Kenyan Government Research Articles

Backward Vertical Integration Strategies and Competitiveness of Firms in EPZ Kenya

Purpose: The main purpose of the study was to determine the influence of backward vertical integration strategies on the competitiveness of firms in the Export Processing Zones (EPZ), Kenya.
 Methodology: Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used in this study, meaning that both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were employed. Descriptive technique, specifically survey was used in the research design. The target population was all the 137 EPZ firms within Kenya and the sample was drawn from this population. The stratified random sampling technique was used. The EPZ firms are situated within the 74 gazetted zones, out of which 69 are privately owned and operated while 5 are public zones. The quantitative data that was collected was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists. Further, the significance level of each independent variable was tested against the dependent variable at 95% level of confidence using ANOVA, regression and correlation techniques. 
 Findings: The findings showed that backward vertical integration strategies had a positive and significant influence on the competitiveness of firms in EPZ, Kenya, at 0.151, p<0.05 and 0.432, p<0.05 when the moderating variable firm size is included.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This study contributes to both the resource-based view and the theory of dynamic capabilities. It lays emphasis on the importance of resources in attaining competitiveness as suggested in these theories. Besides, the study emphasizes the need for firms to have policies aimed at ensuring raw materials supply stability, lower transaction costs and enhanced economies of scale. The findings of this study are significant because the Government of Kenya envisages that the EPZ program is expected to play a critical role in the manufacturing sector contributing 20% to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030. This will subsequently lead to an increase in employment opportunities, real-value added growth, and foreign direct investment (KNBS, 2022). The study recommends a review by the EPZ Authority in Kenya , of the underlying aim of using backward vertical integration strategies as means of gaining competitive advantage competitiveness and the inclusion of this strategy in the various EPZ firm’s policies and procedures.

Effect of Currency Depreciation on Share Prices of Listed Agricultural Firms in Kenya

This paper sought to assess the effects of currency depreciation on share prices of listed Agricultural firms in Kenya in the recent past 2020- 2023. It adopted a descriptive correlational research design. The target population was all the six Agricultural companies listed at the NSE as of December 2023. Secondary data was collected from the Nairobi Securities Exchange and Central Bank for the period January 2020 and December 2023, data collected took a panel dimension thus a simple regression analysis was done to establish the extent of the relationship between variables. It is evident that the shilling has drastically depreciated against the dollar while stock prices exhibited a price increase. The paper found out that a unit change in exchange rates leads to a change in stock prices by 0.094. This means that stock prices increase by 9.49%. Thus a weak positive relationship between exchange rates and stock prices therefore exchange rates alone cannot be used to explain stock price volatility. This paper findings informs investors, portfolio managers, regulators, listed companies, financial institutions, and other market players. portfolio managers are better when they increase their positions in equity stocks when they forecast a depreciation of the foreign currency and consequently dispose of shares in their portfolio if they predict an appreciation of the foreign currency. Additionally the government of Kenya should also establish measures and policies to enhance the country’s agricultural exports as this will go a long way in improving the performance of its agricultural listed. Finally it recommends further studies on the topic since it considered only two variables; exchange rates and share prices over four years.

Supplier Development Practices and Supply Chain Performance of County Governments in Kenya

Many organizations have realized the significant role suppliers play in determining organizational performance. This study sought to examine the influence of supplier development practices on supply chain performance of County Governments in Kenya. This study employed a descriptive survey research design targeting 112 procurement staff. The study utilized both stratified and simple random techniques. For data collection close ended questionnaires was used. For data analysis descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Descriptive statistics used were mean and standard deviation and Inferential statistics used Pearson correlations and simple linear regression. The study found that supplier development practices had a positive and significant effect on supply chain performance of County Governments in Kenya. The findings extends our knowledge on supplier development practices that can enhance performance. The study recommends for County Governments to develop suppliers through training, supplier financing and innovation so as to enhance performance of supply chain.

Estimating the costs and perceived benefits of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery in ten counties of Kenya: a costing and a contingent valuation study.

Kenya included oral PrEP in the national guidelines as part of combination HIV prevention, and subsequently began providing PrEP to individuals who are at elevated risk of HIV infection in 2017. However, as scale-up continued, there was a recognized gap in knowledge on the cost of delivering oral PrEP. This gap limited the ability of the Government of Kenya to budget for its PrEP scale-up and to evaluate PrEP relative to other HIV prevention strategies. The following study calculated the actual costs of oral PrEP scale-up as it was being delivered in ten counties in Kenya. This costing also allowed for a comparison of various models of service delivery in different geographic regions from the perspective of service providers in Kenya. In addition, the analysis was also conducted to understand factors that indicate why some individuals place a greater value on PrEP than others, using a contingent valuation technique. Data collection was completed between November 2017 and September 2018. Costing data was collected from 44 Kenyan health facilities, consisting of 23 public facilities, 5 private facilities and 16 drop-in centers (DICEs) through a cross-sectional survey in ten counties. Financial and programmatic data were collected from financial and asset records and through interviewer administered questionnaires. The costs associated with PrEP provision were calculated using an ingredients-based costing approach which involved identification and costing of all the economic inputs (both direct and indirect) used in PrEP service delivery. In addition, a contingent valuation study was conducted at the same 44 facilities to understand factors that reveal why some individuals place a greater value on PrEP than others. Interviews were conducted with 2,258 individuals (1,940 current PrEP clients and 318 non-PrEP clients). A contingent valuation method using a "payment card approach" was used to determine the maximum willingness to pay (WTP) of respondents regarding obtaining access to oral PrEP services. The weighted cost of providing PrEP was $253 per person year, ranging from $217 at health centers to $283 at dispensaries. Drop-in centers (DICEs), which served about two-thirds of the client volume at surveyed facilities, had a unit cost of $276. The unit cost was highest for facilities targeting MSM ($355), while it was lowest for those targeting FSW ($248). The unit cost for facilities targeting AGYW was $323 per person year. The largest percentage of costs were attributable to personnel (58.5%), followed by the cost of drugs, which represented 25% of all costs. The median WTP for PrEP was $2 per month (mean was $4.07 per month). This covers only one-third of the monthly cost of the medication (approximately $6 per month) and less than 10% of the full cost of delivering PrEP ($21 per month). A sizable proportion of current clients (27%) were unwilling to pay anything for PrEP. Certain populations put a higher value on PrEP services, including: FSW and MSM, Muslims, individuals with higher education, persons between the ages of 20 and 35, and households with a higher income and expenditures. This is the most recent and comprehensive study on the cost of PrEP delivery in Kenya. These results will be used in determining resource requirements and for resource mobilization to facilitate sustainable PrEP scale-up in Kenya and beyond. This contingent valuation study does have important implications for Kenya's PrEP program. First, it indicates that some populations are more motivated to adopt oral PrEP, as indicated by their higher WTP for the service. MSM and FSW, for example, placed a higher value on PrEP than AGYW. Higher educated individuals, in turn, put a much higher value on PrEP than those with less education (which may also reflect the higher "ability to pay" among those with more education). This suggests that any attempt to increase demand or improve PrEP continuation should consider these differences in client populations. Cost recovery from existing PrEP clients would have potentially negative consequences for uptake and continuation.

Promoting Kenya’s National Interests through Strategic Communication: Challenges and Opportunities

Purpose: Throughout history, nations have sought to protect, promote and advance their national interests. Countries use various elements and instruments of national power in pursuit of those national interest. These includes military, diplomatic, economic and information. Like other nations, Kenya employs these instruments in various ways. Strategic communications, forms a key element of the information aspect of national power. Despite the importance of strategic communications in the pursuit of national interests, this paradigm has not been fully acknowledged nor been substantially leveraged on. This study therefore had the key objectives of determining the role of strategic communications in selected case studies in promotion of national interests, examining the role of strategic communications in promoting Kenya’s national interests and identifying opportunities and challenges of strategic communications in promoting national interests.
 Methodology: This study adopted a pragmatic research methodology. Both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were adopted. The qualitative research offered the usual narrative information collected through interviews. While information acquired through questionnaires and interviews offered quantitative data necessary data on the role of strategic communication in promoting Kenya’s national interests. Being a cross-sectional research study, the researcher used interviews for gathering data, and questionnaires for data collection. This study used purposeful sampling to choose 86 respondents in ‘Job Group’ ‘P’ and above from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Internal Security and National Administration and the Ministry of Information Communication Technology and Digital Economy based in Nairobi. The quantitative data gathered from the questionnaires was coded, edited, organized, and analyzed with the assistance frequency tables, whereas the qualitative data obtained from the open-ended questions of the interviews is thematically analyzed in accordance with the research objectives.
 Findings: The findings reveal that the Government of Kenya has attempted to institutionalize strategic communications in various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). This study further shows that if well capacitated, coordinated and provided with requisite leadership, these institutions provide opportunities that would be useful in the synchronization of the instruments of national power. The study identified various opportunities as well as challenges encountered in the utilization of strategic communications in promoting Kenya’s national interests.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This study was informed by Institutional and Realism theories. The Institutional theory has been identified as one of the most prominent theoretical perceptions of organizational and management research while Realism is considered a longstanding theory, critical in understanding social phenomena from different perspectives. The study recommended the entrenchment strategic communications in the National Security Council (NSC) by setting up an office of strategic communications and coordination under the NSC. Moreover, there is need to ensure implementation of the National Communication Policy and Strategy while ensuring harmonization through a whole government approach that can lead to policy coherence.

Financial literacy and Performance of Women-Owned SMEs in Garissa County, Kenya

The SME sector is crucial for Kenya's government, driving inclusive economic growth, regional development, employment, and poverty reduction. Women-owned SMEs face challenges, including limited risk tolerance, hindering expansion. Financial skills, operating costs, and other issues contribute to their struggles. This paper explored the impact of financial literacy on the financial performance of women-owned SMEs in Garissa County, Kenya. The study focused on budgetary proficiency and debt navigation skills. Using a descriptive survey design and anchored on the Dual Process Theory, the research involved 399 sampled women owned SMEs out of a population of 763. The findings revealed significant relationships between budgetary proficiency and financial performance (Pearson’s r= 0.690, p<0.000) and debt navigation skills and financial performance (Pearson’s r=0.515, p<0.000). These predictors explain approximately 26.5% of the variance in women-owned SME performance (R Square = 0.265). The regression coefficients indicate that budgetary proficiency has a minimal effect (β = 0.010, p=0.027<0.05), influencing performance by 1.0%, while debt navigation skills have a moderate effect (β = 0.351, p=0.000<0.05), influencing performance by 35.1%. The study recommends strengthening financial management training, customizing financial literacy programs to address diverse gaps, and promoting inclusive budgeting practices among women-owned SMEs. Enhancing debt navigation skills is particularly emphasized for a more positive impact on the financial performance of women-owned SMEs in Garissa County.

Assessing the Impact of Population Dynamics in Kenya: A Need for Policy Implementation

Population dynamics significantly influence various aspects of a country’s development, including economic growth, social progress, and environmental sustainability. In Kenya, population dynamics have been a critical factor shaping the country’s development agenda. This abstract aims to assess the impact of population dynamics in Kenya and the need for policy implementation. The relationship between population growth and economic development is complex and multifaceted. While an increasing population may fuel economic growth through a larger workforce, it simultaneously exerts pressure on essential resources and services. This paper examines the trends and implications of population growth in Kenya, a country characterized by a high fertility rate, and assesses its impact on economic dynamics. By analyzing the challenges posed by this demographic trend, the study elucidates the significant influence of population on Kenya's economy. Furthermore, it delves into the strategies implemented by the Kenyan government to mitigate adverse effects and proposes additional measures for sustainable development. Through this investigation, the paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between population growth and economic stability in Kenya, highlighting the necessity for effective policy interventions.

Metaphorical Meaning of Texts Integrated in the Multimodal Political Cartoons of Corruption in The Daily Nation Newspaper

The language of cartoons is not as direct as the language of news reporting in that it is characterized by satirical and metaphorical pictures; and codified and connotative wordings which makes it socially appropriate and relevant to inform, educate and entertain the general public. Cartoons are used to satirize and lampoon socio-political abuses like corruption. In Kenya, corruption poses one of the greatest challenges facing the Kenyan government and reports on corruption scandals in the media are the order of the day. The present research studied the unique nature of the language of cartoons with focus on portrayal of corruption. The specific objective was to establish the metaphorical meaning of texts integrated in the multimodal political cartoons of corruption in The Daily Nation Newspaper. The research was guided by the tenets of the pictorial metaphor model founded by Charles Forceville (2006) within the conceptual metaphor theory. The study was limited to multimodal political cartoons depicting corruption in The Daily Nation Newspaper in 2018 and 2019, a period characterized by mega corruption scandals in Kenya. The study adopted the analytical research design. The study population comprised 14 multimodal political cartoons with metaphoric expressions in The Daily Nation Newspaper in 2018 and 2019. Random purposive sampling technique was used to select the required cartoons and the sample size was dictated by saturation sampling. A total of 14 metaphorical expressions were purposively sampled from the 14 political cartoons. The data was then coded and analyzed qualitatively into themes of the respective conceptual metaphors. The findings were that the conceptual metaphors of corruption in The Daily Nation Newspaper are investigating corruption is turning a stone to reveal what is underneath, coruption is dirty money, corruption is stench, bribery is purchase, corruption is war, corruption is robbery, strategising is warming up, corruption is a movie, ......

REHABILITEES WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS’ CANE SKILLS AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON INDEPENDENT TRAVEL IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA

<p>The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of rehabilitees with visual impairment cane skills on their independent travel. The study was based on Bandura’s social cognitive learning theory. The researcher used a case study research design. The study was carried out at Kenya Institute for the Blind located in Nairobi County, Kenya. The target population was two orientation and mobility trainers and fifty rehabilitees with visual impairment who lost sight between the years 2011 and 2016 and who underwent rehabilitation at KIB. A purposive sampling technique was used to select KIB for the study. Snowball sampling technique was used to locate thirty-seven rehabilitees with visual impairment. Data was collected using questionnaires. The pilot study was conducted at Machakos Technical Institute for the Blind because of its similar characteristics in the admission of rehabilitees with visual impairment. The researcher ensured the content validity of the research instruments through discussion with supervisors and lecturers in the Department of early childhood and Special Needs Education. Quantitative data was gathered using questionnaires and processed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and presented using tables. The findings revealed that mobility canes were the main device used at Kenya Institute for the Blind for orientation and mobility. Worldwide, canes were the most used device for orientation and mobility for individuals with visual impairment. In KIB, the device was limited in supply and not readily available. Cane skills were the most popular orientation and mobility techniques among rehabilitees in KIB. The study concluded that rehabilitees were not adequately trained since a substantial period of time has elapsed yet they have not indicated favourable independent travel to their places of work. Orientation and mobility training at KIB led to the acquisition of necessary skills relevant to independent travel of individuals with visual impairment. The study recommended that there is a need for Kenya Government to facilitate the production of cheap locally made long canes suitable for our Kenyan roads.</p><p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0758/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

The system of government in colonial Kenya

The object of the study of this work is the government system of colonial Kenya (1890-1950's). The subject of the study is public authorities, their powers, area of responsibility and features of functioning in East African realities. The author has carried out a detailed analysis of the administrative structure, the law enforcement system, and key management links at the central and regional levels. Special attention was paid to the issues of urban development based on the principle of racial segregation and local self-government, as well as the problem of combating specific crime. The article focuses on a number of non-trivial aspects of the British approach to organizing the work of government agencies, including special recruitment, active lawmaking, largely based on borrowing decisions from British India, and also the introduction of the institute of chiefs at the local level. The methodological basis of the article was historical-legal and problem-chronological approaches, in addition, the author turned to general scientific methods of analysis and deduction. The British system of government was built up in Kenya during the 1900s and 1920s, acquiring features of completeness in the main institutions by the 1930s. Before the arrival of the European colonialists, there was no civilizational basis for the existence of state entities. Therefore the leading role at all levels of the administrative structure belonged to people of European origin. The full power in the colony actually belonged to the governor, who unconditionally pursued the policy of the metropolis. This state of affairs was consolidated by a cultivated ideological paradigm that presupposes the superiority of the British and Europeans in general in all spheres of society, including management. The strength and coherence of the work of the state mechanism was ensured by the homogeneity of the nomenclature. By the time of gaining independence in 1963, the newly-minted Kenyan authorities inherited a completely efficient system of government bodies from the colonial regime.

Mapping heterogeneity in family planning indicators in Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Nigeria, 2000–2020

BackgroundFamily planning is fundamental to women’s reproductive health and is a basic human right. Global targets such as Sustainable Development Goal 3 (specifically, Target 3.7) have been established to promote universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services. Country-level estimates of contraceptive use and other family planning indicators are already available and are used for tracking progress towards these goals. However, there is likely heterogeneity in these indicators within countries, and more local estimates can provide crucial additional information about progress towards these goals in specific populations. In this analysis, we develop estimates of six family indicators at a local scale, and use these estimates to describe heterogeneity and spatial–temporal patterns in these indicators in Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Nigeria.MethodsWe used a Bayesian geostatistical modelling framework to analyse geo-located data on contraceptive use and family planning from 61 household surveys in Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Nigeria in order to generate subnational estimates of prevalence and associated uncertainty for six indicators from 2000 to 2020: contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR), modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR), traditional contraceptive prevalence rate (tCPR), unmet need for modern methods of contraception, met need for family planning with modern methods, and intention to use contraception. For each country and indicator, we generated estimates at an approximately 5 × 5-km resolution and at the first and second administrative levels (regions and provinces in Burkina Faso; counties and sub-counties in Kenya; and states and local government areas in Nigeria).ResultsWe found substantial variation among locations in Burkina Faso, Kenya, and Nigeria for each of the family planning indicators estimated. For example, estimated CPR in 2020 ranged from 13.2% (95% Uncertainty Interval, 8.0–20.0%) in Oudalan to 38.9% (30.1–48.6%) in Kadiogo among provinces in Burkina Faso; from 0.4% (0.0–1.9%) in Banissa to 76.3% (58.1–89.6%) in Makueni among sub-counties in Kenya; and from 0.9% (0.3–2.0%) in Yunusari to 31.8% (19.9–46.9%) in Somolu among local government areas in Nigeria. There were also considerable differences among locations in each country in the magnitude of change over time for any given indicator; however, in most cases, there was more consistency in the direction of that change: for example, CPR, mCPR, and met need for family planning with modern methods increased nationally in all three countries between 2000 and 2020, and similarly increased in all provinces of Burkina Faso, and in large majorities of sub-counties in Kenya and local government areas in Nigeria.ConclusionsDespite substantial increases in contraceptive use, too many women still have an unmet need for modern methods of contraception. Moreover, country-level estimates of family planning indicators obscure important differences among locations within the same country. The modelling approach described here enables estimating family planning indicators at a subnational level and could be readily adapted to estimate subnational trends in family planning indicators in other countries. These estimates provide a tool for better understanding local needs and informing continued efforts to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services.

The Impact of Technology Adoption on Efficiency and Transparency in Public Procurement Processes in Kenya

In recent years, global public procurement has witnessed a paradigm shift with the integration of technology, a phenomenon embraced by countries like Kenya. The Kenyan government has actively modernized its procurement system through the adoption of e-procurement systems, blockchain, and artificial intelligence, aiming to bolster efficiency and transparency. The purpose of this research work was to assess the impact of technology adoption on efficiency and transparency in public procurement processes in Kenya. This research addressed a critical gap in understanding the nuanced impacts of these technological advancements on the intricate dynamics of public procurement in Kenya. Investigating the adoption's influence on efficiency and transparency, the study explored experiences, challenges, successes, and overall implications. The findings are of significance to public governance, offering insights to policymakers, practitioners, and technology developers. Aligned with global sustainable development initiatives, the study advocated for digital literacy training, cybersecurity measures, infrastructure improvement, policy incentives, a national digital procurement strategy, private sector collaboration, policy reviews, and data-sharing initiatives. By embracing the recommendations, Kenya can navigate challenges and capitalize on technology for an efficient, transparent, and resilient future in public procurement, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Interrogating the evolution of a constitutionally-legitimised 'Big Man' political culture and its influence on political participation by Kenyan youth

This article critically analyses the evolution ofKenya's constitutionally-legitimised 'Big Man' political culture and its influence on youth political participation. The core thesis of the article is that Kenya's constitutionally-legitimised 'Big Man' political culture restricts youth political participation, beyond voting, while making them susceptible to manipulation by politicians. In exploring this thesis, the article's guiding research question is: Beyond voting, how has the Kenyan government enhanced or restricted direct youth political participation as a right provided for under article 25 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and subsequently domesticated under the Kenyan Constitution? The modes of political participation examined in this context are forming a political party and running for public office. Contextually, the article interrogates the political regimes of Kenyatta, Moi, Kibaki and Uhuru and their use of constitutional amendments to crystallise power in the executive for critical analysis of the evolution of Kenya's 'Big Man' political culture pertaining to youth political participation. It then applies the lessons learned from past and current regimes to inform recommendations on how the state can facilitate the Kenyan youth to enjoy the right of political participation fully, effectively and equally as provided for under article 25 of ICCPR as domesticated under the Kenyan Constitution.

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its role in developing Africa’s economies. Case study: Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), Kenya

The main purpose of this paper is to study the potential economic benefits of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to Africa’s economies with case study of Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project in Kenya. China has become an important factor in African development. Through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), it is reorganizing the geographical and political space in the Africa, first, by heavily investing in regional connectivity projects, and second, by promoting alternative ideas and concepts of development favourable to a Chinese-centric order in the region. The paper also argues that the BRI is actively shaping a new spatial order in Africa by influencing key stakeholders’ perspectives and preferences. China’s particular visions of global and regional development through the BRI are gaining traction in Africa, making it an indispensable actor with considerable political and economic influence – and thereby challenging the role of traditional development partners in the global south region. China’s engagement with Kenya is a good example of how Beijing approaches economic diplomacy in Africa. Moreover, it’s a revealing case study of how BRI works on the continent. Kenya needs better infrastructure to meet its development needs, and China has been willing to help. The project to upgrade the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is China’s flagship investment project in Kenya. The SGR connects Mombasa, the largest port city in Kenya, to its capital, Nairobi. The Export-Import Bank of China financed 90 percent of the SGR project, while the Kenyan Government contributed the other 10 percent. The China Road and Bridge Corporation led the SGR installation process. This was supposed to signal a contribution to Kenya’s developmental goals and directly spur growth in the construction sector. The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is a mega project that the Kenyan Government has invested in after freedom from the colonial rule. The SGR created around 30,000 new jobs for locals and, in the first year, transported 5.4 million passengers and 1.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (known as TEUs) of shipments across Kenya. If this performance had continued African exports would have increased significantly. The chief economist in the State Department of Infrastructure in the Kenyan Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure claimed that the SGR would increase trade and investment and further employment opportunities to enhance the people’s livelihoods in the East African Community. The paper will analyze how the BRI through SGR has enhanced economy and trade for Africa with a case study of Kenya, how the SGR has reduced unemployment, how the SGR has enhanced both the social aspects and environmental conservation in Kenya. This paper will also reveal that the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and BRI have massive economic value to Africa and beyond and are crucial to development. The study recommends the completion of the remaining SGR phases in Kenya in the projected time frame for the railway industry to play a positive role in national and continental development.

Career Guidance and Counseling Services for Virtual and Open Learning and its Impact on the Preservation of Post-Graduate Students in Kenyatta University, Kenya

The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of career guidance and counseling services for VOL on the preservation of post-graduate students in Kenyatta University, Kenya. This study used a descriptive survey approach that included quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. The study’s population comprised two groups. The first group comprised all 8 director and assistant directors of student affairs in Kenyatta University VOL Centres. The second group comprised all the 2156 finalist students enrolled for the VOL programme who are the most familiar with the challenges experienced by VOL students and from whom it was possible to obtain the record of students who may have dropped out. The study used a census approach to sample all 8 director and assistant directors of student affairs, while the Fisher's method was used to calculate the size of the postgraduate finalist sample. Original data was used in the study. After editing the quantitative data, handling void responses, coding, and categorizing the data, the information was imported into SPSS version 22 for analysis. The study found that career counseling and guidance services for VOL improved postgraduate student retention. This was demonstrated by a significant correlation r coefficient of 0.758. Specifically, the study concluded that career guidance and counseling influenced the retention of post-graduate students in Kenya’s public universities. The study also concluded that student retention was influenced in the form of receiving encouragement to persist until they graduate, being encouraged to stay until completion of the academic degree, and receiving motivation to complete the course within the set period. According to the research's findings, the Ministry of Education’s state Department of Higher Education should institutionalize guidance and counseling as mandatory student support services in Virtual and Open Learning (VOL). The research also suggests that the Kenyan government form strategic alliances with social institutions that would allow public learning institutions to easily access career guidance and counseling services as a student support service.

Effect of Organizational Values on Employee Performance at County Governments in Kenya: A Case of Meru County

A positive organizational value can enhance employee performance by fostering a sense of belonging, empowerment, and recognition, as it encourages employees to share ideas and work together towards common goals. On the other hand, a negative organizational culture can have detrimental effects on employee performance characterized by micromanagement, favouritism, and lack of transparency can lead to demotivation, low job satisfaction, and decreased productivity. The research objective was to determine the effect of organizational values on employee performance at county governments in Kenya: Case of Meru County. The study was anchored on three main theories Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions Theory, Social Learning Theory and Competing Values Framework. The study followed a descriptive research design. The study population was all the 221 departmental staff at Meru County government. The study sample was the entire population of 221 officers. They were selected using stratified random sampling. Data for the study was collected using questionnaires and secondary data collection sheets. The collected data was analysed using descriptive and inferential analysis. Tables were used in presentation of the analysed data. A Correlation Matrix was employed to assess the connections among the variables under investigation. The descriptive statistics suggested that, on average, the organization experienced moderate turnover, and there was a notable degree of variation in the turnover rates among the employees. The study showed a moderately positively positive correlation between organizational values and employee performance. Furthermore, the county government’s ability to foster a positive work-life balance for its employees is positively associated with employee performance. The study concluded that Organizational values were highly correlated with organization performance. The study recommended the review and refinement of organizational policies.

Who Gets Hired? Political Patronage and Bureaucratic Favoritism

Most research on biased public sector hiring highlights local politicians’ incentives to distribute government positions to partisan supporters. Other studies instead point to the role of bureaucratic managers in allocating government jobs to close contacts. We jointly consider the relative importance of each source of biased hiring as an allocation problem between managers and politicians who have different preferences regarding public sector hiring and different abilities to realize those preferences. We develop a theoretical model of each actor’s relative leverage and relative preferences for different types of public sector positions. We empirically examine our theory using the universe of payroll data in Kenyan local governments from 2004 to 2013. We find evidence of both patronage and bureaucratic favoritism, but with different types of bias concentrated in different types of government jobs, as our theory predicts. Our results highlight the inadequacy of examining political patronage alone without incorporating the preferences and leverage of the bureaucratic managers who are intricately involved in hiring processes.

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

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

Evaluation of On-Site Training and Certification Programmes for Semi-Skilled Construction Workers in Kenya: The Case of Nairobi City County

Kenya's construction sector can close the knowledge and skill gap by providing on-the-job training and certification programmes for semi-skilled workers, but low participation rates persist. The study mainly aimed to assess the extent of awareness of on-site training and certification programmes among semi-skilled workers in Kenya, focusing on their training needs, identification of such programmes, and exploration of communication and awareness tools.The study employed a qualitative research approach, incorporating theories such as the theory of reasoned action, Yale attitude change approach and cultivation theory. Descriptive research design was utilized, targeting semi-skilled workers, site managers, officials from NITA and NCA, and academic experts. The study utilized snowball sampling to select semi-skilled workers, followed by purposive sampling for interview responses. Microsoft Office Excel 2010 was utilized for data analysis, employing presentation strategies like frequency distribution in percentages to make the data easily understandable and referenced, along with pie charts and bar graphs. The study found that most semi-skilled workers were moderately or poorly aware, with direct communication being the primary method for raising awareness. The study recommended Kenya's government to boost on-site training programmes, enhance communication tools, increase awareness campaigns, and conduct more research on their efficacy and factors affecting their implementation among semi-skilled employees.