http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/28 2026-04-20T09:25:36Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10129 Title: Communication approaches used in conflict management in schools: a study of national high schools in north rift region of Kenya Authors: Natembeya, Kisiangani Martin Abstract: Most studies done, have blamed unhealthy relationships and conflict in schools on poor communication. Communication is the life blood, the righteous vein that conveys directions with distinction in schools. Kenyan government has communication policies ensuring quality education, but schools are still plagued with conflict. Communication strategies like consultation and negotiation have always been suggested as the panacea for the incessant conflict as teachers inform and engage students on school goals. This study aims at investigating communication approaches used in conflict management in schools. The study answers four questions: What are the main causes of conflict between teachers and students resulting from poor communication in schools? What are the possible barriers to communication encountered by teachers and students in conflict management in schools? What are the communication approaches used by teachers to manage conflict in schools? How can communication be utilized to create a conflict-free teaching and learning environment at school? Empathic listening theory was incorporated in thematic data analysis, which involved: transcription, coding and final report writing. Qualitative approach, case study design and multiple case study method were used with purposive sampling of twelve teachers and twelve students from six national schools in three North Rift Counties of Kenya. Interviews, observation and document review generated data. Findings reveal that teachers are the school spokespersons in conflict management yet they lack training to handle communication during crises. Most teachers do not listen empathically to students‟ issues so as to provide objective judgment in conflict management in schools. Frequent teacher-student interaction and feedback lacks in most schools creating a tension-filled learning environment. In conclusion, teachers should be empathic listeners as students are taught to be assertive speakers for effective school communication. It is recommended that teachers be trained on the best ways to interact with students in managing conflict in schools. Teachers should involve students in decision making by listening to their suggestions as this will make them feel satisfied leading to achievement of the set school goals and objectives. Frequent and free communication between teachers and students should be encouraged through the former listening empathically to understand the concerns raised by the latter so as to create conducive teaching and learning environment. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10128 Title: An interpretation of the dynamics of the participatory communication model in the governance of Busia County, Kenya Authors: Otieno, Oloo Michael Abstract: Participatory Communication Model is an essential teamwork tool for pursuit of mutual concerns through teamwork. The model was applied to explore and determine the underlying factors germane to the performance of Public Participation in the governance of Busia County. Participatory Communication Model is a Public Relations strategy that fosters collaboration through informed knowledge. Public Participation in Article 10 of the Kenya Constitution (2010) echoed in Chapter 11 under devolution was designed to integrate collaborative governance. The study questions the effectiveness of Public Participation in addressing stakeholders‟ inclusivity in governance of Busia County. The County has faced challenges of implementing participatory governance for the last 12 years. The study had four objectives: To determine the stakeholders‟ understanding of their rights in government policy formulation and development agenda in Busia County; To ascertain the development attributable to stakeholders‟ preferences through Public Participation in Busia County since 2013. To identify the potential factors that impedes the efficacy of Participatory Communication Model in Governance in Busia County. To develop Public Relations measures that enhances the performance of Public Participation in Governance to bolster service delivery to stakeholders in Busia County. The research questions were: To what extent do the stakeholders of Busia County practice effective Public Participation in their programs? How are the socioeconomic activities designed for effective Public Participation? Does the management of Busia County practice Participatory Communication Model for effective Public Participation in their programs? What are the challenges faced by both the County Management and the stakeholders in conceptualizing the dynamics and practice of Participatory Communication Model? Emile Durkheim‟s Functional Theory elucidated the systematic dynamics in organizations. Barnlund‟s Transactional Model of Communication clarified the communication factors responsible for collaborative engagements. The inductive nature of the research influenced the interpretivist paradigm, the choice of qualitative approach, and Case Study method. The population for the study comprised all resident of Busia County who were above 18 years by 2013. Thirty-five participants comprising 5 stakeholders from each of the 7 Sub Counties were purposively selected for the study. Key Informant Interviews and direct observation tools facilitated data collection. Data was analyzed by way of themes and content analysis as guided by the research questions. The study found that Participatory Communication Model is most effective in Public Participation forums when the actors engage in good faith. The findings showed that the leadership of Busia County lacked the goodwill to steer participatory governance. The stakeholders were strategically rendered passive partners in governance; thus limiting them from accessing their rightful empowerments. The study concluded that the effective Public Participation in governance can be achieved if Public Relations experts are made to run the collaborative functions in government. The study therefore, recommends accreditation of Public Relation Society of Kenya (PRSK) into the law to oversee the functions of participatory governance. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10107 Title: Media representation of terrorism: a study of the lived experiences of muslim religious scholars in Nairobi, Kenya Authors: Abdullahi, Abdi Sheikh Abstract: This study investigated the lived experiences of Muslim religious scholars with regards to media representation of terrorism in Nairobi, Kenya, against the backdrop of extensive global media attention to terrorism. In spite of a growing body of knowledge on this subject, predominantly in Western contexts, a critical gap remains in understanding how media representation of terrorism affects Muslim communities, particularly, Muslim religious scholars, who are often central to the narratives surrounding Islam and terrorism. The purpose of the study was to explore the lived experiences of Muslim religious scholars regarding media representation of terrorism in Nairobi, Kenya, and how these experiences shape their perception of the media. The following were the research questions: What are the lived experiences of Muslim religious scholars on media representation of terrorism in Nairobi, Kenya? How do the lived experiences of Muslim religious scholars manifest? How do the lived experiences of Muslim religious scholars shape their perception of the media in Nairobi, Kenya? Phenomenology and Representation were used as the theories to structure the discussions around the lived experiences of the Muslim religious scholars in relations to media representation of terrorism. The study adopted the interpretive philosophical paradigm, hence the qualitative approach and the transcendental phenomenology method. The study involved 10 participants drawn from the community of Muslim religious scholars operating in six mosques and religious centers in Nairobi. The scholars were purposively sampled. The data was generated through in-depth interviews, analyzed thematically and presented in narrative form. The study found that Muslim religious scholars were of the view that the Kenyan media in Nairobi associated terrorism with the Islamic religion. The scholars were also of the view that the media stereotyped Muslims as terrorists or promoters of terrorism. These stereotypes had promoted Islamophobia and anti-Muslim sentiments, leading to fears of discrimination and hate crimes. As a result, the relations between the scholars and public officials, as well as with leaders of other religious groups, had strained. The scholars also faced frustration and difficulties in using the media to clarify their position since the negative perception towards the media had led to a disconnection between the Kenyan media in Nairobi and a large section of its Muslim consumers. The study concludes that Muslim religious scholars in Nairobi experience media representations of terrorism as not only misaligned with their faith and identity, but as a daily site of negotiation, resistance, and meaning-making in a contested public sphere. Therefore, it is recommended that media practitioners and policy makers formulate guidelines and practices on terrorism reporting that are more inclusive and understanding to the sensitivities and experiences of the Muslim community in Kenya. There is also need for training and awareness creation for journalists and media users to understand the unique place Muslims occupy in the fight against terrorism and to foster dialogue between the Muslim community and media stakeholders in Kenya 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10066 Title: Framing of climate change messages in print media: a qualitative content analysis of selected newspapers in Kenya from 2013-2017 Authors: Biwott, Edith Jelagat Abstract: Despite the enormity of the climate change issue, the level of awareness of climate change issues and impact is low across the country. Most Kenyans feel they lack basic information to enable them cope with climate change. Since most people do not research environmental issues first-hand, they rely on the media to act as both researcher and presenter of information. This study therefore explored the textual and visual frames that have been used in climate change messages by selected print media in Kenya in a bid to understand how media framing impacts audiences‘ engagement and responses to climate change information. Specifically, the study sought to answer the following questions: What are the trends in how the selected newspapers cover climate change? How has the visual imagery on climate change been framed in the selected newspapers? What are the textual frames used in the selected newspapers? This study was guided by the Agenda Setting and the framing theories. It adopted a qualitative research approach premised on the relativist- interpretivist paradigm. Two newspapers (The Standard and Daily Nation) were purposively sampled due to their wide circulation and coverage. The study sample was selected from all the newspaper published between January 2013 and December 2017. This period represented two years before and two years after the launch of the Ministry of Environments‘ public communication strategy in 2015. The strategy laid emphasis on liaising with the media to communicate environmental issues. A total of 127 articles from The Standard and 119 articles from the Daily Nation that carried stories on climate change were analysed. A Content analysis guide was used to collect the data. The data was then analysed using frame analysis based on frames derived from the research questions. The study findings indicated that the majority of the articles in both newspapers were opinion pieces; climate change was not a major beat in both newspapers and the authors were not consistent; framing was mainly shaped by sources, climate change was framed as an immediate challenge, caused by them (developed countries) and affecting us (developing countries), whose solutions and actions were mainly attributed to ̳big‘ actors (international bodies/governments) alienating the individual citizens. Most of the imagery used in the selected articles had no connection to climate change. Those that did depicted individuals based on their social class (elites- power positions, middle class- infrastructural impacts, poor- impacts on livelihoods). There is a major disparity between the problem (enormous) and the solutions (small individualized actions) which can lead to low self-efficacy. An alarmist tone is mainly used in depicting climate change. The attribution of causes and solutions of climate change to others removes responsibility from citizens leading to inaction. Framing of climate change messages still alienates the individual and communities from active engagement and action. The media can engage in constructive communication using relatable frames and frames that promote self- efficacy to boost climate change engagement and policy making. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z