"The use of sensor-based technologies is pervasive in today's world, especially in the developed world where its applications are well realized. From smart homes to tracking locations to monitoring health, sensor-based technologies are becoming ubiquitous. However, the role of sensor-based technologies in a rural Kenyan household is underexplored. I explore the potential of a sensor-based technology probe's approach to enhancing domestic security in rural Kenyan households, where property theft is a persistent problem. The 'technology probes' approach was used to allow participates to reflect on a new technology in their homes and provides data to researchers based on their reflections. I designed 'M-Kulinda', and deployed it in 20 households for four weeks. The study has shown that residents in rural areas have interest in using sensor-based technologies to solve their problems however there are constraints which prevent them from fully realizing the potential of sensors in their lives. The implications of this research encourages researchers in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) in the design space to incorporate solutions to constraints that hinder people in the developing world from using technology. The study also contributes to HCI by showing the positive impact of using technology probes of different research products in different settings to understand how people in that particular setting would use that particular product. Sensors should also be used to complement already existing measures of security in the home."--Page ii.
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