MILA: A Journal of the Institute of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies

Editorial Board

2024-11-07T15:20:24+00:00

Editor-in-Chief

W. Onyango-Ouma, Institute of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies, University of Nairobi

Associate Editor

Tom Ondicho, Institute of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies, University of Nairobi

Editorial Assistant

Kennedy Opande, Institute of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies, University of Nairobi

Editorial Board

Salome Bukachi, Institute of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies, University of Nairobi Isaac K. Nyamongo, The Cooperative University of Kenya

Mwadime Wazwa, Centre for Heritage Development in Africa, Mombasa, Kenya

Edna N. Bosire, Brain and Mind Institute, Aga Khan University, East Africa, Nairobi, Kenya Jacinta Victoria Syombua Muinde, Institute of Health and Society, University of Olso, Norway Isaac Mwanzo, Department of Public Health, Kenyatta University, Kenya

Mary Thamari, Gender Expert, Development Sector Eastern Africa Jemimah Njuki, UN Women, New York, United States of America

Jens Aagaard-Hansen, Steno Health Promotion Centre, Steno Diabetes Centre, Denmark. Fred Ikanda, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Maseno University, Kenya

Benard Mwori Sorre, Department of Sociology, Psychology and Anthropology, Moi University, Kenya.

Itsuhiro Hazama, Graduate School of International Health Development, Nagasaki University, Japan.

Itaru Ohta, Centre for African Area Studies, Kyoto University, Japan. Benson Mulemi, University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Editorial

Mila (N.S.) is the Journal of the Institute of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies, University of Nairobi. The journal was originally published as a Newsletter from 1970 to 1995 and was first published as a journal in 1996. Since 1996, the journal has been titled Mila (N.S.) where N.S. denotes New Series. The publication of the journal has, however, been erratic over the years. For instance, the journal has not been published since 2014 mainly due to lack of funds for the production of the print issues of the journal.

Consequently, the journal has transitioned to an open access journal in line with global trends in knowledge sharing and to deal with lack of funds for the production of print issues. This issue Mila (N.S.) Vol. 13, 2024 is the first open access issue of the journal. The open access and previous issues of the journal are available at this link: https://uonjournals.uonbi.ac.ke/ojs/index.php/mila. The publication of the open access issue of the journal is a great milestone for the Institute and an important step in internationalisation of knowledge production from the Global South.

This publication is the first one during my tenure as Director of the Institute and Editor of Mila (N.S.). The Editorial Board has been reconstituted and expanded to bring in expertise in humanities and social sciences in general. We aim to publish three issues per year. On behalf of the Editorial Board and the Institute, I would like to acknowledge the support of the Department of Library and Information Services, University of Nairobi for hosting the journal online as one of the University of Nairobi Journals. I also congratulate the authors of the four articles in this volume who went through the peerreview process and got accepted into the first open access issue of the journal.

2024-11-07T15:26:23+00:00

Table of Contents

Prevalence and correlates of Adolescent Pregnancy in Kenya/ Lawerence Ikamari 1

Navigating Traditional and Modern Technology among the Maasai Pastoralists of Kenya/ Sharon A. Otieno and W. Onyango-Ouma 18

Adaptation Strategies of Rendille Pastoralist Households to Climate Change and Variability / Dan Adino and Rose Ondiek 31

‘Plead the case of the widow’ (Isaiah 1:17): The stigma of widowhood in eastern Nigeria and the needed faith-based interventions/Favour C. Uroko 43

Prevalence and Correlates of Adolescent Pregnancy in Kenya

2024-11-07T15:51:47+00:00

Adolescent pregnancy is a major public and social challenge in Kenya. Understanding its prevalence and the associated factors is important for developing appropriate and effective interventions. This study investigated the prevalence and determinants of adolescent pregnancy in Kenya. The study used a sample of 6,025 adolescents aged 15-19 years drawn from the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to analyse the data. An adolescent pregnancy prevalence rate of 14.83% [95% CI: 13.93 – 15.73] was found, and significant disparities in adolescent pregnancy rates based on most of the variables included in the study. However, the multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the following factors as significant determinants of adolescent pregnancy in the country: adolescent age, education, household wealth index, age at first sexual intercourse, age at first marriage, and contraceptive use. The findings indicate that the country's adolescent pregnancy rate is relatively moderate compared to those observed in numerous sub-Saharan African countries. However, the prevalence is significantly higher among older adolescents, individuals with limited education, those residing in poor households, early initiators of sexual activity, and those entering into early marriages. The study recommends a multifaceted approach involving the enhancement of adolescent education, implementation of poverty alleviation programs, discouragement of premature engagement in sexual activity and early marriages, and the formulation of comprehensive strategies to prevent and reduce adolescent pregnancies.

Navigating Traditional and Modern Technology among the Maasai Pastoralists of Kenya

2024-11-07T15:44:55+00:00

In the past decades, pastoralists have experienced numerous challenges such as climate change, increased rainfall variability, land tenure changes, diseases, and conflicts that have put the resilience of pastoral systems to test. In the era of technological advancement, modern technology has penetrated pastoral systems and has been appropriated to meet local needs. Consequently, longstanding pastoral practices such as communication and mobility have been diversified. Based on interviews and informal conversations conducted with Maasai pastoralists in Kenya, this study demonstrates that pastoralists use both traditional and modern technology to cope with ecological challenges and build resilience in pastoral systems. We argue that modern technologies have not changed pastoral practices; instead, they have pluralised existing pastoralists‟ communication and mobility systems and ability to navigate ecological challenges.

Adaptation Strategies of Rendille Pastoralist Households to Climate Change and Variability

2024-11-07T15:37:10+00:00

Pastoralists are increasingly employing different strategies to cope with the impacts of climate change and variability. These strategies have been found to be effective in maintaining the livelihoods of the pastoralists. This study examines the recent strategies used by the Rendille pastoralists in Marsabit County to cope with the impacts of climate change and variability. The qualitative study was conducted among 30 pastoral households using interviews and focus group discussions. Findings show that diversification of herd composition is a major adaptation strategy applied by Rendille community. Livestock diversification helps to improve household food security. Mobility as an adaptative strategy has also enabled Rendille pastoralists to maximise the use of natural resources found in Marsabit. During drought, some of the pastoralists sell their livestock to generate income and also use the money to restock when the drought seasons come to an end. Various organisations within the area have started emergency programs which allow for off-take and destocking. Cash transfer to households and diversification of livelihood alternatives are among the measures employed by Rendille pastoralists to cope with the impacts of climate change and variability. Even though the pastoralists are practicing various adaptive strategies, the impacts of climate change and variability continue to put strain on pastoralists’ resources.

‘Plead the case of the widow’ (Isaiah 1:17): The stigma of widowhood in eastern Nigeria and the needed faith-based interventions

2024-11-07T16:00:37+00:00

Even though it is the 21st century, where education and scientific advancements have changed the face of the modern society, age-old customs and traditions continue to encourage gender-based violence in Igbo land. While research has paid much attention to widowhood in Nigeria, this study lays greater emphasis on the experiences of widows, specifically in Eastern Nigeria. The qualitative study conducted using the phenomenological approach also analysed some verses from the Old Testament that deal with care for widows. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 informants who were selected purposefully and data analysed thematically. Findings show that the stigma that widows suffer includes the widow being accused of killing the husband, the widow being accused of being hostile to the in-laws when the husband was alive, the widow being pushed into abject poverty, and the widow being isolated from friends and family. Widows are also subjected to physical, mental, and sexual abuse leading to increased attempts to commit suicide. The experiences of widows have been sustained by traditional leaders, church groups, and the government due to a lack of political will and silence on the part of the victims. It is concluded that there is need for a serious campaign for the protection of widows in eastern Nigeria by traditional rulers, church leaders and faith-based organizations.