Livestock markets are central to pastoral livelihoods in Turkana County, Kenya, yet weak price discovery, inadequate market information, unequal bargaining power, limited affordability and high transaction costs constrain the benefits of livestock commercialization. This study examines the relationship between pricing strategies, consumer behaviour and market performance in selected secondary livestock markets in Turkana County. A mixed-methods, non-experimental design was employed, drawing quantitative evidence from 168 livestock traders in Kerio, Lorugum and Lokori markets and qualitative evidence from government and civil-society stakeholders and market observations. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, analysis of variance and non-parametric tests where appropriate, while qualitative evidence was used for triangulation and thematic interpretation. The results demonstrate substantial weaknesses in price discovery and price-setting practices. Overall, 54.0% of traders disagreed or strongly disagreed that livestock prices were well discovered and set, while 51.6% expressed negative views regarding the methods used to determine prices. Similarly, approximately 52.0% reported inadequate dissemination of pricing information. Consumer affordability and satisfaction were also major concerns: 71.5% negatively assessed the affordability of livestock and prices, 63.0% negatively assessed meat-product affordability, and 71.3% disagreed that consumers were satisfied with prevailing pricing strategies. At the same time, 65.3% reported strong consumer presence, indicating a gap between potential demand and effective purchasing capacity. Significant differences were observed among the three markets in supply-demand and pricing-related scores, F(2,165) = 25.124, p < .001, with Lorugum recording substantially lower scores than Kerio and Lokori. Qualitative findings indicate that prices are predominantly established through buyer–seller negotiation, visual assessment and physical examination, with limited adoption of standardized grading and live-weight pricing. The findings demonstrate that livestock-market performance is shaped by the interaction of pricing practices, information asymmetry, bargaining power, competition, consumer purchasing capacity, infrastructure, transaction costs and seasonal conditions. The study concludes that improving market performance requires a market-systems approach centred on transparent and evidence-based price discovery rather than administrative price fixing. Priority interventions include regular market-price information systems, standardized grading, progressive adoption of live-weight pricing, stronger producer and trader organizations, improved competition, reduced transaction costs, better market connectivity, consumer-responsive market segmentation and value addition. These measures can strengthen price transparency, improve bargaining outcomes and support more competitive, commercially viable and consumer-responsive livestock markets in Turkana County.

Retirement alters established patterns of everyday life, social roles, and forms of participation, thereby placing new demands on older adults’ capacity to understand and regulate their own experiences. This study presents an author-developed andragogical model for working with anxiety symptoms among women of retirement age and examines the outcomes of its application. The study included 60 women, equally allocated to an experimental and a control group. Anxiety was measured before and after implementation of the model. The work with the experimental group was organised into successive stages comprising an authorial fairy tale, the symbolic naming of the anxious thought, sensory and bodily experience in a steam environment, movement and symbolic action in water, and concluding reflection. At baseline, the two groups had identical mean scores (M = 12.50; SD = 1.74). Following completion of the intervention, the mean score in the experimental group decreased to 8.00 points, whereas that of the control group remained virtually unchanged at 12.40 points. The reduction in the experimental group was 4.50 points (36.0%) and was statistically significant, t(29) = 8.44, p < 0.001. The difference in change between the two groups was 4.40 points, p < 0.001, with Hedges’ g = 1.96. The findings indicate the potential for an andragogical approach in which the experience of anxiety is incorporated into a process of recognition, symbolisation, bodily awareness, action, and reflection. Further research is required to establish the durability of the observed change and the reproducibility of the findings in other samples.

This work examines the relationship between media technology and adult learning, arguing that the growing population of adult learners in higher education requires instructors to rethink traditional, instructor-centered teaching methods. It defines adult learning as a voluntary, self-directed process and describes adult learners as diverse, experienced, goal-oriented individuals with unique socio-economic and developmental characteristics. The chapter conceptualizes media technology as digital and internet-enabled communication tools, such as social networking sites, mobile devices, blogs, wikis, and video streaming, and examines three platforms for integrating it into adult education: onsite, blended, and online. It further discusses synchronous and asynchronous online delivery and the use of print and multimedia materials. The benefits identified include improved learning outcomes, greater flexibility and access regardless of time or location, enhanced collaboration and interaction, and stronger support for self-directed and andragogical learning. The work concludes that effective integration of media technology extends learning beyond formal programmes and creates more flexible, collaborative, and learner-centered opportunities for adult learners.

This study examines the role of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) in academic communication, with particular attention to communication practices, academic success, and cultural awareness in multilingual and multicultural higher education contexts. As English increasingly serves as a common language among students, researchers, and faculty from diverse linguistic backgrounds, understanding its opportunities and challenges has become increasingly important. Data were collected through a 15-item online questionnaire completed by 36 participants from six countries, including undergraduate and graduate students and faculty members. The findings indicate that ELF is widely used for academic activities such as coursework, academic writing, presentations, meetings, and communication with international colleagues. Most participants reported confidence in using ELF and perceived it as beneficial to the quality of their academic work, international publication opportunities, and cross-cultural academic collaboration. However, participants also identified challenges related to linguistic accuracy, academic writing, communication anxiety, and comprehension. Notably, 91.7% of respondents perceived English proficiency as a factor in academic evaluation, while 97.2% supported greater institutional language support for non-native English-speaking scholars. Overall, the findings suggest that ELF functions not only as a means of facilitating academic communication and international collaboration but also as an important factor in shaping intercultural awareness and experiences of linguistic equity. The study highlights the need for inclusive academic practices and institutional support that recognize the diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds of ELF users.