Daystar University Repository
Not a member yet
5687 research outputs found
Sort by
Effect of Workplace Environmental Factors on Employee Performance: A Case Study of Bamburi Cement Limited, Kenya
No full textMaster's ThesisEmployee underperformance linked to suboptimal workplace environments presents a critical challenge for industrial firms, particularly in the cement manufacturing sector. At Bamburi Cement Limited, the persistence of issues such as reduced productivity and elevated turnover highlights the urgent need to understand how specific workplace factors influence employee outcomes. This study therefore investigates the influence of the working environment on employee performance, focusing on Bamburi Cement Limited in Kenya. The objectives were assessed for the effect of physical workplace conditions on employee performance, examined the influence of the social work environment on employee performance, evaluate the impact of employee well-being on employee performance, and analyzed the moderating effect of organizational culture on the relationship between the workplace environment and employee performance. The study was anchored on the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model, complemented by insights from Goal-Setting Theory and Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory. Adopting a descriptive cross-sectional design, the study targeted a population of 600 permanent employees at Bamburi Cement Limited. A sample size of 240 participants from 8 departments was determined using stratified random sampling, with data collected via structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and regression statistics in SPSS version 28. The study findings indicated a significant positive influence of the workplace environment on employee performance. Social interactions demonstrated the strongest effect, highly supported by team collaboration. Physical conditions were found to be generally supportive, though compromised by a critical weakness in noise control. Furthermore, organizational culture was confirmed to be a strong and significant moderator across all tested relationships. These results align with the Job Demands-Resources model, Goal-Setting Theory, and Perceived Organizational Support Theory. Recommendations include implementing targeted noise mitigation strategies in production areas, launching a compulsory leadership development program focused on supervisor feedback skills, and formally integrating organizational culture values into performance management systems to sustain collaboration.
.Daystar Universit
Government Engagement Model: Case of Kisumu Medical Education Trust
No full textJournal ArticleBackground: Navigating governmental bureaucracies to secure approvals, licenses, and partnerships often entails prolonged processes characterized by extensive documentation and delays. A key challenge for non-state actors is establishing a reliable and sustainable model of government engagement. The Kisumu Medical and Education Trust (KMET) has developed an innovative approach that demonstrates best practices in fostering constructive partnerships with government, particularly in Kenya’s health and education sectors. Methods: KMET employs a co-creation model that begins with alignment of its programs to government priorities (AWP, ADP, CIDP, sectoral plans), followed by inception meetings, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), and establishment of joint technical committees. These teams oversee program design, training, implementation, monitoring, and reporting, with shared responsibilities between government and KMET. Results: KMET has operationalized 51 MoUs with both county and national government in Kenya, expanding from a single program in one county to eight programs across 35 counties. Its interventions such as Smart Start Initiative, Huduma Poa, and innovative technologies like UBT have been adopted by governments, WHO, and KEMSA, with KES 1.2 billion integrated into county CIDPs. Conclusion: KMET’s government engagement model illustrates that effective partnerships rely on non-confrontation, professionalism, apolitical policy, and mutual respect. The model is scalable and adaptable to other contexts facing similar bureaucratic barriers
The Children of The Sudd
No full textConference PaperThe Children of the Sudd is a poetic performance that describe the nature and importance of the Sudd Wetlands of South Sudan and its coexistence with its indigenous communities for thousands of years. It employs scientific findings as well as interview records to tell the stories of the Sudd; past, present and future. Drawing from historical archives, published research, and oral traditions, it exposes the Sudd’s duality as both protector and threat, through the stories of the indigenous peoples of the Sudd. The work translates scientific findings and research into evocative stories, revealing how climate disruptions erode traditional livelihoods while exacerbating political fragility. The performance also highlights indigenous spiritual ties to the land and advocates for inclusive climate solutions. Aligning with the sub-theme Climate Change and the Arts, it hopes to translate scientific research into poetic performance; on an area which, due to conflict and instability, is often understudied. The Children of the Sudd communicates the reality of climate change in South Sudan to those who are unable to access published academic research themselvesDaystar Universit
Comparative Analysis of Emotional Biases in Investment Decisions
No full textBackground: Emotional Biases have influence in investment decision of SACCO members. These biases are overconfidence, loss aversion, and herd behavior. We seek to establish empirically to what extent each emotional bias contributes to investment decisions and identify which emotional bias has an overarching influence.
Objective: To identify influence of each emotional bias and establish which among them has overarching influence.
Method: Perception based data was collected among 284 Imarisha SACCO members in Kericho County, Kenya between 28th to 31st July, 2025. The data collected was self-filled questionnaire using KoboCollect. The data was checked for completeness, entered in excel, cleaned, coded and analyzed. First the data was tested for normality before Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to compare the strength of the three dimensions; PC1, PC2, PC3. Results were obtained and interpreted.
Results: The principal component analysis revealed that herd behavior (PC1) emerged as the most significant emotional bias, loading strongly at 75.2% and explaining the largest share of variance at 58.26%. Overconfidence bias (PC2) also featured prominently, with a positive loading of 70.1%, and together with herd behavior, the two accounted for 81.26% of the total variance, underscoring their combined influence on investment decisions. Conversely, loss aversion bias (PC3) loaded negatively (-76.4%), indicating that it primarily acts as a constraint, discouraging SACCO members from making investment decisions. Overall, herd behavior exerts a disproportionate influence compared to other biases, while loss aversion uniquely inhibits investment participation
Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in the Treatment of Depression among Caregivers of Cancer Patients in Nairobi County, Kenya
No full textJournal articlePurpose of the study: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in treating depressive symptoms among caregivers of cancer patients in Nairobi County, Kenya.
Methodology: A quasi-experimental design with 69 caregivers from two cancer centers compared the MBCT intervention against treatment as usual, with depression assessed using BDI-II at baseline, midline, and endline. Data analysis used SPSS with descriptive statistics, inferential tests, and Cohen's d effect sizes to evaluate intervention effectiveness.
Findings: The experimental group showed a steady decline in the mean scores of depression (M = 12.97, SD = 3.68), while the control group’s scores increased (M = 21.42, SD = 5.90). This trend continued at endline, with the experimental group’s scores declining further (M = 10.58, SD = 4.01), contrasted by persistently elevated scores in the control group (M = 20.19, SD = 7.85). The difference between groups at endline was statistically significant (p < .001), with large effect sizes observed at both midline (Cohen’s d = −1.713) and endline (Cohen’s d = −1.513), indicating robust clinical relevance. The findings demonstrate that MBCT is a highly effective intervention for treating depressive symptoms among caregivers of cancer patients.
Conclusion: The study concludes that MBCT effectively reduced depression among cancer caregivers in Nairobi County.
Recommendations: The study recommends implementing routine mental health screening for caregivers in oncology settings. The study recommends developing culturally ad
Strategic Decision-Making Practices and Organisational Performance of Selected Real Estate Firms in Nairobi City County, Kenya
No full textMaster of Business Administration in Strategic ManagementIn Nairobi City County's dynamic real estate sector, effective strategic decision-making is essential forreal estate sector. Many firms, however, grapple with suboptimal performance, marked by inefficient resource use and inadequate risk management, which contributes to Kenya's housing deficit. This study assessed the relationship between strategic decision-making practices and the organisational performance of selected real estate firms in Nairobi, examining the moderating role of firm size. The research specifically established the effects of strategic planning, resource allocation, and risk management on performance. Grounded in Strategic Decision-Making Theory and its supporting frameworks, the study employed a descriptive and explanatory research design. Data was collected from 148 managers across 50 firms, selected from the Kenya Property Developers Association (KPDA), using structured questionnaires. The analysis involved descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression to test the hypotheses. The findings showed that resource allocation was the most significant and positive predictor of organisational performance. In contrast, risk management had a significant negative relationship with organisational performance, suggesting that its current application may be perceived as restrictive. Strategic planning, when assessed alongside the other practices, did not have a statistically significant direct effect. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that firm size did not moderate the relationship between strategic practices and performance, indicating that the identified success drivers are applicable across firms of all scales in this market. The study concludes that the ability to strategically deploy capital and talent is the single most critical driver of success for real estate firms in Nairobi, more so than the existence of a formal plan. It is recommended that practitioners prioritize optimizing their resource allocation processes and reframe risk management from a compliance-based function to a strategic, value-adding tool. Future research could qualitatively investigate the negative perceptions of risk management and explore the mediating role of resource allocation in the planning-performance relationship.Daystar Universit
Assessment of Sexual Risk Behaviours and Sexual Health Knowledge among Young Adults in Middle-Level Colleges: A Case of Thogoto Teachers College, Kiambu Kenya
No full textMaster's ThesisRisky sexual behaviours (RSBs) among young adults in middle-level colleges remain a public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, driving high rates of HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancies. Despite Kenya’s progressive sexual health policies, transitional institutions such as teacher training colleges remain understudied. This mixed-methods study assessed the prevalence, patterns, and predictors of RSBs among 243 students aged 18–25 at Thogoto Teachers College, Kiambu County. Guided by the theory of planned behaviour, social learning theory, and health belief model, the study combined a quantitative survey with ordinal regression analysis and qualitative interviews, which were analysed thematically. Findings revealed that 61.7% of respondents engaged in at least one RSB, with inconsistent condom use (48.1%) and multiple sexual partnerships (32.3%) being the most common. Male gender, off-campus residence, alcohol consumption, and lower socio-economic status significantly predicted RSB engagement (p<0.05). Despite moderate-to-high sexual health knowledge, a substantial gap persisted between knowledge and behaviour, influenced by low self-efficacy, peer norms, and limited youth-friendly health services. The study concluded that RSBs are shaped by individual, social, and structural factors, highlighting the inadequacy of knowledge-focused interventions alone. It recommends multi-level interventions, including comprehensive sexuality education, peer mentorship, gender-sensitive programmes, and strengthened campus health policies to reduce RSBs in similar institutional settings.Daystar Universit
Stakeholders' Perceptions on Government Communication in The Transition From The 8-4-4 System to Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) in Selected Primary Schools in Nairobi County.
No full textMASTER OF ARTS in Corporate CommunicationThis study examined stakeholders’ perceptions of government communication during the transition from the 8-4-4 education system to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in selected primary schools in Nairobi County, Kenya. Effective communication is critical to the successful implementation of education reforms that involve multiple actors and require coordinated understanding among teachers, parents, and administrators. Guided by Framing Theory and Stakeholder Theory, the study explored the effectiveness of government communication strategies, the influence of communication on CBC implementation, the challenges of information dissemination, and stakeholders’ attitudes toward the reform process. A mixed- methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative data from questionnaires administered to 64 participants (CBC class teachers and PTA officials) with qualitative data obtained from interviews with Ministry of Education officials and head teachers. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyze and interpret the findings. The results indicated that government communication was largely perceived as inconsistent, reactive, and unclear, particularly in policy framing and stakeholder inclusion. Although most teachers received training on CBC implementation, many described it as insufficient and poorly aligned with practical classroom realities. Structural barriers such as overcrowded classrooms, limited learning resources, and weak feedback mechanisms further impede effective communication. Stakeholders, particularly teachers and PTA members, felt excluded from planning and decision-making processes, even though they generally supported the goals of CBC. The study concludes that government communication must evolve from a top-down dissemination model to a participatory, inclusive, and dialogic approach. It recommends improving message clarity, strengthening feedback systems, expanding digital infrastructure, and investing in continuous teacher capacity development. The findings affirm that effective communication is the cornerstone of educational reform, shaping stakeholder trust, policy adoption, and successful implementation outcomes.Daystar Universit
Impact of International Monetary Fund Debt Burden on Kenya's Economic Sovereignty (2022-2024)
No full textMaster of Arts In Diplomacy, Development, and International SecurityThis study assessed the impact of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) debt burden on Kenya’s economic sovereignty between 2022 and 2024. The research was motivated by growing concerns that IMF-supported programs, while offering fiscal stabilization, imposed conditionalities that constrained Kenya’s policy autonomy and long-term development agenda. Guided by three objectives, the study examined how IMF-related structural adjustment programs influenced citizen wellbeing, the extent to which fiscal policies affected national sovereignty, and the strategies adopted to mitigate these effects. The research employed a pragmatic paradigm and a convergent mixed-methods design, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. A sample of 200 respondents was selected from a target population of 400 stakeholders, including government officials, IMF representatives, economists, civil society leaders, and members of the general public. Data was collected through structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative responses were subjected to thematic content analysis. The findings revealed that IMF structural adjustment programs significantly reduced access to affordable public services, with a majority of respondents linking loan conditionalities to diminished social spending. IMF-imposed fiscal policies were found to limit Kenya’s ability to exercise independent economic decision-making, particularly in areas of taxation, budgeting, and development planning. Mitigation strategies, such as domestic revenue mobilization and diversification of financing sources, were adopted but perceived as only partially effective. The study concluded that Kenya’s economic sovereignty remained constrained under IMF arrangements, underscoring the need for context-specific debt management strategies and inclusive policymaking to balance external obligations with national development priorities.Daystar Universit
Systematic Review on Climate Change and Infectious Diseases Globally
No full textConference PaperClimate change has significantly altered public health globally, posing wide health risks which have worsened through social exposure and inequities. This has changed weather patterns both locally and globally, elevated the sea levels and this is expected to be continuing annually(Griggs & Reguero, 2021; Tebaldi et al., 2021). Additionally, amounts of precipitation, average temperatures, and further variables like levels of humidity are all on the rise. Moreover, weather changes are on the rise causing heat waves that are intense and prolonged, droughts and more floods. Future health risks are not determined mainly by hazards caused through varying climate but also through individuals and communities sensitivity that are exposed these hazards caused by climate change and the ability of health systems to anticipate and successfully manage the associated risk(Ebi & Hess, 2020). The risks entail injuries and deaths caused by extreme events like storms, floods and heat waves, infectious diseases which includes water, vector and food borne diseases and water and food insecurities. These risks are distributed unevenly and create both novel inequalities and worsen existing risks. The majority of these risks are expected to rise with every unit of warming that is due to climate change(Hoegh-Guldberg et al., 2019). The aim of this systematic review is to analyze studies on climate change, infectious diseases and health risks and synthesize evidence on how the climate change impacts infectious diseases and health risks globally. A systematic literature search will be carried out on articles published on climate change and infectious diseases and health risks with restriction from 2000 to 2025. The databases like Google scholar, PubMed and Scopus will be searched to access the articles through various keywords such as “climate change”, “infectious disease”, “waterborne”, “vector borne”, “epidemiology” and “health risks.’ This systematic review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Guideline 2020. The results reveals that important factors contributing to the emergence and re-emergence of vector-borne, waterborne, and zoonotic diseases entails increasing temperatures, changing patterns of precipitation, and severe weather events. Therefore, most studies suggest that climate change relates to worse human health. This study offers a compressive higher order summary of the literature on how climate change affects human health. Future studies could investigate the possible causes of these correlations between climate change and infectious diseases and health risks to propose adaptation and mitigation measures, as well as the wider sociopsychological effects of climate change on health.Daystar Universit