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Unveiling the hidden costs: An in-depth examination of the economic impact of sexual and gender-based violence on women in Nairobi, Kenya

2026-03-09T08:58:28Z

Title: Unveiling the hidden costs: An in-depth examination of the economic impact of sexual and gender-based violence on women in Nairobi, Kenya Authors: Wamue-ngare, Grace; Okemwa, Pacificah; Kimunio, Isaac; Miruka, Okumba; Okong'o, Grace; Kamau, Pauline; Maina, Lucy; Njuguna, Jane; Kiruja, Lilian; Okoth, Simon Abstract: Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Kenya disproportionately affects women, resulting in severe socio-economic repercussions. This study examines the hidden economic costs of SGBV and emphasizes the need for targeted policy interventions. The impacts include lost work, decreased quality of life, disrupted education, increased health-related costs, and family instability. Current research has focused mainly on direct service costs, neglecting indirect and long-term costs. This study addresses this gap by evaluating both direct and indirect costs among 32 survivors from Nairobi County who underwent recovery programs. Findings indicate an average loss of 67,500 KES (675 USD) due to seeking help, lost workdays, children's missed schooling, and domestic work hours. It underscores the necessity for expanded policies to address the extensive economic repercussions of SGBV in Kenya. The study sites include the Nairobi Women's Hospital Gender Recovery Centre (NWH GVRC), Centre for Domestic Training and Development (CDTD), Talia Agler Girls Shelter (TAGS) and Women's Empowerment Link (WEL). Data was collected through face-to-face interviews and key informant interviews with program managers. Qualitative data focused on GBV experiences, risks, coping, and health impacts, while quantitative data covered direct (medical, legal, counselling, shelter, transport) and indirect costs (Lost Work Days, Lost Domestic Work), analysed using accounting methodologies. Description: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101339

What's in a name? Not all mesopredators are mesocarnivores

2026-02-11T12:31:43Z

Title: What's in a name? Not all mesopredators are mesocarnivores Authors: Madsen, Emily K.; Eckersley, Lucy; Linden, Jennifer F.; Lai, Sandra; Hare, Darragh; Macdonald, David W.; Kimaili, David; Kulunge, Salum; Mutinhuma, Yolanda; Petracca, Lisanne; Rono, Betty J.; Sibanda, Lovemore; Sillero-Zubiri, Claudio; Tacey, Jessica; Broekhuis, Femke Abstract: Ecological terms like mesopredator and mesocarnivore have distinct meanings, the former denoting trophic rank, the latter diet composition. Yet these terms are frequently conflated, leading to conceptual ambiguity. We argue for returning to original definitions and advocate for context-sensitive, precise language to improve clarity and accuracy in scientific communication about fundamental ecological characteristics of species.; Ecological terms like mesopredator and mesocarnivore have distinct meanings, the former denoting trophic rank, the latter diet composition. Yet these terms are frequently conflated, leading to conceptual ambiguity. We argue for returning to original definitions and advocate for context-sensitive, precise language to improve clarity and accuracy in scientific communication about fundamental ecological characteristics of species. Description: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.72768; https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.72768

Athari za nyimbo za kiswahili kwa watoto zitumikapo kama nyenzo ya ufundishaji katika shule za chekechea

2026-01-21T13:46:56Z

Title: Athari za nyimbo za kiswahili kwa watoto zitumikapo kama nyenzo ya ufundishaji katika shule za chekechea Authors: Mwanza, Pius M.; Ngesu, Sarah N.; Musyoka, F. M. Abstract: Utafiti huu ulinuia kutathmini nyimbo za Kiswahili zinazotumika katika shule za chekechea kama nyenzo ya ufundishaji katika kata nne za Kaunti ya Makueni ambazo ni Mukaa, Kilungu, Kathonzweni na Makueni. Kaunti ya Makueni ina idadi ya kata tisa kwa ujumla. Kata hizi nne ziliteuliwa kwa sababu utafiti wa awali ulionyesha kwamba kwenye kata hizo kuna shule za chekechea ambazo zina mchanganyiko wa walimu na wanafunzi kutoka maeneo mbalimbali nchini Kenya na waliozungumza lugha asili tofauti. Hivyo, nyimbo za Kiswahili zilitumika katika ufundishaji katika sehemu kubwa kwa kuwa zilieleweka na wanafunzi wote. Shule saba za kiserikali na tatu za kibinafsi ambazo zenye wanafunzi wengi zilishughulikiwa katika utafiti huu. Shule mbili hadi tatu zilichaguliwa katika kila kata kulingana na idadi ya wanafunzi na maeneo ya shule hizo. Mbinu za kusudio ilitumika kuchagua nyimbo za Kiswahili ishirini na tano kwa jumla. Madhumuni ya utafiti huu ilikuwa ni; Mosi, kuainisha aina za nyimbo za Kiswahili zilizotumika kama nyenzo ya ufundishaji katika shule za chekechea nchini Kenya. Pili, kubainisha namna nyimbo za Kiswahili zilivyotumika kama nyenzo ya ufundishaji na tatu, kufafanua athari za matumizi ya nyimbo za Kiswahili kama nyenzo ya ufundishaji katika shule za chekechea. Utafiti uliongozwa na nadharia ya kiutambuzi iliyoasisiwa na Jean Piaget mwaka wa 1954. Sampuli lengwa ilikuwa ni shule saba za kiserikali na tatu za kibinafsi. Pia, mbinu ya hojaji ilitumika katika ukusanyaji wa data kutoka kwa walimu. Data ya utafiti huu ilichanganuliwa kwa kutumia njia ya kimaelezo na kitakwimu. Utafiti huu umebaini kwamba nyimbo za Kiswahili ni mojawapo ya nyenzo muhimu ya ufundishaji katika shule za chekechea nchini Kenya. Kwa hivyo, kila shule ya chekechea nchini ni muhimu kuzitumua katika ufundishaji.

Geospatial and real-time data integration in evaluating county-level governance reforms in Africa

2026-01-21T07:34:31Z

Title: Geospatial and real-time data integration in evaluating county-level governance reforms in Africa Authors: Awere, Bildad; Masetu, Daniel M. Abstract: This paper has discussed the role of the geospatial/real time data integration on the county level governance reforms in Africa with reference to Kenya devolved governments. The study was inspired due to the radical problems that have existed since time immemorial of lack of transparency, broken data systems, and ineffective institutional coordination that place a premium on evidence-based decision-making in decentralized governance. Although there is a rise in the use of GIS, IoT, and satellite technologies, limited empirical research has been conducted to assess how these technologies influence the results of the reform on the county level. The study, which was based on the Socio-Technical Systems (STS) Theory, assumed that the performance of governance is based on the interplay between technological infrastructure (technical subsystem) and institutional preparedness, leadership and human capacity (social subsystem). These aimed to: (1) assess the application of GIS, satellite, and IoT technologies in assessing county governance; (2) evaluate the influence of real-time data integration on transparency and accountability; and (3) assess the challenges and opportunities of institutionalizing the said tools within African counties. The research design used was a mixed-methods descriptive design, where 75 respondents were studied in Nairobi, Kiambu and Laikipia Counties. The SPSS was used to analyze quantitative data in terms of descriptive statistics, correlations, and regression, and thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data. Findings revealed that geospatial adoption, institutional preparedness and human capacity caused a combined variance of 68.2 in governance performance (R2 = 0.682). The most important predictor of transparency and efficiency in service delivery was to be found in geospatial adoption (b = 0.412, p < .01). Description: DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.51244/IJRSI.2025.1210000154