African Journal of Empirical Research
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Community Customs and Sustainability of Beach Management Units in Homabay County, Kenya
Get PDFThe sustainability of Beach Management Units (BMUs) in Homabay County, Kenya, continues to face substantial challenges due to a disconnect between community customs and formal governance structures. This study aimed to address these challenges by investigating the effect of community customs on BMU sustainability and exploring the moderating role of project committee composition. The study was guided by Hardin’s theory of the tragedy of the commons and Network Analysis theory. A concurrent mixed-method research design was employed, targeting 143 BMUs across active fishing sites, with a population of 7,151 individuals, including 1,939 key informants and 5,212 fishing participants from five sub-counties along Lake Victoria. A sample of 647 respondents was selected through stratified random sampling, proportionate stratified sampling, and purposive sampling techniques. Primary data was collected by use of structured questionnaires and key informant interview schedules that captured the various variables of the study. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data collected. Quantitative results revealed that community customs (β = 0.123, p < 0.05) had a positive and statistically significant effect on BMU sustainability. The correlation coefficient (r = 0.711, p < 0.01) indicated a strong positive relationship, with a 71.1% probability that increased alignment with community customs would enhance project sustainability. Qualitative findings further reinforced the significance of local customs, such as traditional ecological knowledge, dispute resolution mechanisms, and collective decision-making in ensuring compliance and enhancing conservation efforts. The study concludes that aligning BMU governance structures with community customs strengthens community ownership, increases regulatory compliance, and promotes sustainable resource management. The research underscores the critical need for managers to actively engage with local communities and incorporate their customs into governance processes. It also urges policymakers to design inclusive governance strategies that bridge the gap between traditional practices and formal management structures. By fostering culturally aligned governance, BMUs can enhance project acceptance, leading to more effective and sustainable natural resource management in developing countries
Digitalisation of Banking Services and Financial Inclusion Potential of Women Entrepreneurs in Dodoma Municipality, Tanzania
Get PDFDespite global advancements in digital financial technologies, women entrepreneurs in developing economies, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, still face persistent barriers to access financial services due to low financial literacy, limited resources, and restrictive social norms. This paper empirically examines the impact of digitalising banking services on financial inclusion among women entrepreneurs in Dodoma municipality, Tanzania. Underpinned by the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a theoretical lens, this paper employs a cross-sectional design with a quantitative approach, surveying 117 registered women entrepreneurs at the Machinga Complex in Dodoma City Council using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were used to analyse the impact of digital finance platforms, mobile money services, and the agency banking model on women entrepreneurs’ financial inclusion potential. The findings reveal that mobile money is the most widely used digital service (89%), significantly enhancing access, affordability, and usage of financial services, accounting for 37% of the variance in women entrepreneurs’ financial inclusion. Digital finance platforms account for over 50% of financial inclusion, with agency banking contributing a modest yet significant 12.2%. The internet banking model remains the most underutilized due to limited digital literacy and infrastructure. The paper concludes that the digitalisation of banking services has a significant potential to bridge financial exclusion gaps among women entrepreneurs in Tanzania. Despite outstanding progress, gender disparities persist, necessitating targeted interventions. The paper recommends that policymakers and bank officials should enhance digital infrastructure, financial literacy programs, and tailored mobile money solutions to empower women entrepreneurs, supporting the inclusive economic development goals and the African Union Agenda 2030. The findings underscore the transformative potential of digital banking in addressing financial exclusion among underserved populations
The effect of pastoral care and mentorship programmes on psychosocial adjustment and academic performance of students in public secondary schools in Kakamega County, Kenya
Get PDFSchools that are founded on Christian principles have chaplaincy services that are meant to mold students to develop as whole person physically, morally, spiritually, and mentally. Despite the fact that there are chaplaincy services in secondary schools in Kakamega County, indiscipline continues to affect many schools and hence, becoming a deterrent to effective learning. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effect of pastoral care and mentorship programs on the psychosocial adjustment and academic performance of students in public secondary schools in Kakamega County. The study was based on Structural Functionalism and Social Disintegration theories developed by Emile Durkheim that gave insight to the contributing factors for delinquency among students. Saturated sampling was used to select the two National secondary schools in Kakamega County, the County Quality Assurance and Standards Officer. Stratified random sampling was used to classify schools into Boys/ Girls, Boarding/ Day schools, mixed Day/ mixed boarding schools and mixed day schools. Purposive sampling was used to select the samples with the required information. Proportionate sampling was employed to select a sample size within the samples that would reflect the numerical strength of the samples selected and finally simple random sampling technique was used to accord each member a chance of being selected and each choice would be independent of any other choice. The target population for the study was 2888 teachers and 425 students. The study used Yamane method to arrive at a sample size of 395 teachers and 365 students. Correspondingly, pilot study was carried out and feedback obtained was used to correct research instruments that were afterwards used to collect data in the field. Data was collected through two validated questionnaires for teachers and students. Descriptive and inferential analysis was utilized to analyze data both qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings revealed that pastoral care programmes develop sense of focus in life and set targets. The results further show that large proportion of the respondents 206 (57%) agreed that pastoral care programmes and mentorship build confidence, hope, faith and self-esteem in students. The findings of inferential statistics indicated that pastoral care and mentorship programme had a substantial impact on Psychosocial and Academic performance observed in public secondary schools in Kakamega County (t-statistic=15.072, p-value = 0.001< 0.05) there was no statistically significant effect of Pastoral care and mentorship programme on student psychosocial adjustment and academic performance in public secondary schools in Kakamega County. The study concluded that, the county should embrace continuous evaluation and improvement of counseling and chaplaincy programs to meet the needs of students in. The study recommends that there is a need to assess and revise the existing spiritual and moral counseling programs to ensure they effectively promote psychosocial adjustment among students. This can be done by incorporating evidence-based strategies and techniques that have been shown to have a positive impact on students\u27 well-being and academics
The effect of leadership in implementing English as the medium of instruction on academic performance: A comparison of public and private primary schools in Karongi District, Rwanda
Get PDFThis study examines the effect of leadership in implementing English as the Medium of Instruction (EMI) on academic performance, comparing public and private primary schools in Karongi District, Rwanda. Supported by Bandura\u27s Social Learning Theory and Policy Implementation Theory, the research employed a descriptive survey design using a mixed-methods approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative methods. A total of 145 participants were targeted across six schools during the study through a universal sampling technique, including 139 teachers and 6 head teachers. Data were collected through questionnaires, classroom observation checklists, document reviews, focus group discussions with 18 parents, and interviews with 6 school leaders and 1 Sector Education Inspector. Sampling techniques included simple random, stratified, purposive, and quota methods. The data were analyzed using R-square, regression, and model summary, and hypotheses were tested through descriptive statistics. The findings revealed significant inequalities in EMI implementation between public and private schools. Quantitative results indicated that school leadership strongly influences learners\u27 academic performance in English (R = 0.540, R² = 0.291, p = 0.000), particularly when the school vision is clearly communicated (Mean = 3.57). However, practices such as daily English use in meetings and activities recorded low scores (Mean = 2.64), indicating unreliable implementation. Teachers’ English proficiency did not significantly influence learner imitation behaviors (p = 0.784), suggesting that other factors—such as teaching methods, parental involvement, and school and classroom environment—also play a role. The availability of English language resources, including internet tools, significantly impacted learners’ proficiency (R = 0.761, R² = 0.580, p = 0.000), with regression results confirming a strong model fit (F = 97.292). Additionally, the use of English as the medium of instruction had a statistically significant effect on both learner participation and academic performance (F = 5188.326, p = 0.000). Qualitative findings from observations, document analysis, and focus group discussions further highlighted gaps in policy implementation, the dominance of mother tongue in both schools and classrooms, and poor resource allocation by school leaders, particularly in public schools. The study recommends enhancing school leadership, providing regular training, monitoring EMI policy implementation, fostering an English-speaking culture across all school levels, and utilizing idle capacity and time within schools
Role of employees’ development programs in talent enhancement at the institute of judicial administration, Tanzania
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to assess the role of employees’ development programs in talent enhancement. Specifically, this study was featured by three specific objectives, which were to identify types of development programs available for enhancing talents at the Institute of Judicial Administration (IJA), to find out the impacts of employees’ development programs in talent enhancement, and to determine the challenges facing IJA in implementing available employees’ development programs. This study followed interpretivism philosophy using a qualitative paradigm and a case study as the design of this study. Theoretically, this study was informed by human capital theory, which is based on the development of human resources in the organization. The study gathered primary data through in-depth interviews with five (5) participants and through focus group discussion (FGD) with forty-five (45) participants. But also, this study used secondary data, which was obtained through documentary review, to enhance the findings. For analysis and presentation of data, this study used a thematic approach to analyze the findings and present the results. The results of the findings revealed that employees’ development programs, such as training programs, workshop programs, job rotation programs, delegation programs, and seminar programs, which are available at IJA, enhance talents. But also, it was found that the implementation of these programs has been revealed to have the following impacts: helping employees to get new ideas of performing their tasks in a better way, increasing innovation, increasing employees’ satisfaction, helping to prepare talented individuals for future roles in the organization, and boosting employees’ performance. However, despite enhancing talent, these development programs face challenges like financial constraints, poor employee ’engagement, and top-level leaders’ preferences. This study recommended that for effective implementation of development programs, IJA should allocate more funds to development programs during the budget preparation, IJA should involve employees at all stages of planning about development programs to avoid low engagement of individuals, and it was recommended that IJA management should follow the development plan and policies when implementing development programs instead of relying on individual preferences
Determinants of dividend payout ratio: Analysis of microfinance companies listed in Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE)
Get PDFTwo opposing hypotheses—dividend relevancy and dividend irrelevancy illustrate the influence of the dividend decision on a firm\u27s value. However, this study examined the factors influencing the dividend payout ratio in Nepalese microfinance institutions. More specifically, this study investigates the impact of asset growth, financial leverage, firm size, profitability, and macroeconomic conditions on the dividend payout ratio (DPR). This research examined signaling theory through an explanatory research design. This study comprised a total of 50 microfinance institutions operating in Nepal. Nine microfinance institutions were randomly selected from a total of 50 microfinance institutions. The selection of nine microfinance institutions was based on stock price performance, comprising the three highest, three medium, and three lowest share prices in the Nepal Stock Exchange. This research utilized panel data from nine microfinance institutions over the period 2018-2023, comprising a total of 54 observations. This research employed descriptive, correlational, and multiple regression analyses. The results indicated a positive relationship between the dividend payout ratio and asset growth. In contrast, there is a negative relationship between company size and profitability with the dividend payout ratio. Financial leverage, inflation rate, and GDP growth rate exhibit a negative yet insignificant relationship with the dividend payout ratio. The results of the multiple regression analysis indicate that company size, asset growth, and profitability negatively impact the dividend payout ratio. Inflation, GDP growth, and financial leverage exert an insignificant influence on DPR. Management should utilize the findings to optimize the dividend payout ratio, thereby maximizing shareholder wealth
Modeling the effect of COVID-19 mortality shock on fertility rates in Kenya using negative binomial regression model
Get PDFFertility plays a critical role in shaping population dynamics. Major mortality events, such as pandemics, often influence fertility trends through a variety of mechanisms including behavioral shifts, psychological responses, and socio-economic disruptions. This research applies a Negative Binomial Regression (NBR) model-suitable for overdispersed count data—to examine the influence of the COVID-19 mortality shock on Kenya’s fertility rates using the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey data from 2018 and 2022. Key factors analyzed include marital status, pregnancy loss, contraceptive uptake, sterility, and postpartum insusceptibility. The findings show a statistically significant rise in fertility post-COVID-19, with expected birth counts increasing from 7.146 to 7.488. The dispersion parameters of 1.537 and 1.572 had a minimal difference, indicating that both models captured overdispersion similarly. The study underscores the need to incorporate reproductive behavior into pandemic response frameworks
Media framing of the belt and road initiative in Africa: Content analysis of Nation media newspaper in Kenya
Get PDFThis paper discusses the coverage of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by Nation Media and the perceived economic effects of BRI in Kenya between the year 2013 and 2024. Framing theory serves as the theoretical foundation of this study due to its capacity to help media organizations structure meaning around complex global developments, such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Using a mixed-methods approach, a content analysis of 178 newspaper articles from Nation Media Publications (The EastAfrican, Daily Nation, Business Daily Africa, Daily Monitor, and The Citizen) was conducted using a customized thematic and sentiment analysis designed to address the research objectives. The sentiment analysis revealed 69.1% of the total coverage is framed as positive, 23.2% negative, and 7.7% neutral. Across these economic subthemes: Business & Industry, Debt, Digital Economy, Economic Growth & Development, Finance & Banking, Fiscal & Monetary Policy, Infrastructure Development, Labor & Employment, Poverty & Wealth Distribution, Resources & Sustainability, and Trade & Commerce, the analysis demonstrates that the BRI is portrayed as beneficial to Kenya, supporting it in the attainment of its vision 2030 development objectives, and Kenya is positioned as a strategic partner, and not a passive recipient of Chinese investment. The research demonstrates that improved computational approaches that integrate thematic analysis and sentiment analysis were more insightful with respect to media framing. The study also suggests that the methodological framework could be adapted to comparative studies across African countries to examine how cultural, social, economic and political factors influence framing of global infrastructure development projects
Caught between infection and deficiency: The iron anemia nexus in HIV-infected adults in Western Kenya
Get PDFAnaemia remains a pervasive complication among people living with HIV (PLWHIV), with multifactorial origins that include poor antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, immune dysfunction, and iron dysregulation. This study investigated the interplay between nutritional status, immune markers, and iron biomarkers in contributing to anemia and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in HIV-infected adults in Western Kenya. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Busia County Referral Hospital among 163 adults comprising HIV-infected ART-adherent (n = 47), ART-naive (n = 23), non-adherent (n = 42), and healthy control (n = 51) participants. Demographic, clinical, immunologic, and biochemical data were collected through interviews, physical measurements, and laboratory analyses. Iron indices (ferritin, serum iron, and transferrin), haemoglobin concentration, CD4+ T cell counts, HIV viral load, and body mass index (BMI) were measured using standardized protocols. Group comparisons were performed using Kruskal-Wallis and chi-square tests. Binary logistic regression was used to assess predictors of IDA. The highest prevalence of anaemia (61.9%) and iron deficiency anaemia (65.4%) was observed among non-adherent individuals, followed by ART-naïve (52.2% and 50.0%) and adherent participants (36.2% and 17.6%). Haemoglobin concentrations and iron levels were significantly lower (P < 0.0001), while transferrin levels were elevated (P < 0.0001) in ART non-adherent and naïve groups compared to controls. CD4+ T cell counts were markedly suppressed, and viral loads elevated in these groups, underscoring immune compromise. Logistic regression identified unsuppressed viral load (AOR = 10.83; P = 0.023), CD4+ T cell count <500 cells/µL (AOR = 4.01; P = 0.010), and elevated transferrin (AOR = 2.72; P = 0.047) as independent predictors of IDA. The findings suggest that poor ART adherence exacerbates inflammation, impairs iron metabolism, and increases anaemia risk. Integrating viral suppression, immune recovery, and iron biomarker monitoring in HIV care may improve early identification and management of IDA. Future studies should explore longitudinal trajectories of iron indices and anaemia in PLWHIV across different ART regimens
Messages that matter: Themes of peace in faith-based radio during Kenya’s 2022 general elections
Get PDFThis study examined the themes of peace messages shared by faith-based radio stations in promoting strategic peacebuilding during Kenya’s 2022 general elections. This study was guided by the principles of social responsibility theory. A descriptive case study design was used, focusing on seven purposively selected stations: MBCI Radio, Biblia Husema Broadcasting, Radio Waumini, Sayare FM, Upendo FM, Hope FM, and Family Radio 316. Forty-nine respondents, including presenters, program managers, and producers, were engaged through interviews, focus group discussions, and questionnaires. The data were analyzed thematically, with qualitative responses coded into recurring themes. Findings indicate that messages emphasizing unity, non-violence, forgiveness, and cohesion played a significant role in fostering calm, bridging divides, and discouraging violence. These messages targeted youth, parents, voters, and political candidates, and were delivered through a mix of radio programs, social media, roadshows, music, sermons, prayers, and community outreach. The study concludes that peace messages from faith-based broadcasters contributed meaningfully to a peaceful election and recommends strengthening youth-focused programming, collaboration with other media actors, and broader use of digital platforms. Anchored on the Social Responsibility Theory, the study affirms the media’s obligation to promote peace and social cohesion