Theses and Dissertations

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    A study of Karen Residents' Perception of Corruption in Kenya Police with a Special Implication for Discipleship
    (2014-05-21) Njuguna, Stephen Ndirangu
    There are few issues that generate reactions like someone being associated with corruption, worse still in a Christian or rather in a religious setting and environment like Kenya. This is because before right thinking human beings, nobody wants to be seen as wicked. The instinct to be right is the first and original position of man's heart according to our maker God Almighty. Evil is an intruder and in second position. In our hearts we love and always choose the best. Even a thief at times when caught in the act of stealing some would say, "I was keeping it safe." Some may say, "I did not give a bribe but a catalyst," which they also call facilitator. To the Police it is called TKK, meaning, 'Toa kitu kidogo," In other words, give something small (bribe). Those who demand TKK generally are Traffic Police on the road, or at the Police Station counter, or Regular Police on patrol. But, to the few high and mighty Police Officers in air-conditioned rooms their meaning of 'TKK" may construe 'Toa Kitu Kikubwa' meaning, give something big (bribe) which has to befit the status or rank. A study of Karen resident's perception of corruption in Kenya Police, with its implication for discipleship seeks to understand this monster called corruption. At the same time, this study seeks to know the causes, the nature, extent and impact of corruption. It Vt~11. then be known the effective interventions in Kenya government, the Church, the Society have made and are able to make in bn.iging an end to this vice. The choice of Karen area was because it represents the farming community since Kenya is basically an agricultural country. Karen also has business people who can afford a bribe if cornered or the need arises to avoid sleeping in Police cells. People are likely to give a bribe also to avoid being taken to court, which is a tedious, time and money consuming process. Karen has residents of all status, races and religious persuasion. The Karen Police area falls within Langata Police Division. Among the constituents of the region are top politicians who are advocating for change with eradication of corruption as their key agenda. The study has three primary strands: 1. The individual encounters and experiences of the researcher who has spent over thirty years in the midst of corrupt elements in Kenya. He has also worked for sixteen years in the Tax arena an area infested with corruption. 2. A literature review that surveys literature from several disciplines 3. Field research The findings indicate that, the majority of the society, given a freehand, would rather not have corruption but like sin many are helpless so they give in to the vice. For graft to be eradicated it would require divine intervention, the government, church and private sector efforts, all working together. This calls for witnessing and discipleship in the Police Force where the need is overwhelming. Certainly like any other human beings, not all Police Officers are corrupt, though most are perceived to be by society.
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    Students' Perception of Relevance of Assessment Tools at Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology
    (2014-05-15) Mlenga, Joyce Dainess
    This study was an attempt to investigate the perception of the relevance of selected assessment tools at Nairobi evangelical Graduate School of Theology by Masters' students. It was a descriptive study, which was done using the opinion of students as the basis of the investigation. The major focus of this research study was to investigate the students' perception of the relevance assessment tools used at NEGST, some factors responsible for students' perception, and what srudents considered to be the most relevant tool that lecturers should utilize to assess students' work. The data collection involved the use of both closed-ended and open-ended questionnaire. The Likert Scale of Summated Ratings also formed part of the instrument, which was used to validate some of the responses from the other questionnaire items. The instrument was distributed personally to 71 students. The research also sought to discover factors responsible for students' perception of relevance of assessment tools, therefore, the Chi-Square Test of Independence was the statistical instrument used to determine relationships. The findings of this study revealed that research papers, examinations, and tests were the most commonly used assessment tools at NEGST; research papers and examinations having almost the same degree of frequency. Furthermore, it was discovered that generally, majority of students perceived research papers and tests as highly relevant tools of assessment, while examinations were said to be relevant to a small extent. The findings further revealed that students attest to the high relevance of research papers as an assessment tool, and wished that the tool could be used most frequently. The most important aspect of this study is that students value assessment so much so that the issue of relevance of the assessment tools is of interest to them. What came out clearly from the study was that it is not just any kind of assessment tool that may prove relevant to all course contents. Furthermore, it is not the frequency with which an assessment tool is used that matters, but the issue is relevance. Based on the findings of this research study, the researcher hopes that the NEGST faculty members would be mindful to employ assessment tools that would prove most relevant for the courses they teach.
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    Understanding Third Culture Kids' Perception of the Teenage Sunday School Classes in two Urban African Churches.
    (2014-05-08) Williams, Grace Kogi
    The purpose of this grounded theory study is to understand and explain the experiences of Third Culture Kids in Sunday school in two urban African Churches and identify ways of helping them adjust to a different culture. Data collected was by means of interviews and e-mails for the sake of TCKs that live far away. The research findings revealed some significant results: • TCKs are kids who have no choice on the movements they have made from location to location. • TCKs have had diverse cultural adjustment issues to cope with in the course of moving from place to place. Their experiences though diverse yet valuable. • TCKs desire friendship from Sunday School teachers in order to receive support as they seek to adjust to various cultural situations they find themselves in. • TCKs react to changes according to how they perceive them, but need to be understood in the sense that if they display any negative reactions to situations, it is not deliberate. For a long time, the attitudes of TCKs in Sunday School classes has been a concern to the church especially in relation to the Western Missionary TCKs, however this study has opened a small window into some of the reasons for the attitudes of TCKs in Sunday School classes. I hope that the church will have solutions for the issue at hand and do better in handling the issues for the benefit of TCKs and the church.
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    A study of the traditional perception of sin among the Abakuria people of Kenya, with view to presenting a holistic Christian witness that will meet the felt needs among this community
    (2014-04-17) Nchama, Thomas Gitugu
    The main aim of this study was to examine the traditional perception of sin among the Abakuria people of Kenya, with the objective of presenting a holistic Christian witness that will meet the spiritual needs of these people. In order to achieve this goal, research was carried out in this community by focusing on the Abakuria traditional views of sin, the causes of sin as perceived by the Abakuria, and the traditional methods used to deal with sin whenever it occurs. The research was a qualitative study, and data was collected primarily through ethnographic interviews with selected participants among the Abakuria people. Questionnaires were also used to capture the general understanding of sin in this community. A keen analysis of the Abakuria cultural worldview regarding sin revealed the following observations: To begin with, the Abakuria like most African societies acknowledge the existence of sin. This acknowledgement is demonstrated by the terms and local phrases they use to describe sin/an offensive act. The research revealed that two terms iriraga and umugiro are used to describe sin. An examination of the two words revealed that sin has two dimensions at least according to Abakuria. While sin on one hand offends the divinity (ancestral spirits, spirits and ghosts), it also hurts and spoils relationships. Secondly, the Abakuria people categorize sins. There are those termed as the most horrible sins, there are terrible sins but can be put aright and there are also minor offences. The most horrible sins include murder, witchcraft and incest. The second category has sins like adultery, physically assaulting one's parent, and rape. The third category consists of sins such as lying, stealing foodstuffs, bitterness and greedy. Thirdly, this research discovered that the Abakuria people believe sin is caused by three forces; angry ancestors, influence from witchcraft and inheritance from parents. Fourthly, it was discovered that Abakuria deal with sin promptly whenever it occurs. The major means of dealing with sin in this community is through animal sacrifices. Sacrifices are meant to appease angry ancestors and other deities so that curses and other forms of punishment will not befall the living. Another form of dealing with sin in this community is by publicly shaming the wrongdoer and making him/her compensate the offended party. However, the first category, the most horrible sins do not have a solution except by killing the victim or totally excommunicating him/her from the society. The findings of this study raised several implications for missions in the continent of Africa and more so among the Abakuria community, for which appropriate recommendations have been made. The recommendations are intended to provide both theoretical and practical platform for the development of sound mission strategies. These mission strategies will go a long way in helping Christian witnesses to present a relevant and holistic gospel among the abakuria people.