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Staff Perceptions Towards Effectiveness of Media Monitoring in Crisis Communication: A Case of Communications Authority of Kenya
No full textMaster of Arts in CommunicationThis study explored staff perceptions of the effectiveness of media monitoring in crisis communication at the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA). Guided by Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT) and Framing Theory, the research examined how media monitoring supports crisis response, influences internal decision-making, and shapes communication strategies. The study addressed four objectives: (i) to assess staff perceptions of the usefulness, reliability, and effectiveness of media monitoring; (ii) to investigate how monitoring informs crisis-related decision-making and strategic planning; (iii) to explore how monitoring detects and guides responses to media framing; and (iv) to evaluate how monitoring supports the alignment of crisis strategies with specific crisis types. Using an exploratory case study qualitative research design, data were collected through in-depth staff interviews and a document review of key institutional strategies. Thematic analysis revealed that staff view media monitoring as an indispensable tool for real-time crisis tracking, brand management, and early detection of emerging issues. Participants described monitoring as a diagnostic mechanism, enabling the Authority to anticipate crises, gauge public sentiment, and decide whether to respond, delay, or remain strategically silent. Media framing emerged as a critical factor shaping CA’s messaging and timing, while monitoring data informed decisions on stakeholder targeting and resource allocation. Despite these benefits, staff identified notable challenges, including budgetary constraints, limited training on data interpretation, and occasional inaccuracies in sentiment analysis, particularly with sheng and local language usage. Perceptions also highlighted tensions between institutional policies advocating continuous monitoring and the practical limitations experienced by staff. The findings extend SCCT by demonstrating how media monitoring supports strategy selection such as when to deny, diminish, or accommodate and reinforce framing theory by showing how dominant narratives guide organizational responses. Recommendations include expanding staff training, ensuring adequate budgetary support, and institutionalizing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. This study contributes to scholarship on crisis communication by illustrating how media monitoring strengthens organizational preparedness, protects reputations, and enhances public trust.Daystar Universit
Strategic Management Dimensions, Firm-Level Characteristics and Healthcare Service Delivery in National Government Referral Hospitals in Kenya
No full textDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Strategic Management and InnovationIn recent years, strategic management dimensions were increasingly adopted to strengthen healthcare systems and support reforms aimed at improving healthcare service delivery (HSD), which is vital to population well-being. Although the implementation of these strategies had contributed to enhancements in HSD, performance challenges persisted in Kenya, even within established social health mechanisms. This study examined the effects of strategic planning, strategic alignment, Total Quality Management (TQM), and corporate governance on HSD in Kenya’s National Government Referral Hospitals. It also investigated the moderating effect of firm-level characteristics on the relationship between strategic management dimensions and HSD. The study was underpinned by stakeholder theory, with additional support from the resource-based view, contingency theory, and strategic fit theory. A positivist philosophy and descriptive and explanatory research designs were adopted to guide data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The target population included management staff and patients from national referral hospitals, with a sample of 199 hospital management respondents and 100 patients selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and secondary data sheets. Validity and reliability of instruments were ensured through expert review and Cronbach’s Alpha. Ethical standards were strictly observed. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and regression analysis. Diagnostic tests for multicollinearity, normality, and heteroscedasticity were performed. Findings showed that all four strategic management dimensions had a significant positive effect on healthcare service delivery (HSD): strategic planning (β = 0.971, p = 0.000), strategic alignment (β = 0.694, p = 0.000), TQM (β = 0.782, p = 0.000), and corporate governance (β = 0.894, p = 0.000). Firm-level characteristics significantly moderated these relationships (β = 0.156, p = 0.011), highlighting their critical role in shaping service outcomes.The study recommends standardized, adaptable strategic planning aligned with national health goals and mandatory enforcement of TQM across referral hospitals. Corporate governance should be strengthened with inclusive, accountable leadership, supported by adequate resources. Hospitals must develop actionable plans, engage all staff in quality management, and foster positive organizational cultures focused on patient care. Leadership development is essential. Future strategic management theories should integrate these dimensions and recognize leadership and culture as key moderators in healthcare service delivery effectiveness.Daystar Universit
Impact of Post-Covid-19 Stressors on Coping Mechanisms among Postgraduate Students: Case of Daystar University Nairobi Campus
No full textMasters in Clinical PsychologyThe Covid-19 pandemic significantly disrupted higher education globally, with long-term impacts persisting beyond the acute crisis phase. While substantial research examined student experiences during the pandemic, limited studies have explored postgraduate students' post-pandemic adaptation, particularly in African contexts. This study examined the impact of post-Covid-19 stressors on coping mechanisms among postgraduate students at Daystar University, Nairobi Campus. Specifically, the study sought to identify coping mechanisms employed, examine post-Covid-19 stressors affecting students, and determine relationships between stressors and coping strategies. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey design grounded in the pragmatist paradigm. The target population comprised 648 Master's students from the School of Applied Human Sciences. Using stratified random sampling and proportional allocation, 150 questionnaires were administered, yielding 106 responses (70.7% response rate). Data collection utilized three standardized instruments: the Brief COPE Inventory (α=0.870), Perceived Stress Scale (α=0.692), and Covid-19 Stress Scale (α=0.935), supplemented with qualitative open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis. Findings revealed that students employed predominantly adaptive coping strategies, with planning (M=6.73, SD=1.41) and active coping (M=6.47, SD=1.45) scoring highest, while maladaptive strategies remained minimal (all below M=3.21). Covid-19 specific stressors fell within the low range (all M<1.99), yet moderate general stress persisted (PSS M=19.12, SD=6.60), with 67% experiencing moderate stress levels. Dominant stressors were work-life balance (27.4%), financial strain (17.0%), and academic pressures (12.3%) rather than health fears. Socioeconomic concerns (M=1.74) emerged as the highest pandemic-related stressor. Self-blame demonstrated the strongest correlation with stress (r=0.392, p<0.01), while adaptive strategies showed weak protective effects. Planning, religion, and social support functioned as stable coping resources with negligible stress correlations. The study concludes that Daystar postgraduate students demonstrate resilience through predominantly adaptive coping but continue experiencing moderate stress driven by socioeconomic pressures and work-life balance challenges. Recommendations include establishing dedicated postgraduate support frameworks, expanding financial assistance mechanisms, enhancing mental health services at the Nuru Counseling Centre, and developing targeted interventions addressing self-blame patterns. The study contributes rare evidence on postgraduate students in an African Christian university context during the understudied post-pandemic phaseDaystar Universit
Exploring The Use of Participatory Engagement by Technical Skills Graduates within Communities in Kenya: A Case of Maseno TVET Alumni
No full textMASTER OF ARTS in CommunicationThis study sought to explore participatory engagement by technical skill graduates within Communities in Kenya; a case of Maseno TVET Centre in Kenya. The research objectives were to explore communication impact of technical graduates to the community within Luanda Sub-County, find out how graduates of Maseno TVET Centre, knowledge acquired within the community and to establish values Maseno TVET Centre Alumni have on the community. Participatory Engagement (PE) with the Relate-Create-Donate model, which apart from empowerment of graduates like Participatory Communication-PC, claimed the role of TVET alumni, like Maseno to sustainable economic transformation. In addition, PE emphasized collaboration among peers and groups of graduate trainees on technical skill values for societal transformation. The research was guided by an exploratory research design. The study population was a total of 200 graduates with sample size Seven of the 2022/2023 academic year in Maseno TVET Center, each representing skill training, conveniently living, working and with track records of positively contributing to the community and skill knowledge progress at Maseno TVET Centre. The researcher used in-depth interviews-(IDI) approach in the study where a funnel approach guide by Roller (2020) was adopted. Interview notes were analyzed and audio recording transcribed by TurboScribe.AI for direct quotations from the participants. The key finding in this study was that technical skill knowledge passed on to others by graduates fostered hope and reduced insecurity. Another finding showed that social communication networks enhanced community trust. The study found that alumni networks facilitated knowledge sharing and innovation and also that the values of patience, humility, and teamwork fostered social cohesion. The study recommended graduate training programs to focus on combining psychological support with technical skills. The researcher recommended that further studies should be carried out with different age groups in self-learning skill areas of skill development, technical skill and communication impact within communities.Daystar Universit
The Effect of Mining on The Socio-Economic Livelihoods to Families in Democratic Republic of Congo: A Case of Ruashi
No full textMASTER OF ARTS in Diplomacy, Development and International SecurityThe mining industry is fundamental in the economic reality of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Particularly in Ruashi, Haut-Katanga Province, where mineral extraction has been a major engine of economic activity. Through infrastructure construction, income generation, and employment creation, the mining sector has helped to drive economic development. Along with these financial gains, the industry has also brought important socio-economic and environmental issues including income inequality, worker exploitation, displacement of residents, and ecological damage. Focusing on employment possibilities, income distribution, environmental sustainability, and more general societal changes, this paper investigates the effects of mining on the livelihoods of the Ruashi people. The study adopted a mixed-method design. Adopting a mixed-methods research approach, this study integrates quantitative and qualitative analyses to comprehensively examine the impact of mining on the socio-economic livelihood of communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a focus on Ruashi. The quantitative component involved assessing key economic indicators such as employment rates, household incomes, and local business growth using publicly available datasets and field surveys. Statistical analyses will evaluate correlations between mining activities, income disparities, and community welfare. Concurrently, qualitative methods, including interviews with local residents, policymakers, and civil society organizations, will provide contextual insights into the socio-economic transformations driven by mining, including displacement, access to social services, and changes in traditional livelihoods. The study investigated how local development and community well-being are influenced by mining governance structures. By means of thorough investigation, the study aims to recommend sustainable mining approaches that can improve the socio-economic livelihoods of the Ruashi community, DRC. The results will add to the current debates on sustainable development, governance, and responsible mining methods in areas rich in resources and provide insightful analysis for legislators, business leaders, and civil society groups.Daystar Universit
Exploring Online Harassment of Female Broadcast Journalists in Kenya During Covid-19 Pandemic
No full textMASTER OF ARTS CommunicationThe study aimed to explore the online harassment of female broadcast journalists in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was guided by three objectives: to examine the forms of online harassment experienced, to determine how journalists responded to such harassment, and to assess the effects of these experiences and responses on their careers. The scope focused on harassment experienced during the pandemic, a period that significantly heightened reliance on digital media platforms. The study drew upon three theoretical frameworks. The Spiral of Silence Theory was applied to explain how harassment contributed to silencing female journalists during heightened political and social tensions. Communication Privacy Management Theory provided insights into how journalists managed boundaries between private and public information online. A phenomenological qualitative research design was employed to capture the lived experiences of the participants. The study population consisted of female broadcast journalists in Kenya who were active during the pandemic, with the target population drawn from mainstream television, radio, and digital stations in urban areas. A purposive sample of 15–20 journalists was selected, supplemented by snowball sampling. This ensured the inclusion of diverse perspectives while focusing on those most affected. Data collection relied on semi-structured, in-depth interviews, using an interview guide with open-ended questions to elicit detailed narratives. Pretesting was conducted with two to three participants who were excluded from the final sample. Thematic analysis served as the main analytical approach. The research process adhered to ethical standards, emphasizing confidentiality, voluntary participation, and the cultivation of trust between the researcher and participants. The study found that female broadcast journalists in Kenya faced deeply gendered online harassment during the COVID-19 pandemic, including objectification, body shaming, sexualized abuse, stalking, and threats, all of which undermined their personal dignity, professional credibility, and safety. The harassment caused significant emotional harm, such as anxiety, depression, and loss of self-esteem, while also reshaping career paths through self-censorship, reduced online engagement, or avoidance of sensitive beats like politics. Conclusions drawn emphasized that online harassment was not merely individual hostility but a systemic, gendered attack exacerbated by institutional neglect and societal stereotypes that silence women in journalism. In response, the study recommended practical measures such as newsroom anti-harassment policies, counseling support, digital safety training, and career mentorship, alongside policy interventions including stronger cyber laws, regulatory frameworks, and subsidized wellness programs. Collectively, these measures aim to protect journalists’ safety, mental health, and career sustainability, while fostering institutional accountability and challenging cultural attitudes that normalize abuse.Daystar Universit
Policy Challenges on the Implementation of Performance Contracting in Counties: A Case of Homa Bay County Government, Kenya
No full textMaster of Education in Leadership and Policy StudiesCounties in Kenya face a myriad of challenges when it comes to efficient service delivery to the public and the delivery of necessary projects. To solve this, many counties have implemented Performance Contracting as a management tool to ensure efficiency of service delivery and effective resource utilization. Despite the proven benefits of this measure, most counties, such as Homa Bay, still rate poorly on service delivery and the human development index. Based on these arguments, this study sought to determine the policy challenges that affect the implementation of Performance Contracts in Homa Bay County. It was guided by three objectives: to identify the policy challenges affecting the implementation of PC at Homabay Bay County Government in Kenya; to assess the effect of PC implementation strategies in Homa Bay County Government in Kenya; and to determine the effect of policy challenges on the implementation of PC in Homa Bay County Government in Kenya. The study was anchored on three theories: Policy Implementation Theory, Goal-Setting Theory, and Feedback Intervention Theory. The study employed a qualitative research design, and the sample size included 46 county officials purposively sampled from the offices of the Head of County PC, County Secretary, county public service board, sectoral PC coordinators and champions, and members of various PC committees. A structured interview was employed in the data collection process, and thematic analysis of data was employed. Thematic content analysis was employed to analyze the collected data using NVivo Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) software. The study found the main policy challenges to PC implementation in counties to be the use of largely inflexible PC guidelines developed by the national government, constant changes in county budgetary policies, lack of guidelines on choosing PC committee members and the absence of a rewards and sanction policy that factors in PC evaluation results. The study found the county’s PC implementation strategies to include customization of PC guidelines, cascading of targets, use of external PC experts in mainstreaming PC processes and tasking one of the directors in every sector as the PC coordinator for the sector. The established effects of the policy challenges included misalignments between PC guidelines and county needs, PC evaluation and scores not considering proven effect of exogenous factors, resource allocation constraints, ineffective PC committees and reduced motivation among PC implementers. The findings of this study are to inform the decisions of policymakers at both the national and county levels of government on the policy needs for effective implementation of performance contracting at the county level. The findings shall also help county bosses determine the measures necessary to ensure Performance Contracting delivers the intended results in public service delivery and resource utilization. It has also identified and outlined research gaps for future studies. The research recommended the development of flexible PC guidelines for county governments that counties can customize to suit their individual needs and transient circumstances. The study also recommends the creation of a performance contracting directorate at the counties to ensure effective streamlining and implementation of PC in counties. Some of the proposed areas for further research include effect of the dropping of cross-cutting indicators, the use of external experts in PC mainstreaming and rewards and sanctions policy implementation strategies in counties.Daystar Universit
The Effectiveness of Trauma Informed Teaching Strategies on Classroom Behavior Management: A Case of Kakuma Refugee Schools, Turkana County, Kenya
No full textMasters in Clinical PsychologyTrauma often disrupts interpersonal relationships and compels children to develop coping mechanisms for loss and instability, frequently at the expense of normal developmental and academic progress. This study aimed to establish the prevalence of behavioral problems among learners in Kakuma refugee schools, determine the challenges teachers faced in implementing trauma-informed teaching strategies, and evaluate the effectiveness of these strategies on classroom behavior management. The study was guided by Trauma Theory, Attachment Theory, and Ecological Systems Theory, and adopted a descriptive research design using a mixed-methods approach. The study involved 230 participants, including teachers, administrators (head teachers, deputies and community school counsellors) and learners from 21 refugee primary schools in Kakuma refugee camp. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and school behavioral records, and analyzed using descriptive and thematic methods. The results revealed a high prevalence of behavioral and emotional difficulties among learners prior to the introduction of traumainformed strategies, with the most frequent problems being absenteeism or lateness (72.5%), aggression and defiance (65.0%), and low academic engagement (55.0%). Learners reported a moderately strong sense of school membership (M = 3.62), indicating that trauma-informed teaching strategies had improved belonging, safety, and emotional regulation. However, gaps persisted in peer inclusion and recognition. Teachers identified major challenges such as lack of training (M = 4.42), overcrowded classrooms (M = 4.31), and limited psychosocial support (M = 4.09), which constrained consistent application of trauma-informed practices. The study concluded that trauma-informed teaching strategies significantly improved classroom climate and learner behavior by fostering emotional safety, trust, and cooperation. Nonetheless, systemic barriers particularly high teacher workloads, insufficient training, and inadequate resources limited full implementation. The study recommended that education stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, UNHCR, and partner organizations, strengthen teacher capacity-building, establish peer support and counselling systems, and embed traumainformed approaches into teacher training curricula. Further, schools should implement structured psychosocial programs and provide manageable class sizes and adequate learning materials.Daystar Universit
Agile Strategies and Project Performance among Life Insurance Firms in Kenya: Case of Britam Holding PLC
No full textMASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION in Strategic Management and Project ManagementIn today’s rapidly changing and technology-driven business environment, the ability of insurance firms to remain competitive has become increasingly dependent on their agility and adaptability. Despite the adoption of agile strategies and their relevance, Kenya Association of Insurers in 2023 noted that the industry's overall gross premium grew marginally by 4.2% in 2022, down from 8.1% in 2021 signalling stagnating project performance amidst increasing project costs and delays. As such, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of agile strategies on project performance among life insurance firms in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to: examine the effect of iterative planning on project performance of Britam Holding PLC; assess the effect of cross-functional teams on project performance of Britam Holding PLC; investigate the effect of continuous feedback on project performance of Britam Holding PLC and evaluate the moderating effect of regulatory compliance on the relationship between agile strategies and project performance among Britam Holding PLC. The study was underpinned by the Contingency Theory Fiedler as the anchor theory, which is supplememnted by the Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) Theory, Goal-Setting Theory and Institutional Theory. This study employed a cross-sectional-explanatory research design. The study target population included 112 senior and mid-level managers at Britam Insurance Holding PLC. The research used primary data, collected using a structured questionnaire. To ensure reliability and validity, a pretest was conducted on 13 senior and mid-level managers at SANLAM PLC, Head Office in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Data collected was analyzed with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29.0. Data was analysed descriptively using mean and standard deviation to summarize, and inferentially using correlation and regression analyses. The findings revealed that iterative planning had a strong and statistically significant effect on project performance, explaining 43.1% of the variance (R²=0.431, p<0.05). Cross- functional teams also demonstrated a significant effect, accounting for 49.5% of the variance (R²=0.495, p<0.05), while continuous feedback contributed 47.5% of the variance in project performance (R²=0.475, p<0.05). These results affirm that agile strategies are critical drivers of project success, enhancing timeliness, quality of deliverables, resource utilization, and client satisfaction. In contrast, regulatory compliance, though positively associated with project performance (r=0.523, p<0.05), did not yield a statistically significant moderating effect on the relationship between agile strategies and project performance. The study concludes that agile strategies are significant predictors of project performance in the insurance sector, while compliance serves more as a contextual necessity rather than a moderating influence. The study recommends institutionalizing iterative planning cycles, strengthening cross-functional team structures, and embedding continuous feedback mechanisms to improve project outcomes. It further suggests maintaining compliance practices as supportive governance measures. Future research should explore alternative moderators such as organizational culture, leadership, or digital infrastructure, and extend the study to other sectors through longitudinal and comparative designs.Daystar Universit
Exploring The Effects of Diminished Paternal Authority on Social Competence of Adolescent Boys: A Case of Harambee Estate, Nairobi, Kenya
No full textMaster of Arts in Child Development.This study explored the effects of diminished paternal authority on the social competence of boys aged 13–17 years in Harambee Estate, Nairobi County. The research addressed a significant knowledge gap by examining how changing family dynamics, urbanization, and shifting gender roles have weakened fathers’ traditional authority and the potential consequences for boys’ emotional and social development. The main purpose of the study was to investigate how diminished paternal authority affects boys’ emotional regulation, peer relationships, identity formation, and decision-making abilities which are key elements of social competence. The study employed a qualitative, phenomenological research design anchored in Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Pleck’s Father Involvement Theory. It engaged 30 purposively selected participants (ten fathers, ten mothers, and ten boys aged 13–17 years) living in Harambee Estate. Data was generated through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and researcher observations, then analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s framework. The findings indicated that unfathered boys (13%), under-fathered (67%) and mis-fathered boys (20%) experience greater struggles with identity formation, poor emotional regulation, and relationship management compared to their positively fathered peers (20%). The mis-fathered boys were observed to have a double burden and were therefore captured in the under-fathered category. Unfathered boys exhibited passivity and difficulty asserting themselves, often relying on peers or mothers for guidance. Under-fathered boys faced weak role modelling, as fathers prioritized provision over engagement, while mis-fathered boys were exposed to negative behaviours such as domestic violence, fuelling resentment and withdrawal. Collectively, these patterns undermined boys’ confidence, peer interaction, and conflict resolution skills. Fathered boys, on the other hand, showed resilience, stronger autonomy, and healthier emotional regulation, but their independence in decision-making was comparatively lower, since they still relied on their fathers for direction. The study recommended strengthening intentional fatherhood through community and policy interventions. Specific strategies include creating work-life balance initiatives that allow fathers more time with their children, expanding sports and mentorship programs to fill gaps in paternal involvement, and leveraging church-based initiatives such as Rites of Passage and “Man Enough” to support both fathers and boys. Policymakers and community organizations should be encouraged to design programs that increase fatherhood role and perception beyond provision to emphasize engagement, emotional support, and positive role modelling. The study also called for greater collaboration between families, schools, and community structures to create supportive environments for adolescent boys. The research ultimately highlighted the need for deliberate investment in paternal engagement as a pathway to strengthening boys’ social competence and shaping healthier, more resilient young men in rapidly evolving urban family contexts.Daystar Universit