African Journal of Empirical Research
Not a member yet
975 research outputs found
Sort by
Influence of legal framework on own source revenue performance in Lake Region Economic Bloc counties, Kenya
Get PDFOwn Source Revenue in Kenya is anchored in the 2010 Constitution, the Public Finance Management Act of 2012, and the County Government Act of 2012. Enhancing county-level revenue performance is essential for fiscal autonomy and effective public financial management. However, many counties continue to face challenges, including weak legal frameworks, limited citizen participation, inadequate diversification of revenue sources, and slow adoption of technology. This study was motivated by the persistent fiscal gaps in devolved governments, particularly within the Lake Region Economic Bloc, where counties have significant potential yet continue to underperform in revenue mobilization. The study examined the influence of the determinant—county legal frameworks—on own-source revenue performance, while also assessing how Gross County Product shapes these influences. It was guided by the sequential theory of decentralization. A descriptive survey design was employed, targeting 170 county officials from 14 counties within the bloc. Structured and unstructured questionnaires were used, and a pilot study was conducted in Uasin Gishu County to ensure reliability and validity. The findings revealed that enforceable county legal frameworks (β = 0.198, p = 0.004) enhanced Own Source Revenue (OSR) performance. Overall, county legal framework, public participation, tax diversification, and technology adoption significantly influenced OSR performance (R² = 0.598; F = 19.890, p = 0.000), with technology adoption showing the strongest effect (β = 0.332). Stronger Gross County Product (GCP) significantly moderated these relationships (R² = 0.591; F = 30.625, p = 0.000), amplifying the impact of determinants, especially technology and tax diversification. The study concludes that institutional reforms, supported by local economic growth, are essential for sustainable own-source revenue performance. It recommends that county governments strengthen revenue laws to achieve greater fiscal independence
Evaluating the performance of clinical officer anaesthetists’ curriculum from Kenya Medical Training College, Kenya
Get PDFThe trend in Kenya is that the number of patients requiring safe anaesthesia services has increased along with the growth of the surgical services. The labour force remains strongly dependent on the COAs that have been trained in the Kenya Medical Training College. Physician anaesthesiologists remain in serious shortage in Kenya, as only less than 200 are available to over 50 million people. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Clinical Officer Anaesthetists’ curriculum at Kenya Medical Training College. This study was anchored on the Context, Input, Process, Product model. Cross-sectional design was used, which allowed use of both qualitative and quantitative methods. Level five hospitals were selected as the study area. The census method was used for clinical officer anaesthetics (140), and seven anaesthesiologists were interviewed. Questionnaires and interview guides were used for data collection. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences aided data analysis. Qualitative data was coded and reported in narration and verbatim. Strict ethical guidelines were followed in this study. Findings of this study reveal that the perceptions of Clinical Officer Anaesthetists (COAs) trained by KMTC are typically seen as competent, with the mean scores in all domains being 3.63 to 3.72. The correlation analysis shows highly significant and strong relationships between competence in the practice of anaesthesia, effective communication and collaboration, patient outcomes from knowledge and skills and professional development and improvement (r = 0.957 to r = 0.986, p = 0.001). This study concludes that clinical officer anaesthetists trained at KMTC are competent in their practice of anaesthesia and teamwork and positively impactful on patient outcomes. Nevertheless, the possibilities of professional development are still restricted, and there is concern regarding the possibility of long-term development and preparedness foradvanced practice. It recommends that KMTC should enhance its curriculum by incorporating formal continuing professional development like regional anaesthesia, increasing exposure to more advanced anaesthetic methods, and providing more mentorship
Local government leadership strategies in land dispute resolution: Insights from Buhigwe District, Tanzania
Get PDFThis study examined the influence of local government leadership on resolving land conflict in Buhigwe District, Tanzania, a common form of social grievance and hindrance to development. Using transformational leadership theory as a theoretical lens for the study, a quantitative, positivist approach was applied, which involved surveys using structured questionnaires for the 259 participants. Both local leaders and community members were selected using stratified and simple random sampling. Leadership styles and land dispute resolution outcome were assessed using binary logistic regression. The findings indicate that community-based forms of leadership influence land conflict outcomes, particularly informal dialogue (AOR = 23.08, 95% CI: 6.27 - 84.94, p < 0.001), negotiation (AOR = 17.68, 95% CI: 3.62 - 86.259, p < 0.001), consultation (AOR = 10.30, 95% CI: 3.62 - 29.3, p < 0.001), inclusive practices (AOR = 3.13, 95% CI: 1.37 - 7.12, p = 0.007), community meetings (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI: 1.17 - 6.19, p = 0.019) and awareness sessions (AOR = 19.79, 95% CI: 1.76 - 222.87, p = 0.016) that all build trust, cooperation, and lasting peace in conflict situations. In the adjusted model, mediation and legal and administrative processes are not effective predictors, presenting possible limitations to their current implementation of these forms of conflict resolution. Overall, the study illustrates that local leadership is an effective avenue for dispute resolution; however, local actors should now be supported as a reflection of the principle of devolution through financial and technical capacity and national government support for local government actors. In order to strengthen local governance and achieve land justice in rural Tanzania, formal recognition of the customary authorities by the central government is further suggested, along with a more public dispute resolution protocol for investigations of local customary authorities
A systematic review of factors influencing learning management system usage in higher learning institutions across the East African Community
Get PDFIn this digital era, the use of learning management systems in education as an attempt to improve teaching and learning delivery has become a central concern. Despite significant investment in Information Communication and Technology (ICT) infrastructure, higher learning institutions across the East African Community continue to face diverse challenges that hinder full utilization. This study was guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework to present a systematic review of literature published between 2015 and 2025, focusing on the most critical factors influencing Learning Management System usage in the East African Community. The literature was identified through six electronic databases guided by the Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework; 92 academic articles were identified and critically analyzed. The results revealed that 28 studies primarily focused on Kenya. The Technology Acceptance Model was the dominant model employed, and students were the main subject of studies. Moreover, the quantitative approach was the preferred design. Overall, thirty-nine factors were identified. The study concludes that the East African Community requires a multi-dimensional approach combining continuous training, supportive policies, and robust ICT infrastructure, including high-speed internet connectivity and strengthened mobile technology. This review will be useful for future research and higher education decision-makers who plan to use online learning to overcome the challenges they face in utilizing LMS effectively. The study was limited to link usage and learning outcomes; therefore, future work should employ stronger designs, incorporate lecturer and administrator perspectives, and integrate multi-level theories to link usage with learning outcomes
Assessing impact of climate change on maize production in Tanzania: Inter-regional analysis
Get PDFClimate change is one of the major contributors to reduced agricultural production globally, and particularly in Africa, where the majority of households rely on rain-fed agriculture. Variability in rainfall, rising temperatures, and increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels put crops at risk. Guided by Nerlove’s agricultural supply-response theory, the study conceptualized maize production as mainly influenced by climatic factors, with rainfall and temperature treated as external factors that shift the maize supply curve. A quantitative longitudinal design was adopted to assess the impact of climate change on maize production in Tanzania, with emphasis on Kongwa, Kilosa, and Mufindi. Secondary time series (1990–2020) data on annual rainfall, temperature, maize production, and cultivated area under maize were collected from the Tanzania Meteorological Authority, the National Bureau of Statistics, and the Food and Agriculture Organization for quantitative analysis using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag Error Correction Model (ARDL-ECM). The model results show that maize production is strongly affected by rainfall in the short run, with significant effects in Kongwa (0.0029; p < 0.001), Kilosa (0.0010; p = 0.012), and Mufindi (0.0010; p < 0.001). Although the short-run rainfall effects suggest an immediate, but not lasting, impact on maize production, the long-run rainfall effects were insignificant across districts. In Mufindi, temperature had a significant impact on maize production in the short and long run (–0.0311; p < 0.001), indicating that warming reduces production in cooler highlands. The error-correction terms (ECT) were significant across districts: Kongwa (–0.9946; p < 0.001), Kilosa (–0.9855; p = 0.003), and Mufindi (–0.3563; p = 0.027), implying that production adjusts to climatic shocks over time. An increasingly cultivated area under maize enhances resilience, but it is still climate-constrained. Rainfall variability affects Kongwa and Kilosa, which are resilient owing to a milder climate, and Mufindi, which is vulnerable to temperature stress. The study suggests agricultural crop insurance, climate-resilient infrastructure and technology, improved irrigation in Kongwa, better water management in Kilosa, and heat-tolerant varieties in Mufindi as key interventions to meet these challenges and support food security across Tanzania’s agroecologies.NAN
Regional disparities in SDGs achievement across Africa: An analysis using SDG dashboards
Get PDFAfrica’s progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) remains highly uneven, with persistent regional disparities undermining the continent’s collective advancement toward Agenda 2030. Despite ongoing national and regional efforts, there is little comparative evidence showing exactly how each SDG performance differs between African regions, hindering targeted policy interventions. This study examines regional disparities in the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across Africa, utilizing the SDG Dashboards from the 2025 Sustainable Development Report Database. The study was grounded in the Sustainable Development Theory, which posits that disparities in SDG achievement across African regions stem from imbalances among the economic, social, and environmental pillars, which ultimately disrupt overall SDG countries\u27 dashboards\u27 performance. Data from 54 African countries were analyzed through descriptive statistics, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and post-hoc comparisons by Dunn’s pairwise comparison test with Bonferroni correction to assess inter-regional variations. The results demonstrate statistically significant differences across 12 SDGs, with Northern Africa consistently outperforming other regions. Eastern and Western Africa show different results. They are making some progress on SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), but not on SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). Central and Southern Africa display markedly lower achievement across most goals. These findings indicate that Africa’s progress toward Agenda 2030 remains uneven and structurally fragmented, with persistent challenges in SDGs 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 14, and 16. The observed disparities in SDG achievement across African regions are structurally determined, reflecting variations in economic capacity, governance, infrastructure, and institutional capacity. The progress is relatively stronger in Northern Africa. Eastern and Western Africa demonstrate mixed outcomes, while Southern and Central Africa lag behind, highlighting the necessity of strengthening regional knowledge-sharing, mobilizing targeted resources, and enhancing institutional capacity to reduce disparities and accelerate sustainable development across the continent
The influence of strategic solutions on the performance improvement of NGOs in Morogoro, Tanzania
Get PDFThis study investigates the influence of strategic solutions on the performance improvement of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Morogoro, Tanzania. Guided by an integrated theoretical framework combining the Resource-Based View and Stakeholder Theory, the research examined the effects of leadership commitment and resource allocation on organizational performance. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was employed. The study targeted a population of 473 NGO managers, from which a systematic sample of 217 respondents was selected for a quantitative survey, supplemented by 55 purposively sampled in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression in SPSS, and qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis in NVivo. The results demonstrated that leadership commitment (β = 0.333, p < 0.001) and resource allocation (β = 0.427, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of organizational performance, jointly explaining 55.8% of its variance. Resource allocation emerged as the strongest determinant. The study concludes that strategic leadership and efficient resource management are paramount for enhancing NGO performance in resource-constrained settings. It recommends policy interventions such as mandatory leadership certification and fiscal incentives for diversified local funding to build organizational resilience, reduce donor dependency, and improve sustainable impact. Future research should adopt longitudinal and comparative approaches across multiple regions and incorporate objective performance metrics. Findings underscore the need for compulsory leadership certification programmes and strategic reforms in resource management, including tax incentives for local fundraising and performance-based allocation. These interventions can strengthen NGO governance, reduce donor dependency, and enhance sustainability in resource-constrained environments
The influence of participatory budgeting on public service delivery: A case of Nanyumbu District Council, Mtwara, Tanzania
Get PDFThis study explores the influence of participatory budgeting on public service delivery in Nanyumbu District Council, Mtwara, Tanzania. The study was guided by institutional theory. The target population was 580 people. The research adopted a descriptive research design, with a sample of 237 respondents selected using purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and interviews, enabling the researcher to capture both quantitative and qualitative insights. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS, while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that participatory budgeting is transparent and fair, contributing to service delivery outcomes. Furthermore, the data indicated that challenges such as bureaucratic hurdles, lack of awareness, resource limitations, political interference, and low citizen participation hindered the effectiveness of participatory budgeting in Nanyumbu district. The study recommends strengthening civic education, institutionalizing feedback mechanisms, and enhancing technological tools to improve the effectiveness and inclusiveness of participatory budgeting at the local level
The Influence of Tax Audits on Revenue Collection at the Tanzania Revenue Authority
Get PDFThis study aimed at assessing the influence of tax audit on revenue collection in Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA). Specifically, study examined the influence of comprehensive audit, limited scope audit and single-issue audit on revenue collection. Study consisted of six TRA tax regions namely: Kinondoni, Tegeta, Ilala, Temeke, Kariakoo and Large Taxpayer Department. This study was guided by Classical Theory of Tax Compliance and Agency theory. This study adopted a cross-sectional research design. From a population of 365 of tax audit staffs and revenue collection staffs, sample size of 191 was drawn. In sample selection, the researcher used stratified and random sampling techniques (probability) and purposive sampling techniques. Questionnaires, interview guide and documentary review were used in data collection. In data analysis, linear regression analysis was used. Findings of first objective showed that, unit increase in number of comprehensive audits is associated with an average change of 22.94% in revenue collection at TRA. Also, unit increase in number of limited scope audit conducted is associated with an average change of 37.61% in revenue collection. Lastly, a number of single-issue audits conducted is positive (β=0.2531) and significant at 5% in influence revenue collection. Thus, 1 unit increase in number of single-issue audits conducted is associated with an average change of 25.31% in revenue collection. Qualitative analysis show that different types of audits impact financial oversight and revenue collection in various ways. Limited scope audits focus on specific financial areas with reduced work on investments, requiring asset certification and often leading to increased revenue collection by targeting key transactions. Single audits comprehensively review financial statements and federal fund expenditures, enhancing compliance, transparency, and revenue optimization for nonprofits and government entities. Comprehensive audits (value for money audits) ensure efficient resource utilization, corporate compliance, and optimal operational procedures, contributing to improved revenue collection in Tanzania by enforcing financial accountability. Thus, study concluded that conducting comprehensive audits, limited scope audits and single-issue audits positively impacts revenue generation at the TRA. It is recommended that TRA carry out thorough audits going forward because they significantly and positively affect revenue collection, according to the findings. In order to promote long-term, equitable, and sustainable economic growth, TRA should aim for more expenditure predictability for increasing expenditures in people and physical capital
The Effect of Supply Chain Integration on the Performance of Procurement in the County Governments of Western Region, Kenya
Get PDFThe study sought to assess the effect of supply chain integration (SCI) on the performance of the procurement functions in the county governments of Western Region, Kenya. The study is anchored on systems theory as the main theory. The study used a descriptive research design. The study was conducted in the four Counties in Western Region, Kenya. The counties included Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, and Vihiga county governments. The population for this study consisted of 215 county officials located in the Western Region of Kenya. Stratified simple random sample was used in the investigation to sample 168 supply chain employees, procurement officers, and finance officers. Questionnaires were used as the main data collection instrument. A pilot study was carried out in Trans Nzoia County. The descriptive and inferential analysis of the data was conducted using SPSS version 26. The two forms of inferential analysis used in this study were simple linear regression, and Pearson correlation. The study found that supply chain integration significantly influenced procurement performance, with t = 7.134, B = 0.570, and p < 0.05, highlighting its positive impact on procurement functions. The study conclude that supply chain integration practices had a significant positive influence on procurement performance in county governments of western region. Supply chain integration provides internal integration, customer integration, external integration and horizontal integration. The study recommends that mutual goals with suppliers free from biasness should be adopted to ensure that collaborations between suppliers and companies exist. Customers should be part and parcel of procurement process to build a transparent procurement base. The study would enable policy makers aware of the vital role played by procurement practices with regard to procurement performance. The study\u27s results may additionally empower the administration of diverse government agencies, such as county governments, to discern the fundamental elements that must be taken into account in supply chain management in order to maximize the utilization of public funds and resources