http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/22 2026-04-09T23:11:06Z 2026-04-09T23:11:06Z Makini, Georginah Nyatichi http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10055 2026-01-29T07:08:03Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Uhifadhi wa utamaduni kupitia Tafsiri ya Riwaya za Kaburi Bila Msalaba na Bwana Myombekere na Bibi Bugonoka Ntulanalwo na Bulhawali Makini, Georginah Nyatichi Taaluma ya tafsiri inajumuisha si tu kubadilisha maneno kutoka lugha moja hadi nyingine, bali pia kuhamisha na kutafsiri maadili, desturi na mitazamo mbalimbali ya kitamaduni. Utafiti huu ulikusudia kueleza na kuchanganua jinsi uhifadhi wa utamaduni umeendelezwa kupitia tafsiri ya riwaya za Kaburi Bila Msalaba (Kareithi) na Bwana Myombekere na Bibi Bugonoka Ntulanalwo na Bulihwali (Kitereza). Utafiti uliongozwa na madhumuni matatu: kubaini vipengele vya kitamaduni katika matini teule, kutoa maelezo yanayothibitisha kwamba riwaya hizi mbili ni hazina ya hifadhi ya utamaduni wa maisha ya jamii mahususi za Kiafrika; kujadili na kuitathimini michakato na mikakati iliyotumiwa kutafsiri kazi chanzi kama mikakati ya uhifadhi wa utamaduni katika riwaya hizi mbili; kuonyesha jinsi udumishwaji wa baadhi ya vipengele vya lugha chanzi (Kiswahili na Kikerewe) unavyoweza kufasiriwa kama ithibati ya uhifadhi wa utamaduni katika tungo asilia na katika tafsiri. Utafiti huu uliongozwa na nadharia mbili: nadharia ya anthropolojia na nadharia ya Skopos. Nadharia ya anthropolojia ilizingatia tapo la isimu anthropolojia ambalo linachunguza tabia na mienendo ya watu na jinsi wanavyotumia lugha kwa lengo la kuonyesha ukweli na uhalisia wa mambo katika jamii. Nadharia ya Skopos huchukulia shughuli ya kutafsiri kama kitendo kilicho na malengo. Yaani, kabla mtafsiri hajaanza kazi yake ni sharti aelewe lengo la tafsiri yake. Utafiti ulikuwa wa maktabani. Mtafiti alijikita katika riwaya za Kareithi na Kitereza na tafsiri zao katika lugha ya Kiingereza. Matini teule zilisomwa na data msingi kurekodiwa. Data ilipangwa na ilichanganuliwa kulingana na malengo ya utafiti na matokeo yaliwasilishwa kwa njia ya maelezo. Kuhusu lengo la kwanza, utafiti uligundua kwamba fasihi haiumbwi katika ombwe tupu bali hufungamanishwa na maisha ya binadamu na mazingira yake. Dhana za kitamaduni zinapotafsiriwa huwa ni njia moja ya kuhifadhi utamaduni kwa hadhira lengwa. Mintarafu ya lengo la pili, utafiti ulibaini kwamba mikakati maalum ilitumiwa ili kuhawilisha vipengele vya kitamaduni kutoka matini chanzi hadi hadhira lengwa jinsi nadharia ya Skopos inavyoweka. Vipengele vingi vya kitamaduni katika matini asilia viliweza kudumishwa kupitia mikakati mbalimbali ya tafsiri. Kulingana na lengo la tatu, utafiti ulionyesha kwamba mbinu nyingi za ujielezaji hufungamana na utamaduni na miktadha ya kila siku ya jamii husika. Mbinu hizi zinapohawilishwa mikakati maalum hushirikishwa na hii huwa ni njia moja ya kuhifadhi utamaduni kupitia mchakato wa tafsiri. Utafiti ulihitimisha kwamba uhifadhi wa utamaduni unawezeshwa kupitia mchakato wa tafsiri. Utafiti huu unapendekeza kuwe na tafiti zingine zinazozingatia maandishi ambayo hayakushughulikiwa katika utafiti huu kama vile tamthilia na hadithi fupi. Aidha, utafiti unaweza kufanywa kwa kutumia nadharia tofauti kando na nadharia ya anthropolojia na nadharia ya Skopos.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Makatiani, Burache E. http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10049 2026-01-27T06:50:34Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Philosophical analysis of the concept of a person among the Idakho of Western Kenya with reference to Alfred North Whitehead’s Process Metaphysics Makatiani, Burache E. The historical development of European thought and some African scholars’ concept of a person has led to philosophical dogmatic fallacy. This is a type of reasoning error where a person holds on an assertion as a fact without providing enough evidence essentially treating opinions as irrefutable truths or as ultimate truth. It is a fallacy that involves an unwavering belief in a set of principles or ideas dismissing alternative perspectives, fails to engage in critical thinking and open discussions. The error in this perspective consists in the misrepresentation of who a person is as well as in non- exhaustive definition of a person that is detached from the environment. The problem is that this lack of a proper metaphysical and ontological definition that does not incorporate and assess the environment as a necessity for who a person is has led to social discrimination, socio-cultural stratification and classification of people, indignity of human life and negative exploitation of natural resources. The purpose of this study therefore, was to unearth the Idakho community’s process metaphysics based on a concept of a person from conception to natural death and the environment in which a person lives in. The objectives of this study are to analyze Alfred North Whitehead’s process metaphysics with special reference to Idakho of Western Kenya; to examine the cultural practices that demonstrate the Idakho community’s understanding of the concept of a person and to come up with research findings that foster Idakho community’s epistemological and metaphysical contribution to philosophy. The research postulates that a more comprehensive definition of a person can solve socio-cultural problems, promote and defend human life as well as minimize negative effects of environmental degradation. The study was qualitative research that was guided by the process philosophy as its theoretical framework. It was informed by pragmatism process philosophy. The study utilized the historical and phenomenological study designs. Data was obtained from Idakho community using personal observation, unstructured group and focus interviews. Data analysis involved critical-analytical and rational methods. The study has established that appropriate concept of a person is munashibala, that is, an anthrotheocosmocentric being. A concept from Lwidakho language that has both the inclusivity of metaphysical and ontological perspectives of reality. This understanding of a person can lead to the respect of human beings at various level of biological growth, promote sanctity of human life, reduction of global warming and minimize climate change. Thus, solving contemporary socio-cultural and environmental issues and promotion of human life. Furthermore, the study recommends that: scholars and researchers in African Philosophy ought to endeavor to investigate, write and analyze a phenomenon by use of African vernacular languages. Further studies be carried out in various fields of social sciences by avoiding the use of old western academic categories as absolute and that, institutions of higher learning ought to encourage scholars to develop contemporary knowledge in light of a genuine process epistemologies founded on African metaphysical mind-set and ontology. In conclusion, the work is a viable source of reference for scholars of philosophy, those in-charge of the common good in the society and enhances Idakho community’s contribution to philosophical discourse.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Ogaro, Gladys Nyaiburi http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10030 2026-01-16T08:05:13Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Nation, narrative and gender: a reading of selected Kenyan women autobiographies Ogaro, Gladys Nyaiburi The importance of life writing, particularly autobiography, cannot be overstated in the exploration of personal narratives that are often intertwined with the collective consciousness of a nation. Personal experiences in these stories are connected to broader social, cultural and political contexts. Through this, writers reflect on individual experiences, constructing versions of personal as well as public histories. However, in the complexity of national narratives, the voices and stories of women have tended to be marginalized. This marginalization problematizes an inclusive and multifaceted narrative of a nation. As such, this study sets out to examine the significance of the Kenyan woman autobiography in narrating the nation. To achieve this the study inspects the alternative voices and perspectives of the nation provided in these autobiographical texts. These are: Wambui Waiyaki Otieno’s Mau Mau’s Daughter: A Life History, Rasna Warah’s Triple Heritage: A Journey to Self-Discovery, Muthoni Likimani’s Fighting Without Ceasing, Wangari Maathai’s Unbowed: One Woman’s Story, Grace Akinyi Ogot’s Days of My Life: An Autobiography, Betty Gikonyo’s The Girl Who Dared to Dream, Ruth Nabwala Otunga’s Little Seeds of Resilience: An Autobiography and Phoebe Asiyo’s It is Possible: An African Woman Speaks. The study settles on these texts because of the ways in which personal stories of the respective writers intersect with the socio-political history of precolonial, colonial, and postcolonial Kenya. Notably, besides being public figures, the chosen writers seem to contend with a male dominated society. The specific objectives of the study are: to investigate the relationship between gender power relations and the woman’s narration of the nation; to examine the relationship between the professional experiences of the woman autobiographer and her narration of the nation; and to analyze the vision of the nation that emerges from the Kenyan woman’s autobiography. This study is based on two assumptions. First, the Kenyan woman autobiographer narrates the nation as she tells her personal story. Second, the Kenyan woman autobiographer brings her awareness of the historical and cultural subordinate position of the woman in the male-dominated Kenyan cultures; to influence the way she narrates the nation. Three theories are employed, namely theories of autobiography, gender, and nation, which are post- structuralist as well as postcolonial approaches. These theoretical standpoints are useful to the study because they entail narrative construction, discourse analysis and gender performance. In terms of methodology, the study adopts a qualitative approach, leveraging narrative and content analysis designs to analyze the selected texts critically and systematically. Informed by interpretivist-constructivist paradigm, this study views the narrative of the nation as socially constructed, prioritizing subjective interpretations, and understanding individuals' perspectives within societal contexts. The central argument in this study is that the Kenyan woman autobiographer has played a critical role in shaping the narrative of the nation and in challenging dominant discourses by amplifying women's voices. In conclusion, this study has established that the nation is not a monolithic or homogeneous entity but rather a collection of diverse and often conflicting narratives. Therefore, there is need for a more inclusive and equitable society whose vision is to embrace the complexity and diversity of the Kenyan experiences. These findings underscore the importance of further research into the dynamics of nation narration, dominant ideologies, and women writings.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Kogo, Karen http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10011 2026-01-07T12:40:08Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Integrating indigenous healing practices with conventional healthcare among the Nandi of Kabiyet, Nandi County, Kenya Kogo, Karen The emergence of new diseases in the modern times has given rise to a global interest in the use of indigenous medicine alongside the conventional healthcare. Many communities in Africa such as the Nandi of Kabiyet continue to utilize indigenous healing practices for their healthcare yet indigenous medicine is excluded from the formal healthcare structures. The United Nations calls for integrating indigenous healing practices with modern healthcare systems in order to preserve cultural heritage and enhance healthcare accessibility, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals such as Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10). The purpose of this study was to explore the integration of African indigenous knowledge systems on healthcare practices with the modern health care among the Nandi of Kabiyet ward, Kenya. Kabiyet was suitable because it combines strong biomedical capacity, active traditional healer networks and culturally hybrid sacred spaces. The main objective of this study was, to explore the integration of African indigenous knowledge systems and healthcare practices with the modern healthcare systems among the Nandi of Kabiyet, Kenya. Specifically, it sought to investigate the nature and practice of indigenous medicine among the Nandi; to examine the role of Nandi religion in healthcare management practices and to explore the integration of the Nandi indigenous medicine with the conventional healthcare management practices in Kabiyet ward. This was a qualitative study which adopted an exploratory design and a constructivism philosophical paradigm. It was guided by the Holism theory propounded by Jan Smuts (1870-1950) to explain the persistence of the use of indigenous healthcare systems. The study population was the residents of Kabiyet ward. Both primary and secondary sources of data were utilized. Twenty-five respondents who included herbalists, diviners, mediums, priests, midwives, community elders and biomedical practitioners were purposively sampled for the study. Eleven key informants were selected purposively for interviews while fourteen of them for two focus group discussions (of seven each). Data was collected through interviews, observation and focus group discussions. Collected data was analyzed qualitatively using thematic method and presented in a descriptive narrative form. Findings revealed that the Nandi have a vast indigenous knowledge and techniques in healthcare management, the Nandi traditional healing practices are deeply rooted in their cultural and religious beliefs and there are possible ways of integration of Nandi indigenous medicine with modern healthcare systems. The study concludes that, there is a vast knowledge in the nature and practice of indigenous medicine in Africa, African religion has a role in healthcare management practices and there are models of integrating indigenous healing practices with modern healthcare systems. The study recommended that the Nandi people’s vast knowledge and skills of indigenous medicine are significant and need to be utilized into modern health management, some of the Nandi indigenous religious teachings should be incorporated into modern healthcare and that there is need for policy reviews to assist in the integration of the Nandi indigenous medicine with modern healthcare systems. This study is significant because it provides evidence on how African indigenous knowledge and healthcare practices can meaningfully complement modern medical systems among the Nandi of Kabiyet in order to develop a more culturally responsive and accessible healthcare model that can improve patient outcomes in rural communities. The findings will also inform policymakers and healthcare providers as they work to strengthen Kenya’s healthcare system, advance equity in health service delivery, and contribute to national and global health goals such as SDG 3.

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