http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/107042 Mon, 18 May 2026 20:39:45 GMT 2026-05-18T20:39:45Z http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/167684 Exploring the Knowledge, Skills and Experiences of Mothers of Children With Dyslexia in Kenya Ombara, June J This study situated the knowledge, skills, and experiences of mothers of children with dyslexia in Kenya. It explores the untold narratives of mothering children with dyslexia in Kenya. The literature review indicates that mothers' central role in caring for dyslexic children cannot be understated. More specifically, mothers are fundamental actors in their children's educational processes, and therefore, their knowledge, skills, and experiences are critical. However, their contributions are rarely considered in policy interventions and, therefore, they remain invisible from mainstream dyslexia discourse and literature in Kenya. The study explored the mothers’ first- hand experiences to gain insights of their profiles, skills and knowledge potential. The objectives were to characterize and profile the identities of the mothers, assess their skill and knowledge potential and analyse the implications of the key issues they raised on Specific Education Needs Policy, research programming in Kenya. Ten mothers were purposefully selected from a Nairobi-based social support group. A feminist framework was used to identify, reframe, and situate women as the starting point as owners and producers of their knowledge. Maternal and feminist theories of education and sociology were explored. A qualitative ethnographic technique was used to accrue significant comprehension of individual and collective action in the groups’ environment and narratives of the mothers were derived from in-depth interviews. Ten key informants, who included five teachers, four government officials and a nongovernmental organization officer, were also interviewed. The evidence was interpreted using Hynes' Ethnography of Communication and the ABC of Gender Analysis. This was followed by thematic data analysis using NVivo software version 12.0. The study revealed that mothers juggled multiple overlapping identities and roles. It also showed that mothers have knowledge, skills, and lived realities that enable them to support their children sufficiently. The study contributes to African Feminist theory, and epistemology which place the experiences and knowledge of mothers as foundational to understanding effective interventions for African children with dyslexia. Thus, mothers' knowledge should be acknowledged as a critical contribution to mainstream dyslexia discourse and African feminist epistemology. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/167684 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/167655 What Women Know: the Epistemology of Mothers on Violent Extremism and Terrorism in Kenya Nzovu, Beatrice K This study centres women, including mothers, as knowers, sources, and owners of knowledge that can be harnessed to inform violent extremism and terrorism discourse (VET). Although Kenya has elaborate legislative policies and frameworks on countering violent extremism and terrorism including the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism, and 47 County Action Plans to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism, nevertheless, the knowledge and experiences of mothers of male al Shabaab recruits has not been included in measures to address VET. As a result, in analysing the impact of violent extremism and terrorism, the Global Terrorism Index in 2024, ranked Kenya 18 out of 163 countries. This study relies on mothers’ epistemology to critique the structural blind spots and biases inherent in legislative and policy frameworks and strategies on violent extremism and terrorism. It utilises African feminist research to document the experiences of twenty-one mothers of male al-Shabaab recruits from Majengo, Nairobi. Until now, existing literature has failed to capture the contribution of mothers of male al-Shabaab recruits to the discourse on addressing violent extremism and terrorism (VET). Ultimately, this thesis aims to influence and improve VET policy formulation and implementation through the inclusion of mothers’ perspectives. The study concludes that what mothers know is critical in ensuring that VET policies and strategies are more effective. This is by moving away from a securitised approach to a holistic one that includes addressing existing social vulnerabilities, financing mothers' initiatives to address VET, and including them as key actors in the rehabilitation and reintegration processes. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/167655 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/166853 The Role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in the Empowerment of Women in Uganda; The Role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in the Empowerment of Women in Uganda Muhwezi, Martha Rose Lunyolo; Muhwezi, Martha Rose Lunyolo The objective of this study was to assess the influence of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) on the empowerment of women in Uganda. The study sought to look at the influence of TVET on Ugandan women's economic, social, and psychological well-being, as well as their leadership empowerment and lifelong learning opportunities. The study was inspired by Golla et al.'s (2011) framework for women's empowerment. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was implemented as the methodology. In order to collect data, 369 TVET graduates in Kampala were given questionnaires to fill out. These findings were supported by key informant interviews with four officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports, as well as guardians and parents of TVET graduates. Additionally, four focus group discussions were conducted to gain a more thorough comprehension of the ways in which women are empowered through TVET. The study was carried out from February to November 2019. Supplementary information was gathered from secondary sources. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and then shown in frequency tables. Conversely, the qualitative data were analysed by using a methodical coding procedure to obtain crucial information. The major issues discussed were centred around women's empowerment through TVET focusing on economic, social, and psychological empowerment, and leadership opportunities for female TVET graduates. The research found that TVET has played a significant role in empowering female TVET graduates by reducing unemployment and poverty rates, improving educational achievements, and increasing income levels. Empowerment in the power and agency dimension is shown by the purchase and ownership of property, and by enabling women to function as catalysts for change in society. Additionally, the research indicated that TVET graduates acquire job-related skills, and cultivate the capacity to exert influence, particularly about women's issues within their communities and workplaces. TVET graduates also assumed diverse leadership positions within their households, communities, and workplaces, and exerted more authority over resources and decision-making processes. The research determined that women who pursue technical courses and assume roles as instructors and administrators have a crucial impact on motivating and assisting other females to participate in TVET, making a substantial contribution to the empowerment of women. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education and Sports implements policies that encourage female students to pursue TVET disciplines from secondary school, ensuring educators adopt gender-responsive approaches that foster female interest in technical fields by increasing female instructors and role models. In addition, the recommendations emphasise the need for company-sponsored educational options, improved practical training in TVET programmes, promotion of STEM among women, and strong partnerships between TVET institutions and local communities to enhance integration and professional growth. TVET institutions should endeavour to increase the participation of females in the teaching and administrative roles within the institutions. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/166853 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/166803 Smallholder Farmers’ Adoption of the New Rice for Africa (Nerica) Technology and Its Contribution to Food Security in Migori County, Kenya Ongoro, Eunice B Kenya’s agriculture sector is significant for smallholder households because it supports their livelihoods and food security. Adoption of agricultural technologies has been documented as one of the vital approaches to improve smallholder farmers’ productivity. However, empirical studies have reported that the uptake of these technologies has not yet been addressed by the farmers adequately. The national policy documents have equally documented the government efforts in addressing food security and adoption of agricultural technologies has been emphasized therein. Despite these efforts, the situation seems to remain dire. The policy documents indicate that Kenya imports basic food commodities that impact on foreign exchange. Among these technologies to address food security is the New Rice For Africa (NERICA) technology that was introduced in Migori County in 2009. The main objective of this study was to assess the farmers’ uptake of the New Rice for Africa agricultural technology and its role in addressing the food security and livelihoods situation in Migori County. The research assessed the effect of farmer characteristics; farmers’ previous farming experiences; socio-cultural norms; social networks, and extension education and support on adoption of NERICA technologies as well as the contribution of NERICA technologies to smallholder household food security. The research was carried out in Migori County, Kenya deploying a mixed-methods approach, a survey of 263 NERICA rice farmers and 8 focus group discussions were conducted in Uriri and Awendo Sub Counties of Migori County. Twenty-two (22) key informant interviews were also carried out with appropriate stakeholders. Data was collected using an open-ended questionnaire, interview guide and checklist of questions. Quantitative data from the questionnaires were analyzed using the SPSS computer software and the findings were presented in frequencies and percentages. Further, inferential statistics were carried out by use of Chi-square tests of significance to determine associations between the variables of research. Finally, the Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to test the strength and direction of the association between the key variables. Qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed by means of thematic analysis. The findings indicated that there was low adoption by a majority of the farmers occasioned by land acreage planted to for NERICA which was very small, poor farming practices and the yields were low. Even though adoption was low, the farmers enjoyed some benefits including augmented incomes. The results additionally revealed that the bulk of the households did not have adequate food. NERICA technology enhanced the farmers’ household food security condition. Farmers characteristics were expected to stimulate adoption of NERICA rice and it was found that more of the pointers like age, marital status, education and size of the household did not have any effect on adoption while farmers’ assets ownership and level of income had an effect on adoption of NERICA rice. Results from previous farmers’ farming experiences disclosed that there was a statistical relationship between crop and livestock experiences and adoption of NERICA rice technology. In terms of Social Networks, the results exposed a statistically significant association between farmer group membership and support and adoption of NERICA rice technology. The study recommended the need for government food policies to emphasize adoption of relevant inputs and practices as a package to reduce the food insecurity and the trend towards commercial farming needs strengthening by the county extension services. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/166803 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z