Theses and Dissertations
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Item Knowledge retention practices and performance of county governments in western Kenya(Kca University, 2025) Masinde, Sydney N.County governments in Western Kenya face persistent challenges in efficiency, accountability, and service delivery due to weak knowledge retention systems. This study examined the influence of knowledge retention practices on county government performance, focusing on documentation, archiving, coaching, and mentorship. Guided by the Knowledge Based View and Organizational Learning Theory, the study adopted a descriptive correlational research design targeting employees from ten key departments in Bungoma, Kakamega, Busia, and Vihiga counties. A sample of 392 respondents was selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression, were employed. Findings revealed a strong positive relationship between knowledge retention practices and county performance (R = .72, R² = .52, p < .05), showing that 52% of performance variation was explained by documentation, archiving, coaching, and mentorship. Documentation (β = .60, p = .001) and coaching (β = .55, p = .001) had the strongest effects. The study concluded that institutionalizing structured documentation, archiving, and mentorship systems enhances operational efficiency and service delivery. It recommended that county governments adopt comprehensive knowledge retention policies, digitize archives, and integrate mentorship and coaching within human resource and performance management systems.Item Innovative financing mechanisms and enhanced food security in Turkana county, Kenya(Kca University, 2025) Tocho, Daniel O.The study examines how innovative financing mechanisms can enhance food security for pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, and smallholder farmers in Turkana County, Kenya. The study addresses a critical gap in the local evidence base regarding the roles of Public-Private Partnerships finance, impact investment, food security insurance, and climate financing in sustainable agricultural development and resilience in dry regions. The target group comprises 1,583 individuals from six wards: Turkwel, Lobei, Kotaruk, Lopur, Loima, and Turkana South, who are beneficiaries of programs administered by TUPADO, Friends of Lake Turkana (FoLT), and Seed Savers Network Kenya. The Yamane formula was employed to determine a sample size of 319 respondents using stratified random sampling methodology. The study used a descriptive study approach, and data analysis was conducted using linear regression modeling to assess both individual and ward-level effects. The research demonstrated that innovative financing mechanisms, including Public-Private Partnerships financing, impact investing, food security insurance, and climate financing, significantly and positively contribute to food security in Turkana County, Kenya. Public-Private Partnerships and impact investment enhance resource mobilization, technology integration, and agricultural efficiency, whereas insurance mechanisms and climate financing alleviate risks linked to climate unpredictability. The results correspond with Social Impact and Risk Management theories, indicating that strategic financing interventions enhance household income, resilience, and sustainable food production. The research concludes that cohesive and well-organized finance methods are essential for enhancing food systems. Recommendations advocate for governments, NGOs, private investors, and researchers to amplify Public-Private Partnerships finance, encourage impact investments, broaden insurance coverage, and improve climate financing initiatives.Item Effect of corporate governance regulatory framework on performance of fintechs in Kenya(Kca University, 2025) Mutitu, Dennis M.The Fintech industry has emerged as a pivotal force in revolutionizing the financial landscape, especially with its technological innovations aimed at improving access to financial services, promoting financial inclusion, and driving economic growth. As the sector continues to grow, the role of corporate governance frameworks becomes increasingly important in determining the long-term performance and sustainability of Fintech firms. However, despite the impressive growth and the potential for further expansion, the Fintech industry in Kenya faces significant challenges such as regulatory challenges and cybersecurity risks that affect its overall performance. The general objective of the study was to assess the effect of corporate governance regulatory framework on the performance of Fintechs in Kenya. The specific objectives were to analyse the effect of data protection regulations on performance of Fintechs in Kenya, to assess the effect of Anti-Money Laundering regulations on performance of Fintechs in Kenya, to investigate the influence of lending regulations on performance of Fintechs in Kenya and to determine the influence of consumer protection regulations on performance of Fintechs in Kenya. The research was guided by three key theories: Agency Theory, Resource-Based View (RBV), and Institutional Theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population for this study consists of 269 key decision-makers in the Fintech companies. These comprised of; the Compliance Officers or Legal advisors, Chief Financial Officers and the operations managers. The study had a samples size of 161 determined through the Yamane formula. Stratified proportional random sampling was used to select the participants. The study used a structured questionnaire with closed-ended Likert scale questions. The data was processed and analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software. Descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, and frequency distributions, was used to summarize the data. To analyze the relationships between the regulatory framework and fintech performance, regression analysis was conducted. Ethical standards were strictly followed throughout the study. The study found that there is a statistically significant positive relationship between data protection regulations and performance of Fintechs (B=0.145, P=0.033). There was a positive and significant link between Anti-Money Laundering regulations and Fintech performance (B=0.203, P=0.004). The findings also showed a significant positive effect of lending regulation on Fintechs performance (B=0.186, P=0.023). The findings showed that consumer protection regulations had the highest positive impact on Fintechs performance (B=0.231, P=0.000). The study recommends that FinTechs in Kenya ought to invest in enhancing their data protection systems to enhance performance and establish trust. FinTechs should improve on aspects as KYC enforcement and employee training. FinTechs should also have strict credit evaluation procedures, follow the CRB regulations, and keep on revising their lending policies. FinTechs should also focus on consumer protection not only to be in line with the law but also to establish long-term customer relationships.Item Internal control, organizational size and operational performance of international non-governmental organizations in Nairobi(Kca University, 2025) Kivindu, Peter M.The current situation in Nairobi reveals significant deficiencies in the internal control systems of international non-governmental organisations (NGOs), leading to poor operational performance. These shortcomings span across all five components of internal control. The study aimed at determining the effect of internal control, organisation's control environment, risk assessment and monitoring activities on the operational performance of international non-governmental organisations in Nairobi. The study further established the moderating effect of organizational size on the relationship between internal control and operational performance of international NGOs. Theoretically stakeholder theory, risk management, institutional theory and agency theory were applied. The study employed a descriptive research design. The study targeted 288 stakeholders under 288 international NGOs based in Nairobi. The study comprised of one stakeholder per NGO thus top manager/chief internal auditor/ chief accountant or a board member for each NGO. This led to sample of 167 stakeholders. Random sampling technique was adopted. Data was collected using questionnaires. Reliability was tested using Cronbach alpha test and validity was tested using Kaiser Meyer Olkin for content analysis. Piloting was conducted on 29 stakeholders in Nairobi outside the sample group. Descriptive statistics used were frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Inferential statistics included Pearson correlation, simple linear and multiple linear regression analysis. The findings were that control environment; risk assessment and monitoring activities had significant relationship with Operational performance of international NGOs. Furthermore, organizational size had a significant moderating effect on the relationship between internal control and operational performance of international NGOs. The study suggests that a proactive approach to risk mitigation planning reflects a robust commitment to sustaining stable operational performance. The study concludes that the internal audit team's fast follow-up on audit issues demonstrates a proactive attitude to monitoring and evaluation. The study revealed that organizational size significantly moderates the link between internal controls and operational performance. The study advises that NGO management should implement control measures via internal auditors granted free access to do an extensive audit, facilitating a detailed evaluation of financial risks and controls. NGO management must establish stringent authorization and approval standards to mitigate the risk of unlawful transactions and mismanagement. Management of NGOs should prioritize prompt monitoring of audit findings to enable rapid corrective measures. Management must commit to expanding its regions by enhancing its workforce and asset base to bolster its size and scope for effective internal control.Item Impact investing and sustainability performance in manufacturing companies in Kenya(Kca University, 2025) Wambua, Peter M.There has been recent increase in the practice of "impact investing," which aimed to generate profits while simultaneously improving society or the environment. Impact investments sought to provide measurable benefits for society while maintaining financial sustainability, unlike traditional investments that focused only on profit. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of impact investing strategies on the sustainability performance of manufacturing companies in Kenya. Specifically, the study examined the effects of equity-based impact investments, outcomes-based financing, venture philanthropy, and blended financing on sustainability performance in manufacturing companies. This study employed a descriptive correlational design. The target population consisted of 798 registered member companies of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM). A stratified random sampling technique was used to select managers from manufacturing firms in Nairobi County 266 companies predetermined using Yamane’s formula. Data were collected through questionnaires from primary and secondary sources. The data were analyzed using both inferential and descriptive methods to determine the relationships between the variables. Equity-Based Impact Investments were found to have a moderate positive effect on sustainability performance. The study concluded that promoting equity-based investments could significantly enhance organizations' sustainability by providing critical financial resources to support sustainable initiatives. Outcomes-Based Financing showed a stronger positive influence, indicating that funding tied directly to specific sustainability outcomes encouraged greater accountability and effectiveness. The conclusion emphasized that linking financing to measurable sustainability results fostered improved environmental and social impacts. Venture Philanthropy had the strongest positive effect, highlighting its substantial role in advancing sustainability goals by combining financial support with strategic guidance and capacity building. The study concluded that increased engagement in venture philanthropy was crucial for driving sustainable development. Blended Financing also showed a positive relationship, suggesting that combining different funding sources improved the availability and effectiveness of capital for sustainability projects. The study concluded that adopting blended financing approaches strengthened sustainability outcomes by leveraging diverse financial instruments. Together, these variables explained a significant portion of the variation in sustainability performance, indicating a strong combined impact of these financing mechanisms. The study recommended that policymakers, investors, and practitioners encourage the adoption and integration of these innovative financing models to accelerate sustainable development.Item Dynamic workplace management policies and employee Productivity of national police service employees in Nairobi city county, Kenya(2025) Peter, Kilungya J.The main objective of this study was to assess the effect of dynamic workplace management policies on employee productivity of national police service employees, Nairobi City County, Kenya. Employee productivity within the National Police Service (NPS) refers to the efficiency and effectiveness with which officers carry out their responsibilities to meet organizational goals. This productivity is significantly shaped by dynamic workplace factors such as employee engagement, where high involvement and commitment enhance performance. Additionally, well-structured workplace designs provide a conducive environment that boosts satisfaction and operational efficiency, while regular workload reviews ensure balanced task distribution, preventing fatigue and maintaining consistent output. Lastly, promoting work-life balance through flexible schedules and personal time contributes to improved well-being and overall job performance among police officers. Specifically, this study evaluated how employee engagement, workplace designs, workload reviews and work life balance and how each affects employee productivity. The study was guided by the Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, expectancy theory, Contingency theory and the Systems theory while a review for the past similar studies was done to bring out the gaps. The study adopted descriptive research design while the target population was 33,000 National Police Service employees within Nairobi City County. Using Yamane’s Formula, the sample size was 395 respondents. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire for analysis using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the analysed data were presented in tables with mean response and standard deviations from the mean response. Finally, a regression model was used to evaluate the relationship between the independent and dependent variables of the study. Form the study results, the study established positive relationship between employee engagement, workplace designs, workload reviews and work life balance with NPS employee productivity as shown by co-efficient of 0.527, 0.414 and 0.345 and 0.477 respectively. In addition, the model summary indicated that the four selected variables accounted for 83.1% of the variation in employee productivity within the National Police service. From these findings and conclusions, the study recommended that the National Police Service should strengthen employee engagement by adopting participatory leadership through feedback forums, recognition programs, and supervisor training to enhance motivation and service delivery. Moreover, the National Police Service should redesign workplaces with ergonomic furniture, improved layouts, and enhanced safety features to foster comfort, collaboration, and productivity. In addition, the National Police Service should implement workload reviews supported by monitoring systems, confidential reporting, and peer assistance programs to ensure fair task distribution, reduce burnout, and sustain efficiency. Lastly, National Police Service should promote work-life balance through flexible scheduling, mental health resources, and family support services to boost officer satisfaction, well-being, and resilience.Item Perceptions of agency banking, financial literacy, and Financial inclusion of small and medium-sized enterprises in Bungoma county, Kenya.(Kca University, 2025) Katiech, Blasio J.The main aim of the study was to examine the relationship between small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) perceptions of agency banking, financial literacy, and financial inclusion in Bungoma County, Kenya. The general objective was to assess how agency banking and financial literacy influence SMEs’ financial inclusion. The study was guided by five specific objectives: to examine the effect of agency banking perceived accessibility on financial inclusion, to determine the effect of perceived cost of agency banking services on financial inclusion, to establish perceived liquidity of agency banking on financial inclusion of SMEs, assessing the effect of perceived security of agency banking services on financial inclusion, and examining the role of financial literacy in influencing financial inclusion of SMEs in Bungoma County. A descriptive research design was adopted, and primary data was collected from SMEs owners and managers using structured questionnaires. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the reliability and validity of the research questionnaire. The target population was 22,450 SMEs, of which a sample of 393 respondents was selected through cluster and stratified random sampling. 357 usable questionnaires were returned, yielding a response rate of 90.8%. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. SPSS software version 26 was used for data analysis. All five null hypotheses were rejected, indicating that agency banking dimensions and financial literacy both independently and interactively significantly influence the financial inclusion of SMEs in Bungoma County. Overall, the study concludes that financial inclusion among SMEs in Bungoma County is largely shaped by agency accessibility, liquidity, cost of services, security, and financial literacy, while the role of cost remains marginal. The study recommends strengthening liquidity management, enhancing security measures, expanding accessibility of agency outlets, rationalizing transaction costs, and promoting continuous financial literacy programs for SMEs to deepen financial inclusion in the county.Item Strategic human resource management practices and employee productivity at tourism parastatals in Kenya(2025) Jebet, PeninahThis study explored the relationship between Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) practices and employee productivity within Kenya's tourism parastatals. The tourism sector is a vital part of Kenya’s economy, contributing significantly to GDP and employment. The sector faces unique challenges, such as workforce inefficiency, high turnover, and the need for sustainable service delivery, making effective SHRM practices crucial for improving productivity and competitiveness. The research focused on four key SHRM practices: succession planning, employee training and development, performance appraisal, and employee engagement. The study was grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV), Human Capital Theory (HCT), and Institutional Theory, providing a framework for understanding how internal HR capabilities and external institutional pressures influence organizational performance. Data was collected from 296 employees across six tourism parastatals. The findings revealed that SHRM practices significantly influence employee productivity. Performance appraisal had the most substantial impact, contributing to the largest variance in productivity, followed by employee engagement, training and development, and succession planning. The combined impact of all SHRM practices explained nearly 88% of the variance in employee productivity, with p-values indicating strong statistical significance for all practices (p < 0.001). The study recommends that tourism parastatals invest in structured performance appraisal systems, enhance employee engagement, provide continuous training, and refine succession planning to align with career advancement. These efforts are essential for improving employee productivity, service quality, and the sustainability of Kenya’s tourism sector. Future studies could use a longitudinal approach to assess the long-term effects of SHRM practices. Expanding the sample to other sectors or conducting cross-country comparisons would improve generalizability. Additionally, incorporating multiple data sources, such as objective performance data, could offer a more comprehensive understanding of SHRM’s impact on productivity.Item Investment diversification and financial performance of Deposit taking saccos in Kenya(KCA University, 2026) Mugwe, Pauline W.The study sought to investigate the relationship between investment diversification and the financial performance of deposit-taking SACCOs in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to examine the effect of investments in bond market, real estate, and FOSA products on financial performance of deposit-taking SACCOs in Kenya. The study was guided by Keynesian Theory of Investment, Prospect Theory, Modern Portfolio Theory, and Theory of investments. The target population was 178 SASRA licensed deposit taking SACCOs in Kenya and sample size was 36. Secondary was collected from the 36 SACCOs over a period of five years. The study employed a mixed-methods research design, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches. This data was analyzed using descriptive and regression analysis to investigate the relationship between investment strategies and financial performance. Different indicators, were deployed with Return on Assets (ROA), serving as the dependent variable. Diagnostic tests of multicollinearity, Hausman test, normality test, heteroskedasticity, test unit root test, confirmed the reliability and validity of the collected data. The descriptive statistics revealed the suitability of the sampled data. The inferential analysis demonstrated that investment in bonds, real estate and FOSA products have varying positive and significant relationships with financial performance of SACCOs with all the three variables having p-values less than 0.05. The coefficient of determination, R2 was 0.818 which indicates that the estimated regression equation can predict only 81.8% of the variation. The adjusted R2 was 0.815 which tells us there was 81.5% variation in the financial performance of SACCOs due to changes in investment in bonds, real estate and FOSA products. The research therefore recommends that SACCOs should strive to give top priority to integrating and utilizing investment portfolio, such as bonds, real estate and FOSA products in order to improve the financial performance and profitability of SACCOs in Kenya. The study suggests that research on other determinants of investments should be revisited to evaluate their effects on corporate performance and profitability in SACCOs.Item Financial management practices and financial performance of technical and vocational education and training institutions in Kenya(KCA University, 2025) Joseph, Patrick M.This study examined the relationship between financial management practices and the financial performance of technical and vocational education and training institutions in Kenya. The TVET sector plays a key role in equipping learners with the technical, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills necessary to support Kenya’s socio-economic transformation and the realization of Vision 2030. Despite increased government funding, many public TVET institutions continue to face significant financial and sustainability challenges due to weak fiscal oversight and resource mismanagement. This study aimed at examining the influence of financial planning, budgeting, internal controls, financial reporting and evaluated the moderating role of governance on the financial performance of these institutions. A descriptive, mixed-method research design was used to collect data from principals and finance officers across the 42 sampled public TVET institutions. Descriptive and regression analyses showed that financial reporting had the strongest positive effect on financial performance, followed by internal controls, financial planning, and budgeting. The results also indicated that effective governance significantly enhanced the relationship between these financial practices and overall institutional performance. The study concluded that effective financial management practices while reinforced by good governance practices are essential for accountability, transparency, and sustainability in TVET institutions. The study recommends continuous capacity building for principals and finance officers, participatory budgeting and automation of financial systems to strengthen institutional performance. These measures are critical to strengthening institutional performance and ensuring that public resources are utilized efficiently to meet the nation's human capital development goals.