Uasin Gishu County Research Articles

Influence of Implementation of the Government Policies on Transition Rate of ECDE Children from Public Preschools to Public Primary School in Kapseret Sub County; Uasin Gishu County

A child’s transition from public preschool to primary is not a single event of change that has only immediate consequences but has its effects on transition rate. The purpose of this study was to assess influence of implementation of the government policies on transition rate of ECDE children from public preschools to public primary school in Kapseret Sub County; Uasin Gishu County. The study was guided by Jean Piaget’s Construvist theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The researcher sampled 171 respondents; including 86 Grade one; two; three teachers; 57 preschool teachers; and 29 headteachers. The research instruments used were questionnaires and interview schedule. The analysis of data was done using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. Data from questionnaires was analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitative method involved descriptive and inferential analysis. Descriptive analysis such as frequencies; percentages were used to present quantitative data in form of tables. Qualitative data from interview schedules were analyzed thematically based on the content of qualitative data and then presented in prose form. The findings were presented in frequency distribution tables. The study findings indicated that implementation of government policies has a positive and significant influence on leaners transition. The study concluded that free primary education policy has improved learners’ transition rate to Grade one. Adoption of Early Years Education Policy has influenced transition to Grade one. Finally; free primary education policy has increased the number of learners in public pre-primary school. The study recommends that primary schools should implement all the government policies by preparing Early Child Development (ECD) children in terms of classrooms; toilets; furniture and adequate qualified teachers.

The Influence of KEMI’s Capacity Building Programme on Head Teachers’ Competencies in Financial Management in Public Primary Schools in Uasin Gishu

Aims: The objective of the study was to examine the influence of KEMI’s capacity building programme on head teachers’ competencies in financial management
 Study Design: The study adopted the concurrent triangulation design where both quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed to collect information and do the analysis at the same time.
 Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Uasin Gishu County of North Rift region. The county lies within latitude: 0° 31' 0.00" N and longitude: 35° 16' 59.88" E. The study was carried out between May 2019 to October 2019
 Methodology: The study targeted six sub-county education officers and 471 head teachers in public primary schools in the county. Simple random sampling was employed in choosing 30% (141) of the public primary schools proportionately from each of the six sub-counties in the county. Every head teacher of the selected public primary schools took part in this study. Data was also gathered from all the six sub-county directors of education of Moiben, Kesses, Turbo, Kapseret, Ainabkoi and Soy. Data was collected using interviews and questionnaire.
 Results: Findings indicated that there was a moderate positive correlation between KEMI capacity building programme and head teachers' competency in financial management. KEMI capacity building programme on head teachers competencies had a positive and significant influence on financial management (r (132) = .309, p< .0005). Thus the hypothesis (Ho4) was rejected and this can be explained further by stating that there exists a relationship.
 Conclusion: The findings also shows that KEMI had helped head teachers in understanding the budgeting, auditing of the books of accounts, management of income generating activities and improved accountability and transparency of finance. KEMI had also helped head teachers in keeping up to date inventories. KEMI had enhanced head teachers’ adherence to the school budget and to appreciate the need for constituting of tendering committee.

Readiness for Competence Based Learning of Agriculture Education in Secondary Schools in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Readiness for Competence Based Learning of Agriculture Education in Secondary Schools in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Institutional Gender Representation and Career Progression Disparities at Management Levels in Selected Public Academic Libraries in Kenya

The education sector is one of the most crucial sectors in the world. The very remarkable growth of academic institution has created massive employment opportunities for our educated men and women of our nation. These men and women play a vital role in the Kenyan economy, both socially and economically. However, most of these men and women employees face a lot of challenges at work, especially in career progression related issues. The overall purpose of this study was to examine gender representation and career progression disparities in the management levels of public academic libraries in Kenya. To achieve this, the study sought to find out gender representation in the management levels of the Kenyan public academic universities, determine the barriers hindering career progression of men and women managers, and examine the challenges affecting career progression of men and women at management levels in public academic libraries in Kenya. The study was carried out in selected public academic libraries in Kenya. These included four public universities within Nairobi county, Kiambu county and Uasin-Gishu county. The respondents included university librarians, deputy university librarians, senior librarians, librarians, librarian assistants and senior library assistants. The target population was 85 participants who were expected to participate in the study, and eventually only a sample size of 42 respondents was obtained. Relevant data was collected from the participants using structured interviews and questionnaires. A descriptive case-study research design was used. The collected data was coded into relevant themes, analyzed, interpreted and presented using qualitative methods for enabling to draw the findings and conclusions. Data was presented using tables, graphs and charts. The findings revealed that gender representation in public academic libraries was not balanced, and persons of female gender were more than persons of male gender. Disparities were also noted within their distribution in various departments, more women had attained higher levels of education than their fellow men colleagues, and women had also worked for more number of years within the libraries and in previous positions. It was also observed that, there was a supportive work environment within the organizations, though there were a few instances where the culture within did not encourage a fair job promotion practices. Selection process, networking, policies, rules and regulations in place, in the organizations were a great barrier to career progression. The study came up with several recommendations on gender representation in the management ranks, fair job promotion practices, education and training. 

Relationship between Watching ‘Gengetone’ Music and Drug Abuse among the Youth in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Drugs, substance and alcohol abuse by many youths is as a result of various factors. Research conducted in the past have looked at how mass media channels (video and TV) and their influence on abuse of drugs and other substances among the youth. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how drug-related information portrayed on Gengetone music influences drugs and substance abuse among youths in Eldoret town. The research objectives were to investigate how the acceptability level of ‘Gengetone’ music and videos among youths, to examine ways in which ‘Gengetone music lyrics communicate information on drugs, substance and alcohol abuse and establish the effect of listening of Gengetone music on drugs and substance abuse among youths in Uasin Gishu County. The study adopted George Gerbner’s Cultivation Theory. The study utilised descriptive survey. Questionnaires and interviews were utilised to collect data from selected youths aged 20 – 30 years residing in Eldoret town four estates numbering 80 and one county officer in charge of NACADA North Rift office. Analysis of data was done through qualitative (content analysis method) and quantitative approaches (descriptive statistics); The study found out that indeed lyrics, images and videos contained in some Gengetone music promoted drugs, substance and alcohol abuse by young people in the study area. This means that music preference performed a significant role in determining the level of drugs and substance abuse by youth in Eldoret town. This calls for stakeholder involvement in educating the upcoming artist on the importance of developing Gengetone music that is clean and creates awareness on the dangers of youth addiction to drugs, other substances and alcohol.

Community participation in the collaborative governance of primary health care facilities, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya.

Community participation in the governance of health services is an important component in engaging stakeholders (patients, public and partners) in decision-making and related activities in health care. Community participation is assumed to contribute to quality improvement and goal attainment but remains elusive. We examined the implementation of community participation, through collaborative governance in primary health care facilities in Uasin Gishu County, Western Kenya, under the policy of devolved governance of 2013. Utilizing a multiple case study methodology, five primary health care facilities were purposively selected. Study participants were individuals involved in the collaborative governance of primary health care facilities (from health service providers and community members), including in decision-making, management, oversight, service provision and problem solving. Data were collected through document review, key informant interviews and observations undertaken from 2017 to 2018. Audio recording, notetaking and a reflective journal aided data collection. Data were transcribed, cleaned, coded and analysed iteratively into emerging themes using a governance attributes framework. A total of 60 participants representing individual service providers and community members participated in interviews and observations. The minutes of all meetings of five primary health care facilities were reviewed for three years (2014-2016) and eight health facility committee meetings were observed. Findings indicate that in some cases, structures for collaborative community engagement exist but functioning is ineffective for a number of reasons. Health facility committee meetings were most frequent when there were project funds, with discussions focusing mainly on construction projects as opposed to the day-to-day functioning of the facility. Committee members with the strongest influence and power had political connections or were retired government workers. There were no formal mechanisms for stakeholder forums and how these worked were unclear. Drug stock outs, funding delays and unclear operational guidelines affected collaborative governance performance. Implementing collaborative governance effectively requires that the scope of focus for collaboration include both specific projects and the routine functioning of the primary health care facility by the health facility committee. In the study area, structures are required to manage effective stakeholder engagement.

Navigating sociocultural communication spaces from a gendered perspective: An analysis of the use of new media technologies by Kenyan families

New technologies have challenged the established conceptual understanding of time and physical space as we know it and problematized how cultural values and power dynamics between men and women are viewed. This study sought to examine the time–space distanciation and comprehension in the face of increased access to and use of new communication technologies by families in Kenya. The article addresses the following questions: (1) How have new media technologies in Kenya affected individuals’ use of space at the family level? (2) How do women and men navigate through changes in spaces occasioned by the new media technologies? (3) What influence have new media technologies had on gendered power dynamics between men and women in the family set up? A qualitative study was carried out between October 2018 and October 2019 in Uasin Gishu County in Kenya. Interviews and observation techniques were employed with a total of 42 purposively sampled participants taking part. Qualitative techniques were used to analyse the data. The study generated a number of findings that formed the basis of key recommendations thereof.

Moderation of Organizational Policies on the Relationship between Competitive Strategies and Operational Performance of Star Rated Hotels in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

The hotel industry in Kenya has in the past few years experienced a lot of changes and growth which have affected the state of competition. These demands for formulation and implementation of strategies would cope with competitive pressure. The purpose of this study was to establish the moderating effect of organizational policies on the relationship between competitive strategies and operational performance of Star rated Hotels in Uasin Gishu County. The study adopted the Resource Based View Theory, Porter’s Five Forces Model, and Igor Ansoff’s Theory. It employed descriptive cross-sectional survey design with a target population of 204 hoteliers in 25 star rated hotels. The study applied a census sampling. Questionnaires were used to collect data. Questionnaires were pre-tested on a pilot of 21 staff with a validity index of 0.924 and a reliability Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.853. The study used both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics aided by Statistical Package for Social Sciences computer software. Descriptive statistics included mean, frequencies and standard deviation. Inferential statistics involved regression and correlation analysis. Findings indicated that on introduction of the moderating variable (organizational policies) creates a positive shift in the correlation coefficient from R= 0.548 to R= 0.661. The R-square also shifts positively from R 2 = 0.301 to R 2 =0.437. The adjusted R-square also shifts positively from R 2 = 0.289 to R 2 =0.428. The study therefore concluded that there was a significant statistical effect of cost leadership; product differentiation; and market development; on operational performance of the Star Rated Hotels in Uasin Gishu County. The study to recommend incorporation of cost leadership; product differentiation; and market development; in both short- and long-term strategic plans for hotels.

Climatic and non-climatic risks in rainfed crop production systems: insights from maize farmers of western Kenya

ABSTRACT Impacts of climatic and non-climatic risks are on the rise in the major maize-growing counties of western Kenya. We conducted a questionnaire survey of sampled maize farmers in Nandi, West Pokot, Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia counties, achieving 210 responses. We used a stepwise regression model to evaluate the factors influencing farmers’ perceptions of farming risks. Results show that most of the sampled farmers were aware of the risks, and perceived reduced rainfall with erratic patterns to be the major climatic risk in crop production. The non-climatic factors were identified as inadequate farm size, limited extension services, land degradation and low soil fertility. The determinant factors that influence farmers’ perception of climatic and non-climatic risks affecting crop production were age, farm size, income, crop production cost, marital status, the highest level of education and farming experience. Understanding the risks faced in crop production and determinants of farmers’ perceptions can be important in the development and dissemination of sustainable agronomic strategies tailored towards improving crop production.

The Influence of Learning Resources on Meeting Expectation for Transition from Preschool to Grade One in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya

The transition from pre-primary to Grade one need to set proper expectation measures to enhance effective transition. However, Grade one teachers are complaining of poor entry behavior of a learner from preschool. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the influence of selected factors on meeting expectations for the transition of learners from preschool to grade one in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. The following objective drove the study to establish the influence of learning resources in meeting expectations for the transition from preschool to Grade one. This study employed a survey research design. The study target was 462 Preschools attached to public primary schools in Elgeyo Marakwet. The target population was 1848 participants comprising 462 headteachers, 924 preschool teachers and 462 Grade one teachers. The sample size of the study was 214 schools, 272 preschool and 210 Grade one teachers. The study employed stratified random and simple random sampling. Research instruments used in this study were questionnaires and interview schedules. A pilot study was carried out in 10 randomly selected schools in Uasin Gishu County to ascertain the reliability and validity of research instruments. Qualitative data collected using interviews were analyzed using content analysis. Quantitative data were coded, cleaned and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 26) to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics used were frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Analyzed data were presented using tables and reports. It was further established that learning resources positively and significantly affect meeting expectations for the transition from preschool to Grade one in Elgeyo Marakwet county. The study concludes that learning resources has a significant effect on meeting expectations for the transition from preschool. The learning resources such as textbooks and other teaching-learning materials improve children's performance, improving children's participation rates in all subjects. The study recommends that the county government to avail adequate learning resources such as textbooks and other teaching-learning materials to improve children's performance.

Prevalence, incidence and chronicity of child abuse among orphaned, separated, and street-connected children and adolescents in western Kenya: What is the impact of care environment?

BackgroundThe effect of different types of care environment on orphaned and separated children and adolescents’ (OSCA) experiences of abuse in sub-Saharan Africa is uncertain. ObjectiveOur two primary objectives were 1) to compare recent child abuse (physical, emotional, and sexual) between OSCA living in institutional environments and those in family-based care; and 2) to understand how recent child abuse among street-connected children and youth compared to these other vulnerable youth populations. Participants and settingThis project followed a cohort of OSCA in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya (2009–2019). This analysis includes 2393 participants aged 18 years and below, 1017 from institutional environments, 1227 from family-based care, and 95 street-connected participants. MethodsThe primary outcome of interest was recent abuse. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of recent abuse at baseline, follow-up, and chronically for each abuse domain and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) between care environments, controlling for multiple factors. ResultsIn total, 47 % of OSCA reported ever experiencing any kind of recent abuse at baseline and 54 % in follow-up. Compared to those in family-based care, street-connected participants had a much higher reported prevalence of all types of recent abuse at baseline (AOR: 5.01, 95 % CI: 2.89, 9.35), in follow-up (AOR: 5.22, 95 % CI: 2.41, 13.98), and over time (AOR: 3.44, 95 % CI: 1.93, 6.45). OSCA in institutional care were no more likely than those in family-based care of reporting any recent abuse at baseline (AOR: 0.85 95 % CI: 0.59–1.17) or incident abuse at follow-up (AOR: 0.91, 95 % CI: 0.61–1.47). ConclusionOSCA, irrespective of care environment, reported high levels of recent physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Street-connected participants had the highest prevalence of all kinds of abuse. OSCA living in institutional care did not experience more child abuse than those living in family-based care.

An Exploratory Study of Suicidal Ideation and Risk Behavior Among Secondary School Students in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Suicide is the leading cause of death among adolescents in the world. In Kenya, the rising number of teenage suicide cases is a matter of great concern. This study examined the underlying causes of suicide risk behavior among teenage secondary school students in Kenya. Participants comprised seven students who exhibited suicidal behaviour from four schools drawn from Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Out of the seven participants, four were female, and three male students. This study adopted phenomenological design. Blank sheets of paper-were used in data production. Content analysis method was used in analyzing the written data generated. Results of this study revealed that the causes underlying suicidal risk behavior included: Depression, Hopelessness, Negative thoughts, Sexual abuse, Spiritual forces, Suicidal content from videos, lack of parental love and Mistrust. The findings of this study are useful to stakeholders in education in understanding the underlying causes of suicide, and designing prevention strategies to curb the rising cases of teenage suicides in schools in Kenya.

Using Drip Irrigation to Mitigate the Effects of Drought in Food Production: A Case Study of Production of Beans during Dry Spells in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Over 80 percent of Kenya’s freshwater withdrawals are utilized in agricultural production. The increase in human population means that even more water will be channeled towards food production. Improving water productivity is the most appropriate strategy for increasing food production for a fast growing population due to its consideration of the sustainability of water resources. Kenya predominantly depends on rain-fed agriculture for its food production, and this exposes the country to acute food shortages during droughts. Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are the primary source of protein for most households in Kenya. Despite this fact, there is a supply deficit during dry spells. An irrigation project was carried out at Moi University with an objective to study the effect of deficit irrigation as a mitigation measure to curb the shortage of beans during dry spells while ensuring sustainable use of water resources. This was carried out through modelling of water productivity (WP) and yield (Y) of beans using the FAO AquaCrop model. Field experiments were set up in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) arranged in split plots and replicated three times. Two water treatment strategies were employed (deficit irrigation, full irrigation). In the full irrigation supply, the crop was kept at 100% of irrigation requirement (T100) and data collected from these plots was used in Aqua Crop model calibration. There were three levels of deficit irrigation used: 80%, 60%, and 50% of irrigation requirement (T80, T60, T50), these were used in model validation. The highest WP, as well as the lowest yield reduction of 2.4%, was observed in the T80 treatment, this signifies water savings of up to 20%, which translates to 750 m3/ha. The highest yield reduction of 59.8% was obtained in T50 treatment, coupled with a drop in WP. Deficit irrigation results in yield reduction as observed in this study, but the amount of water saved can be used to irrigate more land or be utilized elsewhere. Consequently, it is necessary for Kenya to adopt deficit irrigation to ensure food security during dry spells while at the same time ensure sustainable water use.

Board of Management Level of Commitment to Implementation of Strategic Planning in Primary Schools in Eldoret East Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

The uses of Strategic plans in modern institutions have developed indicators of successes in both public and private schools. It enabled stakeholders to define priorities, nature innovation and develop creativity. The study sought to determine the board of management level of commitment to implementation of strategic planning in primary schools in Eldoret East Sub-County. The study employed descriptive research design where the researcher used a 10% of total target population of 3066 to select 310 BOM members from 62 Primary Schools. The study used 30% of the total 14 BOM in each school. The study purposively sampled 2 Sub-County Directors of Education and random sampled 15 head teachers from primary schools. Data was collected using questionnaire and interview schedules.Quantitative data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies, statistical measures of central tendency and standard deviation. Qualitative data was analyzed by building themes from the data collected based on the objectives. The study established that BOM were committed to ensuring that there were enough classrooms for children in schools. They were also commited to improve literacy on finance in schools. The BOM commits to providing resources for pupils to participate in co-curriculum activities geared towards improved social behavior. The study concluded that BOM members were committed in ensuring that the schools had play field for physical activities. The study recommended that the BOM should consider committing their resources to facilitated modern sanitation facilities for both boys and girls together with adequate offices for teachers and staffroom facilities. Keywords: Board of Management, Strategic Planning, Level of Commitment, Kenya DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-3-13 Publication date: January 31 st 2021

Determinants of Compliance towards Tourism Licensing Within Uasin Gishu County, Kenya: Hotels and Restaurants Managers Perspective

Determinants of Compliance towards Tourism Licensing Within Uasin Gishu County, Kenya: Hotels and Restaurants Managers Perspective

Modeling Poverty Indices Among Crop Farmers Using Beta and Dirichlet Regression Models; A Case of Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Poverty and its alleviation schemes remain to be of much concern to many countries in the world. In the Sub-Saharan Africa, 41% of the population live below the extreme poverty line and in Kenya, almost 80% of the population are deemed poor. The Kenyan rural sector has a contribution of 40% to this poverty levels despite agriculture being the backbone and the main source of livelihood in the rural areas. It is in this regard that the study evaluates the household characteristics effect on Poverty indices among Crop Farmer Households. The Beta and Dirichlet regression models were used in the analysis in which the Beta regression model gave a better fit to the poverty indices data. The standardized residuals, probability plots, Chi-square test of association and the Breusch Pagan test for heteroscedasticity were used as goodness of fit evaluation tests in which levels of deprivation had a significant effect on the poverty indices among the crop farmers. Data used in the study was secondary data obtained from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Survey Consumption Index in Uasin Gishu County for the period March 2018 to May 2018 in which a total of 489 households were employed in the survey.

The Paradox of Alcohol Control Policies in Kenya: Culture versus Policy: A Case of Illicit Brew Control in Kakamega and Uasin Gishu Counties, Kenya

Alcoholic beverages are closely linked to the history of man. They are either recorded (formal) or unrecorded (illicit). In Africa, a third of all alcohol consumed is illicit and are closely tied to cultural traditions that challenge alcohol control policies. This study was carried out in Kakamega and Uasin Gishu counties in Kenya targeting illicit brew traders and National Government Administrative officers (Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs). It was a descriptive study that sought to determine how cultural norms determined implementation of alcohol control policy on illicit brews. The study was guided by discursive approach to policy, the result indicated that, illicit brews were socially acceptable, were a key requirement in traditional rituals practiced in both counties, were valued by some members in the community, used a medicine, is an intergenerational art and played key roles during different social integration events. All these factors, affected the effort to curb illicit brew trade because the implementers belonged to the same communities, some still holding the believes about traditional alcohol. It was further found that the presence of cultural values on unrecorded alcohol, multiple stakeholders in controlling the brews and national constitution protecting people’s cultural heritage further derailed control efforts by of the National Government Administrative officers.

Application of Total Quality Management Theory on Health and Safety of Staff and Students in Aftermath of the Covid-19 School Closures in UasinGishu County, Kenya

As the world is grappling with COVID-19 Pandemic, education sector has been greatly affected. Schools have been closed. Therefore, strategies on how to recuperate from the damage caused by school closure should be developed to help in the schools re-opening process. The study therefore sought to scrutinize the outcome of application of TQM theory on supervision of COVID-19 pandemic matters in UasinGishu County, Kenya. Mixed research method, ex-post facto research design was engaged. The study targeted 184 principals from which 18 principals were sampled methodically to play a part in the enquiry. Survey form and surveillance checklist were engaged as data assortment instruments. The enquiry established that schools that will utilize Deming 14 principles of TQM will successfullyuphold health and safety of students and staff in aftermath of COVID-19 school closure. The enquiry also established that there was a positive and noteworthyaffiliation between communiqué (x2=7.325, df=4; p=.001), top administrationdedication (x2=10.087, df=4; p=0.039) and training and improvement (x2=8.196, df=2 p=0.017) on maintenance of health and safety of staff and students. The enquiry applauded that supplementaryprominence should be place in ensuring valuable application of TQM principles in schools to assistin the supervisionof the COVID-19 pandemic when schools revive. The enquiry also commended that there ought to be training of both instruction and non- instruction staff on administration of COVID-19 even prior to the schools re-opens to guarantee their safety and that of the students.

Entrepreneurial Competences and Entrepreneurial Performance: Empirical Insights of Female Entrepreneurs in Kenya.

The purpose of this paper is to examine entrepreneurial competences among female entrepreneurs within the context of developed countries which have been greatly neglected in the same context of emerging economies. This empirical research is based on a survey of 301 micro and small enterprises located in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, run by female entrepreneurs. Its focus is on the following entrepreneurial competences: the need for achievement, locus of control, tolerance of ambiguity, innovativeness, risk-taking propensity, self-efficacy, egoistic passion; goal setting; resilience; trustworthiness; emotional stability; and patience. In measuring entrepreneurial performance, the constructs of firm performance, development of personal wealth, and social performance were used. The findings show that a proper measurement instrument has been applied to check on the constructs of entrepreneurial competences and entrepreneurial performance. The paper makes a finding that entrepreneurial competences do exist among female entrepreneurs in emerging economies. However, it was established that there is hardly any correlation between entrepreneurial competences and entrepreneurial performance. This finding, presents a stimulating area for further research within the contextual framework of emerging economies. The study contributes to the advancement of the literature on entrepreneurial competences and how they relate to the entrepreneurial performance of female entrepreneurs in an emerging economy context.

‘Restricted’ digital/media repertoires in rural Kenya: a constructive critique

ABSTRACT The ambition of this article is twofold and consists of an attempt to outline a problematic bias of research attention and interpretation, discernible in the field of studies that address the appropriation and usage of new media and networked communication technologies, as unfolding in Africa. Thus, I voice my concerns in respect to scholarly attempts, quantitative and qualitative in nature, to define those who are left behind at the bottom of the digital/media pyramid, in narrow deterministic terms. Based on qualitative interviews from fieldwork in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya I suggest a methodological–analytical approach to overcome this blind spot of attention and understanding, by show-casing a different strategy of data generation and interpretative reading. The article draws attention on the media practices and routines that are contextually embedded in the lifeworld concerns and pragmatic decisions of individuals located at the excluded end of the continuum of communication ecologies in Kenya. My in-depth presentation and discussion of two protagonists from rural Ziwa ward seeks to challenge commonplace characterisations of the causes and consequences of restricted digital/media repertoires. This includes a rejection of techno-centric, normative claims that define digital inclusion in narrow terms and the excluded as human impediments to democratic transition and development. Instead, I put forward a situated understanding of digital/media repertoires that while realised under constrained conditions, nonetheless allow people to address their lifeworld concerns. Concerns, here understood ‘as activities that matter to people' (Helle-Valle, J. (2019). Advocating causal analyses of media and social change by way of social mechanisms. Journal of African Media Studies, 11(2), 143–161. https://doi.org/10.1386/jams.11.2.143_1), in consequence affecting digital/media practices and vice versa.