CUEA Digital Repository
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PLANNING PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OF RESIDENTIAL HOUSING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN WESTLANDS SUB-COUNTY, NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA.
(THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN AFRICA, 2024-07) ANDREW BOSIRE MERABA
According to United Nations statistics, 3 billion people live in urban slums due to urbanization and population growth. World Economic Forum projects that by the year 2050, more than a third of the population across the globe will reside in urban areas. Design, planning, maintenance, and management of residential houses and the residential environment have a long-term effect on the prosperity, quality of life, health, and happiness of individuals and communities. The general objective of this study was to examine planning practices and performance of residential housing construction projects in Westland’s sub-county in Nairobi County, Kenya. Specific objectives were to establish the role of stakeholder participation, supervision, budget, and time management's impact on the performance of residential housing construction projects in Westlands Sub-County, Nairobi County, Kenya. Westlands Sub- County was ideal for the study as it is the most affluent neighborhood in Nairobi County with all kinds of residential units, from single rooms to houses with their own compounds. Project management competency, stakeholder theory, and constraint theory formed the study's theoretical basis. The study applied descriptive research designs. The study targeted 256 respondents made up of project managers, project architects, engineers, and developers of 64 private ongoing residential housing projects in Westland Sub-County. A samples size made up of 156 respondents were selected through stratified random sampling. Primary data was collected through the use of structured questionnaires. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS, Version 25.0) was used to analyze quantitative data. The study generated descriptive statistics; multiple regression was used to explain relationship between study variables. Tables and graphs were used to present results of data analysis. Study findings revealed positive relationship between independent and dependent variables. Time management revealed the strongest positive relationship (r=0.68) on performance of residential construction housing projects, followed by supervision (r=0.672), then stakeholder participation (r=0.66) and finally budget allocation (r=0.546). All the independent variables revealed p-value<0.01 thus statistically significant to explain relationship with the dependent variable. The study
recommends inclusion of stakeholders in every stage of a projects, their opinion count however should be filtered to avoid mix up. On supervision, the study recommended the need for continuous learning and training for project supervisor to cope with the ever-changing construction environment. On budget, the study recommended the need to do proper costing that put into account inflation of construction materials from time to time, timely review of budgets should be done for any emerging issues within the construction space. Finally, on time management the study recommended the need for setting achievable targets and assigning them time frame for completion. Time of completion of a project must take into consideration the prevailing economic and political environment. The study further recommended that future researchers should not only be limited to surveyors, engineers, and project managers but explore other players involved in project planning and implementation of residential housing projects.
Influence of Religious Cultural Strategies on Students’ Behaviour Modification in Public Mixed Day Secondary Schools in Nandi County.
(2025) Korir Richard Kimeli; Dr. Stephen Asatsa; Dr. Jennifer Munyua
The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of Cultural strategies of training discipline on students’ behaviour modification in Public mixed secondary schools in Nandi County, Kenya. This is in the light of concern that indiscipline cases are increasing in schools despite existence of Guidance and counselling programs. The specific objective was to determine the influence of religious cultural strategies of training discipline on students’ behaviour modification. Multicultural Theory guided the study. Sequential mixed research design was adopted. The target population was 74048 respondents comprising of students, teacher counsellors and Deputy Principals. Proportionate stratified, simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques was used. Quantitative data was collected from students using questionnaire and Interview guide collected qualitative data from Deputy Principals. A pilot study was conducted among 39 students, 2 teacher counsellors and Deputy Principals each to test validity and reliability of the research instruments. Quantitative data was analyzed by use of frequencies, percentages, mean scores and standard deviations. Inferential statistics was done to test hypotheses by using analysis of variance. From the findings there was a statistically significant mean difference between religious cultural strategies groups (F (2,375) = 109.105, p= .000) and students’ behaviour modification. There was a positive significant effect of religious cultural strategies and students’ behaviour modification. The study concluded that religious
cultural strategies of training discipline had a significant influence on students’ behaviour
modification in public mixed secondary schools in Nandi County. The study recommended that
school administrators should clearly spell out the rules and regulations guiding the expected
behaviour of students within the school environment. The study findings will benefit the
Ministry of Education, principals, deputy principals, community elders and counsellors to
monitor and improve on student behavour in schools.
Effect of Preventive Cultural Strategies on Students’ Behaviour Modification in Public Mixed Day Secondary Schools in Nandi County.
(2025) Korir Richard Kimeli; Dr. Stephen Asatsa; Dr. Jennifer Munyua
The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of preventive strategies of training
discipline on students’ behaviour modification in Public mixed secondary schools in Nandi
County, Kenya. The specific objective was to determine the influence of preventive cultural
strategies of training discipline on students’ behaviour modification. Multicultural Theory guided
the study. Sequential mixed research design was adopted. The target population was 74048
respondents comprising of students, teacher counsellors and Deputy Principals. Proportionate
stratified, simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques was used. Quantitative
data was collected from students using questionnaire and Interview guide collected qualitative
data from Deputy Principals. A pilot study was conducted among 39 students, 2 teacher
counsellors and Deputy Principals each to test validity and reliability of the research instruments.
Quantitative data was analyzed by use of frequencies, percentages, mean scores and standard
deviations. Inferential statistics was done to test hypotheses by using analysis of variance. From
the findings, most of the students, developed self-control due to mentorship, superstitions in the
society have made them learn to obey and don’t engage in irresponsible sex because of fear of
punishment associated with it. There was a statistically significant mean difference between
preventive cultural strategies (F (2,375) = 61.52, p = .000) and students’ behaviour modification.
There was a positive significant effect of preventive cultural strategies and students’ behaviour
modification. The study concluded that preventive cultural strategies of training discipline highly
influenced students’ behaviour modification in public mixed secondary schools in Nandi County.
The school administrators should clearly spell out the rules and regulations guiding the expected
behaviour of students within the school environment. This will enable counsellors to apply an
appropriate strategy to manage deviant behaviour. The study findings will benefit the Ministry of
Education, principals, deputy principals, community elders and counsellors to monitor and
improve on student behaviour in schools.
Regulating community well-being through traditional mourning rituals: Insights from the Luhya People of Kenya
(Evolution, Medicine, & Public Health, 2025-01) Stephen Asatsa; Sheina Lew-Levy; Stephen Ngaari Mbugua; Maria Ntaragwe; Wilkister Shanyisa; Elizabeth Gichimu; Jane Nambiri; Jonathan Omuchesi
Background and objectives: Rituals have been reported to serve as a vital mechanism for expressing grief and fostering communal support worldwide. Despite these benefits, use of rituals in Indigenous communities is threatened by missionization, globalization, and westernization. This study sought to examine the relevance of traditional mourning rituals in community morality and well-being. Anchored in cultural evolutionary theory, the study employed an ethnographic research design.
Methodology: Data were collected from 45 community elders, 30 bereaved adults, 30 bereaved adolescents, and 8 religious leaders through focus group discussions and interviews.
Results: The study established five mourning rituals practiced by the Luhya people, each potentially
serving an evolutionary function for community survival and well-being. Our findings show that Luhya traditional mourning rituals play an important role in community well-being, though not all members may benefit equally from these effects.
Conclusions and implications: The study established conflict over rituals with differing viewpoints from religious leaders, cultural leaders, and the western biomedical approach to mental well-being. Yet, the bereaved reported that both Luhya and religious rituals helped them process their grief. To address mental health issues fully, it is important to establish collaboration between western models, religious approaches, and cultural approaches.
Lay Summary Rituals are important practices that help people express their grief and provide support within communities around the world yet in most indigenous communities across the world,
yet these rituals are being replaced by western biomedical approaches. This study focused on the significance of traditional mourning rituals among the Luhya people of Kenya and how these practices contribute to community morality and well-being. The study interviewed community elders, bereaved adults and adolescents, and religious leaders. The findings revealed that traditional rituals are crucial for the community's health, although not all members experience the same benefits. There were differing opinions about the rituals from religious leaders, cultural leaders, and those who follow western medical approaches to mental health. Despite these conflicts, many bereaved individuals reported that both Luhya and religious rituals helped them cope with their grief. To effectively address mental health issues, the study suggests a need for collaboration between western mental health models, religious practices, and cultural traditions. This approach could create a more comprehensive support system for those experiencing loss.
The International Work Addiction Scale (IWAS): A screening tool for clinical and organizational applications validated in 85 cultures from six continents
(Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 2025-03-28) Stephen Asatsa
Background and aims: Despite the last decade’s significant development in the scientific study of work addiction/workaholism, this area of research is still facing a fundamental challenge, namely
the need for a valid and reliable measurement tool that shows cross-cultural invariance and, as such, allows for worldwide studies on this phenomenon. Methods: An initial 16-item questionnaire, developed within an addiction framework, was administered alongside job stress, job satisfaction, and self-esteem measures in a total sample of 31,352 employees from six continents and 85
cultures (63.5% females, mean age of 39.24 years). Results: Based on theoretical premises and psychometric testing, the International Work Addiction Scale (IWAS) was developed as a short measure representing essential features of work addiction. The seven-item version (IWAS-7), covering all seven components of work addiction, showed partial scalar invariance across 81 cultures, while the five-item version (IWAS-5) showed it across all 85 cultures. Higher levels of work addiction on both versions were associated with higher job stress, lower job satisfaction, and lower self-esteem across cultures. The optimal cut-offs for the IWAS-7 (24 points) and IWAS-5 (18 points) were established with an overall accuracy of 96% for both versions. Discussion and conclusions: The IWAS is a valid, reliable, and short screening scale that can be used in different cultures and languages, providing comparative and generalizable results. The scale can be used globally in clinical and organizational settings, with the IWAS-5 being recommended for most practical and clinical situations. This is the first study to provide data supporting the hypothesis that work addiction is a
universal phenomenon worldwide.