diversity. This study implies that the SSR markers designed and optimized for the study are significant for genetic diversity and population structure analysis of Crotalaria species and molecular verification of Crotalaria genotypes as well as other related genera. Besides, the results of the study form a basis for genetic improvement of Crotalaria.