School of Arts and Social Sciences

Psychosocial Interventions and Recovery Needs of Sexual Assault Survivors in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

2026-06-23T14:49:20Z

Psychosocial Interventions and Recovery Needs of Sexual Assault Survivors in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya Kipchirchir, Micah Sexual assault is among the most distressing forms of trauma globally, often resulting in severe mental and physical health consequences. However, there is a paucity of research examining the nature of psychosocial recovery needs provided in Gender-Based Violence Recovery Centres (GBVRCs), particularly within the Kenyan context. This study aimed to investigate recovery needs and psychosocial interventions for sexual assault survivors within GBVRCs in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to: Assess recovery needs of sexual assault survivors in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, examine perspectives of counsellors and clients on the influence of psychosocial interventions in addressing recovery needs of sexual assault survivors in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, analyse perspectives of counsellors and clients on the challenges of psychosocial interventions used in addressing recovery needs of sexual assault survivors in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya and explore counsellor and client perspectives on strategies for improving the psychosocial interventions used in addressing recovery needs of sexual assault survivors in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study was guided by Cognitive-Behavioural theory and Ecological Systems Theory. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study targeted 97 sexual assault survivors and 43 trauma counsellors attached to GBVRCs in Uasin Gishu County. Purposive sampling was used to select counsellors and survivors. Data were collected through questionnaires, interview schedules, and document analysis. To ensure reliability and validity, the data collection instruments were piloted in five GBVRCs in Nandi County, yielding a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.8312 and a Content Validity Index of 0.85. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used for data analysis, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. The findings indicated that the most critical recovery need identified by counsellors was the provision of information on legal options for survivors considering legal action (mean = 4.20, SD = 1.106). The study concluded that a holistic, survivor-centred approach is essential for the effective recovery of sexual assault survivors in GBVRCs. It is recommended that GBVRCs adopt a trauma-informed, integrated service delivery model that ensures physical safety, mental health support, legal advocacy, and long-term social reintegration for survivors.

Implications of Elitism Dynamics on Implementation of Public Works Initiatives: The Case of Kazi Mtaani Projects in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

2026-06-23T14:08:45Z

Implications of Elitism Dynamics on Implementation of Public Works Initiatives: The Case of Kazi Mtaani Projects in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya Ndong, Susan Akumu Public works programmes are widely implemented as government interventions aimed at addressing unemployment, poverty, and socioeconomic inequalities, particularly among vulnerable populations. Ideally, such initiatives should be governed by transparent, merit-based, and participatory processes that ensure equitable access to opportunities and resources. In Kenya, the Kazi Mtaani programme was introduced in April 2020 as part of the government’s COVID-19 economic recovery strategy to provide temporary employment to urban youth, improve environmental sanitation, and support low-income households. Despite these intentions, emerging reports have raised concerns regarding the influence of elitism in the implementation of the programme, including politically motivated beneficiary selection, inequitable resource allocation, and elite dominance in governance processes. These challenges have been reported in several counties, including Uasin Gishu, suggesting that elite influence may undermine the programme’s objectives. However, empirical studies examining the structural dynamics of elitism and their implications for the implementation of Kazi Mtaani remain limited. This study therefore sought to examine the implications of elitism dynamics on the implementation of Kazi Mtaani projects in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study was guided by four objectives: the efficacy of elitism principles, social elitism, economic elitism, and power dynamics on the implementation of Kazi Mtaani projects. The research was anchored on Elite Theory and Stakeholder Theory, which provided a framework for understanding how power relations and stakeholder participation shape project implementation outcomes. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was adopted. The study targeted 1,430 youth participants in the programme, employees from the Ministry of Youth and Social Welfare Services, and Members of Parliament representing the constituencies in Uasin Gishu County. A sample of 314 respondents was selected using appropriate sampling techniques. Primary data were collected through self-administered questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions, following a pilot study conducted in Nandi County. Instrument validity was ensured through expert review, while reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha. Quantitative data were analyzed using correlation and regression techniques, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically and presented through narratives and supporting quotations. The findings revealed that efficacy of elitism principles significantly influence the implementation of Kazi Mtaani projects. In particular, social elitism, economic elitism, and power dynamics were found to shape decision-making processes, resource allocation, governance structures, and beneficiary participation in the programme. These dynamics often resulted in unequal access to opportunities and limited participation of vulnerable youth. The study concludes that while Kazi Mtaani provides important short-term employment opportunities, elite influence can undermine equitable implementation if not adequately addressed. The study recommends strengthening transparency, accountability, and participatory governance mechanisms in public works programmes to minimize elite capture and enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of youth employment initiatives in Kenya.

ANTHROPOGENIC PRACTICES INFLUENCING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF HOUSEHOLD LIVELIHOODS SURROUNDING MOUNT ELGON FOREST RESERVE, BUNGOMA COUNTY, KENYA

2026-03-09T08:02:50Z

ANTHROPOGENIC PRACTICES INFLUENCING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF HOUSEHOLD LIVELIHOODS SURROUNDING MOUNT ELGON FOREST RESERVE, BUNGOMA COUNTY, KENYA KAKAI, ROBERT SIMIYU Over the past three decades, the Mount Elgon Forest Reserve in Bungoma County, Kenya, has experienced considerable environmental degradation largely driven by anthropogenic practices associated with household livelihood strategies. Forest-adjacent communities depend heavily on forest resources for subsistence and income, resulting in deforestation, settlement expansion, and small-scale mining. While these activities provide immediate livelihood benefits, they undermine biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, and the long-term sustainability of household livelihoods. This study examined the influence of anthropogenic practices on the sustainability of household livelihoods in the Mount Elgon Forest Reserve area, Bungoma County, Kenya. The specific objectives were to assess the influence of deforestation, settlement, and mining activities on sustainable household livelihoods and to explore interventions for the sustainable utilization of forest resources. The study was anchored on the Sustainable Livelihood Framework by Chambers and Conway (1992) and Stakeholder Theory by Freeman (1984). A cross-sectional research design employing a mixed-methods approach was adopted. The target population comprised 12,842 household heads, four ward administrators, twelve chiefs, one Kenya Forest Service officer, and one National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) official. A sample of 373 household heads was selected using multistage and stratified random sampling, while key informants were purposively selected. Data were collected using questionnaires, interview guides, and focus group discussions. Instrument validity was established through expert review, while reliability was confirmed through piloting and computation of Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential techniques, including Pearson correlation and linear regression, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. The findings revealed statistically significant positive relationships between deforestation activities (r = .682, p < .001), settlement activities (r = .614, p < .001), mining activities (r = .762, p < .001), and sustainable forest utilization interventions (r = .792, p < .001) with household livelihood sustainability. Collectively, these variables accounted for 75.5% of the variation in sustainable household livelihoods among forest-edge communities. The study concludes that anthropogenic practices play a dual role in sustaining household livelihoods while simultaneously threatening the ecological integrity of the Mount Elgon Forest Reserve. Without deliberate and coordinated interventions, continued reliance on unsustainable forest- based practices is likely to exacerbate environmental degradation and compromise future livelihood security. The study recommends the strengthening of participatory forest management frameworks, promotion of alternative and climate-resilient livelihood options, enforcement of land-use regulations, and enhancement of community-based environmental education programs. Institutional collaboration among Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, NEMA, county governments, and local communities is critical for achieving sustainable forest resource management. Further research is recommended to examine the long-term impacts of climate change on forest-dependent livelihoods, evaluate the effectiveness of alternative livelihood interventions over time, and explore gender and youth dimensions in forest resource utilization and livelihood sustainability within the Mount Elgon ecosystem.

Contribution of Faith-Based Mediation Strategies to Conflict Transformation along the Bomet-Nyamira Counties Border, Kenya

2025-11-16T06:50:55Z

Contribution of Faith-Based Mediation Strategies to Conflict Transformation along the Bomet-Nyamira Counties Border, Kenya Nyaoma, Orina Edwin Conflicts are a global phenomenon whose manifestation includes violence, deaths, and displacements. The Bomet-Nyamira counties border in Kenya has witnessed protracted ethnic, political, and cultural conflicts that have led to deaths, displacements, and loss of property. Whereas their transformation at interstate level has attracted international and state actors, the role of faith-based organizations tends to be peripheralized unless they emerge as complementary actors. Faith-based actors generally feature less in national and international efforts to transform inter and intrastate conflicts. Their contribution has, however, elicited less scholarly attention to the extent that policy interventions are less comprehensive and exclusive. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of faith-based mediation strategies to conflict transformation along the Bomet-Nyamira counties border zone. The objectives of this study included assessing the contribution of the faith-based communication-facilitation mediation strategy, analyzing the contribution of the faith-based directive-manipulation mediation strategy, and examining the contribution of the faith-based religious activities mediation strategy to conflict transformation along the Bomet-Nyamira counties border, Kenya. It focused on three strategies: communication-facilitation, directive-manipulation, and religious activities, which were integral to faith-based conflict transformation programs. This study was guided by the theory of transformative mediation. The target population of the study comprised 140 respondents. The target of sample population consisted of 87 household respondents for questionnaires, 29 respondents for in-depth interviews, included village elders, assistant chiefs, and chiefs, 18 respondents for key informant interviews, which included religious leaders, and 6 group discussions from the Kipsigis and Abagusii communities along the Bomet-Nyamira counties border, Kenya. A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing specific descriptive survey methods along the Bomet-Nyamira counties border zone, Kenya. The research was conducted at four sites in the Ekerubo and Raitigo locations of Nyamira County and the Gelegele location of Bomet County. Questionnaires were administered to the identified household respondents along the Gelegele, Ekerubo and Raitigo locations border. Structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions were utilized to gather information from the respondents. Thematic, content, and narrative analysis techniques guided data analysis. The findings indicated that in the assessment of communication-facilitation mediation strategy, dialogue, compromise, negotiation, and empowerment were key in transforming conflicts along the border. In analyzing the directive-manipulation mediation strategy, incentives, bargaining, pressure, and attitude played a crucial role in conflict transformation. And in the examination of the religious activities mediation strategy, media, teachings, meetings, and motivation were significant to conflict transformation along the border. From the conclusion it was observed that the three faith-based mediation strategies had a substantial positive impact on conflict transformation along the Bomet-Nyamira border. In their significant contribution they built mutual trust and promoted peaceful co-existence along the border. However, to enhance the effectiveness of these mediation strategies faith-based organizations should continue facilitating peaceful sessions along the border. Additional frameworks should be set on continuous training in peace. Through this transformative theory in the study, it had fostered an effective avenue for conflict transformation. Further this study will be of great scholarly contribution in research that will improve conflict transformation beyond the Bomet-Nyamira borders.