Kitui County Research Articles

Potential of soil and water conservation technologies for dryland agriculture and forestry

ABSTRACT Objective: Drylands cover 41% of the earth’s terrestrial landmass while in Kenya; they cover 80% of the land surface with production in these areas often impeded by soil moisture limitation thereby necessitating soil moisture conservation. The study aimed at identifying feasible soil moisture conservation technologies for agriculture and forestry development. Methodology and Results: The current metadata analysis evaluated 80 reference materials comprising of journal papers, book chapters and conference proceedings; 38.8% being research conducted in Kenya, 31.2% was research undertaken in other parts of Africa while 30.0% was research done in other parts of the globe. Available data shows that mulching enhanced infiltration by 81% reduced runoff by 54% and enhanced crop yield by 39%; terraces enhanced infiltration by 8% and reduced runoff by 30%. Micro-catchments enhanced moisture content by 45%, reduced runoff by 63% and enhanced crop yield by 17%. Further, the use of polymers enhanced crop yield by up to 45%. In Kenya, soil and water conservation technologies have been tested in Machakos, Embu, Kitui, Busia, Makueni and Tharaka Nthi counties. The main impediments to adoption of these technologies in Kenya and other parts of the globe include increased risk of pest and diseases incidences; high labour requirements; require large land sizes and increased cost of production resulting from labour requirements. The research gaps identified by different researchers concerning soil water conservation technologies are: lack of effective dissemination platforms to highlight efficiency of the different technologies; cost-benefit analysis of the different soil water conservation technologies and limited data on potential of various soil water conservation technologies for tree growing in ASALs. Conclusion: This review has revealed that adequate information on soil and moisture conservation technologies is needed and tailored to specific farmers’ needs to enhance level of adoption. In order to realize the full potential of soil and moisture conservation technologies, effective dissemination platforms such as use of demonstration plots and farmers’ field schools are required. Key words: soil moisture, technologies, conservation, adoption, ASALs

Influence of Technology on the Performance of Microfinance Institutions in Kitui County

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of technology in strategic planning on the performance of microfinance institutions in Kitui County. The study applied a correctional research design. The population for the study was 175 middle-level managers working for seven (7) microfinance institutions in Kitui County. Through stratified sampling techniques, the study obtained a sample of 122 participants for the study. The study applied questionnaires with five-point Likert questions to collect data through physical administration and electronic ways. The study also collected secondary data from the microfinance institutions, financial statements, magazines, and published and audited accounts of the company. Data gathered was analyzed by descriptive analysis using mean and standard deviation, whereas the inferential analysis was conducted by regression analysis. The study found a β of 0.610 which was associated with a t-value of 5.960 and a p-value of 0.001 between technology and performance of microfinance institutions in Kitui county. The study concluded that technology had a positive and significant influence on the performance of microfinance institutions in Kitui County. The study recommends continued investment in information security by regularly updating security protocols and staying ahead of the evolving threats to protect sensitive information. The study also recommends for organizations to leverage decision support systems in decision-making. The microfinance institutions in Kitui County should train and provide resources to their staff to maximize the benefits of these systems.

Influence of Organizational Policy on the Performance of Selected Microfinance Institutions in Kitui County

Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) are unable to meet the current market demand requiring firms to identify workable methods that satisfy the organization’s needs. The present study sought to determine the influence of Organizational Policy on The Performance of Selected Microfinance Institutions in Kitui County. The study applied a cross-sectional research design, population of the study included 175 middle-level managers in the departments of finance, human resources, procurement, sales, and marketing as well as the ICT department among 7 MFIs in Kitui county. The study applied a stratified random sampling technique to sample 122 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires that were physically administered. The study analyzed data using descriptive and inferential analysis. The study revealed a β of 0.641, t= 7.507, which was associated with a p-value of 0.001. The study concluded that organizational policy had a significant and positive influence on the performance of microfinance institutions in Kitui County. Microfinance institutions should regularly review policies on resource allocations, codes of conduct, power relations, and communication to ensure that they are relevant at all times and reflect the requirements of the strategic plans.

Influence of Organizational Resources on Performance of Financial Services Associations in Makueni and Kitui Counties of Kenya

Many organizations talk of strategic formulation whereby they develop strategies and put them into practice. However, many organizations fail to actualize these strategies due to a lack of proper implementation strategy. Many firms face challenges in strategic implementation due to a lack of resources. This study sought to examine the influence of organizational resources on the performance of financial services associations (FSAs) in Makueni and Kitui Counties of Kenya. This study followed a cross-section survey method to collect primary data by using questionnaires that were administered online and through the drop-and-pick method. The study found that FSAs in Kitui and Makueni counties utilized internal resources more in strategy implementation. Practices on resource allocation included technology, financial resources, and human resources. The study revealed an Exp(B) of 0.107 which was associated with a p-value of 0.001. The study concluded that the use of internal resources over external resources significantly increased the odds of high performance of FSAs in Kitui and Makueni counties. The study recommends Financial Service Associations (FSAs) in Kitui and Makueni counties utilize internal resources, including management expertise and financial strength, to capitalize on opportunities for improved performance. Additionally, FSAs should diversify revenue streams by introducing new products, prioritizing hiring and retaining skilled employees, investing in robust information security, adopting cutting-edge technology, and strategically allocating resources to optimize performance and cope with emerging demands during strategy implementation. The study emphasizes the importance of leveraging internal capabilities and proactive resource management for the success of FSAs.

Factors Influencing Sexual Infidelity among the Married In Africa Inland Church -Kitui County, Kenya

Sexual infidelity (S.I) is one of the world’s intractable problems. It adversely affects the sanctity of family which is the basic unit of human society. Decades of deliberate and strategic policies to mitigate S.I have not yielded considerable concrete results. This is despite multidimensional approach from the church, state, and non-governmental organizations. Arguably, in the endeavor to ensure believers are sanctioned against unprecedented rates of S.I, Africa Inland Church –Kenya (A.I.C-K)has established Christian Education programs designed to address developmental needs (formative, teenage, and adulthood) of all adherents. Despite church’s effort to eradicate S.I among her married members, the problem still persists. The research sought to examine factors influencing S.I. in A.I.C-K. This study is grounded on the premise that morality marks an essential ingredient in society, especially in the family institution; hence, without family values, society would be disrupted and eventually collapse. The article is justified by the need for the church to regain her moral authority as the conscience of the society. Descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Simple random and purposive sampling methods were used to choose a sample size of the requisite number of respondents. Key findings revealed that inadequate preparation before wedding, marital dissatisfaction, and geographical migration were among highly rated causes of sexual infidelity in A.I.C-K.

Influence of Organizational Structure on the Performance of Financial Services Associations in Makueni and Kitui Counties of Kenya.

On the surface, the concept of strategy implementation may sound relatively simple, whereby a strategy is developed and put into practice. However, putting strategies into practice is far more challenging and complicated. The present study sought to determine the influence of organizational structure on the performance of FSA in Kitui and Makueni counties. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design, the sample for the study was 280 obtained through a stratified random sampling technique from a population of 938 possible participants. The study applied a questionnaire to gather data for the study using both physical and electronic procedures. Data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential analysis, where a simple binary logistic regression analysis was applied to test a null hypothesis. The study revealed a β of 0.973, a Wald statistic of 21.285, df= 1, and an Exp(B) = 4.812 which was associated with a p-value of 0.001. Firms that adopted flat structures instead of tall structures increased the odds of high performance by a factor of 4.812. The study concluded that organizational structure had a positive and significant influence on the performance of the FSA in Kitui and Makueni counties. The study also recommends for adoption of a flat organizational structure to promote a structure that is a flexible and responsive organizational structure to enhance performance.

Effect of Metacognitive Awareness on Students’ Achievement in Mathematics in Public Secondary Schools in Kitui County, Kenya

Deep conceptual understanding enables learners to transfer new knowledge into new situations and apply it in new contexts. Individuals’ understandings of their thought processes as well as monitoring their progress is fundamental for deepening learners’ understanding and that may lead to improved performance. The overall students’ performance in mathematics at the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) has been low compared to other subjects. Students’ knowledge of facts and skills need to occur in the context of a meaningful and conceptual framework of subject matter that deepens learners’ understanding. The purpose of the study was to investigate effect of Metacognitive awareness on secondary school students’ achievement in mathematics. The Research employed a Quasi-experimental design and in particular Solomon, Four Design. A stratified random sampling technique was used to draw four boys’ and four girls’ extra county participating secondary schools. Assignment of the four schools in each category to either experimental or control group was done through simple random sampling. A sample size of 360 Form three students was used. Students in the experimental groups were taught Formulae and Variations using Metacognitive IMPROVE programme while control groups were taught the same topic using Conventional Teaching Approach (CTA). The instrument for data collection used was metacognitive Awareness Inventory Questionnaire (MAIQ). The overall reliability coefficient of MAIQ using Cronbach alpha obtained was 0.754. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, percentages and Standard Deviation) and inferential statistics (test, one-way ANOVA and Post hoc Analysis). The hypotheses was tested at 0.05 level of significance. Data analysis was undertaken with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 software. The results showed that students’ Metacognitive awareness resulted to students’ development of the skills of planning, monitoring and evaluating about their own cognitive activities and monitoring the approach they expected to be important for problem solving. The study recommends that teachers should organize the course contents to increase cognitive awareness of the students. Higher cognitive awareness demonstrates high levels of mathematics achievement therefore teacher proficiency need to be adjusted for better teaching and learning.

Efficacy of Adaptation of Smallholder Maize Production to Climate Variability in Selected Countries of Kenya

Maize is a staple food for 96 percent of Kenyans. Smallholders supply up to 75 percent of maize produced in Kenya but are affected by unpredictable timing, duration, and distribution of rainfall, especially during the growing season. To enhance maize productivity adoption of robust adaptation measures is vital. The study aimed to evaluate the level of efficacy of adaptation of smallholder maize production to climate variability in Kitui and Laikipia counties. Data from 273 smallholder maize producers drawn from Kitui and Laikipia counties was analyzed. A questionnaire was administered to collect data on demographic, socio-economic characteristics, and adaptation choices. The level of efficacy of adaptation was derived based on the Multiple Criteria Evaluation. Results showed that the majority of smallholders in the study (47 percent) reported a low level of efficacy of adaptation most of whom were from Laikipia County (54 percent) as compared to Kitui County (44 percent). Overall, a very small proportion of smallholders reported a high level of efficacy of adaptation (7 percent). The study concluded that the level of efficacy of adaptation of smallholder maize production to climate variability in semi-arid areas was low. The County Governments through the department of agriculture and environment could establish guidelines for a robust combination of adaptation choices to ensure the suitability and enhancement of maize production.

Socio-Economic Vulnerability and Adaptations of Fish Farmers to Climate Variability and Extreme Climate Events in Selected Parts of Kitui County, Kenya

Climate variability and extreme climate events is one of the many challenges faced by fish farmers. The present study was carried out to assess and compare the socio-economic vulnerability and adaptations of fish farmers to climate variability and extreme climate events in arid and semi-arid lands of Central and Eastern parts of Kitui County, Kenya. Both study sites were purposively selected and the descriptive research design adopted. A total of 60 fish farming households were randomly selected to form the sample size for the study. The socio-economic vulnerability analysis of the fish farmers was based on an index constructed from carefully selected indicators for adaptive capacity. Principal Component Analysis was used to give weights to the indicators. The overall adaptive capacity index results revealed that possession of various assets varied between the two study sites, implying a spatial difference in socio-economic vulnerability between the two study sites. Regarding adaptation, results revealed that the level of adoption of various adaptation strategies to climate variability and extreme climate events also differed significantly between the two study sites and was subject to the adaptive capacity of the fish farmer. Therefore, this study recommends that the socio-economic vulnerability profile of the fish farmers inform any adaptation actions to be taken on fish farmers in arid and semi-arid lands

Rainfall and Temperature Trends and Variability in Arid and Semi-arid Lands of Kitui County, Kenya

A study was carried out to analyse rainfall and temperature trends and variability in selected agro-ecological zones in Kitui County. Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) rainfall dataset was used while temperature data was obtained from the Climatic Research Unit gridded Time Series (CRU TS) dataset. The results indicated that there was a non-significant decreasing trend (p<0.05) in average annual rainfall in all the four agro-ecological zones (p<0.05) for a 30-years period (1988-2018) in the study area. A decreasing trend in March-April-May (MAM) seasonal rainfall trend was reported in the arid and semi-arid agro-ecological zones while an increasing trend was recorded in the transitional and semi-humid zones. For the October-November-December (OND) seasonal rainfall, a non-significant decreasing trend was reported in all the four agro-ecological zones. Additionally, a higher annual rainfall variability was recorded in the drier (arid) and wetter (semi-humid) zones compared to that in semi-arid and transitional zones. Moreover, the study established that there was a spatial variation in both MAM and OND seasonal rainfall variability and that rainfall variability was higher in the OND seasonal rainfall than that of the MAM seasonal rainfall in all the agro-ecological zones. With reference to temperature trends, a statistically significant increasing trend in annual and OND seasonal average maximum and minimum temperatures was reported in all the four agro-ecological zones. Further, the study noted a non-significant increasing trend in maximum and minimum temperatures for the MAM season in all the agro-ecological zones. In regard to temperature variability, the study deduced that there was low temperature variability compared to rainfall variability in all the four agro-ecological zones. The study recommends that location-specific rainfall and temperature analysis should guide planning and implementation of adaptation strategies for effective response to climate variability. Keywords: Agro-ecological Zones, Mann-Kendall Test, Coefficient of Variation, CHIRPS, CRU TS DOI: 10.7176/JEES/12-12-05 Publication date: December 31 st 2022

Improving the Reliability of Water Service Delivery in Rural Kenya through Professionalized Maintenance: A System Dynamics Perspective.

Reliable water service delivery continues to be a complex global issue that is particularly challenging in rural communities. Despite billions of dollars of infrastructure interventions, sustainable water services remain out of reach for millions of people. Professionalized maintenance services have emerged as a service provision strategy to supplement the community-based rural water management approach. This study applies system dynamics modeling to assess the potential impact of scaling up professionalized maintenance services on piped water systems in Kitui County, Kenya. The study results show that over a 10 year simulation, calibrated with 21 months of empirical data and based on a range of key assumptions, delivery of professionalized maintenance services across the county may increase countywide functionality rates from 54% to over 83%, leading to a 67% increase in water production. Furthermore, the increase in preventive maintenance activities and proactive repairs can lead to less frequent major breakdowns and reduction in county government spending on major repairs by over 60%. However, current service fee income from communities accounts for 8% of the total cost of service, necessitating substantial sustained external financing or government subsidies to be financially viable at scale.

Implications of providing social support to close network members on the social well-being of older people in Kitui County, Kenya

Social support is a strong predictor of social well-being. Older people are key providers of social support to others, but an overemphasis on received social support in gerontological literature portrays them as mere recipients. We examined the association between social support provided by older people and its influence on their social well-being. Data were collected from 369 respondents residing in rural dwellings in Kitui County using mixed methods and were analyzed for association using chi-square statistics. Instrumental, emotional, and information support provision was determined by asking four questions in each category about whether the respondents provided social support to close network members. The subjective experience of support provision using a satisfaction question for each domain of social support was used to determine the influence of providing social support on the social well-being of older people. Provision of social support across the three domains was found to be significantly associated with social well-being. The level of statistical significance was highest for emotional and information support compared to instrumental support. Older people are important providers of social support. The majority of those who provided social support reported being satisfied. Therefore, offering social support, especially emotional and information support, is an important contributor to satisfaction with these aspects of social well-being.

Water policy, politics, and practice: The case of Kitui County, Kenya

The devolution of governance to county level in Kenya provides a window for innovation in water policy and practice, critical to improving water security in rural areas where almost half of households lack basic water services. In rural Kitui County, Kenya, a number of projects supported by different funders have served as policy experiments over the past 10 years. We apply an action-oriented knowledge framework to explore the kinds of knowledge that have been produced in the course of these interventions and reflect on what kinds of knowledge are contributing to institutional change and how they are contributing to sustainability in the rural water sector. Actionable recommendations for the further development of county-level water policy include: First, ensure local ownership of the policy-making process whilst enabling appropriate technical and legal support; second, take long timeframes of institutional change into account in donor programming; third, establish water, sanitation and hygiene forums bringing diverse actors within the sector together to build cohesion, facilitate knowledge exchange, enable collaborative learning, and deliver collective action.

Effect of using mobile phone communication on dietary management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients in Kenya.

Advancements in management of non-communicable diseases using regular reminders on lifestyle and dietary behaviors have been effectively achieved using mobile phones. This study evaluates the effects of regular communication using a mobile phone on dietary management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) among patients attending Kitui County Referral Hospital (KCRH) in Kenya. Pre/post-study design among eligible and consenting T2DM patients visiting KCRH was used for this study. One hundred and thirty-eight T2DM patients were enrolled; 67 in the intervention group (IG) and 71 in the control group (CG). The IG received regular reminders on key dietary practices through their mobile phones for six months while the CG did not. The Net Effect of Intervention (NEI) and bivariate logistic regression were used to determine the impact of mobile phone communication intervention at p < 0.05. SPSS version 24 was used to analyze the data. The results revealed an increase of respondents who adhered to the meal plan in the IG from 47.8% to 59.7% compared to a decrease from 49.3% to 45.1% in CG with corresponding NEI increasing (16.1%) significantly (p < 0.05). The proportion of respondents with an increased frequency of meals increased from 41.8 to 47.8% in the IG compared to a reduction from 52.1% to 45.1% in the CG with corresponding NEI increasing (13.0%) significantly (p < 0.05). Regular reminders on lifestyle and dietary behaviors using mobile phone communication improved adherence to dietary practices such as meal planning and frequency of meals in the management of T2DM.

Effects of Negarim Micro Catchment on Growth and Survival of Two Provenances of Moringa oleifera Under Different Spacing in a Semi-Arid Area of Kitui County, Kenya

Kenya has a large population of multifunctional tree species like Moringa oleifera (Lamark). Two provenances of Moringa oleifera from areas of Gede and Machakos were used in a study to examine how Negarim micro catchment affects their growth and survival traits under various spacings. An experiment was set up in a Randomised Complete Block Design with three replicates. Root collar diameter, branches development, survival rate and increase in height were the variables of interest and data was collected for 16 months (January 2018/April 2019). For Gede provenance under catchment, plant height ranged from 83 to 123 cm, root collar diameter from 1.7 to 2.5 cm, number of branches from 13 to 15, and survival rate of 51 to 74 %. Under no catchment, plant height varied from 127 and 191 cm, root collar diameter between 2.7 and 4.4 cm, number of branches between 15 and 19, and survival rate between 70 and 75 %. The Machakos provenance results under catchment revealed that plant height varied from 62 to 174 cm, root collar diameter ranged from 0.9 to 4.7 cm, the number of branches varied from 8 to 15, and survival rate ranged from 48 to 69 %. Under no catchment, it reached a height of between 43 and 171 cm, root collar diameter between 1.5 and 3.6 cm, 10 to 16 branches, and survivability of between 57 and 78 %. Provenance and Negarim micro catchment had a significant effect on survivability (p ≤ 0.05), height (p ≤ 0.05), and branch development (p ≤ 0.05). The significant differences between plants under Negarim micro catchment were because the catchment provided more moisture advantages to plants than those that were under no catchment. This demonstrates their appropriateness and the possibility of recommending them to be included in tree cultivation systems in the area and other places with comparable climatic circumstances. This research is noteworthy in promoting soil erosion management and environmental preservation by providing information and methods for effectively using runoff in valuable crops/tree production

A Comparative Study of the Physiochemical and Bacteriological Parameters of Potable Water from Different Sources in Kitui County, Kenya

Developing nations are experiencing an ever-increasing demand for safe water due to climate change and the ever-increasing human population. Various strategies including construction of shallow wells, boreholes and sand dams along the river are done to make water available to various households. However, availability of water sources near are faced with challenges of pollution from a variety of sources. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of selected bacteriological and physico-chemical parameters in three potable water sources namely Kiembeni borehole, Mwitasyano River and Kalundu Dam in Kitui County. The quality of this water was compared to the standards for potable water prescribed by Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). Representative sampling was conducted during the wet season (October 2019) and the dry season (August 2020) in the three sampling sites. The samples were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters: pH, color, turbidity, alkalinity, conductivity, iron, calcium, magnesium, hardness, chloride, fluoride, sulphates, ammonia, total dissolved solids and bacteriological parameters: total and fecal coliform. The analysis was performed at the Kenya Water Institute (KEWI) laboratory using standard procedures. The values obtained for the different water sources in the wet season and dry season were pooled and mean values calculated to determine the overall quality of drinking water. The results indicated that all the water sources had fecal coliform levels unsuitable for drinking water. Most of the values obtained for pH, color, alkalinity, conductivity, calcium, fluoride and sulphates in all sources of water were within the recommended potable water standards by KEBS. However, turbidity, iron and total coliform obtained values for borehole water samples were not within the recommended KEBS standards. The river and dam water samples were within the recommended standards for magnesium, hardness, chloride, ammonia and total dissolved solids. Although results indicate that some of the physico-chemical parameters were in conformance with the recommended standards, the overall bacteriological parameters render the water unsuitable for drinking. Thus, public health intervention programmes should be focused on addressing various sources of water pollution including regular disinfection of water. Keywords: Water quality, Physico-chemical, Kitui County, Assessment DOI: 10.7176/JEES/12-11-05 Publication date: November 30 th 2022

Socio-economic Impact of Old Persons' Cash Transfer in Mulundi Sub-location, Kitui County-Kenya

Kenya runs several social protection programmes, among which is Older Persons Cash Transfer purposed to support the elderly population (more than 65 years old) for their upkeep and minimize their vulnerability to socio-economic challenges. Over the years since 2004, budget allocation for the programme has been increasing, but little information is available to show how effective the programme is or whether the grants are adequate for the beneficiaries to meet their financial and social needs. This study applied cross-sectional mixed methods to evaluate the socioeconomic impacts of the Older Persons Cash Transfer on the recipients living in Mulundi sub-Location, Kitui County, Kenya. In this study, a household census survey was employed to gather information from all 113 registered beneficiaries in the Mulundi sub-location using a questionnaire. The local area chief, two officials from the county social development office and three village elders were involved as the key informants. A total of 12 focus group discussion participants were involved in two separate sessions, one for men and the other for women. There were more female beneficiaries (58 percent) than male beneficiaries (42 percent), the majority of whom were widowed (53 percent). Most of the beneficiaries (72 percent) were the age between 65 and 75 years old, thus suggesting there is a high number of newly enrolled beneficiaries in vulnerable conditions. Few beneficiaries (21 percent) had alternative sources of income, while a majority (79 percent) depended on cash transfer as the main source of income. Most of the beneficiaries used cash to buy food (44 percent), pay school fees for their dependents (30 percent), health care (12 percent) and buy clothes (10 percent). The majority of the programme beneficiaries (57%) were dissatisfied with it, with most of them believing that it had not improved their economic state and that the monthly stipend was insufficient to cover most of their needs. The majority of the beneficiaries were women, many of them widowed suggesting that they are more vulnerable than male beneficiaries, they lacked companionship, made individual decisions on spending the funds and faced a wide range of financial needs in their families. Most of the beneficiaries were not commonly involved in community development activities. The programme beneficiaries faced a number of challenges, including insufficient and erratic grant disbursement, management issues, a lack of a clear grievance airing procedure, a rising cost of living, and a lack of openness in the programme's management. The paper concludes that Older Persons Cash Transfer Programme has improved the socioeconomic welfare of the elderly, but the programme also faces challenges that need to be addressed in order to make it more efficient and fully achieve its intended objective of improving the lives of older persons.

Online Tax System and Tax Compliance by Small and Medium Enterprises: Case of Kitui County in Kenya

Purpose: Technology has significantly impacted the efficiency of conducting business, among them, the digitalization of tax functions, which has led to the creation of operational efficiencies in terms of filing tax returns. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effect of online tax system on tax compliance in Kitui County's SMEs. Specifically, the study focused on effect of online tax filling and online taxpayer registration on tax compliance in Kitui County.&#x0D; Methodology: This research was hinged on theory of Technological Acceptance Model, Diffusion of Innovation Theory and Theory of planned behavior. A descriptive research design was used in this study. The owners of the 442 small and medium businesses in Kitui County was the study's unit of analysis. A sample population of 206 is determined using the stratified proportionate random sampling technique. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect primary data. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to examine the data (SPSS Version 25.0). For all quantitative variables, descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, average score, and standard deviation was computed after data cleaning, which includes checking for entry mistakes. The information was presented in tables and graphs. The relationships between the independent and dependent variables were established using multiple regression analysis.&#x0D; Findings: The study concluded that a unit increase in online tax registration leads to 0.807 increase in tax compliance by small and medium enterprises in Kitui County. The study revealed that a unit change in online tax filing leads to 0.731 change in tax compliance by small and medium enterprises in Kitui County.&#x0D; Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study concludes that the KRA officials in Kitui county should conduct awareness programs among SMEs regarding the importance of online tax registration. The study informs policy as it seeks to help Kenya Revenue Authority in using effective measures to mobilize and motivate small tax payers to register online for turnover tax, value added tax among other taxes in order to increase tax compliance.

Organizational Factors and Implementation of Strategies in Public Water Service Providers in Kitui County, Kenya

Successful strategy implementation is key to the survival of organizations. Literature suggests that strategy implementation is usually curtailed by inefficiencies. The study lookED into the organizational aspects and their influence in implementation of strategy in public water service providers in Kitui County. The study objectives were: establish organizational leadership effect on implementation of strategies, determine organizational structure effect on implementation of strategies and examine the organizational culture effect on implementation of strategies public water service providers in Kitui County. The study was anchored by resource based view, institutional and contingency theories. The two public water service providers in Kitui County, KITWASCO and KIMWASCO were the target population for this study. The study used descriptive research approach and apply content validity. Cronbach alpha test was run to check on reliability of the research instruments. The study was adopted descriptive research design, used content validity and Cronbach Alpha Test for reliability. Since the target population was small, a census review was done. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using a computer program called Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). ANOVA test, multiple regression and correlation analysis was done to ascertain variable relationships. The established that organizational leadership, organizational structure and organizational culture had a positive and significant effect on the implementation of strategies in public water service providers in Kitui County. The study concludes that organizational leadership enables employee toward fulfilling an organization’s mission by making them to understand an organization’s mission in alignment with one’s strengths, creating a strategic plan in line with that mission, implementing goals and holding teams accountable for accomplishing those goals within an established timeline, and in alignment with the strategic plan. Organizational structure is often important in gaining consensus for a strategy because it will determine who has to be appeased in management and how power is aligned and organizational structure organizational culture enables an organization to have aligned goals by focusing on productivity and getting the organization’s primary mission accomplished. The study recommends that the leadership in public water service providers in Kitui County should ensure that they understand better their employees so as to be able to help them improve their personal and professional effectiveness, accountability, and most of all effectively implement strategies formulated by the organization. The public water service providers in Kitui County should have a good structure that provides the right blend of command and control plus employee independence without feeling of resentment that hinders organization pursuit of its mission and that public water service providers in Kitui County should make strategic vision and goals clear and inspirational, translate strategy into a living execution plan that matters to people, capitalize on existing beneficial behaviors, and take action to adjust undesired or obsolete behaviors as needed and change organizational processes to reinforce desired behaviors for the long term and enable alignment with an organization’s culture.

Influence Usage of Media Platforms in Improving Uptake of Academic Library Services in Selected Universities in Kenya

The significance of social media in academic library cannot be overstressed. The evolution of Information technology in academic libraries has presented change in users’ views, demands, alterations in library services and changes in library staff functions. Academic Libraries have adopted and embraced various social media tools. However, there seems to be no clear picture on how exactly the social media technologies are being used by staff in the library for academic library services. This study was on utilization of social media platforms in improving uptake of academic library services in selected universities in Kenya. The study was basically narrowed to selected public university libraries in Kitui and Muranga Counties. The study aimed at achieving examining the factors influencing the use of social media in improving the uptake of academic library services. The study adopted Technology Acceptance Model as its conceptual framework. Descriptive research design was adopted, applying qualitative and quantitative methods. The target population comprised of two selected public university libraries in Kitui and Muranga Counties. The total sample size was 17 Librarians inclusive of the Chief University Librarians while total sample size for postgraduate students was 400. Literature was reviewed based on the objectives of the study. Semi-structured questionnaires were tools used for collection of data. Pilot study was carried out at Kenyatta university Kitui campus library which had similar characteristics to the libraries where the research was done to determine the reliability and validity of data collection tools. From the analysis of the collected data, the study established seventeen (17) different types of social media platforms that are currently being used to enhance uptake of the academic libraries’ services. Facebook and YouTube were the most outstanding of the platforms. Internet connectivity stood out among the factors influencing the use of social media platforms to enhance uptake of library and information services.&#x0D;