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2. Mediating Effect of Stakeholder Roles on the Relationship between Destination Branding and Competitive Advantage in Kenya
(2017-01) Rop, Wendy; Ogutu, Martin; Bichage, Methuselah
Stakeholders such as local communities and service providers have long been engaged in tourism planning, however, there is rare insights into stakeholder collaboration in destination branding (Pike and Page, 2014). This study examines whether stakeholder roles: Leadership, Brand Association, Brand Uniqueness, Co-creation and Perceived quality have a significant role as a mediating variable, between destination branding and competitive advantage. The study used random sampling of three hundred and eight tourism related business sectors across Nairobi, Nakuru, and Kisumu counties in Kenya. The Main Findings of the study are (i) Mediation effect of Leadership, brand association, Brand Uniqueness, Co-creation and Perceived Brand Quality with respect to independent and dependent variable are significant because their normal theory test for direct has a p value less than 0.05. This Concludes that Mediators referred to as Leadership, brand association, Brand Uniqueness, Co-creation and Perceived Brand Quality are partial mediators because there is reduction (not total elimination) from .6788 to .5709, .6788 to .5701, .6788 to .6088, .6788 to .6136, .6788 to .5476 of coefficient of X variable respectively. The results of the study will help with establishing strategies for the incorporation of the various stakeholders in destination branding strategies in the tourism industries.
290IMPACTS OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES: THE POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPING PAYMENT SCHEMES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
(VDM Dr Muller Gmbh and co, 2011-01) Kiptum, Andrew; Kipkoech, Anderson; Omondi, Humhprey; Adano, Wario R.; Osano, Odipo; iryahwaho, Byamukama B; Agasha, Annah
Natural resources have continued to be degraded largely because of lack of well-defined property rights, population pressure, high levels of poverty and the lack of proper understanding of deleterious impacts of human activities on forest and watershed resources depletion. The social cost of exploiting the resources is larger than the private benefits and individuals have incentives to excessively extract natural resources at an expense of conservation. This study considers the socio-economic aspect, farm size and activities, water availability, the distance of the agricultural activities to the edge of the forest and riverbank and agricultural management practices employed by the population in Mt. Elgon District of Western Kenya. A proxy price was obtained using hypothetical structured question on willingness to pay and willingness to accept. The sample of 236 households was used to obtain data. Field surveys, structured questionnaires, interviews with key informants, and review of secondary sources were the main tools used for data collection. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) and Excel was the main software for data analysis. The results reveal average household of 8 persons, with most households living below poverty threshold (one dollar per person per day) and on average farm size holdings of 3.105 acres per household. The results also show that most farms are within the edge of the forest and riverbank at a distance ranging about 8 km and 1 km, respectively. More than 50% of the sample population do not practice water and soil management, resulting in reduced physical properties of the water such as volume of water, turbidity, taste and smell to undesired state. The contingent value of ecosystem pricing from willingness to pay (WTP) and willingness to accept (WTA) exercise yield mean prices of the responses Ksh. 728.82 and Ksh. 6,631.44, respectively. In conclusion, the household activities of the community in Mt Elgon landscape encourage resource depletion. Therefore, adoption of sustainable agriculture and ecosystem management that consider conservation of natural resource in order to have desired qualities of the ecosystem products and to reduce the costs to the population living downstream and around are recommended. There is need to educate the local population living around the forest and watershed areas to practice sound farming practices.
4. Measuring efficiency and benchmarking classified two-five star hotels in Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya
(KENYATTA UNIVERSITY, 2012-04) Mburugu, Keren; Muchai, Diana Mukwate; Gesage, , Methuselah B.
The Government of Kenya recognizes the role played by hotels and restaurants in terms of wealth creation, contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and its multiplier effect that acts as a stimulus to the growth of other sectors such as transport, entertainment, agriculture, trade and industry. There are a limited number of detailed studies into performance measurement practices in the hospitality industry in particular. Most of the previous studies in the hotel industry have used traditional financial ratio analysis such as return on equity or return on assets. Few studies have used Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) for the hotel sector. The purpose of this study was to measure the relative efficiency of the hotels in Nairobi and the Coast region· using Data Envelopment Analysis. The objectives of this study were; to measure the efficiency level of 2-5 hotels, to profile the hotels based on their performance, to analyze their efficiency distribution and to identify the determinants of efficiency differences. The study was a longitudinal survey in which data are collected for each variable for two or more distinct periods; 2007, 2008 and 2009 being three such distinct periods. The study was carried out in Nairobi and Mombasa and was limited to two-five star hotels. The study sample consisted of 36 hotels. Data for 2007 to 2009 collected through interviews. The results revealed many hotels were in private independent ownership particularly in the three star rating. International chains owned most of the five star hotels. The hotels generated most of their revenue from room sales. There was a general decline in revenue from rooms in 2008 attributed to the post election violence. Technical inefficiencies of the hotels were mainly due to the pure technical inefficiencies rather than the scale inefficiencies. These hotels were ineffective in converting inputs to outputs. The results further revealed that four and five star hotels had declining efficiency scores from 2007 to 2009. In 2007 22 % of the hotels were operating under decreasing returns to scale while 8.3% operated under increasing returns to scale. In 2008, 19.4% of the hotels operated under increasing returns to scale while 13.8% operated under the decreasing returns to scale. In 2009 33% of the hotels operated under the increasing returns to scale whereas 19.4% operated under increasing returns to scale. There were no significant differences in the efficiency scores for two and three star hotels as one set and four and five star hotels as a second set. There were equally no significant differences in the efficiency scores for the hotels found in Nairobi and Mombasa and also between chain and independent owned hotels. Generally, there was no significant difference in the efficiency scores between the different hotel sizes. The main determinant of efficiency was the location of the hotels. The study recommends that the hotel managers address their hotel's internal weaknesses in their day to day hotel operations if they are to be more efficient. One of the conclusions of this study is that all the hotels studied had declining efficiency scores from 2007 to 2009. A policy implication for the managers of the inefficient hotels is that they should borrow the best practices of their efficient peers if they have to raise their hotel's performance. Another policy implication for investors is that one can invest confidently in Nairobi since the efficiency of the hotels in this region is likely to be higher compared to those in Mombasa.
5. Absentee owners and overlapping home ranges in a territorial species
(2021-01-07) Isbell, Lynne A.; Bidner, Laura R.; Loftus, Carter; Kimuyu, Duncan M.; Young, Truman P.
Abstract Understanding animals’ use of space can shed valuable light on multiple other aspects of behavioral ecology, including social organization, dispersal, and foraging efficiency. Home ranges, territories, core areas, and home range overlaps have been widely studied, but unless animals are directly observed or are tracked remotely on a fine temporal scale, how they actually use the space available to them and how they share (or partition) this space with a community of conspecifics over time cannot be fully understood. Using GPS technology, we tracked three adjacent groups of vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus) in Laikipia, Kenya, for 1 year to better understand the processes involved in territoriality and home range overlaps. Home ranges overlapped with any one neighboring group by 12.7–34.7%, but intergroup encounters only occurred in restricted areas within these zones, which defined territorial boundaries. The resources closest to the territorial boundaries were nocturnal core areas with preferred sleeping sites adjacent to shortgrass areas offering fewer hiding places for ambush predators and greater visibility for predator detection. Home range overlaps were not neutral zones, the result of shifting home range boundaries over time, or based on intergroup encounters at boundaries, but resulted when groups made incursions beyond their territorial boundaries while the neighbor was far away and likely unaware of the intruders. Thus, territories can be non-exclusive but may still be perceived by the animals themselves as sole-owned, as neighbors only intrude when territory owners are absent from that area.
Access to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitary Facilities and Pupil Participation in Education in Public Primary Schools in Kenya: A Case of Gichugu Constituency, Kirinyaga County
(African Journal of Education, Science and Technology, 2019) Mwaruvie, John; Gachahi, W. Michael; Githaka, W. Priscah
Provision of safe water for consumption and appropriate sanitation facilities have variously been advocated as critical forerunners to pupil participation in primary school education. However, these facilities are not consistently provided, that in various schools, water and cleanliness services are in dilapidated condition and thus expose pupils to obvious health risk and unsafe learning environments. This study investigated the access to clean water for drinking and sanitary facilities and pupil participation in education in public primary schools in Gichugu Constituency, Kirinyaga County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to; assess the relationship between availability to safe drinking, establish the provision of sanitation facilities and pupil participation in public primary schools. The research design used in this study was the descriptive survey and the theory that guided it was the Social Constructionist of Sahlin. The target population covered 75 head teachers in public primary schools in Gichugu Constituency. Krecjie and Morgans formula was used in sample size determination which yielded a sample of 63 respondents and simple random sampling to select the study sample. A self-scoring questionnaire administered to the sampled respondents was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, namely frequencies and percentages were used in data analysis and was aided the computer software SPSS version 20. The findings were represented in form of frequency tables and narrations. The research revealed that most schools had hygienic and water for drinking available to the learners. The study also revealed that academic participation improved in schools where pupils had hygienic drinking water, while absence of clean water for drinking led to poor school. The study established that poor sanitation amenities led to occurrence of infections which affected learners’ participation in curricular activities. Lack of clean conveniences added to absenteeism and high occurrences of diseases among pupils in primary schools. In line with the findings, the study commends that the, National and County Governments and the local community should ensure that all public primary schools in Gichugu Constituency have been supplied with piped water in order to control infections that affect pupils’ attainment of education. Education stakeholders ought to underscore the provision of adequate sanitation facilities schools so as to advance pupils’ hygiene and participation in school.
Accounting Education: The Role of Universities in Imparting Susaintnability Accounting Knowledge to the Stakeholders Through Industry Linkage.
(The International Journal of Accounting and Business Society, 2017-08) Onyango, S; Muchina, S.W; Ng’ang’a, S.I
In the wake sustainability agendas that lead to green growth in the developing countries, the focus has been in the practice and accounting for Social, Environmental and Economic (SEE) activities by both processing and manufacturing organizations. Organizations practice social responsibilities with the view of reaping long term returns or merely complying with regulations, information which is obtained from their annual reports via various media. These reports however, in the purview of knowledge are very scanty and whether the stakeholders understand and are aware of this sustainability accounting information remain very uncertain. However, organizations lack requisite capacity to unfold the elements of sustainability accounting and concurrently develop stakeholder knowledge. This gap remains unbridged since it is debatable how universities shall collate such knowledge and disseminate it to the users of accounting information (stakeholders). Therefore, there is need to develop sustainability accounting knowledge through university industry linkages that will further the realization of sustainability agenda. The paper is based on business sustainability model which looks at sustainability accounting issues. The study was informed by primary data collected from 93 factory unit managers and accountants sampled from 31 tea factories around Mount Kenya region, in testing the relationship between social reporting, environmental reporting, and sustainability accounting in regard to stakeholder theory. The study established significant relationship between the variables (social reporting, environmental reporting and sustainability accounting) and concludes that green growth need to be enhanced through sustainability accounting. In order to foster this, concrete knowledge has to be created by universities that conduct research by linking with industries and disseminate the knowledge to the stakeholders for awareness through stakeholder conferences and publications. The university curriculum need therefore, to incorporate the sustainability issues and passing to the learners too.
Addressing the education and training needs of the tea sector in Kenya: The case of the School of Agriculture and Biotechnology at Karatina University
(2015) Kamotho, G.N.; Mathenge, P.W.; Kamiri, H.W
In Kenya, personnel working in the tea sector are drawn from various fields of specialization such as general agriculture, horticulture, engineering and economics. There are no special training programmes to train personnel at degree, diploma and certificate levels on tea in the country. The training needs assessment carried out by Tetralink Taylor and Associates East Africa in 2010, observed that there are training needs for each segment along the tea value chain. It is against this background that the School of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Karatina University recognized the training gap in tea value chain and decided to design and mount specialized programmes in tea. The paper was informed by the Training Needs Report of 2010 by the Tetralink Taylor and Associates East Africa and other secondary data from published articles on tea. From the documentary analysis, it was established that training of personnel for tea sector was long overdue. Karatina University has taken the right direction towards this crucial aspect of human resource capacity building. It is recommended that Karatina University be a centre of excellence for tea information resource and develop more tea academic programmes for manpower training at bachelors, master and doctorate degree levels.
Adsorption evaluation of selected heavy metal ions by aminofunctionalized low-cost adsorbents. A Review
(Global Scientific, 2021-07) T, Nyahanga; N, Ndung’u Samuel; N, Wanjau Ruth; W, Nthiga Esther
Presence of heavy metals in drinking water has significant adverse effects on human wellbeing due to their toxicity nature. Several techniques have been employed to reduce their concentration to permissible levels. In recent years, adsorption has been widely investigated from low-cost adsorbents due to their cost effectiveness and easy in design. The application of amino-functionalized adsorbents for decontamination of wastewater have been reported. Generally, chemical modification of adsorbents has proved to have a higher adsorption capacity. Numerous amino- compounds such as ethylenediamine, 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane, Triethylenetetramine, Sodium paminobenzoate, Acrylonitrile, Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic dianhydride, Polyaniline, Nitrilotriacetic acid, 3aminopyrazole, N,N - dimethyl benzal aniline, Di (2-picolyl) amine, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid etc. grafted on adsorbents in studying equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamics has been reported. These adsorbents are applied extensively in the removal of heavy metal ions such as Cu2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Ni2+, Cr3+, Co2+, As5+ among others. The paper reviews the applicability of vast amino-functionalized adsorbents in the study of equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamic adsorption studies of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions
An African stingless bee Plebeina hildebrandti Friese nest size and design (Apidae, Meliponini
(2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd,, 2016) Namu, Flora N.; Wittmann, Dieter
Agricultural Imports, Agriculture Productivity and Economic Growth in sub-Saharan Africa: A Bootstrap Granger Noncausality Analysis in Heterogeneous Panels
(Journal of African Trade, 2020-09-08) Mwangi, Esther N.; Chen, Fuzhong; Njoroge, Daniel M.
This study investigates the causal links among agricultural imports, agriculture productivity, and economic growth in 40 sub-Saharan African countries over the period 1990–2015. Granger noncausality tests are applied to infer direction of causality, whereas the generalized two-stage least squares instrumental variable technique estimates the effects while controlling for endogeneity. The bootstrapping procedure is used to deal with cross-sectional dependence. The results reveal bidirectional causality between agricultural imports and agriculture productivity in the full sample, and in middle- and low-income non-oil-exporting countries. The relationship between agricultural imported inputs and agriculture productivity is positive and significant. In addition, unidirectional causality from agricultural imports to economic growth is seen in the full sample and middle-income non-oil exporters. Growth elasticity of agricultural imports is about 0.98 in the full sample and about 1.3 in the middle-income group. Therefore, agricultural trade policies in the region should be reexamined to promote international trade for economic development
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(EANSO, 2023-07-08) Wanjugu, Milkah; Maitaria, Joseph Nyehita; Mwangi, Peter Kinyanjui
Mtunzi wa kazi ya kazi ya fasihi hususan riwaya na tamthilia, hutumia mbinu mahususi kuwasilishia matukio na mawazo yanavyoshuhudiwa katika jamii. Mbinu hizo huteuliwa na mtunzi kwa makusudi ili ujumbe unaokusudiwa kuwasilishwa na kueleweka kwa mwafaka na hadhira. Mbinu hizo ni zile zinazojibainisha katika kitengo cha tamathali za usemi. Katika utafiti huu, mbinu inayozingatiwa ni kinaya ambacho huwasilisha ujumbe kinyume na matarajio. Utafiti huu unatuonyesha matumizi ya kinaya katika riwaya ya Chozi la Heri (2017) ambayo imeandikwa na Matei na tamthilia ya Kigogo (2015) ambayo imeandikwa na Kea. Wanakejeli uhuru katika mataifa yaliyopata uhuru mwanzoni mwa miaka ya 1960 barani Afrika. Mataifa haya ni yale ambayo baada ya kupigania uhuru na kuunyakua kutoka kwa wakoloni, bado raia wanahisi kuwa wanaendelea kuwa katika hali ya kudhulumiwa na hali ya maisha kuwa magumu kutokana na uongozi usioafiki maono ya matarajio yao. Utafiti huu utabainisha jinsi watunzi wa riwaya na tamthilia teule yaani Assumpta Matei na Pauline Kea mtawalia walivyowasilisha kazi zao kwa kuzingatia mbinu ya kinaya katika kubainishia na kuukejeli uongozi katika bara la Afrika. Malengo ya utafiti huu yatakuwa, kufafanua matumizi ya kinaya katika riwaya ya Chozi la Heri na tamthilia ya Kigogo, kujadili jinsi waandishi wa riwaya ya Chozi la Heri na tamthilia ya Kigogo wametumia kinaya katika kuendeleza maudhui na kueleza jinsi mbinu ya kinaya ilivyotumiwa katika usawiri wa wahusika viongozi katika riwaya ya Chozi la Heri na tamthilia ya Kigogo. Utafiti huu utaongozwa na nadharia ya uhakiki wa mtindo na uchanganuzi wa data utaongozwa na mihimili ya nadharia hii kisha matokeo yatawasilishwa kwa njia ya maelezo.
Allelic Variation of Terpene Synthases Drives Terpene Diversity in the Wild Species of the Freesia Genus.
(2023-03-18) Bao, Tingting; Kimani, Shadrack; Li, Yueqing; Li, Hongjie; Yang, Song; Zhang, Jia; Wang, Qiuyue; Wang, Zhaoxuan; Ning, Guogui; Wang, Li; Gao, Xiang
Terpene synthases (TPSs) play pivotal roles in conferring the structural diversity of terpenoids, which are mainly emitted from flowers, whereas the genetic basis of the release of floral volatile terpenes remains largely elusive. Though quite similar in sequence, TPS allelic variants still function divergently, and how they drive floral terpene diversity in closely related species remains unknown. Here, TPSs responsible for the floral scent of wild Freesia species were characterized, and the functions of their natural allelic variants, as well as the causal amino acid residues, were investigated in depth. Besides the eight TPSs previously reported in modern cultivars, seven additional TPSs were functionally evaluated to contribute to the major volatiles emitted from wild Freesia species. Functional characterization of allelic natural variants demonstrated that allelic TPS2 and TPS10 variants changed enzymatic capacity while allelic TPS6 variants drove the diversity of floral terpene products. Further residue substitution analysis revealed the minor residues determining the enzyme catalytic activity and product specificity. The clarification of TPSs in wild Freesia species reveals that allelic TPS variants evolved differently to determine the interspecific floral volatile terpenes in the genus and might be used for modern cultivar improvement.
Allometric Equations for Estimating Silk Oak (Grevillea robusta) Biomass in Agricultural Landscapes of Maragua Subcounty, Kenya
(Hindawi International Journal of Forestry Research, 2018-10-02) Mugo, Joseph Mware; Mwangi, James Kinyanjui; Omamo, Augustine Owate
Grevillearobusta is widely interplanted with crops in Maragua subcounty,a practice that enhances biomass quantities in farmlands. However, quick tools for estimating biomass of such trees are lacking resulting in undervaluation of the farm product. This study sought to develop allometric equations for estimating tree biomass using diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height as predictor variables. Tree biomass was computed using thirty-three (33) trees randomly selected from 12 one hectare plots established in each of the four agroecological zones (AEZs). DBH of all Grevillea robusta trees per plot was measured and three trees were selected for destructive sampling to cover the variety of tree sizes. Regression analysis was used to develop equations relating DBH/tree height to biomass based on linear, exponential, power, and polynomial functions. The polynomial and the power equations had the highest R2, lowest SEE, and MRE values, while DBH was the most suitable parameter for estimating tree biomass. The tree stem, branches, foliage, and roots biomass comprised 56.89%, 14.11%, 6.67%, and 22.32% of the total tree biomass,respectively.Themeantreebiomassdensity(12.430±1.84tonha−1)showednosignificantdifference(p=0.09)acrossAEZs implyingnodifferenceinG.robustaagroforestrystocksacrosstheAEZ.Theallometricequationswillsupportmarketingoftree productsbyfarmersandthereforebetterconservationandmanagementofthetreeresource.
Allometric Equations for Estimating Silk Oak (Grevillea robusta) Biomass in Agricultural Landscapes of Maragua Subcounty, Kenya
(Hindawi International Journal of Forestry Research, 2018) Mugo, Joseph Mware; Kinyanjui, Mwangi James; Owate, Omamo Augustine
Grevillea robusta is widely interplanted with crops in Maragua subcounty, a practice that enhances biomass quantities in farmlands. However, quick tools for estimating biomass of such trees are lacking resulting in undervaluation of the farm product. This study sought to develop allometric equations for estimating tree biomass using diameter at breast height (DBH) and tree height as predictor variables. Tree biomass was computed using thirty-three (33) trees randomly selected from 12 one hectare plots established in each of the four agroecological zones (AEZs). DBH of all Grevillea robusta trees per plot was measured and three trees were selected for destructive sampling to cover the variety of tree sizes. Regression analysis was used to develop equations relating DBH/tree height to biomass based on linear, exponential, power, and polynomial functions. Te polynomial and the power equations had the highest R2 , lowest SEE, and MRE values, while DBH was the most suitable parameter for estimating tree biomass. Te tree stem, branches, foliage, and roots biomass comprised 56.89%, 14.11%, 6.67%, and 22.32% of the total tree biomass, respectively. Te mean tree biomass density (12.430±1.84 ton ha−1) showed no signifcant diference (p=0.09) across AEZs implying no diference in G. robusta agroforestry stocks across the AEZ. Te allometric equations will support marketing of tree products by farmers and therefore better conservation and management of the tree resource.
Analysis of Challenges Facing ICT integration in Managing Public Secondary Schools: A Comparative Study of Day and Boarding Secondary Schools in the South Rift Region, Kenya
(Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal, 2020-02) Njoka, Johannes Njagi; Githui, Perminus; Ndegwa, Lucy Wanjira
The uptake of information communication technology (ICT) by secondary schools is beset by a complex of challenges that are not clearly understood and documented. In order to facilitate effective and efficient implementation of digitalization in schools in Kenya, there is need to map out the diversity of challenges that bedevil its adoption. The purpose of this study was to analyze the challenges facing integration of information communication technology (ICT) in the operations of public day and boarding secondary schools from the south rift region of Kenya. The objectives of the study were to; assess the challenges facing ICT integration and compare the levels of ICT integration in boys, girls and coeducational secondary schools from the south rift region of Kenya. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The target population for the study comprised of all the 141 teachers from the public secondary schools in the south rift region of Kenya enrolled in the Strengthening of Mathematics and Science in Secondary Education (SMASSE) program. The study employed census sampling technique since the target population was small, easily accessible and manageable. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using the descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. The study tested the hypothesis that there was no statistically significant difference in challenges facing integration of ICT in boys, girls and coeducational secondary schools from the south rift region of Kenya. To test this hypothesis the One way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics was computed which yielded p-value = .000 which was less than the alpha value α > 0.05 indicating that the differences in challenges facing ICT integration in boys, girls and co-educational schools were statistically significant. Therefore the null hypothesis was rejected. This led to the conclusion that challenges facing ICT integration from the three categories of schools were significantly different. From the findings of the study, it is recommended that there is need strengthen in service training of teachers in ICT and perform widespread upgrade of ICT software since these were the most serious challenges that faced integration of ICT in schools.
Analysis of Corruption Risky Areas in Public Secondary Schools in Nyandarua and Nakuru Counties in Kenya
(American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research (AJHSSR), 2020) Ngatia, Richard; Njoka, Johannes Njagi; Ndegwa, Lucy
Citizens and stakeholders in education continue to express great concerns regarding the escalating cases of academic dishonesty, misappropriation and misuse of resources in education in the world and Kenya in particular. Corruption activities manifest themselves in all areas of education especially in teaching and learning processes, academic dishonesty, and utilization of educational resources as well as in the development of policies.The purpose of this study was to analyse the corruption risky areas in public secondary schools in Nyandarua and Nakuru Counties in Kenya. Specifically the study sought to establish the corruption risky areas in public secondary schools and compare the levels of corruption in public secondary schools in Nakuru and Nyandarua counties in Kenya. The study tested the null hypothesis that there is no statistically significant difference in corruption risky areas in public secondary schools in Nyandarua and Nakuru Counties. The descriptive survey research design was used to guide the study. The target population for the study comprised all secondary school principals, heads of departments and bursars. The sample size was determined using the Cochran sampling formula which yielded a total of 321 respondents. Data was collected using a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and t-tests were used to analyse data with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Results of the study revealed thecorruption risky areas in public secondary schools as thecharging of extra levies, teachers missing lessons, unreported teachers absenteeism, falsification of information on student enrolment data and irregular procurement of goods and services. Hypothesis testing revealed that corruption risky areas in public secondary schools in Nakuru and Nyandarua Counties were largely similar, thus the null hypothesis (Ho1) was accepted. The study recommended the need to broaden the scope of school auditing to cover all areas of academic life as opposed to the current practice that only focuses majorly on financial management.
An Analysis of Indigenous Knowledge Legislation and Policies in Kenya
(2016-08) Chepchirchir, Sally; Kwanya, Tom
Since the dawn of history, humanity has always sought more knowledge to feed families, stay healthy, argue with neighbours, and understand the immediate environment, among other issues. Before scientific approaches of knowledge discovery emerged, local ways of solving problems were already strongly established. These ways have persisted to date and comprise what is known as indigenous knowledge (IK). As society scientifically developed, IK became a neglected area whose potential as a resource in development was forgotten. This neglect has led to myriad socioeconomic challenges affecting food security, environmental conservation, health and social cohesion, among others. Therefore, the need to rediscover and mainstream IK in development is great. This need is anchored on the understanding that IK is the basis for local-level decision making in agriculture, healthcare, food preparation, education, natural-resource management, and a host of other activities. One of the perspectives of enhancing the creation, use and perpetuation of IK is enactment of facilitative policies and legislation. This chapter analyses the IK legislation and policies in Kenya and the extent to which they have been implemented and thereafter recommends strategies which can be used to enhance the impact of IK in socioeconomic development in Kenya. Data that informed the study leading to this chapter were collected through content analysis of the existing IK policies and legislation. Additional data were collected through key informant interviews with information science professionals and policy makers. The study revealed that several legislative and policy provisions on the regulation, preservation, management, use and development of indigenous knowledge exist in Kenya. However, there are many gaps in the content and implementation of these provisions which should be addressed to enhance their impact on the promotion, growth and perpetuation of indigenous knowledge in Kenya. The findings here may be used by information practitioners, policy makers and communities to enhance the creation, use and impact of IK.
Analysis of Post Loan Disbursement Allocation and Performance of Non-Prime Household Loan in Microfinance Banks in Kenya
(2017-08) Wachira, Bernard Ndirangu
The part played by non-prime household loans in improving the lives of many people who cannot afford collateral glob-ally cannot be ignored. Many Microfinance Banks in many economies worldwide have tried to maintain the Grameen Bank Model of granting microloans, mainly non-prime household loans. However, the credit risks associated with this initiative hamper the pace at which the granting of this credit facility is expected to grow. This study intends to explore the relationship between the post loan disbursement allocation and the performance of non-prime household loans in the Microfinance Banks in Kenya. The theory associated to this study is the Credit Risk Theory. This theory, which is regarded as credit structural theory, was developed by Merton in 1972. The descriptive survey research design method was applied, and the sample size was 150 respondents. The data-collection tool used was a questionnaire. A logistic regression analysis was conducted for the purpose of predicting non-prime household performance in the Microfinance Banks using training budget, recoveries budget, percentage of training budget, and percentage of recoveries budget as predictors. The Wald test shows that training budget, recoveries budget, and percentage of training budget were good predictors, making a significant contribution to prediction. The percentage of budget on recoveries was not a significant predictor. The Microfinance Banks should enhance the performance of non-prime household loans through capacity building to the borrowers and educate the borrowers on dangers of enforced loan recoveries. The government, through the Central Bank of Kenya, should have a training policy for the Microfinance Banks so that they can enlighten the borrowers on proper financial management to avoid conflicts with borrowers during loan recoveries.
Analysis of Semantic Fields in Gĩkũyũ Church Sermons in Nyeri County, Kenya
(Journal of Arts and Humanities, 2018-08) Gitonga, Catherine N.; Gathigia, Moses G.; Nyarigoti, Naom M.
The notion of semantic field is a structural model for lexical semantics which is attributed to Jost Trier in the Semantic Field Theory. The semantic field is an indispensable part of any language since without it information may not be conveyed appropriately. To find the best way to help people comprehend semantic fields, and especially the domain of church sermons, is an issue which requires research to crystallize. However, studies conducted on semantic fields and their implications on the comprehension of church sermons remains scanty. It is against this background that the study analyses the semantic fields in Gĩkũyũ church sermons in Nyeri County, Kenya. The study employed a descriptive survey design and targeted live sermons delivered in 84 parishes of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa in Nyeri County, Kenya. Eight live sermons were purposively sampled. The data was collected through tape recording. A lexical semanticist was also interviewed. Content data analysis was used to analyse the semantic fields in Gĩkũyũ church sermons. Data is presented in tables in which Gĩkũyũ semantic fields used in the sermons are listed and their gloss provided. The semantic fields identified are subjected to further analyses based on the tangibility and non-tangibility criteria. The study found that semantic fields are elaborately utilized in Gĩkũyũ church sermons. Based on the semantic field analyses, the following implications for the study are noted: (i) there is merit of an extensive theoretical overview of semantic fields of church sermons (previously subject to cursory treatment), (ii) there are methodological consequences for the study of semantic fields addressing church sermons, (iii) the ability to use semantic fields correctly and appropriately is an important part of linguistic competence, and (iv) it is easier for vocabulary items that belong to the same semantic field to be understood since they will be able to form a pattern of interrelated words in a person’s mind. The study concludes that, inter alia, the broad semantic fields are based on the key issues addressed by the sermons, that is, challenges and sins, which are believed to be part and parcel of a Christian life. The study recommends that further research on semantic fields be conducted on other items of the church service like songs and prayers.
Analysis of Short-Term Drought Episodes Using Sentinel-3 SLSTR Data under a Semi-Arid Climate in Lower Eastern Kenya.
(2023-06) Musyimi, Peter K.; Sahbeni, Ghada; Timár, Gábor; Weidinger, Tamas
This study uses Sentinel-3 SLSTR data to analyze short-term drought events between 2019 and 2021. It investigates the crucial role of vegetation cover, land surface temperature, and water vapor amount associated with drought over Kenya’s lower eastern counties. Therefore, three essential climate variables (ECVs) of interest were derived, namely Land Surface Temperature (LST), Fractional Vegetation Cover (FVC), and Total Column Water Vapor (TCWV). These features were analyzed for four counties between the wettest and driest episodes in 2019 and 2021. The study showed that Makueni and Taita Taveta counties had the highest density of FVC values (60–80%) in April 2019 and 2021. Machakos and Kitui counties had the lowest FVC estimates of 0% to 20% in September for both periods and between 40% and 60% during wet seasons. As FVC is a crucial land parameter for sequestering carbon and detecting soil moisture and vegetation density losses, its variation is strongly related to drought magnitude. The land surface temperature has drastically changed over time, with Kitui and Taita Taveta counties having the highest estimates above 20 ◦C in 2019. A significant spatial variation of TCWV was observed across different counties, with values less than 26 mm in Machakos county during the dry season of 2019, while Kitui and Taita Taveta counties had the highest estimates, greater than 36 mm during the wet season in 2021. Land surface temperature variation is negatively proportional to vegetation density and soil moisture content, as non-vegetated areas are expected to have lower moisture content. Overall, Sentinel-3 SLSTR products provide an efficient and promising data source for short-term drought monitoring, especially in cases where in situ measurement data are scarce. ECVs-produced maps will assist decision-makers with a better understanding of short-term drought events as well as soil moisture loss episodes that influence agriculture under arid and semi-arid climates. Furthermore, Sentinel-3 data can be used to interpret hydrological, ecological, and environmental changes and their implications under different environmental conditions.