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Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Before Implementing the Technological Interventions to Reduce Incidences of Drought Related Human Diseases in Yatta District in Kenya, 2013
No full textThe project goal was to contribute to improved health and income generation through increased food production, preservation, improved water quantity, quality and availability in Yatta constituency by 2013. The problems of food insecurity in the drought stricken areas cannot be over emphasized. Common effects of drought include insufficient water and shortage of food. This may lead to malnutrition and water related diseases which could contribute to increase in medical expenditure, reduced productivity and increased death rate. Malnutrition is a major problem in parts of the world where most of its population is undernourished due to famine, poverty and limited crop production. In Kenya water resources are highly vulnerable to climate variability which includes droughts. Water scarcity is a major challenge to achieving the Millennium Development Goal of reducing the number of people without access to water and sanitation by the year 2015. Rain water harvesting, food preservation and conservation and increased food production are some of the mitigation measures expected to play a key role in addressing this gap. This project aimed at contributing to improved health and income generation by mitigating the shortage of water through a low cost roofed water reservoir for harvesting rain water and storing it for use during the dry spells. Boosting food security to keep starvation at bay and generate income in future was addressed by introducing green houses for growing vegetables and solar food dryer technologies for drying surplus food. The project was implemented in phases mainly: - Site selection at Ikombe and Kinyaata locations was done in liaison with local administration, community and school representatives. The total population in the study locations was 6,116 households. From these a sample of 612 households representing 10% of the total households was selected during field visits using simple random and stratified sampling techniques. The communities were mobilized, sensitized and trained on water harvesting, green house and food preservation technologies as well as entrepreneurial skills, good water hygiene and balanced diet. Environmental impact assessment was conducted and prevalence of human diseases related to water and food shortage before and after implementation of the project was documented. Installation of the technologies- Green houses, food dryers and rain water harvesting reservoirs was done and communities were trained and encouraged to initiate and manage their own food dryers, rain water harvesters and greenhouses for improved health and income generation. Information of the project was collected using checklists, subjected to simple analysis of each data set and interpreted. The key results included training a total of 160 community members and demonstrations conducted at various stages of the project on the whole package comprising of greenhouse technology, water harvesting and storage, crop production, pest and disease management, entrepreneurial skills, food preservation skills and sensitization on causes and prevention of water borne diseases and those related to food deficiency. Screening of the environment on positive and negative impacts of the technologies predicted the negative impact to be minimal after which possible mitigation measures were determined and implemented. Two water reservoirs were excavated, roofed and utilization of the water (irrigation and drinking) initiated at Kimuuni and Mbembani primary schools. A food dryer and a greenhouse were each installed at Ngangani and Mbembani. After sensitization, communities formed groups and have since written proposals soliciting for funding from various organizations and institutions to enable them to replicate the projects. Regarding common diseases related to water and food deficiency at the study sites, examination of water samples revealed contamination including high levels of bacteria, and high prevalence of malaria, water borne diseases and diseases associated with food deficiency which contributed to more than one third of the disease burden in the dispensaries in the area. Assessment of the dried foods indicated they all had essential nutrients and an array of health protective bioactive ingredients making them valuable tools to both increase diet quality and help reduce the risk of chronic disease and /or malnutrition and deficiency diseases. Sales of tomatoes, kale, spinach and onions from the green houses enabled students to do extra-curricular activities at Mbembani and assisted in school renovations at Ngangani. From the findings, it is concluded that the interventions and results of these technologies indicate viability and worthy efforts in alleviating hunger, poverty and disease, and make potential contribution to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals and Kenya Vision 2030. It is recommended that further assessment of the project be carried out after a period of time to determine sustainability of the use of the technologies and find out how much of the technology was adopted and adapted by the larger community; and possible scale up of the project be implemented
Effect of Service Quality on Customer Retention at Branded Night Clubs in Mombasa County, Kenya: A Pivotal, Core and Peripheral Attributes Model Perspective
No full textThe main purpose of this research study was to determine the effect of service quality on customer retention at branded nightclubs in Mombasa County. The study was guided by several research questions: Can service quality enhance customer retention, how can service quality initiatives be used to drive the management policy of enhancing firm competitiveness through customer retention and lastly, are there challenges associated with service quality implementation by service firms and if so, what needs to be done. The study sought to investigate the relationship between service quality and customer retention. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design, which is mainly used in preliminary and exploratory research studies. Such design makes it easy for researchers to collect information, summarize, present and interpret data for purposes of clarification. This was appropriate since it sought to provide an overall picture of the extent to which service quality practices contribute to customer retention at branded nightclubs in the County. Primary data was collected from the club operators using questionnaires. The finding was that most of the branded nightclubs in the County implement service quality practices. Demographic data were analysed by descriptive statistics while the relationship between service quality and customer retention was analysed using a regression model. It was established that there is a significant positive relationship between service quality attributes and customer retention. Therefore, this study recommends that management should fully embrace service quality practices in their service firms to enhance their customer retention capabilities. This has a positive impact on their objective of firm profitability arising from repeat purchases.
Key Words: Service quality, Customer retention, Implementation, Challenges
 
Moderating Effect of Diversity Management on the Relationship between Corporate Governance Practices and Performance of Selected Counties in Northern Kenya
No full textThe county governments in Kenya have been facing serious challenges in developing corporate governance frameworks that are secure and beneficial to all stakeholders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the moderating effect of diversity management on the relationship between corporate governance practices and performance of county government (survey of Isiolo, Marsabit and Samburu). Specifically, the study sought; to determine the relationship between corporate governance practices and performance of the county government in Kenya; to examine the relationship between diversity management and performance of county government in Kenya; and to assess the moderating effect of diversity management on the relationship between corporate governance practice and performance of county government in Kenya. A descriptive research design was employed in this research. The study population comprised of 80 departmental heads in the three county governments, that is, Isiolo, Marsabit and Samburu. Since the number of departments was small, a survey was conducted. The findings indicated a linear relationship between corporate governance practices and county performance. The addition of diversity management to corporate governance practices improved the prediction of county performance although in a statistically insignificant way. Further, diversity management was found to have no moderation effect on the relationship between corporate governance practices and county performance. The study recommends that counties should continue practicing corporate governance. They should separate management body from boards for proper oversight. The counties should formulate policies in line with promoting career development and inclusiveness of the public opinions for transparency. Such practices of corporate governance will possibility augment the performance of counties because these two variables were significantly associated. The study commends the management of diversity observed in the counties because its combined main effect with corporate governance practices had more association to county performance than when considering corporate governance independently.
Keywords: Diversity management, corporate governance practices, performance of county governmen
A Review on the Factors Affecting Performance of Community Water Projects in Kenya
No full textWater is an essential commodity for the sustenance of human life and economic progress. However, it is a scarce resource and its access and use often generates competition and conflict among the users. Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) has provided guidelines on the administrative organization and standard operations of community-based water projects in Kenya. The success or failure (performance level) of a community-based water management project can be influenced by level of community participation and ownership, training and education of the project leaders, governance structure of the project and basic management skills of leaders among other factors such as financial and technical support. Prudent use and management of the water resource is therefore fundamental. The conclusion is that more rural people were involved in addressing their own development, confidence and the more the successful level associated with water projects for success. Recommendation is that projects leaders and members should be trained on effective use of water taps to reduce the loss in quantity or quality of water as it flows from its source through water projects pipes for use to eventual disposal. The study also found out that governing policies and performance of community development projects do have a positive association. The findings showed that involvement of key development practitioners and the community in policy making and implementation and constant policy updates is central to performance. The study established a positive relationship between the availability of resources and performance of community development projects. It was clear from the findings that access and frequency of funding does influence performance and that the qualification and relevance of human resource does impact on performance. The study also established a positive relationship between community participation and the performance of community development projects. It was clear from the findings that community involvement right from project initiation influences project performance and that empowerment and development of transition mechanisms of the management teams at the community level impacts on performance and sustainability. The study recommended that the beneficiaries be committed to protect initiatives meant for their development; that the government ensures good representation of relevant stakeholders and the community in the entire process of policy making and implementation.
Key Words: Community participation, Resource Availability, Water project & Governance structures
Market Focus Competitive Strategy and Profitability of Agrochemical Companies in Kenya: A Case of Ultravetis East Africa Limited
No full textThe aim of this study was to establish the influence of market focus competitive strategy on profitability of agrochemical companies in Kenya: A Case of Ultravetis East Africa Limited. The study was guided by the following objectives; to establish the effect of focus product development on profitability of Ultravetis East Africa Limited, to establish the effect of focus marketing precision on profitability of Ultravetis East Africa Limited, to determine the effect of focus customer service delivery on profitability of Ultravetis East Africa Limited and to establish the effect of focus brand dominance on profitability of Ultravetis East Africa Limited. This study was informed by; Michael Porter's Competitive Forces Theory, Theory of Dynamic capabilities and Mathematical Theory of Games. Agro-chemical firms in Kenya have been facing a number of challenges due intense competition and entry of common and related companies from China and India thus resulting in decline in profitability per year. The study adopted a longitudinal research design. Stratified random sampling was used to sample 126 Professional staff while purposive sampling approach was used for managers and supervisors. The study used structured questionnaires to collect primary data. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS. Analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. The specific descriptive statistics were mean, standard deviation and percentages, while inferential included correlation and regression. A multivariate regression model was used to show the relationship between the independent variables to the dependent variable. The findings revealed that focus product development and profitability are positively and significantly related (B =.211, p=0.000), focus marketing precision and profitability were positively and significantly related (B =.442, p=0.000). In addition, results showed that focus customer service and profitability were positively but insignificantly related (B =.021 p=0.717). Similarly, the results showed that focus brand dominance and profitability were positively and significantly related (B =.258 p=0.000). Based on the findings the study concluded that, the four focus competitive strategies used in the study had influence on the profitability of Ultravetis East Africa Limited. The study therefore recommended that, the managements of agrochemical companies should adopt the most effective focus competitive strategies if they want to have competitive advantage over their rivals.
Key Words: Market focus, Competitive, Strategy, Product development, Customer Service, Profitabilit
Effect of Sales Approaches on the Growth of Women Street Vending in Kenya
No full textEntrepreneurship is perceived as one of the substantial aspects that lead to development, where entrepreneurs are faced with the task of organizing and managing businesses and in the process assuming all risks of their entrepreneurial ventures. Women entrepreneurs all over the world are contributing numerous ideas, energy and capital resources and making a difference in the business world. This study examined the response that poses as an important factor for growth in the entrepreneurial world. The study provides insight into the role of sales approaches on the growth of Women Street vending in Kenya. The specific objective of this study was to determine the effect of sales approaches on the growth of Women Street vending in Kenya. The target population of the study consisted of 384 women street vendors in Nairobi who were selected through probability sampling using the systematic sampling technique. The method used for primary data collection was questionnaires that were prepared and administered to women street vendors in the streets of three of Nairobi’s markets. Data analysis employed quantitative techniques on the questionnaires and hypothesis testing and qualitative methods for content analysis. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data collected where the descriptive statistics involved frequencies and percentages and the inferential statistics involved correlation analysis and regression to test for the relationship of the variables. Various tests like sampling adequacy test, normality and multicollinearity were carried out during data analysis and the study presents the findings using tables and charts. The response rate of the study was 315 respondents out of the possible 384 a majority of who ranged from 18 to 36 years of age. The correlation results showed that sales approaches were strongly associated to growth of women street vendors in Kenya. Logistic Regression results showed a statistically significant relationship between sales approaches and growth of women street vending. The study concluded that sales approaches have a positive and significant effect on the growth of Women Street vending in Kenya. Based on the findings it was recommended that women engaging in street vending should come up with strategic sales approaches which will ensure they remain relevant in the market.
Key words: Sales approaches, Women Street Vending, Growt
Improving Purchasing Decision Making Process through Brand Awareness: The Case of Saloon Car Buyers in Nairobi, Kenya
No full textThis descriptive research used non-probability convenient sampling to examine the role brand awareness plays in improving the purchase decision of saloon car buyers in Nairobi, Kenya. The brand awareness concept has been used to guide this study as it is fundamental to the consumer life as the interaction initiation point to the brands as represented by the dimensions; recognition, recall and dominance as per literature. A semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to a purposive convenient sample and an eighty-two (82%) response rate was achieved. Data was analyzed using SPSS V20. Leading saloon car symbols were listed and respondents were asked to identify the brands they represented. The top brands recognized correctly were BMW, Nissan, Mercedes Benz, Mazda, Toyota and Ford. Chi-Square test results established that consumers' recognition of a saloon car brand is significant in improving the purchase decision process in a future brand choice. When it came to recalling, the saloon cars recalled in order of brands were Toyota, Mercedes Benz, Subaru, BMW, Nissan and Peugeot. This indicated the dominance of the said brands in the motor industry. The study findings answered the research questions and achieved the main objective that brand awareness improves the consumer's decision-making process during the purchase of a saloon car. This study therefore may contribute to the body of knowledge in the branding and consumer behaviour disciplines and to industry policy and practice.
Keywords: Recognition, Consumer Purchase Decision, Recall, Dominance, Saloon Car Buyers Nairobi, Kenya.
 
Prevalence and Distribution of Use of Tobacco Products in Relation to Socio-Demographic Characteristics among Final Year Primary School Pupils in Kitui Central Division
No full textThe objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of use of tobacco products in relation to socio-demographic characteristics among final year primary school pupils in Kitui Central Division. The study was conducted in Primary schools in Kitui Central Division using a questionnaire administered to 470 primary school pupils aged 13 to 15 years under supervision in the classroom. Prevalence estimates of lifetime smoking and use of smokeless tobacco were calculated using frequencies and percentages. The results indicated that a total of 14% had experimented with tobacco, 7% with smoking and 7% with smokeless tobacco. The study concluded that the proportions of primary schools pupils use of tobacco was high (31%) in Kitui Central Division, probably because tobacco is grown in the area and also due to wide exposure to advertisement. This calls for discouragement of tobacco growing in the division. Advertising can be removed by banning all forms of tobacco promotion to young people. Pupils are mostly influenced by peers and mass media and receive health related information from a variety of sources but mostly from the teachers hence this calls for teachers to be trained in guidance and counseling in order to handle this crisis.
Keywords: Prevalence and Distribution, Tobacco Products, Socio-Demographic Characteristics, Primary School Pupils & Kitui Central Division
Effects of Cooperative Thinking Skills Training Intervention on Academic Performance of Primary School Pupils in Nakuru West Sub-County, Kenya
No full textAcademic performance has remained elusive as different cohorts of learners perform differently in national examinations. Previous studies on academic performance of pupils have explored the question mostly from environmental perspectives rather than pupil’s intrinsic factors such as reading difficulties and successes of respective intervention measures. Interventions on reading difficulties being experienced by learners have been sought, however, the persistence of the problem leads to questions over the efficacy of the interventions. This study was set out to find out the effects of cooperative thinking skills training intervention on academic performance of public primary school pupils in Nakuru West Sub-County, Kenya. Descriptive survey research design was used targeting 12 public primary schools from which 342 language teachers and 1133 pupils were theorized to have reading difficulties were sampled. A sample size of 160 respondents was selected using both purposive and stratified random sampling for teachers and pupils respectively. Data was collected using a well-structured questionnaire and an observation schedule which were analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21.0. Descriptive statistics involving frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations, and inferential statistical methods involving linear regression were used to analyze data. The results from the observation schedule were analyzed using content analysis and integrated during interpretations, discussions and conclusions. The study found that cooperative thinking skills training intervention had a positive and strong effect on academic performance of pupils with reading difficulties among public primary school pupils in Nakuru West Sub-County. Hence, the study concluded that cooperative thinking skills training intervention as currently applied in teaching was a very promising intervention in remedying reading difficulties. The study recommended that teachers should find out and introduce new ways of cooperative learning specifically those which encourage the learners to assist each other improve their reading proficiency .
Keywords: Academic Performance, Cooperative Thinking Skills Training, Training Interventions, Reading Difficulties, Nakuru West Sub-County, Public Primary School & Kenya
Direct Marketing and Student Enrollment in Public Universities in Kenya
No full textThe purpose of this study was to establish the influence of direct marketing on Student Enrollment in Public Universities in Kenya. Direct marketing has been observed to be basic piece of an association's marketing endeavors and it incorporate every one of the messages and media used to speak with the objective market with the aim of expanding item/administration execution. The study was informed by Advertising Theory. Higher education has become an increasingly competitive market because students are expected to sponsor themselves. As the levels of domestic, continental and international competition as well as customer demands have increased, educational institutions have been forced to search for ways to gain competitive advantage. A descriptive research design was adopted for the sake of this study. The study targeted a population of 265,222 respondents made up of administrators, Marketing officers, Public relation officers and Undergraduate students from six public colleges in Kenya. The study used semi-structured questionnaires to collect primary data and the collected data was analyzed using SPSS. The study incorporated descriptive and inferential statistics. The particular descriptive statistics were mean, standard deviation and rates, while inferential incorporated correlation and regression analyses. A multivariate regression model was utilized to demonstrate the connection between the independent factors to the dependent variable. The findings revealed that there was positive and significant relationship between direct marketing and student enrollment in public universities in Kenya. Based on the findings, the study concluded that, there is positive and significant relationship between direct marketing and student enrollment in public universities in Kenya. The study recommended that, the managements and stakeholders of public universities in Kenya consider investing in direct marketing as one way of enhancing student enrollment in their universities.
Key Words: Direct Marketing, Enrollment, Public Universit