KeMU Digital Repository
Not a member yet
446 research outputs found
Sort by
Effect of value added services on the competitiveness of commercial banks in Meru county, Kenya.
No full textInfluence of Market Information on Decision to Invest through Nairobi Securities Exchange among Youth Groups of Kisumu County in Kenya
No full textThesis Submitted to the School of Business and Economics in Partial Fulfillment for the Requirement of the Degree of Masters of Science in Finance and Investment of Kenya Methodist UniversityThis study sought to understand the market factors that influence the youths in making investment decisions at the Nairobi securities exchange market. The youths in Kenya are specifically looked at because of the pivotal role that they play in the Kenyan economy and the emphasis the government has put on youth empowerment programs to enable them to improve their financial welfare and participate in economic development as a way of achieving the tenets of Vision 2030.The government through the youth enterprise fund has invested heavily in providing seed capital for youth willing to start their own businesses. The Nairobi securities exchange provides lucrative investment opportunities following the revolution that has taken place in the market. However, the number of youth investing through it is still low. The specific objectives of the study were to; establish the extent to which price changes contribute to investment decision amongst the youth investors, examine the contribution of the market information to investment decision amongst the youth investors, assess the contribution of the past trends of the stock to investment decision among the youth investors and investigate how customer preference contribute to investment decisions amongst the youth investors. The researcher adopted descriptive survey design on youth groups registered by Youth Enterprise Development Fund in Kisumu County. In 2016 there are 380 youth groups registered and financed by Youth Enterprise Fund in Kisumu County. The study targeted the chairpersons of the youth groups or their representatives who were knowledgeable on the group investment strategies. The target population therefore was 380 chairpersons of youth groups from which a sample of 69 chairpersons was selected using stratified and random sampling method. Secondary data was obtained from the Youth Enterprise Fund, Nyanza Region for the four constituencies in Kisumu County while primary data was collected using questionnaires administered to the chair persons. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics while inferential statistics was employed to determine the significance and the strength of the relationship for two independence samples. It was found that: price changes and market trends did not significantly influence youth decisions to invest through the Nairobi Securities Exchange. On the other hand, customer preferences and market information were found to significantly influence youth investment decisions. It is recommended that there is need for youth groups interested in investing through the NSE to be well trained on how market volatility influence returns on investment and the possible measures to cushion their investments in a volatile market environment, market trends analysis and the projection of market behavior. Furthermore, there is need for the capital markets authority to link the youth to platforms for accessing real-time capital markets data as well as empowering them on how to use the data in making investment decisions
Assessment of factors influencing implementation of balance score card for Kenya wildlife conservancies. Selected mountain conservation area stations
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree of Master in Business Administration, Kenya Methodist UniversityThe Balanced Scorecard (BSC) tries to translate a company’s strategic direction and objectives into actionable initiatives and measurements. The study identified four research questions; whether resource allocation, managerial skills, employee involvement and employee skills are factors which influence implementation of BSC. In KWS the balance scorecard was incorporated in Strategic Plan 2005-2010 to improve on performance and more so to assist in its implementation. The background of the study highlighted the evolution of BSC and how it has been used in organisations and in KWS. The statement of the problem focuses on evidence and statistics showing how implementation of BSC in KWS has been ‘snailing’ and how it has influenced performance in the organisation. Literature review of the implementation of BSC was completed in relation to variables; resources, managerial skills, employee involvement and education skills. The research methodology covered research design, target population, sample design and procedures, the research instruments and administration, data collection, presentation and analysis. A thorough scrutiny of data to ensure the validity and reliability of data collected. Inferential statistics was used for further analysis. The researcher used questionnaires in collection of data. The research found that 66 percent of the respondents agreed that availability of resources influences BSC implementation , 66 percent of them agreed that managerial skills affect BSC implementation, on education achievements 76 percent of the respondents said it affect BSC implementation and 58 percent agreed that employee involvement is important in implementation of BSC. Research recommendations were involvement of employees in decision making, incorporating trainings and setting aside resources for future Balanced Scorecard implementation in KWS in order to overcome the potential barriers and to ensure its beneficial use. The areas to be included for further research are factors impacting on implementation of BSC in an organization from the ordinary staff perspective, to establish whether BSC management tool has been overtaken by event in an organization performance and other factors other than those investigated should further be researched. The recommendations can be used in helping organizations not just KWS but also in other Government organisations. By using this study different organization using BSC initiatives can beef up employees and organizational productivity and profitability
Effects of parental relationship on public secondary schools students' academic performance in Habaswein sub county, Wajir county, Kenya.
No full textABSTRACT
The family being one of the most fundamental units of the society has a bearing on one's
<
psychological, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Most families have some periods of
time where functioning is impaired by stressful circumstances. Healthy families tend to return to normal functioning after the crisis passes. In parental relationship, problems tend to be chronic and children do not consistently get their needs met. Negative patterns of parental behaviour tend to be dominant in their children's lives. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to find out the effects of dysfunctional families on secondary school students academic performance in Habaswein Sub County in Wajir County, Kenya. It specifically sought to determine the effects of parental conflicts, parental abuse and parental neglect on the academic performance of secondary school students in the Sub County. The study was guided by Abraham Maslow's Theory of Needs and Burke's Identity Control Theory. Descriptive survey research design was used targeting 703 students and 72 teachers from public secondary schools in Habaswein Sub County. Systematic random sampling was used to obtain a sample size of 251 respondents who participated in the study. Data was collected by the researcher using questionnaires. Piloting of the questionnaires was done in order to assess validity and reliability of the instruments. Instruments reliability was determined using the test-retest method and reliability coefficients of above 0.70 were obtained leading to the adoption of the instruments for data collection. Data was analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. Descriptive statistics involving means, modes and standard deviations, and inferential statistical methods involving Pearson's Product Moment correlation and multiple regression analysis, was used to analyze the data, which was then presented in tables. The findings revealed that frequent parental conflicts in dysfunctional families adversely affected their children's academic performance in Habaswein Sub County. A good number of students hailing from such families eventually and often discontinued with school when their parents separated. The findings also revealed that exposure to various forms of abuse made it difficult for students to cope with school life. These stressors ultimately impacted negatively on their academic performance. Finally, the study established that parental neglect in dysfunctional families considerably affected their children's academic performance in secondary schools in the study area. Parental psycho-social support was key to the students and lack of parental guidance and motivation among students from dysfunctional families, significantly affected their performance. It is recommended that education stakeholders in the area provide the schools with adequate counselling facilities so as to enable students experiencing conflict in their families to cope with the situation. The schools in the area should also ensure that all students, attend regular counselling sessions, especially those identified as having come from dysfunctional families. It is also recommended that the schools management should source for aid, from concerned stakeholders so as to provide for needy students from dysfunctional families, with necessary items such as uniforms, shoes, food, and other necessities
Evaluation of the effect of regulated deficit irrigation and soil moisture conservation practices on maize (zae mays) performance
No full textThough it is argued that the soils in most of Kenya's marginal rainfall areas have high potential for agriculture, low soil water constitutes a major limiting factor for crop production. Irrigation is one of the options used in such areas when ample water is available but it requires some adjustments when water is limited. Unfortunately little research has been done locally to understand how deficit irrigation can be used as a strategy for water conservation in those areas. This study investigated how regulated deficit irrigation and water conservation practices affect the growth, yields and water productivity of two maize varieties. The study consisted of a greenhouse experiment carried out at Kithoka, Meru County and field experiments at Marimanti, Tharaka Nithi County and Mailisaba, Isiolo County. Two irrigation treatments deficit irrigation except during exponential growth stage (DIE) and deficit irrigation except during the reproductive stage (DIR)) were compared to two controls (full irrigation throughout the season (Fl) and deficit irrigation throughout the season (DI)). Two irrigation schedules (half of the weekly water requirement applied per week (HA) and weekly water requirement applied every two weeks (DII)) were evaluated in the greenhouse experiment. Other treatments tested were ridging compared to a control (flatbed) and a superabsorbent polymer (SAP) compared to a control without SAP. Two maize varieties were used (DUMA 43 and KDV 2). Growth parameters measured were plant height and plant diameter measured every 15 days from 30 days after sowing. Yield indicators were stand count, number of productive plants per plot, ear diameter and length, above ground biomass, grain yield, and harvest index. The data collected was summarized in MS EXCEL and analyzed using SPSS version 22 for F-test, Post-hoc tests at a=5% and linear regression where necessary. FI gave significantly higher plant diameter (2.206 cm), plant height (148.02 cm), and grain yields (3019 kg/ha). DIR gave significantly higher harvest index (0.4665). Water productivity was the same for DIE, DIR and FI (0.5082, 0.4987, and 0.4828 respectively). Ridging had significantly higher values for above ground biomass (165.85 g), grain yield per plant (70.83 g), total grain yield (2419.6 kg/ha), harvest index (0.4283) and water productivity (0.5026 kg/m '). SAP had a significant effect on grain yield (2359.1 kg/ha) and on water productivity (0.4891). The highest yields were given by FI combined with ridges (3194.4 kg/ha) and FI combined SAP (3148.9 kg/ha). DUMA 43 gave significantly higher yields under DIE and DIR (2469.7 kg/ha and 2524.3 kg/ha) and better water productivity (0.5510 kg/m ' and 0.5310 kg/m ') compared to KDV 2. The study concluded that regulated deficit irrigation affects significantly maize growth, grain yields, and irrigation water productivity and the interaction between regulated deficit irrigation, ridging and SAP has a significant effect. Regulated Deficit Irrigation was recommended as a viable practice when water for irrigation is limited. Further research can be undertaken on the effect of different rates of SAP on maize growth, yields and water productivity under regulated deficit irrigation
A bio-data privacy protection framework for the telecommunications industry
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Science in Computer Information Systems of Kenya Methodist UniversityTelecommunications are since long subject to privacy discussions, not so much for questions about the ringing phone but for the sensibility of the information that can be extracted from telephone services. It is against this backdrop that this study sought to examine privacy issues concerning bio-data in the telecommunications sector in Kenya and subsequently develop a framework to address the challenges. The objectives were to examine threats and evaluate measures in place for ensuring privacy of bio data in telecommunication firms; to develop a framework on bio-data privacy and adopt one that can be used by the telecommunications sector to address the challenges of bio-data privacy and to validate the developed bio data privacy protection framework. A descriptive survey targeting information security professionals and users of information systems was carried out. All Kenyan telecommunications firms were targeted from where the departments directly involved in data security were purposively selected. A total of thirty one (31) IT security professionals participated in this survey. A structured questionnaire was used for collecting primary data for the study. From the study, quantitative as well as qualitative data was gathered. The collected data was analysed thematically using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 to generate frequency tables and finally cumulative percentages which were thereafter tabulated and also presented in graphs and pie charts using Microsoft excel. The findings indicated that bio data privacy threats were rife in the telecommunication sector. The major bio-data privacy threats were computer viruses followed by data leakage. The other reported threats were denial of service attacks, software bugs, and spamming. The frequency of occurrence of the threats was reported to be rare. From the findings, training was the leading strategy for protecting bio data since majority of the respondents had received training in information security. A small numbers had not received any structured training on information security. In addressing the constraints and challenges faced by telecommunications firms, the findings assisted the researcher to develop a framework to be adopted by stake holders to ensure that there is privacy of customer‘s bio data. The proposed framework was reported by many respondents as being clear and systematic in the protection of bio data privacy. In conclusion, the study observes that bio data privacy threats are real in the ever growing and lucrative Kenyan telecommunications industry. It is recommended that telecommunication firms must identify and understand the privacy and security regulations that apply to the bio data they store, process, and transmit. They need also to implement a comprehensive bio data privacy protection framework like the one developed by the researcher
Assessment of the impact of boy-girl relationship on academic performance among public secondary school students in Imenti North sub county, Meru Kenya.
No full textBoy-girl relationships are expressions of adolescents’ deep and strong emotional desires towards the opposite gender. Boy-girl relationships usually start when adolescents meet with the opposite gender and they develop attraction or feelings of likeness towards each other. Students are expected to concentrate and focus on their studies in order to succeed academically. Boy-girl relationships among adolescents have been suggested as one of the factors influencing students’ academic performance negatively. Poor academic performance has been associated with the emotional and cognitive impact of boy-girl relationships among secondary school students in Imenti North Sub-County Meru. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of boy-girl relationships among public secondary school students of Imenti North Sub-County, Meru, Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: to establish the prevalence of boy-girl relationships among secondary school students, to examine the emotional effect of boy-girl relationships on academic performance among secondary school students, to analyze the cognitive effect of boy-girl relationships on academic performance among secondary school students and to explore psycho-educational interventions implemented to mitigate negative impact of boy-girl relationships on students’ academic performance. The study anchored on the need to belong theory which unveils the motivation behind boy-girl relationships and how maintaining frequent and consistency in the relationship can result to emotional and cognitive issues among secondary school students; which in turn affect their academic performance negatively. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The target population for this study consisted of 72 public secondary schools; 144 teachers and 1,440 Form three students in North Imenti Sub-County. Random sampling and stratified sampling techniques was used to select 10% of the schools, students and teachers. Seven public schools from Sub-County schools, extra County schools and County schools were chosen to sample the 144 students and 14 teachers. Data was collected by means of self-administered questionnaires and interviews. A pre-test study was carried out on 7 secondary school students and 3 teachers in 2 schools within the neighboring Sub-County, Buuri to ensure the reliability/feasibility of the questionnaire. Validity was assured by careful choice of indicators in line with the objectives and consultation with the supervisors. Data collected were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS), organized and presented in charts and tables. A total of 98 students’ questionnaires were successfully completed as well as all the teachers’ questionnaire, hence a 70.9% return rate was achieved. The findings of the study revealed that boy-girl relationships were predominant and widely spread among adolescent students, the emotional and cognitive effect of boy-girl relationships had adverse effect on the students’ performance and teachers (amidst other psycho-educational interventions) played more significant role in mitigating negative impact of boy-girl relationships on students’ academic performance. Thus, guidance and counseling departments in secondary schools should take the high prevalence of students’ past and current engagement into account when designing programs. The policy makers in the health and education sector should design policy of providing students with information about skills and attitudes on interpersonal relationships. Secondary school teachers should occasionally examine and give attention to students’ level of concentrations in their respective classes. Parents, counselors, church leaders and teachers should maintain an approachable attitude for students to discuss their personal issues as it relates to boy-girl relationships. All these can aid to mitigate the negative impact of boy-girl relationships on academic performance among secondary school students
Assessing the influence of integrated marketing communications on sales performance among selected private security firms in Nairobi County
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the award of the degree of Master in Business Administration, Kenya Methodist UniversityIntegrated Marketing Communication (IMC) has emerged as a promising area of study in the past decade. The role that integrated marketing communication (IMC) play within an organization is an often misunderstood one. The field of marketing communications integrated or otherwise is regularly dismissed as superficial with its potential impact upon broader issues of strategy and “real” day to day business of an organization underestimated. It is against this reason that this research was being undertaken to assess the effects of integrated marketing communications on sales performance a case of selected private security firms in Nairobi County, Kenya. This study was guided by one general objective and five specific objectives: To establish how advertising, personal selling, direct marketing, sales promotion and public relations &publicity influence sales performance in the selected private security firms. The findings of this study benefited sales and marketing practitioners on the best practices on how implement (IMC). The study adopted survey research design, with selected private security firms’ staff being the target population. Purposive sampling and Simple random sampling was used to select a sample size of 78 employees. Self-administered questionnaires we reused as data collection instruments. The questionnaires were pre-tested for reliability and validity. Qualitative and quantitative data was analyzed by the help of Statistical package for social scientist’s software (SPSS). Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results were tabulated using frequency distribution tables. The study concluded that there was a positive relationship between independent variables (advertising, personal selling, sales promotion, public relations and direct marketing) and dependent variable (Sales Performance of Security firms in Nairobi County) since their p value < 0.05 except for sales promotion. Findings show that advertising, direct marketing, personal selling, sales promotion and public relations enhance the company’s performance by enhancing customer attraction, customer loyalty, sales volumes, branch expansion and reminding customers of the company’s products. The study recommends that management take seriously strategies that can improve the execution of these IMC tools as they are crucial to performance of the company
Challenges facing implementation of ICT education policy at basic education sector in Katulani sub county, Kitui county, Kenya.
No full textInformation Communication and Technology in basic education is that ability to use ICT knowledge and skills in teaching and learning. When actually applied, it is important in a number of ways. First it will help the head teachers to improve their knowledge in ICT. With that knowledge the head teachers will be in position to support ICT teachers training programmes. Secondly, teachers knowledgeable in ICT will be able to source information for students from the internet. The importance of information and communication technology (ICT) education policy in the educational perspective is quite evident worldwide, especially in Europe and the United States of America. The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges facing implementation of lnformation Communication Technology (ICT) education policy at basic education in Katulani Sub County in Kitui County. The specific objectives were to establish the relationship between cost of ICT, support infrastructure, staff competence and relevance of software's on the implementation of ICT education policy. The study was carried out in Katulani Sub County in Kitui County. The researcher used a descriptive survey research design. The research sampled fourteen head teachers, 4 7 teachers and 107 pupils making a total of 168 respondents. Questionnaires, interview schedule and observation schedule were used for data collection in this study. Results of this data analysis were followed by interpretation and discussion. Qualitative data was analyzed qualitatively using content analysis of meanings and implications emanating from respondents' information. The results were used to enrich the quantitative results. The study established that majority of the respondents strongly agreed that, among the challenges related to cost of ICT implementation, the cost of computers and accessories were the greatest. This was followed by the cost of classrooms and furniture and cost of electricity. The study revealed that most schools did not have adequate computers as indicated by majority of respondents. The study established that the challenges related to staff competence and implementation of ICT included knowledge on how to use power point, as indicated by majority of respondents. The study also revealed that the software factors influencing utilization of ICT were; unit cost of operating system frequent modifications of the software and the inadequate money to buy software. The study concluded that the relationship between the cost and implementation of ICT education policy at basic education has been difficult due to financial pressure, while also there is inadequate infrastructure in both primary and secondary schools. It was also concluded that there is lack of enough trained teachers who can practically apply ICT, which is new to traditional teachers, while the supply of relevant and appropriate software is an issue obstructing wider application of ICT. The study recommends that schools through BoM's should mobilize additional funds to buy computers, accessories and build computer laboratories. The study further recommends the need to improve on infrastructure in schools such as computers and computer laboratories to enable the teachers use them in implementing the ICT. School administration should also ensure teachers competence in ICT skills and applications through training to facilitate them to develop school ICT policy, encourage and motivate the teachers to practically apply ICT
Skills in their teaching. Furthermore, there is need for developers of educational software to localize their products to the local market so that they are more acceptable to the teachers and learners who are the end users. It is also further recommended that the ICT policy of the Ministry of education needs to be closely aligned with the basic education curriculum
Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of depression among students at the Kenya Methodist University
Get PDFA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Public Health (MPH) of Kenya Methodist University.Depression is a common mental disorder that considerably contributes to disability and suicides. University students are particularly vulnerable to depressive illness as they transition into adulthood, and it is associated with increased academic failure rates, school drop-out, and involvement in risky sexual behavior and alcohol and drug abuse. The aim of this thesis was to determine the prevalence and socio-demographic correlates f depression among students at the Kenya Methodist University (KeMU). This study was conducted at the university’s Nairobi campus in May 2017. Designed as a cross-sectional study and sampling by stratified random sampling, data collection used two tools: a researcher developed socio-demographic questionnaire and the standardized Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Revised (CESD-R). The sample size was 404, with ages ranging between 17 and 54 years. The mean age was 25.4 years, median 23 and mode 20 year. 42.7% of the students were male, and 57.3% female. 50.5% were in 1st year, 17.8% in 2nd, 18.8% in 3rd and 12.9 in their 4th year of study. 20.3% were postgraduate and 79.7% undergraduate. 60.4% were full-time students, while 39.6% were part-time students. This study found a 24.26% prevalence of depression among the university students, with 16.3% having mild, 5.4% moderate and 2.5% severe depression. The socio-demographic factors found to be associated with depression among the students were illicit drug use (p=0.004), poor academic performance (p=0.05). Recommendations made from the study findings include increased awareness of depressive symptoms among the university students, better mechanisms to identify depression early and clear channels of intervention. Further research recommended into the factors found to be associated with depression, and the consequences of depression