MAPE Theses and Dissertations

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An Analysis of the judicial code of conduct and ethics and the vetting process of judicial officers from a virtue ethics perspective
(Strathmore University, 2015) Andayi W. Francis
The Judicial Service Code of Conduct and Ethics (JSCCE) for the Kenyan judges and magistrates collectively referred to here as judicial officers, is an ethical guide for the successful delivery of their judicial duty. Judicial ethics as represented in the JSCCE appears to follow two main ethical approaches, deontology and consequentialism or utilitarianism. Questions abound on the success of these ethical approaches to positively influence the conduct of judicial officers and provide the requisite ethical guidance. Judicial officers continue to receive condemnation from varied qum1ers for failing to follow the path of rectitude within and outside of their judicial calling. The demand by Kenyans that under the new Constitution of Kenya 20 I 0 all serving judicial officers undergo a vetting process to determine their suitability to continue serving in the judiciary is testimony to the low level of test the public has in the judicial officers. To address this challenge this study explored how the virtue ethics approach, as an alternative to deontology and utilitarianism, can be utilized as a foundation for judicial ethics. The aim of this study therefore is to determine whether the vi11ue ethics approach, which is agent centered and opposed to deontology and consequentialism, which are action-focused, can be applied to the JSCCE and the vetting process to make better judicial ethics in Kenya. The vi11ue ethics approach is approp1iate for this study because of its recent resurgence in ethical theme as well as its appeal to beliefs, emotions, thoughts, and values instead of actions and consequences which are influenced by a system of rewards and punishment. The study applied a content analysis method to analyze the contents of the JSCCE and the vetting process, which are two areas of focus on judicial ethics in Kenya, to uncover the elements of virtue ethics espoused therein. The study found that there are some 20 elements of virtue ethics found in the JSCCE and the vetting process. These are justice, courage, independence, practical wisdom among others. However, the presence of the elements alone was found not sufficient to make virtue ethics the theoretical base for judicial ethics in Kenya for two reasons. First, the elements are limited in scope in the JSCCE. Second, the elements are not expressed in virtue ethics language but rather they are formulated as rules and principles in line with the deontological and consequentialist ethical frameworks. However, it also emerged that with proper articulation of the JSCCE and the vetting criteria, the principles and rules can be reformulated to take account of a virtue ethics approach and thereby embed it as a sound theoretical base for judicial ethics in Kenya. The study made suggestions and recommendations on the ways through which judicial ethics can take account of virtue ethics and how to align the .TSCCE and the vetting process to each other through the virtue ethics approach to improve on judicial ethics and ultimately the conduct of judicial officers in Kenya.
An Inquiry into the efficacy of the Kenyan ethical regime on the conduct of judges
(Strathmore University, 2024) Obondi, V.
In November 2010 Kenyans enacted and gave to themselves a new. The new Constitution fundamentally transformed the administration of the Judiciary, it obliges probity and accountability in the recruitment of judges, and the administration of justice in exercise of donated judicial authority. The new Constitution also obliged the enactment of a code to govern the conduct of judicial officers. The new Constitution has by its specific provisions reformed the justice system. However, regardless of the prevailing solid laws governing ethical conduct of judges, to wit: the Constitution; the Judicial Service Act; and the Judicial Service (Code of Conduct and Ethics), Regulations, 2020, unethical conduct among the Judges is to date a matter of grave concern. There is a disconnect between the conduct of the judges and the expectations of the people of Kenya. The situation begs the question; Is there a need to make more laws or should the search for a solution be re-directed to focus beyond laws? I considered proposals away from the rule-based ethical regime. I concluded that rule based ethical regime is not sufficient for the betterment of the ethical conduct of Kenyan judges. That virtue ethics should be included in the judges training and supervision to having judges who are and can be said to be ethically flourishing in fact and indeed. This should be able to deliver responsiveness to the ethical conduct expected of judges by the people of Kenya as expressly and impliedly put in the enactments. I argue for the introduction of virtue ethics in the judges’ ethical regime not as a substitute to rule-based ethics but as a complement though taking primacy and remaining true to its valid dream that in the fullness of time it will render the latter redundant.
An Analysis of mothers’ perceptions of their children from the perspective of Wojtyla’s concept of child as a gift
(Strathmore University, 2017) Maingi, Caroline Shisubili
In the African context, childbirth is highly valued and child bearing is perceived as a key element in social respect and hierarchy. This paper sought to investigate how mothers’ perceive their own children with regard to their socioeconomic conditions and find out the connection between socioeconomic factors and a mother’s appreciation of her child in the county of Nairobi, Kenya. Since great efforts are made to conceive a child, which manifests an awareness of the fact that to have a child is a gift, does a child still seem as a gift in the face of varying socioeconomic factors. The view of child as gift has significantly changed in modern society. In will further analyze a mother’s appreciation of her child in view of Wojtyla’s concept of person as a gift based on his phenomenological approach. The investigation utilized phenomenological methodology to form descriptive themes. Respondents were selected who self-identified as from three different socioeconomic backgrounds. These were young professional mothers, mothers from low income areas of Nairobi and mothers who have children with physical challenges in Nairobi city. Purposive sampling was used, employing maximum variation sampling method with a sample size of fifteen respondents which aims at capturing and describing the central theme. In-depth interviews were conducted using a set of questions that were applied in a flexible and individual manner. The data was interpreted using a 5 step method that included bracketing, delineating units of meaning, clustering themes, summarizing each interview and extracting general as well as unique themes and finally making a composite summary of the findings. While the results of the connection between a mother’s economic status and her appreciation of her child as a gift were highlighted, the findings revealed that despite the socioeconomic factors prevailing, mothers still considered their children as gift.
An analysis of the appreciation of the beautiful and its place in daily living as understood by university students in Nairobi County
(Strathmore University, 2015) Kariuki, Esther Wangeci
This investigation has been an attempt to get to the root cause why many Kenyans appear to have little concern for a beautiful physical environment in terms of urban cleanliness, order, and courtesy in the transport sector. The experience in many parts of Kenya especially the capital city of Nairobi bespeak of chaos especially with regard to the apparent deficiency in the planning and construction of buildings, open gutters and display of sales, disposal of waste which more often than not mercilessly litter the city. In an effort to capture the mindset of the ordinary Kenyan in these matters, this researcher reached out to a portion of the urban population through a survey administered on university students in order to gauge their appreciation of the aesthetical and to find out if they associate aesthetics to ethics in their daily living. The survey was administered to 70 students in 6 private and public universities. The results of the survey were analyzed using library resources such as journals, books and research papers. The results revealed that there in an essential appreciation of beautiful things and beautiful environment among university students. However there are cultural, social and educational elements that undermine the concern for or the maintenance of good physical environment when one has to choose where to live and how to live there. The results also reveal that there is a dire need to foster a sense of harmony and order, cleanliness, maintenance and repair during the formative years of young people at the different educational levels to prepare them to appreciate and be responsible for the harmony and order in the urban environments. This study will be of immense benefit to the education department in curriculum planning and development, as well as in understanding an overlooked aspect of the human person which is just as important as science and technology. The study will also be of benefit to urban planners in order to make allowances for the absolute humanizing role of aesthetics and ethics underlying building and construction. Urban planners may find answers for the inclusion of facilities which humanize such as open green spaces, proper sewage systems, allowances of household laundry and storage facilities which lead to the appreciation of the beautiful in daily living.
An Analysis of the extent to which the Kenya basic education Act (2013) provides for parental choice to homeschool: the primary and central role of parents as educators.
(Strathmore University, 2018) Gathure, Thomas Mundia
Education in Kenya has witnessed a shift in ownership and management in the last 100 years. It has shifted from parents and community in the pre-colonial period to foreign missionaries and now to the State. While the State assumes a more primary and central role in the control of education, a new problem arises regarding choice and freedoms for other stakeholders. The recent enactment of the Kenya Basic Education Act, 2013 following the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 has presented one such scenario in the primary and central role of the State in education as compared to that of parents. The Act fails to recognise a legitimate and credible option of education - homeschooling - while at the same time criminalising the failure to take children to the prescribed schools in the Act. This raises questions as to the philosophical foundation underpinning the Act that could be contributing to this position. Due to the study’s philosophical focus on understanding meanings and beliefs as well as the nature of the research questions, a qualitative research approach (a desk review supported by questionnaires and interviews) was selected. The research questions, measurable indicators and research findings were defined and interpreted in light of the philosophy of Jacques Maritain (an influential philosopher of education and participant of the drafting of the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights).The research findings confirmed the effects of a limited philosophical foundation of the Act in its understanding of education, the place where education takes place, disproportionate roles vested on the State as compared to other stakeholders as well as the limited reflection of freedoms enshrined in the Constitution that support homeschooling. The study recommends a total overhaul of the philosophical foundation in which the Act is based to ensure any amendments are well guided and contextualised. Formulators of the Act could benefit from further study to understand the nature of homeschooling and ways to accommodate and support it for parents who choose it.
An Assessment of socially responsible behaviour of motorists in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2019) Njuguna, Paul Muiyuro
Road accidents are a major challenge globally and a cause of social and economic losses both in developed and developing countries. In Kenya close to 3,000 people die every year in road accidents, and the trend in recent years shows that the number is on the rise. Implementation of road safety initiatives in Kenya is skewed towards authoritative enforcement of rules and the associated punishments intended to motivate adherence and deter ‘deviant’ behaviour by motorists. An approach to road safety where the motorist’s actions are guided purely by the law is however inherently limited by the finite presence of law enforcers on the roads. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relevance of Socially Responsible Behaviour (SRB) and virtue as a complement to the existing road safety efforts in Kenya, and how these could influence motorists’ adherence to road safety requirements. Data was collected from motorists using a mixed methodology, with both quantitative surveys and in-depth qualitative interviews to investigate the perceptions to dimensions such as personal responsibility, intrinsic motivation and the impact of an individual’s actions on the society. The outcomes of the study shed light on the applicability of a virtue-based approach towards road safety, and may be used by policy makers in the transport sector to integrate into the existing road safety framework.
An Assessment of the contribution of teaching ethics at Strathmore University to the ethical development of undergraduate students
(Strathmore University, 2020) Manyuru, Paschal Juma
Various studies in Kenya and other countries show the importance of ethics and ethical conduct in virtually all spheres of life. Unlike most Kenyan universities, Strathmore University teaches ethics to all its undergraduate students. The researcher set out to investigate the objectives of the teaching of ethics and the students’ perception towards the course. He also wanted to examine the contribution of the course towards making students become more ethical, based on their own assessment. The current generation of 4th year students was selected because of their “nearness”, in terms of time, to joining the labour market where they will be confronted with ethical dilemmas that exist in virtually all professions. The contribution of the teaching of ethics was the focus of this study. The researcher used a mixed method research design where both quantitative and qualitative data collection tools were used. The findings gathered from in-depth interview discussions, questionnaires and focus group discussions were analysed and evaluated in the context of the Aristotelian Virtue Ethics Model whose background is supported by the philosophy of the human person. The outcomes of the study shed light on the contribution of the teaching of ethics towards making undergraduate students at Strathmore University more ethical persons. The study may be used by other universities to include ethics courses in their undergraduate education curriculum.
Benchmarking the philosophy of Nigerian policy on education with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals and traditional ethical principles of the social doctrine of the Catholic Church
(Strathmore University, 2018) Chidozie, Ihekwoaba Michael Festus
This dissertation seeks to benchmark the philosophy of Nigeria’s education policy with the United Nations’ sustainable development goals as well as the traditional ethical principles of the social doctrine of the Catholic Church, with the primary aim of identifying where there is a total, partial or zero relation for a possible improvement of Nigeria’s education policy philosophy. Igbuzor (2006) in stressing the importance of education stated that “Education is a human right that should be accorded to all human beings solely by reason of being human”.The utmost importance attached to education in Nigeria was clearly emphasized in the National Policy on Education (NPE, 2004). The Federal Republic of Nigeria, in this policy, adopted education as an instrument "par excellence" for effecting national development. But despite the government's commitment to education, the quality of education in Nigerian schools has been declining tremendously, thereby giving successive government's serious concern. The question has become, what is wrong with the Nigeria educational system? The investigation utilized a philosophical approach that leverages on a personalistic anthropology which underscores the centrality of the person as the primary focus of investigation. This involves the systematic identification, location, and analysis of documents containing information related to the research problem. The researchers use the information derived to evaluate whether the philosophy of Nigerian education policy can be improved.While the results of the benchmarking of the philosophy of Nigeria’s education policy against the United Nations’ development goals as well as the traditional ethical principles of the social doctrine of the Catholic Church were highlighted, the findings revealed that there are areas where the NPE philosophy needs partial and total improvement at the same time.
Charitable social commitment with reference to a Catholic Parish in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2023) Anselme, S. B. N.
Many charitable social activities are taking place in many parishes in the world. In South B parish we see that many Christians are committed in the charitable social activities of the parish. But few Christians are not involved in those activities. This study took into consideration the reasons for the lack of commitment of those 20% of Catholic Christians of South B parish situated in the Archdiocese of Nairobi, Kenya. The aim is to see that all the Christians are 100% committed to the charitable social activities in order to live fully their faith. Praying alone is not enough to be a good Christian. According to the Church teaching, a good Christian is the person who lives fully the spiritual and the charitable dimensions of faith. South B Catholic parish is composed of the main parish Church named Our Lady Queen of Peace and of an outstation called St. Margret. The theory of the social teaching of the Catholic Church which is found in the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church was used as theoretical framework. According to the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church, it is compulsory for all Christians to be charitable and to be committed to the social activities of the Church. The mixed method was used in helping to cover well the dynamism of the study. The quantitative method was used to send questionnaire to the respondents through google form. The respondents ticked in the answers which they judged to be the right ones. The qualitative method was used in conducting the group discussions where the respondents were free to express themselves on the different questions presented to them. The questionnaire and the group discussions were conducted in direct link with the research objectives and the theory of the Social Doctrine of the Church. It was found out that many Christians are committed to the charitable social activities of the parish because of the social doctrine of the Church on the common good and the dignity of all human beings, faith requirements, social and humanitarian orientations, their family and education background. We found out that other Christians are not committed to the charitable social activities of the parish because of their financial situation, indifference, lack of consultation from the Church leaders, lack of solidarity, selfishness and the poor understanding of the Church teaching. Though many charitable social activities which deal with the immediate needs of the poor and the needy were identified as appealing for the commitment of many Christians, many Christians believe that the long term charitable social activities are the most appealing in the sense that those activities lead the poor and the needy to be self-reliant and, therefore, capable to take care of themselves and other people.
A Demand for excellence the general aspirations of the public on ethical excellence in advocates’ conduct in Kenya - a virtue ethics perspective
(Strathmore University, 2020) Nyiha, James
Complaints against advocates for unethical conduct are lodged by the public at the Disciplinary Tribunal under section 60 of the Advocates Act, Chapter 16 of the Laws of Kenya. The Disciplinary Tribunal is the body that is empowered by the law in matters of discipline of advocates. From the nature and content of the complaints lodged at the Disciplinary Tribunal, it is discernible that there is an expectation of virtuous conduct and excellence of character in advocates by the public. An analysis of the provisions of the Advocates Act and the Advocates Practice Rules that deal with matters of ethics and conduct of advocates reveals that the kind of virtuous conduct and excellence of character that the public expects of advocates is not provided for. This study explores and concludes that applying a virtue ethics approach as the philosophical underpinning of the Advocates Act and the Advocates Practice Rules would result in the conduct of advocates becoming more virtuous and their achieving excellence of character. To achieve this, this study recommends firstly, the education of advocates in virtue with special emphasis on the virtues of justice, prudence, integrity and fortitude. Secondly it recommends fostering of a culture of virtue in legal practice by the Law Society of Kenya. Thirdly, it recommends the enforcement of virtue ethics in legal practice by way of legislation and lastly it recommends modifications to the Advocates Act and Advocates Practice Rules with rules that are imbued with a virtue ethics approach.
The Effect of menstruation on academic performance of high school girls: a case study on human dignity in Migori County, Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2018) Osea, Josephine
Numerous studies have been conducted on menstrual hygiene the world over. However, Menstrual Hygiene Management is an insufficiently acknowledged problem especially in rural low-income countries, like Kenya, particularly in its relation to school absenteeism. Modesty is the natural tendency of persons to protect their intimacy. Intimacy is a private interior that only the individual person concerned is aware of. There are three contexts which may be used to shield intimacy from strangers and protect it from public view, namely, language, clothing and shelter. This study examined the effect of menstruation on academic performance among high school girls within Kuria East and Kuria West Sub-Counties of Migori County, as a way to recognize their human dignity. This Thesis focuses on three specific objectives, namely, to explore the social and infrastructure support systems about the menstrual event within the family context, to explore the social and infrastructure support systems within the school context and to assess the effect of environmental factors surrounding the menstrual event in the academic performance of high school girls. This study is based on a Conceptual Framework by Mortimer J. Adler known as Educational Perennialism; which is the teaching of students to appreciate unchangeable things like human dignity. A mixed methods research was adopted. The population of the study is adolescent girls in Form 2 and Form 4 randomly selected from three purposefully selected girls-only rural public secondary schools; namely Kwibancha, Nyaroha, and Taranganya Girls Secondary Schools. The sampled data comprised 151 female students of ages between 14-17 years using questionnaires; and 30 females of ages between 17-19 years through focus group discussions. The Parallel Convergent Design Approach was used to analyze the data; with the aid of descriptive and narrative analysis to analyze the qualitative and quantitative data collected, respectively. The study found that the first menstrual experience of the high school girls was challenging considering that some of them did not understand what was happening to them. Some of the girls experienced fear and embarrassment because of a lack of early and effective training at home and in school on the everlasting things of life, lack of support systems at home and at school, lack of money to purchase sanitary pads and lack of accurate information about menstruation and its effective management. The study recommends that there should be training at an early age to empower, train and educate girls on unchangeable things like human dignity and intimacy; introduction of effective and efficient menstrual hygiene management as a topic in subjects for high school girls, and to empower the girls to appreciate themselves first as being human beings and secondly to appreciate their natural girlhood as girls because that is their human nature as adolescent girls; the development of a Code of Ethics and mainstreaming Menstrual Hygiene Management with reference to the yet to be published National Policy on Menstrual Hygiene Management for Kenya. Furthermore, this study makes several recommendations, including, the urgent need of breaking the silence on menstruation.
The effectiveness of the coaching system at Strathmore university business school
(Strathmore University, 2020) Were, Charles Roy
This research explores whether and how an executive coaching program can be designed and carried out to infuse an ethical mindset in healthcare managers, and how such a program can be enhanced to have a greater positive impact on program participants’ adoption of increased ethical attitudes and practices in their business, professional practices and personal lives. It reviews past studies carried out on coaching in the healthcare management program and whether this helped to derive the impact of coaching on the participants’ ethical attitudes. The study also investigates the development of ethical perspectives from previous studies before presenting a theoretical framework to adopt for assessing the participants’ ethical mindset. The research methodology section considers and adopts a mixed methodology approach to gather data from the program participants through tools designed for use in a survey during and after the participants’ program, together with interview questions designed for administering to selected participants. It also recommends the analysis to compare the results from the two sets of research tools to ascertain the consistency of the data outputs to respond to the research questions. The findings from the research are then presented as per the research methodology identified, reviewing the quantitative results and the qualitative results. From the feedback received and analysis, it is noted that there is a definite improvement in the ethical practice of the program participants as a result of the coaching program, with the key observation being that the personal traits of the coaches influence the participants more than other factors. Recommendations are made to highlight administrative matters pertaining to the coaching program and more importantly the training of the coaches to ensure that they deliver their mandate aligned to the mission of the School and that they also exhibit ethical practice in their dealings with the participants.
An Enquiry into afro hairstyle from the perspective of feminine identity
(Strathmore University, 2017) Ndekei, Brenda
Women from all societies around the world often feel the struggle of hair styling from time to time. However, not all hair is the same and some women encounter more challenges when it comes to styling their type of hair as well as pressure from the rest of society to conform to certain beauty standards that may not be suitable to them as persons and as women seeking to be more feminine in their own right. The issue of hair for women of African descent is particularly complex due to the history of the black race being enslaved and forced to imitate western standards, hair being among them, in order to fit in and adapt to a new world. The question arises of why so many black women feel unsure of how to deal with their natural hair and why black hair that is altered and "tamed" seems to be more acceptable to many societies around the world even in Africa. How these and other perceptions regarding natural afro hair shape a woman's feminine identity are investigated. This study on Strathmore University full time female staff and female evening masters’ students looks at whether there is a link between how women understand or develop their [sense of] feminine identity and how positively or negatively their natural hair is perceived in the workplace. The study uses Cormac Burke's theory of feminine identity to ground it in philosophical anthropology. A qualitative research methodology was employed in this descriptive study, questionnaires were distributed and focus group discussions were carried out among various black women from different categories in the university while themes derived from the research objectives and Burke's theory of feminine identity were utilized to analyze the information. It was found that feminine identity was understood to be a more non-material quality of womanhood rather than a physical one. It was also discovered that the perceptions (mostly positive) of afro hair in Strathmore University were different from organizations elsewhere while the effect this had on the women was to raise their confidence and dignity when their freedom of expression was supported and lower self-esteem when the freedom was denied.
Ethical analysis of content in compulsory english literature set books in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2020) Dinda, Gabriel;
In Kenya, all learners in the third and fourth years of Secondary school read, analyze and comprehend compulsory English set books. The set books are examined in the National Examinations. The set books studied have an immense influence on the lives of the learners. The immense influence is witnessed through the imitation of characters in the books and adoption of certain behaviors portrayed in the books. Over the years, the moral issues highlighted in the set books have been questioned by different groups. Some of the questions raised regarding the moral issues include; inappropriate language, adult content that may not be appropriate for the age group and use of subtle language that propagates immoral behavior. This concern, therefore, raises the question of the nature of values that are contained in the compulsory English set books. This research evaluates the positive and controversial values contained in the compulsory English set books, used in Kenya between 2003 and 2018. This analysis is based on the six social principles: Common Good, Primacy of the Human Person, Solidarity, Subsidiarity, Participation and Universal destiny of the goods of the earth. The books under analysis are A man of the people by Chinua Achebe, The River Between by Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Coming to Birth by Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye, The River and the Source by Margaret Ogola and Blossoms of the Savannah by H.R. Ole Kulet.
Ethical analysis of science, technology and innovation policies in four East African countries
(Strathmore University, 2017) Langat, Simon K.
Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I) policy is an essential part of the larger public policy programming in order to improve livelihoods and quality of life. Extant literatures indicate that policy-making is driven largely by economic considerations. Policy studies came into being largely as a response to a need to guide development of nations and competition among them. However, there has been a resurging interest in ethics of policies in the last few years as a response to the empiricist approach that followed the Second World War. Partly, this is due to concerns about policy makers‟ failure to address the moral ambiguity in technology development and adoption, and possible dire consequences that could arise from this failure. The main objective of the study was to analyze the ethical frameworks underlying the ST&I policies of Kenya and three selected eastern African countries namely Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda using content analysis. The study found that the policies are predominantly utilitarian in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. In Tanzania it was found to be duty based. On whether it is necessary analyze ethics in ST&I policy, it was found that there are compelling reasons to undertake this task as this would give technology a more useful measure for determining whether it is responding to man‟s need for authentic development.
Ethical issues in the Basic Education Act No.14 of 2013: an Aristotelian interpretation
(Strathmore University, 2019) Momanyi, Christopher
Aristotle in his educational ideals as presented in his Politics and Nicomachean Ethics, believed that education is a requirement for a fulfilled life. Other philosophers such as Plato and Socrates were greatly concerned about the education of the youth and the role of the polis and the family. The Aristotelian ideas on education as expressed in the Politics and Nicomachean Ethics are not insignificant but very important for the modern day educational disputation. Especially on the debate on connection between law and education, morals and the education of the person. This dispute then arises, who between the polis and the household is to determine the training that students receive in school? Is there plurality of education in Kenya in light of passing of the Basic Education Act no. 14 of 2013? This research discusses the modern times importance of Aristotle’s ideas on plurality of education as presented in his Nicomachean Ethics and Politics. This research discusses whether the Basic Education Act no. 14 of 2013 observes the plurality of education as taught by Aristotle.
The Ethical perspective of cheating in examination among university students in selected universities in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2020-09) Waweru, Stephen Kimani
Different research on cheating confirms widespread and prevalent academic dishonesty in academic institutions in the world and shows that some types of cheating have increased considerably in the past decades. This study sought to investigate the ethical perspective of cheating in examination among university students in selected universities in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Its objectives were, to investigate the possible causes of examination cheating, to assess the influence of individual character towards cheating in examinations, to analyze whether university students are aware of the ethical implications of cheating in examinations and to find out the measures adopted by universities to mitigate against cheating in examinations. It was guided by the normative theories namely Utilitarianism, Deontology and Virtue Ethics together with some insights from the three Stages of development of Soren Kierkgaard. In addition, adopted grounded theory research design. The target populations of the study were chaplains and undergraduate students in 2nd and 4th year of study. The study used interview schedule to collect data and all the respondents were interviewed until the point of saturation as guided by Morse (1994) saturation rate of 30 – 50 interviews in line with grounded theory. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data with regard to the research objectives. The study indicated that different factors drive students to cheat in examination, key among them being decline in society’s ethical and moral performance. It was also revealed that students’ character influence cheating in examination; therefore character transformation is central since being ethical is not the same as doing whatever society accepts to be the right thing to do. In addition, examination malpractices influence the society’s development negatively; this ranges from destroying the moral integrity of the persons involved to producing counterfeit graduates which affects the very core of human progress and breeds criminals within the society. Lastly it was found that examination malpractices are perpetuated by the unwillingness and deliberate failure to enforce the law against cheating in examination. The study therefore recommended that universities should put in place measures that would tighten its laws and impose sanctions against university employees, lecturers, students and anybody who is involved in examination malpractices; they should create awareness to its students about obeying the rules and regulations governing examinations. Parents should take their rightful place in the family by inculcating the life of virtue to their children that would ensure good character and the Ministry of education should include the teaching of ethics in the competence based curriculum (CBC) and also at the secondary, tertiary colleges and university levels
An Examination of the business ethics education curriculum in Kenyan business schools in the light of Mele’s personalist virtue ethics approach
(Strathmore University, 2021) Olwal, Anne Achieng’
In the past two decades, business schools have come under sharp criticism for failing to promote ethical business practice. Moreover, scholars argue that the prevalent approaches to business ethics education in the schools fall short in developing students’ moral character. Hence, Domenec Mele has proffered a personalist virtue ethics approach to business ethics education which focuses on enhancing students’ moral character. In the Kenyan context, corruption and corporate malfeasance have crippled the country’s economic growth for several decades. Concurrently, a dearth of empirical research exists on business ethics education in Kenyan business schools. Hence, this research examined the business ethics education curriculum in Kenyan business schools from the perspective of Mele’s personalist virtue ethics approach. The research objectives of the study were to identify the current extent of business ethics education in degree programs in Kenyan business schools; to establish the approaches to business ethics education in degree programs in Kenyan business schools; and lastly, to evaluate the approaches to business ethics education in degree programs in Kenyan business schools from the perspective of Mele’s personalist virtue ethics approach. The researcher employed a mixed method research design. The target population of the study consisted of business school deans and faculty who teach business ethics in Kenyan Association of African Business Schools (AABS) member schools. Questionnaires were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data which were analyzed using statistical and thematic data analysis techniques. The study found incidence of business ethics education in Kenyan AABS member school degree programs with a majority of business ethics courses occurring in a few undergraduate degree programs. A majority of business ethics faculty in the schools were found to have adopted a normative approach to business ethics education characterized by Kantian, Aristotelian, and consequentialist ethics. Nonetheless, the faculty concurred with the principles and purposes of business ethics according to Mele’s personalist virtue ethics approach. The study recommends Mele’s approach to business ethics and encourages business ethics education in all undergraduate and graduate business degree programs.
Examining perceived ethical parenting styles in relation to alcohol abuse among the youths: a case study of Kibera slum, Kibra constituency
(Strathmore University, 2019) Kimani, Sarah Wanjiku
There is a lot that has been researched to support the relationship between parenting styles and children behaviour and academic performance. However, the relationship between parenting styles and alcohol abuse among the youth has received little attention in Kenya. Alcohol abuse brings several adverse effects to the people affected. It affects people socially, economically, spiritually and emotionally. Alcohol abuse is also known to affect some function of the brains. Parenting styles area probable cause or a major contributor to youth alcohol abuse. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between parenting styles an alcohol abuse among the youth in Kibera slum of Kibra constituency. The theoretical model was based on ethical parenting styles drawn from Baumrind parenting styles 1966. The study was a case study of Kibera slum, and the target population was the youth between the ages of 14-25 years. A population sample of 127 respondents was selected using simple random sampling of which 53 were male and 74 were female from Kibera slum. A questionnaire comprising of quantitative questions was used to collect the data. Interview guide was also used among Kibera women who represented the parents. Collected data was analysed using SPSS by descriptive and inferential analytical methods. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires while qualitative data was collected using interview guide and was analysed by themes. The study revealed that there is a significant relationship between parenting styles and alcohol abuse among the youth in Kibera.
Fernando Inciarte on Substance: His interpretation of Aristotle’s Theory
(Strathmore University, 2014-06) Byarugaba, Jennifer K.
Fernando Inciarte Armiñán (1929 – 2000 AD) was a contemporary Philosopher, cultured in an incomparably profound and ample manner not only in traditional and modern, but also in classical and actual Philosophy. Of interest to this study is his Aristotelian interpretation of substance as outlined in Aristotle’s Metaphysics, Books IV and VII-IX. What is primary substance and what is a subject? What may be predicated of a subject? Does this not categorise it as an accident? Can there be accidents of accidents? Regarding substance, he claims that it is because of a substance that a subject is what it is, both concretely and abstractly. He affirms that primary substance is the ultimate subject that has the fullness of the thing to be known. This ontological study regarding the theory of substance is of a hermeneutical nature. The researcher deals with Inciarte’s original works. The so-called “Substance Books” of the Metaphysics, Books VII to IX, are of primary interest because it is in these books that Aristotle concentrates on the meaning of substance and they therefore serve as a major and primary reference. Aristotle is of interest to this study on two counts. First, he provides the traditional, fundamental interpretation of substance as it is or should be. His work was greatly complemented by studies done by St. Thomas Aquinas and so reference to him is made for better comprehension purposes. And second, it is Aristotle that Inciarte interprets regarding the theory of substance. One of the most important results of this study is the attention that Inciarte draws once again to proper definition and understanding of terms in clearly defined boundaries. For example, he raises the important issue of knowing how to distinguish between being καθ’αὺτò (or just necessarily) and being essentially or by definition in order to avoid a kind of infinite regress that results from errors that have occurred due to wrong application, use and understanding of this term. Inciarte’s way of understanding of substance and his flexibility in metaphysical interpretation has not as yet been recorded nor has it been systematically studied. This therefore serves as a pioneer study. It intends to make his understanding of substance, be made known in a way that is accessible and understandable as well as provide an analysis of the origin of the epistemological differences that are associated with the different interpretations of substance. He himself said: You never have a ‘finished work’ in Philosophy but one can always propound philosophical truth in different ways without changing it.

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