ENHANCING AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN RURAL KENYA THROUGH THE USE OF INTERLOCKING STABILIZED SOIL BLOCKS.
Authors:
1Neville Juma Hans Barasa
Email: nevillebhans@gmail.com
ICT Trainer, Weru TVC
2Bilhah Nawire Osundwa
Email: bilhahnawire@gmail.com
Building and Construction Trainer, Weru TVC
ABSTRACT
This research investigates issues influencing the uptake of Interlocking Stabilized Soil Blocks (ISSBs) technology in Malindi Sub County. The literature review revealed that several factors contributed to the low uptake of the technology. Key among the factors was the fact that people were found to be a bit conservative and as such, rigid to technological developments, especially in construction technologies where many believe the conventional methods are still the best. The study was carried out in Malindi Sub County. Convenience sampling was used where the researcher, identified three strata, namely masons, rural home owners, and urban home owners. All the respondents in each stratum were selected randomly from all the five wards of Malindi Sub County in equal measure. The study involved certified masons from all the sub counties, rural homeowners, and urban homeowners. The sample size was determined using the simple random sampling approach. To achieve the objectives of the study, 20 masons,30 rural homeowners, and 30 urban homeowners responded to the questionnaires. The questionnaire had both open and close ended questions. Analysis and discussion of the data was mainly through statements. From the findings, it was evident that the continued low use of ISSB technology in Malindi Sub County is a result of the kind of attitude that people have towards new technologies. The ministry had done enough sensitization on ISSB, and created adequate awareness thus the question of lack of information did not arise for the low uptake of the technology. Generally, people were just resistant to change and remained adamant on the continued use of conventional methods of building like the use of red bricks and coral blocks. Recommendations to improve and increase the uptake of ISSB were a need for, more sensitization workshops and more demonstration units. The government should embrace the technology in its Housing Projects. There is need for the expected recipients of the new technology to be availed with clear cost guidelines and the number of interlocking mechanized machines be increased.
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EMPOWERING CITIZENRY FOR SELF-EMPLOYMENT IN KENYA THROUGH TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING.
Author:
Neville H. J. Barasa,
ICT Trainer, Weru TVC.
ABSTRACT
The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Authority is in a quest to make Kenya an industrialized country and in line with the big four agenda of Affordable housing, enhancing manufacturing, universal health care and food security & nutrition. Education and training is a basic human right and a contributor to human capital development. Education is not about providing information to the learner from the trainer. It goes beyond this to an extend of ensuring the learner has gained the necessary practical skills. Moreover, the learner eventually should come out of the education system fully equipped to cope with the challenges of everyday life. To be specific, the situation of unemployment and poverty among other challenges for developing countries. The aim of this research is to instill self-employment emphasis efforts in TVET education delivery as a strategy to realizing the big four agenda, the MDGs and the SDGs at large.