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An Empirical Survey on the Effect of Strategic Thinking on the Performance of Agribusiness Companies Listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange in Kenya
No full textJournal ArticleThe Agribusiness sector in Kenya is the backbone of the economy and contributes to about 30% of the annual GDP. However, although the agribusiness sector plays an important role in the economy, and the government is putting great efforts into supporting it, there have been myriad challenges. From the literature reviewed, the impact of strategic thinking on the performance of Agribusiness Companies has not been fully ascertained. Against this scholarly gap, this study sought to investigate the effect of strategic thinking on the performance of
agribusiness companies listed on the Nairobi securities exchange in Kenya. The study applied a mixed research method and was anchored on the Liedtka Strategic Thinking Model and the Balanced Scorecard Model. The target population was all the six-agribusiness companies listed on the Nairobi securities exchange in Kenya. The respondents were 120 management staff including the directors, the heads of departments, middle and lower or supervisory level managers. Quantitative data from the close-ended questions were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 28.0). Qualitative data gathered from the open-ended questions were clustered into themes and then broad categories developed. To determine the strength of the model, R2 was used. F – Statistic computed at 95% confidence level and hypothesis test based on P-values of 5% significant level. The results indicated that strategic thinking positively affects the performance of agribusiness companies listed on the Nairobi securities exchange in Kenya. The study recommends that strategic thinking be enhanced in organizations by investing in leadership development programs that promote cognitive and analytical skills, enabling leaders to identify opportunities and mitigate risks, while envisaging possible solutions to unknown future challenge
Legal Mechanisms for Eliminating Discrimination Against Women in Executive Boards of Sports Federations
No full textjournal articleThe question of gender parity in sports governance gained traction following provisions in international treaties on non-discrimination of persons. Sports governing bodies have been whipped into following suit. The Constitution of Kenya, 2010, also forbids discrimination. Despite global commitments by international sports bodies to gender equality, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles. Numerous studies have reported this phenomenon. This study investigated the persistent underrepresentation of women in leadership roles within international, regional/African, and national sports governance structures, with a focus on identifying the legal and institutional mechanisms that enable or obstruct gender equality. This study relied on feminist jurisprudence as the underlying theory. This research employed a doctrinal methodology to evaluate and analyze various laws and journal articles. Content analysis and descriptive statistics were applied to the data. Purposive sampling was used to select a total of 63 sports federations out of 360 (17.5%). Out of these, only 15 (23.8%) sports federations have a gender representation of at least one-third, with some, such as the International Cricket Council, recording 0%. Only four (19%) of the national sports bodies studied are compliant with constitutional provisions. Most of the sports bodies do not have specific quotas for achieving gender parity. The hierarchical structure of sports bodies often promotes ‘oligarchy’. It is recommended that enforceable gender parity clause providing for a minimum quota of 40% be built into the constitutions/statutes of all sports bodies at all levels
Cultural Influences on Mental Health: Development, Expression, Prevalence, and Help-Seeking in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
No full textJournal ArticleMental health is a critical issue for public health today globally. However, despite the increasing awareness of mental health and advances in mental health practices, cultural barriers still limit people’s understanding of mental health and care-seeking in many parts of the world including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The objective of this study, therefore, was to examine the role of culture in development, expression, prevalence of mental health issues and help-seeking behaviors in the DRC. The study used a systematic review of extant literature on the subject drawn from various online databases where a total of 16 studies were analyzed. The methodology adhered to the PRISMA guidelines to ensure transparency and rigor, and only peer-reviewed articles, including empirical studies, reviews, and meta-analyses focusing on mental health were included in the study. The study found that in the DRC, cultural views on mental health pervade. Culture had both positive and negative influences of mental health and mental illness perceptions. Cultural beliefs and familial bonds provided a sense of belonging and resilience and could serve as protective factors. However, uninformed cultural dispositions can also be a source of stigma. Further, cultural barriers, including stigma and a preference for traditional healing, hindered mental health treatment-seeking behavior. The study concluded that cultural factors significantly influence mental health and mental illness perceptions and treatment-seeking behaviors. There is a need to promote culturally sensitive, community-based mental health care through inclusive
policies, practitioner training, and public engagement to reduce stigma and encourage timely help- seeking behaviorsDaystar Universit
Becoming a Governor Was Never Part of My Plan
No full textarticleFormer Makueni Governor Prof. Kivutha Kibwana has revealed that leading a county was never part of his initial ambitions. Speaking on Thursday December 5, 2024, Kibwana shared that his original goal was to chair the Constitution Implementation Commission (CIC), a position he actively pursued but ultimately did not secure. “I didn’t really plan to be a governor,” Kibwana said. “I thought I was going to be chair of the Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution, but those days, to get that position, there had to be concurrence between Hon. Raila Odinga and President Kibaki.” Kibwana explained that while he performed well in the interviews, the lack of agreement between the grand coalition government leaders ,President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga meant he did not get the role. After a conversation with President Kibaki, who confirmed the position was out of reach, Kibwana pivoted to electoral politics and ran for governor.He further noted that even his decision to enter parliament was linked to his commitment to constitutional reforms. At the time, Kibwana believed that being a parliamentarian would enhance his chances of contributing to Kenya’s constitutional changes.
“I became a member of parliament because I thought the Constitution had reached a point where the decision was going to be made in parliament. I wanted to play a role in its implementation,” he said, reflecting on his journey as an activist involved in constitutional reform. During his two terms as Makueni Governor, Kibwana distinguished himself as one of Kenya’s top-performing county leaders, frequently topping rankings and earning widespread acclaim for his transformative governance
Assessment of Childhood Trauma and Marital Satisfaction among Married Christian Couples in Selected Churches in Dagoretti North Subcounty, Nairobi County, Kenya
No full textMasters in Clinical PsychologyThe study sought to examine the prevalence of childhood trauma, levels of marital satisfaction, their interrelationship, and the coping mechanisms employed by Christian couples. The study adopted a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Quantitative analysis of 195 participants revealed significant intercorrelations among different trauma variables: emotional abuse was strongly correlated with physical abuse (r = .877, p < .01), sexual abuse (r = .848, p < .01), emotional neglect (r = .286, p < .01), and physical neglect (r = .267, p < .01), suggesting that multiple forms of childhood maltreatment often occur together. However, correlation coefficients between childhood trauma indicators and marital satisfaction were weak and statistically non-significant, ranging from r = –.023 for physical neglect to r = .064 for emotional neglect, leading to the conclusion that childhood trauma does not significantly predict marital satisfaction. Descriptive results indicated that 47.7% of participants experienced moderate to severe emotional abuse, 48.2% physical abuse, 51.3% sexual abuse, 48.2% emotional neglect, and 49.7% physical neglect, confirming that childhood adversity is widespread among Christian couples in Dagoretti North. Despite these high trauma rates, marital satisfaction levels were largely moderate to low, with 65.1% of respondents reporting moderate-to-very-low satisfaction, while only 34.9% expressed high-to-very-high satisfaction, and merely 10.3% indicated very high satisfaction. Qualitative findings underscored the centrality of faith-based and communal coping mechanisms, with 70% of couples relying on prayer as a primary coping strategy and 40% reporting strong church support, though access to professional counseling remained limited. Approximately 45% attended marriage enrichment programs, most of whom (80%) reported improved communication and conflict resolution. The study concludes that while childhood trauma variables are interrelated, they do not significantly determine marital satisfaction among Christian couples, implying that other factors such as spiritual resilience, relational communication, and community support may buffer the negative effects of early trauma on marital relationships.Daystar Universit
Appraising The Lived Experiences of Mobility-Impaired Students in Kenyan Private Universities
No full textMASTER OF EDUCATION in Leadership and Policy StudiesThis study appraised the lived experiences of mobility-impaired students in Kenyan private universities, addressing barriers to accessibility, institutional support systems, and social integration challenges. The research objectives were to determine barriers facing mobilityimpaired students, examine institutional inclusion policies and support facilities, and assess the level of social inclusion and integration in campus life. The study was grounded in the Social Model of Disability, supported by Universal Design for Learning (UDL) theory and Narrative Theory, which highlighted structural barriers, inclusive teaching design, and amplified student voices through personal narratives. The research was conducted across 10 privately chartered universities in Kenya, with a purposively sampled population of 50 mobility-impaired students representing 88% of the total population in these institutions. A qualitative descriptive research design was employed to capture the complexities of student experiences in their natural contexts. Semi-structured interviews served as the primary data collection method, supplemented by field observations and institutional document analysis. Data was analyzed thematically using NVivo software to identify patterns and emerging themes from participant narratives. The findings revealed that mobility-impaired students faced significant physical barriers including inaccessible infrastructure, inadequate assistive technologies, and limited transportation facilities that substantially impacted their academic performance and campus participation. Institutional inclusion policies were poorly implemented, creating disparities between policy intentions and practical realities. Students experienced inconsistent support services, with some universities providing disability offices and coordinators while others relied on informal arrangements. Social integration remained problematic, with students reporting frequent experiences of marginalization, stigma, and limited opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities and decision-making processes. Cultural attitudes toward disability, combined with inadequate sensitization programs, perpetuated exclusionary practices. However, some positive practices emerged, including peer support networks and technology-enabled participation platforms. The study recommends strengthening disability-inclusive policies through proper implementation and adequate resource allocation, investing in accessible infrastructure upgrades including ramps, elevators, and adaptive technologies, and implementing comprehensive sensitization programs for faculty, staff, and students. Universities should mainstream disability inclusion into strategic planning and budgeting processes, establish robust monitoring systems for policy implementation, and create formal advocacy channels for students with mobility impairments. The research contributes to understanding disability inclusion in African higher education contexts and provides evidence-based recommendations for improving accessibility and inclusion in Kenyan private universities. The findings emphasize that meaningful inclusion requires systemic transformation beyond mere policy formulation, encompassing infrastructure development, cultural change, and sustained institutional commitment. Keywords: Private universities, mobility impairment, higher education accessibility, social inclusion, disability policies, Kenya.Daystar Universit
Sustainable Inventory Management Practice and Supply Chain Performance of Major Retail Players in Kenya: A Case of Chandarana Food plus Supermarkets
No full textMASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION on Logistics and Supply Chain ManagementThe purpose of the study was to establish the effect of sustainable inventory management on the supply chain performance of major retail players in Kenya, a case study of Chandarana Foodplus Supermarkets. Specific objectives of this study were to assess the effect of green inventory practices, lean inventory management and electronic Inventory management on the supply chain performance of giant retailers in Kenya, a case study of Chandarana Foodplus Supermarkets. The study also sought to examine the joint effect of green inventory practices, lean inventory management and electronic Inventory management on supply chain performance of Chandarana Foodplus Supermarkets. It also assessed the moderating effect of environmental regulations on the relationship between sustainable inventory management and supply chain performance of giant retailers in Kenya. This research was based on the Resource-Based View as the anchor theory and supported by Lean Theory and the Green Inventory Model. The study adopted a case study design. The total population of this study was the entire staff of Chandarana Food plus Supermarket Parklands branch in Nairobi, Kenya, which stood at 1,489 employees spread across 29 branches in Nairobi. The target population of the study was the staff at Parklands branch which totaled to 277 employees. The study adopted purposive sampling. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze quantitative data. Inferential statistics was used in the form of simple and multiple regressions to test the extent of the relationship between sustainable supply chain indicators and supply chain performance of Chandarana Food plus Supermarkets. The study tested the hypotheses using a t-test where p-values were compared to significance levels. Descriptive statistics revealed that green inventory practices, lean inventory management and electronic Inventory management all had a significant positive effect on supply chain management with means ranging between 3.400 to 3.786. Regression analysis findings revealed that Green Inventory Practices predict Supply Chain Performance (SCP) considerably (β=0.738, p=0.0495) and Lean Inventory Management predicts SCP with high accuracy (β=0.882, p=0.0306). Additionally, electronic Inventory Management drives SCP significantly (β = 0.898, p = 0.0165). Findings also revealed that Environmental Regulations moderate SIM-SCP positively (β=0.755, p=0.046). Additionally, the p-value for green inventory practices (0.0495), lean inventory management (0.0306), electronic Inventory management (0.0165) and environmental regulations (0.0457), were all lesser than 0.05, which meant that all null hypotheses were rejected. The study concluded that green inventory practices, lean inventory management and electronic Inventory management had a significant effect on supply chain performance. The study contributed to sustainable inventory management theory by revealing the impact of green inventory practices. It contributed to practice by recommending standardized green procurement procedures to be institutionalized; unified lean waste management framework for supermarkets; phased technology integration roadmap to merge newer and older technologies and transition from ceremonial to strategic compliance to institute a cultural change. The study contributed to policy by advising regulatory authorities on supporting environmental regulations that promote a strong positive relationship between sustainable inventory management and supply chain performance.Daystar Universit
Factors Influencing Employee Satisfaction at the National Police Service in Kenya: A Case of Athi River Sub-County
No full textMaster of Education in Leadership and Policy StudiesThis study investigated the factors influencing employee satisfaction within the National Police Service (NPS) in Kenya, focusing on Athi River Sub-County in Machakos County. The objectives were; to determine the influence of work environment on employee satisfaction among police employees in Athi River Sub-County, assess the effects of leadership styles on employee satisfaction among police employees in Athi River Sub-County, establish the effects of compensation and benefits on employee satisfaction among police employees in Athi River Sub-County and to examine the influence of training and development on employee satisfaction among police employees in Athi River Sub-County.
The study was grounded in Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and the Job Characteristics Model. Employing a mixed-methods design underpinned by pragmatism, the study targeted 530 NPS employees across various units. A sample of 106 officers was selected using stratified and proportionate sampling. Data collection involved structured questionnaires for 85 officers and semi-structured interviews with 10 senior officers. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS, while qualitative responses underwent thematic analysis. The work environment was a major concern, with 80% of respondents emphasizing fairness as essential, yet 54% felt promotions were unjustly distributed. Leadership styles had a significant impact, with 80% favoring transformational leadership and 64% criticizing autocratic approaches. The study concluded that systemic issues undermine employee satisfaction in the NPS and called for comprehensive reforms. Key recommendations included leadership development programs, revised compensation structures, equitable training access, and transparent promotion systems.Daystar Universit
Socioeconomic Effects of Armed Conflicts on Artisanal Mining: A Case of The Mai Mai Groups in Mukungwe, South Kivu, DRC
No full textMASTER OF ARTS in Diplomacy, Development, and International SecurityThis study investigates the socioeconomic effects of armed conflict on artisanal mining by focusing on the activities of Mai-Mai groups in Mukungwe, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. Mukungwe is a mineral-rich site where recurrent insecurity has disrupted livelihoods, displaced households, and undermined economic stability. Guided by the Political Economy of Conflict theory and the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach, the research aimed to understand how the conflict has shaped miners’ ability to access ore, market their products, and sustain constructive community relations. Using a qualitative case study design, the study collected data through interviews with Mukungwe miners, local community officials, and humanitarian workers, applying thematic analysis to capture their lived experiences. Three key domains are examined: economic hardship, strained social networks, and psychological well-being. Findings illuminated how armed conflicts transform artisanal mining livelihoods and identify coping strategies adopted by miners. The study highlighted the need for community-centered, policy-oriented interventions that place human security and sustainable development at the core of responses to mineral-based conflicts, linking broader debates on resource governance with the everyday realities of Mukungwe’s miners.Daystar Universit
Financial Inclusion and Financial Performance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Dagoretti North Sub County, Nairobi City County, Kenya
No full textMaster of Business Administration in FinanceThe Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises play a significant role in contributing towards economic development of many countries of the world. It is the leading sector in creation of job opportunities for millions of young people among the developing countries across the globe, and in Kenya in particular. Despite this significant contribution of this sector towards economic development, the sector faces a myriad of challenges when it comes to access to credit, financial transactions and financial literacy influencing their performance (World Bank, 2025). The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of financial inclusion on financial performance of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Dagoretti North Sub County, Nairobi County, Kenya. The specific objectives included; assessing the influence of access to credit on financial performance of MSMEs in Dagoretti North Sub County, establishing the influence of transaction convenience on financial performance of MSMEs in Dagoretti North Sub County, and analyzing the influence of financial literacy on financial performance of MSMEs in Dagoretti North Sub County. The research was anchored on the Theory of Financial Inclusion, advanced by Morduch (1999), Theory of Financial Intermediation advance by Gurley and Shaw (1960), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) developed by Davis (1989) as an adaptation of the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and The Human Capital Theory advanced by Schultz (1961) and later popularized by Becker (1964). Quantitative research methods were employed while correlational research design was used. The target population was 5,112 licensed and registered MSMEs in Dagoretti North Sub County, Nairobi City County. Based on Yamane’s formula, the sample size of 371 MSME Owners/managers was selected. Stratified random sampling and purposive techniques were used to select the sample size. The data was collected using questionnaires with close-ended questions. A pilot study was conducted to establish the validity and reliability of the questionnaire. The quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS. Pearson correlation test was used to determine the existence of relationships while regression analysis was used to determine the extent to which the study variables relate with each other. Results revealed a positive and significant relationship between financial performance and credit access (r = .35, p < .01). This means that when credit access is higher, financial performance also tends to be better. The results also showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between financial performance and transaction convenience (r = .48, p < 0.01). This means that when transactions were easier and more convenient, businesses tended to perform better financially. In addition, results revealed that there was a positive and significant relationship between financial performance and financial literacy (r = .55, p < .01). However, government policy did not significantly influence the overall impact of credit access, transaction convenience and financial literacy on financial performance of MSMEs. Overall, the study showed that MSMEs in Dagoretti North benefit a lot from financial inclusion. The study underscored the importance of strengthening initiatives that support financial literacy, access to credit, and transaction convenience as this has been shown to make MSME businesses to thrive.Daystar Universit