Mount Kenya Research Articles

A Representative of the People

This article is dedicated to analyze Dominic Burbidge’s An experiment in devolution. Published by Strathmore University Press in 2019, the 319-page volume is a welcome addition to the growing scholarship on devolution in Kenya. This text, indeed, brings with it a much needed ‘empirical grit’ to a discourse previously saturated with historically and theoretically derived conjecture. The hallmark of the book is, therefore, this attention to the material, the meticulousness with which it relays empirical findings and finally, how the author manages to successfully marry empirical data and theory; resulting in an interesting telling of the story of devolution. Thus, Burbidge sets out to test the performance of devolution in the counties where it was most predicted to fail: the former Central Province. He investigates how devolution has actually played out in this region; taking into consideration the historically complicated relationship between Mount Kenya and Nairobi and the enduring scepticism as to the compatibility of devolution and the interests of Central Kenya.

Sensitivity of precipitation and temperature over the Mount Kenya area to physics parameterization options in a high-resolution model simulation performed with WRFV3.8.1

Abstract. Several sensitivity experiments with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model version 3.8.1 have been performed to find the optimal parameterization setup for precipitation amounts and patterns around Mount Kenya at a convection-permitting scale of 1 km. Hereby, the focus is on the cumulus scheme, with tests of the Kain–Fritsch, the Grell–Freitas, and no cumulus parameterizations. In addition, two longwave radiation schemes and two planetary boundary layer parameterizations are evaluated, and different nesting ratios and numbers of nests are tested. The precipitation amounts and patterns are compared against a large amount of weather station data and three gridded observational data sets. The temporal correlation of monthly precipitation sums show that fewer nests lead to a more constrained simulation, and hence the correlation is higher. The pattern correlation with weather station data confirms this result, but when comparing it to the most recent gridded observational data set the difference between the number of nests and nesting ratios is marginal. The precipitation patterns further reveal that using the Grell–Freitas cumulus parameterization in the domains with resolutions >5 km provides the best results when it comes to precipitation patterns and amounts. If no cumulus parameterization is used in any of the domains, the temporal correlation between gridded and in situ observations and simulated precipitation is especially poor with more nests. Moreover, even if the patterns are captured reasonably well, a clear overestimation in the precipitation amounts is simulated around Mount Kenya when using no cumulus scheme in all domains. The experiment with the Grell–Freitas cumulus parameterization in the domains with resolutions >5 km also provides reasonable results for 2 m temperature with respect to gridded observational and weather station data.

Alcohol Abuse

The article sets out to examine the correlation between the drinking problem that has beset youth of Central Kenya and the oaths that were taken by residents in the region in the wake of the struggle for socio-political and economic independence (in 1950s). It is worthwhile to recall that the Mau Mau philosophy discouraged the abuse of drugs, and especially alcohol. It was the belief that the breach of oaths spelt calamity. The youth might disassociate themselves from beliefs of their fathers and forefathers. However, since most of them are Christians, nominal or practical, they should be awed because the bible has it that, ‘’. . . I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation . . .’’ (Deuteronomy 5:9). Characteristically, the communities in Central Kenya share many aspects of culture, especially beliefs and religious practices. For example, breach of oaths was a taboo. The article seeks to establish the connection between the high degree of alcohol abuse to the violation of oaths that the Mau Mau (freedom fighters) patriots took before and during the State of Emergency (1952-1960). Certainly, anything taboo was ominous. Mau Mau agitated for independence, and more importantly, the return of land, the bond that bound together the living, the dead and the unborn. Land was seen in our indigenous society as sacred and it was not to change hands in any way. Mau Mau took oaths to the effect that whoever breached it would attract catastrophe, including death. In view of this, the article would seek to establish if the drinking problem in the Mount Kenya (central) region is a consequence of breaching Mau Mau oaths.

Politeness Strategies: Open Letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta Prior to Sagana 3 Mt Kenya Consultative Meeting

Succinctly speaking, politics is an intricate affair that culminates in the likelihood of ugly scenarios popping out following the language that politicians employ. In line with the aforesaid, politicians attempt to employ assorted politeness strategies to exhibit decorum of some sort while addressing their seniors, more so when the addressee is at the apex of the purported leadership. The study intends to unravel the nature of politeness strategies that a section of Members of Parliament from Mount Kenya region relied on while reaching out to the president of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta. To this end, the data was collected from an open letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta whose term of leadership was scheduled to end in 2022. The analysis on the data took into account the frequency of use on the said strategies namely, bald on record, off record, positive politeness and negative politeness; hence, anchoring the study on Politeness. The study sought to analyze the strategies used by the authors of the open letter and find out how the said authors navigated between the said strategies in line with FTAs bearing in mind that there was an asymmetric power relation and social distance between them. Results of qualitative and quantitative data analysis showed a significant difference in the manner authors of the said open letter navigated between the said strategies; thus, teasing out an implication in politeness research.

Growth Rates in the Giant Rosette Plants Dendrosenecio adnivalis and Lobelia wollastonii on the Ruwenzori Mountains, Uganda

Stem lengths of Dendrosenecio adnivalis and Lobelia wollastonii were measured three times over 5.5 years in the Ruwenzori Mountains, Uganda. These are the only growth data for these two species. Both species had highly variable growth rates. Absolute growth rates in D. adnivalis were not related to the number of rosettes, inflorescences or initial height of plants. The D. adnivalis that were shorter at the beginning of the study grew proportionately faster than did taller individuals. Growth rate was positively associated with annual rainfall for D. adnivalis on the Ruwenzori Mountains, D. keniodendron on Mount Kenya, and D. battiscombei on the Aberdare Mountains. Lobelia wollastonii that were taller at the beginning of the study had greater absolute growth rates than did shorter plants. There was no significant relationship between the initial height and proportional increase in height for L. wollastonii. Growth rate and height are unreliable indicators of age for both species.

Soil fertility management among smallholder farmers in Mount Kenya East region

Declining soil fertility continues to hinder agricultural production especially among resource-constrained smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, prompting for evaluation of the strategies used by these farming communities. In this study, we assess soil fertility management among smallholder farmers in Mount Kenya East region. The aim is to examine underlying factors conditioning the uptake of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) practices in this region; determine the adoption relationship between the practices; and to cluster these techniques. Data for this study was collected between January–March 2019 through a household survey based on a farm household questionnaire and complemented with semi-structured interview with farmers and extension officers. Statistical analyses were generated using SPSS. We use hierarchical clustering analysis to visualize ISFM combination patterns, and correlation matrix in factor analysis to determine the inter-relationship between different ISFM practices. Fisher's exact test and Welch's t-test were used to examine the association between explanatory variables and adoption of ISFM practices. Results show that the decision to invest in fertility practices was correlated with a number of farmers' socio-economic, farm-related factors and institutional characteristics. Fertilizer application correlated significantly with manure use, agroforestry and minimum tillage. ISFM techniques were separated into 3 sets following Ward's hierarchical clustering, namely, manure, fertilizer use and agroforestry (cluster 1 or C1), slash-no-burn, residue burn and fallowing (C2); and residue application and minimum tillage (C3). The study recommends creation of an enabling environment including innovative financing opportunities to facilitate farmers' investment capacities in ISFM and cushion them from potential income loss resulting from implementation of some technologies.

Three new species of the genus Toxoniella (Araneae, Liocranidae) from Mount Kenya National Park, Kenya

Three new species of the genusToxoniellaWarui & Jocqué, 2002 of the family Liocranidae Simon, 1897 are described from Kenya:T. tharakaOketch & Li,sp. nov.,T. waruiiOketch & Li,sp. nov., andT. nyeriOketch & Li,sp. nov.Types are deposited in the National Museums of Kenya (NMK), Nairobi, Kenya.

Liberationist Icon or Conservative Leader? Ismael Mwai Mabiu’s Afro-Pentecostalism and Ecclesiastical Leadership in Kenya

This article sets out to retrieve the oral histories of a pioneer African Christian at Kagumo Full Gospel Churches of Kenya (FGCK), namely Rev. Ismael Mwai-Mabiu. Mwai-Mabiu offered exceptional leadership as he sought to revive the Mount Kenya region and the entire Kenyan nation, particularly in the mid-1940s–1980s and 2000–2012, through his oral “liberation theological discourses.” These efforts were well captured in his preaching as a roving pastor in mass seminars and in evangelism. His Afro-Pentecostal theology, which he propounded in the FGCK (a church he co-founded), provided the forum that he used as a platform to launch and advance his liberationist Afro-Pentecostal approach. Was Mwai-Mabiu a liberationist or a conservative ecclesiastical leader in his theo-social doctrinal matters; or was he seeking to indigenise theological discourses in his Afro-Pentecostal outfit? The concern of this article is to unearth the nature of leadership that Mwai-Mabiu employed and to describe the relevance of his Afro-Pentecostal oral and liberationist theologies. What were his fundamental concerns? Was his “ministry” evangelised in a cultural vacuum, rather than an inclusive environment that relied upon already existing networks of the host area of ecclesiastical operation? The methodology of this article comprises interviews conducted in four phases: 1) with Mwai-Mabiu himself; 2) with his wife; 3) with three focus discussion groups (FDGs) in interviews between 2016 and 2018; and 4) by the researcher with people closely related to him, namely Bishop Joshua Kiongo Kimani, assistant Bishop Rev. Joseph Muriithi Karugendo, elder Joseph Munene, elder Benson Ngiri, and the pioneers of the FGCK. Later, in May to October 2019, the researcher conducted further research to seek clarification on some areas that did not come out clearly during the first interviews. A review of the relevant literature was also conducted.

Influence of Self-Efficacy on Risky Sexual Behaviors among Undergraduate Students

This study’s purpose was to determine the influence of self-efficacy on risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students of main campuses in Nakuru County. Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura and Person-Centred Theory by Carl Rogers guided the study. The study was carried out among 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th year undergraduate students from main campuses in Nakuru County. The study adopted a correlational research design. The target population was 18570 undergraduate students. The accessible population was 8456 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th year undergraduate students whose sample was 367. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The study included a sample of 10 peer counsellors and 2 student counsellors from the Egerton University and Kabarak University main campuses who were selected through purposive sampling. Data were obtained using questionnaire for undergraduate students, focus group discussions guide for peer counsellors and interview schedule for student counsellors. Validation of research instruments was done through peer and expert review and also through pilot testing which was done in Mount Kenya University (MKU) - Nakuru Campus. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data using SPSS Version 25 whereas the qualitative data was analysed thematically. The analysed data was presented in tables, graphs, and narratives. The researcher considered ethics of confidentiality and informed consent. The findings indicated that majority of the respondents were of the view that self-efficacy influence risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards contraceptive Use among Unmarried Females Students at Mount Kenya University Rwanda

Background: Contraceptive use is one of the effective means for preventing unintended pregnancies and is highly affected by cultural and social demographic background especially in premarital or unmarried females. Rwanda has made great effort to promote women’s health and to decrease the maternal mortality and morbidity, but there is still a long journey to prevent post abortion morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practices towards contraceptive use among female students. Methods: This is a quantitative cross sectional study conducted among 313 female students recruited using a stratified sampling method combined with a simple random sampling. Online questionnaire was used to collect data from study participants. Obtained data was processed and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics was used to get background information of the study population, and multivariate analysis was used to evaluate factors influencing contraceptive use. Results: The mean age of participants was 25.6±3.3SD, Undergraduates respondents represented 92.7%, 7.3% of respondents were in postgraduates. The results showed that the knowledge of unmarried female students is generally good and their attitudes towards contraceptives are positive. Among 313 participants, 65.8% reported to be sexually active, 76.7% had used any modern contraceptive and 76.2% had practiced unprotected sexual intercourse at least once. A total of 11.5% have had unintended pregnancies at least once. The most commonly known and used methods were condoms and pills. Fear of side effects (55.6%) and lack of information about contraceptives (18.5%) have been reported as factors influencing the non-use of contraceptives. Conclusion: This study concluded that there is still a gap in contraceptive use among sexually active unmarried female students, and recommended the university needs to increase awareness of university students towards contraceptive use.

Role of Counseling Services in Mitigating Risky Sexual Behaviors among Undergraduate Students

This study’s purpose was to identify the role of counselling services in mitigating risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students of main campuses in Nakuru County. Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura and Person-Centred Theory by Carl Rogers guided the study. The study was carried out among 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th year undergraduate students from main campuses in Nakuru County. The study adopted a correlational research design. The target population was 18570 undergraduate students. The accessible population was 8456 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th year undergraduate students whose sample was 367. Simple random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The study included a sample of 10 peer counsellors and 2 student counsellors from the Egerton University and Kabarak University main campuses who were selected through purposive sampling. Data were obtained using questionnaire for undergraduate students, focus group discussions guide for peer counsellors and interview schedule for student counsellors. Validation of research instruments was done through peer and expert review and also through pilot testing which was done in Mount Kenya University (MKU) - Nakuru Campus. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data using SPSS Version 25 whereas the qualitative data was analysed thematically. The analysed data was presented in tables, graphs, and narratives. The researcher considered ethics of confidentiality and informed consent. The findings indicated that counselling services play a key role in universities in mitigating risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students.

Variation of morphological and leaf stoichiometric traits of two endemic species along the elevation gradient of Mount Kenya, East Africa

AbstractAimsThe aim of this paper is to assess morphological and leaf stoichiometric responses of Dendrosenecio keniensis and Lobelia gregoriana to extreme environmental conditions along an elevation gradient in tropical mountains.MethodsIn this study, we assessed the variation of the morphological traits, including plant height, leaf area, leaf thickness, leaf dry weight, specific leaf area and the leaf stoichiometry traits nitrogen, carbon and phosphorous of the two endemic species D. keniensis and L. gregoriana. We further explored the relations of these morphological traits to soil organic carbon, soil total nitrogen, soil phosphorous, annual mean temperature, annual mean precipitation, annual total solar radiation, water vapor pressure and the topographic variables aspect, slope and hill shade along the elevation gradient. Ninety 10 m × 10 m sampling plots were set up along the elevation gradient ranging from 3500 to 4300 m. We used 1 km × 1 km grid cells to rasterize our study area in ArcGIS 10.5 for easy access to data pertaining to the climate of each elevation band. We performed linear regression of the morphological and leaf stoichiometric traits with elevation as explanatory variable. We conducted correlation analysis on the morphological and leaf stoichiometric traits with climatic, soil and topographic variables along the elevation gradient.Important FindingsDendrosenecio keniensis had wool-like pubescent leaves while L. gregoriana had mucilage packed succulent and waxy cuticle leaves to avoid freezing. Both species exhibited reduced metabolic rates as shown by the low leaf phosphorous content. Our results also showed that changes in morphology and leaf stoichiometry were determined by a combination of climate, soil and topographic variables that change along elevation on Mount Kenya. The observed variations in the morphological and leaf stoichiometric traits of D. keniensis and L. gregoriana, which grow side by side along the elevation gradient, were interpreted as adaptation to the harsh environmental conditions.

Influence of Constructivism Instructional Approach on Students’ Achievement in Mathematics in Secondary Schools in Mandera Central Sub County, Kenya

Student’s performance in Mathematics in national examinations has continued to be low. Efforts have been made to reverse this trend, but the low student performance persists. The situation is dire in Mandera Central Sub-County. Perhaps it is imperative to investigate the influence of the constructivism instructional approach on student’s achievement in mathematics in secondary schools, which is the main thrust of the current study. The objectives of the study were to examine the influence of explanation and elaboration on students' achievement in Mathematics in secondary schools in Mandera Central Sub-county, Kenya. The study was based on the concepts of individual constructivist theory, social constructivist theory and Jerome Brumer constructivist theory. The study used a mixed research methodology. The study adopted the experimental research design. The target population was a total of 2,573 respondents comprising of 120 teachers and 2,453 students from 3 boys’ schools, 3 girls’ schools and 3 mixed schools within Mandera Central Sub-county in Kenya. The sample of students to be used in the study was selected using random sampling procedures. The study sample size was 222 respondents. The validity of the instrument was ascertained by a panel of experts in Mathematics education from the Department of Education, Psychology and Technology, School of Education, Mount Kenya University. The data collected quantitatively was analysed by the use of descriptive statistics applying the use of SPSS (version 24) and its presentation was done by use of percentages, means, standard deviations and frequencies. The findings were displayed using bars, graphs, charts and in prose form. Content analysis was applied in testing the data that was qualitative in nature or aspect of the data that was gathered using open-ended questions. The findings showed that learners that were educated using the technique of constructivist had a higher achievement in Mathematics this is because there was a score in their achievement in Mathematics as compared to the students who were taught using the traditional approach. Additionally, those learners who were taught in a constructivist- learning environment had a significant improvement in their understanding and their abilities in comparison to the rest of the abilities such as knowledge and skills by 30%. The study concluded that the constructivist method of teaching is suitable in bettering the achievement of learners in Mathematics and therefore needs to be embraced for practice for schools to realize improved performance in Mathematics.

Space and Violence in WWII Italian Captivity in Africa: Becoming a POW between Mount Kenya and the Equator Line

ABSTRACT This article examines the history of the Fascist soldiers in Italian East Africa who were captured by the British Army in 1940–1941 and kept in Kenya as POWs and co-operators of war. It investigates how they related to the mental and geographical spaces and places of Africa and war captivity. Using unpublished memoirs, it analyses how POWs survived by engaging in sports, intellectual activities, and the performing arts, thus turning the camp into a productive space where they escaped psychological annihilation. It discusses how POWs split into pro and anti-Mussolini supporters after the 1943 armistice and transformed the camp into a space of violence, with barracks used as courtrooms and torture chambers where they made their own justice. The article closes by arguing that freedom for these men did not come until 1946, when they were repatriated to a country that had removed them from its post-WWII national narrative.

Influence of Policy Implementation Practices on Employee Development in the Eastern Region of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Kenya

Policy implementation involves translating the goals and objectives of a policy into an action. The success of policy implementation depends on the choice of appropriate incentives based on the local biophysical and social conditions. The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) recognizes the importance of employee development and is committed to providing the best possible climate for maximum personal development and goal achievement for each employee. Human resources management in PCEA is guided by a document known as the schemes of service. This document guides the job and career prospects for all cadres of personnel. They include, Church administrators, accountants and bookkeepers, secretaries, gardeners, caretakers, cleaners and security guards. Like many mainstream churches, the PCEA is facing a challenge of staff turnover. Despite this challenge, little information regarding leadership practices that influence employee development in the Kenyan context exists. The study examined the influence of policy implementation practices by church leadership on employee development. A descriptive research design using survey method was adopted. The study targeted 291 Church leaders comprising of 255 elected leaders from the 47 Parishes and 4 mission areas and 36 elected leaders drawn from the 9 Presbyteries of Eastern Region of PCEA. Stratified sampling method was used to select a sample of 145 parish leaders and 20 Presbytery leaders totaling to 165 respondents. Data was collected using mainly questionnaires. A pilot study was conducted in Mount Kenya region of PCEA. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The main findings show that leaders in PCEA implemented non-formal training, financed employees, and offered them study leaves with pay and promotions to promote employee development. However, a gap on-the-job training was established. It is time the Church shifts the paradigm to embrace on-the-job training of her employees. If the PCEA has to be successful in her mission in the 21 st century, it has to reconsider her on-the-job training systems. Keywords : Employee Development, PCEA, Policy Practices DOI: 10.7176/JPCR/50-07 Publication date: October 31 st 2020

First archeomagnetic data from Kenya and Chad: Analysis of iron furnaces from Mount Kenya and Guéra Massif

The variation of the Earth's magnetic field over the last millennia is poorly known in Africa, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa that represents less than 1% of the global archeomagnetic dataset. Fourteen iron furnaces from Kenya and Chad have been studied here for archeomagnetic purposes. These structures were dated by 14C from the 14th century in Kenya and from the 18-19th centuries in Chad. Samples, oriented with the plaster cap technique, have been subjected to thermal and alternating field demagnetization, rock magnetic analysis and paleointensity experiment, with the classical Thellier-Thellier technique corrected for anisotropy and cooling rate effects. New directional data (4 from Kenya and 10 from Chad) and one new paleointensity estimate from Kenya (43.5 ± 1.8 μT) were obtained. The Kenyan declinations are in good agreement with the geomagnetic global models, but the inclinations are lower and the intensity higher than predicted. For Chad, the new results prove the efficiency of the archeomagnetic dating, with a precision that is better than radiocarbon for the 18–19th centuries.

Utilization of Online Past Examination Papers and Academic Performance of Information Technology Students at Jomo Kenyatta University- Eldoret Campus

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of utilization of online past examination papers on academic performance of IT students at Jomo Kenyatta University.Methodology: Descriptive survey research design was used in this study. Respondents were the 105 undergraduate students in Information Technology Department and 2 librarians in Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology-Eldoret Campus. They were sampled using stratified sampling, while Head of library and the library staff in charge of e-resources in JKUAT Eldoret Campus were purposively included in the study. Primary data was collected from students using closed-ended questionnaires, while interview guide was used on librarians. To ensure validity and reliability, pre-testing of research instruments was done on 20 undergraduate students of Mount Kenya university-Eldoret Campus in the department of Information Technology. D Descriptive statistics such as mean, percentage, frequencies and standard deviation, SPSS (version 22) was used in analysing data. Univariate and multiple regression analysis were used to test the hypothesis and overall model respectively. The results were presented using tables and explanations.Results: There is a positive and significant relationship between online past examination papers and academic performance of IT undergraduate students of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology - Eldoret Campus. The study had a normal mean of 4.7 and standard deviation of 0.58. The online past examination papers had R estimation of 0.715. The P estimation of constant was significant (.000), consequently R square value was used. The R square estimation of 0.711 inferred that online past assessment papers anticipated 71.1% of the fluctuation in the academic performance. It had a beta of 0.504 at p<0.012.Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: This study reports positive and significant relationship between online past examination papers and academic performance. The study recommends that more policies be developed so as to enable students to access diverse examinations papers, not only from JKUAT library, but also government examination bodies such as Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC). This will improve university students’ research skills and enhance their academic performance. The study contributes to the theory by acknowledging that an undergraduate student will always weigh various online electronic resources available based on their applicability to the student’s academic needs. If they suit their needs, the student will continue to utilize them further but when the needs are not met, the student stops utilizing the online past examination papers.

Taxonomic revision of the Afrotropical Agabus raffrayi species group with the description of four new species (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae).

We revise the Afrotropical Agabus raffrayi species group, motivated by the discovery of new diversity in Kenya and South Africa. Whilst Agabus is mainly a holarctic genus, the Agabus raffrayi group is restricted to high altitude regions of eastern Africa and temperate parts of South Africa, from where we describe the southernmost Agabus in the world. The following new species are introduced: Agabus anguluverpussp. nov. from Mount Kenya in central Kenya, Agabus austellussp. nov. a widespread species in South Africa, Agabus riberaesp. nov. from the Kamiesberg and northeastern Cederberg ranges in the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa and Agabus agulhassp. nov. from the Agulhas Plain, Western Cape Province, South Africa. We provide a distribution map, a determination key for males, quantitative measurements of diagnostic characters, habitus photos and detailed photos of male genitalia for all described species in the group, as well as images of diagnostic characters and habitats. The presence or absence of an elongated section between the subapical broadening and the base of the apical and subapical teeth of the male aedeagus is a useful novel character, first revealed by our study. In contrast with the most recent revision of Afrotropical Agabus, we show that Agabus ruwenzoricus Guignot, 1936 is restricted to eastern Africa; South African records of this species having been based on misidentifications, no species of the group being common to southern and eastern Africa. We speculate that the raffrayi group may display phylogenetic niche conservatism, being restricted, as an originally temperate taxon, to higher elevations in tropical eastern Africa, but occurring at lower altitudes in temperate South Africa.

Effect of E-Financial Documentation and Statements on Operating Costs in Universities in Kenya.

Institutions globally have embraced electronic systems of managing documents and generation of financial statements ranging from maintenance of ledgers, extraction of the trail balance and automated income statement and statement of financial position. This study sought to analyze the effect of e-financial documentation and statements on operating costs in universities in Kenya. The study was guided by theory of reasoned action and technology acceptance model. The target population was 80 employees drawn from 8 universities, four public universities and four private universities operating in Mount Kenya region. Census was used to collect the data from target population. A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to the target population. A total of 71 questionnaires were returned giving a response rate of 88.75%. Statistical package was used to undertake descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Descriptive analysis was done using both means and standard deviations. Bivariate linear regressions were used to assess the effect of e-financial documentation and statements on operating costs. Model R2, ANOVA Statistics (F Statistic and associated p-value) and regression coefficients (Beta and associated p-value) were generated and interpreted. The Bivariate results indicated that online financial documentation have a significant effect on the operating cost of universities. Electronic financial statements had an insignificant effect on operating costs of universities. This study concludes that online financial documentation affects organization costs in the universities. The study recommends the need to sensitize management of universities and other organizations on the importance of electronic financial services because they could reduce operating costs.

Influence of Socioeconomic Status on Risky Sexual Behaviours among Undergraduate Students from selected Universities in Nakuru County, Kenya

This study's purpose was to establish the influence of socioeconomic status on risky sexual behaviours on risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students of main campuses in Nakuru County. Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura and Person-Centred Theory by Carl Rogers guided the study. The study was carried out among 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th-year undergraduate students from main campuses in Nakuru County. The study adopted a correlational research design. The target population was 18570 undergraduate students. The accessible population was 8456 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th-year undergraduate students whose sample was 367. Respondents were selected by applying the simple random sampling technique. The study included a sample of 10 peer counsellors and 2 student counsellors from the Egerton University and Kabarak University main campuses who were selected through purposive sampling. Data were obtained using a questionnaire for undergraduate students, focus group discussions guide for peer counsellors and interview schedule for student counsellors. Validation of research instruments was done through peer and expert review and also through pilot testing, which was done in Mount Kenya University (MKU) - Nakuru Campus. Quantitative data was analysed by both inferential and descriptive statistics using SPSS Version 25, whereas the qualitative data was analysed thematically. The analysed data was presented in tables, graphs, and narratives. The findings indicated that the majority of the respondents were of the view that socioeconomic status influences risky sexual behaviours among undergraduate students.