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Enhancing household food security through the secondary school agriculture student: the stakeholders’ perceptions in Kenya
(2026-02-19) Njura, Hellen Joseph; Kubai, Isaac
This study investigates stakeholders’ perceptions of the role of secondary school agriculture students in enhancing household food security. Despite extensive research on agricultural education and skills development, limited studies have explored how stakeholders perceive students’ specific roles as learners, innovators, trainers, informants and implementers of food security policy. Using descriptive and correlational designs, data were collected from 376 students, 111 agriculture teachers and 323 parents. Findings show that agriculture students play a significant role in promoting food security through learning, innovation and policy engagement yet, their participation is hindered by the absence of clear policy guidelines. Addressing this gap, the study proposes integrating practical food security initiatives into the secondary agriculture curriculum through experiential learning such as school gardens and community projects. It urges education policymakers, including KICD and the Ministry of Education to institutionalize student participation in food security initiatives, aligning school agriculture with national policies and strengthening cross-sector collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture.
Governance Dynamics of Community Forest Associations in Kenya
(UoEm, 2026-03-27) Wang’ombe, Esther; Mugwe, Jayne; Mugendi, Daniel; Muriuki, Salome Salome
Participatory forest management (PFM) involves empowering local communities to manage forest resources sustainably. However, the forest cover in Kenya has been decreasing, despite the presence of PFM. This paper examines the integrated governance of forest resources by Community Forest Associations (CFAs) under participatory forest management in the Mt. Kenya Forest area, using the case study approach. The study used a mixed-methods approach, collecting both quantitative and qualitative data. The target population consisted of households within a 5 km radius of the forest. The sample sizes were 114 and 149 from the Hombe and Meru sites, respectively. Data collection included CFA recruitment processes, governance structures, challenges, and mechanisms of strengthening CFAs. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistical techniques in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using a thematic approach to identify themes and patterns. Findings indicate that while financial contributions and adherence to rules are essential for CFA membership, social attributes and community engagement also play a role. The recruitment process for community members into the CFA was structured. One of the greatest impacts of PFM was the empowerment of communities through the establishment of Community Forest Associations to manage and conserve forest resources. However, the governance structures faced some challenges due to a lack of decentralised power from the government. To make effective participation of the people on a sustained basis, the motivation of CFAs is required. Outside intervention may be necessary to resolve problems within the CFAs and assist in strengthening the CFA governance structure, making it more effective.
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