MPPM Thesis and Dissertations (2024)

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Factors influencing adoption of purchased livestock feeds by pastoralists in arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Waimiri, A. M. G.
Pastoral production is important in the attainment of food security, nutrition, and incomes for the economy and vulnerable pastoral communities. The adverse effects of climate change are increasingly becoming a challenge for livestock production in arid and semi-arid lands where pastoral households mainly depend on depleting natural pasture. This calls for adoption of purchased livestock feeds as a complementary or substitute option to cope with recurrent drought and pasture scarcity. The study was undertaken in the Arid and Semi-Arid regions of Marsabit, Kajiado, Wajir, Isiolo and Garissa counties. The study's main objective was to assess the factors influencing adoption of purchased livestock feed practices by pastoralists with regards to female headed households, common interest groups and household income. Multistage sampling technique was employed to collect quantitative data from 1053 pastoralists households stratified from five selected counties. Data was collected through an administered questionnaire and analyzed using the Multivariate Probit Model. Female household headed pastoralists were found to have a positive influence on the adoption of dry maize stover and green maize stover indicating decision making on livestock feed practices among female headed households. Membership in common interest groups was also found to have a positive influence in the adoption of hay/straw, dry maize stover and minerals highlighting the importance of collective action. Household income was found to be positive and significant for dry maize stover indicating that reduced incomes because of drought influenced livestock feed practices. The research contributes to granular data that supports the Agricultural Sector Growth Transformation Strategy in Kenya. It indicates willingness among pastoralists to purchase feeds marking a shift from reliance on natural pastures. The study underscores the need for private sector involvement on backward integration by off takers to promote livestock feed interventions that support female headed households involvement in the feed value chain and promotion of agropastoralism which is practiced by 30 percent of households. It advocates for the use of remote sensing technology to track pastoralist migration and promote public-private partnerships to enhance feed options. Key words: Pastoralists, Multivariate probit, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, Livestock Feeds
Factors influencing E-learning readiness in public primary schools of Nairobi County, Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Karijo, E. K.
Africa is rising in the use of information communication technology (ICT) to accelerate social economic growth and benefit from technological advancements. To harness this digital dividend, many nations have developed policies particularly in the education sector as an enabler of E-learning. Kenya has recognized this potential and through the Digital Literacy Program (DLP), the country aims to integrate technology into the teaching and learning processes. However, public primary schools continue to grapple with low levels of E-learning readiness stemming from insufficient ICT infrastructure and a limited skill base that hinders the effective utilization of technology. This study sought to examine factors influencing E-learning readiness in public primary schools of Nairobi County, Kenya. The research was directed by the following specific objectives: to assess the impact of ICT infrastructure on the readiness for E-learning; to investigate the influence of ICT skills on the readiness for E-learning; to analyze the effect of teaching content on the readiness for E-learning; and to evaluate the influence of administrative support on the readiness for E-learning in public primary schools within Nairobi County. A descriptive research design was adopted with a total of 161 public primary schools in Nairobi County having 6,150 teaching staff formed the target population. Since the study area was within a school setup, the target population focused on the following categories: head of the school, head of departments, and ICT teachers identified through stratified and simple random sampling. To collect primary data, a structured questionnaire was employed, successfully engaging 153 respondents. Analysis of the gathered data indicated that ICT infrastructure plays a crucial role in determining E-learning readiness, significantly enhancing the adoption of E-learning in schools. Additionally, the findings demonstrated that ICT skills, teaching content, and administrative support positively influence E-learning readiness, with statistically significant correlations observed. The study concludes that the level of E-learning readiness among primary schools in Nairobi County remains low. The schools do not have sufficient infrastructure and lack adequate equipment and labs, as well as reliable internet connectivity and power. The low E-learning readiness was also attributable to a lack of adequate training for teachers on ICT skills such as data security and privacy. E-learning content was also a factor. The content was not easily accessible, not easy to use, not relevant and interactive, and was not up to date with the curriculum. Additionally, the study concluded that there was a lack of administrative support and that the schools lacked policies to guide the teachers and staff on the use of ICT for enlightenment and learning. These findings underscore the critical significance of the Technology adoption theory and Engholm’s readiness model, which encompass essential factors for evaluating an organization's E-learning readiness. These factors include organizational culture, individual learner characteristics, technological infrastructure, content quality, and broader organizational and industry-specific elements. The study recommends that sustainable availability and access to E-learning equipment are needed in public primary schools, including reliable internet connectivity, electricity, and ICT labs. The study recommends that teachers be equipped with necessary ICT skills and the government should prioritize updating the teaching and learning curriculum. Regarding administration support, the study recommends that teachers be offered adequate technical support, capacity building, be encouraged to adopt E-learning and the administration should ensure that there are policies that offer teachers guidance and processes on how to use ICT for teaching and learning. Keywords: E-learning readiness, ICT infrastructure, ICT skills, teaching content, administration support.
An Appraisal of Kenya’s business regulatory environment: successes, challenges, and policy options
(Strathmore University, 2024) Oyier, O. A. A.
This study set out to appraise Kenya’s business regulatory environment using the Ease of Doing Business index performance between 2008 to 2020, examining both its successes and challenges while also identifying potential policy options. The specific objectives of the study were: to critically review Kenya’s business regulatory reforms to identify reforms that improved or worsened the business environment as measured by the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Index between 2008- 2020; to identify the key successes and challenges associated with Kenya's business regulatory reform experience; and to draw lessons for business regulatory reforms from Kenya’s experience and from global best practice. The theoretical anchorage of this study was drawn from transaction cost theory, institutional theory and stakeholder theory. These theories were reviewed alongside the public interest theory and enforcement theory. This study adopted the exploratory design and secondary data collection methods were deployed. Content analysis methods were used to identify themes and to develop key episodes informed by the performance in the EoDB index for the study. The purpose of the key episodes or phases was to identify key episodes that had contrasting performances and seek to explain the reasons for the different episodes based on performance and further map the episodes to specific reforms.
Effectiveness of the policy framework for climate change interventions at county government level: case of Makueni County Government, Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Ndirangu, Y. N.
Globally, the glaring and unprecedented effects of climate change and pollution on different environments are of key concern to civil society and regional and state governments worldwide. The devolved units in Kenya face severe capacity and resource gaps, such that climate change continues to rank low on their political agenda. Despite having a recently amended national climate policy, Kenya still struggles to align national strategies with county planning and actions. This study intends to analyze the effectiveness of the policy framework for climate change interventions at the county government level, using the case of the Makueni County government, Kenya. The study objectives are: i) to analyze the extent to which county legal frameworks formulated for climate change interventions have been implemented in Makueni County; ii) to examine the effectiveness of county policy making in implementing climate change interventions in Makueni County; iii) to investigate the level of awareness about climate change interventions among Makueni County residents; and iv) to evaluate differences in funding for climate change interventions in Makueni County. The development of a Theory of Change (ToC) guided the study in designing plausible measures to limit climate change. This research adopted pragmatism as the underpinning philosophy, applying a positivist, quantitative research method approach. The quantitative research method principally assisted in gathering quantitative data to explain the phenomena under study. The target population of the study was the residents of Makueni County. Yamane's (1973) formula was used to reach a sample size of 287 participants consisting of local administrators, county assembly members, county executive, national government representatives, and other environment stakeholders. The data collection tools were structured questionnaires for local administrators, face-to-face interviews with county executive committee members, county assembly members, and other leaders, and focus group discussions with the local administrators. SPSS version 24.0 was used to generate descriptive statistics of the different phenomena and to undertake regression analysis to model the effectiveness of the legal framework on climate change interventions in Makueni County. If effectively implemented, these legal frameworks as formulated should have a strong and positive effect on climate change interventions. The study found that the Makueni County legal framework for climate change interventions had been to a large extent ineffectively implemented. The findings also showed that county policymaking processes have been inadequate although positive strides have begun to be taken. Moreover, while the level of awareness about climate change interventions among local administrators is low to moderate, the level of awareness among county leaders and environmental experts is high in Makueni County. An increased level of awareness about climate change has a significant positive influence on implementation of climate change interventions in Makueni County. Variations in funding towards climate change were most influential in the implementation of climate change interventions in Makueni County. Thus, targeting of increased climate change funding will likely have a significant positive influence on the implementation of climate change interventions in Makueni County. The study concluded that the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) process at Makueni county government is an effective way to climate action. The study recommends that the County Government of Makueni actively and strategically mainstream its legal frameworks related to climate change and align these with the relevant national and international environmental laws in order to create a seamless implementation that will lead to positive climate change interventions at the local level.
Capacity building on enhancing audits for improved financial governance by The Office of the Auditor General in Kenya
(Strathmore University, 2024) Odhiambo, F. O.
Improving management and governance are backbones to nonprofits operations as they ensure the organization has a resilient human capacity that is committed to achieve the objectives of the organization, otherwise referred as capacity building. A failure to manage this resource may cause organization failure. There are two general ways through which any organization whether a government or non-government, can operate and achieve its missions successfully. These are through good governance and wise utilization of resources and then through persistence and reliable determination to achieve their desired results. It has been noted that attention is normally paid by researches on matters of audit quality and reporting, accountability and transparency, good governance, corporate governance, digital transformation and through systematic reviews of literature but none covers the scope of financial governance. This study was conducted to show how capacity building affects audits for better financial governance by the Office of the Auditor General in Kenya. The main objectives were to find out how human capacity building aids, legal capacity building, institutional and infrastructural capacity building that then enhances audits for improved financial governance by the OAG in Kenya. Multiple linear regression analysis model and SPSS version 29.0, data presentation involved the use bar graphs, column graphs, pie charts, line graphs and tables. The study reveals after comprehensive analysis that, various forms of capacity building human, legal, institutional, and infrastructural reveals their collective significance in enhancing audit performance within organizations. Across the board, investing in capacity building initiatives yields notable positive effects on audit performance, as evidenced by statistically significant findings and correlations. The study recommends that, to enhance audit performance and promote effective governance, organizations should prioritize the development and implementation of clear and robust policies that guide audit activities. These policies should encompass all aspects of audit processes, including planning, execution, reporting, and follow-up actions. Furthermore, policies should be regularly reviewed and updated to ensure alignment with changing regulatory requirements and organizational needs. By establishing comprehensive policies, organizations can provide auditors with clear guidance and standards to follow, fostering consistency, reliability, and transparency in audit practices

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