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Avocado Varieties and Export Markets for Sustainable Agriculture and Afforestation in Kenya
No full textAgriculture plays a large role in Kenya’s economy, employing more than 40 percent of Kenya’s total population and more than 70 percent of the country’s rural inhabitants. Sustainable agriculture in Kenya can improve crop yields, stimulate the economy and help mitigate climate change. Kenya is implementing a range of programs to increase sustainable agriculture, these are important steps to help the country build a prosperous future for all who live there. Over the years the land being farmed has seen a slow fertility degradation resulting in worsening yields per hectare, however total output have increased due to clearing and expansion. This study was anchored on transaction cost theory. Based on the concept of transaction cost theory, farmers’ participation in the market is constrained by transaction costs incurred during marketing such as information search costs, negotiation costs, monitoring costs, cost of transporting products to market, cost of sorting and grading and cost of harvesting. By adopting literature review based methodology, the study reviewed relevant literature to obtain main themes. The findings revealed that farmers who participate in export markets differ significantly from nonparticipating farmers as they are more experienced and have somewhat larger farms, have received more training, and own more avocado trees of the Hass variety, the type favoured in export markets. The study established that living near a well-functioning avocado farmers’ group is positively associated with participation in export markets and that participation in avocado export markets has positive impacts on incomes, revenues, prices, and labour inputs. The study found that Kenya has over 40 different varieties of Avocado with Hass as the main export variety and Fuerte is preferred for processing. Other commercial varieties identified in Kenya include Keitt, Reed, Booth 8, Simmonds, Pinkerton, Nabal, Puebla, Tonnage, Ettinger, Hayes, G6 and G7.These popular varieties are Hass, Fuerte, and Puebla. The study concludes that agriculture often places significant pressure on natural resources and the environment, as such sustainable agricultural practices are intended to protect the environment, expand the Earth’s natural resource base, and maintain and improve soil fertility. Sustainable agriculture is about increasing profitable farm income, promoting environmental stewardship, enhancing quality of life for farm families and communities and increase production for human food and fiber needs. The study also concludes that the domestic market is the largest source of demand for Kenyan avocados accounting for over 80% of the total production and the rest are exported as fresh fruits or processed and exported as crude oil. Based on the conclusion, the study recommends that for the avocado fruits from Kenya to compete favourably in the global market, efforts must be made to ensure that the factors that affect fruit quality are addressed.
Keywords: Avocado, Variety, Export market, Sustainable, Agriculture, Afforestation
The Impact of Public Procurement Law on the Performance of Energy Sector in Kenya
No full textProcurement in the energy sector has rapidly increased due to the high demand in domestic energy requirements. In the past decade, the country has grappled with the challenge of unreliable, expensive and unsustainable energy use supporting a stagnating industrial and manufacturing base. This is due to aging energy infrastructure that can no longer meet the modern day requirements as envisaged in the country’s economic blueprint, the Kenya Vision 2030. The objective of the paper was to assess the impact of public procurement law on the performance of energy sector in Kenya. The legislative and regulatory framework pillar is based on the existence, availability, quality and use of the legal and regulatory framework from the highest level (Act and Regulations) down to the more detailed operational procedures, guidelines, model tender documents, and standard conditions of contract. The paper finds that sound legal framework in place with the enactment of the PPDA and Regulations. Kenya has in place a sound and comprehensive legal framework for public procurement with a clear hierarchical distinction. The study recommends that all the energy corporations should establish supplier appraisal audit policies because this will help them ensure that they will deal with qualified and competent suppliers. It was also recommended that all the energy corporations should adopt the ethical policies and guidelines that have been established by the Public Procurement and Regulatory Authority (PPRA) and the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM). This because they are all aimed at ensuring that all the public institutions conduct their supply chain processes in line with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act (PPADA) 2015. The energy corporations should also establish policies on ethical use of information technology since this would be a major boost to ensure that there is transparency and accountability in the supply chain performance.
Keywords: Public Procurement Law, Energy Sector & Keny
Credit Management Practices and Lending Decision by Digital Financial Firms in Kenya
No full textGovernments step by step have encouraged the improvement of digital lending models as a means of advancing more prominent financial consideration and conveying excellent financial administrations to underserved populaces and organizations. Digital lending has given excessive number of upper hands to FSPs to negligence, and expect that it has lastingly affected the financial division. This investigation targeted setting up the credit the executives rehearse and their relationship to lending choices by digital financial firms in Kenya. The particular targets was to decide the impact of credit scoring, loan survey framework, purchaser security, financial proficiency on lending choices by digital lending firms in Kenya. It was likewise to incorporate self-guideline as a moderating variable. Speculations utilized were financial intermediation hypothesis, advancement dissemination hypothesis and the portfolio hypothesis. Questionnaires was utilized as they were anything but difficult to control, in contrast to interviews, and regularly have organized reactions that made it simple to gather data and dissect data. Data will be investigated utilizing graphic statistics, for example, mean, mode and media. Inferential statistics, for example, relapse and Pearson's relationship coefficient was employed in the assessment. The outcomes was revealed in the Charts, Frequency Distribution Tables, and Bar Charts. The factual pack for the sociologies (rendition 17) PC programming was the data examination apparatus. The study found that the organization have specific credit policies for managing loan risks. The study also found that the company ensures that the loan security/insurance is sufficient to cover loan. The study found that the firms had a loan review system to reduce loan defaults. The study also found that loan review system is done monthly in most of the companies. . Finally, the study found at 5% level of significance and 95% level of confidence, credit scoring, loan review practices, consumer protection, and financial literacy were all significant on lending decisions by digital financial firms in Kenya. The study concluded that the nature of their customer influence the lending decisions of the firm. On the effect of policy and decision making of management of digital financial firms in Kenya, it is advisable that sound credit risk management practices are adopted and1 implemented especially though credit risks management information systems.
Keywords: Credit, Management, Practices, Lending, Decision, Digital, Financial, Firms, Keny
An Empirical Analysis of Over-Indebtedness Drivers in Microfinance at the Borrower Level in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
No full textMicrofinance institutions have been created to help poor people especially women to be independent and thereby eradicate poverty in developing countries. However, many researchers have revealed meaningful gap between the purpose of microfinance institutions and its practical achievements. Microfinance institution are being accused of impoverishing people through debt. This study, therefore sought to shed light by investigating the drivers of over-indebtedness in microfinance on the borrower level in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo. The study focused on the sociological factors as well as the borrower factors which drive customers into the trap of over-indebtedness. The primary data on these variables was collected through a questionnaire. The data was analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis including descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and test of differences between means as well as the logistic regression. Among the sociological influences, the social pressure and the use of loan in nonproductive activities have been found to be positively and significantly associated to over-indebtedness. Among the borrower factors, the study found that the source of credit, the number of loans and the Net-Indebtedness-Index had a positive and significant effect on over-indebtedness while the diversification of activities, the monthly income the number of assets, and the financial literacy had negative and significant association with over-indebtedness. The study found no significant relationship between the loan amount and over-indebtedness. The study recommends to the borrowers to avoid over-borrowing because of social pressure and allocating the loan amount to nonproductive business, to ensure diversification of their activities and to continually reinforce their financial management skills.
Keywords: Over-Indebtedness, Drivers, Microfinance, Borrower Level, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Cong
Contribution of Financial Services Quality on Financial Performance of Banking Sector in Rwanda: A Case of Bank of Kigali Limited (BK)
No full textThe study examined the contribution of financial services quality on financial performance of banking sector taking Bank of Kigali (BK), Rwanda. Specifically, this study assessed the effects of saving quality on financial performance of Bank of Kigali Limited-Rwanda, ascertained effects of loan quality on the financial performance of Bank of Kigali Limited-Rwanda and analyzed effects of e-banking service quality on financial performance of Bank of Kigali Limited-Rwanda. The research used a cross-sectional design using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study target population was 320 staff members and clients of the bank of Kigali operating in the City of Kigali. The sample size was 178 respondents determined using the Slovene formula. Simple random sampling technique was used for sample selection. The findings revealed there is positive relationship between saving services quality and the financial performance of the bank of Kigali as indicated saving service quality and market share (r=.759, p =.000), increase return on investment (r=.401, p= .000); increase earnings per share (.702**; p=.000) increase customer retention (r=.708**, p=.000). It was concluded that saving service quality can explains 72.7% of the variations in financial performance and that improvement in saving service quality by one unit leads to an increase of financial performance by 0.557 units in the Bank of Kigali. Further, it was concluded that majority of the respondents appreciated the quality of loan services provided at the bank of Kigali, and that there is a strong positive relationship between loan services quality and financial performance as indicated by loan service quality and return on investment (r=.631; p=.000); earnings per share; (r= .528*, p=.000) and customer retention (r=.644*; p=.045), it was also conclude that the combined effect of the loan service quality explains 55.3% of the financial performance of the Bank of Kigali, and that increase in quality of loan provided at the BK by one unit lead to the improve 0.194 unit on the financial performance of the Bank of Kigali. It was established there is strong positive relationship between e-banking services quality and market share increase (r=.694; p=.000); return on investment (r=.729; p=.000), earnings per share (r=.121; p=.008), and that the combined effects of e-banking service quality explain 75.3% of the variations on financial performance of the Bank of Kigali. The study recommended that other commercial banks should put more emphasis on electronic banking in order to perform well. More features of electronic banking should be introduced in commercial banks to attract more customers and perform well. The government of the republic of Rwanda through the national bank of Rwanda should help commercial banks by training their staff and clients on the benefits of electronic banking.
Keywords: Saving quality, loan quality, banking service quality, financial performance, Bank of Kigali-Limited, Rwanda
Assessment of County Internal Control System on Financial Accountability in Tana River County, Kenya
No full textThe public management of funds in Tana River County has been ineffectual and the report of the auditor general has reported massive squandering of the public resources. The poor financial accountability formed the rationale of conducting the study to assess how the county's internal control system influences financial accountability in Tana River County. The study was based on four theories, namely agency cost theory, classical management theory, stewardship theory and information systems success theory. The study employed a mixed methodology and specifically a convergent parallel mixed-methods perspective. The study adopted the descriptive research design. The targeted population for the study was 324 employees in Tana River County. A stratified sampling technique was used to get the sample size of 200 respondents. The data collection instruments comprised of questionnaires and interview guides. The results of the study indicated that monitoring systems, information and communication systems, risk management systems and internal audits explain 67.4% of the variations in financial accountability. The regression results showed that risk management system is positively and significantly related to financial accountability (B=.287 p=0.000). Moreover, it was found that internal audits and financial accountability are positively and significantly related (B=.406 p=0.000). Likewise, the study found that information and communication systems and financial accountability is positively and significantly related (B=.25 p=0.000). The study also found a positive and significant relationship between monitoring and financial accountability in Tana River County (B=.144 p=0.000). Moreover, it was revealed there is a moderating effect of government policy and regulations on the relationship between internal control systems and financial accountability in Tana River County since the coefficient of determination (R squared) increased to 73.9%. The study recommended that counties need to develop a risk management system to spur efficiency and transparency. There should be an effective management system that could evaluate risks in advance to enables counties to maintain those risks within controlled levels. The internal auditor need to be monitored regularly to minimize the chances of presenting reports with mistakes and exaggerations. There is the need to have internal reviews of revenue targets during the financial year. Moreover, it is recommended stringent measures should be taken against the county employees found with corruption cases.
Keywords: Risk management system, internal audit, information and communication systems, monitoring systems, government policy and regulations, financial accountability, Tana River County, Keny
Consequences of Misallocation of Financial Resources on Cost Management: Evidence from Global Markets
No full textDue to competitiveness in the global marker, firms must be strategic in order to survive. Therefore, setbacks arising from financial misallocation need to addressed by implementing systems that give the firm a competitive advantage and protects the firm position within the industry it operates. There is a need to transition from traditional methods of accounting to modern methods to ensure that financial misallocations are a thing of the past. By doing so, the firm will move from being reactive to being proactive as well as have access to accurate information that will facilitate strategizing and decision making. Financial misallocations have, therefore led to the demand for more sophisticated accounting techniques and methods. This has, in turn, made cost management a managerial process instead of an accounting activity. Furthermore, these systems have changed the role of the management accountant from reporting to a more involved stakeholder in strategy and decision making. This has led to the loss of various skills and competencies among accountants since some of their functions are now computerized. There is, however, a lot of apprehension in adopting these new sophisticated techniques of accounting, a subject that should perhaps be investigated further.
Keywords: Financial Resources, Cost Management & Global Markets
Board Characteristics and Financial Performance of Government-Owned Sugar Manufacturing Companies in Kenya
No full textThe board of directors is tasked with the obligation and the responsibility of administering changes and operations that support the mission of the organization to realize its vision. Kenya in the recent past, has witnessed a number of organizations listed in the NSE collapsing with the board of directors taking the blame. Specifically, the study sought to establish the association between; board diversity, board independence, board size and financial performance of government-owned sugar manufacturing companies in Kenya. The study sought to determine whether firm attributes have a moderating impact on the relationship between board characteristics and financial results of Kenyan government-owned sugar manufacturing companies. The study adopted the Agency Theory and Stewardship Theory. The study targeted the Government-Owned Sugar manufacturing companies in Kenya during the years 2000 to 2016 when the companies were operational. The study used secondary data where panel data was used. The findings indicated that board diversity and financial performance of government-owned sugar manufacturing companies. In addition, board independence and financial performance of government-owned sugar manufacturing companies was also significant. Board Size had a positive but insignificant relationship with financial performance of government-owned sugar manufacturing companies in Kenya. Firm attributes had no significant moderating effect on the relationship between board characteristics and financial performance of government-owned sugar manufacturing companies. The study recommended that the board members should consist of at least half gender diversity of the board members as determined by the board based on the requirements stipulated by the trade authority. Further, the study recommended that the board members must be independent directors, and their independence should be continuously maintained and reviewed at least annually.
Keywords: Board Diversity, Board Independence, Board Size, Firm Attributes & Financial Performanc
Prevalence of Anemia and Associated Factors among Pregnant Women Attending Kabgayi Hospital in Rwanda
No full textAnemia is one of the diseases associated with the pregnant women. World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that majority (61.3%) of anemic pregnant women were found in Africa. On the other hand, Rwanda Demographic Health Survey (2015) revealed that 19% are aged between 15 and 19 years old. The purpose of this study therefore, was to identify dietary and morbidity factors associated with anemia among pregnant women attending Kabgayi hospital. The study employed a cross-sectional research design. The target population was 936 pregnant women out of which a sample size of 272 women was obtained using formula of Fisher et al., 2014. Interview guide and structured questionnaire were used as instruments for data collection. The findings revealed prevalence of anemia among pregnant women was 29.4% seen at Kabgayi hospital during the study period. The findings also showed nearly a half of them had moderate anemia (46.25%). The findings from multivariate analysis showed that being single (AOR=2.397, 95% CI :1.214-4.730, P=0.012), being in ubudehe category 1 (AOR=0.198, 95% CI :0.071 – 0.554, p= 0.0020) and 2 (AOR = 0.0.200, 95% CI :0.099 -0. CI.404, p< 0.001, not eating dark green leafy vegetables (AOR = 0.392, 95% CI: 0.198-0.775, 92.6 P<0.007) and not eating meat and fish (AOR=6.368, 95%CI: 2.368-14.104, p<0.001), were factors associated with anemia among pregnant women seek at Kabgayi hospital during the study period. This shows that there is a need to improve the living conditions of pregnant women and to help them to how to choose food items based on their iron contents and remembered to take iron supplement during the whole pregnancy. The paper recommended the government of Rwanda and its development’s partners should work in synergy to decrease the magnitude of the disorder among childbearing aged and pregnant women. Besides, police makers and their partners should put in place more programs of sexual and reproductive health to increase knowledge, attitude and practices of pregnant women about the anemia and it consequences for them and their offspring’s.
Keywords: Prevalence, Anemia, Pregnant women, Anemia in pregnancy and Hospital.  
Vaccination: Benefits, Dangers and Prejudice in the United States of America and Europe
No full textIn early colonial America, the smallpox virus spread quickly among growing populations, killing as many as half of those who caught it. When one of the earliest forms of immunization called inoculation was introduced in the West, colonizers fought over whether it was safe. Their fear was reasonable: The process to inoculate against smallpox in the 1700s was much more harrowing, and less safe, than modern-day vaccination. But the principles are the same, and even back then statistics showed that immunizing communities helped reduce the number of deaths. The problem was that the process to inoculate soldiers would take weeks, and he hesitated to take any troops off the front lines. However, after losing a battle over British-occupied Canada in part due to an outbreak of smallpox in the camps Washington made a decision to have his soldiers inoculated. Today, many historians credit the move with helping the Continental Army win the Revolutionary War. Vaccines are one of the greatest success stories in public health; through use of vaccines, US have eradicated smallpox and nearly eliminated wild polio virus. The number of people who experience the devastating effects of preventable infectious diseases like measles, diphtheria, and whooping cough is at an all-time low. To ensure the continued success of vaccines in the United States, it’s crucial to make sure that vaccines are safe. Before vaccines are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), scientists test them extensively to ensure they are effective and safe. Vaccines are the best defense we have against infectious diseases, but no vaccine is actually 100% safe or effective for everyone because each person’s body reacts to vaccines differently. Vaccines, though designed to protect from disease, can cause side effects, just as any medication can. Most side effects from vaccination are mild, such as soreness, swelling, or redness at the injection site. Some vaccines are associated with fever, rash, and achiness. Serious side effects are rare, but may include seizure or life-threatening allergic reaction. In USA, the concern with vaccine hesitancy has been laid primarily at the feet of African American and Latinx communities in the United States. Study after study appears to show that more Black and Brown people, out of proportion to their numbers in the population, are getting sick and dying from COVID-19 compared with whites, yet resisting the vaccinations because of mistrust. Vaccines are the most successful medical invention to prevent many infectious diseases. Although many vaccines have been developed against various infectious disease unlike smallpox still there is an existence of bio burden on vaccine-preventable diseases. However, modern research discovering has a greater contribution by finding new vaccines to protect society from infectious diseases. Although vaccines and vaccination programme are more successful, there was a lot of struggle behind the discovery of vaccines.
Keywords: Vaccine, Vaccination, Dangers, Benefits, Prejudice, USA, Europ