School of Science and Technology
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Welcome to School of Sciences and Technology collection.This collection contains Journal articles published by faculty affiliated to the school.
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Item Gamification on Social Media to Enhance Library Services in Kenyan Private Universities(Journal of Science & Technology, 2025-09) Naisula, Segel Winner; Gichohi, Paul Maku; Murugi, EdithThis study examined the application of gamification strategies on social media as an innovative approach to enhance student interaction with library services at Strathmore and Riara Universities, Kenya. Guided by the Self-Determination Theory, which emphasizes competence, relatedness, and autonomy as intrinsic motivators, the study explored how game elements such as contests, quizzes, and digital badges influence engagement. A descriptive survey design was employed, targeting a population of 2,100 individuals (1,800 students and 300 librarians). Stratified random sampling yielded 300 students, while purposive sampling selected 36 librarians, resulting in a final response of 255 students (85%) and 20 librarians (55.6%). Data were collected using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, with reliability confirmed through Cronbach’s alpha values above 0.7. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS v26 (descriptive statistics), while qualitative insights were thematically analyzed. The findings revealed that gamification significantly improved interaction with library services, with 50.6% of students reporting motivation from contests, 48.2% from digital badges, and 60% from quizzes. Despite these benefits, challenges such as limited resources, inadequate training, and access to gamification software constrained scalability. The study concludes that gamification offers a practical framework for bridging the student-library engagement gap in Kenyan private universities. It recommends investing in affordable gamification tools, training librarians in digital engagement strategies, and conducting regular audits of library social media initiatives. Adoption of such measures would enhance both the visibility and utilization of library services in resource-constrained academic environments.Item African Culture & the Girl-Child Education: The Case of Ilchamus community, Baringo County, Kenya(Jumuga Journal of Education, Oral Studies, and Human Sciences (JJEOSHS), 2024) Rebecca, Lempassy Lemelwai; Lucy, Ikiara Kanyiri; Clement, NkaabuThis research article underscores the cultural factors that influence girl-child education among the Ilchamus community. Various literatures were reviewed and gaps were successfully identified. It embraces descriptive research design. It utilises purposive and snowballing techniques since the initial research that culminated into an article was basically a mixed research. The sample size of the study was 350 respondents. It establishes that; the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), often linked with traditional rites of passage, is typically followed by early marriage, which disrupts girls’ education. Additionally, early marriage typically curtails educational opportunities for girls, as they are often expected to take on domestic responsibilities and childbearing, leaving little room for schooling. In this regard, it concludes that; cultural practices like FGM and early marriages are deeply rooted barriers to girl-child education in the Ilchamus community, while the role of parents’ education and cultural transitions reflect more nuanced influences on educational outcomes.Item EFFECT OF SAVING LITERACY ON INVESTMENT DECISION AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN MERU COUNTY(EPRA International Journal of Economics, Business and Management Studies, 2024-08) May, Chorongo Kitawa; Fredrick, Mutea; Adel, KanyiriThe education sector in Kenya receive the largest share of the country's budget, with a significant portion allocated to paying teachers' salaries, as they constituted a large portion of the employed workforce. This study aimed to assess the effect of saving literacy on investment decisions among public secondary school teachers in Meru County, Kenya. It investigated why teachers in Meru County struggled to invest for their future and explored the role of their financial literacy in contributing to this issue, as indicated in the Solution SACCO annual report for the year 2022. The study was anchored under Financial Literacy Theory. Empirical analysis was conducted based on the study's objectives and conceptual framework. The target population for the study consisted of 1,825 teachers from public secondary schools in Meru County. A descriptive research design was employed, gathering data from primary and secondary sources. Purposive sampling was used to select accessible schools in the nine sub-counties within Meru County, while a simple random sampling technique was applied to select 328 respondents. A self-administered questionnaire was tested on 30 respondents from Tharaka Nithi County, constituting 10% of the sample size, and feedback from the university supervisors was used to address any ambiguities or irrelevant questions. The researcher distributed and collected questionnaires using the drop-and- pick method. After collecting the data from the field, it was reviewed to identify errors such as spelling mistakes and unanswered questions. The data was then coded and entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for analysis. The findings were presented through tables, and regression analysis, ANOVA tests, and coefficients of determination were conducted to examine correlations and establish the model equation. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate mean values and standard deviations, and Pearson correlation analysis was employed for hypothesis testing. Subsequently, the findings were compiled into summaries, reports, and frequency distribution tables. The analysis of multiple regression indicated that the R^2 value stood at is 0.691, suggesting that the variables related to financial literacy accounts for 69.1% of change for variation in investment decisions made by TSC teachers in public secondary schools in Meru County. The findings concluded that employees generally exhibit prudent financial practices, as seen in their efforts to avoid loan defaults, read credit terms carefully, repay borrowed money promptly, and use unsecured loans judiciously. The study recommended for adoption of a culture that emphasizes saving and investing among teachers in the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) and suggest for an attempt to explore non-economic elements that might affect teachers' investment decision-making processes.Item Adoption of Paperless Communication in Promoting Environmental Sustainability: Insights from Marsabit County Teaching & Referral Hospital, Kenya(Journal of Information and Technology, 2025-09) Diba, Bilinga Kosi; Paul, Gichohi Maku; Edith, MurugiThis study examined the adoption of paperless communication as an eco-friendly practice for promoting environmental sustainability at Marsabit County Teaching and Referral Hospital (MCTRH), Kenya. The study is guided by the Green Information Technology (Green IT) Theory, which emphasizes sustainable ICT practices across their life cycle to promote eco- friendly digital records management and environmental sustainability. A descriptive survey design was employed, targeting hospital staff. Structured questionnaires were administered to 117 respondents, supplemented with key informant interviews picked using stratified random and purposive sampling, respectively, that ensured representation across departments. Validity of the instruments was established through expert review, while reliability was confirmed with Cronbach’s alpha values above 0.7. Ethical approval was granted, and informed consent was obtained from participants. Out of the 117 targeted respondents, 114 returned completed questionnaires, yielding a 97% response rate. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations), while qualitative insights were thematically analyzed. The results show that respondents strongly acknowledged the role of paperless communication in reducing paper usage, streamlining workflows, and enhancing accessibility. Nevertheless, challenges such as limited ICT infrastructure, inadequate digital literacy, and unstable internet connectivity were identified as barriers to effective adoption. These findings corroborate recent studies highlighting that digital tools reduce environmental footprints while improving operational efficiency. The study concludes that paperless communication holds significant potential for advancing environmental sustainability at MCTRH but requires deliberate support. It recommends the hospital administration to prioritize ICT infrastructure investments, institutionalize policies on paperless communication, and provide regular staff training. Such efforts would enhance both operational efficiency and environmental sustainability outcomes.Item EFFECTS OF ADOPTING GREEN PROCUREMENT PRACTICES ON ORGANIZATION ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE IN TEA INDUSTRIES IN MERU COUNTY(The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management,, 2024-06) Webster, Salvsen; Nancy, Rintari; Adel, KanyiriThis study investigates the impact of adopting green procurement practices on the environmental performance of tea processing industries in Meru County, Kenya. The research specifically focuses on four critical areas: green supplier selection, green manufacturing, green logistics, and the incorporation of renewable energy sources. Data were collected from a sample of 321 respondents, including managers, departmental heads and staff from nine tea processing factories. Primary data was gathered through structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews, while secondary data were obtained from existing literature. The study also included a pilot study conducted in Kericho County with 34 respondents representing 10% of the sample size. The findings revealed that the selection of green suppliers was found to significantly reduce environmental degradation, the adoption of green manufacturing practices led to enhanced resource efficiency and minimized waste production, the implementation of green logistics practices resulted in a substantial reduction in the carbon footprint of the tea processing factories and improved operational efficiency and that the incorporation of renewable energy sources was found to significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce energy costs. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, regression analysis, and correlation tools to establish the relationships between green procurement practices and environmental performance. The main software used for the analysis was the latest version of SPSS. The study concludes that the adoption of green procurement practices not only enhances environmental sustainability but also provides a competitive advantage for tea processing industries in the global market. The research recommends that industry stakeholders prioritize the enforcement and adoption of these practices to achieve long-term sustainable development. Future studies should investigate the long-term economic and environmental impacts of green procurement practices across various agricultural sectors.Item Unlocking Library Potential Insights into First-Year Undergraduate Students’ Participation in Library User Education and Their Perceptions of University Libraries((IJPP) International Journal of Professional Practice, 2025) Jane Chepkurui, Kibos; Lilian, Nkoroi; Daniel, Kerandi OngeriIn contemporary learning environments, effective library user education is crucial for enhancing undergraduate students' engagement and perception of library services. The world has witnessed rapid technological advancements, information digitization and increased availability of e-resources. Effective participation of the new library clientele in user education has become increasingly crucial in enabling students to navigate and utilize library resources. Despite these advancements, the university libraries in Meru County, Kenya, have experienced suboptimal usage, potentially due to students' perceptions of the library. The study investigates the role of undergraduate students’ participation in library user education programs on the perceptions of library. The study was conducted in Meru County, focusing on two chartered universities: Kenya Methodist University (KeMU) and Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST). The study used descriptive survey design to collect data. The target populationwas6138 first-year undergraduate students enrolled in the 2023/2024 academic year. The study employed stratified sampling techniques based on academic schools, and used the Krejcie and Morgan table to determine the sample size, which was 364 students. The researcher purposively sampled a total of 12 out of 46 library staff. Data was collected using questionnaire and interview schedule for the library staff. The study employed descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. The findings of the study indicated moderate participation in user education sessions. The correlation analysis revealed that the extent of students' participation in library user education has a substantially strong linear positive relationship in the assessment of university libraries in Meru County (p-value < 0.05, r=0.740).The study concludes that library user education significantly enhances student perception of library services. The study recommends the university library managers to aggressively integrate thorough, interesting, and easily available library user education programs into the general student orientation and academic development projects.Item Influence of Standardised Knowledge Sharing Practices on Organisational Decision-Making at the Norwegian Refugee Council(Journal of Information and Technology, 2025-09) Abdifatah, Abdi Ali; Julie, Kiarie; Paul, Gichohi MakuNorwegian Refugee Council Somalia experiences 50% longer emergency response times than sector standards, with decision-making delays directly impacting 1.2 million beneficiaries due to deteriorated knowledge-sharing systems where 40% of sharing attempts fail. This study investigated how standardised knowledge-sharing practices influence organizational decision- making effectiveness at NRC Somalia. Guided by Social Exchange Theory, Social Capital Theory, and Information Processing Theory, the research examined systematic knowledge exchange mechanisms' impact on decision outcomes. The study was conducted at NRC Somalia offices in Mogadishu, South Central Somalia, Puntland, and Somaliland using a cross- sectional survey design. The target population comprised 100 staff across five organizational levels. Census sampling eliminated sampling error. Data collection utilized structured questionnaires, achieving 89% response rate (n=89), semi-structured interviews with 18 key informants, and 67 organizational documents. Content validity was established through expert review, and reliability through Cronbach's alpha (α>0.70). Analysis employed descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation using SPSS v27. Findings revealed that only 14.6% agreed that tracking mechanisms existed, 28.1% confirmed effective digital platform utilization, while 57.3% reported delayed critical decisions, and 66.3% experienced bureaucratic delays. Correlation analysis demonstrated a strong positive relationship between knowledge sharing and decision-making effectiveness (r=.72, p<.001). The study concludes that informal WhatsApp networks compensate for failed formal systems while hierarchical filtering prevents critical knowledge from reaching decision-makers. Recommendations include: NRC management implementing unified mobile-optimized platforms; IT department establishing direct field-to-management channels; operations unit developing security-compliant protocols; monitoring unit creating tracking mechanisms; HR streamlining decision protocols. The study's novelty lies in quantifying knowledge sharing's predictive power in humanitarian contexts, demonstrating that addressing sharing deficiencies could improve decision-making effectiveness by 52%, ultimately enhancing humanitarian response capabilities for vulnerable populations.Item Impact of moisture pit planting on growth and yield of upland Taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott]: A climate-smart strategy(International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research, 2025) J. K., Macharia; T. E., Akuja; D. M, MushimiyimanaClimate change and unpredictable rainfall patterns pose significant challenges to sustainable agriculture, underscoring the need for climate-smart, innovative technologies that enhance productivity and environmental resilience. Taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott] is a high-value superfood; however, its production in Kenya remains limited due to limited farmland, basic planting techniques, and a severe shortage of propagation materials. Taro [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott] is a high-value superfood; however, its production in Kenya remains limited due to limited farmland, basic planting techniques, and a severe shortage of propagation materials. Traditionally, taro is grown in wetland ecosystems; as such, the potential of taro is underutilized and ignored, therefore hindering its expansion into upland cropping systems and meeting the increasing demand. This study examines moisture pits as a climate-adaptive strategy to enhance upland taro production by optimizing water harvesting and conservation. This study examines moisture pits as a climate-adaptive strategy to enhance upland taro production by optimizing water harvesting and conservation. Field experiments conducted in 2023 and repeated in 2024 at Egerton University assessed the impact of varying planting depths on taro tuber yield and its components. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used, incorporating pit depths of 20, 30, 45, and 60 cm. Data collected focused on shoot parameters, corm yield, and yield components. Results indicated that planting depths significantly influenced corm weight per plant, with weights of 2.67 kg for 60 cm, 2.02 kg for 45 cm, 1.24 kg for 30 cm, and 0.35 kg for 20 cm. Corm yields also differed significantly: 44.63 t ha-1 at 60 cm, 38.43 t ha-1 at 45 cm, 29.58 t ha-1 at 30 cm, and 7.54 t ha-1 at 20 cm. The study concluded that the depth of planting pits significantly impacts the yield of upland taro, with deeper pits yielding better results. It is recommended that farmers adopt 30 cm wide and 30 to 60 cm deep pits for improved yields and high-density planting of suckers.Item Effect of Gibberellic Acid on Sprouting of Arrowroot (Colocasia esculenta L.) Rhizomes in Different Media(2025-07) Macharia, Kinyoro Joseph; T. E., Akuja; D. M., MushimiyimanaArrowroot [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott] is traditionally propagated through headsets or suckers. However, initiating an arrowroot crop remains a challenge due to shortages of propagation materials. This study investigated the potential of nodal cuttings derived from rhizomes produced by arrowroot corms to develop into plantlets suitable for propagation. Potted arrowroot mother plants were treated with varying concentrations of gibberellic acid (GA3): 100, 250, 500, and 750 parts per million (ppm), leading to the development of corm-rhizomes. A pot experiment was conducted using a split-plot design nested within a completely randomized design (CRD) framework, with four replications to ensure statistical rigor. The sprouting media constituted the main plot, while the application of GA3 (gibberellic acid) was assigned to the sub-plots. The resulting rhizomes from the GA3 treatment were sliced into two-node cuttings and sown in either river sand or sawdust-filled pots. The pots were then placed in controlled sprouting chamber with ideal temperature and humidity conditions. The highest sprouting percentage of 96% was recorded for nodal cuttings propagated in river sand and treated with 500 ppm GA3, 250 ppm (81%), 750 ppm (79%), while 100 ppm yielded the lowest rate at 79%, with same GA3 concentrations in the sawdust demonstrating varying lower percentages. The interactions between GA3, Media and time were highly significant. Therefore, river sand emerged as the superior medium for initial growth. These findings underscore the potential of this propagation method, but further research into single-node cuttings and the evaluation of the resulting plantlets under field conditions is essential to evaluate the scalability and yield performance for arrowroot production.Item Effects of Inter-community Conflicts on Beef Cattle Production among Pastoral Communities of Marsabit County, Kenya(Asian Research Journal of Agriculture, 2024-08-28) Galm, Waqo Roba; Mworia, Mugambi; Martin, KoomeThe focus of this research was to determine the effects of inter-pastoral communities’ conflicts on beef cattle production, to determine the effects of livestock diseases on beef cattle production among pastoral communities in Marsabit County. The study employed a descriptive survey research method. Our study's target population was made up of 1210 beef cattle keepers with a total population of 118,755 beef animals. Marsabit County was chosen at random using purposive sampling techniques. After stratification, 60 out of 200 registered farm groups was chosen at random. The researcher conducted a pilot study to determine the instrument's suitability. Data was statistically handled, manipulated and analyzed by Statistical Software for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. To achieve the objectives of the study, the researcher employed both descriptive and inferential statistics where correlation analysis, chi-square analysis and standard multiple regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between the variables as well as for making generalizations about the data. Diagnostic tests were checked to ascertain violation of assumptions. The study found out that these conflicts not only directly reduced cattle numbers but also instilled an atmosphere of fear and instability, discouraging investment and effort in cattle rearing. Proactive measures to mitigate inter-community conflicts, such as conflict resolution initiatives and improved security measures, are essential for safeguarding both livestock and human lives. The study recommends investing in conflict resolution measures and programs.