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A Framework for Enhancing Computer Network Dependability in Universities
(International Journal of Computer Trends and Technology, 2023) Omasaja, James E; Mayeku, Betty; Otanga, Daniel
Computer networks bring along many benefits in present-day society. The full benefits of computer networking are yet to be realised because of non-resilience issues. Universities are one of the sectors that have been a forefront user of computer networks and are yet to tap into its full benefits. This paper examines computer networks and develops a framework for computer network resilience in achieving computer network dependability in the context of universities. The paper adopted a survey research design targeting universities where Kibabii University was purposively sampled as the case study. The target population comprised (6246) undergraduate, (248) masters and (42) PhD students and (430) Kibabii staff. Random and purposive sampling were used where appropriate. The study used content analysis, questionnaires, interviews for data collection and a focus group for the framework validation process. Data collection tools were given to (3) experts to validate where they scored a validity value of (78.3%). Inferential and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data. A KMO value of (0.803) justified the use of factor analysis on the collected data. Network, connectivity and human characteristics with factor loadings of (0.1898), (0.4359) and (0.3243) were the main constructs of the framework. The researchers expect that focusing on connectivity, human behavior, and network characteristics guarantees network end users a worthwhile experience, help computer hardware and software vendors fine-tune their solutions and guide governments and universities to plan and invest in enlightened environments when investing in computer networks, especially in universities.
Administrative Strategies and Revenue Collection Efficiency within the Devolved Governments in Kenya: Case of Machakos County.
(International Journal of Finance and Accounting, 2023) Bunyasi, Gladys; Nyamita, Micah O; Mutio, Mark Y
The revenue collection within the county governments in Kenya has remained insufficient in funding the development projects and ensuring effective service delivery. However, administrative strategies, such as revenue diversification, human capital management and technology adoption, have been adopted by most of these county governments to enhance revenue collection efficiency. Hence this study sought to assess the effect of these administrative strategies on revenue collection efficiency within Machakos County in Kenya. The descriptive research design was applied to gather information using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and inferential analysis were used to analyze the data, which indicated that the adopted administrative strategies have positive influence on revenue collection efficiency within the devolved government systems, particularly the technology adoption strategy. The study recommends that the County Governments in Kenya should therefore put more effort on coming up with administrative strategies which are technology oriented in order to boost their revenue collections.
Assessing Institutional Repositories As Enabler Of Research Output In Academic Institutions In Kenya: The Case Of Kca University
(KCA University, 2018) Njoroge, Regina Wakaro
The study assessed the role of institutional repositories as enabler of research output in academic institutions in Kenya with special reference to KCA University. Objectives of the study were to: assess the level of awareness of IR as enabler of research output in academic institutions, investigate the usage of institutional repository by the researchers in academic institutions, explore the role of the university management in adopting institutional repository in academic institutions and propose an appropriate model for embracing IR as enabler of research output in academic institutions. The study employed descriptive design where both qualitative and quantitative methods were used. Cluster and purposive sampling methods were used to get the target population. Data was collected by means of questionnaires and interview guides. Questionnaires were used to collect primary data from 62 postgraduate students, 88 fulltime academic staff and 14 library staff while an interview was conducted on the 6 senior library managers. Cluster sampling was used to select 62 postgraduate students while census sampling was used to select all the 88 fulltime academic staff. Library staff and senior library managers were purposively selected because of their knowledge and experience of using the IR. Content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data from open-ended questions and interviews. Quantitative data in the questionnaires was analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences and information presented in form of tables, percentages, pie charts and graphs for better interpretation. Findings from this study established that lack of skills to use the repository, lack of awareness, legal and copyright issues were the main challenges that hindered the adoption of institutional repository. The study also revealed that IR is an effective tool that supports widespread circulation of research work and increases value to published scholarly work. The study, therefore, recommended the need for promoting and marketing the platform though library orientation, workshops and trainings as a way of creating awareness. The study further recommended, the university management to review the available policies and to provide relevant guidelines on the use and access of materials. Management also to recognize the staff members who have deposited their work in the repository as a way of encouraging others. Finally, the study recommended an appropriate model for enhancing research productivity.
Association between breakfast frequency and physical activity and sedentary time: a cross-sectional study in children from 12 countries
(Springer Nature, 2019) Onywera, Vincent O; Zakrzewski-Fruer, Julia K.; Gillison, Fiona B.; Katzmarzyk, Peter T; Mire, Emily F.
Background Existing research has documented inconsistent findings for the associations among breakfast frequency, physical activity (PA), and sedentary time in children. The primary aim of this study was to examine the associations among breakfast frequency and objectively-measured PA and sedentary time in a sample of children from 12 countries representing a wide range of human development, economic development and inequality. The secondary aim was to examine interactions of these associations between study sites. Methods This multinational, cross-sectional study included 6228 children aged 9–11 years from the 12 International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment sites. Multilevel statistical models were used to examine associations between self-reported habitual breakfast frequency defined using three categories (breakfast consumed 0 to 2 days/week [rare], 3 to 5 days/week [occasional] or 6 to 7 days/week [frequent]) or two categories (breakfast consumed less than daily or daily) and accelerometry-derived PA and sedentary time during the morning (wake time to 1200 h) and afternoon (1200 h to bed time) with study site included as an interaction term. Model covariates included age, sex, highest parental education, body mass index z-score, and accelerometer waking wear time. Results Participants averaged 60 (s.d. 25) min/day in moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), 315 (s.d. 53) min/day in light PA and 513 (s.d. 69) min/day sedentary. Controlling for covariates, breakfast frequency was not significantly associated with total daily or afternoon PA and sedentary time. For the morning, frequent breakfast consumption was associated with a higher proportion of time in MVPA (0.3%), higher proportion of time in light PA (1.0%) and lower min/day and proportion of time sedentary (3.4 min/day and 1.3%) than rare breakfast consumption (all p ≤ 0.05). No significant associations were found when comparing occasional with rare or frequent breakfast consumption, or daily with less than daily breakfast consumption. Very few significant interactions with study site were found. Conclusions In this multinational sample of children, frequent breakfast consumption was associated with higher MVPA and light PA time and lower sedentary time in the morning when compared with rare breakfast consumption, although the small magnitude of the associations may lack clinical relevance.
Association between dietary behaviours and weight status of school children: results from the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE) -Kenya
(2020) Onywera, Vincent O; Wachira, Lucy-Joy; Muthuri, Stella; Ocholla, Sophie; Tremblay, Mark
ABSTRACT Background: Sub-Saharan African countries are undergoing rapid urbanization resulting in vast changes in dietary habits. Dietary practices involving excess energy intake have been associated with overweight/obesity. We assessed the dietary behavior of children and their relationships with weight status. Methods: Data was collected in Kenya, as part of the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE). The study recruited 563 children aged 9–11 years from 29 schools in Nairobi. A seven-day food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intake. Dietary behaviors such as consumption of breakfast, school lunch, meals prepared/eaten away from home, emotional eating and snacking while watching television were also assessed. Body mass index (BMI-for-age and sex) was used as the indicator of weight status. Results: Of the sample, 53.5% were girls; 20.8% were classified as overweight/ obese; 72.9% ate meals out of home regularly; 55.2% ate lunch provided by the school; and only 76% had breakfast on all weekdays. Eating more when happy, eating fried foods while watching television, and consumption of vegetables were positively associated with BMI. Majority of overweight children were female (56.6%) and the type of school attended predicted BMI, F(6, 536) = 18.371, p < 0.0001, R2 = 0.171. BMI was negatively associated with consumption of cakes/pastries (χ2 = 14.7, V = 0.165, p = 0.023), potato crisps (χ2 = 21.6, V = 0.197, p = 0.003), and fast foods (χ2 = 13.5, p = 0.036). ANOVA results revealed no significant differences in the consumption of foods with BMI except for vegetables (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Children have healthy diets rich in fruits and vegetables and low in energy-dense foods. Also, less healthy diets were observed in children with CONTACT Lucy-Joy Wachira wachira.lucy@ku.ac.ke Department of Physical Education, Exercise and Sport Science, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya CHILD AND ADOLESCENT OBESITY 2021, VOL. 4, NO. 1, 1–22 https://doi.org/10.1080/2574254X.2020.1842014© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Lower BMI. There is need for interventions targeting the overweight/obese children, particularly those of higher SES.
Chinese Foreign Direct Investment in the Belt and Road Initiative. In Opportunities and Challenges for Multinational Enterprises and Foreign
(IGI Global, 2022) Nyaribo, Wycliffe, M; Hanes, Emanuela; Meng, Zhu; Yu, Poshan
Motivated by the Chinese government's foreign direct investment (FDI) promotion policies, this paper is attempting to examine the implications of these policies to the Belt and Road (B&R) regions under the unique institutional settings. By applying the software tool CiteSpace, which is developed for visual analyze of science mapping (Chen, 2017), this paper aims to investigate the dynamics of Chinese cross-border investment activities in B&R countries, taking the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as an example, and discuss the question whether & how these policies and activities could drive more Chinese multinational enterprises (MNEs) to exploit these emerging business opportunities in B&R regions, as well as investigate what is the trend of Chinese FDI in B&R.
Correlates of compliance with recommended levels of physical activity in children
(Springer, 2017) Onywera, Vincent O; Gomes, Thayse Natacha; Katzmarzyk, Peter T; Hedeker, Donald; Fogelholm, Mikael; Kuriyan, Rebecca
The purpose of this study was to describe children’s daily compliance with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) recommendations across a week in different parts of the world, and to identify individual- and school-level correlates that may explain differences in daily MVPA compliance. The sample included 6553 children aged 9–11 years from 12 countries, and multilevel statistical analyses were used, including both child- and school-level variables. Most children did not comply with the MVPA guidelines on a daily basis: Chinese children complied the least, whereas Finnish, Australian, Colombian, UK, and Kenyan children complied the most. Boys (rate ratio [RR] = 1.47) and children with higher unhealthy diet scores (RR = 1.08) complied more, but overweight/obese children (RR = 0.81), earlier maturing children (RR = 0.93), and those who spent more time in screen activities (RR = 0.98) and sleeping (RR = 0.96) had the lowest compliance. At the school level, children with access to playground or sport equipment (RR = 0.88, for both) tended to comply less, whereas those with access to a gymnasium outside the school hours complied more with the MVPA guidelines (RR = 1.14). Significant between-country differences in children’s daily MVPA compliance were observed, reflecting not only site characteristics, but also the importance of individual traits and local school contexts.
Development and convergent validity of new self-administered questionnaires of active transportation in three African countries: Kenya, Mozambique and Nigeria.
(BMC Public Health, 2018) Onywera, Vincent O; Larouche, Richard; Oyeyemi, Adewale L.; Prista, Antonio; Akinroye, Kingsley K.
Background There is currently a rapid physical activity transition taking place in developing countries that includes a decrease in active transportation. Building on findings from an earlier systematic review, this paper describes the development and convergent validity of self-administered child and parent questionnaires assessing active transportation of children in three African countries: Kenya, Mozambique and Nigeria. Methods A pilot study was conducted to examine the convergent validity of the developed questionnaires by comparing responses between children and their parents (N = 121; n = 43 for Mozambique, n = 24 for Kenya and n = 54 for Nigeria). After modification, the questionnaires were then administered to a larger convenient sample of both children and parents from Kenya (n = 1123), Mozambique (n = 1097) and Nigeria (n = 831) which defined the main study. The questionnaires assessed active transportation to/from 8 categories of destinations including school, friends’ and relatives’ home/houses, parks and playgrounds among others. Twenty items were used to assess child - and parent-perceived barriers to active transportation, and the parent questionnaire inquired about parent education and availability of cars, motorcycles, and bicycles. Spearman’s rho was used to compare children’s mode of travel in the pilot study while the prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK) coefficient was used to compare convergent validity between children’s and parents responses on active transportation in the main study. Results Findings of the main study show that convergent validity for active transportation to and from each destination in the combined sample ranged from 0.472 (from school) to 0.998 (to other places). Convergent validity for challenges/barriers to active transportation to school ranged from fair (0.30 - The route does not have good lighting) to substantial (0.77 - My child has a disability). It varied between countries from fair (n = 11-items) to moderate (n = 9-items) agreement in Kenya and from poor (n = 2-items) to fair (n = 16-items) agreement in Nigeria. Data from Mozambique was however missing and therefore could be included. Conclusions The questionnaires provided valid information on the number of trips to/from various destinations and show acceptable and modest convergent validity for measuring barriers to active transport in a sample of children from three African countries. These questionnaires may be suitable for future research on active transport among school children in Sub-Saharan African countries.
Effect of Circular Economy Practices on Sustainable Performance of Plastic and Rubber Manufacturing Firms in Kenya
(International Journal of Advance Research and Innovative Ideas in Education, 2022) Gatari, Catherine N; Mutiso, Stephen
Purpose: The purpose of the study was to analyze the effect circular economy practices on sustainable performance of plastic and rubber manufacturing firms in Kenya. Methodology: Descriptive research design was adopted in this study. The target population of this study included all 82 plastic and rubber manufacturing organizations in Kenya registered as members of KAM according to 2021 directory. The study used a census where all the 82 plastic and rubber manufacturing firms were surveyed. To identify the unit of observation, the head of production and the head of procurement function were selected purposively because they have similar skills, knowledge, experience and exposure in the area of research. This formed 164 respondents. The study used primary data as the main data which was collected using structured and semi structured questionnaires. The collected data was prepared and analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 26. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize and organize characteristics of a data set collected which was presented in form of means, modes and standard deviations (Kothari, 2019). Then inferential statistics through a regression model was used to test the research hypotheses. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The analyzed data was presented in form of tables, graphs, histograms and pie charts. A multiple linear regression analysis was used to establish a mathematical model that explains the relationship between dependent and independent variable. Results and conclusion: The response rate of the study was 63%. R square value of 0.647 means that 64.7% of the corresponding variation in plastic and rubber manufacturing firms in Kenya can be explained or predicted by (circular procurement, circular design, circular manufacturing, circular distribution) which indicated that the model fitted the study data. The results of regression analysis revealed that there was a significant positive relationship between dependent variable and independent variable at (β = 0.647), p=0.000 <0.05). The findings of the study concluded that circular procurement, circular design, circular manufacturing, circular distribution have a positive relationship with performance of plastic and rubber manufacturing firms in Kenya. Policy recommendation: The study recommended that plastic and rubber firms should embrace Circular economy practices so as to improve sustainable performance and further researches should to be carried out in other firms to find out if the same results can be obtained.
Effect of Entrepreneurial Finance on the Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya
(IISTE, 2014) Bunyasi, Gladys N W; Bwisa, Henry; Namusonge, Gregory
SMEs account for over 95 % of the business population, and are therefore an increasingly dominant form of business organisation in all countries. Access to finance is a key determinant for business start-up, development and growth for Small and Medium-Enterprises. The objective of this paper was to assess the effect of access to entrepreneurial finance on the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises in Kenya. A sample of 142 SMEs was used for the study to represent the entire population. Out of the 142, there were 132 respondents which is 92.96%. Primary data was collected using interview guides, structured and Semi structured questionnaires which were administered to the owners and managers of SMEs. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. The study found out that access to entrepreneurial finance has a positive influence on the growth of SMEs. The study recommends that the government should support the legal and regulatory framework that strengthens the financial infrastructure at the same time build capacity of the financial institutions to enhance SMEs access to finances.
Effect of Supply Chain Management Practices on Organizational Performance of Parastatals in Kenya
(American Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Research, 2023) Mwende, Veronicah; Nyaribo, Wycliffe M
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of supply chain management practices on the performance of Kenya’s state corporations. The study adopted a descriptive research design. A total of 142 parastatals were targeted from which 15 of them were selected to participate in the study. Purposive sampling was used to select two senior managers from each of the 15 parastatals. These respondents were selected from the finance and procurement departments. Questionnaires were used to collect primary data from the state corporations. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the study. Inferential statistics conducted were regression analyses. Results indicated that outsourcing practices (p=0.205>0.05) have a negative but insignificant effect on organizational performance. On the other hand, inventory management practices(p=0.006<0.05), lean practices (p=0.006<0.05), and strategic supplier relationship management practices(p=0.001<0.05) all have a positive and significant effect on the performance of state corporations.
Effects of different soil management strategies on fertility and crop productivity in acidic nitisols of Central Highlands of Kenya
(2023) Kiboi, Milka N; Otieno, Erick O; Ngetich, Felix K; Fliessbach, Andreas; Lenga, Florence K
Managing soil fertility, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), to sustain increased crop productivity is a complex challenge, especially in cultivated Nitisols. Experiments were conducted over eleven (11) cropping seasons in the acidic Nitisols to assess the impact of soil management strategies on soil N, P, and crop productivity. Fourteen treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design. The treatments include; control (C), conventional tillage + inorganic fertilizer (CTF), conventional tillage + maize residues + inorganic fertilizer (CTCrF), conventional tillage + maize residues + inorganic fertilizer + goat manure (CTCrGF), conventional tillage + maize residues + Tithonia diversifolia + rock phosphate (CTCrTiR), conventional tillage + maize residues+ goat manure + Dolichos lablab (CTCrGL), conventional tillage + maize residues + Tithonia diversifolia + goat manure (CTCrTiG), minimum tillage (MT; no amendments), minimum tillage + inorganic fertilizer (MTF), minimum tillage + maize residues + inorganic fertilizer (MTCrF), minimum tillage + maize residues + inorganic fertilizer + goat manure (MTCrGF), minimum tillage + maize residues + Tithonia diversifolia + rock phosphate (MTCrTiR), minimum tillage + maize residues+ goat manure + Dolichos lablab (MTCrGL), and minimum tillage + maize residues + Tithonia diversifolia + goat manure (MTCrTiG). Available P was significantly higher by 51, 48, 43, 38, 37, 36 and 27% under MTCrGF, CTCrGF, MTCrF, CTF, CTCrF, MTCrGL, and CTCrTiG than the control. Available soil N was significantly higher (59, 59, 59, 57, 57, 57, 55, 55, 55, 50, and 50%) under MTCrGL, CTCrGL, CTCrTiR, MTCrTiR, MTCrF, CTCrTiG, MTF, CTCrGF, CTF, MTCrTiG and MTCrGF compared to the control. Grain radiation use efficiency was significantly higher under CTCrGF, MTCrF, CTCrTiR, CTF, MTCrTiG, CTCrF, MTCrGF, CTCrTiG, and MTCrTiR than the control by 95, 93, 93, 93, 92, 92, 92, 91 and 88% during the SR2020 cropping season. In the LR2021 season, it was significantly higher under CTCrGL, MTCrGL, CTCrGF, CTF, MTCrGF, CTCrF, MTF, MTCrF, MTCrTiG, MTCrTiR, CTCrTiG and CTCrTiR than the control by 80, 79, 78, 77, 77, 74, 73, 72, 70, 67, 66 and 62%. Grain yield was significantly higher under CTCrGF, MTCrF, CTCrF, MTCrGF, MTCrTiG, CTCrTiR, CTF, CTCrTiG, and CTCrTiR than the control in the SR2020 season by 95, 93, 93, 93, 92, 92, 92, 92 and 88%. During LR2021, CTCrGF recorded the highest grain yield, which was 74% higher than the control, while CTCrGL, MTCrGF, MTCrGL, CTF, MTCrF, CTCrF, MTF, MTCrTiG, CTCrTiG, MTCrTiR, and CTCrTiR, had higher yields than the control by 73, 71, 70, 69, 69, 66, 65, 64, 58, 55 and 49%. Overall, CTCrGF, CTCrGL, MTCrGF, and MTCrGL had a comparative advantage regarding soil fertility and crop productivity in acidic Nitisols, strongly illustrating the concept of 'complementarity' in integrated soil fertility management.
Effects of Digital Payments on Financial Performance of Commercial Banks in Kenya
(International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Social Science, 2023) Kimatu, Teresiah M; Bunyasi, Gladys; Asoyong, Nicholas
Commercial banks in Kenya, reported a significant decline in financial performance in the year ending 2017 in comparison to the previous year. This profitability decline was attributed to a higher decrease in income compared to the marginal expenses. One of the key challenges that impacted the sector’s financial performance came from the interest rate caps enacted by the Banking (Amendment) Act of 2016. In order to remain competitive, profitable and achieve operational efficiency, banks have been collaborating with Fintech firms to offer Fintech services to the bank clientele; with Tier One banks being at the forefront of these collaborations. This study’s main goal was to determine effect of digital payments on the financial performance of tier one commercial banks in Kenya. The study sought to attain the following specific objective: to establish how digital payments affect the financial performance of tier one commercial banks in Kenya. The theories it focused on were: the diffusion of innovation theory, regulation innovation theory and disruptive innovation theory. A descriptive research design was applied in the study. The population target for this study was the tier one commercial banks in Kenya. The study used secondary data from the banks publications and financial statements as well as Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) annual reports published in the period from 2016 to 2019 when Fintech disruptions became more notable in Kenya. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and linear regression analysis using a fixed effect panel data regression analysis. STATA was applied as the data analysis tool. The results were presented in tables and graphs. The correlation analysis results showed that digital payments fintech services had a positive relationship with return on assets as the measure of financial performance of tier one commercial banks. The study concluded that digital personal finance management services showed a significant effect on the financial performance of tier one commercial banks in Kenya. The study recommends that commercial banks should partner with fintech companies so as to share knowledge and gain better expertise
Effects of rainfall intensity and slope gradient on soil sealing and crusting, erosion, and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria
(Elsevier, 2024) Wakindiki, Isaiah I C; Mrubata, Kaya; Nciizah, Adornis D; Mudau, Fhatuwani N
Soil erosion significantly affects various soil properties and processes, yet its impacts on soil microbial populations remains unclear. Understanding the effects of soil erosion on soil microbial properties enables the formulation of recommendations to protect soils and reduce their vulnerability. This study aimed to determine the effects of rainfall intensity and slope on soil crusting, erosion and bacterial communities in soils with various texture and mineralogy. Three kaolinitic soils with low to medium clay content (K1, K2, and K3) and three smectitic soils with high clay content (S1, S2, and S3) were subjected to simulated rainfall at three intensities (45, 70 and 100 mm/h) and two slopes (5° and 8°). Infiltration rate was measured using a graduated cylinder in 2-minute rotations of the simulator. Runoff and sediment yield were collected in a beaker. Crust strength was measured using a cone penetrometer, and its thickness was determined with a vernier caliper. Bacterial isolates were obtained by plating serial dilutions in nutrient agar and incubating them at 25°C for 24–48 h48 hous. The phosphate solubilising bacteria were then identified. The smectitic soils formed the strongest crusts with S2 exhibiting significantly (p < 0.05) higher crust strength (18.54 Kpa) at an intensity of 45 mm/h and slope of 8° On the other hand, soil K3 (kaolinitic) had the lowest crust strength (5.4 Kpa) at an intensity of 100 mm/h and slope of 8° Soil loss increased with higher rainfall intensity and steeper slopes for the kaolinitic soils with K1 being most erodible (468.2 kg/ha) at an intensity of 100 mm/h and slope of 8° The number of phosphate solubilising bacteria decreased with increasing rainfall intensity. Furthermore, this study revealed that soil properties played a more significant role in shaping bacterial composition and phosphate solubilisation than rainfall intensity alone. These findings highlight the complex interactions between soil erosion, bacterial communities, and soil properties, which are crucial for devising effective soil conservation strategies.
Electric buses offer a way out of the transport chaos
(Business Daily, 2022) Mwinzi, CPA Faustin
The 14th day of every month is a day all Kenyans have to hope against hope. They are all ears as the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) announces the monthly fuel price review, with the expectation of a reprieve from the ever-escalating costs. Rarely do prices come down, even marginally. While hoping for a miracle one day, you’ll get reminded that there is a preferential VAT treatment on fuel that is not guaranteed to last. Worse still, there is a government subsidy that can be withdrawn at will. But wait a minute, we have oil reserves in the country. The projection way back in 2012 when the discovery of oil reserves was announced was that Kenya would be an oil-rich country by this day. We live to wait for that day when we will have surplus oil production for use and export.
Employee Wellbeing in Organizations in Post Covid 19 in Kenya
(International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research in Social Science, 2023) Mamuli, Catherine L; Bunyasi, Gladys
Employee wellbeing is a concept that has been elusive in the workplace for a long time now. From time immemorial, wellbeing drives were considered as not so crucial, and they were not prioritized by many employers. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented consequence on the labor market. The business outcome of struggling workplace wellbeing is critical, and leaders are progressively preoccupied about the wellbeing of women at work. Gallup analysis found out that 500,000 more women than men left the workforce during the pandemic and the US Census Bureau reported that 45% of mothers with school-aged children were not actively working in April 2020, representing 3.5 million women who left active work in a single year. The psychological pressure and incertitude caused by the current changing workplace environment have led to negative consequences for workers especially women. This paper is an empirical study that sought to identify the female workers’ wellbeing issues that organizations should consider as crucial to achieve high performance work systems in the post covid era. Considering the predictive relationship between female employees’ engagement and wellbeing and in light of this new situation that affects workers of all the organizations worldwide, this study identified the key main drivers of female workers’ engagement that could lead to their wellbeing in the current context. Content analysis was done from various academic articles world over in relation to the current topic under study. The challenges confronting female employees’ wellbeing programs were highlighted and the strategies for overcoming such challenges deliberated. In the present global environment, characterized by fast change, covid pandemic, technology and increasing competition, female employees’ wellbeing practices should be embraced by all organizations for their success. The paper concludes that for organizations to achieve the aforementioned, organizational leaders should focus on facilitating remote working, comply with the covid 19 protocols, pay special attention to mental health and empower female employees.
Epidemiological Transition in Physical Activity and Sedentary Time in Children
(Human Kinetics, 2019) Onywera, Vincent O; Barreira, Tiago V.; Broyles, Stephanie T.; Tudor-Locke, Catrine; Chaput, Jean-Philippe; Standage, Martyn
To determine if children’s moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time varied across levels of household income in countries at different levels of Human Development Index (HDI), consistent with the theory of epidemiological transition. Methods: Data from 6548 children (55% girls) aged 9–11 years from 12 countries at different HDI levels are used in this analysis to assess MVPA and sedentary time (measured using ActiGraph accelerometers) across levels of household income. Least-square means are estimated separately for boys and girls at the estimated 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles of HDI for the sample. Results: For boys, time in MVPA is negatively associated with income at the 10th and 50th percentiles of HDI (both P < .002). For girls, time in MVPA is negatively associated with income at the 10th and 50th percentiles of HDI (all P < .01) and positively related with income at the 90th percentile (P = .04). Sedentary time is positively associated with income at the 10th percentile of HDI for boys (P = .03), but not for girls. Conclusions: Results support the possibility of an epidemiological transition in physical activity, with lower levels of MVPA observed at opposite levels of income depending on the HDI percentile. This phenomenon was not observed for sedentary time
Financial Reporting Quality Among Deposit Taking Saccos: What Unties the Ties
(Journal of Business Management, 2023) Kinyenze, Jonathan M; Ondabu, Ibrahim T.
This study advances to describe the causality of financial reporting quality among the deposit taking Saccos in Kenya by determining whether staff capacity, top management expertise, enterprise resource planning and the quality of internal audit unties the ties of the quality of financial reports. Through descriptive design and primary data of the one hundred and twenty-six respondents of the forty-two-deposit taking Saccos (DT Saccos) in Kenya, the establishes that top management expertise, enterprise resource planning (ERP) and quality of internal audit had a strong positive significant influence on the quality of financial reporting while staff capacity had also a positive influence but which was weak in terms of the strength.
Functionality of Elderly Persons: A Comparison Between Institutionalized and Non – Institutionalized Elderly Persons in Nairobi City County, in Kenya
(Science Publishing Group, 2018) Onywera,Vincent; Mugo, Judy Wairimu; Waudo, Judith; Otieno, Ochieng George
This study compared the Functionality of Institutionalized elderly persons and that of the elderly persons living with their family and or community members using the Modified Barthel Index. Two hundred and seventy elderly men and women who met the inclusion criteria were sampled, 135 from 4 Institutions namely Mji wa Huruma, Nyumba ya Wazee Ruaraka, Kariobangi Cheshire home and Mother Teresa in Huruma and 135 from Gumba, Kariobangi, Huruma and Kawangware divisions. Data were coded and entered using EPI Info version 9 and were analyzed using SPSS version 17. There were more totally dependent elderly at Institutions (13.6%), compared to 3% who were Non-institutionalized. The majority of those who were able to independently go in and out of their house and in and out of bed or wheel chair were living in the Institutions of the elderly. There were no gender differences in performing ADLs. More men than women were found to have pressure sores and bed sores. The study will reference for similar studies in Kenya and other parts of the world and prompt tertiary institutions of learning to design new training programs and review existing programs to address the Functionality needs of the growing population of Elderly persons.
Impact Investing and Sustainable Livelihoods of Dairy Farmers at Githunguri Sub County, Kiambu County in Kenya
(Research Journal of Finance and Accounting, 2023) Wathika, Loice M.; Ondabu, Ibrahim T
The study sought to establish the effect of impact investing on sustainable livelihoods of dairy farmers operating in Kenya. The study focused on impact investing practices comprising of microfinance products, contract farming and environmental conservation practices. A descriptive research design was adopted in the study. The target population comprised of 22,644 farmers distributed in the 5 Wards of Githunguri Sub County in Kiambu County, Kenya. Yamane Sampling formula was utilized in deriving a sample of 398 respondents where stratified random sampling technique was adopted to randomly select the sample in the 5 wards. Quantitative data was utilized in the study and was collected through a structured questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were employed in analyzing the gathered data. SPSS software was utilized in generating the statistics. The analysis results established that microfinance products and contract farming bear positive and significant effects on sustainable livelihoods of dairy farmers operating in Githunguri Sub County, Kiambu County. Environmental conservation practices were found to have a positive but insignificant effect on sustainable livelihoods of dairy farmers.