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Church Management Systems, Organizational Culture and Social Degradation in Kenya
No full textPhD in Business Administration In Strategic Management and InnovationChurch management systems significantly influence societal values, yet when poorly structured, they contribute to social degradation. Weak governance, financial opacity, ethical lapses, and lack of strategic planning erode trust, deepen inequality, and diminish the church’s moral authority. This study examined the relationship between church management systems (independent variable), organizational culture (mediating variable), and social degradation (dependent variable) in Kenya. Three theories informed the research: systems theory, Schein’s model of organizational culture, and social capital theory. A mixed-methods approach using an explanatory sequential design integrated quantitative and qualitative data. Eighty-one churches formed the unit of analysis, drawn from five denominational clusters in Nairobi. Quantitative data were collected from 330 respondents, while 25 contributed to the qualitative phase. Quantitative analysis in SPSS included reliability testing, regression, and mediation analysis, whereas qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The results established that church management systems significantly influence social degradation, with organizational culture partially mediating this relationship. Specifically, governance, financial management, ethical leadership, and strategic planning each demonstrated measurable effects on patterns of social degradation. These findings confirm the hypotheses tested and extend theoretical understanding of how organizational systems within churches interact with societal well-being. The study recommends targeted reforms at policy, practice, and theoretical levels. Policy reforms should strengthen regulatory oversight by enforcing ethical, governance, and financial accountability standards through the Registrar of Societies while preserving freedom of worship. Churches should institutionalize transparent audits, participatory governance, and values-based leadership that promote integrity, social responsibility, and justice. Cultivating inclusive organizational cultures rooted in accountability and service orientation is vital for moral renewal. Theoretically, future scholarship should extend systems and organizational culture theories to encompass the dual spiritual and social functions of faith-based institutions in developing contexts. Future studies should adopt longitudinal and multilevel designs to explore how leadership culture, doctrinal interpretation, and digital evangelism shape moral outcomes across denominations. They should also examine women’s leadership, youth engagement, and interfaith collaborations as emerging mechanisms for restoring moral authority and social cohesion.Daystar Universit
Strategic Resource Configuration and Performance of Level Four and Five Private Hospitals in Nairobi City County, Kenya
No full textMasters in Business Administration in Strategic ManagementThe healthcare sector in Nairobi County, Kenya particularly private hospitals is facing increased competition and rising patient expectations. This pressure has driven the need for strategic resource configuration to improve operational performance. However, there remains limited understanding of how such configurations impact hospital performance in the region. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of strategic resource configuration on the performance of level four and five private hospitals in Nairobi County. It specifically investigated how configurations of human, financial, physical, and technological resources influence performance and examines the mediating role of competitive advantage in this relationship. The research was grounded in three key theories: the Dynamic Capabilities Theory, Kaplan and Norton’s Balanced Scorecard, and Porter’s Competitive Advantage Theory. It hypothesizes that strategic resource configuration significantly and positively affects hospital performance, with competitive advantage acting as a mediator. This study focused on a population of 50 performance of level four and five private hospitals targeting 252 respondents from senior and mid-level management. A sample of 151 respondents was selected from departments such as operations, finance, HR, and ICT. Data was gathered using structured questionnaires, with a pre-test conducted to ensure clarity and reliability. A descriptive research design guided the collection and analysis of quantitative data. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, percentages, means, and standard deviations, and inferential techniques like regression and mediation analysis to test the proposed hypotheses. Results were presented in tables for ease of interpretation. The study established that financial resource configuration has a significant effect on performance (β = 0.212, p = 0.004<.05); human resource configuration has a significant effect on performance (β = 0.258, p = 0.000<0.05); physical resource configuration has a significant effect on performance (β = 0.241, p = 0.000<0.05) and technological resource configuration had a significant effect on performance (β = 0.289, P= 0.002<0.05). It was further revealed that competitive advantage partially mediates the relationship between strategic resource configuration level four and five private hospitals in Nairobi County (β = 0.352, p < 0.05) implying that while strategic resources configuration directly improve performance, their greatest impact is achieved when strategically transformed into unique advantages such as superior service quality, efficiency, and innovation. The study concludes that strategic alignment of resources is a critical driver of hospital performance, consistent with both the Dynamic Capabilities Theory and Porter’s Competitive Advantage Model. Based on these findings, the study recommends that hospital managers strengthen financial discipline, invest in continuous staff development, upgrade infrastructure and technology, and deliberately leverage these resources to secure competitive positioning. Further research should extend this analysis to public hospitals and other regions to enhance the generalizability of results. The findings offer both theoretical and practical contributions, enhancing the understanding of how strategic resource configurations affect hospital performance. The study aimed to assist policymakers, hospital administrators, healthcare professionals, and academics in formulating effective strategies that respond to the dynamic and competitive nature of the healthcare environmentDaystar Universit
Evaluating The Use of Communication Strategies for Public Participation in Implementation of Development Programs: A Case of The Kalamba Fruit Processing Plant in Makueni
No full textMaster of Arts in CommunicationEffective communication strategies are fundamental to successful public participation in development programs, yet limited research exists on how these strategies influence citizen engagement in Kenya's devolved governance system. This study investigated the effects of communication strategies on public participation in the implementation of development programs, with specific focus on the Kalamba Fruit Processing Plant in Makueni County, Kenya. The objectives were to assess how communication strategies shape inclusive stakeholder engagement, determine the level of public participation achieved through communication strategies using Arnstein's Ladder of Citizen Participation framework, and evaluate how communication feedback mechanisms influence public engagement and participatory decision-making. The study was grounded in Communicative Planning Theory and Arnstein's Ladder of Citizen Participation, employing a convergent parallel mixed methods design. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with key informants, including County Executive Committee members, Chief Officers, and ward administrators. The study targeted 419 respondents comprising 326 residents, 83 registered farmers, seven ward administrators, and three county government officials. The study achieved a response rate of 91.2% with 371 questionnaire respondents and 10 interview participants. Data was analyzed using both descriptive statistics for quantitative data (via SPSS) and thematic analysis for qualitative interviews. The study found that while communication strategies achieved reasonable information dissemination, they failed to create meaningful opportunities for community influence over project decisions. Radio emerged as the most effective communication channel, while digital platforms showed limited penetration due to rural connectivity challenges. Most concerning, participation remained at lower rungs of Arnstein's Ladder, with only 5.1% participating in decision-making processes and 79.8% reporting minimal influence over project outcomes. Additionally, 69.8% of respondents lacked opportunities to provide feedback, while 57.2% expressed dissatisfaction with county communication processes. The study concludes that communication strategies primarily functioned as one-way information flows rather than interactive engagement processes necessary for genuine participatory governance. Recommendations include establishing systematic feedback mechanisms, increasing communication frequency and inclusivity, utilizing local channels and trusted intermediaries, and restructuring public meetings to enable genuine dialogue rather than mere information dissemination. The study suggests further research on long-term outcomes of different communication strategies and the integration of traditional governance structures with modern participatory frameworks.Daystar Universit
Effect of Healthcare Communication on Self Rated Health: A Case Study of Save a Woman Fistula Foundation
No full textMaster of Arts in Development CommunicationObstetric fistula remains a debilitating condition among women in low-resource settings, with significant health and psychosocial implications. While organizations like the Save a Woman Fistula Foundation (SAWFF) provide surgical repairs and support programs, limited research examines how healthcare communication influences self-rated health among affected women. This study investigated the effect of healthcare communication strategies—specifically interpersonal sensitive communication, patient-centered care communication, relational communication, and organizational policies—on self-rated health among SAWFF beneficiaries in Nairobi County, Kenya.Guided by the Human Relations Communication Theory, the study examined how communication quality influences patients' health perceptions. A correlational research design using quantitative methods was employed, with data collected through structured questionnaires administered to all 121 registered fistula patients via census sampling. The research instrument underwent pre-testing for reliability and validity, achieving Cronbach's Alpha values exceeding 0.7. Data analysis utilized SPSS Version 28 for descriptive statistics and inferential analysis including Pearson correlation and linear regression. Ethical protocols were strictly followed, including informed consent, participant confidentiality, and approvals from DU-ISERC and NACOSTI. The response rate was 70.2% (85 participants). Findings revealed significant positive relationships between all communication dimensions and self-rated health. Relational communication showed the strongest correlation (r = 0.593, R² = 0.351, β = 0.414, p < 0.01), followed by interpersonal sensitive communication (r = 0.587, R² = 0.345), organizational policies (r = 0.587, R² = 0.345), and patient-centered communication (r = 0.543, R² = 0.295). Mean scores ranged from 4.03 to 4.24, indicating high agreement levels across communication dimensions. The study concludes that structured, empathetic healthcare communication significantly enhances health outcomes and recovery experiences among fistula survivors. Key recommendations include implementing communication training programs for healthcare providers, strengthening patient engagement mechanisms, and developing communication-centered organizational policies. These findings contribute to public health efforts supporting Kenya's Universal Health Coverage agenda and Sustainable Development Goals by improving health equity, dignity, and access for marginalized populations.Daystar Universit
Restructuring Strategies and Organizational Performance of Health Sector NGO’s in Kenya: A Case of Amref Health Africa
No full textMaster of Business Administration in Strategic ManagementThis study investigated the effect of restructuring strategies on the organizational performance of health sector NGOs in Kenya, focusing on Amref Health Africa. These organizations face numerous challenges, including strategic and operational resulting from unprecedented external factors. While restructuring is commonly applied to navigate such challenges, its effects on performance remain underexplored in the Kenyan context. The main objective was to examine the effect of restructuring strategies on organizational performance at Amref, with specific objectives including the identification of applied restructuring strategies, assessment of organizational performance, and analysis of the relationship between the two. The study was grounded in three theoretical frameworks: The Resource-Based View (RBV), which emphasizes internal capabilities as sources of competitive advantage; Contingency Theory, which stresses the fit between structure and environment; and Organizational Change Theory, which highlights the role of change processes in shaping behaviour and outcomes. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used, targeting 405 staff, with 122 senior staff selected through census sampling. Data collection involved online questionnaires using Likert scales. Analysis was conducted using SPSS Version 28.0, applying both descriptive and inferential techniques. Findings revealed widespread use of restructuring strategies such as workflow changes, decision structure modifications, resource reallocation, and communication adjustments. These strategies were positively associated with improved organizational performance, particularly in operational efficiency, stakeholder satisfaction, and market positioning. A strong positive correlation (r=0.765) was established, and regression analysis indicated that restructuring strategies, leadership, and communication accounted for 98.5% of performance variation. Socio-demographic factors had minimal influence. The study concluded that strategic restructuring enhances performance in health NGOs. It recommended focusing on adaptive leadership, clear communication, and continuous evaluation of restructuring efforts. Further research was encouraged in areas such as inter-organizational comparisons, digital transformation, and employee well-being during change.Daystar Universit
Effects of Epilepsy on Psychological Wellbeing of Young Adults at Youth oin The Move, Nairobi County, Kenya
No full textMasters in Clinical PsychologyEpilepsy significantly impacts psychological wellbeing among young adults, yet research remains limited in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study examined the effects of epilepsy on psychological wellbeing among young adults at Youth On The Move in Nairobi County, Kenya, focusing on mental health condition prevalence, home environment influence, and epilepsy-related stigma impact. Grounded in the biopsychosocial model, health belief model, and diathesis-stress theory, this descriptive quantitative study employed purposive sampling to recruit 34 young adults aged 18-34 years with confirmed epilepsy diagnoses who had participated in Youth On The Move programs within four years. Data collection utilized standardized instruments including the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), a researcher-developed Home Environment Questionnaire, and an Epilepsy Stigma Scale. Statistical analysis employed SPSS version 25, utilizing descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and linear regression analysis. Findings revealed concerning mental health prevalence rates: depression (41.2%), anxiety (32.4%), and stress (41.2%) among participants. Strong positive correlations emerged between these conditions (r = .546 to .742), indicating significant psychological comorbidity. The home environment demonstrated moderate levels across four dimensions: family support, communication openness, financial stability, and caregiver burden. Communication openness strongly correlated with family support (r
= .826, p < .001), while financial stability significantly correlated with caregiver burden (r
= .560, p < .001). However, home environment variables showed no significant correlations with psychological distress outcomes. Contrary to existing literature, epilepsy- related stigma exhibited only weak, non-significant correlations with psychological outcomes (anxiety r = .285, depression r = .177, stress r = .090). Linear regression analysis confirmed stigma explained merely 12.7% of variance in psychological outcomes (R² =
.127, p = .245), suggesting possible resilience development through Youth On The Move's community-based interventions. The study concludes that young adults with epilepsy face substantial mental health challenges requiring integrated care approaches. However, community-based support programs may buffer negative psychological impacts of stigma. These findings contribute valuable insights for healthcare practitioners, mental health professionals, and policymakers developing culturally appropriate interventions for young adults with epilepsy in Kenya and similar contexts.Daystar Universit
Environmental Degradation, Resource Scarcity, and Ethnic Conflict: A Case of Dadaab, Kenya.
No full textMaster of Arts in Diplomacy, Development, and International SecurityThe Dadaab refugee complex, situated in northeastern Kenya near the Somali border, is one of the largest and longest-standing refugee settlements in the world, hosting over 420,000 refugees, primarily from Somalia. Established in 1991 as a temporary shelter for displaced populations fleeing conflict, it has evolved into a semi-arid, resource-scarce region marked by environmental stress and complex ethnic dynamics. This study explores how environmental degradation in Dadaab—characterised by desertification, deforestation, and water scarcity—intensifies competition for dwindling natural resources and fuels ethnic conflict between refugee and host communities. Grounded in Environmental Security Theory, Ethnic Conflict Theory, and Governance Theory, the research employs a mixed-methods design, collecting data through surveys, semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and document analysis from refugees, host community members, humanitarian actors, and local governance. Quantitative and qualitative techniques are used for data analysis. Findings reveal that environmental degradation has significantly reduced access to water, arable land, and firewood, while current resource management and conflict mitigation strategies are largely ineffective due to governance weaknesses and limited community participation. The study recommends sustainable interventions, including improved resource distribution systems, reforestation efforts, the adoption of renewable energy, and community-driven peacebuilding initiatives aimed at achieving equitable resource governance and lasting peace. These insights provide valuable guidance for policymakers, humanitarian organisations, and local stakeholders in designing integrated, inclusive, and resilient strategies that address the interconnected challenges of environmental change, resource scarcity, and ethnic conflict in refugee-hosting settings, such as Dadaab.Daystar Universit
Factors Influencing the Psychological Wellbeing of Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities in Selected Public Primary Schools in Kiambu County, Kenya
No full textMasters in Clinical PsychologyThe study examined factors influencing the psychological wellbeing of parents who have children living with learning disorders in Ruiru Sub County, Kiambu County. The study objectives were to assess the psychological wellbeing of parents; to examine demographic factors influencing the psychological wellbeing of parents; to evaluate the psychological challenges experienced by parents and explore the coping mechanisms employed by parents who have children with learning disabilities in Kiambu County. The researcher used a descriptive study design and drew study samples using probability sampling technique (stratified sampling technique) for quantitative data and qualitative data. To collect the data, the study utilized a sociodemographic questionnaire, Brief Cope Scale and DASS 21 and analyzed the data using SPSS 22.0. The study targeted 143 participants and achieved 100 valid responses, yielding a high response rate of 93.5%. The sample was heavily skewed toward females (92%), with only 8% male representation. Female parents reported significantly higher levels of depression (M = 6.2, SD = 4.8) and anxiety (M = 5.9, SD = 4.5) compared to males (depression: M = 4.1, SD = 3.2; anxiety: M = 3.8, SD = 2.9), t(98) = 2.1, p = 0.039. The data indicated significant mental health concerns, with 10% of the participants reporting severe symptoms and 20% participants experiencing extremely severe symptoms. Parents with older especially 16–21-year-olds showed the worst mental health (r=0.32) and highest avoidant coping (r=0.35) while male children were linked to 22% higher anxiety (r=0.22) and 24% more avoidant coping. Larger Families with 4-5 children also correlated with worse outcomes (r=0.18-0.25). Majority of parents experienced feeling of being overwhelmed, marriage turmoil, and lack of spouse support (each reported by 77.8% of participants). These challenges showed strong associations with poor psychological wellbeing, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.54 to 0.58 on the DASS scale. Financial strain, while slightly less common at 66.7%, demonstrated equally strong negative effects on psychological wellbeing (r=0.52).Problem-focused coping demonstrated strong protective effects, with consistently negative correlations across all DASS variables outcomes (r = -0.38 to -0.47, p < 0.001). Regression analysis confirmed that higher use of problem-focused strategies significantly predicted lower depression (β = -0.39), anxiety (β = -0.34), and stress (β = -0.41). In contrast, avoidant coping showed the most harmful associations, exhibiting the strongest positive correlations with DASS variable outcomes (r = 0.54–0.62, p < 0.001) and the largest regression coefficients (β = 0.48–0.56), marking it as the most detrimental coping style. Emotion-focused coping played a mixed role, with weaker but still significant positive correlations (r = 0.28–0.35) and modest regression effects (β = 0.19–0.26). The study made six recommendations and suggested further research on parent’s wellbeing focusing on both longitudinal and cross-cultural perspectives.Daystar Universit
Strategic Risk Management Practices and Firm Performance of Ngo-Funded Microfinance Banks in Tanzania: A Case of Visionfund
No full textMaster of Business Administration in Strategic ManagementThe challenges that face microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Tanzania are mostly risk management problems that result in high loan defaults and financial unsustainability. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of strategic risk management practices on the performance of NGO-funded microfinance institutions in Tanzania, a case of VisionFund. The objectives were to determine the effect of operational risk management, financial risk management, and reputational risk management on the firm performance of VisionFund, Tanzania, and to establish the moderating effect of government regulations on the relationship between strategic risk management practices and performance of VisionFund, Tanzania. The study was underpinned by the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Model as the main model, and Institutional Theory, and the dependent variable was supported by the Balanced Scorecard Model. The study adopted both descriptive and explanatory research designs, and targeted 103 seniors, managers, middle managers, and supervisors of VisionFund Tanzania. The study adopted a census approach to collect data. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The study was pretested on 10 employees from FINCA Microfinance Bank. Validity was tested through content and construct validity, while reliability was tested using Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient at 0.7. Data analysis was done using SPSS 27.0, where descriptive statistics were analyzed using minimum, maximum, mean, and standard deviations, frequencies and percentages, while inferential statistics included correlation and regression analyses. Ethical considerations were considered. The study established that all the constructs were reliable, with Cronbach's Alpha coefficients greater than 0.7. The response rate for this study was 93.2%. Furthermore, the study found that all the constructs of strategic risk management practices were strongly positive and statistically significant. Particularly, the study established that operational risk management had a strongly positive and statistically significant correlation with firm performance (r=.764, p<.001); the study also showed that reputational risk management has a highly positive and statistically significant correlation with firm performance (r=0.842, p<.001). Further results indicated that financial risk management is significantly and positively related to firm performance (r=.795, p<.001). In terms of the regulatory environment, it is statistically and positively related to firm performance (r=.728, p<.001). Also, the study determined that the regulatory environment significantly moderates the relationship between strategic risk management practices and firm performance, with an increased explanatory power of 76.7% when included in the model. The study concludes that the holistic design of strategic risk management practices has a significant impact on firm performance. The study recommended that VisionFund should develop and tailor its programs such that they meet particular community needs and ensure the consistency of their participation. The study contributed to the knowledge on strategic risk management practices’ role in improving the firm performance, by providing insights and knowledge that can inform policy making and practices among the MFIs, and government agencies in charge of banking and microfinance operations in Tanzania and beyond.Daystar Universit
Assessment of Pornographic Addiction on The Psychological Wellbeing of Undergraduates Students: A Case of Daystar University, Kenya
No full textMASTER OF ARTS in Counselling PsychologyPornographic addiction has increasingly emerged as a significant behavioral health concern among university students worldwide, adversely affecting their psychological wellbeing and academic performance. At Daystar University in Kenya, little empirical research has examined the extent and effects of this problem. This study therefore sought to investigate the prevalence of pornographic addiction and its relationship with psychological wellbeing among undergraduate students at Daystar University. The specific objectives were to determine the levels of addiction, assess anxiety and stress severity, identify key influencing factors, and analyze the correlation between pornographic addiction and psychological wellbeing. The research was guided by the Interaction of Person-Affect-Cognition-Execution (I-PACE) model and the Transactional Theory of Stress and Coping, which explain how personal traits, emotional regulation, and coping mechanisms interact to influence addictive behaviors. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted, targeting 1,098 students from the School of Applied Human Sciences. Using Yamane’s formula, a sample of 293 students was selected, and 264 valid responses were analyzed, yielding a response rate of 90.1%. Data were collected using structured questionnaires incorporating the Pornography Consumption Inventory (PCI) and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, particularly chi-square tests, to examine the relationship between pornographic addiction and psychological wellbeing. Findings showed that a large proportion of participants exhibited moderate to severe levels of pornographic addiction, indicating its growing prevalence among the university population. Males showed significantly higher addiction levels than females, while third-year students recorded the highest rates, suggesting that academic pressure and transitional challenges heighten susceptibility. Emotional avoidance was identified as the main reason for pornography consumption, followed by boredom, stress, and sexual curiosity. External influences such as unrestricted internet access, smartphone use, peer influence, and limited parental or spiritual guidance further contributed to addictive behavior. In terms of psychological wellbeing, most respondents reported moderate levels of distress, characterized by anxiety, social withdrawal, reduced self-esteem, and feelings of hopelessness. Chi-square analysis revealed a significant association between pornographic addiction and psychological wellbeing (χ² = 89.47, p = 0.000), demonstrating that higher addiction levels were linked with poorer wellbeing. Other significant correlations were found with demographic variables such as age, gender, academic year, and residence, with younger and off-campus students experiencing greater distressDaystar Universit