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A collection of conference, workshop, seminar, proceedings, and lecture series showcasing diverse topics and cutting-edge research from faculty and staff of Daystar University.
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An archival collection chronicling the institutional history, academic achievements, and diverse heritage of Daystar University.
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A collection of Publications by faculty and staff showcasing research, academic achievements, and institutional insights of Daystar University.
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A collection of Lectures and Speeches from distinguished speakers across various disciplines of Daystar University.
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Recent Submissions

A Survey on Data Mining Techniques in Research Paper Recommender Systems
(IGI Global, 2019) Maake, Benard
In this chapter, we give an overview of the main data mining techniques that are utilised in the context of research paper recommender systems. These techniques refer to mathematical models and tools that are utilised in discovering patterns in data. Data mining is a term used to describe a collection of techniques that infer recommendation rules and build models from research paper datasets. We briefly describe how research paper recommender systems’ data is processed, analysed and then finally interpreted using these techniques. We review different distance measures, sampling techniques and dimensionality reduction methods employed in computing research paper recommendations. We also review the various clustering, classification and association rule mining methods employed to mine for hidden information. Finally, we highlight the major data mining issues that are affecting research paper recommender systems.
Sociodemographic and Associated Risk Factors for PTSD and Depression among Select Urban Refugees in Nairobi
(International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education, 2025-11) Murunga, Beatrice A.
This study investigated the sociodemographic and trauma-related risk factors associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression among urban refugees seeking services at an international organization in Nairobi. Using PCL-5 and BDI-II, and a sociodemograhic questionnaire, data were collected from refugee participants to assess the prevalence and predictors of mental health conditions. The findings revealed that gender and education level were significant predictors (gender: χ²(2) = 10.23, p = .006; education: χ²(4) = 9.90, p = .042), with female refugees and those with lower educational attainment showing higher rates of PTSD and depression. While variables such as country of origin, marital status, and age did not significantly predict mental health outcomes, having family in Kenya and a higher number of children were associated with elevated symptoms (Wilks’ Λ = .953, F = 4.666, p = .011, effect size was partial η² = .047). Specific traumatic experiences—particularly torture (torture: F(1, 264) = 7.189, p = .008, η² = .027), sexual assault (sexual assault: F(1, 264) = 10.368, p = .001, η² = .038), and abduction (abduction: F(1, 264) = 6.511, p = .011, η² = .024)—were strong predictors of PTSD and depression, with the nature of the perpetrator influencing symptom severity. A cumulative trauma effect was observed, although resilience appeared to increase among those with extensive trauma exposure. Post-migration stressors, including unemployment, housing insecurity, and lack of access to services, were positively correlated with poor mental health. The study recommends targeted psychosocial interventions, education and income-generating programs, and stronger enforcement of refugee rights to mitigate these risks and improve mental health outcomes among urban refugee populations.
Impact of EMDR on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Urban Refugees in Nairobi, Kenya
(International Journal of Clinical Science and Medical Research, 2025-10) Murunga, Beatrice A.
Research has indicated that Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a useful technique for lowering Posttraumatic Stress Disorder symptoms in refugee populations around the world. The purpose of the study was to establish the impact of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing treatment on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder symptoms among a select group of urban refugees seeking services at an international non-governmental organization in Nairobi. A time series quasi-experimental design was used for the study. Participants were administered a sociodemographic survey, and the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. A total of sixty-nine participants who satisfied the clinical criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder according to the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, were randomized through simple random sampling. Treatment consisted of eight 90-minute Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing sessions with the experimental group. Both the experimental and control groups' Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition scores were obtained after 4 sessions (midline), and after 4 additional sessions (endline). Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 27. Findings of the study showed that the experimental group's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition scores significantly decreased over time. A repeated measures contrast analysis to examine the pattern of change in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder scores across the three timepoints indicated that the decrease in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder scores was statistically significant (F(1, 62) = 59.93, p < .001, partial η² = .492). These results demonstrate the value of focused psychological therapies and validate the effectiveness of the treatment.
Toward Altmetric-Driven Research-Paper Recommender System Framework
(IEEE, 2017) Maake, Benard; Ojo, Sunday; Zuva, Trano
The volume of literature and more particularly research-oriented publications is growing at an exponential rate, and better tools and methodologies are required to efficiently and effectively retrieve desired documents. The development of academic search engines, digital libraries and archives has led to better information filtering mechanisms that has resulted to improved search results. However, the state-of-the art research-paper recommender systems are still retrieving research articles without explicitly defining the domain of interest of the researchers. Also, a rich set of research output (research objects) and their associated metrics are also not being utilized in the process of searching, querying, retrieving and recommending articles. Consequently, a lot of irrelevant and unrelated information is being presented to the user. Then again, the use of citation counts to rank and recommend research-paper to users is still disputed. Recommendation metrics like citation counts, ratings in collaborative filtering, and keyword analysis' cannot be fully relied on as the only techniques through which similarity between documents can be computed, and this is because recommendations based on such metrics are not accurate and have lots of biasness. Henceforth, altmetric-based techniques and methodologies are expected to give better recommendations of research papers since the circumstances surrounding a research papers are taken into consideration. This paper proposes a research paper recommender system framework that utilizes paper ontology and Altmetric from research papers, to enhance the performance of research paper recommender systems.
Utilization of Open Access Library Resources by Postgraduate Students at Karatina University, Kenya
(Open Access Library Journal, 2022) Tarus, Valentine; Namande, Ben Wekalao; Maake, Benard
Open Access (OA) are research publications published in scholarly journals or institutional repositories online without restrictions. It enables end users to consume, transfer and reproduce the full text of scholarly works in their fields of study. OA library resources support academic and research within institutions of higher learning as it strives to provide an alternative solution in a place where there is no equality in information and knowledge. The pursuit and use of OA library resources reduces the information divide between developed and less developed countries. Despite the availability of the OA library resources, there is still low uptake of OA library resources in Kenyan universities. The aim of this study was to investigate the utilization of OA library resources by postgraduate students. Objective of this study was to determine challenges facing utilization of open access library resources by post graduate students. The study employed descriptive research design while both qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The findings established that there were internet challenges, information overload and inadequate awareness on the availability of OA library resources. The study recommends the increase of awareness of OA library resources and services, increase internet speed, conducting training on OA library resources and services for library staff as well as students