http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/7 Tue, 25 Aug 2026 10:42:38 GMT 2026-08-25T10:42:38Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10467 The association between dietary diversity and depressive symptoms among adult population in rural Western Kenya Opondo, Charles; Kamadi, James; Akiruga, James; D. Pastakia, Sonak; Rosenberg, Molly Abstract Low dietary diversity is a predictor of depression in high-income countries, but evidence from low-income settings where poor nutrition and depression often co-occur is scarce. We examined the association between dietary diversity and depression in rural Western Kenya. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of data collected between June and August 2025 from 311 participants enrolled in a group-based microfinance (‘BIGPIC’) program. Depression was measured using twenty-item Centre for Epidemiologic Studies for Depression Scale, and dietary diversity was assessed based on the consumption of five food groups in the previous 24 hours using a validated scale. We used linear regression models to estimate the association between high dietary diversity and depression scores and assessed effect measure modification by wealth status. Quantile regression was used to examine variation across the distributions of depression scores. Higher dietary diversity was associated with lower depression scores (adjusted β (95 % CI): −3·49 (–6·62, −0·38)). This association was stronger among individuals with lower wealth (adjusted β (95 % CI): −6·00 (–10·46, −1·42)), compared with those with high wealth (adjusted β (95 % CI): −0·53 (–4·76, 3·68); Wald P–value for interaction = 0·0003). Effect sizes were larger at higher quantiles across 75th (Q75: β = −7·56; 95 % CI: −12·82, −2·27) and 90th (Q90: β = −6·01; 95 % CI: −12·43, 0·43) quantiles, though estimates were imprecise. These findings suggest that greater dietary diversity may be associated with improved mental health, par- ticularly among socio-economically vulnerable individuals, and those with severe depression. Future work using longitudinal and quasi-experimental designs are needed to strengthen causal inference and clarify underlying mechanisms Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10467 2026-05-08T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10466 Congolese Music and the Kenyan Nation, 1963–1993 Mboya, Tom Michael This paper is an intervention in the discussion on the making of theKenyan nation. The interest is in the role of popular music, and thefocus is on Congolese music. The notion, comprehensivelyexplained and illustrated by Moorman (2008), that music can (help)forge a nation is used as the theoretical illuminating torch in theexploration of information mainly mined from back copies of oneof Kenya’s two main national newspapers, the Nation (founded1958). Congolese music has been popularly embraced by Kenyansregardless of their ethnicity since the early 1960s. It was, for allintents and purposes, made a sound of the nation by both itscountry-wide success and its insertion into discourses of the nationin the country – and this despite the fact that the language it ismostly sung in, Lingala, is not spoken in Kenya, and the music’smakers are not Kenyan citizens. The appropriation of Congolesemusic in Kenya is read to point to a cosmopolitan understandingof the nation. Sat, 01 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10466 2026-08-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10465 Case study: Kenyan university libraries status of access to library spaces and facilities for persons with disabilities Gikunju, Milcah; Odero, Damaris; Kwanya, Tom The purpose of this paper was to find out the position of library spaces and facilities at the university libraries in Kenya particularly in serving users with disabilities. The study was conducted using a pragmatic research philosophy, a convergent mixed methods design and a multiple-case studies strategy. The study population was university library users and librarians drawn from six public and private universities in Kenya. The six universities were selected purposefully based on their age (time they have been in existence) with an assumption that old universities have more developed infrastructure. Data was collected from students and academic staff who participated in an online survey; librarians participated in online focus groups and follow up online surveys while university librarians and students with disabilities had telephone call interviews. There were follow up telephone calls with the university librarians. The online survey was conducted using online questionnaires that were distributed via emails and Whatsapp. Online focus group discussions were conducted in Google Meet platform and interviews were conducted via personal telephone calls. The qualitative data collected was analysed thematically while the quantitative data adopted a statistical approach that encompasses descriptive and inferential statistics. After exploring inclusivity of university library spaces and facilities in Kenya for users with disabilities, this paper noted though the university libraries offered some space and facilities for PWDs, these were far from sufficient. The findings revealed that library staff required training on how to handle and assist PWDs and sign language was largely emphasised. However, the study concluded that accommodating diverse needs of persons with disabilities is a long-term process that requires involvement of all the relevant stakeholders. In addition, the study noted that access to services and facilities for PWDs is another significant aspect of modernised university library. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10465 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10464 Case Study: Kenyan University Libraries status of access to library spaces and facilities for persons with disabilities Gikunju, Milcah; Odero, Damaris; Kwanya, Tom The purpose of this paper was to find out the position of library spaces and facilities at the university libraries in Kenya particularly in serving users with disabilities. The study was conducted using a pragmatic research philosophy, a convergent mixed methods design and a multiple-case studies strategy. The study population was university library users and librarians drawn from six public and private universities in Kenya. The six universities were selected purposefully based on their age (time they have been in existence) with an assumption that old universities have more developed infrastructure. Data was collected from students and academic staff who participated in an online survey; librarians participated in online focus groups and follow up online surveys while university librarians and students with disabilities had telephone call interviews. There were follow up telephone calls with the university librarians. The online survey was conducted using online questionnaires that were distributed via emails and Whatsapp. Online focus group discussions were conducted in Google Meet platform and interviews were conducted via personal telephone calls. The qualitative data collected was analysed thematically while the quantitative data adopted a statistical approach that encompasses descriptive and inferential statistics. After exploring inclusivity of university library spaces and facilities in Kenya for users with disabilities, this paper noted though the university libraries offered some space and facilities for PWDs, these were far from sufficient. The findings revealed that library staff required training on how to handle and assist PWDs and sign language was largely emphasised. However, the study concluded that accommodating diverse needs of persons with disabilities is a long-term process that requires involvement of all the relevant stakeholders. In addition, the study noted that access to services and facilities for PWDs is another significant aspect of modernised university library. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/10464 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z