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Integration of ICT in Instructional Supervision in Public Secondary Schools.
(International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research & Innovation, 2025) Koros Kiprono Wesley; Joshua G. Manduku; Benedicta Aiyobei Tabot
The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in instructional supervision is increasingly seen as an important way of improving how teaching and learning are managed. Yet, in Kenyan public secondary schools, uptake has been relatively slow, a concern frequently raised by education stakeholders. This study set out to examine how ICT utilization influences instructional supervision in public secondary schools in Sotik Sub-County, Kenya. Framed by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Open Systems Theory, the research focused on three elements in particular: the availability of ICT resources, the perceptions of supervisors, and the competence of principals in using ICT. In conclusion, the study argues that strengthening ICT infrastructure, fostering positive attitudes among users, and ensuring school leaders have the necessary digital skills are all vital to improving supervisory practices. It recommends greater investment in ICT facilities, targeted capacity-building for principals, and policy support to embed ICT use into supervisory processes. These findings not only feed into ongoing debates on educational reform in Kenya but also resonate with the global push toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 by 2030.
Comparative Analysis of Metal Elements in Rice Bran from Selected Regions of Kenya
(European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety, 2025) Paul Kiplangat; Joyce Kiplimo; Benard A. Ouna; Emily Cheshari; Job Mapesa
Aims: Rice bran a by-product of rice milling holds significant nutritional and health value to humans and livestock. However it can accumulate both nutritionally important and toxic metal elements and therefore realization of the nutritional benefits while minimizing potential toxic effects is important. To shed light on this, profiling of metal elements was done. Study Design: A comparative research design was adopted for this study. Place and Duration of Study: Rice samples were collected and milled at Lungalunga, Mwea and Ahero in Kenya and analyzed at the Analytical Chemistry laboratory of the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) between July 2023 and January 2024. Methodology: A total of 18 rice bran samples, six from each of these study regions were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP- OES). Results: Rice bran from Lungalunga had the highest amount of Potassium (15148.94mg/Kg), Manganese (290.26mg/Kg), Zinc (76.56mg/Kg), Copper (11.76mg/Kg), Arsenic (0.77mg/Kg) and, the only samples in which Cadmium (0.01mg/Kg) was detected. On the other hand, rice bran from Mwea had the highest amounts of Magnesium (6628.62mg/Kg) and Selenium (2.23mg/Kg) while that from Ahero had the highest amounts of Iron (269.64mg/Kg) and Chromium (2.41mg/Kg). Other than the levels of Magnesium and Zinc from Ahero which were significantly lower than that from the other two regions and; Chromium from Ahero which was significantly higher than that from Mwea, all the others did not vary significantly (p=0.05). Mercury and Lead were not detected in any sample. Conclusion: Kenyan rice bran contains high amounts of nutritionally important metal elements that can be used to enrich food and feeds. However, levels of Arsenic which is toxic were higher than the Codex limit for husked and polished rice and; for cereal foods. This calls for quality control and surveillance measures that guarantee health benefits and food safety.
Genetic Diversity and Drug Resistance Patterns among HIV-1 Positive Youths with Non-Suppressed Viral Load in South Rift Valley, Kenya
(African Journal of Health Sciences Volume 38, Issue No.2, April – June 2025, 2025-06) Loice Chelangat; Janet Kombich; Daud Ibrahim
Background: Globally, Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The fundamental Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) goal is to curb the spread of HIV and enhance the survival of HIV infected patients. Despite the tremendous benefits of ART, HIV treatment and management failures among the youth have been attributed to nonadherence to drug regimens and viral mutations leading to the emergence of drug resistance. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the genetic diversity and HIV-1 drug resistance patterns among the youth aged 15-24 years with non-suppressed viral load in the South Rift Valley Region (SRV), Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was adopted to select a total of 120 plasma samples from HIV-1-positive youth who had been on different ART regimens for over six months. Remnant plasma samples with >1000 copies/ml from real-time PCR using the Abbott RealTime HIV-1 m2000rt quantitative kit were sequenced using the HIV-1 genotyping kit with integrase between April 2024 and October 2024. The target genes were Reverse Transcriptase, Protease and Integrase of the pol gene. HIV-1 level of drug resistance was evaluated using the Exatype Sanger analysis tool. Mutation patterns were ascertained by analysing FASTA files using the drug resistance HIV Stanford database. The subtypes of HIV-1 were analysed by the REGA HIV subtyping tool, and Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic trees and annotations of the mutations were constructed using the integrated Tree of Life. Results: Sequencing was completed for 99 samples, and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate + Lamivudine + Dolutegravir (TDF/3TC/DTG) was the most commonly prescribed antiretroviral regimen across all age groups. The predominant HIV subtype was A1 (83%). Drug resistance was attributed to mutation, M184V (31.4%) associated with resistance to Emtricitabine and Lamivudine, K103N (20.9%) and G190A (15.1%) resistance to efavirenz, nevirapine and rilpivirine, G118R (5.7%) to raltegravir, elvitegravir and bictegravir. Conclusion: There was high genetic diversity of HIV-1 among the youths aged between 15 and 24 years, and subtype A1 is the dominant circulating form of HIV-1 in the South Rift Valley region. Understanding the evolutionary relationships of these strains provides insights into their genetic diversity and transmission.
Exploring the Latent Roles of Indigenous Chickens among Rural Households in Kericho County, Kenya: A Grounded Theory Approach
(East African Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Volume 8, Issue 1, 2025, 2025) Joseph K. Cheruiyot; Joash K. Kibett,; Michael E. Omunyin; George M. Kere
Chickens are the most popular poultry worldwide. About 23.7 billion chickens globally in 2018 were reared mainly for their eggs and meat products. Indigenous chickens in Kenya constitute about 70% of the poultry population. Their role in rural livelihoods is widely understood in terms of provisioning for nutrition and household income. This study aimed to investigate, through a community-based participatory process, the latent roles of indigenous chicken (IC) in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in rural areas of Kericho County, Kenya. This study adopted a Grounded Theory Approach and a Communitybased Participatory action research design. Six sites in three out of six subcounties were selected for the study based on their agroecological zones and administrative locations. Data were collected through focus group discussions and interviews. Community-based participatory action research tools; focus groups, resource mapping, role plays, and community workshops, were used to encourage participation and knowledge sharing. Data were collected through note-taking and group presentations. The data were analyzed using the grounded theory constant comparative method. Analysis revealed that the higher order concepts and theories that could explain the latent roles of indigenous chickens were1insurance against shocks, 2marketness; sales for income, 3instrumentalism; as an instrument for personal motivations, 4ecological functions and5immanent roles; to utilize existing resources and capabilities. It has roles as a socio-economic 6ladder-of-change, contributes to 7household functionalism by engaging youth and women and household 8dietary needs, and social roles in 9interpersonal connectedness. In conclusion, indigenous chickens had roles in the economy, ecology, socio-culture and food supplies. This understanding has implications in formulating strategies by development agents, for sustainable IC production. Further research in different contexts to build on the in-depth understanding of the IC roles is recommended.
Participatory Identification and Assessment of Constraints and Opportunities in Dairy Production among Small Scale Farmers in Kericho County, Kenya
(Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 2026) Nelly Chebet Sang; Joash K. Kibett; Millicent Otiende; Moses Yegon
Background: Dairy farming is the main source of livelihoods and food security, but milk production is low due to various constraints. Aims: The aim of the current study was to identify and assess the constraints and opportunities in dairy production among small scale dairy farmers in Kericho County, Kenya. Study Design: Participatory Action Research design was adopted for the study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Ainamoi, Belgut and Bureti sub counties of Kericho County, Kenya, between November ,2024 and November 2025. Methodology: All small-scale dairy cattle farmers, keeping 1-5 dairy animals, in the County were targeted. Interview schedule was used to collect quantitative data and focus group discussion guide was used to collect qualitative data from 397 participants in the three sub-counties. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. Descriptive statistics were utilized to document the socio -demographic characteristics of the participants based on their frequencies. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis and constant comparative methods. Qualitative findings were organized into themes, categories and codes and findings presented through narratives. 62.3% of participants were male, while 37.7% were female. 29.2% were aged 40–50 years and 26.5% aged 30–40 years. 43.4% had college/university education, 38.8% secondary education, and 15.3% primary education. Results: Findings indicated that the main constraints identified were feed and input, financial, market, institutional and governance issues, infrastructure and transport constraints, climatic constraints, and knowledge and extension gaps. opportunities identified were; investment in feed systems, finance, markets, infrastructure, climate resilience, and extension services. Conclusion: Constraints at the production node are interlinked and reinforcing impacting on low productivity, reduced profitability, and weak sustainability. unlocking production node potential requires integrated investment in feed systems, finance, markets, infrastructure, climate resilience, and extension services.