Department of Political Science
https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/69
2024-03-29T12:33:45ZSomali refugees in Kenya
https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6059
Somali refugees in Kenya
McAteer, Boel; Amado, Patricia García; Krisciunaite, Akvile; Owiso, Michael
Kenya hosts more than 500,000 refugees, most of
whom live in camps. The new Refugee Act (2021),
which came into force in 2022, creates potential for new
policy allowing increased mobility between camp and
city. This paper reports on findings of the Protracted
Displacement in an Urban World project, which
examined the wellbeing and livelihoods of people living
in protracted displacement in camps and cities, focusing
on Somali refugees in Dadaab camp and Eastleigh,
Nairobi. Key findings highlight the need for increased
recognition of urban refugees, free movement between
camp and city, and more targeted support, particularly
for women refugees in the city.
2023-11-01T00:00:00ZDeterminants of consistency of use of household water filters in emergencies: Insights from a protracted drought in Northern Kenya
https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5850
Determinants of consistency of use of household water filters in emergencies: Insights from a protracted drought in Northern Kenya
Wainaina, George Kiambuthi; Ochieng, Fredrick; Peter, Maryna; Raude, James Messo; Meierhofer, Regula; Marks, Sara J
The consistent use of household water treatment and storage (HWTS) technologies is necessary for human health. However, most HWTS options are designed for typical household use as opposed to emergency contexts, where use is less consistent. To investigate ways to improve the consistency of HWTS use in emergencies, we conducted in-person surveys with 108 households in northern Kenya and comparatively analyzed factors that influenced the use of household filters during a protracted drought. Findings showed that about 50% of respondents used their filter consistently over the course of the study. The main limitation to usability was that none of the filters were well-suited for the indoor living environment of the survey respondents. The factors associated with consistency of use varied by filter design. For one-bucket filters, consistent use was associated with ease of assembly, reported availability of spare parts, and peer approval of HWTS use. For two-bucket filters, consistent use was best explained by the certainty regarding when the filter was functioning or not. We suggest that filter manufacturers should reduce the number of parts to mitigate assembly difficulties and should develop flexible filter designs to improve compatibility across households in terms of space and height requirements. Those disseminating filters during protracted emergencies should conduct user training on the assembly and disassembly of unfamiliar filters and ensure affordable access to necessary replacement parts. Finally, to improve consistency of use of new types of filters, implementers should assess the peer approval of these HTWS options among the target population.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pwat.0000093
2023-06-08T00:00:00ZFisheries-based Determinants of Fisherfolks’ and their Influence on Access to Impact-based Weather Forecasting in Suba-North sub-County, Homabay County, Kenya
https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5839
Fisheries-based Determinants of Fisherfolks’ and their Influence on Access to Impact-based Weather Forecasting in Suba-North sub-County, Homabay County, Kenya
Owiso, Michael Omondi; Kniventon, Dominic; Omondi, Barack Calvince
Lake Victoria, the world’s largest freshwater fishery, supports the livelihoods of 4 to 5.6 million economically vulnerable people, with many living on less than $1.25 a day. However, the Lake also witnesses a staggering annual drowning toll of 1,500 to 5,000 fatalities, with two-thirds attributed to storms. Recognising the need for an effective advisory and warning system known as impact-based forecasting (IBF), the HIGHWAY-WISER Project commenced in 2017, focusing on 10 East African beaches, including those in Kenya. Despite its significance, this donor-funded initiative remains relatively unknown and under-researched. This study investigates how fisheries-based factors affect access to IBF in the Lake Victoria region. Data collection involves two key stakeholder groups: policymakers and implementers from the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) and the fisherfolk community, segmented across six beaches. A combination of proportional stratified and simple random sampling yields a sample size of 422 fisherfolk who complete semi-closed questionnaires. Additionally, 30 policymakers and beach management unit (BMU) members are purposively selected as key informants and interviewed. The study reveals that fisheries-based determinants significantly influence IBF access among fisherfolk. These determinants encompass BMU politics and leadership, social networks, the adoption of flags and noticeboards, exposure to storms, boat size, energy sources for propulsion, fisherfolk experience, and timing of fishing activities. To enhance awareness and accessibility, the study recommends greater involvement of community-based organisations and increased training on IBF for fisheries decision-making contexts. This research underscores the importance of further exploration into fisheries-based factors as pivotal determinants of IBF access. It illuminates how these understudied variables factor into the decision-making processes of fisherfolk regarding whether to embark on fishing expeditions, irrespective of the presence or absence of IBF at their respective beaches. Such insights can inform more effective strategies for improving IBF access within this vital socioeconomic context
https://doi.org/10.37284/ajccrs.2.1.1414
2023-09-08T00:00:00ZConflict between state sovereignty and the right of intervention under the Constitutive Act of the African Union
https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5455
Conflict between state sovereignty and the right of intervention under the Constitutive Act of the African Union
Tom Mboya
he need to redress crimes against humanity and violations of human rights has underpinned the global idea of international intervention in the domestic sphere of a state's jurisdiction in the last two decades. This article seeks to explore the extent to which the right of intervention against a member state is a breach of the sovereignty of states. We begin by addressing the conceptual idea of state sovereignty; this is followed by an examination of state sovereignty and the idea of non-intervention; after which we proceed to explore the emerging intervention regime in Africa. In conclusion, lack of political will from heads of state is a hindrance in realising the objectives of the Constitutive Act. This is due to the fact that the very leaders who have been involved in abuse of human rights continue to loathe the idea of international intervention in their domestic spheres
https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC17594
2009-01-01T00:00:00ZThe making and unmaking of a megaproject: Contesting temporalities along the LAPSSET corridor in Kenya
https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5432
The making and unmaking of a megaproject: Contesting temporalities along the LAPSSET corridor in Kenya
Johannes Theodor Aalders, Jan Bachmann, Per Knutsson, Benard Musembi Kilaka
In this paper, we show how communities in Northern Kenya proactively engage an unfolding megaproject and the temporalities it evokes—the Lamu Port South Sudan Ethiopia Transport Corridor (LAPSSET). We argue that the latitude communities have in contending with megaprojects is broader and more dynamic than passive reception of or outright resistance against the futures promised. By introducing the concepts of entangling and fraying, we emphasise the agency communities create for themselves by appreciating their strategies and expressions of stabilising or troubling the “megaproject”. While entangling refers to practices through which communities attach additional features to an otherwise rather stable vision of its “meganess”, fraying, in contrast, describes the strands that splice off towards different spatio-temporal imaginaries. We discuss these practices in four instances of engaging LAPSSET: constructing temporary homes at project sites; engaging in land reform; disputing land acquisition at oil exploration sites; and contesting a planned resort city.
https://doi.org/10.1111/anti.12720
2021-01-01T00:00:00ZInternal Capability of the State Matters in International Relations: Evidence from East African Tri-national Border Zone
https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5281
Internal Capability of the State Matters in International Relations: Evidence from East African Tri-national Border Zone
Olang Sana, Chweya Ludeki
The realist theoretical perspective suggests that the ‘inside’ of the state is not a critical variable since, unlike the anarchical international system, the domestic arena entails a sovereign entity in form of a government which is able to exercise effective authority, secure compliance from citizens, and guarantee internal order. However, studies continue to expose a litany of statesespecially in the developing world, whose weaknesses can be attributed to domestic antagonism. Consequently, the states face external security threats due to such internal incapacity gaps. This article draws data from Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan to demonstratethat internal capacity of states matter in international relations. The study establishes that the three states have been unable to establish effective authority over the pastoral Turkana, Karamojong and Toposa who reside in their respective territorial jurisdictions and this weakness has a corresponding effect on the ability of the state to promote its national interest, which is mainly security. The article therefore, argues that while realism still remains a compelling theoretical perspective for conceptualizing security in the international system, it could be strengthened by paying attention to the domestic variable
DOI:10.31014/aior.1991.05.02.349
2022-01-01T00:00:00ZCovid-19 and border restriction policies: the dilemma of trans-border truck drivers in East Africa.
https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/4827
Covid-19 and border restriction policies: the dilemma of trans-border truck drivers in East Africa.
Calvince Omondi Barack, Gerishon Barack Munga
The purpose of this paper is to critically assess the challenges that were faced by trans-border truck drivers within the East African Community as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and its management protocols.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.35912/jgas.v1i1.466
2021-01-01T00:00:00ZLocalisation and participation within the rollout of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework in Kenya
https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/4694
Localisation and participation within the rollout of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework in Kenya
Michael Owiso, Farah Manji
Kenya formally adopted the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) in October 2017.
Since then the country has made progress towards its implementation by undertaking self-reliance
and inclusion measures for refugees. Under the leadership of the United Nations High Commissioner
for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Refugee Affairs Secretariat (RAS), Kenya developed a roadmap and,
although it has not yet been published, some important milestones have been achieved, including
the establishment of technical committees that look into the issues around the CRRF and its
implementation by Garissa and Turkana counties. The Kalobeyei Integrated Socio-Economic
Development Programme (KISEDP) in Turkana County has been lauded as an important effort in the
realisation of the CRRF. Garissa County has also been developing the Garissa Integrated Socio Economic Development Plan (GISEDP), which has since received some seed funding from the
European Union.
This rapid review analyses the extent of localisation and participation in the rollout of the CRRF
process in Kenya. By focusing on localisation and participation, the review examines the extent to
which the initiatives, activities, structures and processes of the CRRF have contributed to progress
towards self-reliance and inclusion for refugees in Kenya. The following key findings have emerged
from the analysis:
• Despite the restrictive legal environment, a degree of participation of refugees and host
communities within the displacement environment existed before the rollout of the CRRF.
Participation and localisation have been realised, for example, from the engagement of
refugees in the informal-sector businesses in Kenya. There has also been an effort to open
up the space for refugees to participate more fully in the economy by, for example, opening
accounts with certain banks.
• Some aspects of participation in the rollout of the CRRF in Kenya are strong, namely
information sharing, consultations at different levels, partnerships involving different
stakeholders in the planning process, and decisions and actions that are in concert with and
support the process from some stakeholders. The KISEDP and the draft GISEDP demonstrate
high-level participation and multi-stakeholder engagement in the search for durable
solutions. These two interventions have – on paper at least – embraced community
participation and ownership of the displacement-affected communities and made conscious
efforts at localising the CRRF process. However, these have tended to be top-down
processes which have frequently failed to translate into meaningful involvement on the part
of displacement-affected communities.
• There exists a disconnect between the desired and the actual in relation to participation.
This gap is related to the limited availability of space for participation that leads to
ownership on the part of the displacement-affected communities. In turn, it also affects the
Localisation and participation within the rollout of the
Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework in Kenya
2
efforts to localise. The displacement-affected communities have not been at the centre of
the CRRF rollout process, which remains largely top-down. There is therefore a need for
effective and meaningful engagement of local actors in order to legitimate the process and
make it sustainable.
• There has been a conscious effort to localise the CRRF rollout process. This is demonstrated
by the active involvement of the host counties through their governments. Further, as a
result of the focus on self-reliance and inclusion measures embedded in the development
plans of the hosting counties, the county governments have made implementation of the
CRRF a matter of priority.
• Certain stakeholders remain left out or have been minimally involved, thereby negating the
spirit behind the whole-of-society approach. Partnership and cooperation have not been
fleshed out; this has led to missing out on the ‘nuts’ and ‘bolts’ of the partnerships. This has
also led to a disjointed rolling out where certain stakeholders, such as the county
governments, remain ahead of others. In particular, the involvement of local civil society
organisations and groups has been feeble and has negatively affected localisation and
participation. This reveals the need to improve and expand on a number of aspects such as
the mechanisms for engagement.
The above mentioned initiatives and processes point to positive yet slow developments in the
localisation and participation in the CRRF rollout process in Kenya. The rollout process is contributing
to positive changes, with a stronger focus on self-reliance, integrated refugee–host community
programming, engagement of development actors and a commitment to support stronger
participation of refugees and host communities in programming and policy processes (ReDSS, 2018).
This review involves a careful examination of the dynamic nature of localisation efforts and the
participation of displacement-affected communities in Kenya
2020-01-01T00:00:00ZRegionalism in Africa: Evaluating Economic Progress
https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/3774
Regionalism in Africa: Evaluating Economic Progress
Ken Oluoch and Gilbert Kimutai
African International Relations: Thematic Analysis
2021-03-03T00:00:00ZGood governance and service delivery: A study of citizen participation in Kisumu County
https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/3773
Good governance and service delivery: A study of citizen participation in Kisumu County
Gilbert Kimutai
African International Relations: Thematic Analysis
2021-01-01T00:00:00Z