http://repository.tharaka.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/1/3207 2026-05-25T13:22:33Z 2026-05-25T13:22:33Z KATHURU, PETER K http://repository.tharaka.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/1/4477 2026-04-09T15:31:59Z 2025-10-01T00:00:00Z

ROLE OF WOMEN IN PEACE BUILDING ON LAND DISPUTES IN THAGICU SUB-COUNTY, KITUI COUNTY, KENYA FROM 1990-2024 KATHURU, PETER K This study examined the role of women's participation in peace-building on land-related conflicts in Thagicu Sub-County, Kitui County, Kenya, from 1990 to 2024, addressing the problem of women's exclusion from formal peace processes despite their disproportionate vulnerability to land disputes. The research explored three specific objectives: to analyze the underlying causes of land conflict, to assess hindrances to women's participation in peace-building, and to investigate the nature and extent of women's participation in peace-building in land-related conflicts in Thagicu Sub County. Chapter One outlined the background, highlighting women's exclusion from peace negotiations as noted by UN Security Council Resolution 1325, with socio cultural determinants limiting their participation. The study focused on Thagicu Sub County, a region marred by land conflicts due to resource competition and politics, with the 1990–2024 period selected as 1990 marked political realignments influencing land policies, while 2024 provided contemporary perspectives under devolved governance. Chapter Two reviewed global and African literature on women's peace-building roles, emphasizing gender as a social construct and the undervaluation of women's contributions in conflict resolution. Chapter Three employed a descriptive research design, enriched by Conflict Theory and Realistic Conflict Theory. Primary data was collected from 50 respondents through open- and closed-ended questionnaires (30 respondents), interviews (10 key informants), and focus group discussions (10 participants), selected using a combination of purposive (targeting women peace builders and administrators) and random sampling (general community members) for comprehensive representation.The findings revealed women in Thagicu needed active involvement in peace-building but were primarily engaged in informal processes, with only 15% in formal peace committees. The study recommended government policies integrating women into key land dispute resolution committees and clear land policies to ensure sustainable peace in Thagicu Sub-County. These insights contribute new scholarly knowledge by documenting women's underutilized roles in rural Kenyan peace-building, informing gender-inclusive strategies for conflict resolution.

2025-10-01T00:00:00Z NYAGA, MUTIRIA J http://repository.tharaka.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/1/4457 2026-01-30T17:36:44Z 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z

GENDER COMPLEMENTARITY IN SEMBENE OUSMANE’S GOD’S BITS OF WOOD AND NGUGI WA THIONGO’S PETALS OF BLOOD NYAGA, MUTIRIA J This study examined gender complementarity in Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s Petals of Blood (1977) and Sembene Ousmane’s God’s Bits of Wood (1960). Previous studies on gender focus on women's oppression by men, women's empowerment, gender equality, and women's liberation. Gender complementarity has not been exhaustively investigated, particularly how men and women complement each other in class struggle. This study fills this gap by examining how the oppressed men and women work together in class struggle in Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s Petals of Blood and Sembene Ousmane’s God’s Bits of Wood. The study investigated how Ngugi and Ousmane focus on the notion of "power with others," that is, men with women, by looking at how they presented oppressed men and women working together to liberate themselves from oppression. The research investigated how the mutual working relationship between men and women triggers their success in the class struggle in the texts under study. The objectives of the study were to evaluate gender complementarity's enhancement of class struggle and to examine gender complementarity as a solution to gender conflict in Sembene Ousmane’s God’s Bits of Wood and Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s Petals of Blood. The novels under study were selected because they possess content rich in gender complementarity. The data for the study was collected from the novels under study. Textual analysis was done using theoretical frameworks of Marxism and Womanism. Marxism theory was used in data analysis because the thematic content of the texts under study was based on class struggle. Womanism theory was used because it advocates for men and women working together, which was in line with the texts under study, because the authors present men and women who are working together to liberate themselves and the society. The research employed a qualitative research design to interpret and describe data collected from the novels. The qualitative approach was used because the data from the texts under study were non-numeric. The texts were selected through purposive sampling. Data was collected by closely reading the texts and identifying the instances that were related to the objectives of the study. The data collected from the texts was analysed in relation to the study's objectives and the selected literary theories. The conceptualization of gender complementarity brought about a new reading of literary texts, examining how men and women worked together in class struggle to liberate themselves. The study is significant because, apart from unveiling gender complementarity, it argues that such an approach can offer an insight to investigate gender issues at multiple dimensions, apart from that of women as victims of oppression by men. The study's outcomes can change the perspective of reading literary texts on the relation of men and women from the notion of "power over others" that is men over women to "power with others" that is men with women. The study found that Ngugi and Sembene in the novels under study present united men and women in the struggle to liberate themselves from discrimination, marginaliztion, injustuices and abuse of power. It was also found that the gender complementarity resolves gender in the novels under study. The study concluded that gender complementarity not only enhances gender haromy but also triggers class struggle

2025-11-01T00:00:00Z MUTURI, MAGDALINE G http://repository.tharaka.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/1/4395 2025-02-26T06:49:07Z 2024-10-01T00:00:00Z

Relationship Between Prison Environment and Mental Health of Inmates. A Case of Marimanti G.K Prison in Tharaka South Sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya MUTURI, MAGDALINE G The study explores the complex relationship between the prison environment and the mental health of inmates, highlighting the significant impact of physical and social conditions within prison facilities on psychological well-being. Prisons, by design, impose severe limitations on personal freedom, not only through confinement but also by fostering an atmosphere often detrimental to mental health. Issues like prolonged isolation, lack of privacy, and exposure to violent situations contribute to elevated stress, anxiety, and depression among inmates. With mental health problems on the rise in the general population, incarcerated individuals who face compounded challenges are especially vulnerable in Marimanti G.K Prison in Tharaka South Sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County, this study aimed to identify specific environmental factors that affect inmates' mental health such as prison’s physical environment, the policies governing inmate behavior and rights, the quality of interactions between inmates and wardens, and the workloads assigned to prisoners. Environmental Determinism theory by Friedrich Ratzel (1844-1904) and Coping theory by Lazarus and Folkman (1984) informed the study. The research team targeted a population of 280 individuals and derived a sample size of 80 respondents. To achieve a representative sample, simple random sampling was applied. Data collection tools consisted of structured questionnaires and in-depth interview schedules. To ensure the reliability of these tools, a preliminary pilot study was conducted at Chuka G.K. Prison, chosen for its geographical and demographic similarities to Marimanti G.K. Prison. Consulting experts in the field strengthened content and face validity by reviewing the questionnaires to ensure that each item aligned well with the study's objectives. For data analysis, the study employed multivariate regression to discern the influence of various independent variables on the mental health of inmates. This was aided by SPSS version 27 for Windows. With incomplete or partially filled questionnaires from inmates and dully filled questionnaires by staff, the response rate was 93.75%. Demographic analysis revealed that there existed no significant differences in mental health perception by age and educational level according to inmates. However, among prison staff, while age is not significant, education differences are significant. According to inmates and prison staff, the T-test revealed that there existed no significant differences in the inmate’s mental health perception based on gender and marital status. A regression analysis was carried out, which established that only the physical environment was a statistically significant predictor of mental health among inmates. Based on this analysis, the physical environment emerged as a critical predictor of mental health scores in the case of both inmates and prison wardens. In contrast, prison policies, inmates’ workload and inmate-warden relationship indicated no significant effect on the mental health of inmates. Quantitative and qualitative data were represented using graphs, tables, and themes, respectively. Hence, this study underscored the critical role of the physical environment in influencing the mental health of inmates. Consistent with the existing literature, the findings affirmed that improvement in physical conditions, such as reducing overcrowding, enhancing sanitation, ensuring adequate bedding, and ensuring adequate ventilation, can lead to significant enhancement in mental wellness among prisoners. The study recommends more improvement on the physical environment of inmates, bridging the gap of educational disparities among prison staff, and more research to be carried out on prison policies and inmate workload, hence leading to a holistic approach to improving the mental well-being of inmates.

2024-10-01T00:00:00Z MWIKALI, MWANGANGI J http://repository.tharaka.ac.ke/xmlui/handle/1/4385 2025-02-20T09:25:02Z 2023-11-01T00:00:00Z

TRENDS IN YOUTH POLITICAL MOBILIZATION IN THARAKA NORTH SUB-COUNTY, THARAKA NITHI COUNTY, KENYA, 1895 -2022 MWIKALI, MWANGANGI J Kenyan youth have remained central to electoral and political mobilization. Kenyan youth have been a key constituent for political mobilization since the country's independence. Politicians across the country have, in most cases, co opted the youth in electoral competitions to either retain or wrestle power from opponents. Despite their numerical strength, importance and historical relevance, little attempt has been made to analyze trends in youth political mobilization in Tharaka-North sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya, between 1895 and 2022. The main objective of the study was to investigate the Trends of Youth Political Mobilization in Tharaka-North sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya between 1895 to 2022. The significance of this study was to help youth increase their political participation, help scholars to understand on how to overcome challenges that hinders youth participation in politics and to provide a comprehensive analysis of youth political Mobilization so as to take historical trajectory. This study adopted an exploratory research design. The study employed both primary and secondary data to accomplish its goals. The respondents for the field interviews were selected using stratified random and purposive sampling approaches. Stratified random sampling was used to select 90 probability ample respondents who comprised of ordinary youth residing in Tharaka North-Sub County in the period understudy. This was backed up by purposive sampling technique which was used to select 10purposive sample respondents mostly youth leaders and elders. Research instruments to be used included questionnaires and interview schedules with open ended questions. Qualitative methods of data analysis and interpretation were used. Anchored on the theory of patron-client relationship this study found that the political class take advantage of the desperate situation of the youth to promise goodies if propelled to positions of power and distribution of public resources by officials to supporters in exchange for their staunch loyalty. Based on these findings the study recommended that the government should put in place strategies will improve youth participation in the political process rather than treating them as a stepping stool for politicians to ascend to power.

2023-11-01T00:00:00Z