SU Staff Theses & Dissertations
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- ItemA cross-sectional analysis of the factors influencing company listings on the Nairobi Securities ExchangeKiboi , Teresa Wanjiku; Waweru, Freshia Mugo (Dr.)This was a cross-sectional study of the specific factors influencing company listings based on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). The study sought to establish what factors affect those companies which have met the threshold listing requirements but have not opted to publicly list on the exchange. Non listed companies were used as suggested by prior research to determine what has hindered their being listed as well as what would motivate them to consider listing on the stock market with regard to the benefits that accrue to listing. Data was collected based on two sample groups of companies: listed and non-listed using the companies’ prospectuses of the listed companies and a questionnaire for the non-listed companies. Basic descriptive statistics were used to describe the empirical data, inferential statistics and multiple regression analyses were used for analysis. From among the listed companies the most influential factor considered in the listing decision was the political environment which was characterised by a change in political regime. The effect cited by the respondents was the (de) regulation of the industries in which the companies were operating in thus making expansion possible and consequently use of the capital market to raise funds. Additional factors which had not been considered in the literature which emerged among these companies were the market automation which considered to have made the market more efficient and thus more attractive. With reference to the non-listed companies, the most influential factor was the listing requirements considered under the legal and regulatory framework. The respondents expressed the view that these were too stringent. The other relatively more influential factor was the political environment which was also highly considered by the respondents. However, there were four issues that emerged that had been previously covered scantily. These factors were determined as the more influential factors by the respondents with reference to their not being listed. The emerging issues were company or organization structure, public scrutiny, dilution of ownership and a lack of necessity to raise long term funds. Ironically, the most motivating benefit was access to a wide capital base, drawing the conclusion that when a company is in need of heavy capital financing they would highly consider use of the capital market. Despite these benefits the study found that there is a need to lower listing and maintenance costs and for the NSE to broaden the scope of their products.
- ItemA Framework to guide companies on adopting cloud computing technologiesBitta, Maurice Nyaoro; Marwanga (Dr.), ReubenCloud computing has emerged as a popular computing model in the Westem world. It is still not well understood by many companies in the developing world that may benefit from its pay-per-use models, and low hardware and software management costs. This dissertation aims at describing Cloud computing, discussing its benefits and barriers, and proposing a framework that small businesses could use to guide them with the adoption of this new computing paradigm. The dissertation deploys the case study as its research methodology. Three small businesses are studied. All three companies are small businesses as per the definition provided by the European Commission. One company is a non-profit, while the other two are for-profit organizations. One of the two for-profit companies operates in an IT intensive industry. The proposed framework is built on the premise that the quality of data collected through qualitative enquiry is sufficient for it to be used for evaluative purposes. Also, although three cases may not be a basis that is large enough for arriving at a scientific conclusion, the research uses Walsham (1993) argument that from an interpretive position, the validity from our extrapolation from these cases depends on the plausibility and cogency of the logical reasoning used in describing the results from the cases, and in drawing conclusions from them. From the research, we discover that businesses perceive Cloud computing to be useful and that they are prepared to face the challenges that hinder its adoption but that they lack a framework to guide them in adopting this technology. This dissertation's key contribution therefore is the proposal of a four-staged framework that could be used to guide small businesses in adopting Cloud computing technologies.
- ItemAn Integrated access control security system model for institutions of higher learningMayieka, Jared MarangaDefining an Access Control security system service for any organization’s application requires the choice of the access control security model and process for the formulation of access decision rules to be used by the access enforcement mechanism that can be implemented in such organizations. The lack of an integrated access control security system model to provide framework for the development of an access control system for universities has presented enormous challenges to the universities in Kenya. The universities need to monitor, authenticate and verify people entering into and utilizing their resources. Additionally, there is a challenge of integrating different systems and departments thereby leaving a gap in the administration process. There is therefore need to provide a model that would help in providing the benchmark for developing access control systems to integrate different systems and departments in the institutions. Such benchmarks can be guided by technology such as smart cards, rules and policy definition among others. This research aims at designing a policy driven access control model (PD-ACM) that can be used in both developing the access control model and formulating the access decision rules adopted by institutions of higher learning in Kenya to develop their access control systems more specifically for their physical access control. In summary, this thesis aims at developing an integrated access control security system model for universities in Kenya and this process will be guided be Activity, System and Set theories. It is important for institutions to adopt a specific model to guide their access control security system development process so as to be able to effectively, efficiently and reliably monitor, authenticate and authorize all those accessing their facilities and resources.
- ItemAn Analysis of the extent to which the Kenya basic education Act (2013) provides for parental choice to homeschool: the primary and central role of parents as educators.(Strathmore University, 2018) Gathure, Thomas MundiaEducation in Kenya has witnessed a shift in ownership and management in the last 100 years. It has shifted from parents and community in the pre-colonial period to foreign missionaries and now to the State. While the State assumes a more primary and central role in the control of education, a new problem arises regarding choice and freedoms for other stakeholders. The recent enactment of the Kenya Basic Education Act, 2013 following the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 has presented one such scenario in the primary and central role of the State in education as compared to that of parents. The Act fails to recognise a legitimate and credible option of education - homeschooling - while at the same time criminalising the failure to take children to the prescribed schools in the Act. This raises questions as to the philosophical foundation underpinning the Act that could be contributing to this position. Due to the study’s philosophical focus on understanding meanings and beliefs as well as the nature of the research questions, a qualitative research approach (a desk review supported by questionnaires and interviews) was selected. The research questions, measurable indicators and research findings were defined and interpreted in light of the philosophy of Jacques Maritain (an influential philosopher of education and participant of the drafting of the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights).The research findings confirmed the effects of a limited philosophical foundation of the Act in its understanding of education, the place where education takes place, disproportionate roles vested on the State as compared to other stakeholders as well as the limited reflection of freedoms enshrined in the Constitution that support homeschooling. The study recommends a total overhaul of the philosophical foundation in which the Act is based to ensure any amendments are well guided and contextualised. Formulators of the Act could benefit from further study to understand the nature of homeschooling and ways to accommodate and support it for parents who choose it.
- ItemApplication of artificial neural networks in time series forecasting(Strathmore University, 2012) Kandiri, John MugoEstimation and prediction of students enrolment in a college provides, besides straightforward profit opportunities, indications to various important data and information for example information on customer fluctuation over period, thus helping in decision making especially in resource allocation. Forecasting the number of students expected to enroll in a college is therefore of prime importance to the management for both tactical and strategic management. This can be based on the available historical data and use of time series prediction. Students' enrolment time series can be predicted with a certain degree of confidence. This is from analyzed data. Future activities can be determined from the past performances. In this project, a short forecast will be used. This is because a shorter forecast gives a more accurate result with a higher degree of confidence. So far, the primary means of detecting trends and patterns has involved statistical methods such as statistical clustering and regression analysis. The mathematical models associated with these methods for economical forecasting, however, are linear and may fail to forecast the turning points in economic cycles because in many cases the data they model maybe highly nonlinear. In the contemporary generation in computing, new methodologies, including neural networks, knowledge-based systems and genetic algorithms, has attracted attention for analysis of trends and patterns. In particular, neural networks are being used extensively for financial forecasting with stockmarkets, foreign exchange trading, and commodity future trading and bond yields. Stockmarket prediction is an area of financial forecasting which attracts a great deal of attention This research paper therefore presents a scheme for time series forecasting with a neural network. To help evaluate the performance of the Neural Net, a benchmark Autoregression model will be developed using regression analysis. A statistical package SPSS will be used to come up with the model. A theoretical comparison of the methods (ANN and autoRegression) is provided in the conclusion.
- ItemApplication of markov chain theory and network theory to a manpower systemOchieng, Mary AchiengLabour is one of the key resources in any institution that if managed well can lead to increased productivity. Regular evaluation of existing structures and policies is necessary to avoid wastage and stagnation.Alot of work has been done in analysis of manpower systems using Markov models and other models such as computer simulation models,optimization models,supply chain models and holonic models. In this study Markov chain theory has been integrated with network theory in evaluating effective administration of the current schemes of service for teachers by the Teachers Service Commission. The growth and development of the teacher progression system has also been assessed.
- ItemAt a crossroad: the GATS telecom framework and neo-patrimonial states:the politics of telecom reform in KenyaKerretts, Monica; Keen, SusanThe liberalisation of domestic telecommunication (telecom) markets has become a worldwide trend. As a result, the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), evolving from deliberations within the World Trade Organisation (WTO), has been heralded as the mechanism with which to effect telecom liberalisation domestically. For countries in Africa, the GATS instruments have been translated as a means to establish the principles required for an effective telecom industry supported by key institutions in policy, regulation and implementation. However, the analysis of relevant literature on telecom in Africa has tended to focus on technological developments based on current observable outcomes. This methodology is inadequate because it fails to account for the context-specific nature of the policy arena and framework shaping telecom outcomes. I argue that we must consider telecom outcomes by understanding the nature of political institutions domestically and their interaction with the international arena. To explicate this intersection of ideas, I draw on two seemingly independent theories, Neopatrimonialism and New Institutional Economics (NIE) with reference to the works of van de Walle (2001) and North (1990) respectively, to shed light on the nature of the Kenyan political context and the value of the GATS as an instrument that facilitates credibility and reduces opportunistic ex-post behaviour. It is contended in this study, that for the Kenyan Government, the value of the GATS accession lies in the legitimising role that it facilitates in accessing funds from the international community. This study thus highlights the inevitable tension that arises when domestic policy-reform goals are juxtaposed with international trade obligations undertaken through treaty accession and informed by a liberalisation agenda. A qualitative approach was used to collect the data and involved interviews and documentary analysis. The findings suggest that Kenya is partially in compliance with its GATS telecom commitments. However, this partial reform results from patrimonial tendencies in Kenya and is exacerbated by the need to attract hard currency through aid packages that dictate the nature of the policy process and the relationship between Kenya and the international community. In conclusion, even with policy reforms, state agents always find ways to maintain or create clientelist practises. Unless such reform is accompanied by political changes that provide checks and balances on institutions and state agents, reform policies on their own will not create an effective telecom sector. To truly evaluate telecom reform therefore, we must appreciate the context-specific nature of policy making
- ItemBenefits of non-formal education to jua kali artisans: a study of the Informal Sector Business Institute (ISBI), Nairobi, kenya.Momanyi, Christopher; Gravenir, FredrickAt independence, Kenyan education was based on racial segregation, in this arrangement; Africans received an inferior form of education, which was elementary and later were trained as masons, carpenters and armature architects. The Ominde commission saw the need to reform education so that it would become a means of establishing social equity (Rharade, 1997) and training the highly skilled staff that Kenya needed. The manpower needs approach reached its climax in the 1970s. The Gachathi Report (Republic of Kenya, 1976) recommended vocationalisation of education at secondary school level. Since the introduction of the 8-4-4 system of education in 1985, the education system has increasingly turned out large number of school leavers at all levels. Many of these graduates are not able to obtain gainful employment in the formal sector and thus end up in the informal sector. Recent policy initiatives have focused on the attainment of Universal Primary Education (UPE) and the key concerns of access, equity, quality and relevance. This has come under scrutiny in the light of the fact that there has been a drastic decline in enrollment particularly at the primary school level. This situation has improved after the introduction of free primary education. Increased attention to UPE has come in the wake of the Jomtein World Conference (1990) on Education For All (EFA) to whose resolutions Kenya is signatory. The recent implementation of free primary education is an effort by the government to attain UPE and the final attainment of EFA. The EFA strategies include the establishment of a policy on the re-entry of school-age mothers into the education system and the establishment of a non-formal education unit in the Ministry of Education Science and Technology. The data collected for the study was both qualitative and quantitative in nature. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data. Qualitative data was analyzed by coding categories, which were organized according to particular research questions. The researcher then evaluated the information collected with a view to establishing its usefulness and answered the research questions thus enabling the researcher make recommendations based on the findings. This study investigated how and to what extent non-formal education provided by the Informal Sector Business Institute (ISBI) benefits the Jua Kali artisans in business development services in Makadara area of Nairobi. The researcher came up with recommendations that may improve this initiative. Using a Z-test statistic, it was found that those artisans who had undergone the ISBI training had a significantly higher percentage of artisans who had business plans, kept business records and practiced business ethics than those artisans who had not undergone the ISBI training. Business skills and Information Technology should be incorporated into training programmes meant for the informal sector. Entrepreneurial skills should be taught at all levels of education and the government should fund NFE programmes especially those meant for the informal sector. A linkage should be established between the informal sector and the formal education system.
- ItemBuilding sustainable business development services : empirical evidence from KenyaNyollo-Otieno, Hellen; Olomi, Donath R.; Kiraka, Ruth (Prof.)This is a PhD thesis that is ongoing. In this paper the authors investigates how sustainability of BDS can be explained; why some BDS providers succeed while others don’t; what the successful BDS providers do differently from those who are not as successful. Grounded Theory is used and justification for its use is given. Data collection and analysis is still going on. Preliminary findings from the data so far collected and analyzed show that what makes sustainable BDS seems to vary from one individual provider or organization to another depending on the motivates for venturing into the business, the personal attributes of the provider, the business approach that the provider takes and on the prevailing external factors. Furthermore it depends on how sustainability has been defined.
- ItemCombating insider trading in Kenya’s capital markets: challenges and opportunities for reformKotonya, Ann; Mwaura, KiarieThe capital markets are expected to play a pivotal role in the attainment of Kenya’s development blueprint ‘vision 2030.’ It is, therefore, essential that obstacles to the attainment of a fair and efficient market are examined and rooted out. This study investigates the limitations of the Capital Markets Act in combating insider trading. It also examines whether reforms would promote a fair and efficient capital market. The study makes use of existing literature as well as decided cases to investigate the inadequacies in the formulation of and provisions for inside information, material pricesensitive information, publication of information, possession of information and disclosure of information in the Capital Markets Act. This literature draws out key learnings from other jurisdictions and analyses how legislation in developed economies treats challenges to the enforcement of insider trading laws. The doctrinal analysis is triangulated with results of a survey of practical experiences of legal practitioners in applying the Capital Markets Act. The findings affirm the existence of conceptual difficulties in determining the elements of the crime of insider trading. As a consequence, it is concluded that the present formulation of insider trading law is inadequate. The study, therefore, makes suggestions for reforms to the provisions on insider trading in the Capital Markets Act.
- ItemEssays on gender issues, food security, and technology adoption in East AfricaNdiritu, SimonThis paper uses household- and plot-level data to test whether there are systematic gender differences in the adoption of joint sustainable intensification practices in Kenya. Using a multivariate probit model, we find that gender differences in the adoption of some technologies do exist. Women plot managers are more likely to adopt maize-legume intercropping, but less likely to adopt minimum tillage and apply animal manure relative to male plot managers. However, we find no gender differences for adoption of maize-legume rotation, improved seed varieties, and application of inorganic fertilizer. The results further show that the adoptions of agricultural technologies are strongly influenced by plot characteristics and household factors such as plot size, plot ownership, soil fertility, extension service, access to credit, and age.
- ItemFactors influencing choice of urban transport alternatives by residents of Buru Buru Estate in Nairobi County(Strathmore University, 2020) Kariuki, WambuiTransport in urban areas is an important and necessary component of a nation’s development. The various forms of transportation are broadly categorised globally as either Non- Motorised Transport (NMT) or Motorised Transport (MT). At the core of this study is the examination of the factors that influence the choice of urban transport alternatives by residents of Buru Buru Estate in Nairobi County, Kenya. In doing so, three broad categories of variables have been identified, which are the income and demographic attributes of the users, and the transportation attributes; either accessibility, time factor, financial cost and safety. In this examination, the preferences and attributes of the transport users and the relationship between these variables and the choices they make will be explored through the application of the Utility Theory (UT). This theory, explains the behaviour of choice selection among users of transport modes in Buru Buru Estate. The research was conducted through quantitative means. Buru Buru as a sample was ideal, as it has access to all the available transport alternatives including; e- hailing services, matatus, train service, motorcycles, regular taxis as well as being within 8 kms walking distance of the Central Business District. The findings reveal that demographic characteristics of the transport user have a significant impact on the transport choices that they make. These include, gender, age, education level and income which seem to have the most significant impact. The marginal effects for the income band of the resident were significant for choice of private and e-hailing transport alternatives, whereas income was non-significant in influencing the choice of the public transport. Additionally, commuter times and financial costs were found to be important factors amongst respondents across the various demographics. The main recommendations drawn from the data includes policies on: increasing public transport alternatives such as BRT; improved existing train infrastructure, light rail; improved NMT infrastructure; reduction of personal car use; nationalisation of transport; price controls and payment digitisation of public transport. Moreover, there was also a need to carry out larger scale studies with various demographics, taking into account the transport attributes and the demographic characteristics of various populations across Kenya. It also found that there is an increasing need to enforce existing policies as public transport was the most used and most preferred mode of transport.
- ItemHarnessing information and communication technology for information access and use amongst farmers in Lower Yatta district, KenyaMusangi, Peninnah Syombua;Kenya relies heavily on agriculture for economic growth, and for this to be realized, information is one of the key ingredients for improved agricultural production. Farming is mainly practiced in the rural areas. Information requirements of rural farmers are varied, and complex. The information delivery mechanisms in place do not take into account the characteristics of the rural farmer. Lack of proper information infrastructure also affects information delivery. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the use of ICTs in the access and use of information by rural farmers in Lower Yatta District of Kitui, Kenya and recommend a suitable model for optimizing ICT use in information provision. The objectives of the study were to identify the information needs of the farmers, examining channels of communication and sources of information, map and audit types of ICTs available, identify the legal frameworks in place in support of information access and determine the challenges faced by farmers when accessing and using ICTs. The study was informed by Info-mobilization theory with regard to information systems and their application in communities, Wilson’s general model of information behaviour as it relates to information use and users and Information innovation adoption model with regard to ICT adoption by farmers. Cluster sampling was used to divide the district into locations, and then purposive sampling was used to get respondents from each location. The field study was conducted among 51 rural farmers and 9 key informants in the district. The study employed a qualitative research method using survey research paradigm, which focused on understanding and interpreting the utilization of ICTs in accessing information by rural farmers in Lower Yatta District. Interviews were conducted using semi-structured interview schedules supplemented by observation and document review methods. The data collected were analyzed through content analysis and interpretation techniques after the initial editing; coding, classification and tabulation. Amongst other findings, the results indicate firstly, that there is information provision through ICTs on agricultural activities, but farmers rarely access and use the information. Secondly, the information provided is not localized to the meet the community’s needs. Thirdly, that most farmers mostly used the conventional ICTs compared to the emerging ICTs. The study recommends that farmers to be advised on how to access agricultural information and shown the importance of applying the information in the agricultural practice, and policy makers should put in place policies and develop information systems which will ensure that information provided is relevant to the community. The government should intervene and facilitate the improvement of ICT infrastructure in the District through low-cost and high quality connections. The study also proposed a model for optimizing information access and use through ICTs.
- ItemHigh quality financial reporting: the case of the Nairobi stock exchangeJames Boyd, McFie (Dr.); Weetman, Pauline (Prof.)This thesis investigates, firstly, the meaning of the phrase “high quality financial reporting.” The use of the phrase in the academic literature, and by professional and regulatory bodies, is examined critically to contribute to a deeper understanding of the phrase.Disclosure in the annual reports of all 47 companies listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange is examined to see if it can be described as “high quality”. “High quality disclosure” is measured in three ways: (1) a disclosure index is developed to measure compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (this index is also used to measure disclosure in the interim report); (2) a disclosure index developed by Standard and Poor’s to measure Transparency and Disclosure is used; (3) these are compared with the scores achieved by the same annual reports in the Financial Reporting Excellence Award 2003, decided by adjudicators in Kenya.The thesis also investigates the association between selected corporate characteristics and “high quality disclosure”. Testable hypotheses are formulated based on disclosure theories and prior studies: univariate and linear regression analysis are used to test whether significant independent variables explain “high quality disclosure”, with the aim of contributing to understanding the applicability of disclosure theories to a capital market in a developing country. Interview research is employed to explore further matters related to “high quality financial reporting” in this developing country setting and to complement the quantitative analysis, so as to contribute to understanding the relevance of International Financial Reporting Standards in achieving high quality disclosure in this capital market. Conclusions are made as to the usefulness of accounting theories and other influences in explaining “high quality disclosure” by Nairobi Stock Exchange companies. A definition of “high quality disclosure” is proposed. The implications of the research, its contribution and its limitations are discussed. Suggestions for further research are presented.
- ItemHybrid based modelling and derivative pricing in the UK electricity marketMutinda , Mary WanzaThis paper presents an empirical analysis of a hybrid model for capturing the dynamics of the spot prices of electricity, and contingent claims thereof. The dynamics of the spot price process are captured as a sum of a deterministic price-demand transform and an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck stochastic component. From the tests on stability of parameters and recovery of the price process for in-sample and out-of-sample data, the model is shown to perform well. Closed form formulas for forward contracts are also presented using the market price of risk arguments. The parameter for market price of risk, ? , is estimated based on the convergence assumption i.e. the forward prices converge to the spot price experienced for the given future time. The estimated ? however fails the stability test indicating statistically significant changes in the value over time. In particular ? shifts from the expected negative value in seasons of high demand and variability (winter and summer) to indicate a value attached by the market for holding the forward contract; to positive values in low demand and variability seasons (spring and autumn) to indicate an net cost for holding the forward contract given the difficulty in storability of electricity relative to the almost assured production to meet demand. A discussion is also presented on the model performance as compared with other models defined for the UK market.
- ItemInfluence of farming systems and crop host varieties on pythium root rot epidemics in a highland agroecology of South Western UgandaGichuru, Virginia Gathoni; Okori (Dr.), Patrick; Buruchara (Dr.), RobinThe bean crop is one of East African’s principal crops. It is grown primarily by small scale farmers who are mainly women, for home consumption and any excess is sold (Wortmann et al., 1998). The increase in severity and incidence of bean root rots has been associated with recent changes in farming systems, especially under high demographic pressure and decline in soil fertility (Rusuku et al., 1997). The importance of root rots in causing bean crop failures was recognised in Rwanda in 1988 and subsequently in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya and Uganda (CIAT,1992; Otsyula et al., 1998; Opio, 1998). Although bean root rot is caused by a number of soil borne pathogens depending on environmental conditions, Pythium spp. are the fungal pathogens most frequently associated with severe epidemics in eastern Africa (Rusuku etal., 1997).In south western Uganda, root rot is caused by a number of pathogens, which occur either singly or as complexes. These include Fusarium spp, Rhizoctonia solanii and Pythium spp. with the latter being the major pathogen (Opio, 1998). Studies on root rots have indicated that continuous cropping of beans, a common practice in eastern Africa exacerbates the problem (Rusuku et al., 1997). Due to population and land pressure in these high productive areas, beans are commonly cultivated with other crop plants. Yet Pythium species attack a number of crop species and other plants (Ampaire, 2003). There is a need therefore to investigate whether root rots occur in other crops in the bean based system and in addition, to characterise Pythium species responsible for these root rots.This information will provide evidence on whether novel Pythium species are implicated in the bean root rot epidemics and whether other crop species are influencing the root rot epidemics in south western Uganda. In the first part of the study, surveys were done in Kabale district so as to characterise root rots of non bean crops grown in association with beans. Molecular characteristation using the ITS-DNA sequences was also carried out on these crop species. Non bean crops in bean pathosystem of south western Uganda were found to be affected by root rots. The crops included Irish potato, sorghum and peas. This implys that beans are not the only crops in the pathosystem to be attacked by the disease. Using ITS-DNA sequences, 142 Pythium species were characterised from non bean crops. The most abundant of the Pythium species on these crops was Pythium ultimum. Also, a complex of pathogens were isolated from non bean crops and these included Pythium, Fusarium species and Veriticillium. The implication of this is that there is a host-pathogen selectivity as some Pythium species were found to affect leguminous crops and other solanaceous crops. In the second part of the study cross pathogenicity was done in the screen house. Bean derived and non bean derived Pythium species were use to test their pathogenicity on resistant and susceptible bean variety, cereals and legumes. Sorghum and peas were found to be susceptible to both bean derived and non bean derived Pythium species. Maize and millet were found to be resistant. These resistant crops may be able to produce biochemical reactions in their cells and tissues which are toxic to pathogen. Cereal crops having fibrous roots could counteract infection better than legumes which have tap roots. Hence cereals had a higher root mass compared to legumes. Symptoms charactersistic of Pythium infection such as wilting, stunting and chlorosis were observed. This arises due to Pythium species reducing water uptake to leaves therefore resulting in wilting.The third part of the study involved the use of light and electron microscopy techniques to investigate the pattern of infection of bean pathogenic Pythium species on sorghum and maize. Sorghum was found to be susceptible to bean pathogenic Pythium species.The infection pattern in sorghum was similar to susceptible bean variety (CAL 96).Maize was resistant to bean pathogenic Pythium species and the infection pattern was similar to resistant bean variety (AND 1062). This confirms that sorghum is an alternative host of Pythium. Pythium infection in crop species was mediated by the formation of appressoria-bearing hyphae. In the study, there was also evidence of hemibiotrophic infection found with Pythium ultimum possessing two kinds of hyphae. This suggests that virulence of P.ultimum is affected by these two hyphae. This study has therefore found evidence that th cultivation of beans in mixed cropping systems with non bean crop species may partly contribute to bean root rot epidemics.Sorghum and peas which are popular intercrops were found to be alternative hosts of pathogenic Pythium species implying that they contribute to pathogen inoculum load in the soil hence increased disease outbreaks. 2. Maize and millet were found to be resistant to Pythium species . This implies that these crops are poor hosts of pathogenic Pythium species therefore these crops could be included in bean rotations in south western Uganda so as to reduce Pythium soil inoculum load. 3. Differences in pathogenicity were found to occur within the pathogenic Pythium species.This phenomenon suggests the possibility for directional selection leading to increase in species or even pathotype abundances among Pythium pathogenic species. 4. Of the Pythium species isolated from bean and non bean hosts some were pathogenic others were not. Given the mulit- pathogenicity capacity of this genus, evolution of novel Pythium strains/ pathogens on both beans and non-bean hosts cannot be precluded. 5. Resistant bean varieties ( RWR 719 & AND1062) and non bean crops such as maize had similar disease reaction to bean pathogenic Pythium infection ..
- ItemIntegrated access control security system model (IACSS-M)Mayieka, Jared Maranga; Ateya, Ismail LukanduDefining an Access Control security system service for any organization’s application requires the choice of the access control security model and process for the formulation of access decision rules to be used by the access enforcement mechanism that can be implemented in such organizations. The lack of an integrated access control security system model to provide framework for the development of an access control system for universities has presented enormous challenges to the universities in Kenya. The universities need to monitor, authenticate and verify people entering into and utilizing their resources. Additionally, there is a challenge of integrating different systems and departments thereby leaving a gap in the administration process. There is therefore need to provide a model that would help in providing the benchmark for developing access control systems to integrate different systems and departments in the institutions. Such benchmarks can be guided by technology such as smart cards, rules and policy definition among others. This research aims at designing a policy driven access control model (PD-ACM) that can be used in both developing the access control model and formulating the access decision rules adopted by institutions of higher learning in Kenya to develop their access control systems more specifically for their physical access control. In summary, this thesis aims at developing an integrated access control security system model for universities in Kenya and this process will be guided be Activity, System and Set theories. It is important for institutions to adopt a specific model to guide their access control security system development process so as to be able to effectively, efficiently and reliably monitor, authenticate and authorize all those accessing their facilities and resources.
- ItemIntegrating customary and statutory law systems of water governance for sustainable development: the case of the Marakwet of KenyaGachenga, ElizabethThis research investigates the disconnect between customary and statutory law systems in legal frameworks for water governance and whether the integration of these systems would result in positive outcomes for sustainable development. A novel approach to the investigation is adopted, which seeks the root of the problem in the conceptual and theoretical framework within which water law is developed. By proposing a broader normative base, this research seeks to contribute to the search for more comprehensive solutions to the problem of recognition of customary law systems. Given the centrality of water to sustainable development, this research has significant implications not only on the development of water governance frameworks and the design of the property rights regimes in these frameworks but also on the capacity of the legal systems to achieve sustainable development. An analysis of 17th century common law jurisprudence identifies the legal theories and concepts that form the basis of contemporary legal frameworks for water governance in common law jurisdictions. Consequently, this thesis investigates the legal positivism developed in the period and its notion of law and customary law as well as the property theory and its conception of property rights regimes. The effect of these theories and concepts on the integration of customary and statutory law systems in water governance frameworks is explored. Based on existing literature, the nature and features of customary law systems are investigated and used to determine if a customary law system for water governance exists in the case of the Marakwet. This thesis proposes an analytical framework for investigating the normative aspect of customary law systems and identifying principles indicating the likelihood of positive outcomes of sustainable development. This framework is applied to Marakwet’s customary water governance system. The analysis of Marakwet’s system in the context of Kenya’s water law confirms the limits set by legal positivism and property theory on the capacity of the law to accommodate customary law systems for water governance. An exploration of the human right to water and the right of indigenous peoples’ to selfgovernance using customary law systems, demonstrates the potential of using the human rights-based approach to integrate customary law systems of governing water into the statutory framework. The research also proposes the exploration of classical legal theory as an alternative theoretical framework for transcending the limits set by legal positivism.
- ItemIntroducing derivative exchange: Asia's emerging markets experiences(Sogang University, 2009) Mugo, Freshia WangariWhat makes some derivatives exchange as well as products successful while others fail is a puzzle that is yet to be fully solved. Some derivatives markets become very successful while others fail to record any significant trading. This dissertation attempts to shed light on introducing successful derivatives exchanges especially in emerging markets which lag far behind developed markets in introducing derivatives instruments. The paper critically analyzes some of the necessary factors (requisites) prior to and after the establishment of derivatives exchange. Indicators that a derivatives market has a high likelihood of being successful when established as discussed include; economic development, political stability, strong legal and regulatory framework, sound infrastructural systems, developed capital markets, products traded, education to market participants, large and active investors as well as a detailed feasibility study. These indicators were analyzed through a comparative case study and were found to clearly distinguish successful and unsuccessful derivatives markets. Further, to determine the success of derivatives products, an empirical analysis on the factors influencing contracts’ success was conducted. Confirming our hypothesis, we found the size of the underlying market, the price variability of the spot market, as well as the cash market liquidity to significantly influence contracts success. In conclusion therefore, prior to introducing a derivatives exchange, an emerging market should first examine whether the indicators of a successful derivatives exchange are favorable and then introduce those products with high probability of being successful.
- ItemKenya capital market integrationMutinda , Mary Wanza