Past studies have shown that the increased enrolment of students in public universities has not b... more Past studies have shown that the increased enrolment of students in public universities has not been matched with supporting human and technical resources. This has affected the quality of teaching and learning. This article examines pedagogical approaches in the context of mass expansion of tertiary education in selected public universities in Kenya. Further, the authors explore how managers within these institutions support academic staff in pedagogical innovations. The results from a survey of selected public universities showed that certain teaching and learning pedagogies have been favoured and used in these institutions to accommodate the increasing number of students. Further, although the study shows that there is an effort on the side of university lecturers and managers to use and/or support pedagogies that favour the large number of students, there are bottlenecks that are currently beyond their control. These include inadequate funding, staffing, and physical facilities,...
This essay centres on the role of religion in the era of Covid-19. We juxtapose social media and ... more This essay centres on the role of religion in the era of Covid-19. We juxtapose social media and religious practices in a way that challenges the conventional religion of the pulpit to deconstruct the myths and misconceptions around spirituality in the era of Covid-19. We show the transformation of worship from physical worship places, particularly churches, to virtual engagements through social media. Through observation, close relations’ accounts, personal experiences and media perspectives, we analyze the politics that surrounded religious observances in the first 7 months of Covid-19 pandemic in Kenya. We make a case that, discoveries made in these seven and other months to come, will most likely influenced the myths and misconceptions about religion and religious practices in the Country. From these accounts, we project a future that is likely to reap from the benefits of technology, and especially social media, which has revolutionized exchange of ideas, sermons, prayers and m...
The numerous socio-economic challenges facing the youth in developing nations today have meant th... more The numerous socio-economic challenges facing the youth in developing nations today have meant that youth must find new approaches to address these challenges and utilize what is available in their surroundings to enable them survive. This is especially the case in the congested, poor living conditions of the sub-urban regions. In most of the developing nations, youth burgeon has been associated with increased crime in both urban and rural areas, activities that can be linked to unemployment and low literacy levels. In their effort to live within the limits of their surroundings, some youth in Kenya have formed groups, within which they identify and pool their efforts for wider recognition, besides enhancing their survival techniques in the midst of economic hardships. Some of these groups have been labelled as gangs, criminal groups and dangerous sects. Members of these groups, therefore, do not readily negotiate livelihoods with the general public but rather with their sect leader...
Peace building during and after ethnic clashes is not an easy task both for either the government... more Peace building during and after ethnic clashes is not an easy task both for either the government or community institutions. This is because such a conflict touches on the very basic core of co-existence between and among individuals in the community. This paper seeks to examine the role of religious institutions in peace building prior to and after the 2007 post-elections violence (PEV) in Kenya. It contextualizes the challenges faced by religious groups after the PEV. The author builds an argument that supports the view that religious institutions have a role to play in peace building. Using Klopp’s (2002) concept of liberal versus illiberal nationalism, the author explains how religious institutions in Kenya, if well managed and used, can be a voice for the voiceless communities especially during and after conflicts largely triggered by the political leaders in the country. The arguments herein will also offer lessons learned about post-conflict peace communications in Kenya.
The role of women in peacebuilding is acknowledged by many stakeholders central in peace work. Wh... more The role of women in peacebuilding is acknowledged by many stakeholders central in peace work. While this is so, there are still concerns about what we know about women’s involvement in peacebuilding structures established by non-state actors. Drawing from Amani Mashinani (Peace at Grassroots) peacebuilding model initiated by the Catholic Church in Kenya’s North Rift region, we examine the role of women in processes of conflict resolution in Uasin Gishu County. Suggestions to support women’s participation will be discussed. Introduction The findings of this essay are part of a larger study, generously funded by the Templeton Foundation, through the Nagel Institute for the study of World Christianity, under the general theme of African Theological Advance, to examine the role of the Catholic Church in conflict resolution and peacebuiding processes in Kenya’s Rift Valley. We draw from Amani Mashinani grassroots peacebuilding model to examine the role of women in conflict resolution pr...
DOI: 10.21276/sjahss.2017.5.12.27 Abstract: This paper analyzed how Small Christian Communities (... more DOI: 10.21276/sjahss.2017.5.12.27 Abstract: This paper analyzed how Small Christian Communities (SCCs) promote peace in the Catholic Church. Specifically, the paper examines: Catholic Church understanding of peace; causes of conflicts in the SCCs; and Church‘s conflict resolution mechanisms through community based approaches as well as use of mediation. This paper is part of a larger study was conducted in 2016 and 2017 in 74 SCCs in the five parishes of the Catholic Church in Vihiga County, Kenya. The paper makes an argument that the Church‘s mandate to promote peace is derived from Matthew 5:9 ―blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God‖; subsequently, the Catholic Church fulfils this mandate through the use of SCCs as the key avenue for promoting peaceful co-existence at the grassroots level.
From a cultural perspective, religion is a very diverse phenomenon. This is because culture influ... more From a cultural perspective, religion is a very diverse phenomenon. This is because culture influences people to behave in a certain way, affecting the way they express themselves, including their religiosity. The many African cultures can be argued to have caused religious and/or denominational diversity in African religiosity. For our purposes, a simple definition of religious diversity should be put forward: it is the assorted nature of the religions of the world as dictated by people’s needs/ tastes and cultural milieus. In Vihiga District of Western Kenya, which was the survey area for this paper, the mushrooming of Christian groups can simply be explained through the cultures of tradition and modernity. This has led to a vibrant sprouting of both African Independent Churches (AICs) and New Religious Movements (NeReMos) amidst the mainline or mission-founded churches. The diversity is in reference to the different tastes and needs of people in the district. The study will take ...
Past studies have shown that the increased enrolment of students in public universities has not b... more Past studies have shown that the increased enrolment of students in public universities has not been matched with supporting human and technical resources. This has affected the quality of teaching and learning. This article examines pedagogical approaches in the context of mass expansion of tertiary education in selected public universities in Kenya. Further, the authors explore how managers within these institutions support academic staff in pedagogical innovations. The results from a survey of selected public universities showed that certain teaching and learning pedagogies have been favoured and used in these institutions to accommodate the increasing number of students. Further, although the study shows that there is an effort on the side of university lecturers and managers to use and/or support pedagogies that favour the large number of students, there are bottlenecks that are currently beyond their control. These include inadequate funding, staffing, and physical facilities,...
This essay centres on the role of religion in the era of Covid-19. We juxtapose social media and ... more This essay centres on the role of religion in the era of Covid-19. We juxtapose social media and religious practices in a way that challenges the conventional religion of the pulpit to deconstruct the myths and misconceptions around spirituality in the era of Covid-19. We show the transformation of worship from physical worship places, particularly churches, to virtual engagements through social media. Through observation, close relations’ accounts, personal experiences and media perspectives, we analyze the politics that surrounded religious observances in the first 7 months of Covid-19 pandemic in Kenya. We make a case that, discoveries made in these seven and other months to come, will most likely influenced the myths and misconceptions about religion and religious practices in the Country. From these accounts, we project a future that is likely to reap from the benefits of technology, and especially social media, which has revolutionized exchange of ideas, sermons, prayers and m...
The numerous socio-economic challenges facing the youth in developing nations today have meant th... more The numerous socio-economic challenges facing the youth in developing nations today have meant that youth must find new approaches to address these challenges and utilize what is available in their surroundings to enable them survive. This is especially the case in the congested, poor living conditions of the sub-urban regions. In most of the developing nations, youth burgeon has been associated with increased crime in both urban and rural areas, activities that can be linked to unemployment and low literacy levels. In their effort to live within the limits of their surroundings, some youth in Kenya have formed groups, within which they identify and pool their efforts for wider recognition, besides enhancing their survival techniques in the midst of economic hardships. Some of these groups have been labelled as gangs, criminal groups and dangerous sects. Members of these groups, therefore, do not readily negotiate livelihoods with the general public but rather with their sect leader...
Peace building during and after ethnic clashes is not an easy task both for either the government... more Peace building during and after ethnic clashes is not an easy task both for either the government or community institutions. This is because such a conflict touches on the very basic core of co-existence between and among individuals in the community. This paper seeks to examine the role of religious institutions in peace building prior to and after the 2007 post-elections violence (PEV) in Kenya. It contextualizes the challenges faced by religious groups after the PEV. The author builds an argument that supports the view that religious institutions have a role to play in peace building. Using Klopp’s (2002) concept of liberal versus illiberal nationalism, the author explains how religious institutions in Kenya, if well managed and used, can be a voice for the voiceless communities especially during and after conflicts largely triggered by the political leaders in the country. The arguments herein will also offer lessons learned about post-conflict peace communications in Kenya.
The role of women in peacebuilding is acknowledged by many stakeholders central in peace work. Wh... more The role of women in peacebuilding is acknowledged by many stakeholders central in peace work. While this is so, there are still concerns about what we know about women’s involvement in peacebuilding structures established by non-state actors. Drawing from Amani Mashinani (Peace at Grassroots) peacebuilding model initiated by the Catholic Church in Kenya’s North Rift region, we examine the role of women in processes of conflict resolution in Uasin Gishu County. Suggestions to support women’s participation will be discussed. Introduction The findings of this essay are part of a larger study, generously funded by the Templeton Foundation, through the Nagel Institute for the study of World Christianity, under the general theme of African Theological Advance, to examine the role of the Catholic Church in conflict resolution and peacebuiding processes in Kenya’s Rift Valley. We draw from Amani Mashinani grassroots peacebuilding model to examine the role of women in conflict resolution pr...
DOI: 10.21276/sjahss.2017.5.12.27 Abstract: This paper analyzed how Small Christian Communities (... more DOI: 10.21276/sjahss.2017.5.12.27 Abstract: This paper analyzed how Small Christian Communities (SCCs) promote peace in the Catholic Church. Specifically, the paper examines: Catholic Church understanding of peace; causes of conflicts in the SCCs; and Church‘s conflict resolution mechanisms through community based approaches as well as use of mediation. This paper is part of a larger study was conducted in 2016 and 2017 in 74 SCCs in the five parishes of the Catholic Church in Vihiga County, Kenya. The paper makes an argument that the Church‘s mandate to promote peace is derived from Matthew 5:9 ―blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God‖; subsequently, the Catholic Church fulfils this mandate through the use of SCCs as the key avenue for promoting peaceful co-existence at the grassroots level.
From a cultural perspective, religion is a very diverse phenomenon. This is because culture influ... more From a cultural perspective, religion is a very diverse phenomenon. This is because culture influences people to behave in a certain way, affecting the way they express themselves, including their religiosity. The many African cultures can be argued to have caused religious and/or denominational diversity in African religiosity. For our purposes, a simple definition of religious diversity should be put forward: it is the assorted nature of the religions of the world as dictated by people’s needs/ tastes and cultural milieus. In Vihiga District of Western Kenya, which was the survey area for this paper, the mushrooming of Christian groups can simply be explained through the cultures of tradition and modernity. This has led to a vibrant sprouting of both African Independent Churches (AICs) and New Religious Movements (NeReMos) amidst the mainline or mission-founded churches. The diversity is in reference to the different tastes and needs of people in the district. The study will take ...
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