Explore publications.

Proper management of finances in private primary schools is very imperative to their operations. There are, however, serious financial challenges in these private schools in Kenya as characterized by unprecedented high fees charged on students. The objective of this study was to assess the role of financial control in the growth of private primary schools in Kenya. The study was guided by the Cash Management Theory that gives emphasis to reasonable ways to deal with organizational finance management and efficient utilization as well as the Endogenous Growth Theory which stipulates that, in the long-run growth rate depends on a stable business environment. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative study design, which targeted 7,418 private primary schools in Kenya. Accessible population constituted of 3,431 heads of schools in four regions of Kenya namely: Nairobi, Central Kenya, Northeastern, and the Coastal regions. A random sampling method was used to draw a sample of 320 respondents who were either the principals’/Head teachers or deputy principal of the schools. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Structural Equation modeling using Analysis of Moment Structures was used to analyze the data. The fitness of the hypothesized structural and measurement models was tested using the Normed Fit Index and the Root Mean Squared Error. The overall path coefficients obtained were positive and significant at a 0.05 level of significance. The study established that financial control positively and significantly influenced the growth of private primary schools. The study recommended that private primary schools should have effective budget management mechanisms and strong financial controls.  

This research examines the effect of financial literacy training and micro insurance on the financial performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis of Ghana. This study aims (i)to determine the effect of financial literacy training on the financial performance of SMEs, (ii) to establish the effect of microinsurance on the financial performance of SMEs; (iii) and to determine the moderating effect of government regulations on the relationship between financial literacy training, micro-insurance and the financial performance of SMEs. The study was based on the financial intermediation theory and Schumpeter’s theory of innovation. The study adopted an explanatory research design, using a sample size of 260 SMEs in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis, Ghana. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on financial literacy training, micro insurance, financial performance, and government regulations from SME owners and microfinance institutions. Analysis of the data collected revealed that both financial literacy training and micro-insurance had a positive and significant effect on the financial performance of SMEs. The study recommends that the management of microfinance institutions that provide financial literacy training and micro-insurance should undertake a survey on the needs of SMEs and the specific challenges they face in accessing microfinance services.

The use of technology as a tool for problem identification and solutions is on the rise in the world today. Many institutions have leveraged the power of technology to solve their existing problems. The young generation has also embraced technology and is applying it in varied ways ranging from entertainment to use for academic purposes. This research sought to find out the technology literacy among grade 1 and 2 pupils in public primary schools of Kisii County in Kenya. The population of the study constituted of 71,000 pupils in the two grades in the 710 schools in Kisii County. A sample size of 384 was determined using the Fisher formula and random sampling was used to collect data from 30% of the schools. Data were analyzed descriptively using the statistical package for social sciences. The findings indicated that 43.6% of the pupils had access to smartphones at their homes, 38.9% used them on a daily basis majorly to play games. The majority of the pupils were conversant with Facebook and WhatsApp. Among the recommendations is that academic institutions at the primary school level should start diverting the minds of the young towards tendencies to use more academic applications to enhance their learning skills.

In the current dynamic world, those with no or little access to key financial products and services suffer a great deal of disservice. This study examines the effect of remittance channels (commercial banks and alternative sources) have on financial inclusion and then check the moderating effect of money remittance regulation on the relationship between the remittance channels and financial inclusion in Kenya. It uses the World Bank and Central Bank of Kenya’s dataset on remittances and financial inclusion covering the period from 2009 to 2018. We estimate our model using the Ordinary Least Square assumptions to find the association. We find that remittances from alternative channels other than commercial banks influence financial inclusion in Kenya. We further notice that the money remittance regulations have no moderating effect on the relationship between remittance channels and financial inclusion in Kenya. Our results suggest that commercial banks are not able to appropriately sell their products and services to remittance-receiving households while fintech and other internet remitting service providers seem to roll on products and services that enhance the use of savings and credit facilities. We suggest that more avenues and policies should be enacted to foster the use of alternative sources while improving structures within commercial banks to empower financial inclusion in Kenya

Employee retention has become a key focus of the human resource professional agenda. Organizations and schools have come to the conclusion that money could be saved by reducing employee turnover. However, studies have been inconclusive on motivating factors that lower employee retention. The main objective of this study was to determine the influence of motivation on the retention of employees in secondary schools in Kenya. Based on an exhaustive review of literature, three constructs of motivation were taken into consideration namely management. The major hypothesis of the study was that motivation significantly influences the retention of teachers in private secondary schools. To test the hypothesis, three sub-hypotheses were developed; compensation significantly influences employee retention; supervision significantly influences employee retention and psychological contract significantly influences employee retention.  A mixed methodology approach was adopted and data was collected using a structured questionnaire and a structured interview guide. Descriptive statistics including frequencies, correlation analysis, and linear regression were applied to test the research hypotheses. The regression results indicate that motivation is causing a 7.0 percent variation in retention, implying a weak relationship. The weak relationship can be explained by poor salaries, authoritarian supervision, and breach of the psychological contract. 

Benefactor organizations have greatly funded livelihood projects and programs in Kilifi County. However, these projects grapple with sustainability. Some halt operations instantaneously the funding is withdrawn. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of monitoring and evaluation (participation; tools; and timing and frequency) on the sustainability of donor-funded livelihood projects in Kilifi County, Kenya. The descriptive correlational research design was used with a sample of 170 from a population of 295 from three livelihood projects. Seven interviews and three focus group discussions were carried out. Standard deviations, standard error of means, arithmetic means, Pearson’s Product moment correlation, and linear regression were used. The perception of sustainability did not differ significantly with projects, gender, age, and marital status. However, perception differed based on the highest level of education and duration in the project. H0, r=0.458, p=0.000389<0.05 was rejected and concluded that monitoring and evaluation significantly influenced the sustainability of donor-funded livelihood projects. Participation in M&E and (p=0.000), frequency, and timing (p=0.024) had a significant while tools used in M&E (p=0.459) did have a significant influence on sustainability. This implies that corporate and individual knowledge of the project objectives, targets, and means of measuring project results were still critical in ensuring sustainability is attained. Simple templates of the logical framework should be used for the farmers to understand how inputs are converted into activities, outputs, outcomes, and goals. It is implied that the farmers had little knowledge of Likert items denoting tools in M&E. Therefore, simple and direct Likert items need to be chosen.

The purpose of the study was to examine how contingent capital influences the performance of hydroelectric energy projects in Kenya. The study was underpinned on pragmatism paradigm which allows the use of a mixed-method approach and descriptive correlational survey research design. Structured questionnaires and interview guides were used for the collection of quantitative and qualitative data from a sample size of 94 participants out of a target population of 94 subjects. A validity test was done on the instruments and a coefficient of 0.775 obtained using the Content Validity Index while reliability involved pretesting of the instruments amongst the 10% of the participants and Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.781 obtained. The analysis was done using both descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics of Correlation and Regression at a significance level of 0.05 with the aid of SPSS version 25 and thematic content analysis of qualitative data for triangulation. The hypothesis was tested using Simple linear regression and Pearson Correlation Coefficient models and the result was: H0: Contingent capital does not significantly influence the performance of hydroelectric energy projects in Kenya was rejected since P=0.000<0.05. Therefore, the study concluded that there is a significant influence of contingent capital on the performance of hydroelectric energy projects in Kenya. The study provides valuable knowledge on the effectiveness of contingent capital on the performance of hydroelectric energy projects for policy action and adoption by investors. It is recommended that Project management and policymakers should integrate Contingent capital to improve the performance of hydroelectric energy projects besides developing targeted policies for strengthening the implementation of contingent capital. Further research should be carried out on mechanisms of improving utilization of contingent capital in power projects in Kenya

The study sought to determine the relationship between leadership practices and labor turnover in private primary schools in Kenya with a specific focus on Rongai Sub-County in Nakuru County, Kenya. The theoretical framework of this study was derived from the Two-Factor Theory and Organization Support Theory. The study used a descriptive survey design and targeted a population of 680 employees of 34 private primary schools in the study area. A sample of 204 employees was picked using the simple random sampling method. Questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data from teachers while interview guides were used to collect qualitative data from headteachers and their deputies. Descriptive statistics were computed for each study variable while the Pearson correlation method was used to test the effect of the leadership practices on labor turnover. Qualitative data collected through the interviews were analyzed using the thematic content analysis technique. Results revealed that there is a high labor turnover in the private primary schools in Rongai with a rating of 71.2%. Results also showed that there were less than optimal leadership practices in schools with a rating of 50.8%. Labor turnover in the schools was negatively and significantly associated with leadership practices (r=-.523, p=.000). The study recommends that private primary schools ensure that teachers are actively involved in making key decisions and management of school activities in order to reduce labor turnover.

This study evaluated the influence of service tangibility on repeat visits in two-five star rated Hotels in Nairobi County. The significance of service quality cannot be overemphasized it is generally accepted that the interplay of service quality, customer satisfaction, and repeat visitation represents an attractive, cost-effective approach to gain a competitive advantage for most companies though the hotel industry is a very important sector in Kenya as it has many contributions to the economy. The tourism industry in Kenya is currently facing slow progress and the hotels are losing a lot of revenue due to poor services. The main objective of the study was to determine the influence of service tangibility on repeat visits in two-five star-rated hotels in Nairobi County. The specific objectives were to examine Quality and Cleanliness, the influence of Good Menu, and the impact of Comfortable Beds on repeat visits in two-five star-rated hotels in Nairobi. Mixed methods research design was applied based on a cross-sectional survey. The target population comprised of customers in 2-5 star rated hotels in Nairobi County. A questionnaire was used to collect primary data and the researcher conducted a pre-test of the research instruments to establish their validity. The study showed that there is a positive effect of quality attributes on customer satisfaction and customers’ repeat visits to hotels. The study concluded that majorly, the individual service quality attributes and the level of customer satisfaction influence repeat visits in star-rated hotels in Nairobi County

It is through education where a foundation for growth, groundwork on which most of our social and economic well-being is developed. This study sought to establish the influence of teaching and learning materials available on the development of pupils in upper primary schools in Karunga Zone, Gilgil Sub County. Teaching and learning materials are devices and aids through which learning and teaching are done in schools. The study was anchored on the Theory of Instruction and adopted the descriptive research design. The target population was 587 teachers of primary schools in Karunga zone, Gilgil Sub County from which a sample of 100 teachers were selected using the stratified random sampling method. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that teaching and learning materials availability (r= .652, p .000; ?= .751, p .000) has a positive and statistically significant influence on the development of pupils in upper primary. Based on this finding, the study recommends that the government of Kenya through the Ministry of Education Science and Technology should improve the availability of teaching and learning resources in public primary schools in order to promote optimal development of pupils.

The purpose of the study was to identify and rank the prevalence and severity of risk factors construction cost overrun in Public-Private Partnership projects using a case study of Sondu-Miriu Hydroelectric Power Project in Kisumu County, Kenya. This study adopted a descriptive design and collected quantitative data analysed quantitatively using descriptive statistics. In total, 85 persons were identified to have taken part in the management and implementation of the study from whom a sample size of 71 participants was obtained. Questionnaires were emailed to the participants providing details of the study and requesting their participation. The study ranked the risk factors based on prevalence and severity from most prevalently severe to least prevalently severe as design changes, emerging tasks affecting delivery, construction task breakdown structure, design variations and failure of contractors to complete different tasks. Thus, stakeholders should participate fully in the project from design to avoid design changes leading to cost overrun. During implementation, the contractor and construction manager should device mechanisms to anticipate changes in the political environment as such changes determines government policies and decisions affecting the project funding, design and scope.

Energy is one of the most important resources in the growth of an economy. The generation of power is key to the effectiveness of sustainable energy management. Energy production warrants production hence connected to economic development. Environmental change has an impact on the sustainability of renewable energy. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of environmental change on sustainable energy in Olkaria Geothermal and Kenya Power Station, Nakuru County, Kenya. The study was informed by two theories namely; Socio-technical Transitions Approach Theory and Co-evolutionary Approach to Transitions. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population was 359 employees with a stratified sample design. The sample frame was 108 employees being 30% of the total population. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). The preliminary data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in the form of tables. Inferential statistics were employed through Pearson’s Correlation analysis and regression analysis was used to test the study hypothesis at a 5% significance level.  The findings indicated that was a statistically significant relationship between environmental change and sustainable energy (r=0.286; p=0.005). Further, the study revealed that environmental change has a statistically significant effect on sustainable energy in Olkaria Geothermal and Kenya Power Station, Nakuru County, Kenya (p<0.05). The study recommends that institutional environmental changes should be examined and their influence on sustainable energy management.

This study sought to examine the influence of children's characteristics on the performance of Kenyan juvenile rehabilitation centers. The study was influenced by the Social Disorganization Theory. It also adopted a correlational research design involving a mixed-method approach in both data collection and data analysis. The population consisted of 64 staff working in 6 juvenile rehabilitation institutions in Nakuru County and 409 children admitted to these institutions. Purposive sampling techniques were employed to select the respondents leading to a sample size of 10 staff members and 42 juvenile children. The research instruments were a questionnaire and an interview guide. Quantitative data were analyzed using percentages, frequencies, Pearson correlation independent sample t-test, and ANOVA. Qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic content analysis technique. The results established that the age and gender of the children did not have a significant influence on performance but the children's socio-economic background and family support had a significant influence. The study recommended that the family should be engaged in the rehabilitation process of the children

Educational institutions are globally adopting new technologies in their pedagogical practices in order to stay in tandem with changes in the ICT sector. Many developing countries are moving towards adopting current technologies in their education systems. On September 30, 2016, after the successful completion of a pilot project, Kenya launched the nation-wide rollout of its DigitalLiteracy program (DLP). The program was meant to provide laptops to the standard one and two pupils in public primary schools together with e-content for learning. The program has been adopted in almost all schools in the country. After rolling out of the program, there are various complaints that have been put forward by the users and other stakeholders and this has necessitated studies to establish the challenges experienced and their possible mitigation. This study evaluated the challenges facing the Digital Learning Programme for Primary Schools in Kisii County, Kenya. A descriptive survey design was used in this study and a self-administered questionnaire was the main data collection instrument used. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample of 250 primary school teachers in Kisii County. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 22 and presented in tables in form of frequencies and percentages. Training, access to computers, facilities and equipment, funds, and technical support were the main challenges the DLP is facing in Kisii County. The study recommends enhanced training for the teachers, equipping well-furnished computer rooms in the schools among other measures to counter the challenges. Further, enough funds should be provided for in the budget to enable address the challenges facing the program.

Kenyan youths have been marginalized from mainstream economic activities since independence. This situation has had a negative impact such as slowed economic growth, a rise in crime and violence, and the spread of diseases. It is these issues that have prompted this study on the influence of church policies on the economic empowerment of youths with a specific focus on the PCEA Nyahururu Parish. The study was guided by the Positive Youth Development model. It employed the descriptive research design and targeted a population of 233respondents comprising of 220 youths and 13 leaders (2 congregation chairpersons, 1 clergy, 1 evangelist, 1 youth coordinator, and 8 youth leaders). From this population, a sample of 94respondentswas selected using the clustered random sampling method where the two congregations that make up the PCEA Nyahururu Parish formed the clusters. Quantitative data was collected from youths using structured questionnaires while qualitative data was collected from the church administrators using interview guides. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentages and means as well as inferential statistics. Qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic content analysis technique and results reported using quotes. Findings revealed that there is a low level of economic empowerment among the youths at the PCEA Nyahururu parish. Church policies on single parenthood and divorce/ separation have a statistically significant and negative contribution towards youth economic empowerment. Church policies on the use of modern technologies have a positive and statistically significant relationship with youth economic empowerment. The study recommends that churches should re-examine its policies in single parenthood and divorce/ separation.

Talent management impacts on service delivery in the hospitality industry. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of learning and development on service delivery in the hospitality industry in Nyeri County, Kenya. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design to determine the relationship between the variables. The target population was 310 employees of three hotels who comprised of supervisors, room stewards, food and beverage managers, waiters, storekeepers, and chefs in three hospitality establishments in Nyeri County. The research used a stratified sampling technique to select 104 participants for the study.  The main instrument for data collection was a semi-structured questionnaire. The findings of the study revealed that learning and development have a significant and positive influence on service delivery. The study recommends that organizations should stress and develop robust learning and development interventions to mitigate performance-related challenges, realize the desired quality service delivery and stability, and gain a competitive edge. It is hoped and desired that this journal will lead to a supplementary examination of the bene?ts of this refocus on talent and management, including the development of useful de?nitions.     

Employees are the backbone of the hospitality industry, and the people in service are inseparable from the service they provide. This research investigated the influence of employer-employee relationships on service quality in the hospitality industry in Nakuru County, Kenya. Descriptive design was used to gather both quantitative and qualitative data through the use of questionnaires and interview guide as the key informants. The target population was 73 respondents comprising of 55 employees’ operational employees and 18 supervisors at Nuru Palace and the Legacy Hotel in Nakuru County. The findings also reveal that coaching and mentorship as well as mutual trust between employees and their superiors affect service quality positively.  The study recommends that hospitality establishments should facilitate more on job training and provide technical support to their employees. They should also work on establishing trust between the management and the workforce.

The results of an evaluation should be used for the envisioned goal and the evaluation process and/or outcomes should be used in practice and decision making. This article presents research whose objective was to establish the extent to which stakeholder involvement in evaluations impacts the utilization of evaluation findings for program improvement. Guided by the pragmatic paradigm and supported by the Utilization-Focused Evaluation Model and Knowledge Use Theory, the researchers assumed a descriptive and correlational design using mixed methods. The sample size for this study was 232 project staff from Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Kisumu Central Sub-County, Kenya. To analyze qualitative data, the open-ended responses from key informant interviews were recorded and coded appropriately for further analysis for themes through content analysis and comparative analysis. Frequencies and percentages were calculated to describe the basic characteristics of the quantitative data. To ensure the validity and reliability of the research instruments, pilot testing was conducted. Cronbach’s alpha at ? = 0.908 was attained as the reliability coefficient of the pre-test instruments. Tests of statistical assumptions were carried out before data analysis to avoid invalidation. A hypothesis was tested at the ? = .05 level of significance and was rejected. The findings demonstrate that there is a significant relationship between stakeholder involvement in evaluations and the utilization of evaluation results. This research, therefore, reinforces literature and helps to understand the ways in which stakeholder involvement in evaluations influences the utilization of evaluation results. It informs the evaluation field of study, fills gaps in the evaluation use literature, and contributes to the appreciation of factors that predict and enhance the utilization of evaluation results

Transformational leadership is critical because of its contribution to organizational positive outcomes such as improved performance, motivation, and employee job satisfaction. Existing empirical and extant literature confirms that there is a positive relationship between transformational leadership and employee job satisfaction. This study complemented the findings by studying the effect of transformational leadership style on employee job satisfaction in the county government of Kakamega. A descriptive research design was adopted, focusing on employees at Kakamega County. Out of the 188 questionnaires issued, 174 (81 percent) filled and returned the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and chi-square. The findings indicated that the transformational leadership style influences employee job satisfaction.
  

There are visible challenges with employee development at Telkom Kenya where employees remain in one position for many years with some remaining in the same position until their retirement. Anecdotal evidence suggests that this problem could be linked to the design of the organization, but no systematic study has been conducted to ascertain this claim. This study, therefore, sought to determine the influence of work specialization on employee development at Telkom Kenya Nakuru Branch. The study was guided by the Axiomatic Theory of Organizations. It made use of the correlational research design where all the 51 employees of the Telkom Kenya Nakuru Branch were involved in the census study. Questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data from operational staffs while interview guides were used to gather qualitative data from heads of departments. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, and the multiple regression techniques while qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic content analysis technique. Results showed that work specialization (?= 0.491, p=.000) had a statistically significant and positive influence on the development of employees at TKNB. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the management at TKNB should enhance work specialization by implementing job rotation programs and promoting a match between employees’ skills and their job.