MPPM Thesis and Dissertations (2018)

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An analysis of Kenya’s counter-terrorism policy and its implications on Police Community Relations
(Strathmore University, 2018) Kurui, Sheila Chepkorir
The threat of terrorism has emerged as one of the biggest influences of modern day public policy. High profile events such as the August 1998 bombing of the US Embassy in Nairobi,West Gate Mall and Garissa University attacks have transformed the manner in which the government and citizens conduct their day to day affairs. Kenyan government has employed institutional and legislative actions aimed at addressing this threat as reflected in the national counter terrorism policy documents.This study, using Kamukunji Constituency as a case study sought to investigate the interaction between police and the community in addressing the threat of terrorism. Utilizing a descriptive survey design, it specifically intended to examine the experiences of diverse communities and the voices of those charged with the responsibility of policing terrorism. The findings of the study reveal that community-police relationship that is built on trust and mutual respect is much more likely to give early warnings about terrorist acts.The study therefore recommends that the role of police in counter terrorism stands to benefit greatly if conceptualized with the aim of reaching out to the communities and fostering partnership that promotes safety and security by creating a network of individuals who feel it is in their best interest to create an environment hostile to criminals of all types.
Assess the perceptions of personal data privacy amongst users and developers of mobile applications in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2018) Njuguna, Roselyn Muthoni
This paper aims to demonstrate the importance of understanding the right to privacy of personal data relating to someone’s personal life. The objectives guiding this study were: to establish to what extent users of mobile applications understand that personal data collected through these applications was private. To understand the role of mobile application users in enhacing the knowledge of role of privacy when using mobile application. Finally, to establish to what extent mobile application users understood that they have a responsibility for their personal data. The paper utilized a descriptive research design. A total of 259 respondents were interviewed in Nairobi County. The study found out that most users of mobile applications were aware of their right to privacy of personal data regarding their personal lives and families. The study found out that if mobile application users understood that they had rights with respect to personal data relating to their private and family life, they are most likely to protect any information they share when using mobile applications. Those who were aware of their rights to privacy were most likely to refuse to provide any information. However, majority of users were not aware they had a right to access and correct any personal data collected from their mobile applications. From a mobile developers perspective, the study found out that creating knowledge on privacy amongst mobile application users such as purpose of collecting personal data, recipient of the data and how the data was to be processed increased users likelihood to know their rights to privacy. The study also found out that mobile application developers had an important role in educating users on how their information is being used. The study further found out that those agencies that had full access of your personal data, were most likely to transmit it to third parties. The study recommends that there is a need to fast track the Data Protection Bill in Kenya currently under discussion. Additionally, there is a need for greater collaboration amongst private and public sector organisations to enhance knowledge on the role of rights to privacy when collecting personal data.
Assessing citizens’ perception of service quality at Huduma centres in Nairobi County, Kenya.
(Strathmore University, 2018) Murage, Wangui
The needs of citizens and their demands of their governments are changing around the world, including in Kenya. This change is creating complex working environments for governments that are compounded by the finite resources available to cater for multiple competing needs in service provision. In Kenya, the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the aim to provide quality services, both from private and public institutions, has catapulted the focus on quality of government services to the forefront while requiring the government to provide more services to the citizens with greater efficiency.Kenya Vision 2030 recognizes that an efficient and effective public sector is a pre requisite to achieving global competitiveness and a high quality of life by 2030 and requires reforms to the public service. Further, the current government’s manifesto singles out public service delivery, efficiency and innovation as one of its key focus areas specifically through the use of the government’s Citizen Service Centres otherwise referred to as Huduma Centres.In order for the Huduma Centres to deliver on the desired level of efficient, transparent and innovative service delivery for citizens, service quality has to be assured.Measuring the quality of service has long been a topic of discussion in the private sector, recognizing that it is difficult to measure the quality of services due to the inherent characteristics of services. It is important for the public managers to measure the service quality across government agencies and the citizen service centres because the citizens are co- producers in the service encounter and their perceptions of service quality would serve to inform the design and service standards and communications about the service by the producer and between the producer and the citizen. Further, studies have shown that levels of citizen satisfaction and the levels of trust in the government of the day are positively correlated.This study sought to assess the citizens’ perceptions of the service quality at the Huduma Centres in Nairobi County and also to ascertain if there was a correlation between service quality and citizen satisfaction. The data collected for the study are both qualitative and quantitative in nature with the qualitative being scheduled interviews with the service centre iv managers as the service providers and the quantitative being data collected through structured questionnaires to the citizens.The findings of the study reveal citizens are overall satisfied with the services at the Huduma Centres and were satisfied with the performance of each dimension of service quality measured. Further there is need for the Huduma Kenya Programme (HKP) to design the service offering in such a way that reduces the turnaround time for the citizens receiving services; invest in stable Information Communications Technology (ICT) systems and connectivity with the mother ministries; continually train the staff at the centres on customer service; and roll out other channels of service that lessen the need to physically visit the centres to get service; and more importantly continue focusing on the citizen needs in order to better serve them. Areas of further study include similar studies in more counties in Kenya to establish if there are significant differences with Nairobi County as well as comparative studies with other Citizen Service Centres around the world.
Assessing the influence of the Health Labour Market Framework in addressing health worker availability: a case of Turkana County
(Strathmore University, 2018) Wambua, Prisca Mwithi
The United Nations has projected a shortage of 18 million health workers if the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs’) are to be attained. Kenya has developed a national human resources for health strategy which gives policy and strategy guidance to County governments which are now responsible for management of their health workforce. This study referenced the health labour market framework as a basis to review how effectively the county has identified and addressed the health worker demand and supply factors. The study employed a mixed methods approach. The target population was all health workers in level 2-4 facilities in Turkana County. The population comprised of staff at the 153 operational health facilities in Turkana County. The study also targeted the members of the County Public Service board in Turkana and the health management team members in the county including the Chief Officer for Health, the County Human Resources for Health officer and County Public Service Board HR Manager. The sample size of the study was 100 health workers. Stratified sampling was used to sample the health workers while purposive sampling was used to pick the key informants. Data collection involved administration of questionnaires, conducting key informant interviews and review of secondary data. Quantitative data was analysed through descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analysed through content analysis. The study established that the current implementation of the measures has positive effect on availability of health workers across the county. The study recommends that the prioritization and sequencing of measures be aligned to the needs of health workers and that further studies be conducted to determine the factors influencing the implementation of HRH policies in Turkana County.
An assessment of challenges of administering turnover tax collection: a case study of Kenya Revenue Authority
(Strathmore University, 2018) Karanja, James Kairu
Turnover Tax (TOT) was introduced in Kenya in the 2006 Finance Act, and rolled out in January 2007. TOT was designed as a presumptive tax or estimate charge computed at 3% of the sales turnover of businesses making Kshs. 5 million or less. This step was designed as a revenue measure to broaden the tax base by bringing the largely untapped informal sector into the tax base. More than 10 years on the tax gap from the informal sector indicates the collections at a meagre 0.15% of the true tax potential. This study is focused on challenges faced by Kenya Revenue Authority, the single collector of national government revenue, in administering the TOT. The objectives of the study were; to assess the perceptions by KRA officers of application of trust and facilitation measures in collection of TOT in Nairobi Kenya; assess the perceptions by KRA officers of extent of application of enforcement measures in collection of turnover taxation of the informal sector; and based on the responses to identify priority areas for policy, legal and KRA administrative reform in collection of tax from the informal sector. The study identified the independent variables for this research to be trust and facilitation (simplification and education/advice) and enforcement (powers and procedures, detection capabilities and punishment). A target population of 235 KRA staff was selected and a total sample size of 147 was selected as representative, to be the focus of this study. A descriptive survey design was used. Stratified sampling technique was used to create a sampling frame ensuring that all Nairobi Domestic Tax Department (DTD) offices were included in the survey. Data was collected using self–administered questionnaires and direct interviews. Statistical Package for Social Scientist software (SPSS version 20) was used to perform descriptive and inferential analysis on the collected data, and findings presented using tables. The principal findings were that KRA has been hampered in its efforts to implement the policy on informal taxation largely due to lack of adequate resources, a poorly implemented strategy of taxpayer facilitation and lax enforcement among the informal sector largely leading to lower than expected tax gains from TOT. The study could not establish positive effects of the KRA radical shift towards trust and facilitation on the TOT collections since the launch of the 6th Corporate Plan in 2015. The study finds that a more focused investment by KRA in reviewing powers and procedures, detection of non-compliant taxpayers and punishing of those who wilfully comply has the potential of increasing the TOT revenue base.
An assessment of the role of community based child protection mechanisms in Kilifi County, Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2018) Ireri, Anne Wambeti
Child defilement continues to plague global societies including Kenya. This prevalence is on the rise despite the existence of robust and concrete legal and policy frameworks on child protection in the country. Criminal investigation of defilement is vital and integral in ensuring effective implementation of the laws by ensuring perpetrators are held to account. It is imperative that child protection systems especially at community level are strengthened through comprehensive policy diffusion so as to enhance protection especially from to sexual abuse.The objectives of this study were to establish the factors that increase the vulnerability of children in Kilifi County to child defilement, to examine the role of the community based child protection mechanisms in the criminal investigation of child defilement in Kilifi County as well as propose appropriate strategies to enhance the efficacy of the community based child protection mechanisms. The study adopted a qualitative exploratory research design through which thirty five (35) participants were interviewed.The study findings established that: several factors including cultural practices and poverty increase the vulnerability of children to defilement especially in the rural context that CBCPM play a crucial role in as far as victim support, access to medical services and evidence management are concerned. These are all vital elements in the criminal investigation of defilement. The study recommends the formalization of CBCPM structures as well as policy diffusion of all efforts in the management if child defilement so as to facilitate effective investigation of the violations.
A critical analysis of the role of think tanks in Kenya’s Economic Policy
(Strathmore University, 2018) Njeru, Alex Ndungu
This research sought to examine the part played by think tanks as actors in economic Policy Advice Supply in Kenya. The study employed an exploratory qualitative research approach with a purposive sample of think tanks that had a focus on economic policy and the government’s Ministries, Department, and Agencies that were involved in economic policy planning, formulation, implementation and evaluation. The findings showed that think tanks played a role in economic policy making through four main approaches: capacity building; economic policy research and analysis; advocacy and policy engagement; and through the use of consultancies. Key areas of involvement included agenda setting, participation in policy formulation and contribution to economic policy content. Key informants pointed out that most policy advice from think tanks was supply-driven rather than demand-driven. In addition, there seemed to be a communication buffer, between policy technocrats and think tanks, which reduced the participation of think tanks in economic policy advice. The convergence of Policy Advice Supply and Policy Advice Demand was found to be when technocrats in government communicated their policy advice needs clearly and unambiguously and when think tanks possessed the technical capacity to provide the policy advice. The study established that the endogenous factors that determined the ability of think tanks to play a role in Kenya’s economic policy were: technical capacity; reputation and social capital; corporate governance and communication capital. The exogenous factors that were found to have an effect on think tanks’ influence on economic policy included donors who had both macro-level and micro-level effects on think tanks; a think tank’s mandate and categorization; political leaders/political culture and political freedoms. The research recommends that think tanks should consider and involve public sector officials in the design and execution of their policy advice. In addition, think tanks should endeavor to re-orient their policy advice supply to be demand-driven rather than supply-led. A useful way of actualizing the link between Policy Advice Supply and Policy Advice demand is for both think tanks and government agencies to establish exchange programmes between public sector officials and researchers in think tanks. This would give think tanks the opportunity to get acquainted with the socio-political dynamics of economic policy formulation, implementation and evaluation. In addition, policy makers in government would have a chance to help think tanks to distill their policy advice products to have a structure and language that would appeal to policy advice demand. Areas of further study include the role of the leaders in think tanks and government institutions in influencing the contribution of think tanks to economic policy.
Effect of free maternal health policy on delivery of services in Machakos level five Hospital
(Strathmore University, 2018) Gichuhi, Elvis
The World Health Organization (WHO), approximates that 830 women die every day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth with ninety-nine percent of these maternal deaths occurring in developing countries. Kenya has a high maternal mortality rate at 362 deaths per 100,000 births as compared to a target of 70 deaths per 100,00 births. On 1st June 2013, the Kenya government, made a declaration that delivery services were to be offered free of charge to encourage women to deliver under skilled health personnel. This was known as the free maternal health policy. It was developed in line with the government’s pursuit of universal access to healthcare across the country and provision of the highest standard of care possible. Since its implementation, there was paucity of data on evaluation of the policy’s effectiveness. This study sought to address the gaps in the policy with focus on patterns of delivery, challenges faced by health care workers and effects on health care financing. This was a qualitative study carried out at Machakos level five hospital among health care providers both in administrative and clinical work involved in implementation of the free maternity services. Data collection was done through interviews and focus group discussions and analysed using qualitative analysis software NVIVO 10. The results of this study showed that the policy met its primary objective of increasing hospital deliveries. However, there are issues in implementation due to lack of stakeholder involvement, limited commodities and infrastructure, increased workload and lack of understanding of the policy. In conclusion, there is need to re-evaluate the Free Maternal health policy and set up guidelines to include; improvement of health worker to patient ratio through capacity building, timely reimbursement of funds to ensure smooth running of the service, education of both community and implementers of the policy on what the policy entails. Further research is needed to assess financial sustainability of the policy.
Effective external stakeholders engagement: a case study for upstream oil and gas sector in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2018) Mwangi, Anthony Gachuhi
The oil and gas sector remains one of the highly monopolized industries in the world, due to not only the scarcity of these resources. This has led to numerous efforts for organizations the world over to look for ways of generating renewable energy to complement the ever-growing needs for energy. This paper sought to investigate the approaches used in engaging the external stakeholders in extractives industry for upstream oil and gas sector in Kenya. The overarching objective of the study was to examine the challenges and approaches used in engaging the external stakeholders in extractives industry for upstream oil and gas sector in Kenya. Due to the limited upstream oil and gas activities in Kenya, the study adapted an exploratory research design ttargeting a population of similar or analogous infrastructural projects of national importance that have been or are in the process of being implemented. It suffices it to say that upstream oil and gas development involves drilling of wells, construction of oil extraction facilities, crude oil storage among others. This is similar or analogous to other big infrastructure projects like construction of roads, railways or airports. The study recommends effective and all-inclusive stakeholder engagement, while paying very close attention to communities as key stakeholders and this should be done considering political, social, cultural, economic, technological context. Any effective stakeholder engagement process should be specific for specific communities and oil and gas companies must resist the temptation to replicate this process without these socio-political nuances. Communities’ should be educated on the importance of the investors and how to treat them, this will make the communities to better understand and appreciate investors seeking to invest in Kenya. However, the government must lead these community engagements to ensure that the expectations of members of communities are properly moderated and the role of the investor clearly understood. Looking at most Vision 2030 flagship projects, very few of them have been execute effectively, on time and budget. From Single Gauge Railway, Kinangop Wind Power Project, Lake Turkana Wind Power, proposed AMU coal-fired plant, among many others, have either stalled or are operation behind schedule. The study concluded that proper external stakeholder involvement led to increased efficiency and reduction of costs in their operations, achieved through greater cooperation and involvement of stakeholders in the realization of strategic objectives of the oil and gas companies.
An examination of factors influencing safety within the boda boda transport sector in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2018) Mugwe, Evanson Mwaengo
The purpose of the study was to examine factors influencing safety within the bodaboda transport sector. The study was restricted to Lang’ata Sub-County as the area typically has a wealth of bodaboda operators. The objectives of the study were to examine to what extent flexibility and accessibility, affordability, employment opportunities and informality influenced safety within the bodaboda transport sector. Data was collected using questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings generally revealed that most bodaboda operators are young males below the age of 30 who in a desperate quest to find employment/incomes opt to engage in the bodaboda transport business. Indeed, the findings revealed that the overwhelming quest for incomes drove most bodaboda operators to unsafe operations including over speeding, non-use of helmets and carrying more than the prescribed one passenger per trip. Lastly the study recommended the formalisation of the sector in order to enhance regulation and management, which in turn will reduce the incidence of accidents in the sector.
The Influence of competency based technical training on youth employability: a study of technical training institutions in Nairobi County
(Strathmore University, 2018) Ndile, Lynette Mwende
Over the next twenty years, global growth and poverty reduction will be driven by today’s youth, yet majority face significant difficulties engaging in productive employment; mainly due to a mismatch of the competencies they possess to those required by the labour market. In addition, the World Bank’s recent estimation is that 250–300 Million young people are idle or unemployed, as little is known about how best to smoothen the school-to-work transition. Therefore, the problem of unemployment among the youth is a huge concern. Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is one promising avenue in addressing this problem, which is the highest in Africa. Governments globally endeavour to create an economic environment that promotes the growth of enterprises and generally stimulates the economy. Thus, Kenya like many other Sub Saharan countries is grappling with a desire to improve its economy in a competitive global market. This brings us to the question of skills competencies as it is imperative to formulate the best methodology of imparting these skills in the youth. Kenya identified the critical role of TVET in preparing, developing and updating the skills and competences to meet the needs of the changing industrial environment. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of Competency Based Education and Training (CBET) approach in TVET curriculum delivery on youth employability. CBET is an industry and demand-driven, education and training programme based on industry generated standards. TVET graduates, trainers and employers comprised the study sample frame and stratified sampling was used to draw an aggregate of 229 study subjects. Data was collected through questionnaires and analysed quantitatively. It was presented using frequency tables, graphs, percentage means and pie charts. The study findings were that TVET institutions offering CBET programs had high levels of access to technical training opportunities and ensured that graduates learning experience was unique due to training based on industry’s occupational standards. The study observes that graduates who underwent the CBET programs were very competent at their workplace and performed better in contrast to traditional approach graduates who were deemed not adequate enough in delivery of job tasks and performance objectives. The study concludes that CBET programs immensely increased the employability aspects among the youth compared to the conventional approach of training. The study also established there exists a strong relationship between the variables that are high for employability and CBET. Therefore, CBET graduates are more likely to be employed compared to non-CBET graduates in a given labour market since the correlation co-efficient, r, for CBET programs is greater than that of non-CBET programs. Skills obtained from CBET driven technical courses provided the youth with more competencies in comparison to traditional-approach courses. The study recommends creating awareness on the role of TVET and sensitizing the youth on the importance of CBET so as to improve their employability.
Resource allocation: experiences and challenges in County Governments
(Strathmore University, 2018) Mohamed, Mohamed Musa
This research paper examines the experiences and challenges of county governments in resource allocation by undertaking a budget analysis of 15 county governments. The study uses ‘resource allocation’ to mean the funds (monies) allocated to the three devolved functions of agriculture, health and water. The criteria on the selection of the counties included in the sample was the poverty index clustered into three namely 5 urban counties, 5 rich counties and 5 poor counties with specific focus on the three devolved functions of agriculture, health and water. The period of the study was the first term of devolution, the financial years 2013/2014 to 2017/2018. The study examined available secondary data from the Controller of Budget (CoB), the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) as well as the Auditor General’s Reports on county spending. The above documents were reviewed against the Constitution of Kenya 2010 by examining the objects of devolution, compared them with the County Governments blue print on development, the County Integrated Development Plans (CIDP), the County Fiscal Strategy Papers and the actual budgets. The study findings indicate that there is consistency in allocation of resources to the three fully devolved functions of agriculture, health and water despite there being no formula for resource allocation to aid in budgeting and prioritization. In order of priority, there is more allocation to health followed by water and lastly agriculture. It was equally evident that there exists a challenge in achieving separation between the two levels of government. The national government continues to allocate significant sums to the devolved functions. On the availability of a national policy, the study found that there is no specific policy on resource allocation to the devolved function which should have guided counties on resource allocation when undertaking budgeting in their endeavour to fulfil the objectives of devolution. On the absorption rate, the study concludes that counties face a greater challenge largely due to slow exchequer release from the national government impacting programs and development negatively. The study recommends that counties should come up with own procedures and processes including a formula for resource allocation, the need for a national policy on the devolved functions and a deliberate effort to allocate more funds at the counties to the devolved functions compared to what the national government allocates to the same functions to realize overall efficiency in resource allocation.
Role, practice and challenges of nyumba kumi initiative in crime reduction: a case study of Makongeni estate, Delta zone, Thika, Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2018) Ngigi, Rinnah Ngoiri
This research study aimed at establishing the role, practice, attitudes and challenges of nyumba kumi initiative in crime reduction in Makongeni estate, Delta zone, Thika, Kenya. The objectives of the research study were; to determine the role of nyumba kumi initiative in crime reduction in Makongeni estate, Delta Zone, Thika; to establish the practices of nyumba kumi initiative in Makongeni estate, Delta Zone, Thika; to establish the attitudes of the local residents and police service officers towards nyumba kumi initiative in Makongeni estate, Delta Zone, Thika; and to investigate the challenges of implementing nyumba kumi initiative in Makongeni estate, Delta Zone, Thika. Additionally, the research study focused on the police service and residents Makongeni area, Delta zone, Thika with probability sampling technique being utilized. Questionnaires, interview guide and secondary sources were utilized to gather essential information from respondents. SPSS assisted in arranging and compressing the information by utilizing means and standard deviation. Mode, frequency tables, bar graphs, and percentages were utilized to depict and show the information in light of each exploration objective.

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