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Capital structure management is one of the most crucial corporate financial management functions in a firm since appropriate debt policy is reported to maximize the value of a firm. Kenya is ranked second in Africa after South Africa in regards to financial deepness. This means that the cost of debt should not have adverse effect financial performance. This observation raises fundamental question: does debt financing leads to poor financial performance in Kenya? This research sought to investigate the role of observed leverage on financial performance of listed non- financial firms in Kenya. The study tested capital structure theories and therefore adopted a positivists approach, guided by causal research design. The study population was 35 non-financial sub-sector firms out of the 65 firms listed at the NSE, Kenya. 18 firms were excluded in this study since they belong to banking and insurance sub-sectors, which have a highly regulated capital structure. Secondary data collection sheet was used to collect data for each of the variables from audited financial statements of the listed firms for a 10-year period (2006-2015). Panel regression analysis revealed that observed leverage measured by (LDR) had a significant positive coefficient with performance metrics. However, the leverage measure using TDR showed a negative and significant role on performance metrics. This study recommends that for listed firms to improve their financial performance, they should use more long-term debts than short-term debts.

<p><em>Corporate governance is relevant in both developed and emerging economies. The study investigated the impact of corporate governance on organisational performance, using thirty (30) randomly selected listed companies in the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) in the year 2016. The study focused on three corporate governance variables (i.e., Board Size, Board Independence, CEO Duality/Tenure); and two performance variables - i.e., Returns on Asset (ROA) and Returns on Equity (ROE). The study does not cover the market measure performance variable of Tobin’s Q. The study is an empirical research, with analytical research design. Secondary data, extracted from published annual reports of selected quoted companies and NSE website, is used for the study. The findings revealed a positive correlation between board size, independence directors, and performance variables; but, showed a negative correlation between CEO tenure and performance variables. The result showed that number of directors was not positively related to performance in selected quoted companies in terms of ROA; but, it revealed a positive correlation between board size and performance in terms of ROE. It also showed that the correlation between CEO tenure and performance variables was negative on the two performance variables (ROA and ROE). Regarding relationship between CEO Duality and performance variables (ROA and ROE), the result showed that CEO Duality has a positive correlation with ROA; but had a negative relationship with ROE. Generally, the study revealed that adoption of sound corporate governance practices by listed companies can improve their performance. Companies can benefit from this improved corporate governance practices by way of increased investment from investors and reduced capital cost. Shareholders confidence would be enhanced with attendant improvement in shareholders wealth. The nation’s economy would also benefit from sound corporate governance practices by way of improved GDP. </em></p>

<p><em>Corporate governance is relevant in both developed and emerging economies. The study investigated the impact of corporate governance on organisational performance, using thirty (30) randomly selected listed companies in the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE) in the year 2016. The study focused on three corporate governance variables (i.e., Board Size, Board Independence, CEO Duality/Tenure); and two performance variables - i.e., Returns on Asset (ROA) and Returns on Equity (ROE). The study does not cover the market measure performance variable of Tobin’s Q. The study is an empirical research, with analytical research design. Secondary data, extracted from published annual reports of selected quoted companies and NSE website, is used for the study. The findings revealed a positive correlation between board size, independence directors, and performance variables; but, showed a negative correlation between CEO tenure and performance variables. The result showed that number of directors was not positively related to performance in selected quoted companies in terms of ROA; but, it revealed a positive correlation between board size and performance in terms of ROE. It also showed that the correlation between CEO tenure and performance variables was negative on the two performance variables (ROA and ROE). Regarding relationship between CEO Duality and performance variables (ROA and ROE), the result showed that CEO Duality has a positive correlation with ROA; but had a negative relationship with ROE. Generally, the study revealed that adoption of sound corporate governance practices by listed companies can improve their performance. Companies can benefit from this improved corporate governance practices by way of increased investment from investors and reduced capital cost. Shareholders confidence would be enhanced with attendant improvement in shareholders wealth. The nation’s economy would also benefit from sound corporate governance practices by way of improved GDP. </em></p>

Capital structure management is one of the most crucial corporate financial management functions in a firm since appropriate debt policy is reported to maximize the value of a firm. Kenya is ranked second in Africa after South Africa in regards to financial deepness. This means that the cost of debt should not have adverse effect financial performance. This observation raises fundamental question: does debt financing leads to poor financial performance in Kenya? This research sought to investigate the role of observed leverage on financial performance of listed non- financial firms in Kenya. The study tested capital structure theories and therefore adopted a positivists approach, guided by causal research design. The study population was 35 non-financial sub-sector firms out of the 65 firms listed at the NSE, Kenya. 18 firms were excluded in this study since they belong to banking and insurance sub-sectors, which have a highly regulated capital structure. Secondary data collection sheet was used to collect data for each of the variables from audited financial statements of the listed firms for a 10-year period (2006-2015). Panel regression analysis revealed that observed leverage measured by (LDR) had a significant positive coefficient with performance metrics. However, the leverage measure using TDR showed a negative and significant role on performance metrics. This study recommends that for listed firms to improve their financial performance, they should use more long-term debts than short-term debts.