AN INVESTIGATION OF THE DESIGN PROCEDURES APPLIED BY JUA KALI FABRICATORS IN THE KIBUYE METALWORK CLUSTER, KISUMU CITY, KENYA

Abstract

Informal sector activities play a very significant role in the economies of developing countries. This is through the provision of a portfolio of tradable goods and services. In addition, a large proportion of the available labour force is employed in this sector. In Kenya, the informal sector is popularly referred to as “Jua kali”, largely due to the open-air working conditions which characterize operations within the sector. “The Jua kali” manufacturing enterprises attract people with varying degrees of education, skills and experience. This situation raises concerns with regard to quality assurance of the products and services offered. Currently, there is no uniform strategy for training “Jua kali”manufacturers. The “Jua kali” sector of Kenya remains one of the most extensively studied entities. However, studies focusing on knowledge and technology are few. The purpose of the study was, therefore, to investigate the design approaches utilized by “Jua kali” fabricators during manufacture of their products as a measure aimed at addressing the identified knowledge gap. This investigation was critical since a number of “Jua kali” enterprises are sole proprietorships and therefore the players need all the information they can use in facilitating their production efforts. Appropriate research questions covering various fields in design work guided the investigation. The study was conducted using the descriptive survey approach. This research design was considered appropriate because the major aim of the investigation was to study design work in “Jua kali” manufacturing and report on the same without influencing the respondents in any way. Multi-stage sampling procedures with both probability and non-probability characteristics were used when choosing the study location and sample size. Information was collected using a questionnaire for the “Jua kali” artisans and a formal observation checklist for the researcher. The validity of the data collection methods was assured through co-operation with university academic advisors. The reliability of the data collection methods was checked using a Pearson Product Moment Correlation coefficient. The significance of the reliability coefficient was tested using the student t-test. Data was organized using descriptive statistics. The descriptive techniques employed included the determination of sample means, sample standard deviation, percentages and frequencies. Relationships were determined using Pearson Product Moment correlations between design, technical training and years of work experience. Major findings indicated that design in “Jua kali” manufacturing was existent but to a limited scale. Other findings revealed poor material selection techniques, poor site and workshop layout, uncoordinated product research and prevalence of informal apprenticeships in the cluster. From the findings of the study, it was concluded that Kibuye “Jua kali” artisans are not sufficiently literate on formal design methods. The study therefore recommended re-orientation of the education system of Kenya, co-operation between the informal sector and formal learning institutions, better design of the “Jua kali” sites and improvement of infrastructure in “Jua kali clusters as a way of promoting the informal sector.