Theses and Dissertations
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Item Institutional capacity and implementation of the public procurement and asset disposal act (2015) in central region economic bloc counties(KCA University, 2025) Mutura, Caroline W.The implementation of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015 is essential for ensuring transparency, efficiency, and accountability in public procurement in the counties and the public sector at large. However, despite the enactment of PPADA in 2015, counties continue to face persistent challenges in its implementation, largely due to weak institutional capacity. This study therefore, analysed the influence top county leadership, staff competence, technological infrastructure, and financial resources on the implementation of PPADA, 2015 in the Central Region Economic Bloc counties. The study was guided by Resource-Based View, Institutional Theory, Public Choice Theory, and Stakeholder Theory. The study adopted a mixed-methods explanatory design integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. The target population was all employees in the county’s procurement and supply chain directorates. The study used balloting to select five counties or 50% out of the ten CEREB counties. The study then conducted a census of all employees involved in procurement in the selected counties. Quantitative data gathered using structured questionnaires while key informant interviews and content analysis of the PPADA, 2015, were used to gather qualitative data. A total of 114 procurement and supply chain employees were reached and satisfactorily filled the questionnaires. Four key interviews were successfully conducted among the senior management in the procurement and supply chain management directorate. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics in form of means and inferential statistical through multiple regression analysis. The qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The content analysis revealed that Section 33 of the PPADA, 2015 is the one that regulates the procurement function in the counties. The study found that top county leadership had significant influence on the implementation of PPADA, 2015, while staff competence, technological infrastructure, and financial resources had an insignificant influence on the implementation of PPADA. The study concluded that implementation of PPADA, 2015 in the CEREB counties was largely dependent on the active involvement and commitment of county leadership with staff competence, technological infrastructure and financial resources emerging as weak links. The study recommends continued strengthening county leadership commitment by linking procurement plans to development goals, enhancing procurement staff training, and improving the integration of eGPS and technological systems to ensure desired implementation of PPADA, 2015.Item Organizational determinants of knowledge sharing in health research institutions in Kenya(KCA University, 2025) Orwa, Brian O.The environment in which health research institutions operate is highly dynamic and competitive, requiring these organizations to continually adapt to sustain effective knowledge sharing and improve overall performance. Despite the increased adoption of knowledge management practices, many institutions struggle to optimize knowledge sharing, which in turn impacts research output and collaboration. Against this backdrop, this study aimed to investigate the organizational determinants of knowledge sharing in health research institutions registered with NACOSTI in Kenya. The guiding objectives were to determine how organization culture, staff motivation, technology infrastructure, and top management support affect knowledge sharing. The foundational theoretical frameworks underpinning the study included the Knowledge-Based View, Organizational Learning Theory, Incentive Theory, and Technology Acceptance Model. A mixed-methods research design was adopted. The targeted population consisted of 57 professionals from 15 leading health research institutions in Kenya. Census sampling was employed to include all eligible respondents. Data was collected using structured semi-structured questionnaires. A pilot study involving six respondents was conducted to enhance the feasibility of the research instruments. Reliability and validity of the data collection tools were established using Cronbach’s alpha and expert review, respectively. Ethical clearance was obtained from KCA University and NACOSTI before data collection. Diagnostic tests, including normality, heteroscedasticity, and multicollinearity assessments, were conducted to validate the data for analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed using STATA version 17, generating descriptive statistics (frequencies, means, standard deviations, and percentages) and inferential statistics (correlation coefficients and regression analysis). The strength of the relationship between organizational factors and knowledge sharing showed that technology infrastructure and top management support had the strongest positive correlations. This was followed by staff motivation and organization culture, which had weaker correlations but significant influence at p < 0.05. The regression model indicated that increases in technology infrastructure, top management support, staff motivation, and organization culture lead to significant improvements in knowledge sharing. It was concluded that enhancing technology platforms, strengthening leadership support, motivating staff, and fostering a collaborative organization culture would significantly improve knowledge sharing in health research institutions. The study recommends investing in advanced knowledge management technologies, implementing policy reforms to enhance leadership engagement, developing motivational programs, and fostering environments characterized by trust and open communication.Item Relationship between provision of guidance and counseling services and academic performance of student in public secondary schools in kasarani constituency, Nairobi county, Kenya(KCA University, 2025) Kiarie, Betty N.Guidance and counseling services are a crucial element in any learning environment and contribute to improved academic performance. The study focused on investigating the relationship between the provision of guidance and counseling services and the academic performance of students in Public Secondary Schools in Kasarani constituency, Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was informed by the social learning theory as proposed by Albert Bandura and, the theory of planned behavior as by Icek Ajzen. The study used descriptive research design. Mixed sampling methods were used to draw study sample. The study used Krejcie and Morgan formulae to draw a study sample of 356 from 4,637, form three students. Owing to the small number of school-based counselors, census technique was used to select and include all the 12 head of guidance and counseling departments from 12 selected public Secondary schools in Kasarani constituency and their 12 deputy assistants. Data from students was collected using a questionnaire with open and closed ended questions while interview guide was used with the teacher-counselors. The questionnaire was validated by the supervisors from the department of Education counseling psychology at KCA University. The reliability of the instruments was assessed using the split-half method. A pilot study was conducted at St. Lucie Kiriri Girls Secondary School to ensure the effectiveness of the instruments. Quantitative data was analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 22.0. The findings were presented through the use of pie charts, and tables. The study established that guidance and counseling services play a critical role in enhancing students' academic performance in public secondary schools within Kasarani Constituency, Nairobi County. Pearson correlation results indicate a statistically significant positive correlation between students’ academic performance and the availability of G&C services (r = 0.422, p < 0.01), academic performance showed a significant negative correlation with psychological challenges (r = - 0.438, p < 0.01). of G&C services helped students manage emotional, social, and academic challenges. The study concludes that while guidance and counseling services are present in most schools, their availability and quality vary significantly, affecting their effectiveness. Additionally, psychological challenges such as stress, peer pressure, and bereavement negatively influence academic engagement, and current counseling programs are insufficient to fully address these needs. The study concludes that academic counseling positively influences students’ performance by promoting goal-setting, time management, and motivation. The study recommends the expansion and standardization of counseling services, incorporation of life skills training, and increased policy support to strengthen the role of guidance and counseling in secondary education.Item Digital finance and financial sustainability among youth-owned Craft micro enterprises in migori county, Kenya(KCA University, 2025) Arodi, Daisy A.This study examined the effect of digital finance on the financial sustainability of youth-owned craft micro enterprises in Migori County, Kenya. The study was motivated by persistent financial vulnerability and sustainability challenges facing youth enterprises despite the increasing penetration of digital financial services across Kenya. The study specifically sought to determine the effect of digital credit access, digital payment efficiency, digital insurance uptake, and digital savings solutions on the financial sustainability of youth-owned craft micro enterprises in Migori County. The study was anchored on the Technology Acceptance Model, Diffusion of Innovation Theory, Resource-Based View, and Financial Intermediation Theory. A descriptive research design was adopted, targeting 7,182 youth-owned craft enterprises drawn from the eight sub-counties of Migori County. A sample was selected using stratified random sampling, and data were collected using structured questionnaires and interview schedules. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The correlation analysis revealed positive and statistically significant relationships between all the independent variables and financial sustainability. Regression results indicated that digital credit access had a positive and significant effect (β = 0.218, p = 0.001), showing that access to affordable and timely digital loans enhances liquidity and operational stability among youth enterprises. Digital payment efficiency had a positive and significant effect (β = 0.164, p = 0.008), implying that efficient payment systems improve transaction speed, transparency, and financial management. Digital insurance uptake also had a significant positive effect (β = 0.195, p = 0.001), suggesting that mobile-based insurance products strengthen enterprise resilience against financial shocks. Digital savings solutions had the strongest positive effect (β = 0.442, p < 0.001), underscoring the importance of saving culture in liquidity management and reinvestment capacity. The study concluded that digital finance significantly enhances the financial sustainability of youth-owned craft micro enterprises. It recommended that policymakers promote inclusive digital credit policies, expand mobile insurance coverage, and encourage digital savings adoption through tailored financial literacy programs. The study suggested that future research examine digital finance in other sectors and regions, and integrate additional factors such as innovation capability, regulatory environment, and management practices to enrich understanding of enterprise sustainability in the digital economy.Item Creative accounting practices, and tax compliance among small and medium entreprises in Nairobi city county, Kenya(KCA University, 2025) Mainga, Anthony K.Many economies around the world continue to experience low tax compliance levels among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), resulting in revenue authorities failing to meet their annual collection targets. This challenge significantly affects government operations, limiting its ability to provide essential services and implement development projects. Clearly, there is a need for governments and tax authorities to reassess their strategies in promoting compliance among taxpayers, especially SMEs, which form the backbone of many economies. The current study sought to establish the effect of creative accounting practices on tax compliance among SMEs in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The variables of interest were: income smoothing, accelerated depreciation, and off-balance sheet financing as the independent variables, while tax compliance was the dependent variable. The study was anchored on Agency Theory, Positive Accounting Theory, and the Theory of Planned Behavior. The study adopted a descriptive research design and the target population was 1,364 registered SMEs operating within Nairobi City County, from which a sample of 309 firms was selected using stratified sampling technique. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Data collected were coded and then analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. The results revealed that income smoothing had a positive and significant beta coefficient (β₁ = 0.319, p = 0.000 < 0.05). Similarly, accelerated depreciation had a positive and significant beta coefficient (β₂ = 0.426, p = 0.000 < 0.05). However, off-balance sheet financing had a negative but statistically insignificant beta coefficient (β₃ = -0.031, p = 0.579 > 0.05). Based on these findings, the study concluded that income smoothing and accelerated depreciation significantly enhance tax compliance among SMEs. Conversely, off-balance sheet financing does not significantly affect compliance. Among the three practices studied, accelerated depreciation had the greatest positive effect on tax compliance. The study recommends that the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) strengthen its engagement with SMEs by offering clearer guidelines and training on acceptable accounting practices—especially on income recognition and depreciation methods—to enhance voluntary compliance and boost tax revenue collection.Item Supplier relationship management and procurement performance of sugar processing firms in western Kenya(KCA University, 2025) Wanguche, Andrew M.Supplier relationship management (SRM) has become a crucial element of business operations. Effectively managed supplier relationships can yield superior procurement results, including reduced prices, higher quality, and improved delivery performance. Despite expectations, there is decline in the procurement efficiency of sugar firms in the region which reduces profitability and hampers growth of sugar firms. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of supplier relationship management on procurement performance of sugar processing firms in Western Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to; examine the effect of supplier training on procurement performance, determine the effect of supplier contract management on procurement performance, establish the effect of strategic alliance on procurement performance and to determine the moderating effect of organizational culture on the relationship between supplier relationship management and procurement performance of sugar processing firms in Western Kenya. The study was guided by resource-based theory, transaction cost theory and social exchange theory. The study utilized a descriptive research design. The study targeted 14 manufacturing firms in western Kenya. The study collected primary data using both questionnaires and interview guide. Pilot test took place at West Valley Sugar in Kericho County. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the study data. Data was presented using Tables, pie charts and bar charts. Regression analysis indicated that supplier training, supplier contract management and strategic alliances had a positive and significant effect on procurement performance without and with the moderating effect of organizational culture. The study concluded that supplier training, supplier contract management and strategic alliances had a positive and significant effect on procurement performance without and with the moderating effect of organizational culture. The research recommended that sugar processing firms should offer more frequent and regular supplier training to boost how well they purchase goods, sugar processing firms should set up and use well-defined procedures for managing their suppliers to improve procurement. It was also recommended that firms in Western Kenya improve how they communicate about procurement among different departments.Item Predicting campus admission through assessment of soft skills using random forest algorithm(KCA University, 2025) Muthui, Dennis M.This study develops a machine learning model to predict college admission success in Kenya by assessing soft skills using the random forest algorithm. The research addresses the growing importance of soft skills in academic and professional success, and current limitations in evaluating these abilities during admissions. The study identifies key soft skills, creates a comprehensive assessment tool, develops and tests a random forest model, and evaluates its performance, interpretability, and fairness. The methodology involves a quantitative predictive modeling design, employing stratified random sampling and rigorous data collection procedures. Results indicate that soft skills, particularly communication and problem-solving, are strong predictors of admission success, often outweighing traditional academic metrics. The random forest model achieved 98.36% accuracy in predicting admissions outcomes, with mathematics performance emerging as the most influential factor (22% importance), followed by GPA (18%), KCSE scores (16%), and science grades (15%), while soft skills showed more modest but meaningful contributions (communication 8%, leadership 5%, problem-solving 4%). The model demonstrated consistent performance across demographic groups, with perfect equal opportunity across gender, school type, location, and school level categories. However, the model reflected existing demographic disparities in admission rates that mirror broader equity challenges in educational access. The study concludes that incorporating soft skills assessments in admissions processes could provide a more holistic evaluation of applicants, though current practices continue to prioritize traditional academic achievement. Recommendations include integrating soft skills development in secondary education curricula and incorporating structured soft skills assessments in university admissions processes. This research contributes to the ongoing dialogue about evolving higher education admissions to better align with 21st-century workforce needs while promoting fairness and transparency in the admission process.Item The effect of green finance instruments in ensuring the sustainability of women-led enterprises in Kiambu county(KCA University, 2025) Adaka, Sandra A.This study examines the effect of green finance instruments in ensuring the sustainability of women-led enterprises in Kiambu County. Green funding has become a key strategy for sustainable development, including environmental protection and climate change mitigation, and it helps women-led businesses adopt sustainable practices. Green finance is a key enabler for equipping women-led companies in emerging economies like Kenya. The following objectives guided this study: to assess the effect of green loans and credit on the sustainability of women-led enterprises in Kiambu County, to examine the effect of green bonds on the sustainability of women-led enterprises in Kiambu County, to explore the effect of green microfinance on the sustainability of women-led enterprises in Kiambu County and to evaluate the effect of government incentives and policies on the sustainability of women-led enterprises in Kiambu County. Microfinance theory, financial inclusion theory, stakeholder theory, and institutional theory informed the study. Primary data used collected through questionnaires with women-led entrepreneurs. The study used survey questionnaires to poll 3400 women-led businesses and sample 358. The study employed descriptive statistics and multiple regressions to correlate factors in this quantitative data using SPSS version 27.0. Women-led enterprises receive sustainability support from green finance mechanisms, including green loans, bonds, microloans, and government-sponsored incentives. This research investigates the effects of green finance on women-run enterprise sustainability by assessing green loans, bonds, microfinance, and government incentive strategies. The findings of this study demonstrate that green microfinance (β = 0.799, p < .001), together with government incentives (β = 0.197, p < .001), contribute positively to women-led business sustainability. However, green loans (β = 0.012, p = 0.784) and green bonds (β = 0.012, p = 0.784) failed to yield statistically significant effects. The research suggests that institutions should provide gender-responsive green loans while streamlining green bond protocols and building microfinance networks with education-based financial support from governments. Sharing subjectively reported data defines one limitation, while exclusivity to Indian women entrepreneurs creates another challenge alongside the non-capability of determining cause-effect relationships from cross-sectional data. Future studies should include analysis across countries, qualitative research, and extended period investigations about the long-term effects of green finance. The study provides knowledge to guide policy decisions to develop financial systems supporting sustainable women-led enterprises.Item Effect of bureaucratic approval processes on the delivery Efficiency of road infrastructure projects in Kenya’s public Sector(KCA University, 2025) Ouma, Kenneth G.This study investigates the effect of bureaucracy in project approval on project delivery efficiency in Kenya's public state road infrastructure firms. The study focused on the influence of regulatory, financial, procurement, and administrative approval in affecting project outcomes, with institutional capability serving as a moderating factor. The study targeted 750 officials from the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), and Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), with 262 selected via stratified random sampling. It collected data on the research variables using structured questionnaires over the course of two weeks. Data obtained was coded, cleaned, and analyzed using SPSS 27 version, along with descriptive statistics to describe the data and moderated multiple regressions to evaluate predicted correlations. The study established that all bureaucratic approval processes significantly influence project delivery efficiency in Kenya’s road infrastructure agencies. Regulatory (β = 0.286, p < 0.001), budgetary (β = 0.210, p = 0.001), procurement (β = 0.327, p < 0.001), and administrative approvals (β = 0.143, p = 0.042) positively affect project efficiency, while institutional capacity (β = 0.257, p = 0.001) strengthens these relationships. The study concludes that efficient, transparent, and well-coordinated approval systems enhance timely project completion and accountability. Recommendations emphasize policy reforms, digital integration, capacity building, and professional training to improve bureaucratic effectiveness. Future studies should employ mixed methods, expand to other infrastructure sectors, and test the proposed conceptual model across diverse institutional and cultural contexts. Collectively, these measures will foster institutional excellence and sustainable efficiency in Kenya’s public infrastructure delivery.Item Auditor characteristics and financial sustainability of county governments in Kenya(KCA University, 2025) Kiarie, Anthony N.Auditors play a central role in advancing financial sustainability within public sector institutions, particularly county governments. Their characteristics, including professional experience, independence, ethical orientation, and risk disposition, significantly shape the quality of financial reporting, accountability, and transparency, which are essential for sustainable fiscal management. This study investigated the effect of auditor characteristics on the financial sustainability of county governments in Kenya. Guided by legitimacy theory, stewardship theory, and inspired confidence theory, the research focused on four specific objectives: to assess the influence of auditors’ professional experience, independence, ethical orientation, and risk attitude on financial sustainability. A descriptive research design was employed, targeting all 47 counties in Kenya. A sample of 123 respondents was selected, and data were obtained through structured questionnaires utilizing a five-point Likert scale. Instrument reliability was verified through a pilot test, yielding a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.7. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS, applying both descriptive and inferential statistics, including multivariate regression and structural equation modeling. The findings established that auditors’ professional experience, independence, and ethical orientation exert a positive and statistically significant effect on financial sustainability, while auditors’ risk attitude demonstrated a negative but statistically insignificant effect. The study emphasizes the importance of strengthening auditors’ technical competencies, safeguarding their independence from political interference, and promoting high ethical standards as key strategies for enhancing accountability and fiscal discipline. It concludes that sustained investment in auditor capacity-building, coupled with institutional reforms to support professional autonomy and integrity, is vital for improving governance and ensuring long-term financial sustainability within devolved government units.