Nairobi City County Research Articles

Electronic Procurement Practices and Performance of Logistics Firms in Nairobi City County,Kenya

The general objective of this study was to examine the relationship between e-procurement practices and performance of logistic firms in Nairobi County. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: to ascertain how E-tendering affects performance of logistics firms in Nairobi County, to determine the effect of E-invoicing in the performance of logistics firms in Nairobi County, to what extent E-Payment affect performance of logistics firms in Nairobi County and finally to establish how E-sourcing affect performance of logistics firms in Nairobi County. The study used descriptive design because it enhanced systematic description that is as accurate, valid and reliable as possible regarding the responses. The study was limited to 8 selected logistic firms in Nairobi County. Being an academic study, the period to be covered was 6 months. This study utilized a sample size of 54 respondents. The use of 54 respondents in the study was justified as it was in line with the recommendations of Mugenda and Mugenda who indicated that a descriptive study should include at least 30% of the total population. Since the sample size of 54 represented 30% of the population it was deemed appropriate. The researcher used questionnaires and secondary data as the research instrument to gather the relevant information needed related to the study. The study involved use of professionals and experts to test the validity of questionnaire by trying to assess what concept the instrument is trying to measure and the accuracy of representation of the concept under research. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. In addition, the study used multiple regression analysis to analyze the data. Regarding E-tendering, the study established that E-tendering had a significant and positive effect on the performance of logistic firms in Nairobi County. The study also established that E-invoicing had a significant and positive effect on the performance of logistic firms in Nairobi County. The study further established that E-Payment had significant and a positive effect on the performance of logistic firms in Nairobi County. The study finally established that E-sourcing had significant and a positive effect on the performance of logistic firms in Nairobi County.

Profiling Housing Co-operative Models in Addressing Shortage of Affordable Housing in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Profiling Housing Co-operative Models in Addressing Shortage of Affordable Housing in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Ethical practice and Human Resource performance in Nairobi City County government, Kenya

This study aimed to examine the relationship between ethical practice and human resource performance in Nairobi City County Government, Kenya.The study was built on Stakeholder Theory.The study's target population comprised 46 employees, including principal human resource officers, administrative officers, and human resource officers, based at City Hall, Nairobi. Data was collected through a semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS software, and key findings revealed that the county government’s application of accountability and ethical conduct positively impacts human resource performance. A positive correlation coefficient of 0.582 indicates a significant and positive linear relationship between ethical practices and human resource performance. Ethical guidelines and policies play a vital role in shaping the ethical culture within county governments and enhancing employee morale and job satisfaction.Ethical conduct should thus be at the forefront of the county government’s operations.The study roots for increased emphasis on competency-based hiring practices.

Demand Factors and The Employment of Persons with Disability in 3-5 Star Hotels in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Demand Factors and The Employment of Persons with Disability in 3-5 Star Hotels in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Total Quality Management Practices and Firm Performance in Non-Governmental Organizations in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Total Quality Management Practices and Firm Performance in Non-Governmental Organizations in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Adoption of Digital Technologies as a Driver for Cost Leadership Strategy in Tour Firms within Nairobi City County, Kenya

Digital technologies play a major role in reducing the cost of operations in tour firms. The main focus of the study was to find out the adoption of digital technologies as a driver of cost leadership strategy in tour firms within Nairobi City County. The specific objective was to investigate the influence of mobile applications on cost leadership strategy in tour firms in Nairobi City County. Embedded research design was applied in the study. The study adopted the null hypothesis that mobile applications had no statistically significant influence on cost leadership strategy in tour firms within Nairobi City County. The study population was 278 tour firms obtained from the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) list where a sample of 164 tour firms were selected through the application of Yemane’s (1967) sample size formula. 10 tour firm mangers were selected for interviews. Systematic random sampling was utilized for the determination of the sample size of 164 tour firms. Semi-structured questionnaires and interview schedules were utilized as data instruments. Questionnaires were filled by tour consultants while interviews were conducted with tour firm managers. 133 respondents filled out the questionnaires representing 81% response rate while 7 interviewees were conducted representing 70% response rate. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used during data analysis. The study utilized both ANOVA and multiple regression tests to test the hypotheses, and influence between the adoption of digital technology and cost leadership strategy. The results of the R Square equals 0.919 therefore revealing that 91.9% of cost leadership is attributed to mobile applications. The study confirmed there was a statistical significance (p =.000) between mobile applications and cost leadership. Mobile applications as a digital technology tool accounted for a positive significant increase (B = 637) in cost leadership strategy. The study concluded that there is a positive strong influence between the adoption of mobile applications and cost leadership strategy. The study recommends that tour firms should fully adopt digital technologies to maximize cost control, minimize marketing costs, and promote operational efficiency

Waveless Picking in Supply Chain Performance of Food and Beverages Processing Firms in Kenya

The purpose of this study was to analyze the role of waveless picking in supply chain performance of food and beverages manufacturing firms in Kenya. The research concentrated on the 134 food and beverage manufacturers that are operating in Nairobi City County besides being registered with Kenya Association of Manufacturers. The study adopted a mixed research design with both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The target population of the study was the 134 food and beverages manufacturing firms in Nairobi County. A sampling frame of this study included a list of the 134 manufacturing companies in Nairobi County that are members of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers. The study utilized simple random sampling. A sample size of 100 was selected with the aid of Yamane 1967 formula. Both primary and secondary data was collected using a questionnaire. The questionnaire was tested pilot at 10 food and beverages manufacturing companies in Kiambu county. These pilot study questionnaires were filled out by warehouse managers. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used to analyze the data. Using content analysis, the qualitative data was analyzed. Quantitative data was analyzed using statistical methods involving descriptive and inferential data. A multiple linear regression model was applied to analyze the relationship between the variables. Analysis was also performed on the correlation. In this study, the findings were presented using tables and graphs. Data presentation made use of percentages, frequencies, means and other means of central tendencies. The study on revealed several ways to improve operational efficiency and productivity. Most enterprises have not reduced warehouse travel time, indicating potential for improvement. The study recommended reducing warehouse travel time, implementing batch picking, designating picking zones, increasing product forecasting accuracy, improving cash flow management and supply chain scheduling, accepting technology and automation, and promoting continuous learning and development.

Do Teacher Characteristics Influence the Relationship Between School Performance and Quit Intent? Insights from Public Secondary Schools in Nairobi City County

Do Teacher Characteristics Influence the Relationship Between School Performance and Quit Intent? Insights from Public Secondary Schools in Nairobi City County

Communication Culture Strength and Customer Satisfaction in Public Secondary Schools in Nairobi County, Kenya

Communication Culture Strength and Customer Satisfaction in Public Secondary Schools in Nairobi County, Kenya

Male Infertility: A Retrospective Review of Laboratory Charts at a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Nairobi City County

Male Infertility: A Retrospective Review of Laboratory Charts at a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Nairobi City County

INFLUENCE OF TEACHER-STUDENT RELATIONSHIPS ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF LEARNERS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA

This study aimed to examine the influence of teacher-student relationships on the academic performance of learners with learning disabilities in Nairobi County. Systems theory and Social Cognitive theories were adopted. A descriptive correlational research design was employed using a mixed research approach. The target population comprised 4 head teachers, 62 teachers, and 1,923 learners with learning disabilities from 4 regular primary schools in Nairobi City County. Stratified random sampling and simple random sampling were applied to select the four schools and respondents from each school respectively. A purposive sampling technique was utilized to choose the head teachers and teachers from each school. Questionnaires, focus group discussions, interview guides, and screening tools were used to gather data. Quantitative data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques, whereas qualitative was transcribed and qualitatively analyzed in a thematic approach. A correlation test was done on the hypotheses to ascertain the relation between independent variables and dependent variables at a statistical significance of p≤0.05 (p=5%) using Chi-square. Pearson product-moment correlation was computed to measure the strength of the association between predictors and children’s academic performance variables. Qualitative data analysis involved transcription and analysis of open-ended questions from research tools using thematic analysis. Findings showed that all proxies for the teacher-student relationship except dependency level had a significant p-value (p<0.05) at 95% Confidential Interval. Statistical statistics from chi-square the correlation between teacher-student relationships and learners’ academic performance was statistically significant the null hypothesis was rejected. The study concluded that teacher-student relationships result in improvement in learners’ academic performance. School policies have no significant relationship with learners’ academic performance in primary school schools in Nairobi City County. The study recommended that teachers should deliberately express concerns both about students’ academic and non-academic life, as this makes the learners with learning disabilities feel accepted and motivated to improve their academic work.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/lit/0788/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

Information Source Attributes and Terrorism Risk Preparedness among the Residents of Nairobi City County

Purpose: The main purpose of the study was to establish the association of source attributes and terrorism risk preparedness among the residents of Nairobi City County.
 Materials and Methods: This study followed a mixed-methods design comprising mainly of a questionnaire survey complemented by observation, key informant interviews and document analysis, The design employed the Concurrent Convergent (Triangulation) Parallel strategy. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Nairobi City County has a resident population of 4,397,073. A further estimated 2.5 million non-residents visit the city-county daily for business, work, or as tourists and travelers in transit to other counties. Therefore, the target population for this study was approximately 6.5 million. The study population was drawn using stratified purposive random sampling technique where the list of all the sampling locations was categorized into four strata. The sample size was 640 respondents who were proportionately randomly drawn from four different strata. 
 Findings: Regression of coefficients showed that source attributes and terrorism risk preparedness were positively and significantly related (β=0.379, p=0.000). Specifically, 53.6% of the respondents agreed with the statement that receiving information from credible sources on terrorism attacks provides motivation for preparedness in case of a terrorist attack. Similarly, 64.8% agreed with the statement that consistency in terrorism risks communications provides motivation to preparedness behaviour adoption 62.6% of the respondents were in concurrence that competence among that communication terrorism risk preparedness was a motivating factor for preparedness. Further, only 43.1% of the respondents indicated that their organisations were using experts in terrorism risk communication and preparedness. 64.6% were of the opinion that involving non experts in decisions related to terrorism risk communications and preparedness can result in preparedness action taking laxity.
 Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends that professionals charged with emergency risk communication for terrorism preparedness should particularly: demonstrate expertise and competence in the subject matter to instill confidence in their audiences that the information is reliable and useful. This can be achieved by involving qualified professionals, experts, or organizations with relevant experience in emergency risk preparedness and build trust by being transparent, honest, and reliable in communication. Trust can also be enhanced by providing accurate information, acknowledging uncertainties when applicable, and addressing any concerns or doubts promptly.

Effectiveness of County Communication Approaches in Facilitating Public Participation in Kenya’s Devolved Governments

Purpose: The aim of this research was to evaluate the efficacy of county communication frameworks in fostering public participation in Kenya’s 47 devolved governments. Effective communication is both a function and proof of good governance. Thus the significance of county communication facilitating enduring citizen participation in policy making and implementation processes cannot be overstated. The evaluation of county communication approaches was conducted in alignment with overall objectives outlined in the County Government Act of 2012. These objectives include: creating awareness on devolution and governance; promotion of peace and cohesion; advocacy for development, and promotion of the freedom of the media.
 Methodology: The present study adopted a qualitative research approach. The research targeted 8 counties clustered in county economic blocs of North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB), Lake Region Economic Bloc LREB, Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC) , South Eastern Kenya Economic Block (SEKEB), Mt Kenya and Aberdares Economic Bloc, Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani( JKP), Narok and Kajiado Economic Block(NAKAEB) and Nairobi City County. The counties purposely selected to represent each of these economic blocs include: Trans Nzoia, Kisumu, Mandera, Makueni, Meru, Kwale, Narok and Nairobi. This study used both primary and secondary methods to collect data. In-depth interviews were used to collect primary data from 26 participants, specifically, from Council of Governors, Sub-County Administrators, County Assemblies Forum, County Directors of Communication and Community Based Organizations. They were purposively chosen for their role in communicating, facilitating, and monitoring public participation. Secondary data was collected mainly from national dataset, surveys, and reports from ministries, departments, and agencies.
 Findings: The findings show that concept of public participation is deeply rooted in the Constitution of Kenya 2010. County communication frameworks embed strategic communication approaches for policy making and implementation in devolved governments. The finds show that the level of understanding of devolution among Kenyans varies. Those in urban and city counties have a greater appreciation of decentralization while those in rural counties have limited understanding of devolution and its implication. Majority of Kenyans have difficulty distinguishing functions of devolved governments from those assigned to the national government by the CoK 2010. Additionally, county governments are required to promote peace and cohesion among the residents. The findings show that this objective receives less emphasis and is not a priority of counties, with the exception of frontier counties. However, counties promote development in their jurisdiction recognizing that they have a responsibility to stimulate investments that create jobs for unemployed and generally improve living standards of the residents. Finally, county governments have a role to play in ensuring media practice remain free from any interference even though this responsibility lie with the national government. 
 Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Based on the review of the literature and findings of this study, the study recommends that county governments should meaningfully engage citizens in governance by first, empowering them to understand their responsibility and secondly, allowing them to engage meaningfully in issues that affect them. To achieve this, county governments should establish mechanisms that promote civic education, public participation and access to information as provided in the County Government Act 2012.

Coverage of English syllabus in secondary schools in Kenya: A comparative study in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Education delivers large, consistent returns in terms of income, and is the most important factor to ensure equality of opportunities. Having education in an area helps people think, feel, and behave in a way that contributes to their success, and improves not only their personal satisfaction but also their community. Worldwide, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG4 calls for access to quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030. A Syllabus is an important tool in a bid to acquire quality education. Firstly, it delineates the responsibilities of students and the instructors. It offers information about what should be discussed, what students are supposed to do, and how these results are evaluated. In the Kenyan Education system, all the learning processes depends crucially upon the mastery of the fundamental skills of English Language, which is vital not only for educational purpose but also for economic competitiveness. The government of Kenya has come up with policies that ensure that at the end of secondary school, students are able to communicate competitively using the English language. However, there has been a worrying concern from both employers and educationists that the employees and graduates, respectively, have poor English language skills. The aim of this study was to establish the existing gaps between stated government policies on the syllabus coverage in teaching of English in secondary schools in Kenya on one hand and on the other the actual school practices during the implementation of these policies. This study was based on structural functionalism theory by Durkheim. It adopted descriptive research design which was carried out in public secondary schools in Nairobi County. The study had a target population of 480 from 60 Schools which included: the heads of English department and teachers of English. The study employed purposive sampling where the schools’ Heads of English Department (HODs) and teachers of English were purposively sampled into 62 respondents composed of 8 HODs and 56 teachers. Questionnaires and observation checklists were used to collect data. The qualitative data was grouped into different categories depending on the responses given by the respondents. Those categories helped in establishing themes. Through the use of the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) program, quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics percentages, frequencies, and tables where appropriate. The Key finding in this study was that all the government policies on coverage of syllabus during teaching of English were not being fully implemented as required. The study recommended that teachers of English access regular professional development programs to enhance their teaching and acquire skills to enable them overcome some of the challenges they were facing during the coverage of the English syllabus during teaching; The Kenya National Examination council (KNEC) is to come up with an oral exam and a listening exam to help students achieve communication competence in English.

Relationship between intake of energy-dense diets and nutritional status of adolescents in primary schools in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Background: Energy-dense diets are of low nutrient quality but high energy content and this may have adverse health outcomes, especially in adolescence where the body is transforming from childhood to adulthood. Intake of energy-dense diets is associated with various forms of malnutrition including obesity, overweight, underweight and other micronutrient deficiencies. There is however scanty information about the relationship between the intake of energy-dense foods and adolescents' nutritional status. Aims: This study aimed to establish the relationship between intake of energy-dense diets and the nutritional status of adolescents in Nairobi County. Subjects and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional descriptive research design involving quantitative techniques of data collection. A total of 161 adolescents, 87 females and 74 male aged 10-14 years participated in the study. Cluster sampling was used to select schools in Embakasi South Sub- County. Simple random sampling was used to select adolescents in classes 5, 6 and 7. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, 7-day food frequency questionnaires, and anthropometric measurements. Data analysis was done using; SPSS version 23.0 (quantitative data), ENA for SMART (anthropometric data), Nutrisurvey software (Dietary data) and hypothesis testing (Pearson correlation). Results: The study established a burden of malnutrition among adolescents in Nairobi County (13%) underweight, (5.7%) overweight, (4.3%) severely underweight, and (2.5%) obese. The energy-dense foods which were found to have significant relationship with the nutritional status of the adolescents were: potato chips (r = 0.044, p = 0.045), doughnuts (r = -0.02, p = <0.001), pancakes (r = -0.001, p = 0.762), bhajia (r = -0.014, p = 0.897), cheese (r = -0.107, p-value = 0.660), and Regular soft drink (r = -0.147, p= 0.101. Conclusion: The nutritional status of the adolescents was influenced by the intake of some energy-dense diets and sociodemographic characteristics. Keywords: Food energy-density; dietary intake; undernutrition; overweight; obese; fatty foods.

Factors affecting healthcare-seeking behaviour among men who have sex with men in Starehe sub-county, Nairobi City County

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are a marginalized population in Kenya. When seeking medical care, they usually encounter obstacles due to accusations and public discrimination. As a result, MSMs put themselves at risk of developing serious illnesses that would burden the economy. This study aims to identify the barriers and behaviors that influence MSM healthcare-seeking. A quantitative study was conducted in Nairobi's Starehe sub-county. The researcher randomly selected participants at a Support Widows and Orphan Programmers drop-in center. The investigation happened between December 13, 2021, to January 15, 2022. Participants were subjected to a self-administered questionnaire after consenting. Most respondents were youths (92.7%:190). MSM's who encountered discrimination while receiving treatment were three times more likely to be afraid to seek medical attention (UOR=3.2, 95% CI). The majority of MSMs preferred non-government institutions (56.1 %; 115). The MSMs who were denied medical care were more likely to be afraid to seek care (UOR=3.9, 95% CI (1.192, 12.434). MSMs showed confidence in disclosing their sexual orientation to a health provider (82.1%:133) compared to family members (18.3%:11). The study found that MSMs' have challenges and poor health-seeking behaviors that is due to lack of a strategy for providing medical care to MSMs. The Ministry of Health should plan on how to supply items like drugs and protective devices required in the treatment and prevention of diseases among MSMs. Participants in this study were selected at the centrally located site in Nairobi County. The selection at one center can contribute to sampling bias.

Cultural Practices and Food Consumption Behaviour of Guests Dining In 4-5 Star Hotels in Nairobi City County, Kenya

In a culturally diverse market such as Kenya, consumers form a mindset of foods to consume while dining out, have different food preferences, and assume different consumption behavior patterns while making food purchases. Cultural practices may influence their decisions, prohibiting them from eating certain foods. The study sought to investigate the influence of cultural practices on behaviors regarding food consumption of guests when dining out in restaurants found in 4–5-star hotels in Nairobi County. The study’s target population was customers dining out in restaurants in 4–5-star hotels in Nairobi County and respective restaurant managers. A suitable pretest sample of 10 respondents was selected from walk-in customers and three restaurant managers from three restaurants picked from the hotels that were not part of the sample. Cronbach's Alpha obtained from the pre-tested 13 participants was 0.743. The ideal sample size of respondents drawn from restaurants in hotels classified as four- and five-star hotels according to the Tourism Regulatory Authority classification 2016 was determined by proportionate stratified sampling. The sampling technique for the Managers was purposive, selecting each Restaurant's Manager. The estimated number of respondents was 385 from a sample of restaurants in 21 hotels ranked as 4- and 5-star hotels in Nairobi County. Data collection involved questionnaires and direct interviews, yielding an 80.5% response rate with 310 adequately completed questionnaires and seven interviews. The analysis utilized descriptive and inferential statistics, presenting the data in tables, charts, and graphs for each category of variables. The Chi-square Test was employed to assess the relationship between dependent and independent variables at a 95% confidence level. The findings showed a significant association between food taboos and the dining habits of patrons in 4-5 star hotel restaurants in Nairobi County (χ2=8.980, p=0.003), a notable link between cultural beliefs and dining habits in the same context (χ2=22.099, p<0.05), and a significant influence of rituals on these dining habits (χ2=5.361, p=0.021<0.05). The study further established that the decision-making process significantly moderated the relationship between cultural practices and consumption behavior of diners in restaurants in four and five-star hotels in Nairobi County. The study concludes that modern-day food consumption behaviors result from several factors, including culture, taboo, religious beliefs, rituals, and thus food choice diversity. Therefore, 4- and 5-star hotel professionals should factor in the cultural element during menu planning to balance the catering, financial, and marketing policies. Keywords: Cultural influences, food consumption patterns, luxury hospitality, gastronomic tourism, Nairobi city county hospitality.

Effect of Deployment of Strategic Leadership on Organizational Performance: A Case Study of Selected Dairy Processing Firms in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Effect of Deployment of Strategic Leadership on Organizational Performance: A Case Study of Selected Dairy Processing Firms in Nairobi City County, Kenya

E-Government and Service Delivery at Kenya Revenue Authority Headquarters in Nairobi City County, Kenya

E-Government and Service Delivery at Kenya Revenue Authority Headquarters in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Emergency Preparedness for Guests with Mobility Impairments and Frequency of Visits in Five-Star Hotels in Nairobi City County, Kenya

The purpose of this study was therefore to establish the influence of emergency preparedness on the frequency of visits to five-star hotels in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The specific goals of this research were: to record the types of hazards encountered by five-star hotels in Nairobi City County; to identify the areas of those hotels where emergencies occur; to learn about the barriers to emergency response services for guests with mobility impairments in those hotels; and to identify the factors in emergency response systems that significantly influence visit by guests with mobility impairments. The study was informed by two theories; the theory of time constraints on leisure activities and the theory of social oppression. Ten five-star hotels in Nairobi County served as the sample for this census-style investigation. The sample size was determined by a systematic sampling procedure. The data was gathered through the use of semi-structured questionnaires that were administered by the researcher. Data was coded and analyzed in SPSS using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Relationships between the independent variable and the dependent variables were determined using multiple regressions. Tables, charts, and bars were used to show the study's findings. The findings showed that the majority of the five-star hotels had not frequently encountered several types of emergencies. The study found that employee training for emergency preparedness was positively and significantly related to the frequency of visits by guests with mobility impairments to five-star hotels in Nairobi City County, Kenya at (β=0.595, p˂.001). The study concludes that while most sections of these five-star hotels, like kitchens and swimming pools, are perceived as safe zones with minimal emergencies, the parking area emerges as a potential concern. The hotels' commitment to staff training in emergency preparedness is evident, especially in hazard identification and spill response. The study thus recommends that the management of five-star hotels in Nairobi City County should conduct thorough risk assessments, considering both high and low-frequency hazards. Emergency protocols should also be in place not only for situations like terrorist threats but also for seemingly less immediate threats like floods and utility failures. Keywords: Emergency preparedness, Risk assessment, Five-Star Hotels, Mobility impairments, Nairobi City County