Despite Kenya's robust legal frameworks that guarantee equitable education for learners with disabilities, primary school learners with hearing challenges in Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties consistently score between 100 and 200 marks, compared with a national mean of 250, indicating a persistent academic performance gap. This study investigated the effect of on the academic performance of learners with hearing challenges in three special primary schools across the two counties. Guided by Miller's Learning Theory (1957), which frames technology as a critical cue mechanism enabling learners to perceive stimuli essential for academic engagement, the study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population comprised 318 respondents, and adopted proportionate stratified random sampling, which yielded 118 participants, including 73 learners, 13 teachers, 9 technical staff, 3 head teachers, and 2 County Directors of Education. Data were collected via questionnaires, interview schedules, focus group discussions, and KCPE document analysis (2015–2021), then analyzed using SPSS for descriptive statistics and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Findings revealed that 70.9% of learners reported insufficient alerting devices, 74.4% had received no sensitization, 67.4% lacked utilization skills, and 68.6% noted poor maintenance. Correlation analysis yielded a statistically non-significant relationship (r = .109, p = .345), attributable to extremely low utilization rates. The study concludes that systemic deficits in device provision, training, and policy frameworks collectively compromise learners' environmental awareness and academic engagement. The Ministry of Education should prioritize procurement of vibrating alarms and visual alert systems, while the Teacher Service Commission and Kenya Institute of Special Education should implement targeted training programmes. Uniquely, this study provides the first empirical evidence on the role of alerting assistive technologies in the academic outcomes of hearing-impaired learners in Kenya.

There is a growing need to examine how euphemism operates in African oral traditions. In Kiimenti, speakers frequently employ euphemistic expressions to address culturally sensitive topics such as death, morality, authority and social deviance. These expressions not only soften potentially offensive messages but also reflect social hierarchies and community values. This study seeks to analyse the role of euphemism in Kiimenti proverbs among the Imenti social groups of Meru County, Kenya. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 40 purposively selected participants aged 70 years and above. These participants were recognised as custodians of the community’s indigenous knowledge. The proverbs were identified and analysed for instances of euphemistic expression and were thematically classified according to their social, moral and communicative functions. The study was guided by the principles of Linguistic Ethnography Theory (Snell, 2025). This framework enabled an examination of how language, culture and social interaction intersect in the use of euphemism. The analysis reveals that euphemistic proverbs serve as a critical communicative strategy for promoting social cohesion, mediating conflict, and negotiating authority without direct confrontation. Metaphorical and symbolic language within the proverbs facilitates face-saving, moral instruction, and the reinforcement of social norms. The study concludes that euphemism in Kiimenti proverbs is not merely a stylistic device but a culturally grounded mechanism that sustains politeness and communal harmony. It is recommended that insights from these indigenous communication strategies be applied in community mediation, education, and other social interaction contexts.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the origin, structure and the role of Tigania clans and Gichiaro (blood brotherhood) as a system of social control in pre colonial Tigania of Meru prior to the adoption and adaptation of circumcision age set system. Specifically, the study examined how the clans emerged among the pre colonial Tigania, how they were structured and their specific roles. The study further investigated the origin of Gichiaro (blood brotherhood) and how it was used to bring harmony among different clans of the Meru. The study was interpreted within the theory of social structuralism which was used to analyze the functionality of the clans and blood brotherhood among the pre-colonial Tigania. The study employed a descriptive research design. The study location was in Tigania, Meru County targeting the population with knowledge on clan/lineage system. A sample size of 40 respondents aged 60 years and above based on the concept of data saturation was selected, although some younger respondents were selected due to their knowledge on Tigania culture as result of education and community leadership. The sample was selected from the target population through purposive and snowballing sampling procedures. The respondents at this age possessed less diluted information as they acquired it from their parents or grandparents on clan and Gichiaro structures. The data was mainly collected from secondary and oral sources and then corroborated. The data collected was analyzed qualitatively and presented thematically. The research was carried with strict adherence to the ethics of research. The research found out that, pre-colonial Tigania were not initially organized into clans prior to their migration. The clans developed on the course of migration. The Gichiaro system of social control was later developed to keep the clans united and promote brotherhood even after the clan separation. The clan played vital role in pre colonial Tigania such as defining boundaries, land allocation, political leadership, intermarriages, performance of cultural rituals among others. This research is important on informing the policy makers on the vital role such traditional social institutions played in the society. Such institutions ensured social order, discipline and harmony in the society thus fostering a strong social fabric. Therefore, with sound policies such social institutions can be sustained. The research also contributes to the knowledge on social cultural history of pre colonial Tigania of Meru.

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains a pervasive global concern with psychological ramifications such as post-traumatic stress, anxiety and diminished resilience. Psycho-therapeutic interventions have shown potential in enhancing psychological resilience yet empirical evidence specific to GBV populations, particularly in low-resource contexts, remains limited. This study sought to bridge this gap by empirically examining the effectiveness of brief psychotherapy in enhancing resilience among GBV survivors in Meru County in Kenya. The study employed pre-test/post-test quasi-experimental research design where a total of 304 participants were selected via simple random sampling. A standardized resilience scale was administered at baseline and following the intervention. The experimental group received a Brief psycho-therapeutic intervention, whereas the control group was not exposed to any treatment. The independent samples t-test statistic was used to determine if there were any significant differences in mean scores of the experimental group and control group. The findings indicated that survivors of GBV who received brief psychotherapy showed statistically significant improvement in resilience compared to the control group hence demonstrating the effectiveness of the intervention in enhancing resilience. These findings point to the importance of psychotherapy in moderating the resilience of the GBV survivors. It was recommended that there was the need to incorporate training and capacity building initiatives for health workers on delivery of culturally sensitive psychotherapy to enhance the quality and effectiveness of mental health care for GBV survivors in Meru County in Kenya.

Academic achievement in Kenya is a critical driver to both national development and individual student’s career growth. Despite this crucial role, students in Imenti South Sub-County, Meru County, have continued to register comparatively low academic performance. This persistent underachievement limits their access to socio-economic opportunities which adversely affects their contributions to national development. Previous studies have underscored the significant role of learners’ internal capacities, particularly psychological capital (PsyCap), in managing academic demands and enhancing positive academic outcomes, including higher grades. However, empirical evidence linking PsyCap to academic achievement in Meru County remains limited. Therefore, the present study sought to address this gap by examining the relationship between psychological capital and academic achievement. The study was grounded on psychological capital theory. This association was examined using correlational research design, with 2,692 Form Three students enrolled in public secondary schools in Imenti South Sub-County, Meru County, in 2025 being the target. To assess the psychological capital, School Psychological Capital Questionnaire was used. The sample comprised 348 students selected from 17 schools through a combination of purposive, stratified and simple random sampling. The results established that the global psychological capital levels were relatively high among students (M = 56.87, SD = 11.63), with notable variation across its components. Optimism recorded the highest mean (M = 16.52, SD = 2.70), followed by resilience (M = 16.03, SD = 2.16), while self-efficacy had the lowest, though still elevated, mean (M = 15.20, SD = 2.65). The PsyCAP had a significant positive correlation with academic achievement (r (345) = .58, p < .01). These results suggest that higher levels of psychological capital are associated with better academic performance among the students. Therefore, schools should prioritize enhancing students’ psychological capital by integrating activities that strengthen hope, optimism, resilience, and self-efficacy, as these resources are strongly linked to higher academic achievement.

In Meru county, Kenya, only 46% of people identified with an eye problem during screening go on to access eye care services at local clinics, with younger adults (aged 18-44 years) being the least likely to receive eye care. This study aimed to test whether provision of additional information was associated with better access to eye services, compared with standard care. We developed enhanced counselling and SMS reminders with lay input and tested this bundled intervention against standard care using a pragmatic, two-arm, open-label, randomised controlled trial, embedded within Meru's ongoing eye screening programme. All consenting referred adults were enrolled. The primary outcome was the proportion of referred younger adults who accessed their local clinic following referral. We used Bayesian methods and Monte Carlo simulations to generate the posterior probability distribution of the effect difference between the groups every 7 days. Participants were continually recruited until one of two stopping rules were met: there was a greater than 95% probability that either one group was more effective (stopping for superiority), or that the difference between the groups was less than 1% (stopping for equivalence). This completed trial was registered with ISRCTN (11329596). The trial ran from May 21 to June 20, 2024. A total of 7356 individuals had been screened and referred. Of these, 2321 consented to participate and were randomly assigned to a group (1140 in the control group and 1181 in the intervention group). All 2321 participants had complete follow-up data (ie, 14 days had elapsed since their appointment date). Our testing algorithm stopped the trial after 30 days based on analysis of outcome data from 879 younger adults. 147 (32·1%) of 458 younger adults in the control group had accessed care versus 164 (39·0%) of 421 younger adults in the intervention group, resulting in a 98·6% posterior probability that the intervention group was superior among younger adults. This trial found evidence that an intervention bundle with enhanced counselling and SMS reminders, as suggested by an underserved population, increased access to care. This embedded, adaptive, equity-focused approach has broad applications, aligned with the principle of proportionate universalism. National Institute for Health Research (NIHR; using the UK's Official Development Assistance funding) and NIHR-Wellcome Partnership for Global Health Research. For the Swahili translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

The increasing demands placed on employees in the public sector have heightened the need for effective work-life balance (WLB) strategies to enhance employee performance. This study proposed to examine the influence of work-life balance on employee performance at Meru County Government, Kenya. The study was anchored on four theories; The resource-based view theory, the institutional theory, the stakeholder theory, and the social exchange theory. This study utilized a descriptive research design. The study targeted 200 respondents from the Meru County Government, categorized into 87 administrative staff, 63 technical staff and 50 support staff. The sample size was determined using Slovin’s formula (1960). A stratified proportionate random sampling method was employed to select the sample respondents. This study exclusively utilized primary data collection methods through semi-structured questionnaires. To enhance the reliability and validity of the study, the questionnaire was pre-tested with 13 respondents who did not participate in the main study. Cronbach’s alpha was utilized to evaluate the average correlation or internal consistency of the research items based on the summed scales. Values for Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0 to 1, and the researcher aimed for a value greater than 0.7. Data analysis involved synthesizing the responses collected from participants to derive meaningful conclusions. The data file was exported to the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 for analysis. Descriptive analysis included frequency distributions, proportions, and measures of central tendency. A qualitative data analysis method was employed for analyzing responses from open-ended questions. The findings revealed that work-family balance has a significant positive impact on employee performance (r = 0.556, p = 0.000), while work-health balance showed a weak, marginally significant negative effect (r = -0.160, p = 0.079). The study concludes that work-family balance plays a significant role in enhancing employee performance at Meru County Government. In addition, the study concludes that work-health balance, while important, has a weaker influence on employee performance. The study recommends that Meru County Government prioritize policies and initiatives that foster a supportive work-family balance for its employees. In light of the findings, the study recommends that the current wellness programs at Meru County Government be reassessed and enhanced. Further research could explore the long-term impact of work-family balance, work-health balance, and wellness programs on employee performance across different sectors and regions.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of Solution-Based Brief Therapy (SBBT) on reducing alcohol consumption among female parents in Meru Central Sub-County, Meru County, Kenya. Methodology: The methodology employed in this study was mixed-methods, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches to assess the effectiveness of Solution-Based Brief Therapy (SBBT) on alcohol use among female parents in Meru Central Sub-County, Kenya. This approach allowed for a comprehensive evaluation through combination statistical analysis with rich qualitative insights. This study adopted a quasi-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test design to assess the effectiveness of Solution-Based Brief Therapy (SBBT. Findings: The findings of this study provide compelling evidence that Solution-Based Brief Therapy (SBBT) had a significant and positive impact on alcohol use among female parents in Meru Central Sub-County. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses revealed that 70% of participants achieved complete abstinence from alcohol following the intervention, while the remaining 30% reported a substantial reduction in drinking frequency to occasional or weekly levels. Participants also exhibited notable improvements in self-control, emotional stability, and social functioning. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: This study extends the theoretical understanding of Solution-Based Brief Therapy (SBBT) as an effective approach for reducing alcohol use among female parents within community settings. Theoretically, it broadens the application of SBBT beyond clinical contexts by reinforcing its relevance to behavioral change and empowerment models. In terms of policy, the study provides evidence to inform the formulation of policies that support the integration of SBBT into community health and alcohol reduction programs. Practically, the study offers a framework for capacity building among counselors, social workers, and community health volunteers, and outlines how SBBT can be incorporated into parenting, educational, and women empowerment programs.

Most farming households in Kenya keep indigenous chickens in scavenging systems characterized by low productivity. In response to this, the Korea Program on International Agriculture (KOPIA) center in Nairobi collaborated with the County Government of Meru to disseminate localized technologies and provide technical support to indigenous poultry farmers using the model village approach. The aim of this paper is to assess the impact of the project on participating poultry farmers’ income in Meru County, Kenya, as promoted by the KOPIA. Descriptive cross-sectional survey research was adopted to achieve the objectives of the paper. Data was collected from beneficiaries and a control group through a survey of 236 households using researcher-administered questionnaires sampled from a population of 400 farmers drawn from the 4 participating villages. The study was based on the rational choice theory. Propensity score matching was used to compute the average treatment effect on the treated. Using the nearest neighbor, caliper-based, and kernel-based matching methods, the results showed evidence that program beneficiaries increased their annual income from poultry production, ranging from Kshs 66,616 to 81,674. Being located in Mbaria, Ng’onyi, and Ntalami model villages, the number of livestock enterprises, the number of eggs sold, the number of hens sold, and egg production per hen influenced the impact of the project. The study recommends the establishment of more model villages so as to spread the benefits to a wider area. Future efforts should include addressing constraints in marketing and group cohesion so as to increase the benefits to the participating farmers. Assisting farmers to form a marketing cooperative will not only increase market participation but also benefit farmers from collective procurement of inputs as well as credit for enterprise expansion.

ABSTRACT Background: Pain is a public health problem and affects millions of people globally. According to Bisher et al 2023, analysed medical literature reveals a concerning gap of up to 30% of healthcare professionals lack training in pain assessment and management. Effective pain management is essential and possible through comprehensive pain management guidelines, trained healthcare professionals and adequate facilities. Studies suggest that health care professionals often demonstrate varying skills in pain assessment and management and consequently inadequately managed pain. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the healthcare professionals’ Skill in pain management in Meru Teaching and Referral hospital and St Theresa mission hospital Kiirua. Methods: Design was a Cross-sectional study (Mar 23 – May5, 2025). Participants included 140 HCPs (22 doctors, 33 clinical officers, 102 nurses).Tool Used was Adopted KASRP questionnaire and modified practice questions from literature review and a checklist to validate skill practice. Ethical approval from MIRERC, NACOSTI, Meru County Research office and a consent from participants were sought. Analysis was by descriptive, Chi-square, logistic regression, and multinomial logistic regression at a Significance set at p < 0.05. Results: N= 135. 17(89.5%) out of 19 questions assessing the HCPs skills in pain management were answered correctly. 129(95.6%) participants reported to often follow guidelines to effectively manage pain in their unit and 56 (41.5%) of healthcare professionals reported to use the pain assessment tool every time they meet the patients. Inferential statistics found lack of significant pairwise differences in practice by designation. Mean Differences = 0.15079, Sig. = 0.992 Mean Difference = -1.37143, Sig. = 0.444. There was a significant difference between the KASRP score, sample characteristics and the checklist results where (p<0.001). 48 (100%) of the sampled patient files had a prescription of pain medication, only 11(22.9%) of the files had pain classification and only 2 (4.2%) had finding according to assessment scale documented. Conclusion: All pairwise comparisons show significance levels greater than 0.05, this means that, there are no significant differences in the mean total pain management skill score based on professional designation. With these findings, HCP have good knowledge of what to practice in pain management but the evidence of their practice was lacking through documentation.

BackgroundIn African countries, most people with dementia are cared for at home, but limited knowledge about dementia, lack of diagnosis and misdiagnosis and no formal supports leaves families with sole caring responsibilities. Limited knowledge leads to stigma and potential marginalization of those affected. This qualitative study examines the support needs of people with dementia and those who care for them at home in rural Kenya.MethodsThe study was part of a wider study, ENGAGE, and used semi‐structured interviews to gather data. We interviewed 17 people including people living with dementia, carers, health care workers and community members in Meru County. Participants were aged between 42 and 88 years and included 12 females and 5 males. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and findings were structured based on 4 of the Alzheimer Scotland 8 Pillar Model of Community Support namely; personalised support, support for carers, general healthcare and treatment and community connections.ResultsThere is a huge knowledge gap and burden associated with caring for people living with dementia in rural Kenya. The lack/limited knowledge about dementia among family members, carers and health care workers was highlighted. Educating these individuals about dementia and equipping them with caregiver skills was considered vital to ease burden and address misconceptions about dementia. The role of the national and county government in developing training for carers and health workers was emphasised and so was the need for governments to build care homes for those at advanced stages of dementia and those with no family support. Participants called on the government to provide personalised support (finances and health insurance cover) to families affected. Religious institutions, such as the church were seen as having a moral responsibility to ensure that people with dementia and their families are not excluded from the community.ConclusionWith the number of people living with dementia projected to increase in Kenya, addressing the support needs of those affected is urgent. This study comes at an opportune time when the Ministry of Health in Kenya is developing a dementia policy, and findings from this study can inform the development of this policy.

Corruption continues to pose a serious challenge to the Kenya National Police Service (KNPS), weakening public confidence, reducing service delivery efficiency, and eroding institutional integrity. Although multiple anti-corruption strategies have been introduced, including strengthening internal oversight regimes, prosecuting corrupt individuals, fostering international cooperation, and recognising reform initiatives, their practical impact on governance outcomes remains insufficiently explored. The study was anchored on the Institutional theory and Principal-Agent theory and guided by a correlational research design. Data were gathered from 325 respondents identified through a stratified random sampling technique and given structured questionnaires. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to test existing relationships. The study revealed that strengthening anti-corruption regimes significantly influenced governance, while the prosecution of corrupt actors showed a strong association with accountability. Whereas international cooperation had an insignificant effect on cross-border accountability, recognition of anti-corruption reforms emerged as the strongest predictor of governance. The study recommends enhancing officer training, expanding public engagement, formalising civil society oversight, and embedding reforms within national policy and leadership structures to ensure long-term impact

Antimicrobial drug resistance is of great concern today. Infections by the antimicrobial resistant strains of Escherichia coli, including enteropathogenic as well as enterotoxigenic strains have been reported as a major cause of deaths, especially among young children in low- and middle-income countries. This has been augmented by antimicrobial misuse, over the counter availability and poor sanitation especially in low income areas.This study aimed at characterizing antimicrobial resistant strains of Escherichia coli isolated from sanitation environments of the Majengo slum in Meru County, Kenya. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 61 samples from soil, water and drains swabs. These were tested against five antimicrobial drugs by the Kirby disk diffusion method. A total of 42 (69%) of the samples had Escherichia coli.These recorded antimicrobial drug susceptibility as follows: Out of the five antimicrobial agents used, ceftazidime 28 (66.67%) showed the highest sensitivity followed by ciprofloxacin 26 (61.90%) and imepenem 25 (59.52%) respectively. cefotaxime and cefoxitin showed least sensitivity at 14 (33.33%) and 13 (30.95%) respectively. In intermediate imepenem and ciprofloxacin were the highest with 12 (28.57%) followed by cefotaxime 10 (23.81%). The least intermediate was observed in ceftazidime and cefoxitin both at 7 (16.67%). The highest resistance was observed in cefoxitin 22 (52.38%), followed by cefotaxime at 18 (42.86%). Ciprofloxacin, imepenem and ceftazidime had the lowest resistance 4 (9.52%), 5 (11.91%) and 7 (16.67%) respectively. The p-value <0.05 was considered significant to the study. This study showed that Escherichia coli isolated from Majengo is pathogenic and resistant to antibiotics. Detection of Escherichia coli poses a great risk in the spread of resistant strains in human. Proper sanitation and hygiene awareness practices should be provided through education to the residents of this area.

This study assessed teachers’ preparedness for implementing the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in public primary schools in Imenti North Sub-County, Meru County, Kenya, focusing specifically on teachers’ self-efficacy. A descriptive survey design within a mixed-methods approach was employed to describe teachers’ readiness and identify factors influencing CBC implementation. The target population comprised 30 head teachers, 80 teachers, and one Sub-County Quality Assurance and Standards Officer (SCQASO). A sample of 34 respondents was selected, representing 30.6% of the total population. Stratified random sampling selected teachers and head teachers to ensure representativeness, while the SCQASO was purposively included for their supervisory expertise. The sample size was deemed sufficient according to Mugenda and Mugenda’s (2003) recommendation that 30% of a small population is adequate for descriptive studies. Data were collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Instrument validity was ensured through expert review and pilot testing, and reliability was confirmed with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.82. The findings revealed that most teachers had adequate academic qualifications but moderate self-efficacy, particularly in adapting to learner-centered approaches and designing competency-based assessments. Teacher confidence significantly influenced CBC implementation, showing a positive correlation (r = .56, p &lt; .05) between self-efficacy and implementation success. The study concluded that teachers’ self-efficacy is a pivotal determinant of CBC success, affecting instructional innovation, adaptability, and learner engagement. It recommended continuous professional development, peer mentorship, and leadership support to enhance teacher confidence and capacity. This paper contributes to the body of knowledge on teacher preparedness and curriculum reform by highlighting the critical role of teacher self-efficacy in competency-based education.

Objective: The study objective was “to assess how Community Capacity Building Influences Sustainability of dairy goat projects in Meru County, Kenya”. Community Capacity Building was a design constituent of a Community Based Project implemented in Meru County, Kenya between 1996-2004. Theoretical Framework: The Human Capital Theory and the Empowerment Theory emphasis the need for people or communities to be equipped with pertinent knowledge and capacities to increase performance and enable them to participate in development activities and take charge of their own development. Method: A mixed method approach was adopted. Descriptive survey and correlational research design were adopted while stratified random sampling, multi-stage and purposive sampling methods were used in order to generate the sample size of 288 respondents. Data was collected from 285 respondents interviewed using questionnaires, a Focus Group Discussion guide and a Key Informant Interview guide. Results and Discussion: Correlation Results show a strong positive relationship (r=0.751, P&lt;0.05,) between Community Capacity building and Sustainability of Dairy Goat Projects. Regression analysis results (R2 =0.564, β=0.725, t=18.703, P&lt;0.05) also indicate that Community Capacity Building had significant influence on the Sustainability of Dairy Goat Projects in Meru County. Research Implications: Community Capacity Building plays a fundamental role in Sustainablity of Community Based Projects and should be embedded in the Project design and implemented right from project initiation to completion. Originality/Value: The study statistically confirms the contribution of Community Capacity Building in the design of Sustainable Community Based Projects hence providing practical insights to Project designers implementing Community Based Projects.

In the evolving dairy farming landscape, entrepreneurs strive to optimize milk yield by adopting modern dairy farming technologies (MDFTs). These technologies encompass the implementation of improved feeding strategies and good animal health management, utilization of improved breeding practices, and maintenance of optimal cow comfort. The adoption of these MDFTs leads to increased milk production among the smallholders which significantly contributes to income generation through the sales of milk to local markets and dairy processors, opens employment opportunities and empowers women economically. Despite the proven efficacy of these advancements, their adoption remains disproportionately low, contributing to the persistent inefficiencies in the sector. This study sought to evaluate the impact of MDFT adoption on farm-level milk production among smallholder dairy farmers in Meru County Kenya. Employing purposive and proportionate sampling techniques, data was collected from 355 dairy farming households within the study area. The Cobb-Douglas stochastic production model was utilized to evaluate the effect of adopting MDFTs on milk productivity. The findings revealed that several key factors like; support services, impute costs, dairy equipment, cow health, fodder establishment and preservation techniques, and genetic enhancement of dairy herds significantly influenced the amount of milk that was produced by an individual cow per day. These results underscore the urgent need for policy reforms aimed at strengthening the integration of training programs on MDFTs. Specifically, there is a pressing necessity to facilitate knowledge dissemination and expedite the widespread adoption of transformative dairy farming innovations. By fostering a conducive environment for technological advancement. Keywords: Livestock farming, dairy farming, milk productivity, rural development, women employment, Cobb-Douglas production function.

Background: Poor nutritional status is a global prevailing crisis due to associated short term and long-term negative impact on individual health, social-economic development and reduced per capita productivity potential. In Kenya, childhood under-nutrition is concentrated in the Arid and semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), where it is associated with food insecurity, environmental conditions and poor child care practices. Objective: The objective of this randomized efficacy trial was to determine the effects of honey bee brood and pearl millet based supplement (PeMH+), on weight, height, MUAC, hemoglobin and wasting, as compared to Corn Soy Blend (CSB+). Methods: A total of 38 children (12-36 months) were randomized to two arms of study (with 19 children in each group) for 12 weeks, in Meru County, Kenya. Group A was fed on PeMH+ (Novel Supplement), and Group B was fed on Corn Soy Blend (CSB+) which is the conventional treatment for moderate wasting. Changes in Weight, Height, and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC), weight for height Z-score (WHZ), Height for Age (WFH) Z-score were monitored two weekly while Hemoglobin was monitored at baseline and at the end of study so as to determine their changes and recovery rates for wasting, stunting. Pearson Chi-Square tests were employed to evaluate statistical significance of the effects of PeMH+ on weight, Height, MUAC, Weight Height Z-Score (WHZ), Height for Age Z-Score (HFA), and hemoglobin as compared to the Control (CSB+ group). Results: Cumulatively, there was an average weight, Height, and MUAC and hemoglobin change of 0.8kg, 2.1 cm, 1.1 cm and 1.9g/dl respectively for PeMH+ group A). This marked a whooping majority recovery rate (&gt;-1 Z-score) of 94.6% from moderate wasting. No statistical difference was identified between pattern of recovery and change in weight, MUAC, WHZ between the two groups except for HFA Z-score where children were shown to gain height faster in the group A.

Background: The most efficient and cost-effective forms of birth control are long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC). In spite of their effectiveness, less than 15% of women globally who are of reproductive age use LARC. In Kenya, just 18% of women who are of reproductive age are using LARC method. The frequency in Meru County (11.2%) is much lower than it is nationwide. The objective of the study was to establish health-facility factors influencing the uptake of LARC among Women of Reproductive age (WRA) receiving care at the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional survey research design was used in the study. Women of Reproductive Age receiving family planning services at Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital in Meru County were the study's target population. Ten key informants were chosen through purposive sampling, and 170 women who were of reproductive age were chosen by systematic random sampling. In order to get quantitative data for this study, the researcher utilized a semi-structured questionnaire and a key informant guide was used to gather qualitative data. The Embu Teaching and Referral Hospital served as the pretesting site for the research tools. The presentation of qualitative data involved the thematic organization and narration. Chi-square tests were utilized to examine the relationship, at a 95% confidence interval, between the uptake of LARC and variables linked to social culture, health facility-related characteristics, and knowledge level. The strength and connection of the factors that were discovered to be significant were tested using regression analysis. Results: The majority of the mothers (51.2%) were in the 20–29 age range, with a small percentage (n=5, 2.9%) being older than 40; the married women were more (n=106, 62.4%) and half of the mothers had secondary level of education (n=85, 50%) unlike that of the partner that was found to be mostly tertiary level of education (n=102, 60%). A larger proporti

In an era where knowledge is a critical asset, effective management of knowledge resources is vital to enhancing service delivery in academic institutions. Service delivery in the university library aims to meet the diverse information needs of users, thereby supporting the core objectives of fostering learning, teaching, and research. However, the extent to which knowledge acquisition practices, utilization, sharing practices, and knowledge preservation enhance service delivery has not been established. This study explored the impact of knowledge utilization practices on service delivery in university libraries in Meru County, Kenya. The research used the SERVQUAL theoretical framework. Using the descriptive survey research design with a cross-sectional approach, the census technique allowed the collection of qualitative data from 25 library staff members and 2 library heads working in Kenya Methodist University and Meru University of Science and Technology. The research instrumentation involved the administration of open-ended questionnaires among the library staff members while library heads were interviewed. The qualitative data collected were analyzed using thematic analysis. The results showed limited use of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, data mining, and the semantic web, for enhancing knowledge utilization practices and service delivery in university libraries in Meru County. The study concluded that adopted knowledge utilization practices positively impacted service delivery in the university libraries in Meru County. The findings also highlighted the integration of emerging technological tools to promote efficient knowledge utilization in the university libraries. The study recommends that university libraries leverage emerging technologies for efficient knowledge utilization practices as a strategy to enhance service delivery. Policy makers should enact policies that advocate library management to develop clear standards that support tacit knowledge management and integration of emerging technologies to enhance knowledge utilization and service delivery in university libraries.

The history of Western education in Africa has frequently highlighted the role of missionaries and colonial governments, often neglecting African initiative. This study examines the contribution of Africans to the establishment and growth of Western education in Kenya, with a particular focus on Meru County between 1920 and 1963. Using a qualitative historical approach, data were collected from archival materials, oral interviews, and secondary literature to reconstruct Africans’ participation in the development of education. Findings reveal that Africans were key participants in building schools, mobilizing resources, advocating for learning opportunities, and even teaching in early institutions. Beyond physical labour, Africans facilitated curriculum adaptation, encouraged enrolment, and promoted literacy as a tool for both social advancement and resistance to colonial dominance. Case studies from Meru demonstrate how African leaders, evangelists, catechists, and community members collaborated to expand access to education, thereby shaping educational structures that influenced broader national outcomes. The study underscores that Western education in Kenya was not merely imposed but co-produced through African resilience, initiative, and innovation. Keywords: African initiative in Western Education in Kenya; Western education in Meru County, Kenya; education history in Meru County; Africans contribution to the growth and development of Western education in Meru County DOI: 10.7176/JEP/16-11-02 Publication date: October 30th 2025