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Implementation Of Integrated Financial Management Information System And The Pending Bills Of County Governments In Kenya
No full textFollowing the implementation of new constitution in Kenya in 2010, which aimed at a
devolved government system, that would involve devolving huge resources, the adoption
of Integrated Financial Management Information system has been very instrumental to
realize the goal of effective management of public resource. The devolved resources
need to be managed effectively and efficiently. This study therefore sought to assess the
contribution of IFMIS on management of pending bills in county governments in Kenya.
The specific objective of the study was; to analyse the effectiveness of invoice processing
in IFMIS on the management of pending bills; to verify the effects of funds availability
on the management of pending bills; to establish how Transparency and Accountability
affects the management of pending bills and to assess how financial reporting systems
have affected management of pending bills in County Government in Kenya. To achieve
these objectives, a regression research design was used with the study population being
employees of county government who are tasked with accounts, finance and
procurement. The primary data was collected using questionnaire that related to the
specific objective, Secondary data on the other hand involved past audited reports form
KENAO for the period 2014 - 2018. The study used both quantitative and qualitative
methods of data analysis. The data was analysed using SPSS to generate descriptive and
inferential statistics to describe the results of the study. The finding of the study revealed
that the four practices which are Invoice processing, funds availability confirmations,
transparency and accountability and effective and efficient financial reporting systems
have a positive and significant effect on management of pending bills. Variation in
IFMIS practices explained a variance of 69.8% in management of pending bills having
controlled for background characteristics
Nexus Between Public Sector Expenditure And Public Debt In Kenya
No full textPublic debt being an important source for bridging financial resource gap, continues to be a key macro-economic policy issue for developing countries. Existing literature highlights public expenditure as a public debt determinant. Establishing nexus between public expenditure and public debt in Kenya for the period 1980 to 2018 was the object of the study. This included determining causality direction and type of relationship existing between the aforementioned variables. Empirical analysis was based on a Vector Error Correction Model. Recurrent government expenditure negatively affect public debt whereas development government expenditure and inflation have a positive effect on public debt. Public debt did not exhibit an equilibrium relationship with either recurrent or development government expenditure in the long-run.
Election years and bicameral government have a positive effect on public debt whereas exchange rate has a negative effect on public debt in the long run. Causality between public debt and development government expenditure is bidirectional whereas causality between recurrent government expenditure and public debt is unidirectional running from public debt to recurrent government expenditure. Similarly, causality between recurrent government expenditure and development government expenditure is unidirectional running from recurrent government expenditure to development government expenditure. To manage public debt the government should strive to reduce development expenditure to sustainable levels, focus on productive development and reduce its appetite for expensive loans. Also the revenue base should be expanded so that the debt burden does not deem the prospects of the national, regional and international developmen
Women’s Labour shift from Farming to Mining and its influence on food Security within households headed by women miners in Nyatike Sub-county, Kenya
No full textSubsistence crop farming and Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) in the developing countries both provide women with economic opportunities outside their homes. Recently in Kenya however, several rural Women Household Heads (WHHs) have shifted from subsistence crop farming to ASGM activities despite the latter being found to endanger women’s livelihoods through the lack of mining rights, socially-constructed mining roles and poor remunerations. This study was framed within recent research that affirmed the existence of food security deficits within women headed households among the rural farming and mining communities in Western Kenya where ASGM activities have been found to complement women’s incomes but deteriorate their household food conditions. The researcher aimed at qualitatively exploring the labour shift of women from subsistence crop farming to mining and its influence on food security within households headed by women miners in the region. Primary data were collected from fifty one (51) WHHs employed in the four (4) major ASGM sites in the region namely Osiri Matanda, Nyatuoro Ko’wuonda, Macalder and Mikei Ka’kula. All the WHHs were purposively sampled, organized into six (6) focus groups, each comprising six to ten (6-10) members and further interviewed following the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) method. Additionally, five (5) Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) were conducted for four (4) male minesupervisors and one (1) County Agricultural Officer. Data from all the FGDs and KIIs were transcribed into texts, coded axially and analyzed using qualitative content analysis method. Results indicated that the shift of women household heads from subsistence crop farming to ore transportation and processing roles in the mines improved market food access but deteriorated food supply and utilization within their households. However, the shift to proprietary mining roles like owning crusher and panning pool businesses by the women sufficiently improved food access, supply and utilization within their households. Further, all the three (3) dimensions of household food security were found to be determined by home-mine proximity of the women who specifically shifted to ore transportation and processing roles in the local gold mines. Therefore, WHHs in the region need to balance their participation between the two (2) labour contexts to sustainably improve their household food status. Existing agricultural and mining policies also need to be comprehensively implemented to provide equal farming and mining opportunities to women
An Analysis of Kikamba Riddles and How They Relate to Metaphor: a Relevance Theoretical Approach
No full textThis study explored the analysis of Kamba riddles based on content and metaphor. The research further looked at the role Kamba culture plays in the interpretation of metaphors in Kamba riddles. The significant fact about riddles is that the linguistic contextual clues are not always sufficient to interpret all riddles hence the culture of the Kamba provides more context during metaphor comprehension. The interpretation of the metaphorical riddles was based on the Relevance Theory, as proposed by Sperber and Wilson (1986). The riddles have metaphors hidden in them. The riddles can either be transparent, semi-opaque or opaque. In the comprehension of transparent riddles, the respondent gets lots of clues from the constituent of the words in the riddle question which guide to find out the referent. These riddles have a very close meaning to that of the literal thus they are not difficult to comprehend. Secondly, there are semi-opaque riddles. In their interpretation, the respondent gets minimal clues from some words in the riddle question hence there is need to add more activation of context in order to interpret them. The cultural knowledge gives the context which guides the respondent to get a cultural list and a selection criterion. Lastly, there is the opaque riddle category. None of the encyclopaedic entries and assumptions are made accessible by the word or words in the riddle question either separately or in combination. One has to learn it by heart as a new concept or vocabulary and stick to the conventionalized riddle referents
Influence of Institutional Practices on Effective Implementation of Teacher Performance Appraisal in Public Primary Schools in Tharaka South Sub-county, Kenya
No full textThe purpose was to investigate the influence of the institutional factors influencing implementation of Teacher Performance Appraisal and Develosepspment programmes in Tharaka South Sub-County of Tharaka Nthi County. The research questions include how supervision feedback practices, the Teacher training competency practices, goal setting practices and the head teacher's communication influence the implementation of Performance appraisal in public primary schools within Tharaka South Sub-County? The study adopted contract theory. The study adopted descriptive survey research design since it enabled correction of information from respondents without compromising their privacy. Target population comprised of 314 teachers and 31 head teachers. Simple random sampling was applied to sample 15 head teachers and 157 teachers. Data was collected using questionnaires, analyzed and presented in frequencies and percentages. Data was presented in relation to the study findings; the head teachers indicated that bachelors’ of education was their highest academic qualification and diploma for teachers. Majority of the head teachers and teachers had served in current station for between 5-10 years. In line with objective one: findings established that supervision feedback practices influence of implementation of Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development programmes in public primary schools to a very great extent. On objective two the study established that teacher training competency practices influences implementation of Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development programmes. In line with objective three findings established that level of targets setting influence Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development programmes to a great extent. On objective four the study established that administrative support practices influences implementation of Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development programmes whereby the head teachers communicated on performance appraisal once per term. It was concluded that supervision feedback practices, also that the head teachers in the study area set some very high and unachievable targets for teachers, which demotivated them hence the need for head teachers to allow teachers and pupils to set their own targets to improve their learning and motivation. The study recommended that the head teachers, school committees and parents should be organized to raise funds for building and equipping libraries and for provision of suitable teaching facilities. The study recommends a study on the influence of continuous training on the effective implementation of appraisal systems
Survey of ophthalmologists-in-training in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa: A regional focus on ophthalmic surgical education
No full textBackground: There are 2.7 ophthalmologists per million population in sub-Saharan Africa, and a need to train more. We sought to analyse current surgical training practice and experience of ophthalmologists to inform planning of training in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey. Potential participants included all current trainee and recent graduate ophthalmologists in the Eastern, Central and Southern African region. A link to a web-based questionnaire was sent to all heads of eye departments and training programme directors of ophthalmology training institutions in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, who forwarded to all their trainees and recent graduates. Main outcome measures were quantitative and qualitative survey responses. Results: Responses were obtained from 124 (52%) trainees in the region. Overall level of satisfaction with ophthalmology training programmes was rated as 'somewhat satisfied' or 'very satisfied' by 72%. Most frequent intended career choice was general ophthalmology, with >75% planning to work in their home country post-graduation. A quarter stated a desire to mainly work in private practice. Only 28% of junior (first and second year) trainees felt surgically confident in manual small incision cataract surgery (SICS); this increased to 84% among senior trainees and recent graduates. The median number of cataract surgeries performed by junior trainees was zero. 57% of senior trainees were confident in performing an anterior vitrectomy. Only 29% of senior trainees and 64% of recent graduates were confident in trabeculectomy. The mean number of cataract procedures performed by senior trainees was 84 SICS (median 58) and 101 phacoemulsification (median 0). Conclusion: Satisfaction with post-graduate ophthalmology training in the region was fair. Most junior trainees experience limited cataract surgical training in the first two years. Focused efforts on certain aspects of surgical education should be made to ensure adequate opportunities are offered earlier on in ophthalmology training
Income Inequality Among Households In Kenya: Does The Gender Of The Household Head Matter?
No full textIncome inequality has been on the rise and its reduction has been made a key goal for
governments and international development agencies across the World. A key
contributor to income inequality is gender inequality which has a direct relationship to
income inequality; that is, an increase in gender inequality leads to an increase in
income inequality. Gender inequality has also been found to have negative effects on
economic growth and due to its collective negative effects, its reduction is also a key
goal globally. In Africa, both gender and income inequality are high and in addition to
this, the poverty level is also high. Understanding the dynamics of income inequality
and the gender is important since approximately 50 percent of households in Africa are
headed by a woman and gender gaps do not work in their favour.
To determine the level of income inequality in Kenya and to determine whether the
gender of the household head has an influence on it, this study uses the Gini Coefficient
and Shapley-Sharrock Decomposition for estimation. The findings show that the
inequality among Kenyan household is low at 39 percent; gender has a positive but
small contribution to income inequality; and education level of the household head,
location of a household and household size have high contributions to income
inequality in Kenya at 14 percent, 12 percent and 7 percent respectively; and income
inequality is more pronounced in households living in the urban areas households and
in favour of male headed households. This then calls upon welfare policy makers and
implementers to ensure that policies that encourage lower contribution of gender to
inequality are maintained and that policies that encourage rural development with the
aim of reducing rural urban migration are put in place. In addition there is need for
equitable investment and distribution in education. All these welfare policies will aim
at the reduction of income inequality among Kenyan households
Biopsychosocial Effects of Chemotherapy Among Breast and Cervical Cancer Patients Attending Kenyatta National Hospital Cancer Treatment Center.
No full textCancer is a leading cause of mortality globally and breast and cervical cancers are two of the most common cancers among women. In Kenya, breast and cervical cancers cause the highest cancer related morbidity and mortality among women. Chemotherapy, one of the three modalities of cancer treatment, is associated with biological, psychological and sociological effects. These effects affect patients‟ adherence to treatment and the overall outcome of treatment. In Kenya studies on cancer are few and none has concentrated specifically on the effects of chemotherapy on patients diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer.
This study sought to determine the biopsychosocial effects of chemotherapy experienced by patients diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer.
This study involved both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to explore on the effects chemotherapy. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected for a period of 6 weeks in KNH CTC among patients diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer. A questionnaire developed from a modified Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL) was used to collect quantitative data from 157 systematically sampled participants. In addition two focus group discussions were held involving purposively selected from the study population. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. Univariate analysis was conducted and the results presented using frequency and proportions. Bivariate analysis was done using Pearson‟s correlation to determine relationships between categorical variables and p-values of 0.05 or less were considered to have a significant relationship. Descriptive statistics was presented in text, frequency tables and bar graphs. Qualitative data analysis involved clustering together related narrative information then analyzed using thematic analysis. Pretesting of the study tools was done in clinic 23, questions in the questionnaire which were irrelevant were expunged. Permission to conduct the research was obtained from Kenyatta National Hospital/University of Nairobi Ethics and Research Committee (KNH/UON ERC).
The highest percentage (31.2%) of participants fell within the age group of 41-50 years. Most (66.9%) were married and depended on their husbands (45.9%) for social support. Only (22.9%) were in formal employment and majority (73.2%) earned a monthly income of below 20000kshs. Biological effects experienced by participants were anorexia (90.4%), nausea (86.5%), alopecia (79%), and peripheral neuropathy (61.8%). Psychological effects included; body image changes (65.6%), anxiety (79%), low self-esteem (63.1%), loneliness (55.4%) and sadness (51.6%). Sociological effects experienced were; inability to perform their family roles (88.5%), failure to return to return to work (76.3%), financial constraints (82.2%) and isolation (77.7%). Pearson‟s correlation test showed that age, economic status, previous chemotherapy sessions had significant relationships with biological, psychological and sociological effects e.g. aged patients are likely to experience biological effects(r= 0.270) and as patients receive more chemotherapy they are likely to experience psychological (r= 0.510) and sociological effects(r= 0.361)
In conclusion, Cancer chemotherapy is associated with biological, psychological and sociological effects. The psychological and sociological effects are aggravated by increased chemotherapy sessions and low monthly income.a
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny
Genetic inheritance of photoperiod sensitivity in Runner bean (Phaseolus coccineous L.)
No full textLack of information on the mode of inheritance of photoperiod sensitivity is a constraint to genetic improvement of tropically adapted vegetable runner bean. This study was conducted to determine the inheritance of short-day photoperiod in runner beans. Seven single crosses between female parent; White Emergo (long day imported variety) and seven short day local landraces (Kin 1, Kin 2, Kin 3, Nyeri, Dwarf1, Dwarf 2 and Dwarf 3) were developed in Kenya. The parents, F1 , F2 and backcrosses were evaluated at Kabete (warm conditions) and Ol Joro-Orok (cool condtions) under the natural short-day length of 12hrs. From the results, short day parents flowered earlier (within 40-48 days) and formed more racemes (on average 10 racemes/plant) and pods (at least 25pods/plant) than long day parent (White Emergo) at both locations. The populations in the seven cross combinations flowered earlier at the warmer location (Kabete) than cooler one (Ol Joro Orok). In all crosses, F1 and F2 means of days to flowering and number of racemes were within parental range while the backcrosses’ showed means that were close to their recurrent parents. The additive-dominance model [m+a+d] was found to adequately explain the genetic influence on studied traits with additive gene effects accounting for about 90% of the genetic action. The predominance of additive gene action indicates that improvement of this crop for short day adaptation can be easily achieved by trait integration through hybridization followed by pure selection methods such as single seed descent, bulk breeding or pedigree
HIV-Related Deaths in Nairobi, Kenya: Results From a HIV Mortuary Surveillance Study, 2015.
No full textBACKGROUND:
Death is an important but often unmeasured endpoint in public health HIV surveillance. We sought to describe HIV among deaths using a novel mortuary-based approach in Nairobi, Kenya.
METHODS:
Cadavers aged 15 years and older at death at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and City Mortuaries were screened consecutively from January 29 to March 3, 2015. Cause of death was abstracted from medical files and death notification forms. Cardiac blood was drawn and tested for HIV infection using the national HIV testing algorithm followed by viral load testing of HIV-positive samples.
RESULTS:
Of 807 eligible cadavers, 610 (75.6%) had an HIV test result available. Cadavers from KNH had significantly higher HIV positivity at 23.2% (95% CI: 19.3 to 27.7) compared with City Mortuary at 12.6% (95% CI: 8.8 to 17.8), P < 0.001. HIV prevalence was significantly higher among women than men at both City (33.3% vs. 9.2%, P = 0.008) and KNH Mortuary (28.8% vs. 19.0%, P = 0.025). Half (53.3%) of HIV-infected cadavers had no diagnosis before death, and an additional 22.2% were only diagnosed during hospitalization leading to death. Although not statistically significant, 61.9% of males had no previous diagnosis compared with 45.8% of females (P = 0.144). Half (52.3%) of 44 cadavers at KNH with HIV diagnosis before death were on treatment, and 1 in 5 (22.7%) with a previous diagnosis had achieved viral suppression.
CONCLUSIONS:
HIV prevalence was high among deaths in Nairobi, especially among women, and previous diagnosis among cadavers was low. Establishing routine mortuary surveillance can contribute to monitoring HIV-associated deaths among cadavers sent to mortuaries