MPPM Thesis and Dissertations (2020)

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Determinants of citizens’ trust levels in election management bodies: a study of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)
(Strathmore University, 2020) Noor, Adan Harar
The issues of citizens’ trust in public institutions have become a subject of focus and concern to many states globally. There has been a decline in citizens’ trust in public institutions; especially the Elections Management Bodies (EMBs) in Kenya. This study, therefore, sought to assess the determinants of the citizens’ trust levels in electoral management bodies through the identification of the trust level drivers and outline the recommendations for citizens’ trust reconstructions. The specific objectives were to examine the influence of the perceived independence of IEBC; stakeholders’ engagement; electoral environment and professionalism of public institutions on the citizens’ trust levels in IEBC as an electoral management body in Kenya. The study was based on three key theories namely; social contract theory, institutional theory and cultural theories of public trust to form the basis upon which the study was grounded. A descriptive study design was adopted in the study. A total population of 2,200,630 of electorates in Nairobi City County, IEBC staff, Media organizations. CSO, Development partners and political partners were targeted from where a sample of 400 respondents (calculated using the Yamane formula) was sampled. The researcher utilized stratified sampling to select the sample for the study. Primary data was gathered using questionnaires and interview guides. Collected data was analysed quantitatively and qualitatively using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software for quantitative data, and the results were interpreted and presented using tables, figures, graphs and pie charts. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The study found that the four variables in the study (independence, stakeholders’ engagement, professionalism and electoral environment) have a significant influence on citizens' trust levels in the IEBC-with professionalism and stakeholder engagement high in the ranking of trust influence. The study recommends that the commission should fully engage all stakeholders instead of just a few. The Commission in order to strengthen its professional core value should undertake its constitutional mandate with transparency and accountability. There should be transparency and high integrity in the process of appointing the commissioners and not be left to the executive.
An Assessment of factors influencing public participation in Kenya Urban Roads Authority projects
(Strathmore University, 2020) Mayienda, Reuben
Community participation has potential advantages to communities ranging from; empowerment, capacity building, project effectiveness and efficiency, cost sharing and ownership. In Kenya, however, citizen participation is low, involving sharing opinions during public forums rather than participating in decision making as envisioned in the Constitution of Kenya. The objective of this study was to determine the factors influencing the level of public participation in Kenya Urban Roads Authority’s (KURA’s) projects. The specific objectives were; to determine the level to which KURA involves the public in their roads projects’ design and implementation; and to determine how organizational and institutional factors influence the level of public participation in the design and implementation of Kenya Urban Roads Authority’s (KURA’s) projects. The study was based on public participatory models and the participatory democratic theory. Cluster sampling was used whereby the regions where KURA operates in and the headquarters formed the clusters. Purposive sampling was then employed to select a total of forty five participants drawn from each of the clusters. A questionnaire was used to collect primary data from the respondents. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. The study established that KURA engaged various categories of people in the public in their project designs as well as in implementation. These included; the general public, community representatives and opinion leaders. It further established that the public was engaged in various stages of the road project development ranging from the feasibility study, planning stage, project design, during tendering as well as in project implementation. The study recommends that KURA should inform the public about what projects they intend to implement, collaborate with them, involve them, consult them and empower them while carrying out their projects. The study also recommends that in order to improve public participation in their projects; KURA allocates adequate human resources to carry out public participation activities and adopts proper public participation procedures and organizational strategies for public participation. KURA should further ensure that the assigned staff are adequately trained on how to conduct public participation forums effectively.
The Role of alternative data in accurately determining credit score for mobile lending on digital wallets in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2020) Gathu, Anthony
The increased call for global financial inclusion especially for the low income earners, has resulted to increased use of mobile lending on digital wallets. The purpose of this study was to describe the role of alternative data in accurately determining credit score for mobile lending on digital wallets in Kenya. Alternative data as independent variables included social network data, mobile phone data and transaction data. The study employed a descriptive survey design to meet the research objectives. Primary quantitative data were collected using questionnaire tool. The survey was conducted to a 350 sampled respondents of mobile lending application users; where 230 were individuals while 120 were informal micro enterprises using mobile money applications. Scientific and non-probability sampling methods were used. Descriptive analysis and multivariate analysis through ordinary linear regression was used to develop the model of the study. Also, principal component analysis was conducted to describe the dimensionality of the dataset. Reliability and validity of the research instruments was determined to ensure that the information gathered addresses the research problem. Diagnostics tests such as normality test and multicollinearity tests were performed. The study findings on regression analysis to determine the relationship between social network data, mobile phone data and transaction data and credit score for mobile lending on digital wallets established that of the three independent variables of the study; there was significant positive relationship between transaction data and credit score for mobile lending on digital wallets in Kenya. That is, consumers’ increased transaction records improves their credit score. The results also revealed that there was insignificant positive relationship between social network data and credit score for mobile lending on digital wallets. Lastly, findings revealed that there was a significant inverse relationship between mobile phone data and credit score for mobile lending on digital wallets. On policy implications, the study recommends that both the government and mobile lending providers should design clearer policy frameworks that streamline the use of alternative data such as transaction records of consumers. Also, there is need for mobile wallet providers to adhere to regulations of privacy and educating their borrowers on the importance of having accurate information on their social media accounts that reflects their personalities. This also formed the knowledge contribution of the study. Since this study was carried out on individuals and informal micro enterprises, this study recommends that a similar study should be undertaken in the future but with Fintech or mobile lending providers as the target respondents.
An Evaluation of gender mainstreaming practices in Bungoma County in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2020) Kisiang’ani, Rose Natecho
The main aim of this study was to assess the gender mainstreaming practices in Bungoma County, which is one of the 47 devolved units of government in Kenya. To achieve the study objectives, the study adopted a descriptive survey design. The approach allowed for triangulation of methods in order to collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data for reliability and validity of the findings. The study population comprised of the employees of Bungoma County. Considering the huge number of employees involved, the study focused on employees from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Irrigation and Cooperatives (MOALFIC). Considering employees of the county are divided into homogenous categories in terms of directorates but also in terms of whether they are technical, administrative or clerical employees, stratified sampling was be used in choosing the sample population in order to capture the different categories of employees. Data in this study was collected using a semi structured survey questionnaire as well as through key informant interviews. Collected data was be analyzed through use of descriptive statistics such as frequency distributions and measures of central tendency. The study relied on chi square test to measure the strength of relationship between variables in the study. Qualitative data was summarized thematically into narratives. This study established that awareness of gender issues and gender mainstreaming among employees in Bungoma County is but some employees lack such awareness or understanding of gender issues and related gender mainstreaming. Most assertions on gender mainstreaming in Bungoma County received a moderate rating which implies employees not fully agreeing with the various statements on gender mainstreaming. This is indicative of some progress being achieved but process of gender mainstreaming not being entirely satisfactory. Key areas of concern is lack of a gender policy, unfair recruitment practices, lack of proper participation in legislative processes and general pessimism with regards to implementation of the two-thirds gender principle.
An Assessment of the challenges affecting electricity transmission network expansion in Kenya; a case study of KETRACO
(Strathmore University, 2020) Sitienei, Lydia Chelagat
Electricity remains a key economic driver in promoting economic activities such as manufacturing and trade. The Kenyan government in late 2008 introduced KETRACO, as a company with the sole mandate of planning, designing, building, operating and maintaining the national electricity transmission grid in the country. Since its inception, when compared to the planned 16,000km grid expansion, only 1,800km has been achieved by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (KETRACO). It is on this merit that the study sought to assess the challenges affecting electricity transmission network expansion in Kenya, the emerging trends and the possible solutions to the challenges thereof. The study adopted an exploratory research design with the targeted population being the stakeholders in the energy sector in Kenya who include KETRACO, the Ministry of Energy, the National Treasury, Kenya Power & Lighting Company (KPLC), and the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen). Purposive sampling was used where 103 respondents were chosen based on their knowledge and experience on electricity transmission and power management. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data which was analysed through mixed analysis methods. Documents review guide enabled collection of secondary data from sectoral plans and official documents within the Energy Sector. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. The study concludes that all the three challenges namely implementation capacity, right of way acquisition and vandalism negatively affect electricity transmission expansion efforts of KETRACO. The study underscores a need for an integrated plan of action within the sector and enhanced training of personnel with regard to specific skills relating to transmission. The study recommends allocation of adequate financial resources by the government especially for operation and maintenance while citing the importance of developing a community engagement plan for the areas along which the transmission line passes and the need to leverage on technology to reduce the land space needed for right of way acquisition. Use of the already existing government reserves alongside other public infrastructures such as roads networks, water and sewerage infrastructure, railways among others could be considered to reduce wayleave acquisition challenges. The researcher also recommends further research on use of technologies such as monopoles as opposed to lattice towers to reduce the negative effects of the right of way and underscores the need for research on the materials used in the construction of transmission towers to assist KETRACO in identifying safer materials and technology that could deter vandalism.
The Effects of Hunger Safety Net Cash transfers on economic inclusion of women beneficiaries in Wajir
(Strathmore University, 2020) Ndoka, Carree N.
Social cash transfers have progressively gained wide acceptance as viable models for intervention in addressing extreme poverty and inequality among lower income citizens. For the past 15 years, Kenya has been at the fore of investing in large-scale poverty based cash transfer programmes as evidenced by the increment in annual budget allocation. Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP) is one of the government’s cash transfer programme aimed at reducing extreme poverty, enhancing livelihoods and promoting economic inclusion of poorest citizens in the arid counties of Wajir, Turkana, Marsabit and Mandera. This research sought to explore the effects of HSNP on the economic inclusion of high-income poor women beneficiaries in Wajir. The study explored the effects on the four concepts of economic inclusion as defined within the context of social safety nets. They include regular income, household expenditure, accumulation of productive assets and decision-making power over use of income. Using an exploratory case study design, the study collected qualitative data through face-to-face in-depth interviews of 289 HSNP women beneficiaries in Wajir. Data was analyzed through deductive coding and presented in simple descriptive statistics. The study findings revealed that HSNP cash transfers were having positive effects on economic inclusion of women beneficiaries. However, the achievement of maximum results was hindered by the weak complementary support services in the project design. The study recommends that HSNP considers integrating into the programme design and implementation mechanism, strategic components that create conducive environment for economic inclusion such as: delivery of differentiated cash transfer values pegged on the size and poverty status of households, tailor-made financial literacy programmes, microenterprise training, responsive grassroots communication strategies, and subsidized health insurance cover. In addition, the components should be gender and culture sensitive.
An Analysis of Kenya’s water sector institutional and regulatory framework from 2002-2017
(Strathmore University, 2020) Korir, Belinda
Water is key for human survival as well as the economic and social development of all nations. It is, however, a scarce resource making effective water governance crucial in its efficient use and distribution among the various competing needs. Water governance is dependent on a framework of policies, legislation and institutions. Over the years, Kenya has enacted a number of water legislation that have led to the creation of multiple water institutions. However, challenges have still been experienced which have been attributed to the multiplicity of institutions and the lack of coordination mechanisms amongst them. This study sequentially examined the water regulatory and institutional framework for the water sector from 2002 to 2017, identified gaps in the regulatory framework, and the resulting challenges in execution of their mandates. It used a cross-sectional and descriptive research design and is qualitative in nature. The study population included the water institutions with the Water Act, 2002, the Water Act, 2016, the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 forming other sources of data. Purposive sampling was used to identify key informants and snowballing used to refer the researcher to the appropriate/relevant staff members. Data collection was conducted by document analysis of the Water Act, 2002, the Water Act, 2016 and the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with key officials of the water institutions. Data were transcribed, coded and categorized then themes, patterns and relationships elicited from the data. Data interpretation was done by scanning data for repetitive words and phrases and comparing the findings from the interviews and document analysis with the findings of literature review and discussing similarities and differences between them. The study found that the regulatory framework establishes institutions for regulation of water resources and water service provision, water works development and water harvesting and storage and financing of water services. Each institution has roles assigned to it which cater for principles of participation, accountability, and tariff setting. Despite this, gaps still exist in regulation of some institutions, overlaps in roles and lack of coordination mechanisms among the institutions and challenges in funding, regulation and coordination. As a result, the study proposes the inclusion of coordination mechanisms, clear outlining of roles, regulation of institutions involved in water works and envisioning of mechanisms for County Government involvement on matters that directly involve them in the Water Act.
Assessment of the effect of waiving interest accrued on land rates arrears in Nairobi County
(Strathmore University, 2020) Otieno, Emily Bakhitah Akoth
The problem of poor property tax collection and enforcement leading to low property rates collection is rampant in developing countries including Kenya. This is evidenced by the following: poor contribution of property rates to local/devolved governments ‘revenue; insignificant contribution of property tax to GDP; increasing rate of defaulting in payment of property rates; low collection ratios; and high level of intergovernmental transfers. The poor collection and enforcement of property rates is worrying, thus needing the need to evaluate policies and practice of property rates collection and enforcement in devolved systems of governance in Kenya. The study sought to determine whether giving waiver to on accrued property rates contributes to high revenue collection in Nairobi County. The study identified property rates collection and enforcement tools in Nairobi City County; establish effectiveness of the property rates enforcement tools in ensuring fully compliance; and establish challenges facing property rates collection and enforcement in Nairobi City County. The study focused on property rates collection and enforcement in Nairobi City County which hosts Kenya’s capital. The study focused on Westlands, Njiru, Starehe, Makadara,Dagoretti, Embakasi, Kasarani, Langata and Kamukunji sub-counties which are divided into 20 zones. Rateable properties were sampled using stratified random sampling. All rateable properties within the city boundaries were placed into groups (strata) depending on the zones. Stratification was important because of non-homogeneity of rateable properties by zones. Each zone was considered as a stratum. The researcher considered a sample of six (6) zones consisting of Two (2) commercial industrial (Central Business District (CBD) and Upper Hill), Two (2) industrial and Two ( Mlolongo & Industrial area) (2) residential (Makadara & Buruburu;) user to be good enough. The researcher numbered all the industrial, commercial and residential zones. A total of 60 samples were randomly selected from each of the six (6) zones resulting into a total of 360 samples which was considered to be good enough. Other respondents included chief accountant in charge of rates and land rates collection, employees of at the rates department and revenue county manager. The study involved the use of a semi-structured questionnaire which had open and close-ended questions for collection of primary data. Secondary data was obtained from the county’s budget policy statements and income statements published textbooks, unpublished scholarly works and papers from real estate journals. The study focused on a 12 years period of land rates revenue collection in Nairobi county focusing on the periods when waiver on interest on accrued revenue of property rates were and not issued. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and MS Excel. Descriptive statistics was performed on the data to summarize the variable data thus enhancing its understanding. The descriptive statistics selected for this study included the comparison of means value of effectiveness of enforcement tools, standard deviation, frequencies, bar chats, bar graphs. Recommendation of the study were for the Nairobi county government to strongly focus on revenue collection and investigate their policy on giving waiver to accrued property rates to aid in smoothly running the affairs of the county. This research contributes to existing knowledge by establishing factors for increasing property rates collection in Nairobi county.
The influence of of devolved governance on the performance of health sector in Homa Bay county in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2020) Ong'ang'a, James paul miller
Healthcare sector in Kenya has experienced a lot of challengessince independence under a highly centralized government system. Health management was guided by decisions made at the capital, affecting equitable distribution of health funds and creating inequalities in the provision of health services across the country. It is against this backdrop that devolution was considered under the 2010 constitution to change the management of health system in Kenya. However, this transformation which saw the transfer of responsibilities and authority of health service delivery to county governments has not improved the performance of the healthcare system in most Counties in Kenya. Probably, this could be attributed to the complexity of Kenya’s devolution framework, general mismanagement or the counties’ unpreparedness to deliver the services. Other reports have also indicated that political pressure from the newly elected county governments led to a bulk transfer of functions, irrespective of the counties’ level of preparedness. This study analysed the influence of devolved governance on the performance of health sector in Homa Bay County, Kenya. The study was guided by four objectives: To determine the influence of devolved governance on the level of access of health services in Homa Bay County, Kenya; establish the influence of devolved governance on the status of human resource management in the health sector in Homa Bay County, Kenya; evaluate the influence of devolved governance on healthcare infrastructure in Homa Bay County, Kenya and assess the influence of devolved governance on funding and expenditure in health care in Homa Bay County, Kenya. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The target population was 90 nurses, 42 Ward Administrators, 3 County Executive Health Officers, 9 Sub-County Health Superintendents’ from Homa Bay County. Purposive sampling method was adopted to come up with a sample size of 93 respondent’s reprsenting 9 Sub-County Health Superitendants, 58 nurses and 26 Ward Administrators. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and Key Informant Interviews. Key Informant interview guide was used to collect information from interviewees. Questionnaire was used to collect information from the 9 Sub-County Health Superitendants from Homa Bay County while questionnaire was used to collect information from the 26 Ward Administrators and 58 nurses. Secondary data was sourced from health sector reports in Kenya from the year 2010 to 2014, documentary reviews of the minutes of meetings, Homa Bay County Integrated Development Plan 2013-2017, Homa Bay County Fiscal Strategy Paper (2015), Homa Bay County Health Sector Strategic and Investment Plan 2013-2017, the Homa Bay County Referral Hospital strategic plan and notices and memos on the notice boards health sector reports in Kenya from the year 2010 to 2014. The collected data was then analyzed through frequencies and percentages to enable the research come up with conclusions and recommendations for the study. The researcher employed the assistance of some computer tools, including the Statistical Programmes for Social Sciences (SPSS) and excel version 16 to analyze the data quantitatively. The analyzed data was presented in the form of graphs tables and charts. The Study established that devolution process has not been fully implemented and its effect has not been fully experienced in the health sector. The study found out that devolution of the procurement process has enhanced access to drugs and equipment in hospitals, however, health facilities still serve low number of patients. Employment in healthcare sector in affected by better remuneration in private sector. It was recommended that the health sector players should improve in financing of critical health investment areas, particularly those relating to improving quality of care, purchase of specialized equipment so as to restore public perception of good quality care and achieve devolution goals on improvement of primary health care facilities.
Factors influencing implementation of the safe motherhood, maternal and neonatal health component of the National Reproductive Health Policy (2007) in Nairobi County
(Strathmore University, 2020) Mbae, Jessica Karimi
This study investigated factors influencing the implementation of the safe motherhood, maternal, and neonatal health component of the National Reproductive Health (NRHP) (2007) in Nairobi County using Mazmanian and Sabatier’s policy implementation framework. The investigation sought to determine the extent to which human resources, financial resources, hierarchical integration, and stakeholder involvement influenced the implementation of these components of the Policy. A mixed-methods approach consisting both qualitative and quantitative methods was applied. The 101 public health facilities in Nairobi County were the units of analysis and the unit of observation was senior health officials in the facility. The sample size was established as 80 respondents. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data, which was supplemented by literature review. The qualitative and quantitative data was analyzed using content and thematic analysis and statistical methods respectively. The quantitative findings are presented in figures and tables. These findings show positive and significant correlations for financial resources, hierarchical integration, and formal access by outsiders; and positive and nonsignificant correlations for human resources. The composite model (human resource, financial resources, hierarchical integration, and formal access by outsiders) had a 40.8 % effect on implementation of this component of the NRHP and the model was a good fit for the data given the positive F statistic (F = 12.291) at significance level p < 0.05. Linear regression analysis showed that formal access by outsiders (stakeholder participation) had the largest and only statistically significant effect on implementation of safe motherhood, maternal and neonatal health component of the NRHP (2007). The study thus recommends more concerted efforts toward stakeholder participation if implementation towards achieving the goals of the NHRP (2007) is to be realized. This calls for strategic stakeholder mapping and analysis, and for increased consultations with stakeholders including global health organizations such as WHO and UNICEF. The study was however limited to Nairobi County, and to this particular policy, and so the findings may not necessarily be generalizable.
The Role of open government data in improving public service delivery: a case of Nairobi County Government
(Strathmore University, 2020) Kamau, Simon Njoroge
Open government data is data and information produced or commissioned by a government or government-controlled entities, available to all to help the public better understand what the government does and how well it performs, and to hold it accountable for wrongdoing or unachieved results. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of open government data in improving public service delivery in the County of Nairobi. Specific objectives are: To examine the extent to which government’s open data availability influences public service delivery in the County; to examine the extent to which knowledge level on government’s open data influences public service delivery in the County; to examine the extent to which application of government’s open data influences public service delivery in the County of Nairobi. The research design applied was exploratory design to show the influence of open government data on public service delivery. The study targeted all thirteen County Government Sectors. The selected sample size from the target County Sectors was 172 employees. Out of the selected sample size, the researcher only managed to get a response from 132 employees (76.7%). The researcher used questionnaires as the main instrument for this study. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and multiple regression analysis to study the relationship between public service delivery and availability, knowledge level, and application of government open data. From the study findings, the availability of county government’s open data has the least influence in the role open data plays in public service delivery at the county. This is mainly affected by inadequate and non-comprehensive open data platforms and inadequate requisite infrastructure and knowledge on the value of open government data. For the existing open data, datasets are not wide-ranging and do not cover all the areas of county service provision/mandate. Also, these datasets are not released systematically and on time. On knowledge level about open data, the study found that most of the respondents are inadequately familiar with the concept and features of open data. On the application of government open data, most respondents strongly agreed that data accessibility and citizens’ engagement with the government are the main reasons for availing government open data. The study concludes that the County Government of Nairobi’s open data is not publicly available or not sufficiently provided to be considered open. The existing data falls short of availing adequate and enriched open data to the public to offer comprehensive access and use as well as play a significant role in the provision of public services. The study thus recommends that the County Government of Nairobi avails more data to the public through collaborative efforts with various stakeholders, implement better open data platforms that will offer real-time engagement with citizens and other stakeholders such as a citizen’s dashboard and enhance capacity building to its employees on ICT skills and the value of open data. Also, substantial reforms/initiatives are needed at the county government to guarantee open government data platforms, policies on open data, and availability of high-quality data that is timely, easily accessible, and easy to use.
Characteristics and motivational factors of opportunity driven youth entrepreneurs in Nairobi County
(Strathmore University, 2020) Ngugi, Caroline Njango
Youth entrepreneurship has been recognized as being an essential factor in growing a country’s economy and thus young graduates are encouraged to consider it as a career choice. However, in Kenya entrepreneurship is viewed negatively as a field for non-college graduates and school dropouts who have limited chances of obtaining traditional salaried work. This study examined the characteristics and motivational factors of opportunity-driven youth entrepreneurs in Kenya. The study objectives were to: establish the characteristics of opportunity-driven youth entrepreneurs and enterprises; identify the motivational factors of opportunity-driven youth entrepreneurs; establish the link between incentives and opportunity-driven entrepreneurship and identify social and cultural factors that are necessary to encourage opportunity-driven entrepreneurs. Purposive sampling and snowballing were used to identify the entrepreneurs who met the sampling criteria. A structured researcher-administered questionnaire was used to collect primary data from a sample population of 193 opportunity-driven youth entrepreneurs in Nairobi County. Descriptive statistics, Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient and Cross Tabulation matrix were used to analyze the data. The study findings revealed: first, that opportunity-driven entrepreneurship was more common among male entrepreneurs, who had specialized in Information Technology (IT) related courses and were operating in the IT sector. Opportunity-driven entrepreneurs were between the ages of 21 and 30 years, had an entrepreneurial family background and operated businesses that were in different lines of business from those that were run by their family members. Second, of the six motivational factors in the study, “I have the opportunity to do exciting work”, “I wanted the freedom to be my own boss” and “I saw a business opportunity” were of relative importance in motivating the entrepreneurs to start their businesses. Third, there was no correlation between government and private sector incentives and opportunity-driven entrepreneurship. Finally, family and society perception of entrepreneurs as successful and innovative individuals was likely to encourage more youth entrepreneurship. Access to education and participation in co-curricular activities in school were also found to be determinants of opportunity-driven entrepreneurship. The study makes the following recommendations: first, to encourage more female opportunity-driven entrepreneurs, the government and private sector could design affordable financial products that target young women who do not have access to collateral to secure funding. Universities and TVET institutions could develop a mentorship program and engage female opportunity-driven entrepreneurs operating in the IT sector to help budding female entrepreneurs to succeed in the sector. Second, tertiary institutions should consider including opportunity-driven entrepreneurship in their range of opportunities at career exhibitions and career guidance platforms, to provide practical options for graduates who are motivated by the need for independence, the freedom to do exciting work and the desire to pursue a business opportunity. Third, the government and private sector should consider refocusing resources to target opportunity-driven entrepreneurs, tracking, and evaluating incentives to establish the effectiveness of incentive packages. Finally, youth interested in entrepreneurship should leverage available educational opportunities to acquire the entrepreneurial skills needed to identify business opportunities and convert business ideas into viable businesses. The respondents were specifically required to be graduates from university and TVET institutions in Nairobi County and were selected through snowballing. This presented difficulty in getting a large sample size, as it was not easy to find the respondents. Consequently, the results of this study should be generalized with caution.
Factors influencing choice of urban transport alternatives by residents of Buru Buru Estate in Nairobi County
(Strathmore University, 2020) Kariuki, Wambui
Transport 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.
The Impact of cash management and other determinants on short term domestic debt in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2020) Ireri, Michael Njeru;
This research sought to determine the impact of the Kenya’s National Treasury cash management policy being implemented by the National Government on the short-term domestic debt. It also sought to analyze other determinants of short-term domestic debt. Using a time series monthly data from January 2010 to June 2019, and a dummy variable to differentiate the period when the cash management policy was introduced and implemented (one,1) and the period before it was implemented (zero,0), results of stationarity dictated the use of Autoregressive Distributive Lag Bound Test model as the variables of interest were either integrated of order zero, I(0) or order one, I(1). We also carried diagnostic and stability tests which confirmed no serial correlation in the series as well as stability of the model. The results show that over the period of analysis, the average bank overdraft has been Kshs27.11B; total cash holdings, Kshs191.98B; exchange rate stood at Kshs92.59 per US dollar; GDP growth rate was 5.14%; inflation rate, 7.25%; interest rate, 15.64% and treasury bills stood at an average of Kshs 376.78B. The ARDL Bound Test confirmed the existence of cointegration when bank overdraft was used as the dependence variable implying existence of long run relationship, further justifying the use of restricted Error Correction Model (ECM). The evidence in this study supports the view that in the long run, previous and current cash management affects bank overdraft positively while previous and current exchange rate affects bank overdraft negatively. In the short-run dynamics, previous and current cash management, inflation and exchange rate affects short-term debts in Kenya. As depicted by these results, past data and behaviors in dealing with interest rates, cash management, inflation and treasury bill affect current short-term debt. The dummy variable is found to be significant and has a positive coefficient with the two measures of short-term debt, implying that introduction of cash management policy by the National Treasury plays a vital role in the management of short-term debts in Kenya. The higher the amount of the idle cash held by national and county government, the higher the appetite for short term-debts. The error correction term (ECT) illustrating the speed of adjustment has a coefficient of 0.60 implying that there is about 60% feedback from the previous period into the short run dynamic process. In terms of policy recommendation, the National Treasury’s objective of Cash Management implementation should be encouraged with focus on mopping idle cash held at end of day by MDAs; and continued macroeconomic stability pursuit by ensuring stability in the interest, inflation and exchange rates.
Examining the effectiveness of micro and small enterprise authority in implementation of the MSE Act, (2012)
(Strathmore University, 2020-06) Njoki, Mary Mwangi
Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) create jobs and contribute to innovation and economic development. The MSE Act, 2012 provides a legal, institutional and regulatory framework for the promotion and development of MSEs in Kenya. The five major objectives of the Act are to provide an enabling business environment, facilitate access to business development services for MSEs, facilitate formalization and upgrading of informal MSEs, promote an entrepreneurial culture and promote representative associations. The Act provides for the creation of the MSE Authority which is responsible for implementing the Act. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of this Authority in implementing the MSE Act 2012. The research objectives were to determine the extent to which the MSE Authority had implemented the Act, to examine the challenges the Authority had faced and how they had moderated its expected outputs and to discuss how the Authority had mitigated these challenges. Using top-down and bottom up theories of policy implementation as a theoretical framework, the thesis of this study was that success or failure of the MSE Act 2012 depended on how it is implemented. The study applied a qualitative case study design. Using purposive sampling to identify senior officials of the MSE Authority, the researcher identified respondents who could speak to the intentions, plans and performance of the Authority. The data was analysed using framework analysis based on the research questions and the objectives of the Act. The study found that the MSE Authority had only partially implemented the MSE Act 2012. The challenges that the Authority faced that moderated its output were the failure to operationalise key provisions of the Act including establishing the Office of the Registrar of MSE Associations and the MSE Fund. The Authority also suffered from chronic underfunding and understaffing. There were other government agencies with similar mandates which resulted in duplication of efforts, wastage of resources and interagency conflict. Recommendations of this study are that objectives of the Act should be clear and consistent, the link between the Act and the intended outcomes should be clear, the provisions of the Act should be fully operationalized, and a timeframe should be established for this, with incentives and sanctions for all agencies and stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Act. The Authority’s capacity should be improved by recruiting full time qualified, committed staff with relevant experience. For all of these to happen, support from political leadership is critical.
The Effects of fertilizer market policy reforms in Kenya on performance of local fertilizer manufacturing firms - the case of Kel chemicals ltd
(Strathmore University, 2020-09) Sahil, Shah S.
As part of reforms to boost agricultural production, the Kenya government introduced a fertilizer subsidy named National Accelerated Agricultural Inputs Access Program (NAAIAP) in 2006. This study uses fertilizer production, sales and income data of KEL Chemicals Ltd., the leading fertilizer manufacturing company in Kenya, to evaluate the effect of this subsidy on the performance of a local fertilizer manufacturing company. With respect to the NAAIAP policy, the specific objectives of this study were to: establish its effect on the fertilizer production of KEL Ltd; ascertain the policy effect on the financial performance of KEL Ltd.; determine how KEL Ltd deals with policy shifts targeting the fertilizer sector; and evaluate KEL’s modes of contingency and decision-making in the face of policy changes. Appropriate literature was reviewed to provide a foundation of knowledge on the subject and place the research within the context of existing literature. A mixed-method approach was employed to conduct an empirical investigation of the externalities of demand-side government interventions in the agricultural sector. The independent variable in this study was market policy reforms in the fertilizer market, which specifically focused on (NAAIAP) policy. The dependent variables were the performance indicators of KEL Ltd. Annual fertilizer production and financial data were collected from KEL ltd records from 1998 to 2015. This data was supplemented by key informant interviews with KEL’s top managers. Descriptive, trend analysis, and tests of significance on the quantitative data were done using Microsoft Excel while content analysis was carried out on the responses received from interviewees. This study found out that the NAAIAP policy had a positive impact on the fertilizer production and financial performance of KEL Ltd. Comparative analysis of KEL’s fertilizer production, fertilizer sales and profits showed that the annual means and medians for all these indicators were significantly higher, at α=0.05, after the introduction of the fertilizer subsidy. The study also found that the management of KEL carries out regular reviews of its operating strategies to address public policy shifts in the fertilizer industry and that KEL continuously strives to improve on their contingency plans to deal with adverse policy reforms. This study concluded that the NAAIAP policy led to an increase in fertilizer production, sale, and profitability of local fertilizer manufacturing firms. However, this research recommends that further studies should be carried out to determine the impact of the NAAIAP subsidy policy on the overall growth of the agricultural sector in the country as well as how this policy has affected the distribution, sale, and use of fertilizer in the country.
Awareness and implementation of the critical factors for sustainable tourism - a case of Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2020-11) Kuntai, Samuel Tunai
Sustainable tourism ensures the protection of the setting, community participation and empowerment, sharing of benefits, development and growth in the local economy in tourism attraction sites. It lobbies for the maximum number of people who can use a site without an unacceptable alteration in the physical environment and decline in the quality of the experience gained by visitors. Awareness and implementation of critical factors for sustainable tourism by tourism stakeholders is an important step towards achieving sustainable tourism. The critical factors include elements that may affect the achievement of sustainable tourism. They are strategic features, management design, sustainable tourism policies and community participation. The main objective for this study was to assess the level of awareness and implementation of critical factors for sustainable tourism on the Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) in Kenya. A descriptive research design was used to assess the awareness and implementation of the critical factors for sustainable tourism. The target population was 262,106 which included the community members, tour operators, county government officials and the tour facility managers. The sample size was 183 respondents. A random stratified sampling method was utilized. Data was collected using the questionnaire, which was distributed to community members, tour facility managers, tourists, county government officials and tour operators. SPSS version 23 was used to analyze the quantitative data for the descriptive and inferential statistics. The linear regression model was used to test the relationship between critical factors and sustainable tourism. Strategic features, management design, sustainable tourism policy and community participSustainable tourism ensures the protection of the setting, community participation and empowerment, sharing of benefits, development and growth in the local economy in tourism attraction sites. It lobbies for the maximum number of people who can use a site without an unacceptable alteration in the physical environment and decline in the quality of the experience gained by visitors. Awareness and implementation of critical factors for sustainable tourism by tourism stakeholders is an important step towards achieving sustainable tourism. The critical factors include elements that may affect the achievement of sustainable tourism. They are strategic features, management design, sustainable tourism policies and community participation. The main objective for this study was to assess the level of awareness and implementation of critical factors for sustainable tourism on the Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) in Kenya. A descriptive research design was used to assess the awareness and implementation of the critical factors for sustainable tourism. The target population was 262,106 which included the community members, tour operators, county government officials and the tour facility managers. The sample size was 183 respondents. A random stratified sampling method was utilized. Data was collected using the questionnaire, which was distributed to community members, tour facility managers, tourists, county government officials and tour operators. SPSS version 23 was used to analyze the quantitative data for the descriptive and inferential statistics. The linear regression model was used to test the relationship between critical factors and sustainable tourism. Strategic features, management design, sustainable tourism policy and community participation have a positive and significant contribution towards sustainable tourism in the Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) in Kenya. The findings imply that improvement in critical factors will have significant contribution to sustainable tourism in the Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) in Kenya.ation have a positive and significant contribution towards sustainable tourism in the Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) in Kenya. The findings imply that improvement in critical factors will have significant contribution to sustainable tourism in the Maasai Mara National Reserve (MMNR) in Kenya.

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