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Effect of security mechanisms on the performance of wireless local area network.
No full textPartial fulfillment for award of degree of Master of Science in Information Technology.Wireless networks gain their popularity and fame by providing users with several advantages in accessing information. WLANs provide true mobility and flexibility to users. Another advantage of wireless technology is installation. A physical or cable connection is no longer needed because a single connection to the access point via electromagnetic waves is all that is necessary. This both decreases installation costs and allows wireless networks to be installed in locations where previously it would have been difficult or impossible to install wiring. Such benefits and advantages bring up some security and performance problems. It is imperative to understand the impact of the security mechanisms on the performance of the network. However, the establishment of a trade-off between security and network performance is often neglected. The aim of the research is to quantify the impact of the security mechanisms on the performance of a network. To investigate the effect of multiple security mechanisms on the performance of multi-congested and uncongested networks. The performance effect on different TCP and UDP packet size distributions on secure networks is also studies. The results prove that the security mechanisms affect the network performance in different ways and the more secure the network is, the lower the performance is. The results provide ways in which to configure wireless networks such that security requirements can be met in relation to quantifiable performance impact in practical situation
Assessing the optimal inflation rate for the Kenyan economy
Full text linkoai:su-plus.strathmore.edu:11071/5029This study seeks to estimate the optimal level of inflation for the Kenyan economy that is favorable for its economic growth by using time-series dataset for the period 1981 to 2014. The study adopts a model proposed by Ademola & Aiwo (2006) to examine the existence of threshold level effects in the inflation-growth relationship. The estimated model suggests a 4 percent optimal level of inflation above which inflation retards economic growth
Factors influencing intent of uptake of retirement pension and provident scheme plans in the informal sector in Nairobi County
Full text linkA Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for Degree of Master of Science in Development Finance at Strathmore Business SchoolWhen it comes to social security at retirement, the formal sector has constantly received more attention compared to the informal sector. Formal coverage stands at only twenty per cent in Kenya. The rather vibrant but fragmented Kenyan informal sector has resulted in static economic growth despite its potential as a key contributor. The 2018 Economic Survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that the Jua Kali Sector accounted for approximately eighty-three per cent of country’s total labour force and created over seven hundred and eighty-seven thousand new jobs in the period. The Jua kali sector however remains excluded, unregulated or largely underrated. Majority of the elderly in this sector have been left out of structured pension plans exposing them to poverty, health and other risks once they can no longer provide for their livelihood. The objective of this study was to determine the factors influencing intent of uptake of retirement pension and provident scheme plans in the informal sector in Nairobi County. The specific objectives were to determine the influence of the level of income, the level of education, the association links and age on uptake of retirement pension and provident scheme plans in the informal sector in Nairobi County. The study used a descriptive research design and the population was twelve million informal sector workers. The sample size employed was three hundred and eighty-four respondents and stratified random sampling was the sampling technique. Data was collected through structured questionnaires with the data subsequently being analyzed through a multiple regression model and correlation analysis. On the factor analysis it was noted that the factors explained approximately sixty five percent of the total variation based on the rotated loadings. The findings indicated that there was a positive correlation between age and intent to uptake pension and provident scheme plans. There was a strong positive correlation between association link and intent to uptake pension and provident scheme plans. There was a positive correlation between education level and their intent to uptake pension and provident scheme plans. There was a positive correlation between income level and intent to uptake pension and provident scheme plans. It was concluded that individual willingness to save in pensions plans increased with increase on age. Majority of the individuals working in informal sector considered membership in an informal sector association to be of importance. Provision of financial management education is key to ensuring that the informal sector workers invest in pension schemes and lack of sufficient earnings crippled their wish. It was recommended that irrespective of the age, NSSF and RBA should come up with sensitization strategies that ensure that employees of all age groups working within the informal sector are thoroughly educated on the importance of partaking in retirement benefits schemes. Government must come up with strategies that protect these informal sectors; which include measures such as tax reliefs, incubation programs and credit support programs, all with an aim of ensuring reliable income flows.Strathmore University Business Schoo
Comparative analysis of intelligence oversight mechanisms in East African Community [EAC] states
Full text linkSubmitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts Diplomacy, Intelligence and SecurityNational security intelligence agencies across East Africa have undergone many reforms from the
period of decolonization, during and after the Cold War, the eras of state rebuilding in some of the
post conflict states and in the current age of heightened counterterrorism campaigns. National
security sector reforms in the East African Community (EAC) have largely been dependent on
national socio-political circumstances. However, there are also several overarching factors which
have informed national security intelligence reforms which include the drive towards making the
agencies more accountable in the EAC. Despite various reforms, intelligence oversight
mechanisms in the EAC are either partly or not being implemented at all. The EAC states have
also undertaken several steps towards intelligence collaboration especially with the persistent
threat of international terrorism. Consequently, the necessity for effective and legitimate
intelligence collection among the states in such relationships has become a pertinent question in
intelligence collaboration. Part of the bumpy ride towards opening up of national intelligence
services for scrutiny in EAC is the perennial question of regime security especially in the postconflict
states in the region.
This study comparatively assesses different intelligence oversight regimes in the EAC states and
attendant issues arising out various oversight mechanisms which are currently being implemented
in the region. The study adopted a descriptive case study methodology exploiting qualitative
primary and secondary data to evaluate intelligence oversight regimes in the region. The study
examined universal intelligence oversight mechanisms and practices, the forms of the intelligence
community in the EAC states and assessed the post-independent intelligence oversight
mechanisms in the region.
The study established that different EAC states have statutorily established executive,
parliamentary and judicial oversight mechanisms for their national intelligence services. However,
there are contextual differences in terms of the actual practice of intelligence oversight across the
EAC. These differences in intelligence oversight regimes across the region are influenced by
factors including political and intelligence cultures in the EAC states
Comparison between parametric and non-parametric methods of estimating comprehensive motor claim severity distributions
Full text linkSubmitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Bachelor's in business science in Actuarial Science at Strathmore UniversityClaim severity is the amount of loss associated with an insurance claim. Insurers
compensate policyholders who have suffered a loss from the occurrence of an insured
risk. Insurance companies have been estimating claim severity by using normal
distribution meaning; they assume an average cost of motor claims to estimate the total
claims amount. However, this method is not very efficient because not all motor claims
follow a normal distribution. To deal with this, there has been an introduction to using
other parametric distributions such as the gamma and log-normal distribution.
Parametric distributions do not consider the outlier claims that do not follow any of the
parametric distributions and this is what led to using non-parametric distributions. The
data used in this research study consisted of an auto-insurance portfolio of a company
operating in Sweden, which was compiled by the Swedish Committee on the Analysis
of Risk Premium in Motor Insurance, (Hallin & Ingenbleek, 1983). The motor insurance
data is cross sectional and it involves the third-party liability auto-insurance claims for
the year 1977. The only variable I worked with were the claim amounts. The main aim
of this research study was to employ both parametric and non-parametric models in
estimating the claim size distribution. From the data analysis that was carried out, it can
be concluded that the non-parametric method is the most suitable one for estimating
motor claims severity distributions
Sentencing of child offenders who turn eighteen at the time of or prior to sentencing in Kenya
Full text linkSubmitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Bachelor of Laws Degree, Strathmore University Law SchoolRecognition that a young person does not magically gain full maturity and all the attributes of adulthood when they turn 18 is increasingly widespread within the criminal justice system. Courts in many jurisdictions worldwide have affirmed this when considering whether a certain sentence can be applied to a child offender who has turned 18 during proceedings. The England and Wales Court of Appeal has posited that reaching the age of 18 has many legal consequences, but it does not present a cliff edge for the purposes of sentencing. The Western Cape High Court has also confirmed that there is no arbitrary end to childhood for children who have committed offences before they attained the age of adulthood, and are still being processed through the criminal justice system when they turn 18. As per these courts, the youth and maturity of an offender will be factors that inform any sentencing decision, even if an offender has turned 18.
Following this, this study discusses the concerns that arise when it comes to sentencing child offenders who turn 18 before or at the time of sentencing in the Kenyan context. These include whether such offenders will no longer be eligible for the special protections afforded to child offenders, and whether they will be facing adult sentences. Other concerns are on how such offenders should be restituted where courts make a mistake sentencing them; and what can be done to ensure that such offenders are reintegrated back into society if they are able to successfully appeal against sentences derived from a mistake. In doing so, this study adopts the principle of best interests of a child and uses mainly case law to look into the approach that courts in Kenya should adopt when imposing sentences on child offenders who turn 18 during proceedings. The reason for this is that there is limited scholarly work on this matter and the law does not speak on it. Ultimately, the study concludes by giving recommendations to all duty bearers to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of children when fashioning an appropriate sentence for child offenders who turn 18 during proceedings. The recommendations include minimizing system delays by dealing with cases involving children in a timely manner and putting the best interests of the child first by considering how the sentence will influence the course of their development as young adults