Multidisciplinary Journal of Technical University of Mombasa

Editorial Note

Cosmas Nzaka Munga — 2025-06-28

Editorial Note

We would like to thank all our authors and co-authors who contributed to the successful release of this Volume 4 Issue 1 of MJTUM. There are a total of 9 publications from different authors and co-authors within and outside Kenya, out of these 6 are research articles and 3 are review articles. These published articles cover a diverse array of fields ranging from information and computer science, communication science, architecture and built environment, artificial intelligence and cyber security, gender in seaweed mariculture, engineering and technology to accounting and finance. The content of all the articles is as a result of dedicated research works from the authors and co-authors. MJTUM is hereby providing a platform to share the contents of these research and review works in contributing to knowledge dissemination to the scientific community and to all students in their quest to advance knowledge in their respective fields. MJTUM will continue to provide a platform for dissemination of high quality scholarly articles. It is my sincere hope that you will enjoy reading the wide scope of these published articles in this current issue as we prepare you for the release of Issue 2 of Volume 4.

Gendered-Value Chain Opportunities and Challenges in Seaweed Aquaculture: The Changing Gender and Socio Economic Dynamics in Mwazaro and Kibuyuni Villages, South Coast Kenya

Faith Kimanga — 2025-06-28

Globally, seaweed aquaculture is one of the key economic activity in coastal regions. It has emerged as a livelihood source in Kibuyuni and Mwazaro villages in south coast Kenya, fostering economic resilience and gender empowerment. This study examined gender-associated opportunities and challenges within the seaweed value chain, emphasizing labor distribution, economic contributions, and barriers to participation. A mixed-methods approach was employed, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data from 155 respondents. The findings indicate that women dominate the activity engaging at different levels of the value chain, from farming to processing, while men largely control marketing. Seaweed farmers earn an average of USD 56 per 45-day production cycle. Seaweed farming, however, faces challenges such as a lack of technology, poor farming techniques, ineffective resource management, environmental factors, inadequate knowledge and skills, inadequate financial support, and inadequate farm inputs. Despite these challenges, the study established that the economic and social benefits outweigh the challenges. The findings suggest that targeted interventions addressing financial and market disparities can significantly enhance gender equity and sustainability. Additionally, these patterns highlight the gendered nature of labour division in the seaweed value chain. It is concluded that gender-based economic empowerment and sustainable development interventions are necessary to foster inclusive growth, resilience in coastal communities, and strengthen women’s participation in the seaweed value chain. Seaweed aquaculture can contribute to inclusive economic growth in coastal communities especially in Kenya and the Western Indian Ocean at large.

Account Receivables, Payables Management, and Financial Performance of Public Universities in Kenya's Coastal Region

Justin Ombui — 2025-06-28

Kenyan public universities face significant challenges, including budget cuts that worsen their financial difficulties, declining enrollment due to the increase in number of universities, and higher expectations for quality education. The main purpose of this study was to assess how receivables accounts and payables management affect the financial performance of public universities in Kenya's coastal region. This research is based on the Cash Conversion Cycle theory. The primary data was collected by consulting financial controllers and other managers from selected public universities in the coastal region. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential methods of Pearson correlation and regression analyses. The results showed that effective working capital management practices have a positive and significant impact on financial performance, as confirmed by statistical analysis. Specifically, managing receivables and payables improves financial performance, while the size of the university influences the relationship between working capital management and financial outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of implementing appropriate financial management strategies that fit the specific needs and size of each institution. The study recommends prioritizing the development of strong cash management policies, improving receivables and payables management practices, optimizing inventory management strategies, and considering the impact of university size when designing working capital management approaches. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the need for further research to explore the long-term effects of these management practices and investigate the effectiveness of different strategies in enhancing financial sustainability and resilience in Kenyan public universities.

Impact of Adoption and Application of PMBOK® Guide on Project Performance in Kenya’s Construction Industry: A Multivariate Analysis

Erastus Mwanjama Katani — 2025-06-28

The construction industry in Kenya continues to face persistent performance challenges, including delays, cost overruns, and quality shortfalls. These issues have been partly attributed to inconsistent project management practices and limited adoption of structured frameworks. This study investigates the relationship between the application of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK®) Guide and project performance outcomes in the Kenyan construction industry. Drawing on data collected from 172 construction professionals, the study evaluates how varying levels of PMBOK® adoption affect four key dimensions of project performance: adherence to time, cost control, quality delivery, and stakeholder satisfaction. The analysis employs Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and Spearman’s rank correlation to examine whether deeper integration of PMBOK® processes is statistically associated with improved project outcomes. The findings reveal that higher levels of PMBOK® Guide application (especially partial to full adoption) correlate significantly with improvements in time management, quality assurance, and stakeholder satisfaction. Customized adoption, though less common, demonstrated the strongest performance association. However, cost control showed a weaker statistical linkage, suggesting the influence of external factors beyond PM process standardization. The study contributes to project management literature by offering empirical evidence from a developing country context, reinforcing the performance-enhancing potential of structured methodologies when appropriately adapted. It recommends institutionalizing PMBOK®-based training, aligning regulatory frameworks with standard practices, and fostering a culture of continuous project evaluation.

Optimizing Non-Revenue Water Management: A Review

Moses Karema Mlewa — 2025-06-28

Non-Revenue Water (NRW) refers to the volume of water that is distributed from the water plant but does not get billed to customers, which is a major challenge for water bodies. It represents the difference between the total volume of water pumped into the water distribution system (WDS) and the volume actually billed to customers. NRW is composed of three components: physical losses, commercial losses, and unbilled authorized consumption. These losses cause financial deficits, increased operational costs, and infrastructure deterioration, making NRW reduction a critical challenge for water bodies globally. This present study reviews optimization strategies for minimizing NRW, focusing on advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), remote leak detection (acoustic, pressure, and flow sensors), geographic information systems (GIS), data analytics, machine learning, and digital twin modeling. Key findings indicate that integrating these technologies can potentially reduce NRW by 15-25% based on case studies from regions employing comprehensive digital solutions. Furthermore, AI-driven predictive maintenance strategies show promise in reducing leak detection times by approximately 30%. Future research should emphasize AI-driven optimization, predictive maintenance, and sustainable water management strategies to optimize NRW, targeting a quantifiable benchmark of reducing overall NRW to below 10% in urban water systems

Theory-Based Approach to Research Question Formulation: Fundamentals for Postgraduate Students

Paul Major Elazia — 2025-06-28

Postgraduate students are required to undertake research projects as part of the requirements of the courses they take. In that regard, they need to understand how theories are applied in research work. The aim of this study was to document challenges postgraduate students encounter when applying social research theories in constructing research questions. The key objective was to determine the deficits postgraduate students have in applying theories in the formulation of research questions. The second objective was to identify appropriate strategies as proposed from the respondents in overcoming the deficits identified under the first objective. Thestudy was conducted in Kenya and Armenia in selected public universities. A Quasi-qualitative survey research design was used and target population consisted of lecturers and postgraduate students conveniently selected from the social sciences departments. Focused group discussions (FGD) were used to collect data through the online platform Zoom where one FGD consisted of 9 conveniently selected postgraduate supervisors and two consisted of 11 and 14 postgraduate students respectively. Internet-based research was used to get information from online sources. Thematic and contextual analyses were used and the results showed that students have inadequate skills, knowledge, and competencies suitable for helping them formulate research questions using theoretical constructs. The study recommends improving the content and approaches of teaching research methods, focusing on the application of theory in research studies. The study further proposes strategies for ensuring that the students can design, develop, and use theory in all aspects of conducting research. The study has value by proposing ways of overcoming inadequacies by improving postgraduate students’ research competencies, by applying theoretical constructs in the development of research questions for their research studies.

A Conceptual Cybersecurity Model Based on Generative Adversarial Networks: A Literature-Driven Approach

Edward Fondo — 2025-06-28

The increasing reliance on digital platforms within university environments has contributed to a sharp rise in cybersecurity threats, necessitating more effective mechanisms for threat detection and mitigation. This study is a review of critical gaps in current cybersecurity frameworks, particularly in their ability to detect complex, evolving attack vectors in real-time. Comparative evaluation with existing approaches is expected to demonstrate improved accuracy in attack identification, reduced false-positive rates, and faster response times. In addressing the dynamic nature of cyber threats, this work also identifies future research directions, including the integration of reinforcement learning for autonomous adaptation and the incorporation of cross-network attack pattern analysis to support broader threat intelligence.

Integrating Digital Transformation and Technological Innovation for Sustainable Renewable Energy Systems: The Role of AI, IoT, and Blockchain in Enhancing Efficiency and Grid Stability

Edwin Ragira Osoro — 2025-06-28

Renewable energy and grid stability systems are transforming because of digital innovation and novel advancements. This necessitates studying advancements within the renewable energy sector through digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and blockchain. The advancements allow real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and decentralized energy management, thus increasing renewable energy systems' efficiency, sustainability, and dependability. This review was based on how AI integrated with IoT technology and blockchain improves the operational efficiency of renewable energy systems. The PRISMA 2020 guidelines were adopted in this systematic review, and 433 articles from databases such as IEEE Xplore, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Springer Link were retrieved. After the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 (n=10) articles were selected. The quality assessment of the studies was done using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program (CASP) tool. Among the included studies, 70% (n=7) demonstrated that AI achieved efficiency improvements, IoT role optimization of grids was shown in 60% (n=6) of studies and blockchain impact on energy trading in 50% (n=5). In addition, cost reductions were documented in 80% (n=8) of studies, while 90% (n=9) reported security and regulatory challenges during implementation. The findings revealed that the efficiency of renewable energy and grid stability was improved by adopting digital solutions such as AI, IoT, and Blockchain. However, the gaps demonstrated in the study prompt the need to develop policy interventions and conduct further research to reduce technological and regulatory barriers to a sustainable energy transition.

Decolonizing Knowledge Production: Barriers and Strategies for African Scholars in Academic Publishing

Sylvia Ndanu Mutua — 2025-06-28

African researchers face significant challenges in academic publishing, including financial constraints, epistemic marginalization, linguistic biases, and reliance on informal support systems. These barriers hinder equitable participation in global knowledge production and perpetuate systemic inequalities. A qualitative phenomenological study involving 50 African intellectuals across disciplines explored these issues through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed key obstacles, such as high article processing charges (APCs) and limited institutional funding, which hinder publication in high-impact journals. Linguistic biases favor English, disadvantaging non-native speakers, while peer review processes often exclude African perspectives, pressuring scholars to conform to Western epistemologies. Despite these hurdles, informal peer networks provide practical and emotional support, fostering resilience among African scholars. The findings underscore systemic inequities in academic publishing and the urgent need for inclusive reforms. Recommendations include decolonized knowledge production approaches that validate African epistemologies, ensure financial support, and promote linguistic inclusivity. Such measures would enable African researchers to share contextually relevant insights, enriching the global knowledge ecosystem. By addressing these disparities, the study contributes to advancing equality in academic publishing and strengthening efforts to decolonize scholarly communication. Enhanced inclusion of African scholars is essential for fostering diverse and equitable global scholarship.

Energy Balances and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Bagasse-based Electricity Production in Kenya

Fridah Mwanyasi — 2025-06-28

Biofuels have been advocated in many nations to solve environmental issues, energy security, and the socio-economic well-being of rural residents. This study assessed energy consumption, energy balances, and lifetime net greenhouse gas emissions in Kenya's bagasse-based electricity generating chain. Production of electricity from bagasse involves the cultivation of sugarcane, milling the cane, and cogeneration. By conducting a Life Cycle Assessment, the study used the economic allocation model to partition energy inputs and their respective greenhouse gas emissions. The life cycle greenhouse gas emissions were estimated to be 24.53 kgCO_2eq/MWh of electricity generated, while the total energy consumption from both renewable and non-renewable energy sources inputs was evaluated as 181.26 MJ/MWh. The information from the energy balances computed per MWh of electricity revealed a net energy value (NEV) of 9,349 MJ, a net renewable energy value (NREV) of 9,387 MJ and a net energy ratio (NER) of 84. The high positive values of NREV and NER are indicators that minimal amount of fossil fuel is required to produce 1 MWh of electricity. Bagasse-based cogeneration offers great promise for application in electricity production in Kenya, as can be deduced from the results presented here.