http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/60 2026-06-28T07:22:40Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10256 Analysis of the roles of rural community stakeholders in implementation of National Land Use Policies in north rift region of Kenya Lomuk, John Musto; Chelang’a, James; Matui, Bramwel Rural community involvement on matters land use policies and their implementation and specific roles of various actors have not been clearly defined in Kenya. This study analysed the specific roles of stakeholder in the implementation of land use policies in the North Rift Region in Kenya. The objective that guided this study was: To analyse roles of rural community stakeholders in the implementation of national land use policies. The paper was guided by bottom-up approaches to policy implementation and Communicative Action Theory. Mixed research design and comparative case study and pragmatic research paradigm were adopted. The study was conducted in Sekerr Ward in West Pokot County, Sitatunga Ward in Trans Nzoia County and Ziwa Ward in Uasin Gishu County. The target population were the local bureaucrats, legislators, ordinary citizens and non-state actors. A sample size of 417 was arrived at from the target population of 40,666. It was revealed that local bureaucrats implemented decisions made by the County Technical Implementation Committee- including aligning the policies to Governor’s manifestos; ordinary citizens for each ward agreed that they contributed in management of natural resources as follows: Sekerr-33.1%, Ziwa- 27.6% and Sitatunga- 40.9%. In Sekerr, locals used indigenous knowledge to manage natural resources like land, forest and water catchment areas, while in Sitatunga and Ziwa Wards, the residents relied more on local government officials. The study concludes that the roles of rural community stakeholders are still evolving processes that require improvement. The study recommends that the Kenyan Government should ensure that the roles are clearly defined and the rural community should be given their space in matters implementation of land use policies in their localities in the best ways known to them. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/9998 Environmental Conflict Management in Kenya: Understanding the Resolution of Season-Driven Ranch Conflicts in West Pokot Matui, Bramwel N.; Kwonyike, Joshua This paper examines the presence of intra-Pokot environmental conflict and factors associated with it, with the aim of understanding and recommending its resolution. For the sake of the paper, conflict can be defined as disputes between two or more people, groups or communities. It is a disagreement over the use of a natural resource such as water, pasture and grazing land or a dispute of ownership of livestock and land (ITDG-EA, 2004). On the other hand, Conflict resolution refers to measures aimed at minimising, reducing or outrightly removing the conditions that are proximate factors associated with the conflict. The main question asked here is: What are the factors associated with the presence of the conflict, and how can this conflict be managed? 2007-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/9960 Cultural and behavioral drivers of zoonotic disease transmission and persistence among diverse pastoralist communities in East Africa Oketch, Dismas C.O.; Njoroge, Ruth; Ngage, Tonny O.; Omar, Asha Abdikadir; Magarre, Abdulai; Pasha, Raphael; Gachohi, John; Muriuki, Samuel Waiguru; Khamadi, Samoel Ashimosi; Boru, Ali Duba; Bodha, Boku; Kilowua, Lydia; Nyaga, Nazaria Wanja; Njaanake, Humphrey Kariuki; Kamaara, Eunice Background Zoonotic diseases such as brucellosis, Rift Valley fever, anthrax, rabies and bovine tuberculosis are highly prevalent among pastoralist communities in low-and middle-income countries. Methods This study adopts a One Health approach, employing a range of participatory methods including informal observations, “go-along interviews,” narrative-, and key informant- interviews, to explore the cultural, behavioral, and structural drivers of zoonotic disease transmission among pastoralist communities in East Africa. We unpack how the physical environment, socio-economic systems, health systems, community influence and cultural competence as well as individual pastoralists' unique characteristics, behaviors and lifestyles can be leveraged for effective public health interventions that reduce zoonotic risks and improve health outcomes for both humans and livestock. Results We present data from 214 purposively selected participants, including 19 key informants, 68 in-depth interviews, 20 focus group discussions, and 22 direct ethnographic observations. Traditional knowledge and beliefs, risky cultural dietary practices such as consumption of raw milk, meat and blood, unprotected parturition assistance, unsafe disposal of carcasses and aborted fetuses were common and carried increased risk of zoonotic transmission. Women and children handled and milked small ruminants while adult men and morans (young warriors) were mostly involved with cattle, camels and slaughtering; hence exposing them to zoonotic pathogens disproportionately. There were piles of manure made up of animal excreta and secretions that were potentially highly contaminated with saprophytes and soil-borne zoonotic pathogens. Discussion While livestock play a significant and indispensable role in the daily livelihoods of pastoralist communities, close association of pastoralists with livestock coupled with their unique cultural and behavioral practices increases their risk of exposure to deadly zoonotic diseases. Although, most of these practices are environmentally and culturally adaptive, their risk for transmission is often overlooked. The study also highlights inadequate sanitary practices, poor disposal of animal carcasses and placentae and the absence of veterinary oversight in the production, distribution and consumption of livestock products. Conclusions Our study provides a holistic understanding of the subjective perspectives and nuanced insights underlying the emergence and persistence of zoonotic diseases within pastoralist communities. It also underscores the need for culturally sensitive One Health interventions that address these practices and enhance community awareness of zoonotic disease risks and prevention strategies which are often overlooked by conventional epidemiological studies. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/9955 Institutional Factors Influencing Acquisition of Clinical Competencies Among Nursing Undergraduates in Government and Private Universities in Uganda Joan, Kempango; Franklin, Boibanda; Joyce, Lugulu; Justice, Kintu Mugenyi Clinical competencies acquisition is one of the core components of nursing education that equips students with the practical knowledge and competencies for effective patient care. In Uganda, both government and private universities offer courses in nursing with the aim of producing skilled professionals to meet the healthcare needs of the population. However, despite the efforts made by educational institutions, students' ability to acquire clinical skills is often influenced by a variety of institutional factors. Therefore, this study explored the institutional factors influencing acquisition of clinical competencies among nursing undergraduates in both government and private universities in Uganda. The research adopted a mixed-method approach, involving 108 final-year students, 8 Heads of Departments (HODs), and 48 clinical supervisors across eight universities in Uganda. Data were collected using a pre coded self-administered questionnaire and focus group discussions (FGDs). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, while qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed using thematically. The study Original Article 14 3(1), 2024 Kempango et al. found that institutional factors, such as support from heads of departments, regular feedback from supervisors, and meaningful performance progress reports, were critical in enhancing students' clinical competencies. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.668, p=0.00) was found between institutional arrangements and the acquisition of clinical skills. Additionally, students expressed a preference for university supervisors due to their approachability and support in clinical settings. The study recommends that in order to strengthen competency acquisition, institutions should be advised to build up faculty leadership, develop the mentorship structures and ensure that there are proper support mechanisms for students in the clinical placements. 2025-01-21T00:00:00Z