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Item The Role of intellectual Property Rights on Access to Medicines in the WHO African region: 25 years after the TRIPS agreement(BMC Public Health, 2021) Motari, Marion; Nikiema, Jean-Baptiste; Kasilo, Ossy M. J.; Kniazkov, Stanislav; Loua, Andre; Sougou, Aissatou; Tumusiime, ProsperBackground: It is now 25 years since the adoption of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) and the same concerns raised during its negotiations such as high prices of medicines, market exclusivity and delayed market entry for generics remain relevant as highlighted recently by the Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) mandate to work on the interface between intellectual property, innovation and access to medicine has been continually reinforced and extended to include providing support to countries on the implementation of TRIPS flexibilities in collaboration with stakeholders. This study analyses the role of intellectual property on access to medicines in the African Region. Methods: We analyze patent data from the African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) and Organisation Africaine de la Propriété Intellectuelle (OAPI) to provide a situational analysis of patenting activity and trends. We also review legislation to assess how TRIPS flexibilities are implemented in countries. Results: Patenting was low for African countries. Only South Africa and Cameroon appeared in the list of top ten originator countries for ARIPO and OAPI respectively. Main diseases covered by African patents were HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular diseases, cancers and tumors. Majority countries have legislation allowing for compulsory licensing and parallel importation of medicines, while the least legislated flexibilities were explicit exemption of pharmaceutical products from patentable subject matter, new or second use of patented pharmaceutical products, imposition of limits to patent term extension and test data protection. Thirty-nine countries have applied TRIPS flexibilities, with the most common being compulsory licensing and least developed country transition provisions. Conclusions: Opportunities exist for WHO to work with ARIPO and OAPI to support countries in reviewing their legislation to be more responsive to public health needs.Item Ibrahim Kingori Njoki v DCI1 Revisited - Rights of Ex-Convicts to Gainful Employment(Global Journal of Human Social Science, 2024) Wekesa, Moni; Mikinyango, Asha; Ekiru, Tioko EmmanuelA government has the monopoly of power to punish offenders who are deemed to disrupt the good order in society. This it does through a judicial process that culminates in a lawful punishment. Such punishment is meant to be proportional to the wrong done. Ordinarily, once a person has served the punishment, such a person would be deemed to have paid the debt to society. However, this is not the case with respect to ex-convicts and employment. Many countries keep criminal records which are used to exclude ex-convicts from employment. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Kenya has the mandate of collecting, storing and disclosing criminal convictions.2 Modern developments in the protection of human rights has seen a paradigm shift towards accommodating ex-convicts in employment. Different countries have adopted varied measures towards this end. It is not in doubt that the age old practice of excluding ex-convicts from employment violates their right to dignity, privacy and labour relations. Such violation in turn endangers society through recidivism. Governments the world over endeavour to ensure that a criminal is properly prepared for re-integration into society.Item Use of Objective Tests in Examining Law Courses at Daystar University(Paradigm Academic Press, 2024-09) Wekesa, Moni; Mikinyango, Asha; Kirumbu, Michael Kiura; Wandera, Susan N.; Wekesa, K. TThe use of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) in law schools has not gained widespread acceptance, unlike in medical schools where they enjoy global usage. Law Schools traditionally use essay-type/problem-solving questions to assess students. The efficacy of this form of assessment is increasingly being attacked due to increasing numbers of students and advancements in technology that enable students to generate answers. Bloom’s Taxonomy provides for a hierarchy of learning processes, which include ‘remember’, ‘understand’, ‘apply’, ‘analysis’, ‘evaluate’, and ‘create’. Studies on whether MCQs can test higher-order learning processes required in law courses have been inconclusive. We did a retrospective study to investigate whether MCQs are an efficient and effective way of assessing law courses. Underlying this study was the desire to find an alternative mode of assessment to overcome the threats facing the essay type. Results from selected law courses were analyzed in which students’ performance on MCQ tests, oral tests, and final examinations were compared. MCQs were analyzed on a two-dimensional Bloom’s table to establish the extent to which they tested higher-order learning processes. We compared the results of scores on the MCQs with those of oral tests and final essay-type examinations using correlational analysis and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). This was for the courses Constitutional Law (n = 22, MCQs = 75), Intellectual Property Rights (n = 113, MCQs = 100), Broadcast & TV Law (n = 11, MCQs = 76), Administrative Law (n = 65, MCQs = 91), and Cyberspace Law (n = 28, MCQs = 101). In general, students performed best on the MCQ test compared to orals and final exams. A two-tailed correlation analysis comparing all five courses showed a strong correlation between MCQs and Orals (r = 0.699, p = 0.189) and a weak correlation between MCQ test and final exam (r = 0.196, p = 0.752). Sixty-eight percent of 75 MCQs in Constitutional Law tested higher-order processes. The mean scores for MCQ (𝑥̅+𝜎 = 39.45 + 4.83), orals (𝑥̅+𝜎 = 7.64+18.72), and final exam (𝑥̅+𝜎 = 28.5 + 8.88) showed a best performance for MCGs. ANOVA comparing test scores for MCQs, Orals and Final examination showed a very significant difference (F (2, 63, 0.05) = 38.11, p < 0.0001). Fifty-four out of 100 MCQs for intellectual property Law tested higher-order learning processes. The mean scores for MCQ (𝑥̅+𝜎 = 39.78 + 5.22), orals (𝑥̅+𝜎 = 18.88+14.66), and final exam (𝑥̅+𝜎 = 29.0442 + 7.71) showed a best performance for MCQs. ANOVA results were highly significant (F (2,342,0.05) = 125.565, p < 0.0001). In Broadcast & TV Law, 44.7% of 76 MCQs tested higher-order learning processes. The mean scores for MCQ (𝑥̅+𝜎 = 43.27+6.89), orals (𝑥̅+𝜎 = 31.09+12.53), and final exam (𝑥̅+𝜎 = 32.09 + 6.69) were different. ANOVA results were very significant (F (2,30,0.05) = 6.057, p < 0.01). There were 91 MCQs in Administrative Law of which 74% tested higher-order processes. The mean scores for the three tests were MCQ (𝑥̅+𝜎 = 33.05 + 4.76), orals (𝑥̅+𝜎 = 22.89 + 16.08), and final exam (𝑥̅+𝜎 = 32.58 + 5.58). ANOVA results were very significant with F (2,191,0.05)= 20.388, p < 0.0001. Cyberspace Law had 101 MCQs of which 38.6% tested higher-order learning processes.The mean scores for MCQ (𝑥̅+𝜎 = 43.50 + 4.51), orals (𝑥̅+𝜎 = 36.43 + 2.27), and final exam (𝑥̅+𝜎 = 35.04 + 7.71) were different. ANOVA results were very significant (F (2,81,0.05) = 20.375, p < 0.0001). We concluded that MCQs are efficacious and efficient in testing higher-order learning processes. MCQs can be used to assess learning of law courses. We recommend that law schools should embrace MCQs for assessing law courses.Item Piracy in Somalia and Its Impact on the International Community: An Analysis of the International Community’s Response to Somali Piracy(Mount Kenya University School of Law Journal, 2012-12) Muendo, MercyThe Coast of Somalia is one of the piracy-prone areas in the world today. This article while briefly touching on the legal aspect will address the various types, dangers, and effects of piracy along the Somalia international water and the Gulf of Aden on the International Waters; It will address the trends of privacy in the Somali region and the Gulf of Eden. It will touch on the factors contributing to privacy in the region and the reasons for its rise. For example failed government in Somali has been a great catalyst in the rise of piracy in the Somali international water, difficulties associated with maritime surveillance and lack of essential coastal and port side security the rise in global production of small arms. It will highlight the efforts of what the International Community has done to counter piracy; and the overall effects of its intervention through the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Attempts like the passing of the legal instrument to equip the international waters the measures adopted by the international community with teeth to fight against piracy in the Somali international waters. The major adopted by the international community against the situation of privacy in the Somali water one of the most important measures being the creation and use of piracy reporting center. The author contributes by sharing suggestions that could be adopted to enhance the eradication of privacy along Somali international water and the Gulf of Aden. The dangers of piracy and recommendations on the way forward to eradicating piracy in Somalia.Item Strategic Thinking and the Performance of Land Administration Function in Kenya(Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 2021) Opondo, Martin; Opio, Percy; Ongeti, Walter JumaThe systematic failure in land administration processes and procedures have often reflected in weak and ineffective land delivery mechanisms in Kenya. In some instances, the processes are undemocratic, bureaucratic, and uneconomical. Improving land administration system through strategic thinking enhances performance and service delivery. This study sought to investigate the influence of strategic thinking on the performance of land administration function in Kenya. Strategic thinking was measured in terms of, thinking in time, intelligent opportunism, and hypothesis-driven parameters. The study used quantitative research methods. The target population was 2880 staffs who work on land administration in various departments in the Ministry of Lands and the National Land Commission and sampled customers who access land administration services in 5 selected Counties. By use of a stratified random sampling method, a sample size of 351 was arrived at and selected. In addition, the research employed document analysis at the respective headquarters of the National Land Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning. Inferential and descriptive statistics were deployed to analyse quantitative data with the assistance of SPSS version 22. Included in the descriptive statistics were frequency distribution, mean (the measure of dispersion), standard deviation and percentages. Besides, inferential statistics included regression analysis and Pearson correlation. The study revealed that strategic thinking has positive significant effect on performance of the land administration function in Kenya (β=0.577, p-value=0.000). The study recommends that the management of the National Land Commission and the Ministry of Land and Physical Planning should consider continuous analysis of opportunities and threats to identify potential ways of improving service delivery. In addition, the management of the National Land Commission and the Ministry should make decisions on time, based on the present and the future needs of the organization.Item The Options for Kenya as an Impending Election Fuels Fear of Hate Speech(Academic rigour, journalistic flair, 2016) Muendo, MercyItem Incorporating Environmental, Social and Governance in an Organisation(Journalofcmsd, 2023) Namiinda, LindaThis paper discusses how to successfully introduce Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) into organizations. The paper defines ESG and its applicability in Kenya. It then proceeds to look at the importance of incorporating ESG into an organization. It also suggests how to equip the Board and the Corporate Secretaries so that they can be ESG leads in organizations since ESG is quickly metamorphosizing into a must have in all organizations intending to remain a going concern in Kenya.Item An Examination of Legal Recognition Perspective on the Wellbeing of Transgender Persons in Nairobi County, Kenya(Journal of Popular Education in Africa, 2023) Owuor, Maurice AjwangThe aim of this study was to examine the influence of legal recognition perspective on the wellbeing of transgender persons in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study adopted intersectionality theory to explain the legal crossroads experienced by transgender persons where the legal framework is expressed in binary gender dichotomy. Mixed methodology and the concurrent triangulation design as well as phenomenological qualitative and descriptive quantitative designs were embraced in this study. Targeted population was 1,064 transgender persons residing in Nairobi County (NASCOP 2018) as the key informants who were crucial because they had information on their experiences in the course of interaction with the law. 60 of them were sampled by snowballing method. The study also targeted 96 legal practitioners in Nairobi County purposively sampled. This category of significant others was important to the study since they had information of what they had witnessed in the course of their career. The data collection was done using 5-likert scale questionnaires for transgender persons, and a separate one for legal practitioners. Each questionnaire had some open-ended questions to capture qualitative data. The data was analysed qualitatively and quantitatively through descriptive statistics and thematic analysis approach respectively. The hypothesis was tested through the Chi-square test to show relationship and direction between the variables. Descriptive statistical parameters included percentages, frequencies and counts. By a majority score the outcome indicated that there was an association between the variables. The Chi-square calculated value at Chi critical value of 0.05 which gave averages greater than the critical value therefore the null hypothesis was rejected. Thematic approach was used to analyse qualitative data and the results confirmed existence of significant relationships between the variables. The study came up with relevant recommendations to help in addressing the issues raised in the study and more so change in policy and laws. The creation of awareness among the legal practitioners about the unique legal circumstances of transgender persons was recommended. Further research in the Republic of Kenya was also a recommendation.Item Human Rights of Terrorism Suspects in Kenya(The Law Society of Kenya Journal, 2020) Owuor, Maurice AjwangIn the 21st Century, the phenomenon of Terrorism has become one of the terrifying threats to human existence, security and wellbeing. It is now a global threat and a new battlefront for the international community. Terrorism today is not just a threat to individual western European states, but the international community as a whole. The new terrorists’ mantra, ‘you are either with us or against us’ effectively places everyone at risk. The apparent disregard by terrorists in recent times, for some of their victim’s race, religion, gender, age et cetera and therefore treat such victims as collateral damage in the execution of their broader scheme, has galvanized the position of the international community against terrorism. This article focuses on the balance of security concerns and the protection of the rights of terrorism suspects during the fight against terror in Kenya. This article seeks to strike a balance between the protection of national security vis-à-vis the rights of terrorism suspects. Because of the above, states, including Kenya are increasingly compelled to take extraordinary steps to combat this vice. The traditional measures of dealing with suspects of ordinary crimes (apprehension and custody by law enforcement agencies and due process of the law) have been put to the real test while dealing with terrorism suspects, considering the peculiar nature of terrorism, its evolving nature and threat. In the face of rising global acts of terror and the response of states to the same, this article with specific reference to Kenya seeks to reaffirm the significance of balancing the interest of national security on the one hand and the human rights of terrorism suspects on the other, within the realm of both national and international law. The author believes that even in the course of protecting domestic and international peace and security, the rights of terrorism suspects must still be protected in conformity with the principles of the rule of law. Given the preceding, reference is made to the laws of Kenya and other states and relevant international instruments and case law to support the assertion. A comparative analysis of the practice of selected countries has been conducted.Item What next as Kenya moves to tax digital businesses(Business Africa, 2021-08) Muendo, MercyItem Challenges Kenyan Television Journalists Face in Spotting Fake News(Journal of Development and Communication Studies, 2020) Matu, Nguri; Mutugi, Kabucua John; Nyamboga, Erneo NyakundiA fake news story can travel half way across the world as the truth puts on its socks. There are myriads of challenges facing journalists in spotting fake news hence its wide proliferation. Fake news has become a prominent subject of enquiry especially following its alleged influence of the 2016 general elections in US. Unfortunately, research on fake news has focused on social media, politics, elections, and economies. Few studies have focused on the challenges that TV journalists face in spotting fake news prompting this study. The specific research question was; what are the challenges facing television journalists in spotting fake news in Kenya? The study adapted a relativist-constructivist/interpretivist ontology and epistemology, qualitative approach and multiple case study methodology. Data was generated through in-depth interviews, direct observation and documents review. The study used purposive sampling to generate data from 16 journalists. Data was then analysed in themes and presented in narrative form. Key findings were that in spotting fake news, journalists faced challenges like; loss of viewers, lack of authoritative contacts, sources who gave fake news for personal, business, political, and economic benefits, ability of fake news to camouflage real news, speed of fake news, typologies of fake news, live reporting, inexperienced correspondents and interns, and social media. The study concludes that the challenges facing journalists in spotting fake news were majorly based on sources, technology, education, skills and training, and its typology. The study therefore recommends that editorial boards invest in experts to train journalists on styles, architecture, propagation and use of fake news, inoculation of journalists and audiences, raising fake news literacy levels, and use of technology based approaches like reverse search and fact checking sites.Item Challenges in the Production of Innovation Content for Engineering Artisans: Case Study of Media Producers in Nairobi, Kenya(The International Journal Of Humanities & Social Studies, 2016-10) Nyamboga, Erneo Nyakundi; Githinji, Martin KuriaMedia producers in Kenya struggle at producing content for innovation in the digital television platform. The researchers, therefore, sought to examine the challenges and efforts in place for media producers to produce innovation content for engineering ‘Jua Kali’ (hot-sun) artisans and whether engineering ‘Jua Kali’ artisans can access the innovation content. The study was anchored on the pragmatic research philosophy. The study employed a mixed methods approach and a multiple case study was the research method. A sample of 60 respondents was studied. Data was generated through survey questionnaires and interview guides. The findings showed 68.9% of the engineering Jua Kali artisans found it difficult to access innovation content. Media producers also cited an irresponsive market to audiences and extra television relations hindered the production of innovation content. It is hoped that these findings will encourage the production of interesting, innovative content, from media producers and that engineering Jua Kali artisans will benefit from the findings.Item Drop Analogue, and Digitize: The Practical Challenges in Kenya’s Digital Migration Programme(The International Journal Of Humanities & Social Studies, 2015-12) Nyamboga, Erneo Nyakundi; Biwott, ScholasticaThe Regional Radio Broadcasting (RRC) conference held in Geneva in 2006 culminated in a treaty calling on all nations, Kenya included, shifting to digital terrestrial television (DTT) broadcasting by June 17, 2015. This paper provides a situational analysis of the practical implications of the digital transition in Kenya. To migrate to digital broadcasting, Kenya (government, broadcast companies, and media consumers) had to purchase equipment compatible with the digital platform, a move that proved costly to the majority of Kenyans given the high costs of purchase, installation, and maintenance of digital equipment. The research established that Kenya was not ready for the migration from analogue to digital broadcasting. The review found out that most of the local media houses as well as the majority of Kenyans were not ready to embark on the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting. These results would enable major players in the broadcasting sector to understand the course and implications of digital migration. The research also presents a better foundation upon which other scholars in the field of communication can build their studies and delve into different aspects ofthe topic at hand.Item Establishing Knowledge Gap Issues in Kenya: Why Information for Innovation on Digital Television is Difficult to Access Among Jua Kali Artisans(IOSR Journal of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS), 2016-10) Nyamboga, Erneo Nyakundi; Kuria, MartinThe Kenyan engineering artisans a.k.a „ jua kali‟( hot sun) engineering artisans, do not easily and readily find information for innovation in the digital television platform. The researchers, therefore, sought to establish whether engineering content shown in the Kenya digital platform inspires creativity for innovation among this category of engineering artisans who mainly operate from open air spaces and under the hot sun. The study was anchored on the pragmatic research philosophy. The study employed a mixed methods approach and a multiple case study research method. A sample of 60 participants, comprising artisans and media content producers, was studied.The findings showed that 67.9% of the engineering artisans had considered that there is interesting and available innovation content in the digital television platforms. However, there were attitudes that hindered accessibility of useful innovation information from the digital television gadgets. Media producers cited that they had not fully grasped how the digital platform can work. It is hoped that these findings will encourage the production of interesting, innovative content, that will give rise to alternative information sources for engineering artisans.Item Journalists’ Perceptions of Opportunities for Integration of New Media for Professional Use: A Study of Three Mainstream Newspapers in Kenya(African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research (AMJR), 2020) Nyamboga, Erneo Nyakundi; Elizabeth, Gitonga; Charles, Ong’ondoThe study evaluated journalists’ perception of opportunities for integration of various new media platforms for professional use. Print media journalists in Kenya and the world over have adopted new media technologies for professional journalism. However, a review of relevant literature shows that little research has emerged on the current integration practices targeting the three media houses combined. The study was guided by Everett Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations theory. The qualitative multiple case study design was adopted. A sample size of 15 journalists drawn from both the print and online teams was selected purposively from three mainstream newspapers in Kenya. Data was generated using in-depth interviews, analysed thematically and presented in a narrative form. The study revealed that new media platforms have emerged as powerful tools of journalism across the mainstream print media in Kenya. Some of the opportunities cited in the use of new media are expanded tools for news gathering and new channels for dissemination of information to audiences. And of the various social media platforms, Twitter and Facebook and Whatsapp were the most widely used by journalists in Kenya for finding sources, story ideas and distribution of their journalism, among other uses. Legacy journalists were, however, slow in embracing new media while correspondents and those with personal drive saw new media platforms as an opportunity to improve their journalism. The study recommends research on the kinds of trainings offered to journalists to become fully multi-skilled. A further study on the problems facing journalists as they interact with the newest technologies would also be relevant.Item Libel Litigation and Its Impact on Journalists’ Exercise of Freedom of Expression at Two Newspaper Publications in Kenya(The International Journal Of Humanities & Social Studies, 2015-11) Nyamboga, Erneo NyakundiIn countries that espouse the rule of law, interpersonal communication has to contend with legislation and ethical codes that allow for freedom of expression with limits. One such legal limit to expressive freedom is respect for the reputation of others. Courts of law and other administrative bodies exist to determine if there has been a violation of the right to reputation in the course of expressive freedom, and mete appropriate criminal and civil penalties on the culpable. This paper examines the communication dynamics in journalists’ subsequent sourcing, processing and dissemination of news and information against the backdrop of threats to sue, suits and the courts’ imposition of civil penalties on a newspaper defendant. The results of the inquiry conducted in Kenya show, among others things, that fear of being sued for defamation influenced newspaper content in terms of the quantity (removal of some material), quality (watering down stories) and structure (page placement of news articles). In a nutshell, some stories, including those of great public interest, were not published because of the threat of a libel action.Item Need and Access to Genetically Modified Food Crops’ Information among Maize Farmers in Western Kenya(Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies (JAIS), 2023-06) Olomy Joseph J., Mulwo Abraham K. & Nyakundi Erneo N.This article aims to examine the dynamics of need and access to information about Genetically Modified Organisms among maize farmers in Western Kenya. The contention of this article is that despite Genetic Modification (GM) of food crops being around for more than two decades and championed as one of the possible solutions to global food insecurity, it has inspired a consistent polarized debate worldwide with a specific focus on the potential benefits and concerns over the safety to human health and the environment. We conducted a survey among 298 maize farmers in western Kenya and interviewed eight key informants from scientists researching GM food in Kenya to determine farmers’ GM food information needs, examine farmers’ access to GM food information, and assess the approaches used by scientists in communicating GM food information to farmers. Findings reveal that farmers accessed information mostly from sources that are unreliable and prone to misinformation. Approaches used by scientists in communicating GM food information to farmers were ineffective, rendering farmers dissatisfied with the amount of information they access. Findings further reveal that farmers required more precise and complete information from trustworthy sources, including scientists and the government. The study underscores the need for more involvement of farmers and the general public through constant engagement in GM food research and effective communication to enhance their knowledge about GM food. We recommend that scientists rethink their public engagement framework to ensure they reach farmers with more reliable information on GM food. The engagement framework should ensure coordinated messaging among the various stakeholders to avoid confusing farmers on the nature of GM food.Item To Be Charged Again: Spotting of Fake News by Televion Stations in Kenya(African Journal of Education, Science and Technology, 2021-05) Matu, Nguri; John, Kabucua; Nyamboga, Erneo NyakundiFake news is a major threat to credibility, trust, and speed of real news owing to its ability to spread fast, camouflage real news, spur ethnic conflicts, sabotage businesses and mislead voters. While there is empirical evidence that dissemination of fake news on social media and enactments of anti-fake news laws are on the rise globally, most of the empirical studies on fake news continue to focus on its political impacts and presence on social media. News television stations work under the premise of trust, credibility and speed now threatened by fake news hence the need to explore how they spot it. The specific research question was: How do news television stations in Kenya spot fake news?. The Gate keeping theory aided conceptualization of this study. The study adapted a relativist-constructivist/interpretivist philosophical paradigm hence qualitative approach and multiple case study method. The target population comprised of reporters and editors. A sample size of 16 participants from two television stations was selected using purposive sampling technique. Data was generated through in depth interviews and observations. Data was analysed thematically and presented in narrative form based on themes. The findings show that television stations spot fake news through counterchecking and verification, instinct, delays, online reverse search, calling the source, evaluating source’s credibility, chains of gate keepers, and editorial social media groups. Despite the numerous spotting practices fake news had permeated and aired on television resulting in court charges, fines, apologies and sacking of journalists. This study concludes that practices of spotting fake news by television stations in Kenya are incoherent, informal and weakly anchored on policy documents thus insufficient. Therefore, recommends that editorial boards establish standard and well documented practices for spotting fake news to arrest its growing threat to trust in news and journalism.Item Social Media in Kenyan Journalism: Benefits, Opportunities and Challenges(IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS), 2014-12) Nyamboga, Erneo NyakundiAdvances in technology have contributed a lot to the growth of journalism worldwide. Sourcinginformation and disseminating information has been made easy by the internet. Social media especially has made it possible for journalists and others to publish, share and discuss news events.This paper discusses social media use in Kenya with regard to its forms, benefits, opportunities it provides and challenges faced by media users especially in the Kenyan journalism sector.Item Awareness, Knowledge, and Perception of Genetically Modified Foods Among Maize Farmers in Uasin Gishu and Trans-Nzoia Counties, Kenya(Journal of Education and Practice, 2023-07) Nyamboga, Erneo Nyakundi; Olomy, Joseph Joachim; Mulwo, Abraham KipropSeveral awareness studies have generally reported that the public is aware of genetically modified foods (GMFs). However, when their knowledge is probed, most studies have indicated that the public tends to fail to demonstrate an understanding of GMFs equivalent to the awareness levels reported. Nevertheless, there is scarce knowledge on the role of information on public knowledge of GMFs. In this study, we administered a semistructured questionnaire to 298 farmers from Uasin Gishu and Trans-Nzoia counties in Kenya to assess their awareness, test their knowledge, and examine their perception toward GMFs. We then interrogated the farmers’ reported sources of GMFs information to determine the nature and quality of information accessible to them and its role in their knowledge and perceptions toward GMFs. Findings indicate that despite 99.3% of the farmers reporting being aware of GMFs, most had inadequate knowledge. Farmers receive unreliable information from sources that warrant misinformation, confusing them about GMFs. This confusion leads to farmers’ concerns primarily about the perceived risks of GMFs on human health and the environment. Scientific information about GMF is scarce, giving room for misinformation and increasing farmers’ anxiety and scepticism about GMFs. Still, farmers were found to be more optimistic than negative toward GMFs. The study concludes that inadequacy of knowledge is associated with the nature and quality of information farmers receive. We recommend that scientists and other parties involved with GMF rethink their communication strategies to engage the public with reliable and understandable facts about GM technology and foods to allow farmers and the general public to make informed decisions.
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