http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/60 2026-09-14T12:03:07Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10505 Title: How community dialogues influence norm change around female genital mutilation: a mediation analysis from a high- burden Kenyan setting Authors: Matanda, Dennis Juma; Undie, Chi-Chi; Arnott, Claire; Kawai, David; Wanyonyi, Herbert Barasa; Rutto, Viola; Obare, Francis; Muthuri, Stella; Mchenga, Martina Abstract: ntroduction Female genital mutilation (FGM) remains highly prevalent in parts of Kenya, including Narok County, where marriageability expectations and social sanctions continue to sustain the practice. Although community- dialogue interventions are central to strategies to end FGM, evidence on their effects and mechanisms of influence remains limited. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 2658 respondents (1272 women and 1386 men) aged 15–60 years in Narok County in 2024. The primary exposure was participation in mixed-sex community dialogues with participation in couples-only dialogues as secondary exposure. Outcomes were measured using survey items adapted from established FGM and social norms literature, including a composite index of beliefs favourable to cutting and single-item measures of intention to cut a daughter, perceived marriageability expectations and opposition to FGM. Analyses used generalised estimating equations, predicted probabilities and generalised structural equation models to assess mediation pathways. Results Participation in community dialogues was associated with more progressive norms, including lower odds of endorsing pro-cutting beliefs (adjusted OR (aOR) 0.61, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.76), intending to cut a daughter (aOR 0.49, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.64) and perceiving uncut girls as unmarriageable (aOR 0.53, 95% CI 0.43 to 0.66), and higher odds of opposing FGM (aOR 2.39, 95% CI 1.84 to 3.11). Couples-only dialogues had smaller and less consistent associations. Predicted probabilities indicated substantial positive associations among participants exposed to community dialogues alone or combined with couples’ sessions. Mediation analysis showed that 88% of the effect of community dialogues on opposition to FGM indirectly linked through shifts in pro-cutting beliefs, intentions to cut and marriageability expectations, with intentions representing the strongest linkages. Conclusion Community dialogues are strongly associated with shifts in the social expectations and intentions that underpin FGM in a high-burden Kenyan context. These findings provide support for dialogue- centred strategies to eliminate FGM. Beliefs, intentions and marriageability norms are key intermediate indicators for monitoring normative change 2026-02-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10502 Title: Farmers’ perceptions towards khat (muguka) in Mbeere South Sub-County, Embu County, Kenya Authors: Barasa, Francis O.; Ngari, Faith Mukami; Masese, Eric R. Abstract: Khat (muguka) is one of the crops in Kenya, which elicits much debate because, on one hand, it is considered a drug of dependence and is also blamed for many other social evils. On the other hand, it is a crop that has both economic and cultural value. Despite the largely publicised social evils associated with it as a crop, smallholders are increasingly embracing its cultivation in the study area. However, little is known about how they perceive it so as to embrace it amidst the controversies. Therefore, this study investigated the farmers’ perceptions towards muguka in Mbeere South sub-County, Embu County, Kenya. It was guided by the social constructionism theory, which observes that humans construct social reality through externalisation, objectivation and internalisation. The study was qualitative and cross-sectional. The target population was all the muguka-producing households in the study area. A non-probability sampling technique was employed to select the muguka-producing households. Specifically, purposive sampling was used to arrive at a sample size of 112 households, and this was determined through saturation. Thus, a semi- structured interview schedule was used to collect data from the 112 households. Purposive sampling was also used to select the 15 key informants and the participants of the 3 focus group discussions. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis and was presented using direct quotations and narratives. The results showed that muguka was perceived as money (mbia), help (útethio), employer (mwandíkani), business (mbiacara) and coffee or tea (kaúwa kana manjani). The study thus concluded that muguka was perceived favourably by the farmers due to the economic benefits since it was not food and did not have a place in the Mbeere traditions, and that was why they embraced its cultivation. This was because its cultivation provided farmers and non-farmers with opportunities for earning income that was used to acquire assets, educate children, start small-scale businesses and meet all other household needs, including food needs, thus reducing hunger and poverty in the area since most of the people in the area were not in formal employment. Even though they perceived it favourably, its cultivation was blamed on other social evils such as school dropouts, early marriages, young men’s deaths, negative health effects, alcoholism and prostitution, among others. Others indicated that they cultivated it largely because they lacked other alternatives since Mbeere is a dryland and there was no water for irrigation. This study, therefore, recommends that the people of Mbeere South sub-County be provided with water for irrigation so that they can engage in the farming of other crops that would serve as both food and cash crops, most of which are not surrounded by controversies. It also recommends that intensive campaigns promoting the importance of education be carried out and training on financial management be offered to reduce the misappropriation of proceeds through excessive drinking of alcohol and prostitution. 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10500 Title: Intercultural dynamics and sociolinguistic identity The case of the Luhya community in Western Kenya Authors: Zalo, Kenneth Abstract: An intercultural speaker navigates (and mediates) between different cultural and linguistic contexts, promoting understanding across boundaries. Language is integral to identity, with a strong relationship between language and identity well-documented. It is in the light of Nelson Mandela's words "If you talk to a man in his mother tongue, that goes to his heart" that this paper studies the Luhya community of Western Kenya, emphasizing their role as intercultural speakers. The Luhya, a diverse ethnolinguistic group, navigate complex sociolinguistic landscapes shaped by identity, language attitudes, language change, and ideology. Through qualitative analysis, this research examines how the Luhya's multilingual practices and intercultural interactions influence their sociolinguistic identity. The study highlights the community's strategies in maintaining linguistic heritage while engaging with broader socio-political dynamics. Findings reveal that the Luhya's language attitudes and ideologies are pivotal in shaping their identity and facilitate intercultural competence. Intercultural competence is key in today's globalized world as it enables individuals to communicate effectively and empathetically across cultural boundaries, enabling mutual respect and understanding. This research provides insights into the interplay between language, culture, and identity in East Africa, by emphasizing the importance of intercultural competence in navigating and bridging diverse cultural landscapes. 2024-10-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10499 Title: Intercultural dynamics in multilingual classrooms: challenges and opportunities Authors: Zalo, Kenneth Abstract: This article studies the complexities of intercultural dynamics withinmultilingual classrooms, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities thatarise in such diverse educational settings. It examines how educators cannavigate linguistic and cultural diversity to create inclusive and effective learningenvironments. The study draws on recent research to identify key challenges,such as language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and the marginalizationof minority students. It also explores strategies for leveraging these challenges topromote intercultural competence and global citizenship among students. AsCummins (2023) notes, developing “intercultural literacy” is essential forstudents to thrive in a globalized world. The findings underscore the importanceof adopting pedagogical practices that value and integrate multiple languagesand cultures, thereby enriching the educational experience for all students 2024-10-01T00:00:00Z