FIT Scholarly Articles

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Database marketing strategies in the industry: case of Kenyan organizations
(North American Institute of Science and Information Technology, 2013-03) Lukandu, Ismail A; Dimba, Beatrice A; Omwenga, Vincent O
Problem Statement: There are several organizations in both the private and public sector that collect information about their customers but do not proactively leverage on it. In most cases, the collected information would lie unused or underutilized for long periods and yet these same organizations do struggle business-wise. A major point is that they could actually utilize the information to create new avenues to the benefit of the organizations. Methodology: The methodology adopted for this research was to survey several private sector organizations. A sample of thirty-two (32) organizations out fifty (50) accepted to take part in the Database Marketing Survey. This survey consisted of organizations in the private sector ranging from airline industry, information and communication technology industry, retail and services and healthcare industries. We were interested to access information on what types of customer information they typically collected, stored and/or interpreted and how the organization’s databases were generally designed. Further, we needed to determine the frequencies of inaccuracies in the data collected, the liabilities/implications of incorrect data, the applied techniques (systems) to maintain data integrity and the maintenance systems and of the databases, which database formats were most successful, which procedures of data gathering were most reliable and subtly, which off-the-shelf programs were better for design of a customer database for the organizations. Results: Our preliminary analysis indicated these organizations routinely collected and stored customer information for various purposes. It was noticed that though most organizations collected data, it was mostly inaccurate, duplicate, inconsistent and non-standard. In this regard, it was extremely difficult to really harness or leverage on it. Due to this state of affairs, the organizations could not easily relate to the fact that the core data errors could be a pointer to lost revenue, lost opportunities or money wasted pursuing false assumptions or inaccurate accounts. Conclusions: The type of database design used by the private sector industries in Kenya is largely dependent on the “Off-the-Shelf” programs. The design of a customer database for an organization was largely related to the type of “off-the-Shelf” with a correlation coefficient of 0.738. Most organizations collected and stored data that can be described to be personal information from the customers and this information was predominantly used for the purposes of business growth, that is, sales at 73.91% and marketing at 56.62% though not strategically.
Improving learning throughput in e-learning using interactive-cognitive based assessment
(The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications (SDIWC), 2014) Ballera, Melvin; Ateya, Ismail Lukandu; Abdalla, Radwan
An e-learning website is not sufficient to fully attain the results of online education. There also is a need to align the educational objectives into the design of the assessment to improve and develop cognition, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Previous studies have explored the potentials of the assessment models but few ventured into their implementation. Others only proposed and introduced conceptual frameworks. The implementation of these proposals, however, revealed that the question type in the assessment phase neglected to align their questionnaire formats into a cognitive schema. At present, the standard multiple-choice question is the most frequently used of the question type of e-learning assessments. However, if this type is the only format adopted by e-learning developers, then the potentially rich and embedded assessment of the computer platform will be given up. This paper focuses on the design of assessment questions, which is created and guided by the hierarchical Bloom cognitive taxonomy and by utilizing rich media formats. Results conducted for eighteen weeks show a dramatic increase in the academic performance of the students. Likewise, digital transcripts converted from the collected perceptions after training undergoes sentiment analysis have correlated with the student improved academic throughput.
Applying reinforcement and mastery learning: how it works based on personalized e-learning curriculum?
(The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications (SDIWC), 2014) Ballera, Melvin; Ateya, Ismail Lukandu; Omar, Aziza E.
Many researchers in the field of personalized learning or topic sequencing have proposed and implemented various mechanisms to improve the learning process with the main objectives of maximizing learning and dynamically selecting the closest teaching operation in order to achieve the learning goals. However, upon recommending the personalized learning sequence, based on literature review, the e-learning instructional strategists failed to perform or address the corrective measures to immediately remediate the learning difficulty. This paper presents the combination of the reinforcement learning concepts in the area of artificial intelligence and the mastery learning in educational psychology to remediate learning difficulties of the learners. The results show that based on the presented corrective measures, which are based on students’ background performance matrixes that are collected during the learning process and summative examination, the students are able to correct their learning difficulties and improved their learning performances. The end semesters’ results show the guarantee that almost all of the students who undergo the reinforcement and mastery learning procedures can successfully pass the e-learning course.
A knowledgebase model for Islamic inheritance
(IISTE, 2014) Chebet, Mahmoud Halima; Orero, Joseph; Luvanda, Anthony
The dotcom generation has dramatically amplified the pitch of information gathering as well as dissemination. However, not all areas are experiencing the same breeze of efficacy. For instance, in this thesis we looked at the section of Inheritance distribution among the heirs.Seeking an expert opinion on inheritance is as common and natural as death itself. The law is set by human beings who use a broad range of skills and experience to make it fair, justified and acceptable to the people it governs. Nevertheless, the future is unknown to all of us and as times change so do situations, hence the law setters update the law by adding or subtracting articles according to the direction of wave. Even so, some level of biasness is usually inevitable especially when a quick and serious decision has to be made. To err is human, plays a major role here. In case of inheritance, people will initially turn to references and citations which may be inconclusive. This then calls for rationality, something that is more often accompanied by mood changes and influences which eventually deter the authenticity of a sound verdict.
Personalizing E-learning curriculum using: reversed roulette wheel selection algorithm
(IEEE, 2014-09) Ballera, Melvin; Lukandu, Ismail A.; Abdalla, Radwan
E-learning poses a challenge in a pedagogical perspective such as finding ways on how to motivate the students to learn in spite of the absence of a human instructor. Many researchers in the field have proposed and implemented various mechanisms to improve the learning process such as individualization and personalization. The main objectives is to maximize learning by dynamically selecting the closest teaching operation in order to achieve the learning goals. In this paper, a revolutionary technique has been proposed and implemented to perform individualization and personalization using reversed roulette wheel selection algorithm that runs at O(n). The technique is simpler to implement and is algorithmically less expensive compared to other revolutionary algorithms since it collects the dynamic real time performance such as examinations, reviews and study matrices. Results show that the implemented system is capable of recommending new learning sequences that lessens time of study based on their prior knowledge and real performance matrix.
Reversed Roulette Wheel Selection Algorithms (RWSA) and Reinforcement Learning (RL) for personalizing and improving e-Learning system: the case study and its implementation
(The Society of Digital Information and Wireless Communications (SDIWC), 2015) Ballera, Melvin; Lukandu, Ismail A.; Abdalla, Radwan
Various mechanisms to improve learning process with the objective of maximizing learning and dynamically selecting the best teaching operation to achieve learning goals have been done in the field of personalized learning. However, instructional strategists have failed to address the necessary corrective measures to remediate immediately learning difficulties. It is necessary that an alternative, more realistic, simpler and a real time multi-based performance for personalized learning sequence be developed and implemented. Three major contributions can be asserted by the study: it personalized the learning sequence using reversed roulette wheel selection algorithm and linear ranking; the fitness value is based on real time, multi-based performance system; and it implements the reinforcement and mastery learning to motivate students and to improve their learning output. Result shows that the personalized learning sequence (PLS) were dynamic and heuristic and considers the curriculum difficulty level and the curriculum continuity of successive curriculum while producing individualized and personalized learning sequence. Data collected during 18 weeks experimental sessions, from 34%, a 54% increased has been achieved, making the overall passing rate to 88%. Digital transcripts based on students’ perceptions and experiences in using the prototype positively correlates with theme analysis having a score of +.321 with positive attitude such as: very happy, friends, motivate, improve, understanding, knowledge and good were extracted from document analysis.
Afya App : the mobile personal health management platform
(IJRSSET, 2015-01) Kasamani, Bernard Shibwabo; Mabusi, Erick
The provision of Health services in developing countries is hampered by various challenges. One area that has not been fully ventured into is formulating a holistic way to help improve health of people by enabling use of mobile technologies to get health services on the go. In general, Patients using current information systems face the problem of not accessing medical services outside the hospital premises. These problems can be solved by using a mobile application that is linked with current and any possible future hospital information system. The solution consists of an application that allows patients to first record their health records and keep track of their general health changes in real-time, enabling patients to get medical assistance by having direct communication with their respective doctor(s) and accessing public health and emergency data on the go. This way, health problems are solved fast, efficiently and at any time of the day.
The application of real - time voice recognition to control critical mobile device operations
(International Journal of Research Studies in Science, Engineering and Technology, 2015-07) Omyonga, Kevin; Shibwabo, Bernard Kasamani
The consistent increase in the number and ownership population of mobile device s introduces a variety of limitations. A set of this limitations revolve around interactivity. The overly dependent haptic mechanism of interaction has caused device falls, slower time to interaction, health concerns , and limited support for the disabled among other problems. There is need to formulate innovative techniques that facilitate our interaction with these devices fo r users. In order to achieve this, a Real - time Voice Recognition A lgorithm is formulated that lets users of mobile devices acquire freedom to move about and reduce the need for constantly glanc ing at their screen . This is achieved by allowing users to verb ally command their devices to carry out ordinary tasks such as setting an alarm, making a call, or even starting any application. An added unique feature is that i t also offers offline acc ess as any commands given by a user are processed and executed local ly on the device.
A System for recommending rental properties
(Czech society for system integration, 2017) Nahimana, Guy
This paper presents an implementation of recommended technology to online search of rental properties. In particular, the paper uses the preference-based search approach combined with a technique called example-critiquing. Rather than perform a query against the database, this approach prompts the user to express some preferences on rental properties, uses them to construct a preference model for the user, and finally generates a list of properties that best match that preferences. The system is developed as Web application using the Ruby on Rails framework
A Prototype for authentication of secondary school certificates: a case of Kenya certificate of secondary education
(Globeedu Group, 2017) Shibwabo, Bernard; Kaibiru, Raphael Mutua
The demand for educated labor force has increased in developing countries like Kenya. Owing to this fact, more often Universities and training colleges in Kenya enroll students who want to further their education. Meeting the minimum entry requirements is key for one to get admitted into an institution of higher learning. However, the use of illegitimate secondary school certificates to join Universities in Kenya has been reported in political and business sectors. Perpetrators of this academic crime have succeeded to an extent of enjoying benefits of higher education, despite there being measures to authenticate secondary school certificates. The aim of this study was to develop a prototype that can be used by institutions of higher learning to authenticate secondary school certificates using QR-Code and digital signatures. Agile software development methodology was adopted to develop the prototype which included; requirements gathering, architecture and design, development and testing. This study targeted the Kenya National Examination Council, research department for data collection. Ten respondents were purposively selected in this department. Questionnaire was used as the main data collection tool for both qualitative and quantitative data. The findings indicated that 87% of respondents said that the current security features on the certificates were not sufficient to prevent document fraud. In addition, 98% said that a computer based system would help in detecting illegitimate certificates. During prototype testing 78% agreed that a computer system was leveraging on the existing methods of authentication. The study recommended the adoption of a computer system by the Kenya National Examination Council to help Universities and Colleges verify and authenticate secondary school certificates before enrollment of new students
A Universal mobile money transfer platform
(International Journal of Computer Applications Online, 2017-10) Shibwabo, Bernard; Mwangi, Kelvin Kinyua
Mobile money transfer is among some of the fastest growing sectors in Information. It provides openness to all mobile service providers; any user from any mobile service provider is able to use the solution. It allows for batch sending of money to a group of Technology today. With its continued usage, come new challenges that need to be addressed. Among some of those challenges include the need for a mobile money transfer service that allows transfer of money across all mobile service providers, provide a link to a customer’s other electronic sources of money and also allow the user to push money to a group of people with a single transaction. Nexcash is proposed as a platform that allows for the transfer of funds across various network service providers efficiently and effectively using a mobile phone. It provides a link between the user’s mobile accounts to other electronic sources of money that they have, particularly banks. It also allows batch sending of money. Among some of the functionalities it has include: sending of money to either an individual or a group, withdrawal of money from Nexcash accounts, deposit of money to Nexcash account, transfer of money to user’s different accounts. Nexcash runs on Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) networks. The user interacts with the application using their mobile phones, to which transaction menus are forwarded by the application depending on some key-word that the user sends to the application. Nexcash brings in four new benefits into the money transfer solutions industries. It provides link to a user’s bank accounts which allows a user to perform transactions in their bank accounts using their mobile phones. It provides standardized transaction charges regardless of the mobile service provider that your SIM card is subscribed to.
An Automatic number plate recognition system for car park management
(International Journal of Computer Applications Online, 2017-10) Shibwabo, Bernard; Mutua, Simon Mandi; Kaibiru, Raphael Mutua
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is an internationally recognized methodology that is used in vehicle identification. ANPR systems allow for real time recognition of a vehicle’s number plate. Vehicle parking is an important component within any transportation system, whereby vehicles are often parked at destinations. With an increased number of motor vehicles on roads especially in developing countries, there is need for a vehicle identification mechanism that is effective, affordable and efficient. There are also increased insecurity challenges including terrorism which call for increased surveillance. In most academic institutions and car parks, the ongoing car park entry registration process for visitors, staff or students entering the institution involves a security guard having to confirm membership details by checking for membership sticker on the windscreen of the vehicle or by checking the driver’s identification card. This process of writing is tedious and time consuming and is prone to inaccurate recordings, furthermore the backup and sharing of this vehicle information is difficult because the data is hard copy. We propose the adoption of a mobile based software solution that has ANPR capabilities to aid in vehicle identification and vehicle registration. The software application that was developed adopted an object oriented analysis and design methodology, the software developed implements Optical Character Recognition (OCR) using the mobile device camera to detect and capture the vehicle number plate. The proposed solution reduced registration time from 30 seconds to 6 seconds in addition to other benefits. It was recommended that the system be adopted and implemented to address the current challenges in vehicle registration and surveillance.
The Need for marker-less computer vision techniques for human gait analysis on video surveillance to detect concealed firearms
(Global Society of Scientific Research and Researchers, 2018) Muchiri, Henry; Ateya, Ismail; Wanyembi, Gregory
Crimes involving the use of firearms have been on the increase in the past few years. One of the measures adopted to prevent these crimes is the use of CCTV operators at video surveillance centers to detect persons carrying concealed firearms on their bodies by monitoring their behavior. This paper has found that this technique has challenges associated with human weaknesses and errors. A review of the current attempts to automate video surveillance for concealed firearm detection has found that they have the limitation that the techniques can only be employed on stationary and cooperative persons. This makes them inappropriate for real-life surveillance. This paper highlights the need for automated video surveillance solutions that can detect persons carrying concealed firearms when they are not stationary and aware of the scanning process. We further explore automated behavioral analysis and specifically gait analysis as a possible technique for concealed firearm detection on video surveillance. Lastly, the paper highlights the possibility and viability of human gait analysis using marker-less computer vision techniques for detecting persons carrying firearms on their waist line.
Lessons learnt from the 2014 West Africa ebola viral disease (EVD) outbreak: economic, political and social impacts of disease outbreaks
(Strathmore University, 2018) Maingi, Nicodemus Nzoka; Matilu, Mwau Prof.; Ateya, Ismail Prof.
In many disease outbreaks, their effects can invariably be measured in both direct and indirect terms; directly by observable, measurable outcomes and indirectly by looking for knock-on effects post the disease outbreak. Some of these angles and degrees of measure could matter more and provide a different yet more objective measure of a true disease outbreak’s impact. Such measures include the economic, social and political implications following a disease outbreak. This research looks to study and document the economic, social and political implications of the 2014 West African EVD outbreak that mainly ravaged Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Whilst the outbreak may have been theoretically localized around the three countries, other neighboring and far flung but somewhat affiliated nations also had their share of the outbreak’s implications. This research also looks to study and identify knock-on effects of the outbreak in the other countries (outside the three at the outbreak’s epicenter). The research looks to inform and boost the focus on early and targeted mitigation efforts if only to safeguard the interests of regional blocks and other nations that may be victims of negative downturns as a result of such disease outbreaks. The research hopes to inform and spur intraregional and inter-national discussions and engagements on how to best deal with such disease outbreak in a measurable and sustainable manner, with an aim to possibly safeguard their socio-economic and political interests.
Freedom of education: an Aristotelian interpretation of the Kenya Basic Education Act No.14 of 2013
(Strathmore University, 2020) Momanyi, Christopher
Aristotle in his educational ideals as presented in his Politics and Nichomachean Ethics, believed that education was necessary for a fulfilled life. For him, the thinking and practice of an educator has to have a clear philosophy of life. Education according to other philosophers such as Plato and Socrates is the reproduction of culture. According to Aristotle Freedom of Education involves both state-run public education and private education. The question then arises as to who is responsible for determining the training students receive in school and whether there is freedom of education in a given education system. Aristotle in his politics states that education should be guided by legislation. This paper aims at discussing the historical and the contemporary significance of Aristotle’s ideas on freedom of education as presented in his Nicomachean Ethics and Politics. Based on Aristotle’s ideas, the paper will discuss the role of parents, teachers, the state and voluntary institutions in the provision of education.
Technical vocation education and training (TVET) in changing times, a critical view of prior learning as a link to entrepreneurship and employment
(Strathmore University, 2021) Momanyi, Christopher; Riechi, Andrew Rasugu; Khatete, Ibrahim Wafula
For many countries, lifelong learning is a key component to building the human capital that is innovative and competitive in the fast-changing global economy. Most people’s learning take place through non-formal and informal means, whether at work, home, or elsewhere. In many developing countries with their high school dropout rates, majority of people acquire workplace skills through informal means. Education and training play a fundamental role in Kenya’s development, it is not possible for any country to achieve sustainable economic advancement without a substantial investment in education and training. People improve the quality of their lives if their productivity improves by adopting entrepreneurship and uptake of technology. Artisans need to be trained to have an entrepreneurial attitude, measured by their opportunity recognition, risk cognition, start-up skills and networking. Entrepreneurial abilities are reflected by technology absorption, opportunity start-up and human capital. An entrepreneurial attitude is a distinctive strategy and implies process innovation, product innovation, high growth, risk capital and internationalisation. This research paper critically views prior learning as a link to entrepreneurship and employment by presenting analysed data collected over a three-month period from Jua Kali artisans operating in the Eastlands of Nairobi, Kenya. The analysed data presents Jua Kali artisans’ business management skills and how it affects their Performance. This research paper is a critical view of prior learning as the missing link to entrepreneurship and employment creation in a changing world.
ICT knowledge transfer for development in the non-formal education: a case of jua kali sector in Kenya.
(Strathmore University, 2021) Momanyi, Christopher; Omwenga, Vincent Dr.
One of the millennium development goals is the attainment of Education For All (EFA).Attainment of Education For All means inclusion of those in the informal sector in the skill training programmes. Large gaps in skill training exist in the informal sector which is commonly known as Jua Kali sector, knowledge transfer can bridge these gaps. Training highly skilled manpower for economic development is a challenge. The formal education system has not addressed this challenge. Development cannot be achieved without knowledge transfer; training in skills will entail training skills that can be transferred to other areas through knowledge transfer. Vocationalisation of education as means of improving skills development in the informal sector seem to have failed as the Vocational Training Institutions set up by the government are seen to be institutions for failures, there is more emphasis on certificates rather than on practical skills. Thus leaving those in the informal sector to acquire skills through apprenticeship. Not all vocational institutions teach ICT skills due to the exorbitant costs. A group of 60 Jua Kali artisans was selected from a group of artisans who had undergone ICT and Business skills training, a comparison was done with another 60 artisan from the same are using a Z test statistic. From the data obtained it was proved that the trained artisans were far better than those not trained. Another analysis was dome on knowledge transfer; it was found that the trained artisans had acquired other skills they were not directly taught during the training.
Digital credit for economic development, a case of ISBI’s model of lending to micro-entrepreneurs in the Eastland’s of Nairobi
(Strathmore University, 2021) Momanyi, Christopher
It is evident that more people are connected continue to be connected the Internet than ever before. There are various digital devices that are used nowadays to connect to the internet for work and other aspects of life. Broadband connectivity is one of the means of transforming and achieving the three pillars of sustainable development through digital credit. Even though there is a rapid growth in connectivity, it is estimated that 2.9 billion people are not connected, most of them in developing countries. Digital credit is a promising form of financial inclusion for low income earners in developing countries because of low access to formal credit and the limitations of the semi-formal credit options. Digital credit is becoming popular because of its remote, instant and automated protection against the traditional consumer and microenterprise credit models. This paper discusses the ISB-KIVA model of digital credit where a total of $32,325 was borrowed by 72 micro-entrepreneurs within a period of 24 months. The data for this research was compiled from the Kiva website. A systems theory is used in this research.
Alternatives towards achieving Education For All (EFA): a case of the informal sector business institute (ISBI), Nairobi, Kenya
Momanyi, Christopher
@iLabAfrica a research Centre at Strathmore University has been established to spearhead research and innovation in the ICT for the development ecosystem towards the attainment of the UNDP Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Kenya’s vision 2030. The centre recognises that the spread of ICT technologies in developing countries remains painfully slow. The increasing ‘digital divide’ continues to condemn a large fraction of Africa’s population to ignorance, poverty, undernourishment, disease and disempowerment. This project: ‘Use of ICT in Enhancing Teaching and Curriculum delivery in marginalised Secondary Schools in Kenya’ aims at developing Open Educational Resources for secondary schools, improving IT infrastructure in schools, enabling Internet/Web access (including the local communities), mentoring secondary school students and supporting teachers in the delivery of the Computer Studies course offered as part of the official KCSE curriculum for secondary schools in Kenya. The research evaluated the impact of the use of ICT in enhancing teaching and curriculum delivery in selected marginalised secondary schools in Kenya.
A pricing proposal for a QoS enabled UMTS network
Ozianyi (Dr.), Vitalis Gavole
Third generation networks e.g. the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) provide higher data transfer rates which enables the transport of real-time multimedia traffic e.g. streaming video. The cost of Internet access over mobile networks remains high yet user demand for mobile services is increasing rapidly. In order for mobile computing to become viable, the deployment of charging schemes that would see the cost of communication reflect the utilization of resources on the network is necessary. A dynamic charging scheme is an attractive solution. When prices change, users need to indicate their willingness to continue using the service especially when a price increase is beyond the level they anticipated. In this paper we propose a charging scheme that relies on the congestion at the RNC of the UMTS to calculate pricing coefficients, which are in turn used in determining the charge incurred for using the network. The use of user profiles and network agents in the management of the charging scheme is also explored.

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