International Research Journal of Rongo University

AN EXPLORATION OF RESTORING STRATEGIES FOR ADOLESCENT DEPRESSION IN LOW-RESOURCE SETTINGS:

MacDonald Odhiambo Owuor — 2025-09-24

Families are witnessing a rise in adolescent depression, attributable to societal changes and weakened social fabric. Depression impairs adolescents’ psychosocial functioning, with potential long-term risks that can manifest in adulthood if treatment is delayed, because adolescence is critical for optimal development. The importance of family lies in its roles of socialization, protection, and providing social support to its members. Despite approval of antidepressants and psychotherapy as conventional treatments, they remain highly inadequate, costly, and inaccessible, especially in low-resource settings. Guided by Family Resilience Theory, the study explored the strategies adopted by families when responding to adolescent depression in low-resource settings such as Kisumu County. It employed a convergent mixed-method approach and a cross-sectional design. Face and content validity were ensured through expert analysis, review, along with internal consistency reliability. Closed and open-ended questionnaires were administered to purposively sampled main respondents, who were parents of adolescents diagnosed with depression within the preceding 12 months. Key informant interviews were conducted with psychologists, counsellors, social workers, and psychiatrists selected purposively. Necessary approvals were obtained, and adherence to ethical considerations ensured. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, using frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations, and inferentially using Spearman's correlation. Qualitative data were thematically analysed, with findings presented through tables and narratives. There was consensus on helpfulness of collaborative problem solving (M= 4.01, S.D= 1.10) and daily family prayers (M= 4.06, S.D= 1.25). However, external help seeking (M= 2.62, S.D= 1.42), and relocating adolescents (M= 1.95, S.D= 1.23) were perceived as avoidant strategies which worsened adolescent depression outcomes. The study concludes that there was a weak and statistically significant negative correlation between collaborative problem-solving and adolescent depression outcomes (r=-.27**). However, following hospital-based instructions had a very weak and statistically significant negative correlation with adolescent depression outcomes (r = -.19*), yet it is clinically recommended. The study recommends that the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Kisumu County Government, should develop and implement structured, evidence-based family support programs beyond informal practices to equip families with the skills to support

ADAPTIVE COPING STRATEGIES FOR ENHANCING DISCIPLINE IN LEARNERS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Janet Akoth Ochola — 2025-09-24

Most learners experience significant amounts of stress in their daily lives, which greatly influence their performance, social interaction and their behavior at large. A study by the American Psychological Association revealed that learners report stress levels similar to adults. This means teens are experiencing significant levels of chronic stress and feel their stress level generally exceed their ability to cope effectively and as result of the chronic stress, it leads to academic disengagement, suicidal thoughts, misbehaviors and mental health problems. Practicing stress relief techniques is essential in order to manage overwhelming situations that can expose a learner to indiscipline actions. In consideration of these facts, there was a need to undertake a study on adaptive coping strategies for enhancing discipline in learners. The objective of the study was to explore positive stress coping strategies employed by learners to manage behavior. Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura guided the study, which theorizes that learning occurs in a social context of a continuously changing and mutual interaction among the person, environment, and behaviour. The population was 43 public secondary schools, and a sample of 36 public secondary schools were randomly selected. Participants in the study included deputy principals, guidance and counselling teachers, and school prefects. The study employed cross-sectional survey design and mixed method approach. Anonymity, confidentiality and reliability was observed. Results of the study were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science, version 27. The result was presented in tables and figures. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data collected, and corroboration done based on the knowledge gaps identified. Triangulation followed, both quantitative and qualitative findings were interpreted together to give specific recommendation. The study findings shows that when stress coping strategies are well observed, it will positively and near moderately (r=.294 when p-value=.001 when α=.05) predict the behavior of the learners. The study recommends collaborative efforts among teachers, school officials and parents to promote adaptive coping practices. The paper contributes valuable empirical data on coping strategies in the African education context and emphasizes psychological approaches over punitive disciplinary measures.

CONUNDRUM OF CHILD MARRIAGE:

Calvine O. Ouko — 2025-09-24

Child marriage is a major challenge of the 21^st century. It is recognized in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target 5.3 which nations are urged to eliminate. There have been concerted efforts by the government of Kenya to deal with the vice. Such efforts include but not limited to; enactment of international instruments like CEDAW, CRC, ACRWC; enactment of laws in Kenya such as SOA of 2006, constitution of Kenya of 2010, marriage act of 2014 and Children’s Act of 2022. Despite these efforts, the vice continues unabated, especially in Homa Bay County where the prevalence rate (40.0%) almost doubles the national prevalence rate (23%). This study sought to examine influence of family structure on child marriage. The study was guided by Social Constructionism Theory. The theory is premised on the fact that social and normative meanings are socially constructed or defined. This implies that the meanings attached to social reality are dependent on what the society builds as models of explaining and understanding such realities. The Study employed mixed method approach in which a cross-sectional household survey was applied. Study targeted 371 young married women aged 18-24 years in Homabay County as the main respondents. Chiefs, teachers and healthcare workers in the area were the key respondents. Cluster, Purposive sampling and Systematic random sampling were used as sampling techniques. Data was collected using questionnaires, key informant interview and focus group discussions. Data was subjected to both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The study reveals that family structure plays an important role in child marriage. When subjected to regression analysis, R-value of 0.895 was found showing a strong correlation. R-square value of 0.625 revealed that combined independent variables (family types, nature of respondents’ family, sleeping arrangement and number of siblings) account for 80.2% of the variation in the dependent variable (child marriage). Study recommends that government of Kenya through the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development should consider decent affordable housing in the rural areas. Study also recommends that government through Ministry of Health should dispense knowledge on contraceptive use and avail them to rural residence to reduce household population.

FACTORS INFLUENCING SCHOOL PRINCIPALS’ APPROACHES ON MANAGEMENT OF STUDENTS’ DISCIPLINE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MIGORI COUNTY, KENYA

Rakiro A. Lynnette — 2025-09-24

The objective of the study was to establish factors influencing effectiveness of school principal’ approaches on students’ discipline in public secondary schools in Migori County. This study was informed by behaviour modification by operant theory. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design with a population consisting of 271 principals, 271 deputy principals, 271 student leaders, 1759 teachers and 10 Sub-county Directors of Education (SCD). The study sampled 74 principals, 74 deputy principals, 74 student leaders, 8 SCDs and 317 teachers from Krejcie and Morgan table respectively summing up to 547 respondents. Data was collected using 2 questionnaires; one for administrators, and the other for teachers while an Interview guide to gather information from SCDs and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guide from student leaders. Piloting, involving 10% from each category of the respondents, was done to determine reliability and validity of the research tools. Test-retest method was used to establish reliability by employing Pearson’s r with a reliability threshold of 0.70 and above. Face and content validity was determined by experts in Educational Management and Policy and determination of Content validity Index (CVI) at 0.85. Quantitative data was analysed using frequency counts, percentages, means, standard deviation and T-test while qualitative data was coded, transcribed and organized thematically. Factors influencing effectiveness of disciplinary approaches was influential mean rating of 3.35. Findings are important to educational administrators, policy makers and planners in understanding how different factors influence discipline. The study concludes that principal's attitude, parental involvement in discipline cases, and principal's experience are highly influential factors in managing student discipline in secondary schools. Principal's attitude was found to be the most influential, with both teachers and administrators rating it as highly influential. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education, through the Board of Management, should establish a clear policy on parental involvement for rewarding and giving motivational talks to students and teachers. This will promote schools to consistently recognize and encourage good behavior, leading to long-term improvement of school discipline.

SEMANTIC CHANGES IN BORROWED CORE VOCABULARY AND FREQUENTLY-USED WORDS BETWEEN DHOLUO AND EKEGUSII

James Omolo — 2025-09-24

This study focuses on the borrowing of core vocabulary items and frequently used words between Dholuo and Ekegusii. The two languages are phylogenetically different. There are a number of similar core vocabulary items between the two languages. The similarity can only be explained in ways other than genetic relationship. Core vocabulary are words which belong to the domains that resist borrowing. They are words which refer to objects that accompany human beings independently of their specific environment. Frequently used words are stable and unlikely to slip into disuse leading to possible replacement through borrowing. The study is guided by the following objectives: to examine if core vocabulary are borrowable, to explain which speech community borrowed from the other, to establish whether the borrowed words retain their meanings in the recipient language. The research used two data collection tools: a questionnaire and an unstructured interview. The unstructured interview targeted a different set of respondents. The purpose was to get a deeper understanding of some language phenomena which the questionnaire could not elicit such as the etymology of the words. A comparative analysis of the lexical items generated by the questionnaire was done using different parameters. The study used the Theory of Linguistic Interference. This Theory considers borrowing as interference with the recipient language because of introduction of foreign linguistic features, the sociolinguistic history of the speakers, direction and extent of borrowing. The findings proved the following: the similar lexical items were borrowed, Ekegusii borrowed the words from Dholuo, some of the words acquired new nuances of meaning in the recipient language. However, the key finding of the study is that contrary to what is in the literature, core vocabulary and frequently used words are borrowable. The finding is critical in accommodating a fresh sociolinguistic thought that all words, regardless of the domains, are susceptible to borrowing.

HETEROSIS FOR YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS IN SORGHUM HYBRIDS DEVELOPED BETWEEN WILD AND EXOTIC SORGHUM IN WESTERN KENYA

Kennedy Otieno — 2025-09-24

Hybrid breeding facilitates the development of high-yielding cultivars relative to one or both parents across a wider range of crops which is key to meeting future food demands. This study was conducted to determine the magnitude of hybrid vigour (heterosis) for selected traits in sorghum crosses. A total of 7 improved sorghum varieties obtained from Rongo University sorghum breeding program together with 7 sorghum wild relatives (SWRs) obtained from ICRISAT-Mali were crossed using North Carolina Mating design II. A total of 9 successful hybrid crosses together with their parents were evaluated at Kibos Research Station in Kisumu County in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Each entry was sown in a single row plot of 4 m length with a uniform spacing of 60 x 15 cm. Phenotypic data was collected throughout the growing period as per IPGRI, (1993) descriptors for sorghum on 15 randomly selected plants. The low number of crosses obtained was attributed to the partial incompatibilities between the SWRs and cultivated sorghum. Results showed high heterosis among the crosses for most of the selected traits. Heterosis for grain yield ranged from -31.48% to 194.27% and -49.39% to 137.89% for mid and better parent, respectively while for days to 50% Flowering, Average Heterosis ranged between -8.86% and 4.04% and that of better parent ranging from -6.49% to 7.46%. The best grain yield per plant heterotic cross combination identified was (RUC26 X 586) which expressed high positive heterosis over both mid and better parent (194.27% and 137.89%, respectively). This cross also showed significant positive average heterosis and heterobeltiosis for yield-contributing components. Likewise, RUMUK 154 X 586 was identified as the most promising cross combination recording -8.86% average heterosis and -6.49% heterobeltiosis in the case of days to 50% flowering. The negative average heterosis and heterobeltiosis expressed in this cross showed that it was very early maturing, a trait for escaping terminal drought in rainfed agriculture, characteristic of the Kenyan cultivation system. The results illustrate the potential of improving sorghum yield potential using Sorghum wild relatives.

INFLUENCE OF INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES ON TEACHING AND LEARNING OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED PUPILS IN PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN RONGO SUB- COUNTY, MIGORI COUNTY.

Norah A. Riwa — 2025-09-24

Provision of inclusive education in Kenya remains a serious challenge mainly due to various social –cultural and economic factors experienced in schools. Learners with visual impairment have varied problems and therefore require comprehensive educational programs such as individualized techniques and services, appropriate assessment and instructional adaptation. This study investigated factors influencing teaching and learning of visually impaired learners integrated in Public Primary schools in Rongo Sub-County, Migori County, Kenya. The specific objective of the study was to investigate the influence of instructional methods on academic performance of learners with visual impairment. The study employed descriptive survey design. The study was based on Bandura (1986) Social Cognitive Theory which outlines learning process as a result of surrounding behavior. The target population included 29 head teachers of public primary schools with integrated program and 40 Special Needs Education (SNE) teachers, giving a total of 69 respondents. Purposive and Saturated sampling techniques were used to get a sample size of 28 Head teachers and 39 SNE teachers. Two questionnaires were used to collect data; one for SNE teachers and another for head teachers. Piloting was done within Rongo Sub County using 1% of the target population. The research employed content validity and test-retest reliability techniques with a reliability index of 0.79 and 0.81 for teachers and head teachers respectively. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages and means and Inferential statistics of Chi- square. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Frequency and percentage tables were used to present collected data. The study established that there was significant relationship between instructional methods and teaching and learning at p <0.05. Therefore, the null hypothesis: Ho₁There is no significant relationship between instructional techniques and academic performance of visually impaired learners in Rongo Sub-County was rejected and it was concluded that individualized education program affects academic performance in Integrated Primary Schools in Rongo Sub – County. The significance of the study; to help the Ministry of Education, Teachers Service Commission, and Kenya Institute of special education to identify appropriate teaching and learning methods for learners with visual impairment. From the study it was recommended that; the Ministry of Education should organize workshops and seminars for teachers to equip them with knowledge and skills; ensure appropriate instructional methods are used in schools and teachers be trained in Special Needs Education.

INTERROGATING DIGITAL STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION AS A CATALYST FOR CUSTOMER RELATIONS:

Marren A. Akong’o — 2025-09-24

Strategic communication enables organizations to build, manage and maintain effective relationships with their stakeholders and achieve their goals. However, digital communication, characterised by rapid content generation and sharing and misinformation, poses great challenges to customer relations. The Kenya Power Company (KP) faces myriad challenges, including service disruption, vandalism, and regular power outages, which lead to inconvenience, crisis, and may jeopardise customer satisfaction. Against this backdrop, communication strategies used should be timely and accurate, manage reputational risk, build trust and enhance customer relations. The aim of this paper was to critique digital strategic communication as used to promote customer relations by Kenya Power. The research was anchored on the Relationship Management Theory of Public Relations, espoused by Ledingham and Bruning (1998), which postulates that relationships are created through the principles of commitment, two-way communication, trust, mutual benefit and reciprocity. Using a case study design, qualitative data were collected from KP’s website, Facebook and X between March 2024 and May 2025. 40 KP’s posts, including notices, press statements on power outages, maintenance, and disruptions; service disruptions and improvements, digital customer service and safety together with customer replies, were sampled for the study. The data was studied to identify codes, then categorised into themes and analysed using qualitative thematic content analysis. Findings show that KP has embraced digital strategic communication for customer feedback and service delivery. However, the company's digital communication is characterised by inadequate and delayed customer feedback by customer service call Centre, SMS, automated billing, and online updates; the communication is unreliable, inconsistent and lacks of commitment to customer service and leads to customer frustration and mistrust. The study concludes that poor management of digital strategic communication can contribute to a lack of customer trust, dent organizational image and jeopardize customer relations. The study recommends that KP should provide timely and consistent feedback to customers and synergize its digital communication and service delivery. KP can adopt the use of AI to strategically manage the colossal amount of data generated from digital platforms and offer real-time customer feedback and personalized communication to enhance customer relations.

MECHANISMS INVOLVED IN BORROWING IGIKURIA WORDS INTO DHOLUO:

Juma Elisha Odhiambo — 2025-09-24

Dholuo speakers interacting with Igikuria speakers at the border appear to use two sets of lexical items that semantically refer to the same phenomenon, whereas Dholuo speakers living far away from Igikuria speakers have single lexical items and are constantly struggling to become mutually comprehensible. This has sparked debate regarding their origin and semantics. The study therefore sought to determine the mechanisms involved in borrowing Igikuria words into Dholuo. The theoretical framework of Cognitive Lexical Semantic Approach propounded by Lakoff (1987) and revised by Lakoff and Johnson (2003) was used to classify, analyze, discuss, and draw conclusions from the data obtained. The study employed a descriptive research design, as the data was primarily qualitative. A sample size of 78 participants was finally achieved upon saturation.49 of whom were Dholuo speakers and 29 Igikuria speakers. A participatory observation method of data collection was used to gather data from a variety of verbal contact situations such as public places and preplanned interviews. The findings were that, linguistic contact and language conflict accounted for more word borrowing followed by bilingualism and finally loan shift accounted for the least number of words borrowed. However, direct loans, loan translation, loan creation, clipping and coinage did not account for any borrowing. The study provides insights to the language, literature and linguistic educators into understanding mechanisms involved in lexical borrowing and semantic change along Kuria- Luo boarder.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXTRINSIC MOTIVATION AND JOB SATISFACTION AMONG SUPPORT STAFF IN PUBLIC COUNTY SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN HOMA BAY COUNTY, KENYA

Were Paul Godfrey Otieno — 2025-09-24

Extrinsic motivation of support staff in secondary schools is critical in enhancing their output and well-being within the schools. Job satisfaction among support staff is also key in ensuring that they perform their assigned tasks. The management of secondary schools relies on the expertise of support staff in order to attain optimum performance. Hence, the need to examine the relationship between extrinsic motivation and job satisfaction among support staff in public county secondary schools in Homa Bay county, Kenya. The study used correlational survey research design. The population of study comprised 1176 support staff and 76 principals. Simple random sampling was to select 353 support staff and 8 principals from county secondary schools who participated in the study as respondents. Questionnaires, focus group discussion guides and interview guides were used to collect data from the respondents. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations as well as inferential statistics of Pearson correlation, Analysis of Variance and regression analysis. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The study concluded that there was a significant relationship between extrinsic motivation and job satisfaction, r = .381, p=.000. The study recommends that appropriate extrinsic motivational practices be adopted by Boards of Management to the support staff in public county secondary schools in order to enhance their job satisfaction and job output within the schools.

THE MEDIATING ROLE OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOCATION DIVERSIFICATION AND FINANCIAL STABILITY OF COMMERCIAL BANKS IN KENYA

Lucy Okenyuri Nyakeyo — 2025-09-24

The banking environment has become increasingly competitive, leading commercial banks to strengthen their focus on diversified activities and business lines. Driven by factors like market saturation, the need to build new revenue sources, and the pursuit of profitability, they are expanding into new geographic markets. The objective of this study was to establish the mediating role of financial performance on the relationship between location diversification and financial stability among commercial banks in Kenya. The research adopted an ex post facto correlational research design, covering 38 commercial banks and analyzing panel data from the period 2014 to 2023. Location diversification was measured by the natural logarithm of the number of bank branches in different geographical areas. Financial performance was measured using Return on Assets (ROA), while financial stability was assessed using Altman's Z-Score, which measures a bank's distance to default. Data analysis was conducted using E-Views statistical software, and the study hypotheses were tested using F-test and multiple linear regression analysis. Results showed that location diversification does not have a significant effect on the financial stability of commercial banks in Kenya (β = -0.0501, p-value = 0.488. Mediation analysis revealed that financial performance does not mediate the relationship, as location diversification had no significant effect on the mediator, financial performance (β = 0.0126, p = 0.8387). However, financial performance itself had a significant, direct positive effect on financial stability (β = 0.0434, p < 0.01). It was thus concluded that financial performance does not mediate the relationship between location diversification and financial stability of commercial banks in Kenya. The findings support the agency theory, which highlights conflicting interests between parties in the context of location diversification. The study therefore recommends that commercial banks should undertake location diversification only if it is expected to lower risk, improve financial performance, and enhance financial stability.

EXPLORING THE INTEGRATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN JOURNALISM EDUCATION AT RONGO UNIVERSITY, KENYA

Charles Waguda — 2025-09-24

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping the global landscape of journalism, influencing processes such as training and news production. However, discussions abound over the challenges that the technology poses for journalism education, particularly in terms of ethics and quality standards. At Rongo University in Kenya, a fast-growing institution committed to innovative technology in higher education, the challenges associated with AI adoption include curricular gaps, faculty preparedness, ethical integration, and resource constraints. This study, therefore, examined the perceptions of media faculty and journalism students regarding the integration of artificial intelligence in the University’s Media and Communication Curricula. It explored the obstacles to integrating AI into journalism education, the strategies used to increase faculty capacity in AI, and how ethical and policy issues related to AI were being addressed within journalism programs. Following a qualitative research approach, the study used semi-structured interview guides to conduct in-depth interviews with 7 faculty members and 14 students who were purposively sampled. A reflexive thematic analysis of the responses revealed five key findings: (1) limited faculty proficiency in AI, highlighting the need for continuous professional development; (2) informal collaborations across departments and among students, though lacking structured institutional support; (3) fragmented curriculum integration of AI, with only partial adoption in specific courses; (4) the absence of a formal AI policy, creating uncertainty around acceptable use; (5) ethical concerns related to misinformation, authorship and intellectual property. Despite these challenges, participants acknowledged AI’s potential to improve journalism education by enabling deeper analysis, fostering collaboration, and enhancing students’ writing skills. The study recommends further training to develop AI literacy among media trainers and students, as well as the development of an AI policy to guide journalism education at Rongo University.