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Corporate Sports Sponsorship and Brand Awareness of Commercial Banks in Kenya: a Case of Family Bank’s Eldoret Half Marathon
No full textUsing Family Bank’s sponsorship of Eldoret Half Marathon as a case study, this study aimed to establish how corporate sports sponsorship and brand awareness affect the bank’s customers. The study was anchored on the Social exchange theory and the Excellence theory of public relations. The study had three objectives: to assess the customers’ level of awareness of Family Bank sponsorship of the Eldoret Half Marathon, to evaluate customers’ perception of Eldoret Half Marathon sponsorship, and to find out the effect of the sponsorship and the brand awareness of Family Bank. To achieve these objectives the study relied on the descriptive research design. The study used questionnaires and interview guides as the main data collection tools. The study sample size consisted of 100 customers and 10 departmental heads from Family Bank branches in Eldoret. Systematic sampling was used to collect quantitative data while purposive sampling was used to collect qualitative data. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data generated from interview guide were categorised in themes in accordance with research objectives and reported in narrative form along with quantitative presentation. The study found out that Family Bank customers in Eldoret are aware of the marathon and loyal to the bank as they indicated that they would still continue being its customers even if the bank stopped sponsoring the marathon. The study concluded that social media platforms especially Facebook and Whatsapp play a crucial role in creating the banks awareness. The study recommends that Family Bank should extend marathon sponsorship to other towns in Kenya so as to increase brand awareness to many parts of Keny
Factors Influencing Implementation Of Performance Contract In Public Secondary Schools: A Case Of Igembe South Sub County, Meru County, Kenya
No full textPerformance contract has been introduced in secondary schools. Performance contract is generally influenced by the poor analysis of organization’s procedure that is in appropriate, invalid and unreliable. Even though, the proponents of PC have identified a number of secondary school preconditions for successful implementation of PC in any school. In effective performance contracts have been contributed by lack of critical management tools which are pre-requisite for effective performance management. The purpose of the study was to determine the factors that influence implementation of performance contract in public secondary schools in Igembe South Sub County, Meru County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives; to determine the influence of availability of resources, level of awareness, teacher’s attitude, training and communication from the principals/county director’s on implementation of performance contract in public secondary schools in Igembe South Sub County, Meru County, Kenya. The study was grounded on human capital theory, stakeholder theory and Resource based theory. The study was carried in 23 secondary schools in Igembe South Sub County, Meru County, Kenya where the target population was 208 comprising of principal and deputy principals, teachers and ministry of education officials in Meru County. A sample size of 135 for the study with the population of 208 is obtained using Morgan and Krejcie (1970) model. The study selected the respondents using stratified proportionate random sampling technique. For the purpose of this study, the researcher used a semi structured questionnaire as the primary data collection tool. The questionnaire was structured to include both closed, open-ended and matrix questions to allow variety. Unstructured questions were open-ended and present the respondent with the opportunity to provide their own answers. A pilot test was conducted to detect weakness in design and instrumentation and to provide proxy data for selection of a probability sample. A construct composite reliability co-efficient (Cronbach alpha) of 0.7 or above, for all the constructs, is considered to be adequate for this study. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 25.0). All the questionnaires received was referenced and items in the questionnaire was coded to facilitate data entry. After data cleaning which entails checking for errors in entry, descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean score and standard deviation was estimated for all the quantitative variables. Inferential data analysis was done using multiple regression analysis to determine the relative importance of each of the independent variables and information presented inform of tables. The study deduced that transport infrastructure, consistency of funds, information communication and technology and that budget allocation greatly influence implementation of performance contract in public secondary schools in Igembe South Sub County, Meru County, Kenya. Moreover, it was revealed that stationery have a moderate influence on implementation of performance contract in public secondary schools in Igembe South Sub County, Meru County, Kenya. The study concluded that availability of resources had the greatest influence on implementation of performance contract in public secondary schools in Igembe South Sub County, Meru County, Kenya in Kenya followed by training, then level of awareness then communication from the principals/county director’s while teacher’s attitude had the least influence on the implementation of performance contract in public secondary schools in Igembe South Sub County, Meru County, Kenya. The study recommended that the Government of Kenya conducts workshops and other forms of training for head teachers to enable them share their experiences on the implementation of performance contracting in their respective public schools. The head teachers, school committees and parents should be organized to raise funds for building and equipping libraries and for provision of suitable teachin
The Role Of Border Communities In Counter Terrorism In Africa
No full textThis study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Border communities’ participation in
counter terrorism in Africa with Kenya as a case study. Little or no research had been done
on the role of communities living along national borders with respect to terrorism and
counter terrorism; hence the study aimed at addressing the existing knowledge gap in this
area. The research adopted the liberal theory in explaining the responsibility of state and
non-state actors in terrorism and counterterrorism. The study was guided on the basis that
the strategies adopted by government in countering terrorism are inadequate and cannot
effectively prevent terrorism without the involvement of border communities who are
rarely involved in counterterrorism initiatives by security agencies. These basic
assumptions were confirmed by the outcome of the study that indicated that counter
terrorism measures were not very effective. The study used mixed method to gather and
analyse the secondary data from library, journals, books and the primary data from field
interviews with experts. Data was then analysed using both statistical and non-empirical
methods.
From the research, it was deduced that counterterrorism measures initiated by the
government are mostly community targeted rather than community focussed as such
communities are alienated leading to suspicion and mistrust between security agencies and
border communities. The study also established that effective implementation of counter
terrorism measures was hampered by corruption among security agencies, lack of resources,
marginalization and youth unemployment among others. The research further established
that despite the involvement of border communities through initiatives such as nyumba
kumi counter terrorism measures were not very effective.
The study therefore recommends to the academia the need to conduct a comparative study
on counter terrorism between bordering countries. To the policy makers and in particular
the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the study recommends a continuous sensitization
of border communities including all border agencies on counter terrorism and adoption of
counter terrorism measures that involve input of border communities as a way of creating
partnership between the government and Communities
Development of a Geovisualisation Tool for Clean Development Mechanism Projects in Kenya
No full textKenya is one of the developing countries that are a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement. These agreements are the world’s advancement towards reducing emission which is being addressed by the Clean Development Mechanism. The National Environment Management Authority is currently responsible for reporting Kenya’s progress towards emission reductions from various sectors. However, there is need to map and visualise these project activities and support their monitoring by all relevant stakeholders. This research project explored how web GIS can be used to map these projects to support collaboration, information sharing, reporting and sustainable development implementation. The aim was to provide a free and open-source application, to generate and visualise more geospatial data on Clean Development Mechanism projects in Kenya.
The methodology involved data extraction from excel sheets, development of data models relevant to user needs, developing the conceptual, logical and physical model of the database which was queried through PostgreSQL. An account was set up in Geoserver to host the feature services and geospatial data. A web based GIS application was developed and linked to the server and internet. HTML, CSS and JavaScript were used to develop the web app. The project resulted in a web-based GIS platform in which users can query and overlay CDM and reference layers.
67 CDM projects were identified and it was discovered that majority of these projects in Kenya have been registered (65%), are small in size and 32.8% of the projects are mainly focused on reforestation and clean cooking mechanisms. Only 17% of the projects have generated credits. The CDM projects are located within Meru and Nakuru counties. Low performance could be attributed to lack of institutional capacity, policy and legislative frameworks.
The web GIS is a thin-client based platform that will be available for embedding in websites. It also provides an information solution for governments, private sector, academia, research funding agencies and the general public.
The project recommends further research to explore mobile platforms that can be used to access the visualization tool and increased development of data models for the display of the most appropriate sustainable data
An Assessment of the Agricultural Relations Between Israel and Kenya: Case Study of the Galana Kulalu Irrigation Scheme.
No full textGenerally, this study is about the agricultural relations between Kenya and Israel, using
the Galana Kulalu Irrigation Scheme as a case study. Consequently, it examined the growth and
development of the bilateral relations between Kenya and Israel in various fields before discussing
the status, challenges, opportunities and prospects of the Galana Kulalu Irrigation Scheme that is
being undertaken with the help of the Israelis to help curb the hunger menace in the country. At
the end, several recommendations were made to make the fight against food insecurity more
effective. The study also set out two hypotheses namely that the problems of hunger and food
insecurity in Kenya are as a result of poor planning by the responsible bodies and organizations,
and secondly that there is a positive correlation between the strengthening of Kenya-Israel ties and
boosting food security in Kenya. The study which depended largely on secondary data with
intermediate use of tables and diagrams including thematic approach to present the information
was situated within the complex interdependence conceptual framework.
The study found out that the causes of hunger in Kenya include conflicts, climate change,
over-reliance on rain fed agriculture, and the ever growing population that makes it difficult for
the government and other agencies to provide decent living standards for all Kenyans. In the recent
years, food insecurity has mainly been attributed to climatic factors that are beyond human control
like global warming, which has seen the country experience rains during seasons that are expected
to be dry, and no rain at all during the seasons that are expected to be rainy. However, there are
also man-made factors that make food security difficult to achieve like misappropriation of funds
meant for relief food or food security projects. The study found out that in the past there has been
lack of technical know-how of modern irrigation techniques to ease the hunger menace, hence
making the dream of a food secure Kenya a more elusive one. The impacts of food insecurity are
several. They include; Children in food insecure areas, and where the school feeding programme
is absent, are usually forced to drop out of school. Under-nutrition among infants also affects
negatively their cognitive capabilities as well as their immune systems.
Lastly, the study has given recommendations to boost food security in Kenya. They include;
That the government should expand its strategic food reserve from storing only maize, as has been
the case over the years. Although the study acknowledges the government's move to add rice to
its food reserve, it further suggests inclusion of other food products to include milk, pulses, fish
and meat products. Secondly, the irrigation potential in the country should be explored especially
by putting the areas along the Tana, Athi, Yatta, Nyando and Nzoia basins under irrigation.
Thirdly, the study comes up with two areas for further academic research; Seeing that the project
is in its initial stages, there should be further research in its subsequent phases, and also that since
Israel and Kenya are viable economic partners, especially after President Uhuru's launch of direct
flights from Nairobi to Tel Aviv, further research could be done on the economic aspect of Kenya-
Israel relations
Level Of Knowledge Of Healthcare Providers In Mbagathi County Hospital And Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital On The Ispad Management Guidelines Of Diabetic Ketoacidosis.
No full textBackground: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children with diabetes mellitus. Most healthcare workers especially in sub-Saharan Africa are not able to recognize signs and symptoms of DKA in children at presentation and therefore often misdiagnose it. Standard DKA management guidelines have been developed to guide health care providers as they care for these patients, to ensure optimal patient care. Despite provision of these guidelines, in-patient mortality is still high especially in developing countries. Factors giving rise to this high mortality include poor healthcare systems, patient related issues and healthcare provider problems. Among healthcare provider problems, a lack of adequate knowledge on standard DKA management has been shown to be one of the many causes of poor outcomes among DKA patients.
Study Objectives: Primary objective: To determine the level of knowledge of healthcare providers (HCPs) in Mbagathi County Hospital and Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital on DKA management using the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) guidelines.
Secondary Objective: To describe the barriers to recommended DKA management as reported by the healthcare providers.
Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional survey at the two county hospitals to establish HCP knowledge on DKA management. The study targeted nurses, clinical officers and doctors who attend to children aged 0 to 12 years. Mean knowledge level was assessed using questionnaires which were developed based on the ISPAD guidelines. The questionnaires were administered by the principle investigator to HCPs working in the pediatric wards, newborn unit and outpatient departments. Each HCP who consented to take part in the study was given approximately 10-15 minutes to fill out their questionnaire before returning it to the principle investigator. A total of 19 questions were used to assess the level of knowledge. Paediatricians were assessed based on the entire set of questions; however only selected questions were used to assess, medical officers, clinical officers (COs) and nurses in accordance with their level of training. Information obtained from the questionnaires on DKA included: DKA definition, pathophysiology and criteria for diagnosis, fluid and insulin therapy, potassium replacement, bicarbonate replacement, emergency assessment, clinical signs and management of cerebral oedema, management of shock and
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severe dehydration, when to refer and frequency of monitoring biochemical changes. Barriers to appropriate DKA management were derived from the responses given by the healthcare providers in the last question, of which, was an open ended question.
Data analysis: Data was obtained and checked daily for errors and entered into a computerized database using SPSS version 22 and later exported to STATA version 17 for further analyses. Descriptive data analysis for continuous variables was done using means and that of categorical variables was done using frequencies and percentages. Multivariate logistic regression and Chi square test of associations was carried out to assess factors associated with level of knowledge on DKA management. All statistical tests were considered significant at 95% confidence interval. Barriers to recommended DKA management among HCPs were analyzed descriptively. They were identified, grouped into categories and reported.
Results: The overall mean level of knowledge of healthcare providers regarding DKA management in two county hospitals was 53.08%. Mean knowledge score of each cadre was: paediatricians 70.18%, medical officers 63.39%, clinical officers 52.20%, and nurses 41.74%. The barriers to appropriate DKA management as reported by HCPs were: lack of medical supplies and equipment, lack of standard operating procedures and continuous medical education, high workload, and inadequate in service training on DKA management.
Conclusions: Mean Knowledge on DKA management among HCPs in two secondary level hospitals in Nairobi was at 53.08% with 35.9% of HCPs scoring below average. The barriers in DKA management as reported by HCPs include: Lack of enough medical supplies and equipment, absence of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and treatment guidelines, lack of continuous medical education and in-service training and increased workload due to understaffing.
Recommendation: 1. Continuous medical education and educational programs on all HCPs on key aspects of DKA management. 2. Availing standard protocols on ISPAD guidelines at the workplace to serve as a reminder on key aspects on DKA management thereby ensuring recommended DKA care. 3. Hospital management teams to look into the various barriers and come up with ways of addressing them. 4. Involve regulatory bodies such as nursing council, medical board, and clinical officers‟ board to improve knowledge through educational programs. Involve the ministry of Health (MOH) to find ways of addressing the barriers.a
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny
The Expression Of Recombinant Plasmodium Falciparum Sexual-Stage Proteins And Assessment Of Naturally Acquired Transmission-Blocking Immunity
No full textPersons residing in regions endemic to malaria have been shown to develop antibodies
against gametocytes, which could subsequently prevent the progression of the parasite
within the mosquito vector. The acquired immune ability to affect gametocyte infectivity
within the mosquito vector and in-turn block transmission of parasites to the vector is
termed as transmission-blocking immunity. Various gametocyte-specific antigens of
Plasmodium falciparum have been characterised and evaluated as candidates for a possible
transmission-blocking vaccine. This study aimed to express gametocyte-specific surface
antigens with the cell -free wheat germ system and mammalian HEK293 systems of
expression and assess the ability of antibodies from sera of malaria-exposed persons to
recognize the recombinant proteins.
The most highly expressed surface localized proteins of mature (Stage V) gametocytes
according to published proteome data (Lasonder et al., 2016), were amplified and
expressed for immunoprofiling by ELISA. Seven gametocyte-specific surface antigens
were
expressed using the WGCFS to express the proteins
MDV-1, PSOP25_3D7, PSOP25_10668 and CPP4, while the mammalian cells HEK293
expression system was used to express the proteins CVMPPP, PEB-P and PSOP1. The
plasma samples used in this analysis were those that were collected during two previous
studies, that is, the Longitudinal assessment of malaria transmissibility (LAMB, N = 284)
and the cross-sectional study, Assessment of the infectious reservoir of malaria (AFIRM =
413).
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The observations presented in this thesis show the ability to not only produce recombinant
gametocyte-specific proteins using various expression systems, but to produce proteins that
are recognized by the sera of persons exposed to malaria. The findings show that host
responses to gametocyte proteins are influenced by the participant‘s age, as well as the
density and presence of parasites. Antibody responses among individuals older than 15-
years were consistently higher for all antigens when compared the younger individuals.
Gametocyte-positive individuals had higher responses (p<0.05) as opposed to the
gametocyte-negative individuals, for all the antigens. The results also reveal significant
cross-correlations between gametocyte density (p<0.001) and the responses to all the
recombinant gametocyte antigens evaluated. Furthermore, for the AFIRM study, a model
was fitted to predict the odds of one presenting with gametocytes. The following predictors
were included in the logistic model: age category, gametocyte status, season, parasite
density (as measured by qPCR18S, NASBA18s and NASBAPfs25), responses to AMA-1,
sickle gene and α-thalassemia.
The model shows that individuals in whom parasites were detected by qPCR18s, had 1%
(p<0.05) higher odds of being gametocyte positive compared to those in whom no parasites
could be detected. On the other hand, participants who were under 5 years of age had 99%
(p<0.05) odds of being gametocyte negative. Individuals who responded to the antigens
MDV1 and AMA1(a marker for exposure to parasites), had higher odds of being
gametocyte positive, in that for every one-unit increase in the mean response to the two
recombinant proteins, an increase of 160% and 93% in the odds of gametocyte positivity
was seen and this was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Participants who were sampled
during the dry season had 2% (p < 0.05) higher odds of being gametocyte positive
compared to those sampled within a malaria season, while adjusted for parasite density as
measured by qPCR18s.
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Antibody responses among individuals older than 15-year were consistently higher for all
antigens in comparison to responses for the other two age groups. A similar trend was
observed with AMA1, which serves as a marker for exposure to asexual parasites. When
assessing for the role of season in influencing responses, there was no difference in
responses among those samples during peak malaria season and those sampled after the
malaria season had passed. This can be attributed to the maintenance of the parasite during
the dry season by undetectable sub-microscopic or low-density gametocytes. An increase
in responses to AMA-1, as revealed by the model, resulted in an increase in responses to
recombinant proteins when adjusted for all other predictors.
The longitudinal LAMB study enabled evaluation of responses over six different time
points. A multivariable logistic regression model to predict parasitaemia, showed that oneunit
increase in the mean response to AMA1, increased the odds of parasitaemia by 56%
(p<0.05). An increase in age increased odds of being negative for parasites by 96%
(p<0.05).
This study is unique as it offers a look at responses based on both a cross-sectional as well
as longitudinal study. In future, it would be important to further add on to the observations
by measuring transmission-blocking activity using of mosquito feeding assay. Moreover,
understanding the mechanism underlying the recognition of gametocyte-specific antigens,
and further finding a highly immunogenic target(s) will go a long way in advancing the
development of a vaccine to block transmission
Project Management Best Practices Influencing Implementation Of Road Construction Projects A Case Of Reconstruction Of Kiambu-nairobi Intercounty Road
No full textProject Management is an interdisciplinary concept that revolves around planning, organizing, monitoring and controlling events involved delivering a project. It also includes the involvement of the stakeholders charged with achieving the set objectives within the predetermined performance metrics, time frames and budgetary restrictions and time frames. The study was focused on establishing best practices in project management that might influence road construction projects. The study’s objectives were consequently geared towards establishing how much planning, scope creep, monitoring and evaluating impacted the road construction projects execution. To analyze their findings, the research adopted a combination of descriptive and explanatory research designs aligned to a survey to deduce the findings. 70 respondents were sampled to participate in the survey by administering questionnaires to collect primary data. These were dropped and collected on a later date allowing ample time for respondents to fill and complete them before handing them back. Various data analysis methods were considered and the researcher adopted descriptive statistics. Relative significance of every variable was then determined using a regression model. The pilot study that was steered at 10% level of significance hence 7 respondents participated. The pre-test intended to assess the clarity and significance of data collection instruments to replace or improve those deemed inadequate to measure variables for enhanced quality of findings. The study deduced a positive correlation between implementation of road construction projects and various project management’s superlative practices (planning, administration cost; scope creep management; monitoring and evaluation). From this finding, the study recommends there is need to investigate further how planning practice might impact execution of road projects in Kenya. Besides, a study should also investigate how cost management practices affect timely completion of projects. The scope creep management practices should be investigated with regards to completion without time overruns in similar projects. Finally, these factors should be investigated against construction of houses projects in Kenya
Effects Of Tax Incentives On Financial Performance Of Savings And Credit Cooperative Societies In Nairobi County
No full textThe purpose of this study was to establish the effects of tax incentives on financial
performance of SACCOs in Nairobi County. The study adopted a descriptive research
design. The study population comprised of all the registered SACCOs in Nairobi County.
A sample of 41 SACCOs was determined using 10- 30% of target population as
representative rule and stratified random sampling technique. Secondary data from
SASRA was collected and analyzed to establish the association between tax incentives
and profitability of SACCOs. This study established that there is a weak positive
relationship between capital allowance, accelerated depreciation and financial
performance of SACCOs in Nairobi County. It further indicated a negative relationship
between tax and financial performance. The study therefore recommended that the
government should provide more and a diversity of tax incentives to the SACCOs,
especially capital allowance and accelerated depreciation and tax exemptions, since an
increase in each of them increases the profitability of SACCOs
