SBS Scholarly Articles

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A moment for Africa
Njenga, George
Speech by George N. Njenga
A summary of centuries of childhood : a social history of family life by Aries, Philippe
Njenga, George
A summary of characteristics of the European economy at the beginning of the modern age : European discoveries and expansion 15‐1700; by S.B. Clough and R.T. Rapp
Njenga, George
A summary of for love or for money – or both? by Nancy Folbre and Julie A. Nelson
Njenga, George
Nancy Folbre and Julie Nelson study the shift from non‐market to market labour in the contemporary society, of the United States of America (US). The consequences are far reaching with regard to social care, economics and the link between the consequences of women shifting from family and social relationship building to paid labour in the market. The authors see this as a change in the “social contract”. The move of women, previously responsible for the “emotional” dimension of society (child care, social relationships, homemakers), from their traditional roles to paid jobs in the market is the underlying issue and they describe it in a trite and dynamic phrase – “For Love or For Money”.
A Summary of the article; “Final Reflections”
Njenga, George
Adoption of agricultural technologies in Kenya : How does gender matter?
(2011-10) Ndiritu, Simon W; Kassie, Menale; Shiferaw, Bekele
This paper uses plot level data to investigate the agricultural technologies adoption across male and female plots managers in Kenya with particular attention on complementarity or substitutability of several technologies on a plot. Using Multivariate probit model we found that all the technologies under consideration complement each other. The analysis further shows that women plot managers are more likely to adopt soil and water conservation but are less likely to apply animal manure relative to male managed plots. But we find no gender differences for adoption of maize-legume intercropping, maize-legume rotation, improved seed varieties, minimum tillage and inorganic fertilizer.
African prehistoric societies
Njenga, George
The Aftermath of fraud
(ICPAK, 2016-03) Mathuva, David Mutua; Waituika, Kennedy
You have just unearthed that “major” fraud in your organization. You now want to establish the underlying cause of the fraud and how you can recover the lost assets. Question is:how do you involve the relevant law enforcement agencies, the criminal justice system and then ‘move on’? What do you need to consider before engaging the law enforcement agencies?
Are there systematic gender differences in the adoption of sustainable agricultural intensification practices? evidence from Kenya
(Elsevier B.V ScienceDirect, ) Ndiritu, Simon; Kassie, Menale; Bekele, Shiferaw
This paper uses sex-disaggregated survey data at the plot level to test whether there are systematic gender differences in the adoption of multiple sustainable intensification practices (SIPs) in Kenya. We analyze plot level adoption decisions of SIPs by male, female or joint plot managers within the household, controlling for household characteristics, asset wealth and land quality factors that condition investments in intensification options. Using a multivariate probit model, we find gender differences in the adoption pattern for some SIPs. Compared to male plot mangers, female managers are less likely to adopt minimum tillage and animal manure in crop production, indicating the existence of certain socioeconomic inequalities and barriers for female farmers. However, we find no gender differences in the adoption of soil and water conservation measures, improved seed varieties, chemical fertilizers, maize-legume intercropping, and maize-legume rotations.
Assessment of factors Influencing decision to outsource information and communication technology by Commercial Banks in Kenya
Muchai, Edward; Acosta (Dr.), Freddie
Information and communication technology outsourcing is a major part of outsourcing decisions by commercial banks operating in Kenya and has registered a rapid growth recently.The study sought to find out the information systems (IS) functions which were outsourced by the banks and rank the factors influencing IS outsourcing decision according to importance.To achieve this, the study adopted an exploratory in which all the 45 banks in Kenya were studied.The study used self administered questionnaires to collect data, which was analysed using various analytical tool. The study established that commercial banks mainly outsource functions such as systems implementation, network services, software and hardware maintenance, and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) services.The study further established that factors such as cost, desire for quality, size of organization and business strategy, among others, influence the banks' decisions to outsource IS functions to a large extent.The study established that the small banks had a higher level of IS outsourcing as compared to large and medium banks.This is attributed to lack of technical capacity and need to deliver quality service at a minimal cost.The study revealed that operational costs was ranked as number one driver of outsourcing decisions by commercial banks operating in Kenya followed by the desire for quality and organizational size respectively. The study concluded that though cost was the main driver of outsourcing decisions, there existed other factors which were equally important such as desire for quality and business strategy among others.
The cascade model of teachers’ continuing professional development in Kenya : a time for change?
(Taylor & Francis, 2016-01-28) Bett, Harry
Kenya is one of the countries whose teachers the UNESCO (2015) report cited as lacking curriculum support in the classroom. As is the case in many African countries, a large portion of teachers in Kenya enter the teaching profession when inadequately prepared, while those already in the field receive insufficient support in their professional lives. The cascade model has often been utilized in the country whenever need for teachers’ continuing professional development (TCPD) has arisen, especially on a large scale. The preference for the model is due to, among others, its cost effectiveness and ability to reach out to many teachers within a short period of time. Many researchers have however cast aspersions with this model for its glaring shortcomings. On the contrary, TCPD programmes that are collaborative in nature and based on teachers’ contexts have been found to be more effective than those that are not. This paper briefly examines cases of the cascade model in Kenya, the challenges associated with this model and proposes the adoption of collaborative and institution-based models to mitigate these challenges. The education sectors in many nations in Africa, and those in the developing world will find the discussions here relevant.
Characterisation of metabolic acidosis in Kenyan children admitted to hospital for acute non-surgical conditions
(Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, ) Sasi, P; English, M; Berkley, J.; Lowe, B.; Shebe, M.; Mwakesi, R.; Kokwaro, G.
Metabolic acidosis is associated with most severe malaria deaths in African children, and most deaths occur before maximum antimalarial action is achieved. Thus, specific acidosis treatment may reduce mortality. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood and no specific interventions have been developed. A detailed characterisation of this acidosis is critical in treatment development. We used the traditional and Stewart’s approach to characterise acidosis in consecutive paediatric admissions for malaria and other acute non-surgical conditions to Kilifi District Hospital in Kenya. The overall acidosis prevalence was 21%. Gastroenteritis had the highest prevalence (61%). Both the mean albumin-corrected anion gap and the strong ion gap were high (>13 mmol/l and >0 mmol/l, respectively) in malaria, gastroenteritis, lower respiratory tract infection and malnutrition. Presence of salicylate in plasma was not associated with acidosis but was associated with signs of severe illness (odds ratio 2.11, 95% CI 1.1–4.2). In malaria, mean (95% CI) strong ion gap was 15 (14–7) mmol/l, and lactate, creatinine and inorganic phosphorous explained only approximately 40% of the variability in base excess (adjusted R2 = 0.397). Acidosis may be more common than previously recognised amongst paediatric admissions in Africa and is characterised by the presence of currently unidentified strong anions. In malaria, lactate and ketones, but not salicylate, are associated with acidosis. However, unidentified anions may be more important.
Chloramphenicol Pharmacokinetics in African children with severe malaria
(Journal of tropical pediatrics, ) Kokwaro, G.; Muchohi, Simon N.; Ogutu, Benhards R.; Newton, Charles RJC
Commentary on an unpublished work of Antonio Moreno Almárcegui: Grace and consaguinity: 11th – 15th centuries
Njenga, George
Complementarity in firm-level innovation strategies: a comparative study of Kenya and Nigeria
(Taylor and Francis Online, 2015-09) Egbetokun, Abiodun
We present and analyse firm-level innovation data from Kenya and Nigeria. We test for the existence of complementarities between internal R&D and external innovation activities, and between organizational and marketing innovations. Some evidence is found on the existence of complementarities between internal and external technological innovation strategies in the case of Kenya, but not in the case of Nigeria. However, organizational and marketing innovations do not appear to be complementary in innovation either in Kenya or in Nigeria.
Current reporting and relationship with integrated reporting for listed companies in Kenya : disclosure levels and company factors
(African Accounting & Finance Association, 2019-12) Injeni, Geoffrey Ikavulu; McFie, James Boyd; Mudida, Robert; Mangena, Musa
This study draws on agency, stakeholder and legitimacy theories, to analyze the extent to which ‘integrated reporting’ information is currently being disclosed by Kenyan listed companies and to investigate the firm-level factors associated with the disclosures relying on content analysis procedures to assess the level of disclosure of integrated reporting information in the annual reports (2010-2016) of 50 companies listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) as well as unbalanced panel data econometric models to establish the association between the integrated reporting disclosures and firm-level factors (including corporate governance and sustainability reporting). The study finds that as of 2016, the formal adoption of integrated reporting was very low at the rate of only 14% (i.e., 7 out of the 50 companies). Nonetheless, disclosure levels for information required as per the integrated reporting framework have increased from 59% in 2010 to 72% in 2016. Disclosures are mainly for organizational overview, strategies, governance, risk and performance. Stakeholder engagement, business model, future challenges and outlook are the notable areas of non-compliance. Findings also show that large companies are likely to adopt integrated reporting due to their high levels of disclosures, while the nature of sectors, like banks, is also likely to influence the adoption of integrated reporting. Although integrated reporting is positively correlated to both financial and non-financial information (with high significance for both sustainability reporting and corporate governance reporting), sustainability reporting is still a challenge for companies. Given the dearth of contemporary evidence establishing if/how companies in emerging markets are adopting the integrated reporting framework, the paper's findings are important for regulators and policymakers to establish the challenges of providing additional information in such contexts, e.g., sustainability reports.
Determinants of food security in Kenya, a gender perspective
Ndiritu, Simon; Kassie, Menale; Shiferaw, Bekele
The paper contributes to an understanding of the determinants of food security with a bias on the link between gender of household head and food security using detailed farm household and plot level survey data from 30 divisions in rural Kenya. Both parametric and non-parametric econometric techniques are used to ensure robustness of the results from the econometric analyses. Since the assumption of pooled regression is rejected, we run separate food security regressions at plot level both for Male Headed Households (MHHs) and Female Headed Households (FHHs). Both descriptive and econometrics results shows that FHHs in general are more likely to be food insecure compared to their male counterparts. The analysis further reveals that Female Headed Households‘ food security increases with quality of extension workers; land quality, farm size while distance to the market reduces the probability of food security. For the quality of extension staff, policy makers should focus on improving the skill of extension staff for efficient and effective dissemination of technologies and other important information that has impact on food security. Since area expansion is infeasible due to land scarcity in Kenya, policy makers focusing on land augmenting practices can help farm households to escape food insecurity.
Determination of ciprofloxacin in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection: Application to a population pharmacokinetics study in children with severe malnutrition
(Journal of Chromatography B, ) Kokwaro, G.; Muchohi, Simon N.; Thuo, Nahashon; Karisa, Japhet; Muturi, Alex; Maitland, Kathryn
Clinical pharmacokinetic studies of ciprofloxacin require accurate and precise measurement of plasma drug concentrations. We describe a rapid, selective and sensitive HPLC method coupled with fluorescence detection for determination of ciprofloxacin in human plasma. Internal standard (IS; sarafloxacin) was added to plasma aliquots (200uL) prior to protein precipitation with acetonitrile. Ciprofloxacin and IS were eluted on a Synergi Max-RP analytical column (150mm×4.6mm i.d., 5um particle size) maintained at 40 ◦C. The mobile phase comprised a mixture of aqueous orthophosphoric acid (0.025 M)/methanol/acetonitrile (75/13/12%, v/v/v); the pH was adjusted to 3.0 with triethylamine. A fluorescence detector (excitation/emission wavelength of 278/450 nm) was used. Retention times for ciprofloxacin and IS were approximately 3.6 and 7.0 min, respectively. Calibration curves of ciprofloxacin were linear over the concentration range of 0.02–4ug/mL, with correlation coefficients (r2)≥0.998. Intraand inter-assay relative standard deviations (SD) were <8.0% and accuracy values ranged from 93% to 105% for quality control samples (0.2, 1.8 and 3.6ug/mL). The mean (SD) extraction recoveries for ciprofloxacin from spiked plasma at 0.08, 1.8 and 3.6ug/mL were 72.8±12.5% (n = 5), 83.5±5.2% and 77.7±2.0%, respectively (n = 8 in both cases). The recovery for IS was 94.5±7.9% (n = 15). The limits of detection and quantification were 10 ng/mL and 20 ng/mL, respectively. Ciprofloxacin was stable in plasma for at least one month when stored at −15 ◦C to −25 ◦C and −70 ◦C to −90 ◦C. This method was successfully applied to measure plasma ciprofloxacin concentrations in a population pharmacokinetics study of ciprofloxacin in malnourished children.
Development of monarchies and the process of political Integration
Njenga, George
Summary of “The history of World Economy, The development of Political Economy by Javier Anton Pelayo and Antoni Simón Tarrés
Effect of market concentration and competition on the technical efficiency of commercial banks in Kenya
Mudida, Robert; Olukuru L. John,; Hazel, Ndiho Nyandia
Market structure as represented by market concentration and competition affects the technical efficiency of the banking industry. However, the direction of the relationship between market structure and technical efficiency is mixed given the existence of two opposing schools of thought, specifically the structure-conduct-performance paradigm and the efficient market hypothesis. The purpose of this research study is to determine which of these schools of thought holds in the Kenyan banking industry by studying the impact of bank competition and concentration on the technical efficiency of commercial banks in the country. The study uses interest revenue as a measure of technical efficiency while considering other factors such as bank specific risk and the macroeconomic factors. It seeks to answer the question whether a high market concentration and low market competition leads to excessively high interest revenue. The study is based on a panel dataset of the entire banking population in Kenya ranging from the years 2007-2012. It incorporates the Panzar-Rosse model to obtain the determinants of the interest revenue earned by banks and includes the Herfindahl index as one of the possible determinants. A fixed effects estimation method is employed to determine the significance of market concentration on bank interest revenue. The estimation method also gives rise to the H statistic- a key variable in the Panzar-Rosse model that serves as a measure of market competition. The results reveal that market concentration is not significant in determining the interest revenue earned by banks possibly as a result of the smaller focus that the Panzar-Rosse model directs to the effects of market concentration as represented by the Herfindahl index. They also reveal that the Kenyan banking industry faces a mildly oligopolistic structure with a H statistic of 0.23 which is statistically insignificant from zero. The low level of competition is attributed to market fragmentation as observed by the varying levels of competition from one segment to another. This market fragmentation may be based on size or on the ownership structure of the commercial banks.

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