SU Scholarly Articles

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A Case Study on Microfinance Miriam Wambui
Opiyo, Cavin Otieno
In mid May 2007, Miriam Wambui, recently appointed as the first manager of a newly established unit office of the Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT) at Loitokitok was wondering how she could meet her loans disbursement and recovery targets when KWFTs 2006 policy restricted her from disbursing loans to women who were most in need of them.
A Framework to assess the impact of ICT on the livelihoods of students in tertiary institutions: a case of Strathmore University
Wamicha, Elizabeth; Ateya, Ismail Lukandu
ICT has been considered to influence the livelihood of many people in a number of ways. This has prompted a great number of citizens to take up training in ICT courses so as to harness the supposed livelihood benefits. The research focuses on the impact ICT has on the livelihood of students in tertiary institutions. The study uses the livelihoods model as the conceptual model with vulnerability context, human, social, financial capital of the student and the policies/processes of the tertiary institution as the main variables in developing a framework for the assessment on the impact ICT has on the livelihood of students in tertiary institutions. The developed framework is an extension of the livelihoods model that has been modified to include critical components such us curriculum development, collaboration with industry academic institutions and alumni to overcome the gaps observed that exist within the existing ICT tertiary institution. The administration of the framework is in four parts; the first part is the determination of the vulnerability context within which the student operates; the second part outlines the methods used to maximize livelihood assets of the student; the third part emphasizes on the adjustment of institutional policies and procedures. The fourth part details the incorporation of the livelihood strategies into the tertiary institution and the outcome expected from the framework is strengthened relationships between industry and top universities with increased accountability to stakeholders.
A method for field verification of the precision class of inductive voltage transformers
(Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), 1999-08-27) Brandao, A.F.; de Silos, A.C.; Ivanoff, D.; da Silva, I.P.; Da Silva, Izael
It is shown here that the precision class of an IVT-inductive voltage transformer-can be verified in the field, using the results obtained in the usual tests of no-load loss and current, short circuit and winding ohmic resistances, performed with common meters. A graphic diagram-the Mollinger and Gewecke diagram-is employed together with the results of an accuracy test previously carried out in order to determine the exact value of the winding turns relation and of the primary winding dispersion reactance. These values are used to calculate phase and magnitude errors, that must obey standards and must lie between definite limits, defined by the precision class of the instrument. Some commercial IVTs were tested in order to check the validation of the procedure. The errors were compared with the ones obtained with the Shering-Alberti method (CA bridge and comparison with standard IVT).
A Review of the theory of completely primary finite rings
Chikunji, Chiteng’a
We give a review of recent developments in the theory of finite rings with identity and pay special attention to a class of finite rings whose sets of all zero divisors form additive groups. We further describe the structure of such rings and provide a general representation for these rings as additive direct sums of cyclic modules over their maximal Galois subrings.
Action for a sustainable future – the role of African Universities
Ogbuigwe, Akpezi
An open lecture delivered at Strathmore University on 4th September, 2008 at the Auditorium
Altruistic versus profit maximising system operators of rural power systems
(IEEE, 2007-07-20) Sendegeya, A.; Amelin, M.; Soder, L.; Lugujjo, E.; Da Silva, I. P.; Da Silva, Izael
This paper presents a methodology using Monte Carlo Simulation for analysing and compare the impact of two types of monopolistic rural power system operators (altruistic and profit maximising operators) on the probability distribution of tariff levels and reliability of the system. The market has price sensitive consumers. The developed model has been demonstrated on two power systems: only diesel genset and a wind-diesel hybrid system showing the impact of the generation costs and capacity of generation from wind on the tariff levels, expected profit and reliability.
An Integrated access control security system model for institutions of higher learning
Mayieka, Jared Maranga
Defining an Access Control security system service for any organization’s application requires the choice of the access control security model and process for the formulation of access decision rules to be used by the access enforcement mechanism that can be implemented in such organizations. The lack of an integrated access control security system model to provide framework for the development of an access control system for universities has presented enormous challenges to the universities in Kenya. The universities need to monitor, authenticate and verify people entering into and utilizing their resources. Additionally, there is a challenge of integrating different systems and departments thereby leaving a gap in the administration process. There is therefore need to provide a model that would help in providing the benchmark for developing access control systems to integrate different systems and departments in the institutions. Such benchmarks can be guided by technology such as smart cards, rules and policy definition among others. This research aims at designing a policy driven access control model (PD-ACM) that can be used in both developing the access control model and formulating the access decision rules adopted by institutions of higher learning in Kenya to develop their access control systems more specifically for their physical access control. In summary, this thesis aims at developing an integrated access control security system model for universities in Kenya and this process will be guided be Activity, System and Set theories. It is important for institutions to adopt a specific model to guide their access control security system development process so as to be able to effectively, efficiently and reliably monitor, authenticate and authorize all those accessing their facilities and resources.
An overview of competence development in SMEs
(Inderscience, ) Katwalo, Allan Mulengani
This paper provides an overview of competence development in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The paper suggests a rationale for competence development and highlights the need for reassessing the competence development process as it pertains to SMEs. The paper identifies a model that could be adapted as a framework for understanding such a phenomenon in SMEs generally, and points to the possibility of extending the model.
Analysis of diversity among East African sweet potato cultivars (ipomoea batatas) using morphological and simple sequence repeats dna markers
Gichuru, Virginia Gathoni; Rubaihayo (Prof.), Patrick; Lubega (Dr.), George
East Africa is considered to be a secondary centre of origin of sweet potato and it is suspected that the wide morphological variation observed indicates wide genetic diversity in the region. To conserve and utilize the germplasm, it is important that proper assessment of the diversity of the East African sweet potato germplasm be made.Identification by molecular technologies is more commonly used over morphological characters since the latter can be influenced by environmental factors. In this study, we used molecular and morphological markers to study the genetic diversity of the germplasm in the region. Collections of cultivars were made from selected locations of Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania and subsequently established in pots in a screen house at Makerere University. A total of 266 cultivars were collected. After 3 weeks, the cultivars were screened for morphological characters using the CIP Research Guide. Cluster analysis was done using UPGMA in Treecon (Version 1.3). Based on morphological grouping, 57 cultivars, which were morphologically diverse, were randomly selected for DNA extraction and further analysis was done. Cluster analysis revealed only two major groupings (A & B) of sweet potatoes with very low bootstrap support of 0-54 %. The key distinguishing morphological markers were triangular leaf outline and a cordate shaped leaf outline for group A & B respectively. In addition, there were no geographical distinct morphological types identified. No population structure was detected. However, within each country, a high variation was observed (97.65%), suggesting that a wide range of cultivars is being grown in each country. Microsatellite (SSR) reactions were performed using four SSR primer combinations. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were resolved using a high resolution metaphor agarose gel electrophoresis. Genetic distance data matrices were subjected to Unweighted pair-group method of arithmetic averages (UPGMA) clustering using TREECON phylogenetic program Version 1.3 b. Two major sub-clusters were found by UPGMA at a bootstrap value of 54 %. Low bootstrap values (0-55 %) indicate absence of clusters and close genetic relationships among the cultivars. The majority of cultivars were in the range of 0.1-0.3 Nei's genetic distance from each other, which also shows close genetic relatedness. The clustering of sweet potato cultivars based on SSR markers showed that cultivars from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania were grouping in group A. In sub-cluster B the cultivars were from Uganda and they seemed to form a unique group. However the Tanzanian cultivars seem to cluster closely together in various sub-clusters. Analysis of Molecular Variance (AMOVA) indicated that there is statistically measurable divergence between the sweet potato of Uganda-Kenya and the other East-African country, Tanzania with detectable difference between the cultivars of the three sources. The largest source of diversity comes from within-population variation, which accounts for 88.91 % of the total variance. The data from AMOVA analysis also indicated an F st value >0.05 which seems to suggest great genetic differentiation amongst the cultivars in the East African region and hence presence of a population structure. The gene flow values > 1 shows that there is high genetic drift amongst the cultivars in this region. In this study, the morphological analysis of sweet potato landraces indicated that there was not much variation in the East African sweet potato. However the investigation at genome level using PCR-based SSR markers was able to identify significant variation amongst the landraces and existence of a population structure. The major results in this study indicate that SSR markers are appropriate for the genotyping and revealing genetic relationship of East African sweetpotato cultivars. In addition, morphological characterisation should be complemented with DNA –based characterisation using SSR markers to reveal genetic diversity of East African sweet potato cultivars.
Antecedents and consequences of customers’ complaining behaviour in Kenya using social media
(2017) Njuguna, Simon Peter
This study seeks to investigate the nature, antecedents and consequences of customer complaining behaviour (CCB) using social media in retail industry in Kenya. The study will use a multi–method research strategy. To address the research questions, both qualitative (netnography non-participatory and scenario-based methodology) and quantitative (exploratory and descriptive) research design will be employed. The netnography non-participatory approach will be used at the exploratory stage of the study to inform the survey research. The qualitative data (from the netnography and scenario-based) will be analyzed thematically. A narrative approach will be used to develop a scenario that will serve to provide a detailed insight into the experience of a customer. This study will contribute to the existing CCB literature in the following ways: the study will provide an understanding of CCB via social media channels where three psychological theories will be used to help in identifying relevant factors that motivate customers to complain about a product/service failure using social media. The findings will also help the service managers to develop appropriate intervention strategies that will enable then to effectively deal with customer complaints made through social media.
Antecedents to successful adoption of e-Procurement in textile and apparel firms in Kenya
Arasa, Robert M.
This study examined the factors that affect implementation of e-procurement within the textile and apparel firms in Kenya.Specifically it sought to investigate the effect of organizational issues, environmental factors and technological factors on the implementation of e-procurement.A survey approach was employed, using stratified random sampling to ensure representativeness.Both quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis were used.Descriptive statistics as well as regression analysis were used to facilitate examination of the relationship between variables of interest.The study findings indicate that the environmental factors have the most influence on e-procurement implementation, followed by technological and organizational factors respectively.The study points out that management support, employee empowerment, policy strengthening in ICT use are key to effective e-procurement implementation and therefore should be given due attention.
Array-based schemes for group screening with test errors which incorporate a concentration effect
(Elsevier, 2015-06-04) Odhiambo, John W.; Mwambi, H.G.; Haines, Linda M.; Habtesllassie, Y.G.
Group screening is widely used as an efficient method for identifying samples or factors from a large population that are in some sense active. The focus in the present paper is on screening blood samples for infectious diseases when errors in testing are present. Specific attention is given to the introduction of a concentration effect, that is to settings in which the error in testing a group of blood samples depends on the number of samples in that group which are infected. Four array-based group screening schemes, the Dorfman, the and, the or and a modification of the and scheme, are considered and their performance appraised by deriving explicit formulae for the expected number of tests, the expected number of false negatives and the expected number of false positives. The results are illustrated by means of two examples. As an aside, relationships complementary to those derived in the context of blood screening are developed within the area of group factor screening.
Bee diversity and floral resources along a disturbance gradient in Kaya Muhaka forest and surrounding farmlands of coastal Kenya
Chiawo, David O; Ogol, Callistus; Kioko, Esther; Gikungu, Mary
Kaya forests are rich in biodiversity and endemism along the coastal ecosystems of Kenya. The role of bees in pollination service that maintains native plant populations and resilience of such critical ecosystems is unprecedented. This study examined the diversity and floral resources for bees in Kaya Muhaka forest, forest edge, surrounding fallow farmlands and crop fields along a disturbance gradient with aim of informing local conservation and livelihood projects. In total, 755 individual bees, representing 52 species were r ecorded. Families; Apidae, Halictidae and Megachilidae were recorded. Overall, Apidae were mo st abundant with a proportion of 76%, Halictidae at 14% and Megachilidae at 10%. Bee comp osition was closely similar between forest edge and crop fields as compared to other habitats. However, bee diversity did not change significantly with increasing distance from the for est to surrounding farmlands, a pointer to high resilience of bee species. High abundance of bee po pulations was recorded in fallow farmlands, explained by high abundance of floral resources in the habitat. We noted a significant effect of floral resources richness on bee species richness. We compare these results to several recent bee faunal surveys including surveys in other parts of East Africa, Europe and Asia. These findings are important for understanding the effects of land use change on bee populations for effective conservation planning.
Benchmark indicators for African national regulatory authority websites
(Learning Initiatives on Reforms for Network, ) Kerretts, Monica
This survey of African national regulatory websites ranks the online component of information provision and facilitation of regulatory processes. This study follows a previous regional survey conducted in 2004-05 which examined the extent to which regulators were using websites to inform and communicate with the public – including consumers and citizens, the private sector, media actors and researchers and other governmental and non-governmental organizations. The benchmarking assessment documents the incidence of different aspects that are important for regulator’s web presence across the categories of basic information and responsiveness, factual information about the national telecom sector, consumer and citizen information including universal service and complaints procedures, business related information and forms, and information about the regulator and regulatory processes. A country’s inclusion into the assessment was contingent on the country having an independent authority* and the authority having a functioning website. Out of a total 54 countries in Africa, 30 had regulatory institutions that could be classified as independent with websites and 24 did not have websites. The countries were assessed by region (Central Africa, Eastern Africa, Island countries, Northern Africa, Southern Africa and West Africa). The benchmarking results show marked differences across countries and regions. Egypt received the highest score and performed well across all categories. Nigeria, Mauritius, Kenya and South Africa completed the top five category. Following closely are Uganda, Algeria, Senegal and Tanzania. These NRAs were considered to have had adequate content in support of users being informed and being able to participate in regulatory processes. The Island countries of Mauritius and Madagascar performed better across most of the regional categories. This was followed by the Northern African and the Eastern African region. Overall, the total African regional average was low with a benchmark indicating that national regulatory authority websites hover between static and emerging levels of information provision.
Benchmark Indicators for African National Telecom Regulary Authority Websites
(Fundación Comunica, ) Kerretts, Monica
Breaking the ground on action learning action research at Strathmore university
Magolo, Wilson
Action learning has revolutionized learning in many organizations and sectors worldwide. The role of action learning in the classroom has attracted attention from educators and researchers alike. Even though the power and elegance of action learning in education has been celebrated, challenges in implementation still abound. This action research paper explores the potential for action learning to provide variety to group work and group assignments at Strathmore University, shows how the learner is empowered through action learning and demonstrates the powerful responses by learners as pointing to possibilities for further exploration and implementation; in this way, a few areas requiring further research within the University are identified.
Challenging the rulers: a leadership model for good governance
(East African Educational Publishers Ltd, ) Mwiandi, Mary
One of the fundamental principles of effective leadership has remained the same for generations simply because leadership touches on human relations. What often changes are the tactics that leaders employ to get things done depending on the needs. Therefore, as we look at leadership that is effective in this century, we are not in any way re-inventing the wheel. Domesticating past leadership styles to suit current realities is the way to begin. Not all styles of leadership are effective in the same sense. It was fine long ago to embrace leaders who used command or who employed what is known as the boss syndrome. This kind of leadership, although used in some quarters, has proved to be less effective in the present world. The “do as I say” leader will face a reasonable amount of resistance. Times have changed and so should the style of leadership. The command leadership style of yesteryear simply cannot bear results in a world that is more liberal. Commanders, even in the military, have learned there are better ways to achieve results with followers in today’s world. Leadership has been studied through three theoretical frameworks at different points in time. First, in the 1930 and early 1940s, most scholars based their research and writings on trait theories. The emphasis of these theories was that individual characteristics of leaders are different from those of the non-leaders. The premise of this school was that leaders were born, not made. Such leaders were the so called “big men” whose names sometimes would not be mentioned in public. Realising that the traits alone cannot capture the qualities and the achievements of some leaders, leadership studies came to include aspects of special behaviours that make leaders stand out. Scholars in the 1940s and the 1950s examined who and what leaders are based, on behavioural theories. The premise of these theories is that behaviours of effective leaders are different from those of ineffective leaders. The leadership styles during this period and which spilled into the 1960s were “people-focused” or “result-focused”. The whole idea was that leaders were judged based on what they were able to achieve and what they did while in office. It did not really matter whether or not they were “born leaders”. A leader could become effective through training and development. 96 Challenging the Rulers: A Leadership Model for Good Governance The 1960s and the early 1970s saw the emergence of a new type of leader whose leadership could not effectively be explained by the earlier theories. Thus, new studies began to view leadership through the lense of situational or contingency theories. The premise of these theories is that unique factors or particular situations determined whether a specific leader was effective or not. In this respect, situational factors interacted with the leader’s traits and behaviour to influence leadership effectiveness, generally producing what is widely known as charismatic leaders. These are leaders who are usually admired by their followers because of the energies and enthusiasm they bring into the scene. Their followers show near total dedication and unquestioning loyalty. More studies later revealed that there are leaders whose leadership practices transcend the theories above. Some scholars in the 1980s and 1990s saw leadership as skills-based. Here the emphasis is on what effective leaders do, based on the skills acquired. This kind of leadership was highlighted by the transformative theories which tend to investigate what transactions of traits, behaviours and situations allow certain people to transform for excellence. In the 21st century, the emphasis shifted to visionary leadership. The idea of visionary leadership is synonymous with marshalling people behind a compelling vision of a better future. In this situation, the interest is in what is required to inspire, unite and mobilise the masses. Finally, there are alternative leadership theories which examine other types of leadership which do not quite fit into the categories above. These include servant leadership, authentic leadership and collective leadership. For this chapter, we shall examine servant leadership. Servant leadership reflects a philosophy that leaders should be servants first. It suggests that leaders must place the needs of their followers ahead of their own interests in order to be effective. Servant leadership begins from the natural feeling that one really wants to serve. That one naturally wants to help others is then followed by a conscious choice to aspire to lead. Servant leadership is characterised by the following attributes: empathy, stewardship, listening, awareness, persuasion and foresight, commitment to the personal, professional and spiritual growth of the followers. Servant leadership is about moving individuals and communities at large to a higher level of progress.
Competence and critical success factor development as an avenue for achieving sustainable micro and small enterprises in Africa
Katwalo, Allan Mulengani
This paper explores the case for defining the critical success factors (CSFs) that are necessary for the growth of the micro and small enterprises in East Africa. The paper reviews some literature on identification and development of competencies and CSFs. The paper uses two case studies to argue that CSFs should be framed more explicitly within the micro small enterprise (MSE) planning process. The paper highlights some of the CSFs that appear to hold the key to successful growth and development of MSEs using two cases from Kenya. The paper concludes by showing the need for further research to more clearly identify and define the CSFs which MSEs in the region need to fully articulate and manage in order to succeed and grow.
Coping with global environmental change, disasters and security : threats, challenges, vulnerabilities and risks
(Springer, ) Mbote, Patricia Kameri; Günter , Hans Brauch; Oswald , Spring Úrsula; Mesjasz, Czeslaw; Grin, John; Chourou, Béchir; Dunay, Pál; Birkmann, Jörn
Curriculum Vitae
(Izael Pereira Da Silva, 2015) Da Silva, Izael Pereira; Da Silva, Izael

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