Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Books
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Tendering Process and Performance of County Government Water Projects in SEKEB Region, Kenya
No full textAccess to safe and reliable water remains a persistent challenge in Kenya’s South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB), comprising Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui counties. Despite substantial investments by county governments in water infrastructure, project performance remains below expectations, often due to inefficiencies within procurement systems. This study investigated the influence of the tendering process on the performance of county government water projects in SEKEB, using Tendering Theory and Agency Theory as guiding frameworks. A mixed-methods approach with a descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, drawing data from 213 stakeholders involved in planning, procurement, and implementation. Descriptive statistics revealed moderately effective tendering practices (mean = 3.80), with persistent gaps in supplier monitoring and contract execution. Correlation analysis demonstrated a strong positive relationship between tendering processes and project performance (r = 0.824, p < 0.01), while regression analysis confirmed that tendering accounted for 67.9% of the variation in performance outcomes (R² = 0.679; β = 0.876, p < 0.001). These findings affirm that well-structured procurement processes—particularly in planning, prequalification, and competitive bidding—significantly enhance service quality, cost efficiency, and timeliness in devolved water infrastructure projects. To reinforce these outcomes, the study recommends professionalizing procurement personnel, institutionalizing supplier audits, and digitizing procurement via IFMIS. Beyond practical recommendations, the study highlights a critical research frontier: examining the intersection of procurement integrity, digital innovation, and inter-agency coordination in sustaining long-term water infrastructure outcomes. Future studies should explore longitudinal effects of procurement reforms and the role of participatory governance in strengthening performance accountability in Kenya’s devolved systems.
Keywords: Tendering process, public procurement, project performance, water infrastructure, county governments, SEKEB, Kenya
Enhancing Water Project Success through Strategic Tendering and Governance in SEKEB Counties
No full textThis study investigates the mediating role of corporate governance practices in the relationship between tendering processes and the performance of county-managed water projects in Kenya’s South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB), encompassing Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui counties. Despite substantial public investments in water infrastructure, persistent underperformance has raised concerns that extend beyond financial or technical deficits, calling attention to institutional and procedural inefficiencies. Grounded in Tendering Theory and Agency Theory, the study employed a pragmatist philosophy and a mixed-methods research design, integrating quantitative survey data from 213 stakeholders with qualitative insights to analyze how procurement systems interact with governance frameworks to influence project outcomes. Empirical analysis using Pearson correlation and Baron and Kenny’s four-step regression method revealed that the tendering process has a strong and statistically significant direct effect on water project performance (β = 0.876, p < 0.001), explaining 67.9% of performance variance (R² = 0.679). Corporate governance practices—including board oversight, transparency protocols, and accountability mechanisms—also exhibited a significant predictive relationship with project outcomes (β = 1.076, p < 0.001), accounting for 41.4% of the variance (R² = 0.414). When both variables were included in the regression model, the effect of the tendering process remained significant but declined (β = 0.817, p < 0.001), while corporate governance lost statistical significance (p = 0.196), indicating a partial mediation effect. These findings suggest that while efficient tendering procedures directly influence water project outcomes, their effectiveness is enhanced by robust governance structures. Corporate governance acts as a filtering mechanism that translates procedural compliance into tangible infrastructure performance. The study concludes that sustainable improvements in public project delivery within SEKEB require an integrated approach that combines transparent procurement systems with institutionalized governance practices. The results offer actionable insights for strengthening public procurement and infrastructure oversight frameworks under Kenya’s devolved governance model.
Keywords: Tendering process, corporate governance, mediation effect, project performance, public procurement, county governments, SEKEB, water infrastructure, regression analysis, procurement reforms
Risk Management Planning and The Sustainability of Donor-Funded Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Projects in Nairobi City County, Kenya
No full textIn recent years, the quest for sustaining water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects has become a critical global concern, particularly in developing countries where infrastructure failures continue to undermine access to essential services. Several donor-funded WASH projects in Nairobi City County have failed to achieve long-term operational success after donor withdrawal, largely due to inadequate integration of strategic risk management planning despite significant investments by development partners and governments. The study aimed to examine the influence of risk management practices on the sustainability of donor-funded WASH projects in Nairobi City County. The theoretical underpinnings of the study were the sustainability theory and the prospect theory. The study adopted a convergent (parallel) research design, which is a type of mixed research methods that required the researcher to engage in simultaneous collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data. The targeted a population 403 expert staff members of donor-funded WASH projects completed by NCWSC and AWWDA in Nairobi City County. The respondents included 200 expert staff of donor-funded WASH projects determined using Yamane’s formula. Data was collected using a survey questionnaire comprising of “closed-ended and open-ended items. Data collected was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences and content analysis. The statistical measures used included means, standard deviations, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, ANOVA, and p-values. The analyzed data revealed that risk management planning (B = 0.285, p = 0.005) have a significant positive influence on the sustainability of donor-funded WASH projects” in Nairobi City County. The study findings articulate the recommendation to prioritize and adopt comprehensive risk management plans to enhance sustainability of donor funded WASH projects in Nairobi County, Kenya
Macroeconomic Drivers of Exchange Rate Volatility: Evidence from Kenya
No full textThis study examined the macroeconomic determinants of exchange rate volatility based on evidence from Kenya from 1971 to 2024. The study employed Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing for co-integration and estimated the error correction model. Furthermore, ARCH and GARCH models were analyzed to measure the volatility of a time series by fitting an autoregressive model to the squared residuals of the time series. The ARCH and GARCH results suggest the volatility of the exchange rate markets in Kenya is not random. The speed of adjustment of the volatility in the Kenyan economy's exchange rate is 59.7%. The study found that in the long run, a unit increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) and government expenditure reduced exchange rate volatility by 36.4% and 341.5%, respectively, while inflation and money supply increased by 55.2% and 239.7%, respectively. Short-run results showed that a 1% increase in FDI, money supply and inflation rate increased volatility by 18.31%, 19.26%, and 111.83%, respectively, while government spending and public debt reduced volatility by 90.65% and 42.18%, respectively. To reduce or stabilise exchange rate volatility, the study recommended a combination of monetary policy interventions to policymakers. These included foreign exchange operations, interest rate adjustments, hedging strategies, and export diversification. Additionally, the central bank is advised to regulate the growth of the money supply to prevent excessive inflation and currency depreciation, which could exacerbate exchange rate fluctuations.
Keywords: Exchange rate volatility, macroeconomic factors, GARCH, ARDL, JEL
 
Effectiveness of Health Education Programs in Promoting Healthy Eating Habits Among Primary School Children
No full textThe promotion of healthy eating habits among primary school children has emerged as a critical public health priority globally, with mounting evidence demonstrating that dietary behaviors established during childhood significantly influence long-term health outcomes. This study evaluated the effectiveness of health education programs in promoting healthy eating habits among primary school children through a comprehensive literature-based methodology. The research synthesized evidence from peer-reviewed studies, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews published between 2009 and 2025, focusing on school-based interventions targeting children aged 5-12 years. The theoretical framework was grounded in Albert Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory, which provided a robust foundation for understanding behavior change mechanisms through the dynamic interaction of personal factors, environmental influences, and behavioral patterns. Findings revealed that multicomponent health education programs demonstrated superior effectiveness compared to single-component interventions, with experiential learning strategies such as gardening activities and cooking experiences showing the most significant improvements in children's dietary knowledge, attitudes, and consumption behaviors. Programs of adequate duration (≥6 months) that included meaningful parental engagement and were delivered by trained personnel achieved greater effectiveness in producing sustainable behavioral changes. The evidence indicated differential impacts on fruit versus vegetable consumption, with vegetables requiring more intensive intervention approaches. The study concluded that comprehensive, theory-based health education programs incorporating experiential learning opportunities and family involvement were most effective in promoting healthy eating habits among primary school children, requiring sustained implementation and adequate resource allocation to achieve optimal outcomes.
Keywords: Health Education, Primary School Children, Healthy Eating Habits, Nutrition Education, School-Based Interventions
 
Tax Reforms, Compliance, Education and Efficiency of Kenya Revenue Authority
No full textThe study examined the conceptual and theoretical frameworks related to tax reforms, compliance, education, and their effects on the efficiency of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). The study was premised on the background of the revenue authority under which the government exerts considerable pressure on the authority to realize set revenue goals. The purpose was to analyze conceptually and theoretically the developed frameworks related to the comprehensive analysis of tax reforms, education, and KRA efficiency, and to identify potential gaps in the empirical literature. These included tax policy innovations, economic tax innovations, administrative innovations together with structural ones. The study adopted various theories aligned to the area being studied such as benefit theory of taxation, ability to pay theory, theory of optimal taxation as well as tax compliance theory. The efficiency of KRA in light of tax compliance and tax education was established as a moderator and mediator respectively. The study findings revealed that research on tax reforms and efficiency remains scarce and limited in terms of outcomes, with significant gaps existing in industry-level impacts, time horizons, and taxpayer behavioral responses to reforms. The analysis of changes in taxation systems and the concept of efficiency provided numerous research questions that require further investigation. The study concluded that filling these knowledge gaps will ultimately improve the development of reforms that generate pro-growth and stability tax systems that are fair for all in society. The study recommended conducting significant impact studies before introducing tax reforms, enhancing data collection and analysis methods, utilizing technology and digitization to improve tax administration structures, and building capacity among tax administration staff. Further research should concentrate on economic specializations or effects, long-term analysis, and changes in taxpayer behavior due to reforms. By conducting cross-country studies and including the technology factor, researchers can provide useful knowledge which would help in developing good and efficiently working tax policies. The study was of great benefit to various stakeholders including KRA, taxpayers, and academicians who used the pool of literature to advance knowledge and support economic development and stability in the country.
Keywords: Tax reforms, Tax Compliance, Tax Education, Efficiency of KRA
Determinants of Policy Efficiency of the Free Primary Education in Beni City, Democratic Republic of Congo
No full textThe study examined the determinants of policy efficiency of free primary education in Beni City. A mixed-methods research design was employed across 94 public schools. The study employed stratified random sampling to select 308 respondents from a target population of 1,491 individuals across 94 public schools in Beni City. Data was collected through questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis, with both descriptive and inferential statistics applied using SPSS software. The findings revealed that the combined influence of legal frameworks, financial resources, monitoring systems, and security structures explained 62.8% of the variation in policy efficiency, demonstrating the multidimensional nature of implementation challenges. Regression analysis indicated that financial resources exerted the strongest influence (β = 0.322, p = 0.000), followed by security structures (β = 0.307, p = 0.000), legal frameworks (β = 0.237, p = 0.000), and monitoring systems (β = 0.086, p = 0.035). Respondents identified significant inadequacies across all four determinants, with particular concerns regarding insufficient budget allocations, weak legal enforcement mechanisms, and ineffective monitoring frameworks. The study concludes that legal frameworks, financial resources, monitoring systems, and security structures are all positively and significantly related to policy efficiency of free primary education in Beni City, with these four variables collectively explaining the majority of factors influencing successful policy implementation in this conflict-affected region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The study recommends comprehensive reforms including strengthening legal frameworks through detailed legislation, substantially increasing financial allocations with improved disbursement mechanisms, redesigning monitoring systems with clear oversight and accountability structures, and enhancing security measures tailored to educational contexts. By addressing these interconnected factors, policymakers can improve implementation efficiency and achieve equitable access to quality education for all children in Beni City and similar contexts within the DRC.
Keywords: Legal frameworks, financials resources, monitoring systems, security, free primary education, Beni city, Democratic Republic of Cong
Examining the Extent of Implementation of Diaspora Diplomacy Strategies in Australia: A Perspective from Kenya
No full textDiaspora diplomacy has been employed by Kenya to mobilize the contributions of its overseas citizens; yet, questions remain regarding the extent to which these diplomatic strategies are implemented and their impact on remittance flows. This study sought to examine the extent of implementation of diaspora diplomacy strategies. This study was underpinned by Network Theory and employed a descriptive survey design within a positivist paradigm to collect empirical data from diaspora members. The target population comprised 22,446 individuals, including officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Kenya Mission in Australia, diaspora associations, and Kenyan diaspora residents in Australia. A total sample of 484 respondents was selected using random, census, purposive, and stratified sampling techniques. Data was collected using structured questionnaires distributed via digital platforms and interview guide. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS, where descriptive statistics and linear regression were conducted to test the relationships between the study variables. The results were presented in frequency tables in terms of means, standard deviations and regression model. Findings revealed that key strategies such as dual citizenship facilitation, digitized consular services, diaspora events, and structured diaspora associations were positively and significantly associated with increased remittance flows. The study concludes that diaspora diplomacy plays an important role in promoting remittance flows from Kenyans in Australia but is hindered by structural and institutional limitations. In view of the findings, the study recommends that the government of Kenya should consider the decentralization of consular services, formal partnerships with diaspora associations, negotiation of bilateral labor and taxation agreements, and enhanced digital service delivery.
Keywords: Diaspora Diplomacy, Kenya–Australia Relations, Remittance Flows, Consular Services, Diaspora Associations
Transnational Procurement Frameworks: A Critical Analysis of Cross-Border Supply Chain Governance in The Digital Age
No full textThis review examines Transnational Procurement Frameworks with a critical analysis of cross-border supply chain governance in the digital age, which provides a comprehensive analysis of how digital transformation is reshaping global procurement practices. The review explores the book's examination of key themes including the integration of digital technologies like blockchain, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics into procurement processes, and their role in enhancing supply chain visibility and risk mitigation. The review highlights how the book addresses the complex regulatory landscape of international procurement, emphasizing the challenges organizations face in navigating diverse legal frameworks across different regions. It examines the book's discussion of cultural and geopolitical factors that influence supply chain governance, particularly the importance of understanding local contexts and building resilient supplier relationships. Key areas covered in the review include the book's analysis of supply chain resilience in the face of global disruptions, the growing emphasis on sustainability and ESG considerations in procurement strategies, and the ethical implications of automation and digitalization on labor practices. The review also discusses the book's advocacy for collaborative governance models and multi-stakeholder approaches to managing modern procurement complexities. The review concludes that the book serves as an essential resource for understanding how procurement has evolved from a transactional function to a strategic enabler of business growth, offering both theoretical foundations and practical insights for navigating the challenges of digital-age supply chain governance.
Keywords: Transnational procurement, digital transformation, supply chain governance, regulatory compliance, sustainabilit
Trade Automation, Transaction Costs and Performance of Securities Markets in East African Community, Within Member States
No full textDespite the adoption of trade automation to enhance trading processes, the performance of securities markets globally remains suboptimal, with market participants reporting declining market capitalization and increased volatility. These challenges are aggravated by fragmented market structures, where each market include East Africa Community (EAC) markets operate with unique inefficiencies, such as limited access to real-time information and deviations from the efficient market hypothesis. High transaction costs, such as brokerage and settlement fees, further deter trading activity, eroding potential gains from automation. While trade automation is expected to streamline operations and improve price discovery, its implementation in the EAC has produced mixed results, with some studies suggesting it exacerbates market instability. The interplay between trade automation and transaction costs remains inadequately understood, particularly in emerging markets like the EAC. In particular, the research aimed to establish the effect of transaction costs on the relationship between trade automation and performance of securities markets in EAC. Utilizing a descriptive cross-sectional research design, secondary data were collected from the four established securities exchanges in the EAC for the period 2015 to 2024. The analysis employed regression techniques using Stata software to evaluate the relationships among the variables. The results indicated that transaction costs, particularly clearing and settlement fees, significantly moderate the relationship between trade automation and market performance of securities in EAC. Thus, policymakers and regulators should focus on reducing brokerage fees, which have a significant negative impact on market performance, by implementing streamlined processes and cost-effective policies. Additionally, clearing and settlement fees should be optimized while efforts to enhance performance through improved trading systems and better dissemination of market information are crucial, as efficiency positively influences market outcomes.
Keywords: Trade Automation, Transaction Costs, Performance, Market Securities, East African Communit