County Government Research Articles

Talent Management Strategies and Service Delivery in County Governments in Kenya

A proactive human resource management (HRM) system in public sector organizations is critical for effective public service delivery. However, sub-national(county) governments (SNGs) in Kenya faced significant challenges in acquiring and retaining talented staff because of a labour supply and demand mismatch. Based on the challenge, the study evaluated the nature of the talent management strategies and their influence on service delivery in sub-national governments in Kenya. The study utilized the descriptive design and critically examined the HRM structures by sampling 140 respondents (47 county secretaries, 47 county directors of HRM and 46 municipality managers from municipalities based at the county headquarters of 46 counties) through interviews and questionnaires. The respondents were chosen based on their functional human resource management roles in the counties. The research instrument was validated through a panel review and piloted in three counties. The qualitative reports support the establishment and strengthening of county HR structure and systems, building staff capacity through training, and adopting talent management policies and practices to reduce staff turnover. This process would optimize staff competencies in sustaining service provisions at the county level. The correlation analysis indicated that service delivery positively correlated with talent management strategies (r = 0.6731, p< 0.05) at 0.05 significance levels, while the regression analysis revealed that talent management strategies explain about 45.30 % variance in service delivery with an effect size (β1 = 0.6210 (t = 10.6, p < 0.05). Based on the findings, the study concluded that talent management strategies are crucial to improving service delivery in Kenya's sub-national(county) governments. The study recommends proactive planning and adequately structuring the county's workforce based on knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics. The study suggests that county governance structures should integrate and concretize the HRM initiatives geared towards talent management

Assessing the Role of the Roman Catholic Church in the Education and Socio-Economic Development of Meru County, Kenya

The success and development of each nation are based on the tenets which are cherished by its populace. This is partly expressed in the way they subscribe to their religious and socio-cultural values, which in turn promote social economic development. This article examined the role of the Roman Catholic Church in fostering the well-being of people in Meru County in Kenya. The research was guided by the following question: What role has the Roman Catholic Church played in the social economic development of the people in Meru County? Two theories, namely the Hybrid Quasi Theory and the Complementary Theory were employed to contextualize the research findings. The purposive sampling technique was utilized to select thirty participants who participated in the study. Questionnaires containing both open and closed-ended items were administered to the clergy from the thirty sampled parishes of the Roman Catholic Church in Meru County. The findings revealed that the church has partnered with the national and county governments to transform the Ameru people’s lives. This study highlighted the need for both the government and non-governmental development agencies to frequently consult with the church in advancing development. This study will benefit the people of Meru, the Roman Catholic Church and other churches, academicians and in particular scholars of religion and persons in social and economic positions of decisive influence. The study further creates an awareness to the ordinary populace of Meru County that the church not only enhances their spiritual well-being but also acts as an agent of social, economic and political development. Keywords: Religion, Development, Socio-Economic Development, Parish, The Roman Catholic Church.

Modern contraceptive prevalence and its predictors among non-refugee and refugee Somali women in Nairobi city, Kenya; a comparative view.

This study sought to determine the prevalence and predictors of modern contraceptive use among non-refugee and refugee Somali women in Nairobi City, Kenya. The analysis was based on 976 currently married Somali women aged 15-39 years (non-refugees; 523, refugees; 415) who were interviewed in a 2021 household survey conducted in Kamukunji, Embakasi, and Ruaraka sub-counties of Nairobi City. The analysis was stratified by refugee status and multivariable logistic regression were run to determine predictors of modern contraceptive use in each group. The prevalence of modern contraceptives was 34% for the total sample and 43% and 24% for non-refugees and refugees, respectively. The main methods of contraception among non-refugees were injectables, implants, and daily pills, while refugees mainly used male condoms, implants, and injectables. Stratified multivariable analysis showed that residence in formal vs. informal settlements was associated with significantly higher odds of modern contraceptive use among non-refugees but significantly lower odds among refugees, after controlling for other factors. Interaction terms confirmed that the strength of the associations of these variables with the odds of modern contraceptive use varied significantly by refugee status. Use of modern methods of contraception was lower among non-refugee and refugee Somali women compared to the national average and refugee status moderated the association of some predictor variables with the odds of modern contraceptive use. To increase use of modern contraceptives in urban areas, it is recommended that the Ministry of Health, refugee agencies, and county governments engage with the Somali community and implement appropriate interventions to empower refugee women economically and promote their access to and use of voluntary contraception services as soon as they settle in urban areas.

Critical Success Factors for Deployment of Primary Health Care Networks and their Impact in Kenya

The Government of Kenya through the Bottom-up Economic Transformational Agenda (BETA) acknowledges Primary Health Care (PHC) as a cost-effective and efficient means to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The aim is to enhance equitable access to high-quality and affordable healthcare for all Kenyan citizens. Primary Health Care Networks (PCNs) are gaining traction as the main mode of achieving PHC in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, and Kenya is no exception. In Kenya, PCNs approach seeks to empower local communities at subcounty level through mobilizing resources and strengthening their decision-making authority to address context specific healthcare needs. The investment in PCNs is geared towards advancing equitable access to quality healthcare at the community level, mitigating fragmentation of health care services, strengthening preventive and promotive healthcare hence creating a more resilient and efficient healthcare system. The Ministry of Health in Kenya, in collaboration with County Governments and Development partners, initiated a Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) to deploy PCNs across the country in August, 2023. The goal was to establish 315 Primary Health Care Networks (PCN) across the 47 counties in Kenya. This was preceded by a Pilot phase in 3 Counties (Kisumu, Garissa, and Kwale) which was conducted in 2021. The pilot phase informed cost-effective approaches for the deployment and critical success factors for scale-up of PCNs countrywide. The nationwide deployment of PCNs followed a 10-step process of establishing PCNs as stipulated in Kenya PHC Guidelines. Data on experiences, progress in implementation and lessons learnt was abstracted from grey literature including reports from PCN establishment at County level, Stakeholder meetings through Accelerator and Sustainability taskforce and data from PCN observatory. The average time taken to establish a PCN was 3 weeks and costed approximately USD 34,000 for its full establishment. As at 20th December, 2023 (within 4 months of initiating the RRI), of the target of 315 PCNs, 93(30%) PCNs were fully established, 27(9%) PCNs were in progress and 195(62%) yet to start. Out of the 47 counties, 37(79%) counties have at least a fully established PCN, 4 Counties are in the process of establishing the first PCN and 6 are awaiting partner readiness. The eight main critical success factors for successful establishment included: County ownership and commitment, availability of Key Policy guidelines and strategies for reference, funding from development partners and donors, leveraging on existing National and County governance structures, multisectoral collaborations and partnerships, tracking of PCN establishment through National PCN observatory and Community engagement. Key process enablers to successful role out included: Meaningful engagement of development and implementing partners, Execution through County trained TOTs, Community engagement through Community Health Workforce and support from National Government. Over time, the Established PCNs in 3 pilot counties have demonstrated significant reduction in facility based maternal mortality, increased access to NCD screening services, coordinated health care workers through MDTs and improved forward and backward referrals. Additionally, incorporated innovation models within PCNs have improved access to medical supplies and specialized healthcare services at level 2 and 3 facilities. To achieve successful scale up of PCNs and sustainability for impact it is critical to contextualize PCNs to the County needs, establish sustainable primary health care financing mechanism for PCN activities, Strengthen PCN governance structures and utilise PCN observatory to continuously track PCN performance measurements and decision making. Adoption of a unified focus on PCN performance improvement including one PCN strategy, one action plan on how to optimally implement PCNs and one monitoring framework is critical. If implemented successfully, PCNs will contribute to long term social return on investments and improved health indicators for the Country

Human Activities and Urban Green Spaces of Slum-Dwelling Areas : A Case of Dandora Estates, Nairobi County

Rapid urbanization, coupled with population influx in many developing countries worldwide, is a prominent cause of the depletion of urban green spaces (UGS). These beautiful, green, and tranquil areas within urban forms are being depleted due to increased human interference in cities and urban areas globally. This paper examines the implications of various human activities that dominate the urban green spaces of Dandora by engaging with household heads and those found undertaking activities within the UGS. The results indicate that residents' participation in social and economic activities had a positive correlation (0.18 and 0.304, respectively) with the negative effects on UGS, while residents' participation in environmental activities had a negative correlation (-0.502) with the latter. The findings establish that the primary positive effect resulting from human activities practiced in the UGS in Dandora was increased UGS users who increased utility and made use of these spaces. Some of the recommendations include: the county government should reclaim and rehabilitate any open space that may have been encroached upon to facilitate other unplanned and haphazard developments. This move will tend to increase the green space size as they originally were, making them more functional, usable, and accessible to the public. The Ministry of Land needs to invest in a centralized land information system and Geographic Information System as a tool in innovative land use planning to reduce encroachments. There is a dire need for architects, engineers, and environmentalists within the country to advise and educate real estate developers on the importance of biophilic design to the contemporary urban form.

Innovation driver and county air pollution: cost-benefit analysis perspective.

Innovation is the first power to drive the county's green and low-carbon. It is crucial to explore the impact of innovation on air pollution from the perspective of counties at the bottom of the administrative division hierarchy. The article is aimed at exploring the direct impact effects, spatial spillover effects, impact mechanism pathways, non-linear relationships, and cost-benefits of innovation drive on air pollution in counties. To this end, based on the collection of county-level data from 2007 to 2020 in mainland China, the article constructs a fixed-effects model, a dynamic panel model, and a spatial Durbin model for analysis. For every 1% increase in the quantity of innovation, the county SO2 emission concentration decreases by 0.2% on average; for every 1% increase in the quality of innovation, the county SO2 emission concentration decreases by 0.3% on average. When the county innovation quantity driver increases by one standard deviation, the county SO2 concentration decreases by an average of 0.29%; when the county innovation quality driver each standard deviation increases, the county SO2 concentration is reduced by 0.33% on average. The significant entry of high-end factors, the increased frequency of regulation by the environmental protection department, and the increasing efficiency of energy use are the important mechanism pathways for innovation-driven reduction of air pollution in counties. There is no significant "(inverted) U-shaped" relationship between innovation-driven air pollution in the county samples. There is a negative spatial spillover effect of the innovation quality drive on air pollution control in all Chinese county samples. Innovation to drive the declining size of the county's sulfur dioxide can bring about one billion yuan (about 139.81 million U.S. dollars) in comprehensive economic benefits. In the coming period, county governments should build a new pattern of "blue sky and white clouds" with neighboring regions in terms of spatial agglomeration of high-end elements, green transformation and utilization of energy, and intelligent monitoring and supervision of pollution.

Strategic Human Resource Planning and Service Delivery in County Governments in Kenya

Strategic human resource management in public sector organizations enables governance arrangements that promote efficient service delivery. However, service delivery in county governments in Kenya gets stymied by both human resource and funding constraints. Due to contextual gaps in the strategic human resource management practises in county governments in Kenya, the study evaluated the role played by strategic human resource planning on service delivery in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive design and systematically examined the HRM practises by sampling 140 respondents (47 county secretaries, 47 county directors of HRM and 46 municipality managers from municipalities based at the county headquarters of 46 counties) through interviews and questionnaires. The respondents were selected based on their operational and functional human resource management roles in various units in the 47 counties. The research instrument was validated through a review by a panel of supervisors and a pilot testing exercise. The qualitative reports indicated that the county governments can attract qualified and competent persons with critical skill sets to match the various job descriptions and optimally sustain service provisions at the county level. The correlation analysis indicated that service delivery positively correlated with strategic HR planning practises (r = 0.6510, p< 0.05) at 0.05 significance levels, while the regression analysis indicated that strategic HR planning practises explains about 41.61 % variance in service delivery with an effect size (β1 = 0.6451 (t = 8.97, p< 0.05). Based on the findings, the study concludes that strategic human resource planning practises hold a positive and significant potential impact on service delivery in county governments in Kenya. The study recommends proactive planning and proper structuring of the county workforce based on knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics

Analysis on spatio-temporal evolution and influencing factors of ecosystem service in the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan urban agglomeration, China

Introduction: It is of great significance to strengthen the evaluation research and driving force analysis of ecosystem services value for the rational utilization and protection of the ecological environment of Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan (CZT) urban agglomeration and the promotion of the integration of urban agglomeration.Methods: Based on the remote sensing image data, the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics and influencing factors of the ecosystem services value of CZT urban agglomeration were analyzed by the methods of ArcGIS10.2, Geoda, value equivalent and spatial statistics.Results: The results showed that: 1) From 2000 to 2020, the total value of ecosystem service in the CZT urban agglomeration decreased gradually, with an overall decrease of 4,381.07 × 106 yuan. In the past 20 years, the ecosystem service Value (ESV) of cultivated land, forest land and grassland had declined, but the ESV of water area and unused land had fluctuated, and the single ESV had declined. 2) From 2000 to 2020, the spatial distribution of ESV in the CZT urban agglomeration showed an obvious pattern of “low in the middle and high in the surrounding areas”, and the changes were quite different in different periods. 3) The spatial correlation between ESV and distance from county government, distance from railway, proportion of construction land, NDVI, population density, economic density, slope and precipitation were significant. The spatial distribution of the distance from the county government, the distance from the railway, NDVI and ESV were similar; the population density and economic density were consistent with the spatial distribution of ESV; and the spatial distribution of construction land proportion, slope, precipitation and ESV were different.Discussion: The results of the study can provide some reference for the further development of ecological protection policies and related planning in urban agglomerations.

Influence of Administration of Incentive Programs on Employees’ Job Performance at Kenya Seed Company, Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya

With the devolution of government services, the realignment of staff and resources will follow the meeting of the objectives of the devolution process. It should be noted that human resources play a critical role in the functioning of both national and county governments. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of the administration of incentive programs on employees' job performance at Kenya Seed Company, Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya. This study was guided by Hertzberg's Two-factor Theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design with a target population of 7,300 public service employees. A stratified random sampling technique was utilized with a sample size of 325 respondents determined using Krejcie & Morgan table. The study used structured questionnaires and interview guides as the main data collection tools. The supervisors validated the instruments. The reliability of the instrument was determined through a pilot study. Thereafter, Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.79 was obtained from the instrument. This indicated that the instrument was reliable. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in tables, while qualitative data were analyzed according to the themes based on research questions and the objectives and thereafter, inferences and conclusions were drawn. The study concluded that the administration of incentive programs such as recognition as a non-monetary reward, training and development strategies, job engagements, and job enrichment influence employees' job performance at Kenya Seed Company. It was recommended that the policymakers and community should consider the administration of incentive programs such as recognition as a non-monetary reward, training and development strategies, job engagements and job enrichment when working towards improving employees’ job performance at Kenya Seed Company, Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya.

Influence of Supply Chain Integration Practices on Operation Performance at Trans-Nzoia County Government Treasury, Kenya

Supply chain integration practices are considered a powerful weapon to gain competitive advantages and linking performance measurement systems to supply chain integration practices can lead to increased success of supply chain initiatives. This study sought to analyze the influence of supply chain integration practices on operation performance at Trans-Nzoia County Government Treasury, Kenya. Porter's Value Chain Theory and Systems Theory guided the study. This study employed a descriptive research design. Data collection involved a diverse group of participants, totalling 1207 individuals, from which a sample size of 121 respondents was determined. Descriptive data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 28, enabling the examination of both quantitative and qualitative information through coding. The research instrument, a five-point Likert scale questionnaire, demonstrated high reliability through its internal consistency, with a Cronbach's Alpha correlation coefficient exceeding 0.7. To assess the data both descriptively and inferentially, statistical techniques, including means, standard deviations, Pearson's correlation, and regression analysis, were employed. The findings highlighted the significant impact of supply chain integration practices, encompassing efficient consumer response practices, customer relationship management practices, vendor-managed inventory practices, and enterprise resource planning practices on operation performance at Trans-Nzoia County Government Treasury. The regression analysis revealed that when considered together, these practices explained 73.4% of the variance in operation performance. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between these supply chain integration practices and operation performance. Based on these insightful findings, the study recommended a more substantial incorporation of supply chain integration practices, particularly in efficient consumer response practices, customer relationship management practices, vendor-managed inventory practices, and enterprise resource planning practices. These implications held value for various stakeholders, including policymakers, government entities, researchers, and academics. By providing actionable insights, this research facilitated informed decision-making, ultimately contributing to the enhanced operation performance at Trans-Nzoia County Government Treasury, Kenya.

Sustainable Wildlife Tourism Management and Influence of Levels of Community Engagement: A Study of Wildlife Conservancies in Kajiado County, Kenya

Wildlife is a significant driver of tourism, and in conservancies, the relationship between community engagement and sustainable wildlife tourism management is crucial for balancing biodiversity conservation with the socioeconomic benefits of tourism. This study investigated how levels of community engagement (directive, consultative, and participative) influence sustainable wildlife tourism management in Kajiado County, Kenya, and to identify barriers to effective community involvement. Qualitative data were gathered through interviews with 1 representative each from county and national governments as well as the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association. Quantitative data were collected via paper-based, closed-ended survey questionnaires administered to 29 conservancy managers and 29 community leaders. A purposive sampling technique was used to select all respondents. The qualitative data were analyzed thematically, while the quantitative data were subjected to descriptive and inferential analysis. This study was grounded on the Community-Based Natural Resource Management Theory and the Stakeholder Theory. The results revealed limited community involvement in decision-making regarding wildlife tourism management, with directive and consultative forms of engagement being more common than participative approaches. Directive and consultative engagement, which either exclude community input or limit it to advisory roles without decision-making power, were found to hinder meaningful community participation in sustainable wildlife tourism management. In contrast, participative engagement, where communities actively contribute to decisions, proved more effective in promoting biodiversity conservation, reducing human-wildlife conflicts, and enhancing the wellbeing of local communities. The study recommends enforcing legislation for community inclusion in wildlife tourism and conservation decisions by national and county governments, prioritizing local participation in tourism related decisions by wildlife conservancies in Kajiado, strengthening community engagement policies through advocacy by the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association, and investing in capacity-building initiatives for effective community engagement.

Orientation Training and Performance of Employees in Select County Governments in Nyanza Region in Kenya as Moderated by Knowledge Sharing

County governments in Kenya were constitutionalized in 2010 to ensure resources and services were devolved. However, employee performance in the Nyanza region has been declining despite high investment in orientation and training programs. The purpose of this study was to establish the moderating effect of knowledge sharing on the relationship between orientation training and the performance of employees in Kisii, Migori, Siaya, Homa Bay, and Nyamira County Governments. The study was grounded in human capital theory. A correlation research design was utilized, targeting 389 employees from selected county governments in the Nyanza region. A sample of 199 respondents was selected using a stratified sampling method. Structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the data analysis, while hierarchical multiple linear regression was used to test the moderating effect of knowledge sharing on the relationship between orientation and mentorship training and employee performance in county governments. The results showed that orientation training through induction, benchmarking practices, job rotation, and role and duties awareness played crucial roles in improving employees’ performance in the county governments. Hence, orientation had a positive, significant relationship with employee performance. Additionally, there was a moderating effect of knowledge sharing on the relationship between orientation and employee performance (P=0.000<0.05). Knowledge management contributed to a 3.2% improvement in the relationship between orientation and employee performance (R Square Change =0.032). The study concludes that knowledge-sharing orientation training had a moderating effect on the relationship between orientation and employee performance. The study recommends that county governments enhance orientation training programs for employee development, optimize professional development, develop comprehensive employee orientation programs, and strengthen personal development by investing in knowledge-sharing resources.

Effect of Idealised Influence Dimension on Organizational Performance of the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB) Counties: The Moderating Role of Innovation

Following the promulgation of the new constitution in Kenya in 2013, county governments were established, and since then, they have faced various performance challenges. This study aimed to explore the impact of idealized influence on county government performance within the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB). Guided by transformational leadership theory and supported by strategic leadership, resource-based view, and stakeholder theories, the study employed a pragmatic philosophy and descriptive research design. A sample of 289 respondents was selected through stratified random sampling from a target population of 408. The research utilized a pilot study to ensure the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were applied to analyze the data. The study's findings revealed that idealized influence had a significant and positive effect on county government performance. This suggests that leaders, who exhibit idealized influence, by acting as role models and inspiring their teams, can substantially enhance performance outcomes. Innovation did not significantly impact the results in this study; it remains an important aspect of organizational growth. County governments should continue to foster innovative practices but should also monitor and evaluate their impact more closely to ensure alignment with overall performance objectives. Adjustments or new approaches to innovation may be necessary to better support leadership effectiveness and organizational outcomes of county governments.

Human Capital and Performance of Kisii and Kakamega County Governments in Kenya

Decentralization in Kenya aimed to reduce bureaucratic delays and improve service delivery by transferring power to sub-national governments. Yet, governance challenges persist mainly due to unqualified staff, nepotism, cronyism, among others. The Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis found 32% of county governments staff lack the required qualifications for their roles, leading to inefficiencies and service delivery gaps. Despite these concerns, no empirical research has explored the influence of human capital on the performance of Kisii and Kakamega county governments. This study addresses this gap by assessing the effect of human capital on performance of Kisii and Kakamega counties in Kenya. The study adopts a positivism research philosophy and a cross-sectional survey research design. The target population comprised of Chief officers, Directors and Assistant Director at various ministries, sub-county administrators and Members of County Assembly (N=325). To arrive at a statistically sound sample size, the study adopted the Yamane (1967) formula for sample size determination, which gives a sample size of 136 for Kakamega County and 92 for Kisii County (n=228). Given that the study is quantitative in nature, it adopts structured questionnaires in data collection, which were distributed using online platform (Google Forms). In data analysis, Stata version 17 was used to compute descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation and univariate linear regression). Data was presented in prose form and visualized using tables and figures. Findings from the test of hypothesis using simple linear regression indicate that human capital has a statistically significant effect on performance (p<.05). Results revealed that human capital has a moderate positive association with performance, 𝑟 (191) =0.486, 𝑝<.05. It is recommended that the County Governments of Kisii and Kakamega should improve human capital by implementing performance contracting, eliminating political patronage, and investing in innovation infrastructure. Additionally, county governments should develop well-documented SOPs, ensure regular employee training, and embrace public participation to align policies with citizens’ needs.

Effects of Resources Availability on the Capacity to Conduct Social Accountability in Health Community Based Organizations in Kajiado County

The general objective of the study was to establish the effects of resource availability on the capacity to conduct social accountability among community-based organizations (CBOs)in Kenya with a specific focus on health-related CBOs in Kajiado County. The study was triggered by the fact that since devolution in Kenya, pressure has been put on local CBOs to engage with county leadership and hold them accountable to communities they serve. As a result of this, local communities, development partners and the county governments have put a lot of expectations on the CBOs. This has been more pronounced in sectors such as healthcare, which were fully devolved under the current constitutional dispensation. Despite this expectation, there is a dearth of information on whether the CBOs have lived to this expectation and whether they have the capacity to support social accountability initiatives. This study will be useful to development partners, county governments and donors in providing insights on key areas they need to focus their attention on in order to support the local CBOs to play their important role in promoting social accountability. In order to achieve the stated objectives, the study employed a descriptive research study design, and targeted a population comprising of the Twenty-eight CBOs implementing health related interventions in Kajiado County. The study primarily made use of the primary data which was collected using a structured questionnaire. The data was grouped, organized and categorized according to specific objectives and research questions. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics (frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics including correlation and regression. A multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the data and establish the relationship between independent and dependent variables. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 was used for analysis, and data was presented using tables. The study results indicate that there is a strong and positive correlation between availability of resources (r=0.567) and capacity to conduct social accountability in health community-based organisations. Increase in the availability of resources at the disposal of CBOs increase their capacity to conduct social accountability. The way in which CBOs addresses the issue of resource availability determines their capacity to conduct social accountability. The study concluded that improved availability of resources for health CBOs enhances their capacity to conduct social accountability. Future studies should replicate this study in other counties in Kenya to unearth the status of social accountability in community-based organizations.

Community Based Saccos and Poverty Alleviation in Rural Kenya: A Case Study of Lainisha Sacco, Mwea Sub-County Kirinyaga County

The role played by community based Saccos towards poverty alleviation cannot be ignored. Nevertheless, empirical evidence across the globe have largely paid attention on Saccos in general and not community based. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the role that community based Saccos play in poverty alleviation in rural Kenya, focusing on Mwea sub-county, in the larger Kirinyaga County. Specifically, the study examined the role of community based saccos in poverty alleviation in rural Kenya on saving mobilization, loans accessed, training offered and employment generated that Saccos play in alleviating poverty. The study adopted descriptive design and targeted a total of 1,674 Lainisha Sacco members. Sample of 322 members was obtained from four locations in Mwea Sub-County (Kangai, Mutithi, Nguka and Kimbimbi) using stratified sampling technique. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed with the aid of statistical package for social sciences version 26. Findings indicate that loan conditionalities, savings mobilization, capacity building and employment generated by Lainisha Sacco has a positive effect on poverty alleviation in Mwea sub-county. The study concludes that Lainisha Sacco which is a community-based, plays a critical role towards poverty alleviation. The study recommends that National, county governments and the civil society should sensitize local communities on the importance of the community-based Saccos and the need to join them. In addition, these community based Saccos should be up scaled especially in all the rural communities of Kenya.

Quantifying the Impact of Technology Utilization on Schedule and Cost Performance in Development Projects Funded by County Governments in the Coast Region of Kenya  <br>

Quantifying the Impact of Technology Utilization on Schedule and Cost Performance in Development Projects Funded by County Governments in the Coast Region of Kenya  <br>

Instructional Strategies and Challenges Faced by Teachers in Promoting Inclusive Learning for Learners with Hearing Impairments at Oriang’ Inclusive Primary School, Homa-Bay County, Kenya

Instructional strategies are key to the academic success of any education system. Diverse classrooms require diverse teaching methods that are responsive to the needs and abilities of all the learners. This study purposed to investigate the instructional strategies of teaching and learning used for the learners with hearing impairments and challenges faced by the teachers in inclusive classrooms. The study was conducted at Oriang’ Inclusive Primary School in Homa-bay County, Kenya. Ecological Systems Theory by Bronfenbrenner model (1989) was used. The study targeted all the 17 teachers and 620 learners. Purposive sampling technique was used to draw a sample of 26 respondents comprising the Head Teacher, 13 inclusive classroom teachers and 12 learners. Data collection instruments comprised a semi-structured interview guide and focus group discussion guide. NVivo software was used for analysis that involved systematic coding and organisation of data to identify recurring themes. The findings established that teaching and learning resources must be available to enable diversified instructional methods in inclusive classrooms that include learners with hearing impairments. Challenges included teachers lacking training in inclusive education, large class sizes and limited lesson duration that is not enough to attend to all the learners. The study recommends that the government, through the Ministry of Education, should allocate more funds to inclusive primary schools for the purchase of adequate teaching and learning resources to support the effective inclusion of LHIs and the County Governments should allocate funds for the construction of additional classes in inclusive primary schools to help in decongesting the classes.

Factors influencing implementation of the integrated financial management information system for managing public finances

With increasing technological advancement in contemporary society, various systems have been developed to improve public fund management. Several public entities have adopted the well-liked integrated financial management information system (IFMIS) for managing their finances. The current study aimed to identify factors influencing the implementation of the IFMIS. This case study on the County Government of Migori involved 255 employees. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify the most significant factors that influence the implementation of IFMIS. The factors were categorized into technological, organisational, environmental, cultural, and ethical. From the analysis, training and dependency on experts were significant technological factors. For the organizational factors, the three key influencers were observed to be creating an organizational culture that dictates how the county operates, developing an organizational culture that supports technology and use in various departments, and having the ability to use it in record management, such as classification and storage. For environmental factors, the most crucial influencer was the efficiency of IFMIS systems. On cultural and ethical factors, this study revealed that importance is the ability to distinguish motivation from corruption, support openness and accountability in implementation, and put in place a formal organizational evaluation of culture. By understanding the importance of these factors, policymakers and administrators in the Migori County Government can prioritize resources and efforts towards addressing these key areas.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS INFLUENCING FOOD CROPS DIVERSIFICATION AMONG SMALLHOLDER SUGARCANE FARMERS IN MUMIAS EAST SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

Crop diversification is a predominantly important coping mechanism for agriculture's income, production and marketing risks. It is a key strategy for mitigating food insecurity among smallscale farmers in Kenya. It enables them to spread production and income risk, reducing livelihood vulnerability to weather or market shocks. Crop diversification among sugarcane farmers has been on the rise over time due to risks associated with sugarcane production and marketing and declining sugarcane productivity. Consequently, this has led to impaired sugarcane farmer households’ goals of improving food, income and nutrition security. Therefore, the objectives of the study was to determine the socio-economic factors affecting food crop diversification among smallholder sugarcane farmers in Mumias East Sub County. The study was guided by Random Utility Maximization (RUM) theory and descriptive and cross-sectional research designs were adopted. Multistage sampling whereby purposive, stratified and simple random sampling techniques were employed in the study to select 155 farmers from a target population of 11,885 smallholder sugarcane farmer households. A questionnaire was used to collect data and data was analysed multivariate regression model with the help of STATA version 16 software. The analysed data was presented in the form of tables, bar charts and graphs. Descriptive results revealed that the mean age and farming experience of the farmers was 55.72 and 22.76 years respectively and owned on average 4.33 hectares of land. Multivariate linear regression results indicated that age, household income level, education level, land size and household size were all statistically significant and had an influence on food crop diversification among smallholder sugarcane farmers. Binary logistic regression results indicated that a unit increase in age, level of education, land size, membership to a farmers’ group and market price positively influenced farmer participation in diversified cropping system by 117%, 81.7%, 745.5%, 228.2% and 117.3% respectively. Therefore, from the results of this study, relevant stakeholders, county and national governments should come up with an agricultural policy that supports the shift from non-diversification to crop diversification through the development of guaranteed access and subsidies to farm inputs resources that will help boost farm production among smallholder sugarcane farmer households. This will help to solve the issues of food insecurity and also help farmers to realize high-profit margins from their farm output.