West Pokot County Research Articles

Activity-Based Learning Strategies used by Teachers in Public Pre-Primary Schools in Kenya

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how activity-based learning is implemented in public pre-primary schools in Kenya with specific reference to West Pokot County, Kenya. The new curriculum being implemented in pre-primary schools in the country demands that activity-based learning be used to foster learning by children in schools. The research utilised a mixed methodology research approach. The target population comprised teachers (1677) and headteachers (417) drawn from 417 Pre-primary centres in West Pokot County. A sample size of 10.0% representing 41 headteachers and 168 public pre-primary school teachers was selected using a stratified random sampling technique. to collect data, questionnaire was administered to pre-primary teachers, interview was conducted for sampled head teachers and researcher collected secondary data through observation method. Data collected was analysed qualitatively and quantitatively using descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis. The study found that activity-based learning was occasionally used (M= 3.19, SD= 0.54) by teachers in public pre-primary schools in the study area. Teachers failed to use the recommended methods because of the non-availability of adequate and quality instructional resources. The study recommends that teachers should be supported by parents, government, and school management in the acquisition of the right infrastructure and instructional resources. Teachers also need to be provided with additional training on activity-based approaches implementation in schools.

Assessment of Runoff and Soil Loss Under Natural Vegetation Cover and Rainfall in a Semi-Arid Catchment, West Pokot County, Kenya

Soil erosion has become a major cause of land degradation with regrettable economic losses. It has affected livelihoods of many agro-pastoral communities in Arid and Semi-arid Lands (ASALs). There is need for continuous assessment of soil erosion in these areas in order to provide sufficient data on soil loss for soil resource management, conservation, and land use planning. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of soil loss by water for soil conservation planning in West Pokot County, Kenya. Two adjacent fields with variable vegetation cover density were identified in a semi-arid catchment for runoff plot research. Vegetation cover on the fields was measured using the transect line-intercept survey method. Field 1 had 25–50% vegetation cover while field 2 had 50–75% vegetation cover. On each field, three identical erosion plots with dimensions 20 m along the slope and 10 m wide were constructed. Runoff and sediment from the plots were measured for fifteen rainfall-runoff events during the long rains season. Data was analysed using correlation analysis and linear regression methods. The results show that runoff production varied from 1.03% to 1.44% of total rain water. Soil loss from the plots was 120.3–155.5 g/ . Runoff-rainfall correlation analysis showed a significant positive relationship (r =0.9609, P<0.05%) with 92.33% variance in runoff production. Soil loss had significant positive relationship with runoff (r =0.9840, P<0.05%) with 96.83% variance in soil loss. The study found that runoff production and soil loss was slow in the field with dense vegetation cover. Studies project an increase in human and livestock populations in semi-arid areas. This points at possible decrease in vegetation cover and increase in the rate of soil loss by water. The study recommends development of a soil conservation and management strategy in the study area.

Quality of services offered to women with female genital mutilation across health facilities in a Kenyan County

BackgroundFemale genital mutilation (FGM) curtails women’s health, human rights and development. Health system as a critical pillar for social justice is key in addressing FGM while executing the core mandate of disease prevention and management. By leveraging opportune moments, events and experiences involving client-provider interactions, relevant FGM-related communications, behavior change and management interventions can be implemented through health facilities or in communities. It is unclear whether Kenyan health system has maximized this strategic advantage and positioning to address FGM.ObjectiveDetermine the quality of services offered to women with FGM across health facilities in West Pokot county, Kenya.MethodsA mixed quantitative data collection strategies were used. These included: client-provider interactions observations with (61) health care workers (HCWs) and women with FGM seeking services; client-exit interviews with (360) women with FGM seeking services. These approaches sought to determine the content and quality of FGM-related care services; and service data abstractions involving records on services sought/offered from (10) facilities in West Pokot.ResultsA large (76%) proportion of women had experienced FGM aged 11–15 years, were married between 15 and 19 years (39%), had primary (47.5%) or no education (33%) with income <30 USD/month (43%). Only 14.8% HCWs identified FGM and related complications (11.5%) during consultations. Few FGM-related prevention interventions were implemented with IEC materials (4.9%) for reinforcing preventive messages lacking. Infrastructure (88.5%) for reproductive health services existed albeit limited human resources (14.8%) and capacity (42.6%) for FGM prevention and management; few (16%) health facilities and workers explained the negative consequences of FGM and need for stopping it (15.3%); and while data on women who sought antenatal (ANC), postnatal (PNC) and family planning (FP) care services were available no information of those with FGM or related complications.ConclusionHealth systems in high prevalent settings actively interface with women with FGM, despite the primary reason for seeking services not being FGM. Despite high number of women having undergone the cut, diagnosis, prevention, care services, and documentation of FGM and related complications are suboptimal. This underscores the need for health system strengthening in response to the practice with consideration for training kits for HCWs, empowering HCWs, anchoring of FGM indicators in the HMIS, documentation and IEC material to support FGM prevention at service delivery points, and overall integration of FGM into health programs.

School Co-curricular Activities in Promotion of Peace Education in Public Day Secondary Schools in West Pokot County, Kenya

Peace education is about empowering and equipping students with knowledge, skills and attitudes in relation to positive social change and to help them find new solutions to challenges. West Pokot County in Kenya is a highly volatile region, characterized by regular conflict between its inhabitants and communities in neighbouring Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Turkana counties and northern Uganda region. The purpose of this study was to investigate how school co-curricular activities affect provision of peace education in public secondary schools in West Pokot County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following objective: to identify school co-curricular activities that accelerate attainment of peace education in public secondary schools in West Pokot county. Literature review indicates that when education is equitably available, of good quality, relevant and conflict sensitive, it can help promote peace and provide safe environments. The study adopted a pragmatist research paradigm and a descriptive survey research design. A sample size of 30% of principals and teachers constituted 24 and 198 respectively from a total population of 81 principals and 661 teachers in the County. Based on Yamane formula for sample size calculation, 385 students were sampled from a total of 10,035 students in West Pokot County. The schools were selected using stratified random sampling technique while purposive sampling was used to select the principals who participated in the study. Simple random sampling was used to select students and teachers. Data was collected using questionnaires for teachers’ respondents, interviews for principals and focus group discussions, for student respondents. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi square test while qualitative data was analyzed thematically based on the emerging themes. The study established that; school co-curricular activities promoted peace It is recommended that co-curricular activities with the theme of ....

SCHOOL AND PUPILS BASED FACTORS INFLUENCING GIRLS’ DROPOUT RATE IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN WEST POKOT, KENYA

Girls’ child education is important in any education system. However, the retention of these girls’ pupils within the education system is a great challenge in Alale Zone. The study sought to establish school and pupil based factors leading to drop out among girls’ pupils in primary schools in Alale Zone, West Pokot County. The specific objectives of the study were to investigate the influence school-based and pupils’ personal factors on girls’ dropout rate in primary schools. Maslow theory guided the study. The study was conducted in 7 primary schools in Alale Zone, North Pokot Sub County. The research design was descriptive in nature. The target population included 7 head teachers and 82 public primary school teachers. The head teachers were selected through purposive sampling while teachers were selected through simple random sampling technique. The research relied on questionnaires and interview schedules as instruments of data collection. Both validity and reliability of research instruments will be determined. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics and presented using frequency distribution tables, pie charts and bar and column graphs. The study established that school based and pupils-based factors influenced girls’ dropout rate in the zone. Moreover, issues of teenage pregnancy, poor performance, poverty, sexual harassment and families believe and attitude contributed to increased cases of girls’ dropout in schools. The study recommends that various stakeholders; government, teachers and community at large should foster efforts aimed at promoting girls’ education in the zone. Guidance and counselling services need to be strengthened in primary schools in Alale Zone.&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0908/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

The Relationship between Climate Change, Variability, and Food Security: Understanding the Impacts and Building Resilient Food Systems in West Pokot County, Kenya

This study integrated local and scientific knowledge to assess the impacts of climate change and variability on food security in West Pokot County, Kenya from 1980–2012. It characterized rainfall and temperature from 1980–2011 and the phenology of agricultural vegetation, assessed land use and land cover (LULC) changes, and surveyed local knowledge and perceptions of the relationships between climate change and variability, land use decisions, and food (in)security. The 124 respondents were aware of long-term changes in their environment, with 68% strongly believing that climate has become more variable. The majority of the respondents (88%) reported declining rainfall and rising temperatures, with respondents in the lowland areas reporting shortened growing seasons that affected food production. Meteorological data for 1980–2011 confirmed high inter-annual rainfall variability around the mean value of 973.4 mm/yr but with no notable trend. Temperature data showed an increasing trend between 1980 and 2012 with lowlands and highlands showing changes of +1.25 °C and +1.29 °C, respectively. Land use and land cover changes between 1984 and 2010 showed cropland area increased by +4176% (+33,138 ha), while grassland and forest areas declined by –49% (–96,988 ha) and –38% (–65,010 ha), respectively. These area changes illustrate human-mediated responses to the rainfall variability, such as increased stocking after good rainfall years and crop area expansion. The mean Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values ranged from 0.36–0.54 within a year, peaking in May and September. For weather-related planning, respondents relied on radio (64%) and traditional forecasters (26%) as predominant information sources. Supporting continuous climate change monitoring, intensified early warning systems, and disseminating relevant information to farmers could help farmers adopt appropriate adaptation strategies.

Adoption of Improved Biomass Cook Stoves: Case Study of Baringo and West Pokot Counties in Kenya

Biomass cookstove improvement has been a global active research area for many decades and has resulted into much progress towards cleaner and more efficient energy conversion cooking devices. Irrespective of the perfection and development of improved cookstoves, many households in Kenya are still using three stone cookstoves. In Baringo County, 71.8% used three stone cookstoves. The focus of research needs to change towards adoption of improved cook stoves. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in rural, peri-urban and urban households regarding current cookstoves types in relation to fuel use categorized as improved and un-improved in Baringo and West Pokot counties. Biomass was the primary fuel in the two counties used in the form of firewood and charcoal at average of 70% and 26% respectively. The main un-improved cookstoves in the two counties were three stone and metallic jiko. The two were commonly used in Baringo County with 28.5% of the households using metallic stove. Whereas in West Pokot, Chepkube was the main cookstove used for cooking at 47.8% seconded by improved three stone at 36.6%. The use of un-improved cookstove was popular in Baringo County at 77.6% while infamous in West Pokot County at 21.7%. The results showed that West Pokot County is more conscious to energy related issues unlike Baringo County. The difference in dynamic of the two Counties in terms of land ownership, access to biofuel, social groupings, availability of cookstove installers and improved jikos could be the reason.

Effects of Stakeholders Engagement on the Implementation of Physical Infrastructure Projects in Public Secondary Schools: A Case of West Pokot and Trans Nzoia Counties, Kenya

Education sector globally has realized a huge rise in enrolment levels. In Kenya for instance, the continuous enrolment in primary schools and the hundred percent transitions as a result of the Free Primary Education (FPE) has imposed pressure on the already existing resources in Secondary section. This study aimed at assessing the effects of stakeholder engagement on implementation of physical infrastructure projects in secondary schools: a case of West Pokot and Trans Nzoia Counties, Kenya. The study adopted Critical Chain Project Management theory. This study employed a descriptive survey design which was suitable since the study sought to collect information from the respondents on their opinions. The target population was 479 which comprised of the Principals, Board of Management Members, County and Sub County Directors of Education. Using Yamane’s formula, a sample size of 218 respondents was attained. Questionnaires and interview guides were used in data collection. The quantitative data collected was coded to translate questions responses to specific categories and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), tabulated and presented using descriptive statistics. The findings indicated that in both Counties; stakeholders were highly engaged in secondary school infrastructure project development though at varied levels. The findings showed that indeed, school heads are being supported and trained by the Ministry of Education (MoE) in both counties on the capacity to handle projects. The study also found out that whereas the board of management in Trans Nzoia County was offering some good work in managing projects, the management in West Pokot County was ineffective. There was an indication that; despite the government banning the PTA component of financing schools, still schools in Trans Nzoia county charge parents this component in the fees as opposed to the West Pokot schools. It was also evident from the findings that teachers were not engaged in the development of the physical infrastructure in the two counties. The findings showed that in counties, professionalism and commitment from the contractors were upheld. The respondents in the research rated PTA’s participation in terms of expertise and financial support to having influence in school infrastructure project implementation in Trans Nzoia County. Respondents from both Counties agreed that there was commitment and professionalism from the hired contractors. The following recommendations were made: Participation by stakeholders in the whole process of infrastructure project implementation in government aided secondary schools should be encouraged. Given that the government banned PTA component of physical infrastructure funding, the government should provide enough budgetary funding to all secondary schools. The study recommends that teachers ought to be engaged in physical infrastructure development in secondary schools. The study also recommends that Parents Teacher Associations need to be empowered on project implementation in schools and due diligence should be followed in pre-qualifying, selecting and awarding of tenders to contractors.

Provision of Quality Education in Public Early Childhood Education Centres in West Pokot County, Kenya

There is a global emphasis on the importance of providing quality early childhood education and care to all children. The issue of provision of quality early childhood education for arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya has received less attention as it contributes to the status of literacy of the whole population. This paper looks at the provision of quality education in public early childhood education centres also known as pre-primary schools in West Pokot County, Kenya. The study methodology incorporated qualitative and quantitative methods of research. This study took pragmatism as its philosophical paradigm. The study used a descriptive survey research design. The target population for the research involved 365 headteachers and 682 teachers. The sample size for the study was arrived at by taking 10-30% of the target population to act as the sample size that is 10% for headteachers and 30% for ECDE teachers. The research instruments used were; questionnaires and interview guides. The data collected was analysed using qualitative and quantitative methods. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation. Statistical Package for Social Science (Version 20.0) helped in coding, entry and analysis. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis method. The study found out that provision of quality education was at average level (M=2.87, SD=1.13) in public pre-primary schools in West Pokot County. This means that half of the pupils in public pre-primary schools in the county are not receiving quality education and hence affecting their development in schools. Therefore, the paper recommends that adequate measures need to be put in place by the County Government of West Pokot County to ensure that public ECDE centres provide quality education through building more ECDE classrooms, employment of teachers on permanent and pensionable terms, provision of adequate instructional materials and meals programmes for remote schools to increase learners retention

Lung Cancer Risk Assessment due to Radon and Thoron Exposure in Dwellings in Ortum, Kenya

Radon and thoron gases are produced by radioactive decay of soil and rocks containing uranium and thorium. Radon and thoron in dwellings constructed using soil and rocks rich in uranium and thorium are considered as a major causes of lung cancer especially for nonsmokers. Despite the dangers that these gases can cause to human health, extensive mapping of concentration of radon and thoron gases in Kenyan dwellings has not been done. This phenomenon leaves a large population at risk of exposure to these gases especially in rural areas where good ventilation is not considered in most of the housing design. In this study, indoor radon and thoron exposure were measured in 7 dwellings chosen using purposive sampling method in Ortum, West Pokot county, Kenya. The radon and thoron concentration in mud houses was determined using a passive radon and thoron discriminative detector (RADUET). The detectors were placed in mud houses at a height of about 2 meters above the ground for 3 months (103 days). The concentrations of radon and thoron were calculated and found to range from 16 ± 6 to 72 ±13 and 18 ±11 to 110 ±30 respectively. The average radon and thoron concentration were found to be 40 ± 19 Bq/m3 and 54 ± 30 Bq/m3 respectively, which is below the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recommended lower and upper limit of 100 Bq/m3 and 300 Bq/m3 respectively. The annual effective dose was found to be 1.03 mSv/y for radon and 0.30 mSv/y for thoron which is within the 1.3 mSv average global annual effective dose due to radon, thoron and its progeny.

Effect of Home-Based Factors on Girls' Participation in Education in Public Secondary Schools in Pokot Central Sub-County, Kenya

The tenacity of the enquiry was to scrutinize the effect of home-based factors on girls’ participation in education in Pokot Central Sub-County in West Pokot County in Kenya. This is in the dainty of apprehension that notwithstanding the introduction of Free secondary Education in Kenya, infrastructure funding by both the National and County governments, bursaries for needy students from National, County governments Non-Governmental organizations and mentorship programs for girls by Non-governmental organizations to stimulate girls participation in education in Arid and Semi-Arid areas in Kenya, girls participation in secondary school education in West Pokot County has endured indefinable and below par participation. The study was guided by the following research questions: what is the effect girls’ participation in home chores and family size on girls' participation in education in Pokot Central Sub-County, West Pokot County, Kenya. The study adopted quantitative research methodology, ex-post facto research design. The study targeted 3100 girls in public secondary schools. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select a sample of 341 girls to participate in the study. Census approach was used in which all the 15 Principals and 15 PTA Chairpersons of the sampled schools were involved in the study. Questionnaires, Interview Schedules and Document analysis guide were used as data collection instruments. Data collected was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Graphic statistics was analyzed in form of frequencies, proportions, mean and standard deviation. Analysis of Variance was used to test the hypotheses. The enquiry established that there was a negative association between family size and girls’ participation in home chores and their participation in education. The study concluded that increased family size and girls’ participation in home chores affected girls’ participation in education negatively. The study recommended that girls should be given minimal home chores so as to enable them to effectively participate in education.

Saving and borrowing behaviour among agropastoralists in West Pokot County, Kenya

AbstractFinancial inclusion is an important development impetus, where knowledge of saving and borrowing behaviour provides valuable insights. This study focuses on access to and use of financial services among agropastoralists in rural Kenya, using survey‐based household data from 2007 and 2017. Surveys show that households with savings increased from about 57% to 71%—coinciding with increased access to financial training and growing use of informal group‐based savings organizations. Share of households that had access to credit also increased during this period, from about 26% to 54%. Support to group‐based savings organizations can stimulate financial inclusion among agropastoralists.

Changes in Cattle Rustling on Gender Relations Among the Pokot in West Pokot, Kenya

Evidence of change in cattle rustling practice among pastoralist communities worldwide has been noted with globalisation, education, and modernisation, among other factors. However, there is little known about transformation in men and women's involvement in this practice in the wake of easy accessibility of small and light weapons and breakdown of the traditional leadership and control systems. This paper examined the transformation in cattle rustling practice among the Pokot community in West Pokot county. This study's target population included adult residents of the Pokot community, community elders, opinion leaders, political and administrative leaders, and local and international NGOs dealing with cattle rustling issues in West Pokot County. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruit 350 respondents. An unstructured questionnaire, a critical informant interview guide, a focus group discussion guide, and an observation guide were used to collect primary data. Qualitative data collected was analysed using patterns and critical themes of this particular objective. Quantitative data analysis was organised using the SPSS software version 2.0 and analysed using various descriptive statistics. The findings indicated that transformation in cattle rustling had seen a cultural activity for the young people to demonstrate their courage and wit and become a murderous criminal endeavour. The community no longer benefits from cattle rustling, but only a few are driven by greed to reap where they never sow. Illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, community conflicts, possession of firearms and insecurity were identified as the leading causes of cattle rustling. Access to formal education has seen many in the school-going age among the West Pokot get exposed to literacy, which has gradually recorded a positive transformation about its cattle rustling practices. Based on the findings, the paper makes the following recommendations to address the problem of cattle rustling among the people of West Pokot County: Enlightenment on contemporary ways of life; formal education among the Pokot to be advocated for; enhancing Security in West Pokot; opening a platform for peace talk and persuasions and operationalising the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation protocol.

Female Students Participation in Technical Vocational Education and Training in West Pokot County, Kenya

Quality and affordable technical vocational education and training are one of the United Nations Sustainable Development agenda items for ensuring equal access to education for all women and men by the year 2030. This means that all women in the country need to have relevant skills for employment, job creation and entrepreneurship. Data from West Pokot County, Kenya department of technical and vocational education show the number of female students being admitted in vocational training centres for the past five years has remained low. Whereas the government of Kenya has viewed TVET as a critical element of attaining Sustainable Development Goal and Kenya’s Vision 2030 goals, the number of female students graduating from vocational training and being absorbed in the job market remains low. This study looks at enrolment trends for female students in vocational training centres and further examines factors discouraging female students from joining vocational training institutions (VTCs). To collect data, interviews and documentary evidence were used. The respondents for the study involve managers of selected VTCs in West Pokot County. Analysis of data was done through qualitative and quantitative methods. The study found out that the distribution of students in all public VTCs in West Pokot County favoured the male gender over female students. For women enrolled in various programmes, only 45.0% fully completed their programme. It was found out that courses offered in VTCs tend to attract more male students compared to female ones. The distribution of the teaching workforce in VTCs was found to be male-dominated and therefore, female students did not have role models to look up to. The research also found out that majority of girls who were unable to proceed to secondary and tertiary education were not aware of the opportunities available in VTCs in the county. The paper concludes that social-cultural factors, lack of role models and poverty were some of the barriers affecting female students’ participation in vocational education and training. The paper suggests more work needs to be done by all stakeholders to ensure that courses offered in VTCs are attractive to female students, remove social, cultural and physical barriers which prevent female students from enrolling and completing vocational training in West Pokot County, Kenya.

Factors Affecting Adaptation to Climate Change through Agroforestry in Kenya

The environmental effects of climate change have significantly decreased agricultural productivity. Agroforestry technologies have been applied as a solution to promote sustainable agricultural systems. This study evaluates the factors influencing the adoption of agroforestry technology in Kenya. A multistage sampling technique was employed to collect data from 239 households in West Pokot County, Kenya. A Probit model and K-means algorithm were used to analyze the factors affecting farmers’ agroforestry technology adoption decisions based on the sampled households’ socio-economic, demographic, and farm characteristics. The study found that the total yield for maize crop, farm size, extension frequency, off-farm income, access to training, access to credit, access to transport facilities, group membership, access to market, gender, distance to nearest trading center, and household education level had significant effects on the adoption of agroforestry technologies. The findings of this study are important in informing policy formulation and implementation that promotes agroforestry technologies adoption.

Influence of Culture on Girl Child Education in Central Pokot Sub County, Kenya

Cultural practices such as Female Genital Mutilation, early child marriages and patriarchy have been on the rise in West Pokot despite interventions by government and non-state actors over the years. These outdated cultural practices have hindered the progress of girls academically. It is vital to educate the girl-child in society. However, teenage pregnancy gets girls at the wrong time when they are still in schools and this affects their education very much and eventually ends up ruining their future. This paper looks at how various cultural practices have affected girl child education in West Pokot County, Kenya. The study was conducted in Central Pokot Sub County primary schools targeting 12 headteachers and 120 teachers. The respondents were selected through purposive and simple random sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. Data collected were analysed using percentages and frequencies. The results of the study showed that the status of girl-child education was low. Cultural factors like; early marriages, female genital mutilation, child labour, widowhood practices and taboos influenced girl-child education. The study found out those cultural factors in the study area affected girl-child education negatively as it slowed down their transition, academic performance and also the acquisition of knowledge required at the basic education level. The study recommends that the government should take legal action against parents who take their girl-children for FGM and early marriages; there is a need for awareness on the importance of girl child education, provision of scholarships for girls at basic and tertiary level and introduction of guidance and counselling sessions in schools.

Effectiveness of the Conflict Management Mechanisms in Land Use Conflicts in West Pokot County, Kenya

West Pokot County, Kenya has experienced land use conflicts for a very long time. Land is a very important resource for pastoralists and agropastoralists’ livelihood. Formal Conflict management mechanisms were established to manage land use conflict in West Pokot County however, the conflicts persisted. The Constitution of Kenya 2010, transformed the conflict management mechanisms by integrating the formal and the informal mechanisms. The judiciary system of conflict management was complimented by the alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and the traditional dispute resolution mechanisms. Despite the integration of the formal and informal conflict management mechanisms, land use conflicts have persisted in West Pokot County, Kenya. Therefore, this study explored the effectiveness of the conflict management mechanisms in transforming land use conflicts in West Pokot County. The study used the conflict transformation theory to analyze the effectiveness of the conflict management mechanisms in transforming land use conflicts in the county. It used both descriptive and explanatory research designs to give the actual picture and explanations of the effectiveness of the conflict management mechanisms in West Pokot County. The questionnaire, interview schedule, focused group discussion and observation schedules were used to collect data primary data. This study used the SPSS to analyze quantitative data while qualitative data was analyzed using qualitative analysis. The findings of the study shows that the conflict management mechanisms in West Pokot County are not effective in the transformation of land use conflicts. Complete implementation of the conflict management mechanisms will improve the transformation of land use conflicts in West Pokot County. Keywords: Conflicts, Mechanisms, Management, Land-use, County DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/11-4-02 Publication date: February 28 th 2021

Efficacy of the Devolved System of Governance in Management of Land Use Conflicts in West Pokot County, Kenya

The devolved system of governance radically transformed structures and institutions of governance in Kenya. The system of governance is designed as a unitary state with the national government and 47 county governments. It establishes shared governance at national level and self-governance at county level. The system of governance transformed the administration and management of land use in Kenya. The Ministry of Land and Physical Planning, the county government and the National Land Commission have powers and authority to perform functions that improve administration and management of land use. The cooperation of the Ministry of Land, the county governments and the National Land Commission in administration and management of land is held, used and managed in a manner that is equitable, efficient, productive and sustainable. Despite the establishment of the devolved system of governance, West Pokot County has continued to experience intractable and protracted land use conflicts in low lands of Chesegon, Sigor, Alale, Cheptulel, Kacheliba, Chepkopegh and Kanyarkwat as well as highlands of Chepararia, Lelan and Kapenguria. The study sought to assess the efficacy of the institutions of the devolved system of governance in the management of land use conflict in West Pokot County. The objective of this study is to examine the influence of the institutions of the devolved system of governance in management of land use conflicts in West Pokot County. The study used consociational democracy theory as expounded by Arend Lijphart. The theory postulates that internal conflicts in divided countries are managed by the transfer of power and resources from national government to autonomous regional government to harness shared governance and self-governance through participation, inclusion and effective service delivery. The study used descriptive and explanatory research design to describe the characteristics, explain and predict the relationship between institutions of the devolved system of governance and management of land use conflicts in West Pokot County. Data was collected using questionnaire, interview schedules, focused discussion and observation. It was analyzed using SPSS and coding of themes and findings presented using tables, charts and narrations. The study found out that the design of institutions in the devolved system of governance is effective in management of land use conflicts in West Pokot County.

A Study on the Comprehensive Comparison between Indigenous Cattle Rustling and Modern Cattle Rustling in West Pokot County, Kenya

Evidence of change in cattle rustling practice among pastoralist communities worldwide has been noted with globalisation, education, and modernisation, among other factors. However, there is little known about transformation in men and women’s involvement in this practice in the wake of easy accessibility of small and light weapons (SALWs) and breakdown of the traditional leadership and control systems. This paper examined the transformation in cattle rustling practice among the Pokot community in West Pokot county. This study’s target population included adult residents of Pokot community, community elders, opinion leaders, political and administrative leaders, and local and international NGOs dealing with cattle rustling issues in West Pokot county. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruit 350 respondents. An unstructured questionnaire, a critical informant interview guide, a focus group discussion guide, and an observation guide were used to collect primary data. Qualitative data collected was analysed using patterns and critical themes of this particular objective. Quantitative data analysis was organised using the SPSS software version 2.0 and analysed using various descriptive statistics. The findings indicated that transformation in cattle rustling had seen a cultural activity for the young people to demonstrate their courage and wit and become a murderous criminal endeavour. The community no longer benefits from cattle rustling, but only a few are driven by greed to reap where they never sow. Illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, community conflicts, possession of firearms and insecurity were identified as the leading causes of cattle rustling. Access to formal education has seen many in the school-going age among the West Pokot get exposed to literacy, which has gradually recorded a positive transformation about its cattle rustling practices. Based on the findings, the paper makes the following recommendations to address the problem of cattle rustling among the people of West Pokot County: Enlightenment on contemporary ways of life; formal education among the Pokot to be advocated for; enhancing Security in West Pokot; opening a platform for peace talk and persuasions and operationalising the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO) protocol.

Variation of Total Coliforms and Bacteria during Dry and Wet Seasons in Rivers of Sigor Division, West Pokot County, Kenya

Aims: There has been an increase in gastro-intestinal and urinary infections in Sigor division, West Pokot, Kenya. These infections result from bacteria and coliforms which are majorly propagated in water systems. Residents of this area are pastoralists and small-scale farmers relying on river water for their consumption and economic needs. This study aimed at characterizing the strains and quantities of bacteria and coliforms in the four rivers during the wet and dry seasons.&#x0D; Study Design: An independent measures design was used.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Samples were taken from four rivers (Weiwei, Chesogon, Lomut and Muruny) in Sigor division, West Pokot county, Kenya. The study was conducted between January and October 2013.&#x0D; Methodology: Sampling was done at various points of the river in a stratified manner for characterization and analysis. Four main pathogens namely E. coli, V. cholerae, Shigella and Salmonella species as well as F. streptococci were isolated, cultured using different media and characterized. Further biochemical tests were conducted to confirm the exact strains present. Total viable counts for the bacteria and coliforms were then enumerated.&#x0D; Results: The results found out that E. coli, V. cholerae, Salmonella and Shigella species were abundant in the rivers while F. streptococci were only observed during the wet season. Biochemical tests conducted on the isolates revealed that the strains co-existed in the water samples. Weiwei river had the greatest number of bacteria strains. Muruny river was found to have the largest population of bacteria colony forming units (cfu’s). There was a large disparity in cfu’s in the rivers during the dry seasons. Chesogon river had the highest population of coliform units.&#x0D; Conclusion: The raw water in all the rivers were concluded to be unsafe for human consumption according to WHO standards.