Journal of Frontiers in Humanities and Social Sciences

Psychological Impact of Empowerment Programs on Single Mothers in the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Eldoret Presbytery, Kenya

Mary Muthoni Kigaita — 2025-09-26

Single mothers in Kenya, particularly in rapidly urbanizing areas like Eldoret, face severe socioeconomic challenges such as poverty, unemployment and high cost of living coupled with significant psycho-social pressure, including marginalization and stigma. This dual burden frequently results in heightened psychological distress, such as anxiety, depression and low self-efficacy. The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) is a key provider of community support, implementing various empowerment programs to offer financial, social, and spiritual aid through its local Presbyteries. However, the psychological impact and effectiveness of these specific PCEA empowerment initiatives on the self-efficacy and overall mental well-being of single mothers in the Eldoret Presbytery remain critically under-documented. This knowledge gap affects the church’s ability to refine interventions, allocate resources effectively and advocate for complementary services. Therefore, this study aims to investigates the psychological impacts of PCEA empowerment programs on single mothers in Eldoret Presbytery, Kenya. This research was grounded on Feminist Theory. The study utilized mixed-methods approach, adopting a convergent parallel design. The target population comprised single mothers, evangelists, and pastors affiliated with PCEA Eldoret Presbytery. A total of 160 participants were included, consisting of 150 single mothers selected through a census approach and 10 pastors and evangelists purposively chosen for their direct involvement in empowerment programs. Data were collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews and analyzed using SPSS (descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation) and thematic analysis. The findings reveal that PCEA’s empowerment initiatives enhance single mothers’ psychological and socio-economic well-being, with significant improvements in self-esteem, resilience, coping capacity and access to social networks. Financial empowerment, particularly through microfinance and vocational training, complemented psychological benefits by reducing stress linked to economic insecurity. However, significant gaps remain, as some participants reported inconsistent access to counseling services, limited professional mental health support, and insufficient inclusivity in program design. Correlation analysis confirmed a strong positive relationship between psychological empowerment and overall empowerment outcomes (r = 0.701, p < 0.01), underscoring the central role of mental health in sustaining broader empowerment. The study concludes that empowerment programs run by PCEA have a measurable positive psychological impact on single mothers, but their effectiveness is constrained by resource limitations and inconsistent service delivery. It recommends strengthening mental health support, professional counseling and inclusive program structures to enhance resilience and sustainable empowerment among single mothers.

Effects of Economic Responsibility on Organizational Performance: A Study of Tier-One Commercial Banks in Kenya

Judith Jebichii — 2025-09-02

The study examined the effect of economic responsibility on organizational performance of tier-one commercial banks in Kenya. Specifically, it analyzed the relationship between economic responsibility, customer satisfaction, and financial performance measured through return on investment (ROI). Guided by Stakeholder Theory and the Triple Bottom Line framework, the study adopted a mixed-method research design, collecting data from 335 customers and 34 managers across nine tier-one commercial banks. Customer surveys, manager interviews, and document analysis were used, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression techniques. The results reveal that economic responsibility is strongly and positively associated with customer satisfaction (r = 0.75, p < 0.01). This suggests that when banks adopt sound economic responsibility practices, customers are more likely to report higher satisfaction with services. Regression findings further confirmed that economic responsibility significantly predicted customer satisfaction (β = 0.72, R² = 0.56, p < 0.001) and ROI (β = 0.60, R² = 0.42, p < 0.001) in the individual model. In the combined model, it remained the dominant predictor of both customer satisfaction (β = 0.35, R² = 0.68, p < 0.001) and ROI (β = 0.38, R² = 0.58, p = 0.005). These findings suggest that banks that prioritize fair pricing, financial innovation, stability, and long-term profitability achieve higher customer satisfaction and improved financial outcomes. The study concludes that economic responsibility is central to sustainable performance in Kenya’s banking sector, reinforcing both Stakeholder Value perspectives. It recommends that policymakers strengthen CSR reporting frameworks, banks embed economic responsibility in their strategies, and future research refine CSR models to reflect its primacy.

The Nexus of Grievance, Pragmatism, and Ideology: Unpacking the Drivers of Women's Violent Extremism in Mandera County, Kenya

Hafsa Ali Ibrahim — 2025-09-29

The role of women in terrorist activities has grown even with increased efforts to counter terrorism in Kenya. The common view of women as peacekeepers, victims, and homemakers has shaped Kenya's counter-terrorism strategies, which often overlook women as active participants. Although research on women and terrorism in Kenya is expanding, most studies do not fully explore the reasons why Muslim women join Al-Shabaab. The main goal of this study was to examine the reasons Muslim women engage in Al-Shabaab's violent extremism and thus guide policymakers on suitable and inclusive counter-terrorism. This research was guided by intersectionality theory which was according to Davis (2015). This qualitative research employed a Mixed Methods Phenomenological Research (MMPR) design to analyse female agency and other factors related to their recruitment. The research took place in Mandera County and included 64 participants from four groups, with 16 respondents in each and they include: Muslim female returnees from Al-Shabaab, security agents and policymakers, civil society Organization leaders dealing with countering violent extremism programs, and female terror victims. Participants were chosen using specific and snowball sampling methods. Data was gathered through key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Interpretative phenomenological analysis /and Thematic analysis, supported by MAXQDA software, was used to analyze the data qualitatively. The findings show that women's involvement is not caused by a single factor. Instead, it results from grievances such as revenge and perceived injustice, along with socio-economic pressures and ideological manipulation. The results emphasize the importance of viewing women as individuals with personal agency and motivations, rather than just as victims. The study suggests a comprehensive approach that involves all segments of society and government, including women and youth, in peace, security, and prevention of violent extremism efforts. This study adds new insights into the reasons behind Muslim women's involvement in violent extremism and aims to help policymakers create more effective and inclusive counter-terrorism strategies.

Drivers of Banditry and Its Effect on Household Economic Welfare in Kerio Valley, Kenya

Paul Kipkemoi Murkomen — 2025-09-24

Banditry continues to undermine security, livelihoods, and development in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), with Kerio Valley being one of the most affected regions. Although the effects of banditry continue to be felt by households, the underlying drivers remain insufficiently explored, limiting the effectiveness of interventions. This study investigated the socio-economic and structural drivers of banditry in Kerio Valley, Kenya. Based on the Economic Theory of Crime, the Capability Approach, and Conflict Transformation Theory, the study employed a descriptive survey design targeting 384 households selected through simple random sampling to investigate the drivers of banditry in Kerio Valley. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS, applying both descriptive statistics and inferential analysis, including factor analysis and multiple linear regression. The findings revealed that youth unemployment, poverty, proliferation of small arms, weak security presence, and cultural practices such as cattle raiding significantly contribute to the persistence of banditry. A correlation analysis revealed a strong inverse relationship between banditry and household well-being, implying that as banditry intensifies, household well-being declines. The results of the regression analysis showed that these drivers were strongly and significantly related to the prevalence of banditry in the area. The research concludes that a set of economic, social, and institutional factors that promote banditry in Kerio Valley are present. It prescribes multi-pronged interventions, such as enhancing security infrastructure, increasing youth employment, controlling small arms, and overcoming of cultural drivers through education and peace-building initiatives.