http://journals.rongovarsity.ac.ke/index.php/IJORU <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>The International Journal of Rongo University (IJORU): Your Premier Source for Scholarly Excellence</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">Welcome to The International Journal of Rongo University (IJORU), your biannual, peer-reviewed, and open-access destination for the publication of exceptional research across various disciplines. Our commitment to quality is unwavering, as every manuscript undergoes a meticulous double-blind peer review process to ensure the highest standards of scholarship.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Key Highlights:</strong></p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Peer-Reviewed Excellence:</strong> We take pride in our rigorous double-blind peer review, which guarantees the credibility and quality of every published paper.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Publication Timeline:</strong> The evaluation process, from submission to publication, typically spans up to 8 weeks.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Submission Guidelines:</strong> We encourage prospective scholars to meticulously follow our instructions and template to ensure a smooth and efficient review process.</p> <p style="font-weight: 400;">At IJORU, we're dedicated to facilitating the dissemination of cutting-edge research. Join us on this journey towards scholarly excellence. Explore IJORU and become a part of the global academic community. Submit your manuscript today.</p> Rongo University en-US International Research Journal of Rongo University http://journals.rongovarsity.ac.ke/index.php/IJORU/article/view/55 <p><em>The alcohol abuse issue in Kenya poses significant challenges to health, the economy, and national security, particularly in the Western region where there is the highest prevalence of alcohol consumption among adolescents in Kenya, standing at 42.5%</em><em>.</em><em> This paper explores the social phenomenon of alcohol consumption, specifically examining community-level factors influencing adolescents in Kakamega County. While theoretical frameworks like Bronfenbrenner's theory suggest a link between social factors and alcohol use, empirical evidence in Kakamega County is lacking. The current study, rooted in both positivism and post-positivism, employed a mixed-methods approach involving a cross-sectional survey to quantitatively describe community factors and alcohol consumption among adolescents in Kakamega County. Adopting Max Weber's definition, community-level factors are considered as elements of social values and norms adhered to over time within the community. Despite theoretical reasoning highlighting the connection between social factors and alcohol use, a gap exists in empirical evidence in Kakamega County. The primary aim of this paper was to determine the influence of community-level factors on alcoholism in the region. The study, encompassed three sub-counties in Kakamega, sampled 381 respondents from a total adolescent population of 41,373. Employing questionnaire and interview methods, the research found that community-level factors exhibited a positive association (p-value 0.023) with alcoholism among adolescents. The regression coefficient suggested a predicted increase in the log odds of alcohol consumption with a one-unit rise in community factors. However, this association was deemed insignificant at a 95% confidence interval (p-value 0.826). In conclusion, community-level factors may not be the most effective predictors of alcoholism; instead, other factors, particularly individual-level factors, play a more crucial role. The study emphasizes the need for heightened attention to individual and family-level factors, while also acknowledging the role of community-level factors, such as advertisements, availability, and affordability of alcohol, after adolescents have been influenced by individual factors. This nuanced understanding is vital for developing targeted interventions and policies to address alcohol consumption among adolescents in Kakamega County and similar contexts.</em></p> John Kipng'etich Korir Wilson A. P. Otengah Susan M. Kilonzo Taji I. Shivachi Pauline Chemutai Langat Copyright (c) 2024 International Research Journal of Rongo University 2024-07-12 2024-07-12 Special Issue 1 1 22 http://journals.rongovarsity.ac.ke/index.php/IJORU/article/view/56 <p><em>Many governments and multi-national agencies have directed a lot of resources towards improving agricultural extension communication but without coordinated, responsive, and audience-focused agricultural extension channels, these efforts have gone to waste. The main objective of this study is to examine the agility of communication channels for enhancing the adoption of agricultural extension services. The study examined the appropriateness, and interactivity of channels; A total of 279 farmers selected from Migori and Homa Bay Counties were interviewed to share their experiences on the agility of channels used during extension services in the production of orange fleshed sweet potatoes.&nbsp; The study population consisted of farmers who participated in Accelerated Value Chain Development (AVCD) project which was implemented by International Potato Centre (CIP) in the two counties in 2017 and 2018. The respondents were identified using systematic random sampling. Quantitative data collection was conducted by use of mobile phone application, Kobocollect. It was established that there was channel agility in terms of venue appropriateness (49%) and the impact of training received (90%) by farmers. There was average interaction agility whereby face to face engagement recorded (48%) most of the time and (49%) half the time. Emerging channels interaction agility was observed in the use of digital platforms (mobile invitation) for meetings at (52%) and inclusion of channel interaction through demonstration was high at (61%). This implies that there is average channel appropriateness and interaction. The extension officers of government and NGOs can use this knowledge of the sensitive, flexible, iterative nature of communication channels to vary their approaches as they communicate during their extension programmes.</em></p> Johanes Makodiah James Abila Jerry Agalo Copyright (c) 2024 2024-07-16 2024-07-16 Special Issue 1 23 34