Mount Kenya Region Research Articles

Extraneous Shocks Affecting Agribusiness Loans Default Rate in Agricultural Finance Corporation, Mount Kenya Region

Extraneous Shocks Affecting Agribusiness Loans Default Rate in Agricultural Finance Corporation, Mount Kenya Region

Extraneous Shocks Affecting Agribusiness Loans Default Rate in Agricultural Finance Corporation, Mount Kenya Region

Extraneous Shocks Affecting Agribusiness Loans Default Rate in Agricultural Finance Corporation, Mount Kenya Region

Strategic Implementation and Organizational Performance in Kenya Rural Roads Authority in Mount Kenya Region

Purpose: The study examined strategic implementation and organizational performance in Kenya Rural Roads Authority Mount Kenya region. The objectives of the study comprised of examining the influence of resource allocation, leadership, communication and culture on organizational performance of Kenya Rural Roads Authority. The study was anchored on the following theories: Theory of resource allocation, Transformational leadership theory, Adaptive structuration theory, Organizational culture theory, and Resource based view theory.
 Methodology: A descriptive research design was employed in the study. The target population comprised of 147 managers from Kenya Rural Roads Authority operating in Mount Kenya Region. A census was utilized where all the managers were included in the study. The study employed 5-point Likert scale questionnaires to gather data from the respondents. Both inferential and descriptive statistics were employed in analysing the collected data. Descriptive statistics comprised of means, standard deviation and average while inferential statistics comprised of correlation and regression analysis. The results of the analysis was displayed in form of tables and figures.
 Findings: The study established that of resource allocation, leadership, communication and culture bears a positive and significant influence on organization performance of Kenya Rural Roads Authority. This is depicted by beta values of 0.439, 0.354, 0.246 and 0.173 and significance values of 0.000, 0.000, 0.003, and 0.012 respectively. The results implies that increasing either resource allocation, leadership, communication or culture with one unit results to increase in levels of organizational performance with respective better unit of the independent variable. The study concluded that strategic implementation bears a positive and significant influence on organizational performance of Kenya Rural Roads Authority.
 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: It is therefore recommended that strategy managers nurture and avail aspects of resource allocation, leadership, communication, and culture while implementing.

Influence of Enterprise Decision Making on Agribusiness Loans Default Rate in Agricultural Finance Corporation, Mount Kenya Region

Influence of Enterprise Decision Making on Agribusiness Loans Default Rate in Agricultural Finance Corporation, Mount Kenya Region

Effect of Borrower's Socio-Economic Profile on Agribusiness Loans Default Rate in Agricultural Finance Corporation, Mount Kenya Region

Background: Agribusiness loans advanced by Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) in Mount Kenya Region have high default rate of 20.33% which compares unfavourably with 10% benchmark for all types of loans in Kenya. This is a challenge, given the strategic importance of agribusiness credit in mainstreaming livelihoods to alleviate poverty by offering occupational and professional opportunities. This study aimed at analysing effect of borrower’s socio-economic profile on AFC loan default rate in agricultural finance corporation, Mount Kenya Region.
 Methods: According to AFC records Mount Kenya region represents a branch network of 11 branches and a population of 3,002 agribusiness borrowers. Using a descriptive research design a sample of 300 borrowers was drawn from a combined list through systematic random sampling technique with an interval of ten. Primary data on borrower’s socio-economic profile was collected using a structured questionnaire. The data was analysed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS V.27) and Stata version. Using regression analysis, the effect of independent and dependent variable to predict default rate was estimated. ANOVA was performed to get the F-statistic so as to test for the adequacy of the regression model. The logit econometric model was used to specify the statistical relationship between the independent variable and AFC loan default.
 Results: Results of the study revealed that multiple borrowing and borrower-lender distance were significant at 5%. Farming experience, borrowing experience and off-farm income were significant at 10%, 5% and 1% levels of significance. Multiple borrowing and borrower-lender distance were found to have 5.5% and 0.8% associations with default rate, respectively.
 Conclusion: The findings show that to mitigate default, the borrower should avoid multiple borrowing and manage the friction of distance. The study is significant since it enlightens the credit stakeholders on collective efforts that are effective in addressing the problem of default. The study recommends government interventionist policy by facilitating uptake of agricultural insurance and subsidizing input costs. Borrowers are encouraged to embrace technology, team up as farming communities to look for markets and affordable inputs, adopt agricultural insurances and adhere to lending directives.

Influence of Communication Strategy on Service Delivery in Water and Sewerage Companies in Mount Kenya Region, Kenya

Influence of Communication Strategy on Service Delivery in Water and Sewerage Companies in Mount Kenya Region, Kenya

ASSESSMENT OF PRODUCTION CONSTRAINTS AND CONTRIBUTION OF AVOCADO TO FOO SECURITY AND INCOME IN THE MOUNT KENYA REGION, KENYA

Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) belongs to the family Lauraceae and it is an important crop to rural communities and economies in Kenya. Currently, avocado is grown in several agroecological zones mainly by small-scale growers (85%) who grow it for subsistence, local markets and export. About 70% of avocado is grown in Central and Eastern region of Kenya. Central region produces 40%, Eastern 28%, Western 13%, Rift Valley 10%, Nyanza 6%, Coast 2% and Nairobi County 1%. The main production areas are Muranga, Kiambu, Thika, Embu, Meru, Taita Hills and Kitale. The aim of this study was to assess the production constraints and contribution of avocado to food security and income in Mount Kenya region. The study population comprised of smallholder avocado farmers. Purposive sampling was done in selecting highest producing sub-counties of avocado in Nyeri, Muranga and Embu counties. Simple random sampling was used to select 40 smallholder farmers from each of the selected subcounties who participated in the survey. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS computer package. Results indicated several constraints in the production of avocado including pests and diseases, lack of quality planting material, poor soils, lack of technical knowledge by avocado farmers and lack of well-structured marketing system. The study identified a gap in value addition of avocado in Kenya. It was also demonstrated that avocado contributes highly to household income and food security. The crop should therefore be accorded priority by policy makers and more research needs to be encouraged especially in the management of pests and diseases. Capacity building to avocado growers should be routinely carried out so as to avoid the many challenges that emanate from lack of technical knowledge. Intervention in value addition of avocado is an aspect that Kenyan county governments need to engage in by investing in cottage industries on avocado processing.

Brand equity and customer citizenship behavior among students of selected universities within Mount Kenya region

The growing number of higher learning institutions in Kenya and around the world has emphasized the importance of brand equity in customer decision-making. Despite the role of brand equity, enrollment in public universities has been declining in the past three years. The study was conducted to establish effect of brand equity on customer citizenship behavior among students of selected universities within Mount Kenya region. The study was anchored on Keller brand theory. A descriptive research survey was utilized and target population was 600 4 th year students of selected universities within Mount Kenya region. A sample size of 240 students was selected simple random sampling. Primary data was collected using both closed and open-ended questionnaires. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics including correlation and regression analysis. Results indicated an R squared of 0.565. This denoted that brand equity explains 57% of the variations in the customer citizenship behavior. Findings also indicated that brand equity had a positive and significant effect on customer citizenship behavior (β=0.912, p<0.05). This suggested that a marginal increase in brand equity will lead to 0.912 increase in customer citizenship behavior. The study concluded that brand equity significantly contributes to improved customer citizenship behavior (57%). The study recommended that universities management should consider engaging in strong advertising and marketing campaigns so as to create more brand awareness and hence build customer citizenship behaviour. The university administrators should make sure the brand image conjures cleanliness. They should also create a positive and inviting environment. The government and ministry of education policymakers should also promote brand equity in Kenyan universities.

Effect of Training on Implementation of Performance Appraisal in Public Universities in Mount Kenya Region

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to examine the extent to which training influences implementation of performance appraisal in public Universities in Mount Kenya Region.
 Methodology: This study adopted descriptive survey research design. The target population of this study was the staff, human resource officers, administrators and finance officers in the 7 chartered public universities as they are considered as the ones directly involved in the implementation of performance appraisal systems. The target population for this study consisted of 2423 respondents from which a sample size was drawn. The sample size was 136 respondents from the 7 chartered public universities in Mount Kenya Region. Stratified random sampling was used in this study. The study collected primary data by use of questionnaire. Quantitative data was analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics using SPSS (Version 20) and figures and tables were used to present the results. Both correlation and regression analyses were used to show the association between the variables.
 Findings: Regression results indicated that training had a positive and significant effect with implementation of performance appraisal systems. The study concluded that well designed training programs helps to improve the knowledge, skills and abilities of employees to achieve the organization’s strategic plan.
 Recommendations: It was recommended that universities should have training of their staff to ensure competence which will in the long run improve implementation of performance appraisal systems. In addition, training the staff will help the organization to augment the advantages acknowledged through the usage of venture, program, and portfolio administration programming. Moreover competent staff ensure faster implementation of projects as they know the part to play.

Brand Equity and Customer Citizenship Behaviour among Students of Selected Universities within Mount Kenya Region

The growing number of higher learning institutions in Kenya and around the world has emphasized the importance of brand equity in customer decision-making. Despite the role of brand equity, enrollment in public universities has been declining in the past three years. The study was conducted to establish the effect of brand equity on customer citizenship behaviour among students of selected universities within Mount Kenya region. The study was anchored on Keller brand theory. A descriptive research survey was utilized and a target population of 600 4th year students were selected from universities within Mount Kenya region. A sample size of 240 students was selected through simple random sampling. Primary data was collected using both closed and open-ended questionnaires. Data analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics including correlation and regression analysis. Results indicated an R squared of 0.565. This denoted that brand equity explains 57% of the variations in the customer citizenship behavior. Findings also indicated that brand equity had a positive and significant effect on customer citizenship behavior (β=0.912, p<0.05). This suggested that a marginal increase in brand equity will lead to 0.912 increase in customer citizenship behavior. The study concluded that brand equity significantly contributes to improved customer citizenship behavior (57%). The study recommended that universities’ management should consider engaging in strong advertising and marketing campaigns so as to create more brand awareness and hence build customer citizenship behaviour. The university administrators should make sure the brand image conjures cleanliness. They should also create a positive and inviting environment. The government and ministry of education policymakers should also promote brand equity in Kenyan universities. Keywords: Brand Equity, Customer Citizenship Behaviour, University students

Electroantennogram and machine learning reveal a volatile blend mediating avoidance behavior by Tuta absoluta females to a wild tomato plant

Tomato cultivation is threatened by the infestation of the nocturnal invasive tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta. This study was based on field observations that a wild tomato plant, Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme, grown in the Mount Kenya region, Kenya, is less attacked by T. absoluta, unlike the cultivated tomato plants like S. lycopersicum (var. Rambo F1). We hypothesized that the wild tomato plant may be actively avoided by gravid T. absoluta females because of the emission of repellent allelochemical constituents. Therefore, we compared infestation levels by the pest in field monocrops and intercrops of the two tomato genotypes, characterized the headspace volatiles, then determined the compounds detectable by the insect through gas chromatography-linked electroantennography (GC-EAG), and finally performed bioassays using a blend of four EAG-active compounds unique to the wild tomato. We found significant reductions in infestation levels in the monocrop of the wild tomato, and intercrops of wild and cultivated tomato plants compared to the monocrop of the cultivated tomato plant. Quantitative and qualitative differences were noted between volatiles of the wild and cultivated tomato plants, and between day and night volatile collections. The most discriminating compounds between the volatile treatments varied with the variable selection or machine learning methods used. In GC-EAG recordings, 16 compounds including hexanal, (Z)-3-hexenol, α-pinene, β-myrcene, α-phellandrene, β-phellandrene, (E)-β-ocimene, terpinolene, limonene oxide, camphor, citronellal, methyl salicylate, (E)-β-caryophyllene, and others tentatively identified as 3,7,7-Trimethyl-1,3,5-cycloheptatriene, germacrene D and cis-carvenone oxide were detected by antennae of T. absoluta females. Among these EAG-active compounds, (Z)-3-hexenol, α-pinene, α-phellandrene, limonene oxide, camphor, citronellal, (E)-β-caryophyllene and β-phellandrene are in the top 5 discriminating compounds highlighted by the machine learning methods. A blend of (Z)-3-hexenol, camphor, citronellal and limonene oxide detected only in the wild tomato showed dose-dependent repellence to T. absoluta females in wind tunnel. This study provides some groundwork for exploiting the allelochemicals of the wild tomato in the development of novel integrated pest management approaches against T. absoluta.

Job Sharing on Employee Performance in Public Universities in Mt Kenya Region

Job sharing is a type of flexible working arrangement that an organization can embrace for efficiency and effectiveness at work. Job sharing helps in the operation of the organizations even during the pandemic period. The main objective of the research study was to determine the extent to which job sharing affects performance of employees in public universities in Mount Kenya region. The target population of the study was 3,012 employees consisting of teaching and non-teaching staff. The sample size was 353 respondents determined by use of Yumane formulae. Descriptive research design was used. Questionnaire was the main data collection instrument. Data analysis and interpretation was based on descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. A multiple regression model was used to explore the relationship between the variables under study. A pilot test was carried out in a public University outside Mount Kenya region to ensure validity and reliability of the data collection instruments prior to actual collection of data. The data was analyzed using SPSS. Descriptive statistics were presented in frequency tables, percentages, mean, standard deviations and graphs. Inferential statistics were used in testing null hypotheses. Results showed that job sharing and employee performance of public universities were positively and significantly related (β=0.247, p=0.000). The study concluded that there was a statistically significant relationship between job sharing and employee performance of public universities in Mount Kenya region. The study recommended use of job sharing in the Universities because it enhances employee performance, reduces absenteeism and increases employee satisfaction.

Beyond Mount Kenya Region: 40 Years of Theological and Practical Education at St Andrew’s College, Kabare (1977-2017), by Julius Gathogo

In this book, Professor Julius Gathogo immortalises for posterity the story of Kabari (anglicised as “Kabare”), which means “a steep” or “a hill”; a place with a rich history of Christian mission in its varied forms, spanning more than a century.

Alcohol Abuse

The article sets out to examine the correlation between the drinking problem that has beset youth of Central Kenya and the oaths that were taken by residents in the region in the wake of the struggle for socio-political and economic independence (in 1950s). It is worthwhile to recall that the Mau Mau philosophy discouraged the abuse of drugs, and especially alcohol. It was the belief that the breach of oaths spelt calamity. The youth might disassociate themselves from beliefs of their fathers and forefathers. However, since most of them are Christians, nominal or practical, they should be awed because the bible has it that, ‘’. . . I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation . . .’’ (Deuteronomy 5:9). Characteristically, the communities in Central Kenya share many aspects of culture, especially beliefs and religious practices. For example, breach of oaths was a taboo. The article seeks to establish the connection between the high degree of alcohol abuse to the violation of oaths that the Mau Mau (freedom fighters) patriots took before and during the State of Emergency (1952-1960). Certainly, anything taboo was ominous. Mau Mau agitated for independence, and more importantly, the return of land, the bond that bound together the living, the dead and the unborn. Land was seen in our indigenous society as sacred and it was not to change hands in any way. Mau Mau took oaths to the effect that whoever breached it would attract catastrophe, including death. In view of this, the article would seek to establish if the drinking problem in the Mount Kenya (central) region is a consequence of breaching Mau Mau oaths.

Politeness Strategies: Open Letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta Prior to Sagana 3 Mt Kenya Consultative Meeting

Succinctly speaking, politics is an intricate affair that culminates in the likelihood of ugly scenarios popping out following the language that politicians employ. In line with the aforesaid, politicians attempt to employ assorted politeness strategies to exhibit decorum of some sort while addressing their seniors, more so when the addressee is at the apex of the purported leadership. The study intends to unravel the nature of politeness strategies that a section of Members of Parliament from Mount Kenya region relied on while reaching out to the president of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta. To this end, the data was collected from an open letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta whose term of leadership was scheduled to end in 2022. The analysis on the data took into account the frequency of use on the said strategies namely, bald on record, off record, positive politeness and negative politeness; hence, anchoring the study on Politeness. The study sought to analyze the strategies used by the authors of the open letter and find out how the said authors navigated between the said strategies in line with FTAs bearing in mind that there was an asymmetric power relation and social distance between them. Results of qualitative and quantitative data analysis showed a significant difference in the manner authors of the said open letter navigated between the said strategies; thus, teasing out an implication in politeness research.

Liberationist Icon or Conservative Leader? Ismael Mwai Mabiu’s Afro-Pentecostalism and Ecclesiastical Leadership in Kenya

This article sets out to retrieve the oral histories of a pioneer African Christian at Kagumo Full Gospel Churches of Kenya (FGCK), namely Rev. Ismael Mwai-Mabiu. Mwai-Mabiu offered exceptional leadership as he sought to revive the Mount Kenya region and the entire Kenyan nation, particularly in the mid-1940s–1980s and 2000–2012, through his oral “liberation theological discourses.” These efforts were well captured in his preaching as a roving pastor in mass seminars and in evangelism. His Afro-Pentecostal theology, which he propounded in the FGCK (a church he co-founded), provided the forum that he used as a platform to launch and advance his liberationist Afro-Pentecostal approach. Was Mwai-Mabiu a liberationist or a conservative ecclesiastical leader in his theo-social doctrinal matters; or was he seeking to indigenise theological discourses in his Afro-Pentecostal outfit? The concern of this article is to unearth the nature of leadership that Mwai-Mabiu employed and to describe the relevance of his Afro-Pentecostal oral and liberationist theologies. What were his fundamental concerns? Was his “ministry” evangelised in a cultural vacuum, rather than an inclusive environment that relied upon already existing networks of the host area of ecclesiastical operation? The methodology of this article comprises interviews conducted in four phases: 1) with Mwai-Mabiu himself; 2) with his wife; 3) with three focus discussion groups (FDGs) in interviews between 2016 and 2018; and 4) by the researcher with people closely related to him, namely Bishop Joshua Kiongo Kimani, assistant Bishop Rev. Joseph Muriithi Karugendo, elder Joseph Munene, elder Benson Ngiri, and the pioneers of the FGCK. Later, in May to October 2019, the researcher conducted further research to seek clarification on some areas that did not come out clearly during the first interviews. A review of the relevant literature was also conducted.

Influence of Policy Implementation Practices on Employee Development in the Eastern Region of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Kenya

Policy implementation involves translating the goals and objectives of a policy into an action. The success of policy implementation depends on the choice of appropriate incentives based on the local biophysical and social conditions. The Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) recognizes the importance of employee development and is committed to providing the best possible climate for maximum personal development and goal achievement for each employee. Human resources management in PCEA is guided by a document known as the schemes of service. This document guides the job and career prospects for all cadres of personnel. They include, Church administrators, accountants and bookkeepers, secretaries, gardeners, caretakers, cleaners and security guards. Like many mainstream churches, the PCEA is facing a challenge of staff turnover. Despite this challenge, little information regarding leadership practices that influence employee development in the Kenyan context exists. The study examined the influence of policy implementation practices by church leadership on employee development. A descriptive research design using survey method was adopted. The study targeted 291 Church leaders comprising of 255 elected leaders from the 47 Parishes and 4 mission areas and 36 elected leaders drawn from the 9 Presbyteries of Eastern Region of PCEA. Stratified sampling method was used to select a sample of 145 parish leaders and 20 Presbytery leaders totaling to 165 respondents. Data was collected using mainly questionnaires. A pilot study was conducted in Mount Kenya region of PCEA. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The main findings show that leaders in PCEA implemented non-formal training, financed employees, and offered them study leaves with pay and promotions to promote employee development. However, a gap on-the-job training was established. It is time the Church shifts the paradigm to embrace on-the-job training of her employees. If the PCEA has to be successful in her mission in the 21 st century, it has to reconsider her on-the-job training systems. Keywords : Employee Development, PCEA, Policy Practices DOI: 10.7176/JPCR/50-07 Publication date: October 31 st 2020

Effect of E-Financial Documentation and Statements on Operating Costs in Universities in Kenya.

Institutions globally have embraced electronic systems of managing documents and generation of financial statements ranging from maintenance of ledgers, extraction of the trail balance and automated income statement and statement of financial position. This study sought to analyze the effect of e-financial documentation and statements on operating costs in universities in Kenya. The study was guided by theory of reasoned action and technology acceptance model. The target population was 80 employees drawn from 8 universities, four public universities and four private universities operating in Mount Kenya region. Census was used to collect the data from target population. A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to the target population. A total of 71 questionnaires were returned giving a response rate of 88.75%. Statistical package was used to undertake descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Descriptive analysis was done using both means and standard deviations. Bivariate linear regressions were used to assess the effect of e-financial documentation and statements on operating costs. Model R2, ANOVA Statistics (F Statistic and associated p-value) and regression coefficients (Beta and associated p-value) were generated and interpreted. The Bivariate results indicated that online financial documentation have a significant effect on the operating cost of universities. Electronic financial statements had an insignificant effect on operating costs of universities. This study concludes that online financial documentation affects organization costs in the universities. The study recommends the need to sensitize management of universities and other organizations on the importance of electronic financial services because they could reduce operating costs.

Trends of Banana Production among Smallholders’ Farmers Due to Rainfall and Temperature variations in Mount Kenya Region County, Kenya

Unreliability and unpredictability of rainfall amount and temperature fluctuations have negative impact on agriculture production especially in Africa where coping mechanisms are limited. The future of rainfed agriculture is uncertain more so on banana production among the smallholder’s farmers due to climate variability. This study examined the extent of rainfall and temperature changes on banana production among smallholders’ farmers in Mount. Kenya region of Kenya from 2009 and 2017. The sites were purposively selected to include Imenti south (Meru County) and Mukurweini sub-counties (Nyeri County) where banana production has been practiced since 1990. A sample size of 381 respondents was identified using simple random sampling. Production and climatic (rainfall and Temperature) data were sourced from Horticultural Crop Directorate and Kenya Meteorological Department respectively for the stations adjacent to the study sites for the study period. Results showed decreasing trends on rainfall amounts while temperature increasing trend. Study found that rainfall increase does not necessarily translate to increased production while temperature level of about 18.50C gave the maximum yields. Majority of the respondents (42.8%) in the study region admitted to have changed the land use and type of crops they have been farming during the study period whereas 30% changed from other crops to banana farming. Banana acreage and production in both sub-counties have been increasing during the study period. The County and National government should provide irrigation as a coping mechanism to banana production due to the declining rainfall and increasing temperature in the region. We recommended provision of weather information on the onset of the rainfall period and distribution within the seasons in order to respond to the effects of climate variability.

Assessment of Adherence of Public and Private Universities to Examination Regulatory Frameworks in Mount Kenya Region

The study focused on the assessment of the adherence of public and private universities to examination regulatory frameworks in Mount Kenya region. The objectives of the study were to: assess the extent to which universities in Mount Kenya region adhere to examination regulatory frameworks, and examine the significant differences between public and private universities levels of adherence to examination regulatory frameworks in Mount Kenya region. Descriptive research design was used. The study sampled 380 university students using Kathuri and Pals’ (1999) sampling table. Self-constructed questionnaires were used to collect data from students and university examination officers and an interview schedule from registrars. Data was analyzed descriptively by use of means, percentages and frequencies; and inferentially by computation of a t-test. Results indicated that majority of universities did not adhere to regulatory frameworks as indicated by 51.3% of respondents, students were congested in examination rooms as reflected by 47.7% of subjects, and there was weakness in identification of examinees as they entered examination rooms as shown by 55.7% of respondents. The t-test yielded a p-value of 0.887 against the α value of 0.05; hence, the null hypothesis was supported (at α =.05) and concluded that the adherence to regulatory framework for private and public universities was largely the same. The study concluded that university students did not adhere to regulatory frameworks, there was no proper spacing of students in examination rooms, and there was weakness in identification of students as they entered examination rooms. The study also found that students did not borrow materials in examination rooms, and they were not allowed to talk during examinations. Implications of the study were: both public and private universities should ensure adherence to regulatory frameworks, avail sufficient spacing in examination rooms, and ensure proper identification of students as they enter examination rooms. Results will be referred to by education policy makers to improve the management of examinations in universities.