Marsabit County Research Articles

Ostrich eggshell bead-making in East Africa: a study of crafting in the El Molo community, Kenya

ABSTRACT Ostrich eggshell beads have been produced by African societies for over 50,000 years and are still used in East Africa and elsewhere, yet the only well-documented ethnographic record of their manufacture comes from San and Bakgalagadi communities in the Kalahari region of southern Africa. Even so, some aspects of their social significance have not been extensively explored. In particular, research on ostrich eggshell beads in southern Africa has historically focused largely on the use of beads in exchange contexts with less emphasis on their use in bodily adornment or the social contexts of manufacture and consumption. This paper reports on the production process and cultural significance of ostrich eggshell beads among the El Molo community of Marsabit County, Kenya. Undertaken as part of the British Museum’s Endangered Materials Knowledge Program (EMKP), this project used unstructured interviews, participatory videos, photography and note-taking to document the entire process of ostrich eggshell bead manufacture, including the collection of hammer stones (soit), the making of strings (arkat) for stringing the beads, the breaking of shells, shaping and rounding, stringing and the making of diverse beadwork items, including rumirumi, kukuti, karkato, lilim and rarak. The social significance of these various items is also reported. This study helps to preserve this knowledge and the continuation of the craft in the community, while also providing data for the enrichment of interpretations of ostrich eggshell beads from archaeological collections in the region, which have received inadequate research attention. The project represents the first detailed ethnographic work ever undertaken on ostrich eggshell beads in East Africa. The materials produced will be available on the EMKP open access online repository.

School Management Practices and Its Influence on the Retention of Teachers in Public Primary Schools in Saku Sub- County, Marsabit County, Kenya

School Management Practices and Its Influence on the Retention of Teachers in Public Primary Schools in Saku Sub- County, Marsabit County, Kenya

Influence of Social and Cultural Factors on Adoption of Community-Led Total Sanitation in Laisamis Sub-County, Marsabit County, Kenya

Influence of Social and Cultural Factors on Adoption of Community-Led Total Sanitation in Laisamis Sub-County, Marsabit County, Kenya

Social and Cultural Factors Influencing Promotion of Latrine Utilization in Laisamis Sub-County, Marsabit, Kenya

The issue of sanitation has long existed and drawn criticism from figures like Mahatma Gandhi, who stated that sanitation in a community is more important than independence. Latrine utilization is among ways of ensuring that communities are safe and are not interacting with disease causing pathogens. However, the presence of latrines has not completely been a guarantee for their utilization especially among the pastoral communities. The objectives of this study was to examine the social and cultural factors influencing promotion of latrine utilization Laisamis Sub-County, Marsabit County, Kenya. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in two selected Wards in Laisamis Sub-County using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Quantitive data was collected from 177 households using questionnaires and analysed in descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data was gathered from selected members from a focus group discussion. The data was analysed thematically and presented in narratives. The social factors that showed a significant influence on latrine utilization included: perceived health benefits (p=0.000<0.05), accessibility of latrines (p=0.000<0.05), respect associated with latrines ownership (p=0.05) and social norms (p=0.000<0.05). Cultural beliefs relating to defecation in enclosed places such as toilets seemed to encourage open defecation despite latrine presence. Taboos surrounding sharing of latrines for men and women and among in-laws was reported to attract latrine avoidance especially when the available toilets were not separated. It was established that cultural practices for some groups such as morans discouraged toilets utilization. The influence of cultural taboos, barriers and beliefs on latrine utilization was significant (p<0.05). The study concluded that owning a latrine in Laisamis Sub-County did not guarantee use because of the influence of social and cultural issues. The study recommended community engagement and robust education campaigns using local leaders and influencers to dispel taboos and beliefs against latrine use. Context-specific behaviour change strategies could encourage positive habits and increase utilization of latrines in the sub-county.

Stakeholder analysis and their roles in livestock disease reporting and response in Northern Kenya

IntroductionLivestock are central to pastoral livelihoods. A major constraint in pastoral production is livestock diseases, which is often exacerbated by inadequate surveillance systems. Reporting of disease outbreaks from pastoral communities to animal health workers is one of the challenges that affects effective and timely response to disease outbreaks. This study aimed to understand animal disease reporting and response in pastoral areas of Northern Kenya. Stakeholders, their roles, information flow among them and methods used for both livestock disease reporting and response and their strengths and challenges were identified.MethodsThe study was carried out in Marsabit County, a pastoral county in Kenya. Pretested tools were used to guide data collection through Focus Group Discussions, Narrative and Key Informant Interviews with pastoralists, County government Animal Health Workers, agrovets and private animal health workers, Community Disease Reporters, Chiefs, County Public Health Officers and local Non-Governmental Organization staff. Net mapping was further used where participants drew links among the various stakeholders and assigned them perceived influence and power. Output from thematic analysis, notes taken during data collection and net maps were used to produce a network of stakeholders and their links using Gephi software. Centrality measures were generated and recorded. Perceived power and influence scores were used to produce a graph and the reasons for the scores documented. Methods used for livestock disease reporting and response were obtained from thematic analysis.ResultsA network of 19 stakeholders with 67 links among them was identified. Major stakeholders were the Animal Owners/Pastoralists, Government Animal Health Workers, County Director of Veterinary Services, the Chief and radio based on network indices of Total degree and Betweenness Centrality, and also based on perceived scores of influence and power. Pastoralists had pivotal roles in both livestock disease reporting and response, Government Animal Health Workers (GAHWs) were mainly involved in disease surveillance and mass interventions including treatment and vaccinations. Non-state actors like NGOs and iNGOs collaborated and supported the County Government with resources to manage outbreaks. Various methods were used for reporting diseases, with use of mobile phones highly mentioned while for response to disease occurrences, the methods included trainings and treatment by both Government and Private AHWs and use of alternative veterinary practices by pastoralists. Various challenges constraining livestock disease response were highlighted, the most frequent challenges centered around low numbers and under resourcing of Animal Health Workers.ConclusionThese findings show that designing an efficient livestock disease surveillance system in pastoral areas requires recognition and utilization of all stakeholders and understanding of their roles. Gaps highlighted in disease response should be prioritized by the government and its development partners for improved animal health service delivery in pastoral areas. These inadequacies in livestock disease response have a direct effect on veterinary practice as mandated by the Government of Kenya Veterinary Surgeons and Para-professionals Act. The results are important for guiding policy formulation to support mitigation of disease impacts in similar areas with limited access to quality veterinary services.

Utilization of maternal health care services among pastoralist communities in Marsabit County, Kenya: a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundImproving maternal healthcare services is crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG-3), which aims to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. There is a consensus among different researchers that proper utilization of maternal healthcare services can improve the reproductive health of women, and this can be achieved by providing Antenatal Care (ANC) during pregnancy, Health Facility Delivery (HFD), and Postnatal Care (PNC) to all pregnant women. The main aim of this study was to investigate the utilization and factors associated with maternal and child healthcare services among women of reproductive age in the pastoralist communities in Kenya.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 180 pastoralist women who gave birth in the past two years across ten mobile villages in Marsabit County between 2nd January and 29th February 2019. Three key outcomes were analyzed, whether they attended ANC 4+ visits, delivered at HF, and received PNC. Pearson χ2 test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were conducted by IBM SPSS27.0 following Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. The significance level was set at p < 0.05.ResultsOf the 180 eligible pastoralist women (mean age 27.44 ± 5.13 years), 92.2% were illiterate, 93.9% were married, 33.3% were in polygamy, and 14.4% had mobile phones. The median commuting distance was 15.00 (10–74) km, 41.7% attended ANC 4+, 33.3% HFD, and 42.8% PNC. Those women residing close (≤ 15 km) to a health facility had a threefold higher ANC 4+ (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.47–6.53), 2.8-fold higher HFD (OR 2.80, 95% CI 1.34–5.84), and 2.5-fold higher PNC (OR 2.49, 95% CI 1.19–5.22) probability. The likelihood was 30-fold higher for ANC 4+ (OR 29.88, 95% CI 6.68–133.62), 2.5-fold higher for HFD (OR 2.56, 95% CI 0.99–6.63), and 60-fold higher for PNC (OR 60.46, 95% CI 10.43–350.55) in women with mobile phones. A monogamous marriage meant a fivefold higher ANC 4+ (OR 5.17, 95% CI 1.88–14.23), 1.6-fold higher HFD (OR 1.67, 95% CI 0.77–3.62), and a sevenfold higher PNC (OR 7.05, 95% CI 2.35–21.19) likelihood. Hosmer Lemeshow test indicated a good-fitting model for ANC 4+, HFD, and PNC (p = 0.790, p = 0.441, p = 0.937, respectively).ConclusionIn conclusion, the utilization of three essential maternal health services is low. Geographic proximity, monogamous marriage, and possession of mobile phones were significant predictors. Therefore, it is recommended that stakeholders take the initiative to bring this service closer to the pastoralist community by providing mobile health outreach and health education.

Effects of Inter-community Conflicts on Beef Cattle Production among Pastoral Communities of Marsabit County, Kenya

The focus of this research was to determine the effects of inter-pastoral communities conflicts on beef cattle production, to determine the effects of livestock diseases on beef cattle production among pastoral communities in Marsabit County. The study employed a descriptive survey research method. Our study's target population was made up of 1210 beef cattle keepers with a total population of 118,755 beef animals. Marsabit County was chosen at random using purposive sampling techniques. After stratification, 60 out of 200 registered farm groups was chosen at random. The researcher conducted a pilot study to determine the instrument's suitability. Data was statistically handled, manipulated and analyzed by Statistical Software for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher employed both descriptive and inferential statistics where correlation analysis, chi-square analysis and standard multiple regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between the variables as well as for making generalizations about the data. Diagnostic tests was checked to ascertain violation of assumptions. The study found out that these conflicts not only directly reduced cattle numbers but also instilled an atmosphere of fear and instability, discouraging investment and effort in cattle rearing. Proactive measures to mitigate inter-community conflicts, such as conflict resolution initiatives and improved security measures, are essential for safeguarding both livestock and human lives. The study recommends investing in conflict resolution measures and programs.

Effect of Supplier Appraisal on Performance of Construction Projects of Counties in Lake Region Economic Bloc, Kenya

Procurement Laws and Regulations 2015 are a yard stick that directs how buying of goods, services, and works by governments and state-owned businesses should be conducted (Thiankolu, 2019). However, there exists an absence of compliance to these laws as envisaged by its framers which results to bias and uncompetitive bidding, evaluation and award of contracts process something that compromises the effectiveness of the project's accomplishment (Kagume &amp; Wamalwa, 2018). The primary objective relating to this research entailed investigating the effect of supplier appraisal on performance of construction projects of counties in Lake Region Economic Bloc, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design with stratified random sampling technique being applied to select a sample of 342 respondents from a total population of 2346 county officials that include finance and procurement officers. A survey instrument was utilized for gathering data, using questions that were both open and closed-ended. The survey instrument was piloted in Marsabit County. It was conducted to ensure that the instrument is both valid and reliable. SPSS was used to perform analysis of data. Supplier appraisal was established to have a positive and significant correlation on the performance of counties in Lake Region Economic Bloc with a co-efficient of correlation R value of 0.816 and P&lt;0.05. Supplier appraisal with a coefficient of determination (R2=0.700, P&lt;0.05) could account for 70% of variation in the performance of construction projects if other factors were to be held constant. Specifically, when Supplier appraisal increases by a single unit, there will be a subsequent increase in performance of construction projects by 0.885 units (β1=0.885, P&lt;0.05). This suggests a positive and strong correlation between supplier appraisal and performance of construction projects and thus the study suggests that evaluating suppliers using technical, financial, and legal criteria might help construction projects succeed in Kenya's Lake Region Economic Bloc.

Dietary diversity among children aged 6-59 months from settled pastoral communities in Marsabit County, Kenya

Settlement among pastoralists is expected to facilitate access to social amenities. However, information on its impact on dietary changes and undernutrition under five children is limited. This study aimed to determine dietary diversity among children aged 6-59 months in settled pastoral households. In a cross sectional survey, 394 households with index child were randomly sampled using multistage technique. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect information on population characteristics and dietary diversity. A dietary diversity score and minimum dietary diversity of the children were then calculated by summing the number of food groups from 0 to 7 eaten by the child 24 hours from the previous day. Categorical data was presented as proportions, while continuous variables mean ± standard error. Chi-square and analysis of variance were used to establish population differences. Linear regression was used to assess the relationship between population characteristics and dietary diversity. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between food groups and child nutritional status. Results showed that 51.5% of children never met minimum dietary diversity. Cereals, roots and tubers were the most frequently consumed food group at 97%. Distance to market (P&lt;0.05), household head education (p&lt;0.05), caregiver occupation (p&lt;0.05) and income were associated with dietary diversity. Eating legumes (OR= 0.50, 95% C.I (0.30, 0.85); p = 0.010) and vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables (OR= 0.50, 95% C.I (0.30, 0.85); p = 0.010) showed reduced odds of stunting while dairy products reduced the risk of a child becoming underweight [AOR=.2.09, 95% C.I (1.16 - 3.79); p = 0.015]. Overall, the findings highlight significant gaps in meeting dietary diversity recommendations among children in settled pastoral areas. Household head and caregiver attributes were identified as key influencing factors. It is recommended that county governments in northern Kenya promote optimal complementary feeding guidelines among settled pastoral caregivers to improve child nutrition. Key words: Pastoralists, children, under-five, dietary diversity, stunting, wasting, underweight, northern Kenya

Determinants of undernutrition among settled pastoralists' children aged 6-59 months in Kenya.

The transition from nomadism to sedentary lifestyle has introduced changes in diets and undernutrition is endemic among settled pastoral households. This study aimed to investigate the underlying factors affecting stunting, underweight, and wasting of children aged 6-59 months in Marsabit County, Kenya. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in six wards capturing pastoral, agro-pastoral, and urban livelihood practices. Using multistage sampling method, 394 children aged 6-59 months participated with written consent from the caregivers. A pretested questionnaire and anthropometric measures were used during data collection. Population characteristics were summarized into means and proportions, while chi-square and analysis of variance were used to evaluate associations between variables. Backward logistic regressions were used to explore predictors of stunting, underweight, and wasting, respectively. The results showed that the mean Height for Age Z-score, Weight for Age Z-score, and Weight for Height Z-score were -1.51, 1.54, and 1.02, respectively. The prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting was 38.1%, 23.0%, and 18.5%, respectively. The age of child, source of drinking water, and waste disposal were some of the main factors influencing stunting among children. In conclusion, the prevalence of undernutrition was high compared to the World Health Organization recommended cutoffs. Water sources hygiene, and caregiver's income were some of the main predictors of undernutrition among children. Development agencies need to focus on the supply of potable water, access to toilet facilities, in addition to nutrition education on hygienic complementary feeding practices among pastoral caregivers.

Community Conversations: A Tool in Improving Health Outcomes and Reducing the Burden of Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) in Isiolo County, Kenya

Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by Leishmania species that affects human. Transmission is through the bite of Phlebotomus sandflies. Globally, WHO ranks Kala-azar as the second largest parasitic killer after Malaria. The disease poses a threat to more than a billion people on almost every continent. Approximately 90% of Kala-azar global burden is found in Africa. Major endemicity is documented in Eastern Africa (Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia). Accurate burden of the disease in Kenya is unknown attributable to inadequate information on disease prevalence, diagnostic challenges, and spatial distribution. Additionally, morbidity and mortality levels from the disease in the Country are unknown ascribable to a low index of suspicion by healthcare workers, diagnostic challenges, and case management. An example of diagnostic challenges is a reported outbreak of ‘unknown disease’ akin to Kala-azar in Marsabit County in May 2023 where nine people were confirmed dead and over 80 hospitalized. This study aimed to analyze community’s prioritization of causes of Kalaazar as well as community awareness of disease prevention and control. Quantitative data were collected using Participatory Epidemiology methods in purposively selected study villages. Qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Study findings indicated that 97.2% of respondents had heard about Kala-azar. Despite the awareness, a broad gap between knowledge and practice of prevention and control strategies of the disease was evident. Kala-azar was associated with human behaviour like preferences for traditional and alternative treatment approaches (45.2%), evening outdoor practices before going to bed (99.6%), sleeping outdoors (60.1%), occasional bed nets use (69.2%), and availability of domestic animals and wild animals within house yards (54.6%). Cultural beliefs and practices were noted to play a key role in augmenting the disease burden, where most cases had burn scars from traditional healers’ therapeutic burns. As a consequence, they sought medical help after onset of complications, which ranged from increased severity to fatalities. Community engagement was minimal in prevention and control. In this participatory research, we propose behaviour change communication activities for the elimination of Kala-azar as a public health problem. This article serves as a base for future studies aimed at giving voice to communities while enhancing their understanding of causes of diseases, the possibility of enhanced early diagnostic techniques, and options for prevention, control, and surveillance which in turn is translated to action.

GENDER-DIFFERENTIATED ROLES AND PERCEPTIONS ON CLIMATE VARIABILITY AMONG PASTORALIST AND AGRO-PASTORALIST COMMUNITIES IN MARSABIT, KENYA

Climate variability and its impacts affect different members of gender groups in households and society differently. Within the pastoral community, women are more vulnerable, being among the poorest of the poor, and they are expected to be highly susceptible to climate variability effects. This study assesses gender perceptions of climate variability among pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in Marsabit County, Kenya. Results were triangulated with the use of data-collection techniques, including focused group discussions, individual interviews and field observations. These methods were used to analyse whether there is a difference in factors that determine the community perceptions of climate variability and trends by gender among the Marsabit pastoralist community. In analysing the study’s data, descriptive and inferential statistics were employed. The findings indicate that respondents’ perceptions of climate variability in the study area varied by gender, marital status and ethnic groups. The study reveals an increased workload of 48% for women and 32% for men resulting from climate impacts on daily household activities. In addition, the study found that 63% of male respondents primarily take on the role of decision-makers for their families, while 38% primarily serve as providers. In addition, 29% of male participants are responsible for providing security and 17% for managing family concerns within the community. In contrast, 33% of the female respondents predominantly fulfil the role of household domestic managers. The analysis further reveals that 90.3% of female and 86.8% of male respondents have noticed a decrease in rain received over time in the past two decades. This was reported to cause a burden on the most vulnerable members of the community, particularly women, by requiring them to travel long distances in search of water for household use. Gender and age affect who can access and control natural resources and household goods. This, in turn, affects the ability of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities to adapt, make a living and do other social and economic activities. The study recommends that, for climate impact adaptation measures to work, the community needs to put strategies that consider the different strengths, weaknesses and vulnerabilities of pastoral women and youth. Enactment and enforcement of gender-proactive policies and legislation that promote gender equity at the county level is highly recommended. The study further recommends using conventional weather forecasting to fill in the gaps left by the Indigenous Technical Knowledge Predictions. As a result, this study suggests that the public should be involved in creating agro-weather and climate advisories to lower vulnerability, boost resilience, boost productivity and ultimately improve the ability to adapt to climate impacts. This article was published open access under a CC BY-NC 4.0 licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ .

Influence of Digitalized Monitoring &amp; Evaluation Systems on The Performance of Community Water Projects Under Humanitarian Aid Organizations In Marsabit County, Kenya

Influence of Digitalized Monitoring &amp; Evaluation Systems on The Performance of Community Water Projects Under Humanitarian Aid Organizations In Marsabit County, Kenya

ASSESSMENT OF TEMPORAL VARIABILITY OF TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION TRENDS IN KARGI, MAIKONA, DAKABARICHA AND SOLOLO WARDS OF MARSABIT COUNTY, KENYA

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background.&lt;/strong&gt; Climate change is a global phenomenon, with varying indicators and impacts from one region to another. The impacts of the changing climate are high in developing countries that are mainly dependent on climate-driven economic sectors such as pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods. &lt;strong&gt;Objective.&lt;/strong&gt; Analyze the temporal trend, the variability in temperature and precipitation, and the relationship between both parameters to determine the influence of the El Niño phenomenon in Marsabit County, Kenya, from 1981 to 2021. &lt;strong&gt;Methodology.&lt;/strong&gt; Daily rainfall and temperature data for the four study locations (Maikona, Kargi, Dakabaricha, and Sololo) were obtained. The analysis of extremes was the main method used in the analysis of the temporal and spatial variability of rainfall and temperature to establish the frequency and magnitude of climate variability in the study area. The seasonal mean plus or minus 1 Standard deviation for the entire period of study was used in the analysis of extremes. &lt;strong&gt;Results.&lt;/strong&gt; Findings from trend analysis showed that rainfall trends have significantly increased in Marsabit County. Further, results on seasonal trends and variability of rainfall showed that March-April-May rainfall has been decreasing over the years. Below average rainfall has been experienced in Maikona in 2000 and 2011 with a magnitude of -42.9 mm, and -39.3 mm, respectively, while below average rainfall has been experienced in Kargi in 2000, 2009, 2011, and 2012 with a magnitude of -41.7 mm, -24.2 mm, -35.3 mm, and -34.3 mm, respectively. Analysis of the temperature trends and variability showed that both night and day temperatures have significantly increased over the years in Marsabit County. The magnitude of warming was found to be double that of cooling. The regression analysis further showed that there exists a negative correlation between temperatures and rainfall, implying that generally, rainfall decreases with increasing temperatures. &lt;strong&gt;Implications.&lt;/strong&gt; This finding is important because it could help policymakers and people working on development in Marsabit County see what temperature and precipitation changes are happening locally. This could help them plan for climate change better. Both pastoral and agro-pastoral areas have been affected by both El Niño and La Niña activities, with the El Niño years recording the highest amounts of rainfall while the La Niña years recording the lowest amounts. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;s&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt;.&lt;/strong&gt; This study recommends the use of rainwater harvesting during the October to December Season to take advantage of the increasing Trends and flood episodes associated with high magnitudes and frequencies of above average rainfall and use the same to cope with reduced rainfall in the March to May season. &lt;/p&gt;

Assessment of the Effect of Devolution on The Performance of Employees at County Government of Marsabit, Kenya

Devolution presents challenges in terms of coordination and collaboration between different levels of government, and in terms of capacity building at sub-national levels. Additionally, competition among counties can lead to a fragmentation of resources and a lack of cooperation, which can further decrease efficiency and productivity. In Kenya, despite an increase in power and resources by county governments, they are faced with many difficulties in providing quality services to citizens. Particularly, in Marsabit County, underdevelopment, regional stagnation, and a lack of infrastructure amenities have all been connected to ineffective public service delivery. The county was among the Counties that produced the least amounts of money in comparison to the revenue objectives in the 2018–19 fiscal year. The county government's efforts through numerous strategic initiatives have not been successful. The study aimed to assess the effect of devolution on the performance of employees at county government of Marsabit County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were: to evaluate the effect of devolved recruitment and selection practices, devolved rewards and benefits, devolved training and development practices and devolved resource allocation practices on employee performance at county government of Marsabit, Kenya. This study was guided by three main theories including New Public Management Theory, Contingency Theory and Maslow's need-hierarchy theory. The study adopted a descriptive study design and target 450 county officers working at the Marsabit County. The respondents were selected from the constituencies in the county. A sample of 81 participants, calculated using Slovin's formula, were selected through a stratified random sampling method. Data collection occurred through structured questionnaires, with each section on a specific research aim. To provide a comprehensive understanding of the data, this study employed descriptive and inferential analysis. The outcomes of this research were communicated through the presentation of results using tables and graphs, to enhance clarity and comprehension. From the correlation analysis, all the research variables including Devolved recruitment and selection practices (r=0.371), Devolved rewards and benefits practices (r=0.270), Devolved training and development practices (r=0.455), and Devolved resource allocation practices (r=0.591) had a positive effect on the employee performance at Marsabit County Government. The results of the regression analysis further showed that the devolution practices studied explain 45.0 percent of the variations in the employee performance at Marsabit County Government (R2=0.450). The conclusions of the study emphasize the importance of continued efforts to strengthen and refine devolved practices to maximize their positive impact on employee performance and, by extension, the effectiveness of the county government. The study recommends that county government authorities should actively embrace and implement devolved recruitment and selection practices. Furthermore, the study recommends the development and implementation of robust devolved rewards and benefits policies. To optimize employee performance, the study recommends that county governments continue to refine their devolved resource allocation practices. The study recommends that the county government of Marsabit should recognize and support the broader impact of devolution on employee performance. By acknowledging the significance of devolution in governance and management, the county government can continue to create an environment conducive to improved employee performance and overall organizational effectiveness.

Effects of Career Orientation on Youth Employability in Marsabit County

The effects of internship policy on the employability of the youth have been understudied. The youths are the present and future of any nation since they have crucial implications for future economic growth, development, and stability. As such, if youth unemployment is overlooked, it has the potential to have significant and serious social repercussions. However, unemployment among the youth is rampant across the world. This study aimed at examining how the Public Service Internship Policy (PSIP) affected young people's employment. This study was guided by specific objective which was to investigate the impact of career orientation on youth employability in Marsabit County. The researcher used a descriptive research design to assess the influence of PSIP on employability. The target population of the study was 1,439 interns who benefited from the government-sponsored internship programs and were posted in various state departments, agencies, and ministries in 2021. A sufficient sample for the research was selected using random and stratified sampling methods. Using Slovin's formulas, the sample size for the study was established. A structured questionnaire was used to gather the data, which assisted to gather both qualitative and quantitative information. The data was analyzed using SPSS. Data analysis used descriptive statistics like the mean and standard deviation. The study further analyzed the relationship between the predictor and predicted variables using inferential statistics. Pearson correlation and regression model was adopted to test the significance of the study variables. The researcher followed all the ethical considerations during the process of conducting the study. The research revealed significant and positive connections between various factors and the employability of young individuals. Specifically, it found a substantial and favorable correlation between having a career orientation and youth employability (correlation coefficient, r = 0.338, p = 0.002). The study concluded that factors such as career orientation exert a positive influence on youth employability. Therefore, it is recommended that the Kenyan government collaborates with educational institutions and parents to ensure that young people receive comprehensive career guidance and counseling, make professional accreditation accessible to all, provide quality education in all educational institutions, and ensure that all learners have access to appropriate mentorship throughout their educational journey.

Strategy Implementation Practices and Performance of National Government Constituency Development Fund Projects in Marsabit County, Kenya

Effective strategy implementation practices are fundamental drivers to organizational project performance. This study seeks to determine the effects of strategy implementation practices on the performance of National Government constituency development projects in Moyale. The specific objectives guiding the study included strategic leadership, organizational culture, employee development and communication on the performance of consistency development projects in Moyale. The study is guided by the resource-based view theory, Leadership theory and Balance Scorecard Model. The study will employ and make use of descriptive design. In this study, the target population will be made up of the household heads and the NG- CDF Committee members who have the mandate of overseeing project performance in Moyale Constituency. According to the Kenyan National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS, 2021), there is a total of 17,777 households in Moyale Constituency. Besides, there are 10 NG-CDF committee members who oversee education and security projects within Moyale Constituency. This study made use of stratified sampling technique since the population has two key strata including NG-CDF Committee members and Household heads in Moyale Constituency. This technique was quite useful since it ensured the presence of the key subgroup within the sample. This study made use of Yamane’s formula to determine the sample size with 95% confidence level. Ten percent of the total sample for the study was considered during piloting. Ten percent was not included in the final research. Content validity was used in testing the validity of the questions within the questionnaire whereas reliability was obtained following a test on Cronbach Alpha. Quantitative data obtained by the researcher were presented in the form of mean averages. Besides, statistical analysis software version 25 was considered achieving data analysis. Analysis of the qualitative data was done through content analysis. This method was helpful in coming up with the study inferences. Presentation of the study findings was in the form of tables. The results highlighted that effective leadership in Moyale Constituency plays a crucial role in guiding operations toward desired objectives, significantly influencing the performance of development activities. The findings underline the pivotal role of strategic leadership in shaping the performance of constituency development projects in Moyale, contingent upon effective strategy implementation and evaluation of leaders' actions. The findings further highlighted a direct correlation between employees' job satisfaction and the performance of development projects in Moyale Constituency. It is recommended by the study that policy makers in Moyale Constituency need to establish guidelines for the training and development of leaders in Moyale Constituency to enhance their strategic leadership skills. Besides, the policy makers should integrate strategic leadership principles into the leadership selection process to ensure that leaders possess the necessary qualities to drive positive change.

Impacts of the Technological Divide in Facilitating Remote Teaching and Learning in the Advent of Covid-19: Case of University Students from the Pastoral Communities in Marsabit County, Kenya

This study assessed the impacts of the technological divide in facilitating remote teaching and learning in the advent of COVID-19 among university students from the pastoral communities in Marsabit County, Kenya. Effectiveness of remote teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic with special bias among the pastoral communities in Kenya. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic was felt across the globe, and its impact radically augmented peoples’ vulnerabilities in all sectors: healthcare, social and economic. Nevertheless, it is the educational systems and sector that witnessed severe vulnerabilities due to prolonged closures occasioned by lockdowns and staying-at-home measures meant to control the spread of the contagious pandemic. As a remedy for discontinued face-to-face teachings, there was an introduction and integration of ICT learning globally. However, despite the celebrated contribution of ICT in the education sector, serious limitations of the strategy still exist among developing countries due to the diverse technological divide. This study was guided by three objectives: a) Determine the experiences of the university students living among the pastoral communities in accessing remote learning in Marsabit County during the school closure, b) Establish the challenges facing the university students from the pastoral communities in accessing remote learning in Marsabit County during the school closure? c) Investigate how much learning took place through remote teaching and learning among the university students living among the pastoral communities in Marsabit County during the school closure. The study found that: a) more female students attending university among the nomadic pastoral communities 61% while their male counterparts were only 31%. For the women, education was the only way of escaping their socioeconomic miseries since they did not have any inheritance like the men. During the school closure, the students from the nomadic pastoral communities in Marsabit could not access any remote or distance learning; they were totally isolated from the others. To collect data the study collected qualitative data using an interview guide from three Focus Discussion Discussions. The raw data was organised, cleaned, and presented using quotes from the participants. The quotes were labelled to hide the identity of the respondents. The study concluded that policy interventions were critical to address the lack of accessibility and availability of education technologies as enhancers to remote or online education among the nomadic and pastoral communities; that is the only way of ensuring no student will be left behind in the delivery of “education for all”

Evaluation of the Transmission Rate, the Mortality Rate, and the Level of Endemicity Due to Visceral Leishmaniasis at Marsabit County Referral Hospital

The disease Visceral leishmaniasis is a tropical infection spread by female sandflies. This leishmaniasis affects the spleen, the liver, and bone marrow. Globally, between 0.7 million and 1 million cases of visceral leishmaniasis arise yearly. In Kenya, 4000 cases are reported yearly, while 5 million individuals are at risk of infection. If untreated, the visceral leishmaniasis death rate is more than 95%. The study aims to evaluate the mortality and the transmission rate among visceral leishmaniasis patients referred to the Marsabit County referral hospital. The study adopted a retrospective cohort design. The study used secondary data obtained from the Marsabit County referral hospital. The Susceptible, Infected, and Recovered (S.I.R) Model, was incorporated to evaluate the mortality rate, the transmission rate, and the level of endemicity. The findings revealed that the mortality rate, the transmission rate, and the level of endemicity were estimated at 13.19%, 13.67%, and 0.0141, respectively. In conclusion, the mortality rate increases as the transmission rate increase and there is a need for urgent responses from health personnel to reduce the transmission rate to reduce subsequent morbidity and mortality. The study recommended adopting the following measures; the mortality rate was 13.19%, and the prevalence of the disease was higher in males than among females which subsequently increases mortality among males therefore, there is a need to put more attention to males when creating awareness. The transmission rate was 13.67%, this rate can be reduced by reducing risk factors that are responsible for the transmission of visceral leishmaniasis. Creating awareness at the community level and seeking medication on time to reduce mortality from visceral leishmaniasis in Marsabit County.

Social Economic Status and Implementation of the 100 Percent Transition Policy in Public Primary Schools in Sololo Sub-County, Marsabit County

The idea of a smooth transition from primary to secondary school is part of a global push to give all children a 12-year era of continuous learning. The high cost of secondary education in Kenya contributed to the low transfer rate from primary to secondary school. The government created Free Tuition Secondary Education and Free Day Secondary Education to lower the cost of education and improve transition rates from primary to secondary school. However, this movement has not resulted in a full transition rate in most sections of the country. This study aimed to assess the influence of social economic status on the implementation of the 100 percent transition policy from public primary schools in Sololo Sub-County, Marsabit County. The study used descriptive research design and the target population was 841 including one Director of sub-County Education, 25 Heads of primary schools, 25 chairpersons of primary schools BOM, and 790 KCPE candidates. The findings indicated that social economic status and the implementation of the 100% transition policy were positively and strongly correlated (r =.467, p =.00&lt;0.05). The study concluded that parents' socioeconomic level had a favorable and significant impact on how the 100% transition policy was implemented in public elementary schools. The government should support parents through substantial subsidization of tuition fees to ensure that children do not miss school due to a lack of school fees. The government should develop programs aimed at creating awareness among parents on the importance of taking their children to secondary schools.