Abstract/Overview This paper aims to evaluate the uses and significance of speech acts in Maragret Ogola’s two novels; The River and the Source (1994) and I swear by Apollo (2002). The researcher uses Austin (1962) and Searle 1969 Speech Act Theory. The findings shows that every utterance produced by a character in the novels could be categorized under one of the five major categories of speech acts proposed by Searle (1969). The study reveals that each major speech act contains a wide ...
Abstract/Overview Receptionists who work in government health facilities in Kenya are part of large state funded ministry, the Ministry of Medical Services. Their counterparts who work in private hospitals fall under the hospital management, the human resource department. Private hospitals in Kenya are represented by the Kenya healthcare federation. Their (receptionists) duties include registering patients, arranging appointments for them and checking them for consultations as well as adm...
Abstract/Overview The paper examines English and Kiswahili Code-switching (CS) in Kiss Fm and Easy Fm radio stations in Kenya.CS is a recently formed practice in Fm stations in Kenya. Liberalization of the air waves led to a shift in the language of broadcasting among the Fm anchors unlike the previous years when broadcasters used English exclusively .The new stations started switching language during their shows. Since then, several Fm stations have adopted CS during their programmes to ...
Abstract/Overview For long, it has been believed that song of abuse, as it has come to be called, is a preserve of west African communities. Early inroads into this oral subgenre were made by scholars who, more often than not, hailed from Ghana and Nigeria. A false impression of its locus was created to the effect that it was region-specific. This paper is an attempt to illustrate the pervasiveness of this verbal art, in disguised forms among the Swahili of East African. Drawing illustrat...
Abstract/Overview This article examines the portrayal of the absent father-figure in African American autobiographies. In particular, the article discusses how Obama relies on memories and reflections to prop the image of his absent father in his autobiography, Dreams from my father. The article adopted an analytical research design. Content analysis was used to generate data. The data was then coded and analyzed according to the modes of characterization. Tenets of postcolonial and psych...
Abstract/Overview This paper explores the portrayal of co-wife bonding and its impact in polygamy in Sue Nyathi’s The Polygamist (2012) and Lola Shoneyin’s The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives (2010) (hereafter referred to as Polygamist and Secret Lives respectively). The identity of women in polygamy, particularly that of the junior wife, often has a sense of inadequacy and inferiority. This often results into unending jealousies and co-wife rivalries. However, this paper argues t...
Abstract/Overview Knowledge acquisition is facilitated through communication and communication occurs through language. However, in individuals with communication impairments, effective communication is adversely tempered with. This implies that communication impairments would affect knowledge acquisition. The question, however, is how this happens? Little effort has been made to answer this question, as revealed by the literature. In the quest to establish the effects of communication im...
Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of Lutsotso consonants on pronunciation of selected English consonants among Form One Students, learning English as a second language (ESL), in Lurambi Sub-County, Kakamega County, Kenya. The selected English language consonant sounds were: plosives /p/, /b/, /t/, /d/, /k/, /g/, fricatives /f/, /v/, /θ/, /ð/ and affricates /t∫/, /ʤ/ only. The objectives of the study were to examine the influence of the Lutsotso consonants o...
The right to life, as it pertains to humans, is fundamental and serves as the basis for other rights. However, this right has been violated and challenged in various ways throughout history. While some advocate for the respect of human life, others seem indifferent to actions that threaten this fundamental right. These opposing viewpoints are broadly categorized as “Pro-life” and “Pro-choice.” Pro-lifers support maintaining the dignity of human life and oppose acts like abortion, ...
Abstract/Overview Increasingly food culture in the context of socio-cultural dimension is becoming important for sustainable urban development. In the last four years food festivals have been held in Kisumu attracting several interests both from within and without the City. The Kisumu fish night event of 2013 marked the melting point of food culture in Kisumu. This paper thus explores the noble intention of integrating food culture in Kisumu as a socio-cultural capital for the advancement...
Abstract/Overview Background:Rift Valley Fever (RVF), is a viral zoonotic disease transmitted by Aedes and Culex mosquitoes. In Kenya, its occurrence is associated with increased rains. In Baringo County, RVF was first reported in 2006–2007 resulting in 85 human cases and 5 human deaths, besides livestock losses and livelihood disruptions. This study sought to investigate the county’s current RVF risk status. Methodology and principal findings:A cross-sectional study on the knowledge,...
Abstract/Overview The world population is growing and shifting in character from to predominantly rural to increasingly urban. It is projected that by 2050, two thirds of the world’s population will be living in urban areas. The food system of cities has an impact on the health and wellbeing of residents. This study is a review of data and integration of findings from two projects done in Kisumu from 2016 - 2020: Consuming Urban Poverty (CUP) project and Nourishing Spaces (NS) project. ...
Abstract/Overview Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) are vital for the growth, especially for developing countries as they create jobs and distribute the national wealth among rural communities. It is believed that their development is mostly influenced by availability of financial services. Mogotio District has a number of micro financial institutions. It was not clear the extent to which they interacted with MSEs so as to support their growth especially in rural areas of Mogotio. This s...
Abstract: In this paper, we dive deep into the world of spacecraft propulsion, focusing specifically on the exciting realm of electric propulsion systems tailored for small satellites. Electric propulsion holds immense promise, offering a host of advantages over traditional chemical systems, including improved efficiency, reduced propellant consumption, and enhanced mission flexibility. Small satellites, with their compact nature, stand to gain substantially from the versatility and scalabili...
This study demonstrates that self-interpretation does indeed occur in Kenyan courtroom proceedings, a situation that necessitates the use of a language other than the regular and official languages of Kenyan courts. Such language use rendered mostly in terms of self-interpretation has far-reaching ramifications on the content, facts, style, and meaning predispositions of a witness’s testimony. Most studies in courtroom communicative interactions, language, and speech manifestations, have be...