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Item Influence of employer-employee relationships on service quality in the hospitality industry in Nakuru County, Kenya(2020) Mburu, Ben K.; Koome, Peter; Gichuhi, DavidEmployees are the backbone of the hospitality industry, and the people in service are inseparable from the service they provide. This research investigated the influence of employer-employee relationships on service quality in the hospitality industry in Nakuru County, Kenya. Descriptive design was used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data through the use of questionnaires and interview guide as the key informants. The target population was 73 respondents comprising of 55 employees’ operational employees and 18 supervisors at Nuru Palace and the Legacy Hotel in Nakuru County. The findings also reveal that coaching and mentorship as well as mutual trust between employees and their superiors affect service quality positively. The study recommends that hospitality establishments should facilitate more on the job training and provide technical support to their employees. They should also work on establishing trust between the management and the workforce.Item The effect of a company’s innovation orientation culture on employee turnover among selected non-governmental organizations in Samburu(2021) Lentawa, Julius; Gesimba, Paul; Gichuhi, DavidThis paper examines the effect of a company's innovation orientation culture on employee turnover among selected non-governmental organizations in Samburu, Kenya. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 78 NGOs operating in Samburu County for the analysis, the study population comprised 11 senior management teams, 14 technical teams and 78 junior staff in 24 selected and active NGOs in Samburu. The analysis gathered both qualitative and quantitative data. A structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data and an interview guide was used to collect qualitative data. Thematic data analysis was used to interpret qualitative data, which included common terms, phrases, themes, and patterns. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics which includes frequencies, means, and standard deviation. Findings Results showed that innovation orientation is positively correlated with employee turnover (r=0.375, P=0.01). This supports Chow et al’s (2001) study which revealed that innovation orientation as part of an organization's culture has a significant effect on employee turnover. This study also discovered that an innovation orientation culture embedded in an NGO's ideology will help to reduce turnover because workers feel valued when their work is recognized for creativity and innovation.Item Effect of team diversity on team cohesion in faith-based organizations: Acase of St. Martin catholic social apostolate in Nyahururu, Kenya(2022) Wanjiku, Daniel Kabiru; Gichuhi, David; Mwaura, Peteream diversity management helps to improve the cohesion of a team and ultimately, organizational development is enhanced. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of team diversity management on team cohesion at St. Martin Catholic Social Apostolate, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population for the study was 115 employees at the St. Martin Catholic Social Apostolate in Kenya. Stratified and simple random sampling procedures were used to sample 92 employees. Data was collected using a questionnaire and the collected data was analyzed through the use of the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 21. Descriptive statistical analysis involved the calculation of percentages and frequencies while inferential statistical analysis involved Pearson correlation in establishing the association of the variables under investigation. and Chi-square tests. Data was presented in the form of tables and charts. Qualitative data were analysed thematically and presented in the form of narratives. The study ensured that ethical considerations were adhered to. The study found a statistically significant relationship between team diversity management and team cohesion (p<0.05). The study concludes that each team member is held accountable for their activities and the decisions they make regarding the team and is included in team activities. The study recommends that the team leaders ensure that all team members are included in all team activities. This can be achieved through creating environments and opportunities that allow the team members to provide their opinions openlyItem The Traditional Cook Stoves and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in Kenya.(2021) Biwott, carolineThe achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is hampered by slow adoptions of new technologies. The Improved cook-stove has been designed to offer many benefits that lead to the achievement of food security, and the green, renewable and affordable fuel dimensions of the SDGs. However, there is low adoption of improved cook-stoves among the rural populations in Kenya. The rural population still rely on traditional cook-stoves. This study therefore sought to analyse how the traditional cook stove is not fully contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals as it should. The Research Questions of the study were: What are the socio - economic realities of the communities in the use of cook stoves? What are the aspects in the traditional cook-stoves that do not allow it to fully contribute towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in Uasin Gishu County? The study utilised Qualitative research approach and it is a case study of U asin Gishu County in Kenya. There were 20 respondents for the study who were selected using purposive sampling technique. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. Primary data was collected using interviews and observation data generation tools. The data was then analysed qualitatively using the thematic data analysis. The study reviewed the theoretical and empirical literature on the traditional cook-stoves. The secondary data was then analysed to determine how the traditional cook-stove is a barrier to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). From the study findings, the study concludes that to a large extent the traditional cook-stove is a barrier to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) especially in issues related to poverty, health, energy, climate change and sustainable forest management. It is anticipated that the study will be significant in emphasising the adoption of improved cook-stoves and the use of Biogas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or other alternative cooking energy. The study will also have policy implications for energy and environment conservation in Kenya as well as promote the achievement of Sustainable Developments Goals.Item Communication Lapses in the Adoption of Improved Cook stoves in Kenya.(2023) Biwott, carolineThe effective improved cook stoves have been designed to offer environmental, socio-economic and health benefits that facilitates the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. However, there is low adoption of effective improved cook stoves among the rural populations in Kenya. This study therefore sought to analyse communication lapses in the adoption of improved cook stoves in Kenya. The Research Questions of the study is: What are the communication lapses in the adoption of the improved cook-stoves in Uasin Gishu County? The study was anchored on Constructivist Paradigm and Qualitative research approach was adopted for the study. The study is a case study of Uasin Gishu County in Kenya. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 20 respondents for the study and the Qualitative data was collected using interviews research instruments. Thematic data analysis was used to analyse data qualitatively. The collected data was presented in the form of narratives. From the study findings, the study concludes that communication lapses have led to the low adoption of improved cook-stoves. There is limited use of Participatory communication strategies and media channels have not been utilised adequately to sensitise the rural populations on the health, environmental and socio-economic benefits of improved cook-stoves. It is anticipated that the study will be significant in emphasising the importance of using effective communication strategies to educate, create awareness and campaign for the adoption of improved cook-stoves and thus lead to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.Item Onaquotient group 74:(3X2S7) of a 7-local subgroup of the Monster M(Karatina University, 2023-01) Musyoka, David Mwanzia; Njuguna, Lydia Nyambura; Prins, Abraham Love; Chikamai, LucyItem Baseline Psycho-Social Health Needs among Rape Survivors: A Community–based Interventional Study in Kenya.(2013-09) Mwitha, B. G.; Wanzala, P.; Makokha, A.The study assessed the psychosocial health needs and satisfaction with post rape services among survivors immediately after rape. Objective: To assess the baseline psycho-social health needs among rape survivors presenting in Thika and Naivasha Public Health Hospitals in Kiambu and Nakuru counties respectively. Methods and Design: A prospective quasi experimental study. Population: 410 rape survivors were prospectively recruited consecutively in the two study sites from April 2012-February 2013. 138 (33.7%) rape survivors were recruited in intervention site where Intense Community Lay Rape Trauma Counseling (ICLRTC) intervention was given, while 272 (66.3%) survivors recruited in the control site where survivors received standard post rape care. Procedures: Raped survivors presented to the hospital. After assessment and treatment by a clinician the survivors were referred to Comprehensive Care Centre (CCC) for trauma counselling. The assessment was carried out by Trauma Counselors with counseling experience ranging from 3-8 years. Measures were made on independent variables-basic demographic information (variables which does not change or which remain constant in the process of interaction; and dependent variables (variables which are manipulated and change during the process of interaction) depression, secondary traumatic stress, self blame and shame. Data analysis: Data was analyzed using SPSS version 17.0. Persons’ chi square, odds ratio and P value were used to measure for similarity or differences between the two study groups at baseline. Results: In the older age group ‘medication and counselling’ (p=0.014) in 59 (53.6%) survivors was significant and different between the two study groups. In the younger age group ‘medication and counselling’ (p=0.011) in 13 (54.2%) survivors, ‘medication and check-up’ (p=0.046) in 8 (33.3%) survivors were significant and different between the two study groups. In both age groups there was a significant difference between the two study groups in ‘dissatisfaction with the way handled by police’ (p=0.007). Conclusion: Priority need immediately post rape was ‘medication and counseling’. At baseline survivors were dissatisfied with the way police handled them.Item Evaluating the Performance of Tree-Based Predictive Models as Programme Recommenders for University Entrants in Kenya.(2024-10) Kabiru, Kibuthi J.; Makiya, Ratemo C.; Anduvare, E. M.Enrolling for the wrong programme by university students has, to an extent, contributed to the high rates of discontinuation on academic grounds, repeat year cases, change of programme after registration, interuniversity transfers, deferments to change programme, drop out cases, suspension over exam irregularities as well as to strikes. This study focused on finding a technological solution for reducing these cases by evaluating three tree-based predictive models and recommending the most predictive model to implement as a programme recommender. Data was collected in five selected public universities in Kenya using Google Forms. The respondents were 308 translating to 308 rows of data with 36 columns. Numpy, Pandas, Matplotlib, Sklearn, Seaborn, Scipy, Plotly python analytics libraries were deployed using Jupyter Notebook for Anaconda. The cleaned and processed dataset features had categorical variables thus one-hot-encoding technique was employed. Data was split for training and testing with the random_state set to 42. Gini index criteria was implemented. The three models were evaluated on their performance from the optimally split data for training and test with a 80:20 ratio. Random Forest (RF) came out the most predictive at 99.3% followed by Gradient Boosting (XG Boost) at 90% then Decision Tree (DT) at 80.93%. The testing accuracy score for RF was 81.72%, XGBoost was at 75.72% and DT was at 76.34%. Confusion matrix criterion was implemented to evaluate the performance of the three models. The results of this study have demonstrated the high accuracy level of RF as the most predictive tree-based model for this real-world University crisis. The model is recommended for development as a system to be integrated into the KUCCPS portal. The integrated system is dubbed Programme Recommender which if launched would highly predict the best programme of study for application by university entrants.Item Assessing the contribution of dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus L. (sweet)) to food security in a changing climate in Kenya(2022) Kamotho, Grace N.; Kinyua, Miriam G.; Muasya, Reuben M.Lablab pupureus (L.), is a multipurpose drought tolerant legume which is considered as a minor crop in Kenya, hence, it is underutilized. In Kenya there are few known Lablab genotypes for specific environments. Choice of genotypes to grow is based on colour preference and seed availability, thus low yields are obtained. To assess the status of Lablab production in Kenya, a baseline survey was conducted in Lablab growing localities. A disproportionate stratified sampling was used and a questionnaire was administered to 108 respondents from diverse Lablab growing regions of Kenya. Performance of Lablab genotypes under different environmental conditions was also evaluated. Field trials of forty five (45) accessions of Lablab collected from Rift Valley, Eastern, Coast and Central regions of Kenya were established in three locations with different agro-ecological environments; (Nakuru, Uasin Gishu and Bungoma). The 45 accessions and three environments were factorially combined and replicated three times in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Results from the survey indicate that most farmers (84.3%) grew Lablab in small acreage of less than 1.0 acre, and only 44.4% of the respondents used the improved Lablab cultivars which were obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture or research stations. Majority (88%) preferred Lablab to common beans and all respondents noted that Lablab fetched more income per unit quantity than common bean. All respondents utilized Lablab dry beans as food. The crop was also utilized as a livestock feed especially during the dry season when no other crops are in the farms by 51.9% of the respondents while 25% used it in conservation agriculture and for soil erosion control. About 20.4% of farmers used the leaves and green pods as vegetables. The study identified accessions that are suitable for different agro ecological zones. In conclusion, Lablab is a crop that is climate resilient and contributes to food security in communities that grow it. It is recommended that dolichos should be promoted in Kenya as a climate change adaptation measure and for enhancing food security.Item Determination of the effect of fermentation on the rate of plant nutrient release from plant tissues.(2022) KAMOTHO, GRACE N.; MUNGA, ZACHARIA M.The use of fermented plant extracts (FPE) as a top dress in crop production is a natural process that can provide plant nutrients and suppress diseases. However, there is scanty information on the use of plant extracts and the bulky of it is not documented. This study aimed at determining the effectiveness of fermentation in extracting plant nutrients from plant tissues for use as top dress in crop production. Materials from Lantana (Lantana camara, L), stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L) and Tithonia (Tithonia diversifolia, G), common plants that are locally available in most agricultural areas were investigated. A complete randomized design (CRD) was used to set up the experiments in the laboratory. Tender shoots and leaves of these plants were fermented in water and the levels of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (NPK) contained were measured at intervals of 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 days. The concentration of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) yeasts and the pH were also determined at each interval. Standard foliar feeds (Agro-Feed and Power Booster) commonly used by farmers were used as control. The results demonstrated that Lantana and stinging nettle were not significantly different in the percentage of N released. Phosphorous was highest in stinging nettle at 5.26%, Tithonia had 5.12% while Lantana had the lowest at 4.48%. However, potassium was highest in Tithonia at 4.38%, stinging nettle had 3.64%, while Lantana had the lowest at 3.63%. There were also high significant differences in concentration of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Yeast and pH at p<0.05. The findings of the study showed that nutrients can be extracted from plant materials by fermentation although in less quantities as compared to commercial foliar feeds.