School of Humanities and Social Sciences (JA)

The colonial taxation structure and its impact on the Luhya women OF Busia district upto 1963

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The colonial taxation structure and its impact on the Luhya women OF Busia district upto 1963 Muleka, Maureen A.; Okoth, Pontian G. Purpose of the Study: This paper sought to examine the colonial tax structure in Kenya up to 1963 and while only the men paid taxes, the consequences of taxation spared no one including the women. Therefore, this paper narrowed down to the effects of taxation on women using a case study of the Luhya community of Western Kenya specifically Busia District. Problem Statement: A tax may be referred to as a compulsory contribution to the state revenue, levied by the government on income, business profits or added to cost of some goods and services and transactions. Taxation is one of the aspects that both the traditional and modern societies share although the modes of payment and methods of collection may differ quite much. A shift from traditional to the modern modes of tax collection in Africa and thus Kenya was facilitated by the coming of colonialism. Colonial governments across Africa levied various levels of taxes which impacted the indigenous people in various ways. This article was supported by Lesley Ogundipe’s African Feminist theory which holds that women had an important role in the pre-colonial African society but the coming of colonialism affected their roles and generally deteriorated their status. Methodology: Data for this study was collected using primary and secondary sources. Primary sources involved archival sources and oral interviews while secondary sources focused on an analysis of existing literature on the topic under study. Result: The study found that, the colonial government in Kenya introduced various levels of taxes and that the introduction of taxation affected women despite the fact that it is the men that were the taxpayers. By studying these effects on the Luhya women of Busia District, the study found that women responded swiftly to the effects of taxation by quickly adjusting in various ways for the sake of their survival. Conclusion: The study therefore concluded that introduction of taxes in Kenya affected the lives of women by changing their roles and generally deteriorating their status.

The future of historical writing: Will big data rewrite the past?

Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT

The future of historical writing: Will big data rewrite the past? Muleka, Maureen A. The historical landscape is being reshaped by the torrent of information known as big data. This research explores the potential of big data to empower historians, not replace them. By analysing vast datasets, historians can uncover hidden patterns, challenge established narratives, and create a more comprehensive understanding of the past. However, the limitations of data quality, inherent incompleteness, accessibility, and the risk of oversimplification necessitate a critical approach. The future of historical writing lies in a balanced partnership between big data's analytical power and traditional methods' focus on context and nuance. This synergy fosters a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of the human experience across time. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58721/jraw.v1i1.566

The role of the maendeleo ya wanawake organization in women’s economic empowerment: Case of Abakhayo women, Busia County (1978-2002)

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

The role of the maendeleo ya wanawake organization in women’s economic empowerment: Case of Abakhayo women, Busia County (1978-2002) Muleka, Maureen A.; Okoth, Pontian G. One may be forgiven to assume that there are no women’s movements in Kenya today. This is due to the trajectory that women’s organizations have taken in the recent past. Apparently, women’s movements presently appear to concentrate on the fight for/against issues which may be seen as less urgent such as women representation in leadership and politics; equal access to education and jobs; visibility in the media and literature; two thirds gender rule; etcetera. Seemingly, the expectation of the public is women’s organizations that have a direct and tangible effect on the women concerned. Perhaps this is a carryover from the pioneer women’s organizations such as the Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organization (MYWO), whose basic aim was to directly impact and lift the socio-economic status of women without having to inject in feministic, or competitive energies. The period 1978-2002 is considered the Golden Era of the organization, which, on realizing that it would be difficult to change the lives of women without economic independence, embarked on introducing income generating projects across the country. “How can women’s organizations help foster women’s economic empowerment?” The paper attempts to answer this question by exploring the role MYWO played in the economic empowerment of Abakhayo women in Busia County.

Trends in demographic and health survey publications based on a bibliometric analysis

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Trends in demographic and health survey publications based on a bibliometric analysis Omondi, Evans; Kariuki, Symon M.; Ouedraogo, Soumaila; Odhiambo, Rachel; Osuka, Daniel; Wekesa, Eliud; Kitsao-Wekulo, Patricia; Kiragga, Agnes; Kyobutungi, Catherine Background: The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program, launched in 1984, provides high-quality population health data that underpins a vast body of global health research. However, the scale and growth patterns of DHS-based publications remain underexplored, particularly as donor funding uncertainties threaten program sustainability. Objective: We examine temporal trends in DHS-based research output from 1984 to 2025, quantifying growth patterns and publication delays to inform understanding of the program’s global research expansion. Methods: A systematic bibliometric review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Dimensions, Wiley, and CINAHL. Eligible peerreviewed articles using DHS data between 1984 and 2025 were identified. Annual publication counts were analyzed, segmented regression identified growth inflection points, and timeliness was assessed by calculating lag between survey completion and publication. Results: Over 10,000 DHS-based publications were identified. Annual output rose from isolated studies in the 1980s to several hundred annually by the 2010s. Segmentation analysis revealed two rapid growth phases: a 56-publications/year increase from 2004–2012, and a 71- publications/year increase from 2012 to 2024. Despite this growth, median lag from survey completion to publication remained approximately 5 years, with only a modest recent improvement (Kendall’s τ = −0.623, p < 0.001). Conclusion: DHS data have fueled exponential growth in global health research over four decades, confirming their vital role in evidence generation. However, persistent publication delays highlight the need to shorten the pathway from data collection to dissemination through strengthened research capacity in low- and middle-income countries. Sustained funding is essential to maintain this critical evidence source. https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2026.2680363