10th International Research Conference Proceedings Chuka University, 2023

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Relationship between pedagogical practices and outcome of scientific training on biological evidence management in Nairobi County, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2024) Ithawa, M. M.; John, O. O.; Monica, I. G.
Crime scene Investigations is a crucial aspect in the judicial process. To ensure that justice prevails, all the crime scenes need to be well managed by the Crime Scene Investigators. Failure to manage the crime scenes properly, some citizens fall victims of wrongful convictions and at other times the suspects are acquitted by the court due to lack of substantive evidence. For purpose of proper management of crime scene, the Crime Scene Investigators require to undergo a scientific training which acquits them with knowledge and skills. Such knowledge and skills enable them to handle various types of evidence and especially the biological evidence. Majority of studies have been on scientific training at primary, secondary schools and colleges. However, Minimal research has been conducted on the scientific training on biological evidence management for the crime scene investigators at police training institutions. This study therefore, sought to address the existing knowledge gap by establishing the relationship between content and outcome of scientific training on biological evidence management in Nairobi County, Kenya. To achieve the objective descriptive research design was adopted. A sample of 132 respondents was obtained from a target of 198 by use of Krejcie and Morgan sample determination table. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedule. Prior to data analysis, common themes were noted. The data was analyzed quantitatively using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. The research hypotheses were tested at 95% level of confidence. The findings indicated that content for scientific training on biological evidence management was inadequately covered due to allocation of a few lessons. It was therefore, recommended that there should be more lessons allocated for biological evidence management scientific training to enable adequate coverage of the diverse content areas.
Effect of Capital Allowance Incentives on the Financial Performance Of listed Consumer Goods Companies in Kenya
(Chuka University, 2024) Rebecca Ngugi Muthee; Patricia Gachambi Mwangi; John Mutua
The Consumer goods sector has been a major driver of industrial growth, leading to some international firm to enter the market thus increasing existing investment in recent years. However, their financial performance is lowlands ubpar. The companies have experienced a decline on the contribution to the country’s GDP from 5.0% in 2017 to 4.1% in the manufacture of food, beverages and tobacco sector. Nevertheless, there is paucity of empirical and conceptual knowledge on the phenomenon influence of capital allowance incentive on the financial performance. This study was anchored on the Agency cost theory. Descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The study used secondary data which was collected using a checklist and was extracted from the Nairobi Security Exchange (NSE) reports between the year 2017-2021. The target population of the study comprised of the thirteen listed consumer goods companies in the Nairobi Securities Exchange as at 31st December 2021. The study used census technique. Data analysis was done with the aid of SPSS version 25.0. The study used correlation analysis and multiple regression to determine the relationship between capital allowance incentives and financial performance. To test the statistical significance, the t-statistic at 95% The confidence level was used. Data was presented using tables and figures. Further, it was found that capital allowance had a positive regression coefficient of (0.739, p-value of 0.0463). The study will be useful to listed consumer goods companies to institute more robust capital allowance incentives. The study will also contribute to the body of knowledge for both researchers and academicians.
Right to Be Free from Hunger”; Analyzing the Laws Governing Right to Food in Kenya
(Chuka University, 2024) 1Mwai Samuel; 2Grace Karimi
Food is one of the basic needs that human beings require for survival. The right to food is so fundamental that human beings cannot live without its enjoyment. Not only do human beings require food for survival but they also need access to adequate food that meets safety and quality standards for a dignified life. Relying on the principle of interdependence of human rights, the right to food supports the enjoyment of other human rights and fundamental freedoms. However, a majority of people in the world and Kenya, in particular, does not enjoy the right to food. The FAO 2022 Report revealed that at least 5.4 million people in Kenya are facing acute food insecurity. Sadly, 32% of all Kenyans are facing the challenge of either lack of food or the food accessible by them does not meet the minimum nutritional standards. Access to food is a human right that is encapsulated under international human rights conventions, regional treaties and the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. Domestically, the right is envisaged under Article 43(1) (c) of the Constitution which states that “every person has the right to be free from hunger, and to have adequate food of acceptable quality.” This paper interrogates the legal framework on the right to food both at the national and international levels with a bias on the national legal framework. This is achieved by analysing the laws, policies, reports and scholarly work on right to food. The paper finds that the right to adequate food of acceptable quality and standards is broadly safeguarded in our laws. However, the nation lacks proper implementation strategies thereby continuing to deprive the citizenry of this important right. On the same note, the country has not specifically provided for legislation to actualize this right. This paper recommends that legislative and administrative measures need to be taken to safeguard the population from hunger and consumption of food that do not meet the prescribed quality and standards. Stakeholders are also called upon to support the realization of the right to food in the country.
Influence of students’ council decision-making skills on management of discipline in Secondary Schools in Mbeere South sub-county, Embu County, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2024) John Kariuki Simba; Eric Mwenda Elias; Peter Kimanthi Mbaka
students’ discipline. The study adopted correlational research design. The target population was 848 comprising deputy principals and students council leaders from 53 public secondary schools. Stratified and purposive sampling were used to select a sample of 272 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires and were piloted in four secondary schools purposively selected in Mbeere North Sub-County. The reliability of questionnaires was determined using Cronbach’s Alpha Coefficient method. The researcher ascertained validity of the questionnaires by presenting them to experts in the Department of Education. Quantitative data gathered was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Descriptive data analysis was presented in form of mean, standard deviation, percentage and frequencies. The hypothesis was tested at α = 0.05 level of significance using linear regression model. The study established that students’ council decision-making skills influence management of students’ discipline in public secondary schools. The study recommended allocation of funds to students’ council activities in schools’ annual budget and monitoring of students’ council activities by Ministry of Education (MoE). It is hoped that the findings will be significant to school principals, teachers, students’ council leaders and educational policy makers in coming up with strategies to manage students’ discipline. The findings also provide additional literature on the management of students’ discipline in secondary schools in Kenya.
Influence of parental engagement on satisfaction with public boarding secondary schools among students in Maara Sub-County, Tharaka-Nithi County in Kenya.
(Chuka University, 2024) Muchiri, C. K.; Murungi, M. J.; Njagi, M. W.
A boarding school is a learning institution where students study and live away from homes and families. A boarding school includes new ways of life including routines of social and academic activities. It is therefore important to ensure that students are well prepared and satisfied as they study and live in a boarding school. The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of parental engagement on students’ satisfaction with public boarding secondary schools in Maara Sub-County, Tharaka-Nithi County, in Kenya. This study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The target population was a composition of 4,804 students, 38 principals, 38 boarding heads of department (HODs) and 38 form three class teachers from 38 boarding secondary schools in Maara Sub-County, Tharaka-Nithi County in Kenya. The sample size was a total of 439 respondents comprising of 357 form three students, 38 form three class teachers, 38 boarding HODs and six principals from public boarding secondary schools in Maara SubCounty. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 38 public boarding secondary schools from a list of 55 public secondary schools in Maara Sub-County. Simple random sampling was used to select 357 students who participated in the study. Data was gathered using interviews for principals and questionnaires for form three class teachers, boarding HODs and form three students. The instruments were piloted to determine their reliability in a school in Meru-South Sub-County, while validity of the instruments was ascertained by experts in the department of Education of Chuka University. The reliability coefficient for questionnaire was 0.8956. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 28.0 was used for data analysis. The obtained quantitative raw data was analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentages, frequency and mean). The findings of the study indicated that parental engagement has significant influence of on satisfaction with public boarding secondary schools among students. The research findings may be useful to parents and teachers as they guide students in public boarding secondary schools. The finding may also be helpful to students as they study and cope with life in public boarding secondary schools. The study findings are also likely to form a basis for reference that informs future research on students’ satisfaction with boarding
The Influence of Event Tourism Motivation On Job Creation for The Local Community in Isiolo North Constituency
(Chuka University, 2024) Wang’ondu Kezia Wambui; Maina Kariuki; Jonathan W. Omolo
Event tourism involves traveling to attend or participate in major one-time or recurring functions of limited duration. In the present study, the contribution of event tourism on job creation was carried out in Isiolo North Constituency. The purpose of the study was: to establish the influence of motivation for event tourism on creation of tourism-related jobs for the local community. The key indicators of motivation being social and organizational drivers. The study employed descriptive survey design. The target population of the study was 49086 which represented the adult community members, seven tourism officers and 71 hotel managers. The sample size was 409 that comprised 380community members, seven tourism officers and 21 hotel managers. The data was collected using structured questionnaires and interview schedules. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The results indicated that about an equal number of community respondents were engaged in tourism related jobs as were in non-tourism related jobs. The largest percentage of community respondents agreed that social drivers were contributor towards promoting tourism related occupations while the least were neutral. For example, amongst community household heads 41% agreed that seeking personal rewards promoted creation of tourism related jobs,36% disagreed and 23% were neutral. For organizational drivers, there was an equal distribution amongst community respondents for those in agreement and those not in agreement that the drivers contributed to the jobs, with the least percentage being neutral. 305 Forexample,36%and35%agreedanddisagreedrespectivelythatprofitfortheorganizationpromoted tourism related jobs, while 29% were neutral. A logistic regression result showed that motivation had no statistically significant influence on creation of tourism related jobs in the community (social drivers p=0.318, and organization drivers p=0.806). The study recommended that locals should be encouraged to invest in event tourism related opportunities.
Likelihood of social statuses to influence access to agricultural information among farmers in Chuka Sub-County, Kenya.
(Chuka University, 2024) Wakoli, A. L.; Mwiti, R. G.; Kiramana, J. K
Access to agricultural information is essential if current global problems related to food insecurity and climate change are to be addressed. Empirical evidence shows that access to agricultural information positively impacts agricultural development by enhancing farmers' adoption of agricultural technologies (Caracciolo & Keizer, 2015). Although research on the accessibility of agriculture information is growing, lack of information exists that show the likelihood of social statuses to influence adequate access to agricultural information among farmers. The study focused on educational level, farm size and farm income as social status variables. These study’s objectives were to assess the levels of farmers’ social statutes and determine the likelihood of social statuses to influence adequate access to agricultural information among farmers in Chuka Sub- County. Descriptive correlational research design was used to collect data from a sample of 377 farmers selected using stratified random sampling from three wards in the sub- county. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data using five-point Likert-type items. Collected data was analyzed quantitatively using the Statistical Package for Social Science. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze relationships between the selected study variables on social status. The study found that 30.2% had a university degree, secondary education (27.1%), college/polytechnic education (26.5%), and primary education (14.6%). The results revealed that the majority of the farmers (37.4%) had farm sizes ranging from 0.0 to 2.9 acres. About 27% owned between 3.0 and 4.9 acres while 23.6% of the farmers owned between 5.0 and 6.9 acres. Very few farmers (12%) owned more than 7 acres. The results showed that majority of the farmers (37.4%) had farm sizes ranging from 0.0 to 2.9 acres. 27% owned between 3.0 and 4.9 acres while 23.6% of the farmers owned between 5.0 and 6.9 acres. 12% of farmers owned more than 7 acres. The results indicated that there was a significant likelihood for farmers in Chuka Sub County to access agricultural information based on their social status.
Determinants of youth participation in agribusiness in nyeri county, Kenya.
(Chuka University, 2024) Maina, Loise C.; Rithaa, J.N.; Chege, S. M.; Gathungu G.K.
Involvement of youth in agribusiness has become a vital strategy for eradicating poverty and creating employment opportunities for Kenyan youth. However, their participation in the sector is still not satisfactory. The study asses sed the factors that influence youth participation in agribusiness in Mathira Constituency, Nyeri County. A sample of 288 youths was obtained through a stratified random sampling technique. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on factors influencing youth participation in agribusiness. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a binary logit regression model. The results demonstrated that among the factors, age(p=0.005), gender (p=0.007), access to land (p=0.000), access to markets(p=0.014) access to agribusiness training(p=0.001), access to credit (p=0.021), access of agribusiness information(p=0.002) and had a significant and positive relationship with agribusiness participation. Youths’ engagement in agricultural e-commerce (p=0.011) had a significant and negative relationship with youths’ decision to participate in agribusiness. However, income, education level, household size, group membership, availability of modern farming technologies, access to the internet, and distance to output and input markets did not significantly (p >0.05) influence the participation of the youth in agribusiness. According to the findings, there is a need to avail agribusiness information and training to the youths to increase their chances of uptake of agriculture as a business. The study also encourages empowering youths through credit access, land access and agricultural market access to increase youths’ involvement in commercial agriculture. This will help resolve the challenges of rising unemployment and poverty rates among Kenya's growing youth population and also help achieve food security.
Influence of parental empowerment and engagement on management of primary school curriculum implementation in Embu county, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2024) Luke Murithi Kathenya; Peter Kimanthi; Charles Kiptum; Eric Mwenda
The researcher determined influence of parental empowerment and engagement on management of primary school curriculum implementation in Embu County, Kenya. Parental empowerment and engagement are key concepts that need to be fully utilized; for complete realization of effective competence based curriculum management in Kenyan schools. The concern was that the idea of parental empowerment and engagement are underutilized in competence based curriculum implementation in Kenya. The objective of the study was to determine influence of parental empowerment and engagement on management of primary school curriculum implementation in Embu County, Kenya. The researcher used Krejcie and Morgan sample determination table to determine 364 respondents from 7000target population. The study utilized descriptive design. The study respondents were: teachers, subject panel heads, head teachers and parents’ association representatives. The research tools were questionnaires and interview guides. Inferential statistics was analyzed using Pearson’s chi-square tests. The study established that there was significant influence of parental empowerment and engagement on management of primary school curriculum implementation in Embu County, Kenya. Following study findings, the researcher concluded that parental empowerment and engagement are valuable concepts in management of primary school curriculum implementation in Kenyan schools. Therefore, the researcher recommended that ministry of education should encourage parental empowerment and engagement for efficient curriculum implementation management in primary schools in Kenya.
Analysis of technical efficiency on orange fleshed sweet potatoes production among the smallholder farmers in migori county kenya
(Chuka University, 2024) Lawrence O. Jabuya; Shelmith W. Munyiri; Martin K. Njogu; Dave M. Ireri
Sweet potatoes (Ipomea batatas L.), particularly the orange fleshed variety, have become increasingly popular due to their ability to thrive in various environmental conditions with minimal inputs. Orange fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSPs) show potential for productivity, yet smallholder farmers in Kenya still struggle to maximize their yields. The factors influencing OFSP production efficiency among these farmers in Western Kenya have not been thoroughly examined. This study evaluated the technical efficiency of OFSP production among smallholder farmers in Migori County. Using a descriptive research design, a sample of 225 OFSP farmers was randomly selected by a cluster sampling technique. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire on inputs and selected socio-economic factors. The data was then entered into SPSS software, and analysis was done using the frontier stochastic model in STATA. Smallholder farmers estimated mean technical efficiency was 77.82%, indicating a need to improve OFSP production by 22.18%. These findings suggest that to reduce inefficiencies among smallholder OFSP farmers, targeted training programs are needed to enhance farmers' agronomic knowledge specific to OFSP production. Further, policy interventions should prioritize the provision of extension services to support and improve the performance of OFSP smallholder farmers.
Eco-Plate as a Sustainable Alternative to Single-Use Plastics in Food Service industry
(Chuka University, 2024) Christine W. Kinyua; Njeru Moses.K; Faith Kamene; Mary Githenduka; Kennedy Mwaniki
Plastic containers are widely used in households and industries. This is because their production cost are relatively low, they can easily be moulded in to any shape and they are resistant to corrosion. Across the world, single-use plastic tableware is common in food service operations because it offers the much desired convenience. However, their use and subsequent disposal aggravates the challenge of solid waste in the environment. In particular, the continued production and use of plastics is associated with greenhouse gas emissions, health complications, provide breeding grounds for disease vectors, clog sewer systems, reduce aesthetic value of ecosystems and related environmental pollution because they are not biodegradable. Globally, there has been a growing concern on the menace caused by plastics on the environment. In realising the dangers of continued plastic use, efforts have been directed towards development of sustainable alternatives. To this end, stakeholders in the hospitality industry have been developing and adopting eco-friendly technologies and practices. Consequently, this paper discusses the development and use of an edible and abiodegradableplate(eco-plate). This eco-plateismadefromplant based dough whose main ingredients are red sorghum flour, wheat flour and margarine. Five groups of eco-plates (A, B, C, D and E) were made from doughs of different ratios of red sorghum flour, wheat flour and margarine (2:2:1, 3:2:1, 2:3:1, 1:2:0.5 and 1:1:0). These five classes of eco-plates were tested 299 for organoleptic properties, water absorption capacity and biodegradability. Eco-plate C was considered the most acceptable eco-plate by more than three quarters (77%) of their spondents who tasted the samples. This make of eco-plate had the highest absorption capacity (33%)due to increased gluten from wheat flour. All the makes of eco-plates decomposed within six days. This implies that the adoption ofeco plateinfoodserviceoperationswillgreatlyreduceenvironmentaldegradationassociatedwithuseandproducti onofplastics.
Tvet and Industrialization In kenya; A case study Of Nyandarua county
(Chuka University, 2024) Elijah Mwangi Ngunjiri
Many countries of the world have embraced TVET as the drive towards industrialization. Kenya government for instance is largely relying on Technical, Vocational education and Training in its endeavors to achieve the big four agenda on manufacturing, healthcare, food security and affordable housing and the larger vision 2030 of being a middle-income economy. In line with this, the government through the ministry of education has shown concerted efforts by introducing key reforms in TVET sector to drive the process of industrialization. Despite these efforts the Nyandarua county and Kenya at large continues to be confronted with food insecurity, poor housing for many citizens, poor healthcare and low manufacturing as evidenced by high importation. This study sought to fill this gap. The objective of the study was to find out the role of TVE in industrialization in Kenya. Descriptive research design was used. The target population was 500 trainees and 100 trainers drawn mainly from technical departments. Multi stage sampling was used to sample 50 trainees and 10 trainers respectively. Open and Closed ended questionnaires was used and which was self-administered. Data analysis technique used was descriptive statistics. The study concludes that TVET sector contributes to a low extent to manufacturing in Kenya with 60% respondents. Over 50% of the respondents acknowledged that TVET contribute insignificantly to universal health and food security in the country. The study concludes that TVET contributes significantly towards affordable housing in Kenya. The study recommends for investigation on the challenges TVET face in its endeavors towards meeting industrialization and the challenges addressed.
Effect of Inventory Management Practices on Performance of Food Processing Firms in Nairobi County, Kenya.
(Chuka University, 2024) Mayabi Peres Linda; Miriam Thogori; Joseph Masinde
the better performance of any firm. The food processing sub sector performance has been declining thus its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product has reduced to 10% thus leading to operation inefficiency. The overall objective of the study was to probe the effect of inventory management practices on performance of food processing firms in Nairobi County. The study was premised on the lean theory. Descriptive design was employed. A population of 172 food processing firms and a sample size of 120 firms was determined. Stratified and simpler random sampling were used to pick specific firms while data was collected using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics aided in describing the primary characteristics of the data. Regression analysis aided to ascertain the effect of inventory management on performance of food processing firms with the aid of SPSS version 28. T-statistics were used to gauge the significance of individual objectives at 5%confidence level while F-statistic was used to establish the overall significance of the model. The study established inventory management was found to be positively correlated to performance, ((regression coefficient 0.492, p value0.000). The study concluded that inventory management practices had substantial impact on performance on Food processing firms and recommends that firms should establish adequate quality control and quality monitoring points in order to get the best quality during the production and also as a way of minimizing on cost. The findings will contribute to theory of supply chain management and policy making regarding different of inventory management practices to ensure increase in performance.
Effectiveness of primary school co-curricular activities in instilling democratic values among pupils in public primary schools in Igembe south sub-county. A critique based on john rawls theory of justice
(Chuka University, 2024) Priscilla Mwonjiru Kailikia; John Mwithalii Kamoyo; Fredrick Ogola
This study focused on the effectiveness of primary school co-curricular activities in instilling democratic values among pupils in public primary schools in Igembe south sub-county. A critique based on John Rawls theory of justice. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The target population was 6700 comprising of 5950 standard seven pupils and 750 teachers in public primary schools in Igembe South Sub-County. Simple random sampling was used to select 325 pupils while purposive sampling was used to select 45 teachers forming a total sample of 370 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires. Collected data was cleaned, coded and entered in the computer for analysis using SPSS version 21. The study used Quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The findings of the study revealed that Primary school co-curriculum activities were found relevant in instilling democratic value of socio-economic equality highlighted in the John Rawls theory of justice. The study further revealed that co-curricular activities promoted democratic value of equal liberty among pupils because they inculcate culture of sharing. Based on this, the study recommended that, head teachers ought to emphasize on the importance of pupils’ participation in co-curriculum activities in the process of curriculum implementation and supervision. This is because the study has exposed that co-curriculum activities are significant in enhancing democratic values.
Effect of Public Wages On External Debt in Kenya
(Chuka University, 2024) Remmy Juma Naibei; , Dennis Muriithi; Onesmus Mbaabu
Most developing Africa countries have a high need for capital projects that requires a lot of government spending and attention. However, it is unfortunate that in Kenya, borrowed cash intended for capital projects is diverted to recurrent requirements like payment of wages and salaries, and debt repayment, putting a damper on national investment in viable projects. This poses a significant threat to the economy's growth. The following goals served as a guideline for the study; to determine the influence of public wages on external borrowing debt in Kenya using both cointegration and error correction model. Causal research design was adopted to explain the influence of public wages, social expenditure and debt servicing on external borrowing in Kenya. The study period was from 1970 and 2019 from which a 50-year time series data was employed for analysis. The research relied on secondary data which was collected with the aid of a structured data collection checklist from Central Bank of Kenya, and Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, International Monetary Fund and World Bank websites. Data analysis was done with an aid of Stata, E-views and Ox- Metrics statistical software. Stationarity of variables was tested using PP unit root test where public wages was reported to be stationary at level form. The study employed use of Ordinary Least Square (OLS) technique, to empirically examine the influence of recurrent expenditure variable on external borrowing in Kenya. There was a significant negative association between public wages and external debt whereby a rise in public wage by 100% indicated decrease in external debt by 101.92%. The overall model was found to be significant since the F-statistic value generated in the analysis was 124.664 with a p-value of 0.000 < 0.05. Model was a good predictor of external borrowing, with an adjusted R2 of 0.946 for public wages explaining foreign debt. This research recommends the study recommends that SRC should free up resources using the austerity measures which include wage reductions for government employees. Secondly, the government through the ministry of treasury should raise tax base to increase revenues. Finally, the results of this study may be valuable to government stakeholders who are charged with the responsibility of ensuring economic development through public sector financing, also it is expected to provide important information to policymakers in order to maintain external debt at manageable levels.
Nexus between Innovation Ecosystem and Innovation Performance.
(Chuka University, 2024) Isaac Muiruri Gachanja
The business climate is faced with turbulent environment such as dynamic customer needs, market complexities escalating cost of production and punitive requirements for doing business. The situation is more pronounced in the manufacturing sector which calls for the development of a systematic and comprehensive approach to address the intricacies involved. The purpose of the study was therefore t investigate the influence of Innovation Ecosystem (IE)on Innovation Performance (IP) in manufacturing firms with a focus on major industrial counties in Kenya. The theoretical underpinning in this study were innovation, complexity and innovation diffusion theories. The philosophical ideology that guided the study was pragmatism. Mixed method design was used. The target population was 2,484 employees drawn from 828 firms. Multi-stage sampling was employed to sample 345 employees drawn from 115 firms. Primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires, interview schedules and check lists. Data was analyzed using variance, standard deviations, structural equation model and partial least square. Apilot test was conducted on 12 manufacturing firms to determine the validity and reliability of research instruments. Smart partial least square, Stata and statistical package for social scientists were the main software used for data analysis. Results were presented in graphs, tables and path diagrams. It was found that IE contributed 66.74% of innovation performance. It was concluded that IE has a significant influence on IP. It was therefore recommended that the operating environment should be enhanced for improved competitiveness of the manufacturing sector. The study is useful to members of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers, management in manufacturing firms, current and potential investors and entrepreneurs, policymakers and scholars. Further studies should be carried out on how trust can be managed in IE for a win-win situation for a more vibrant manufacturing sector.
Athletic Trainers Impact On Athletes: A Case Study of United States
(Chuka University, 2024) Jonathan Kathenge
With upcoming of the competency-based education and the increasing ailments directly or indirectly connected with climatic change and weather patterns globally, physical exercise has become increasingly necessary, which directly or indirectly calls for increased uptake of physical education in schools, colleges and the greater public. This view necessitated this study which focuses one component of physical education. The study was carried in the United States with its focus being the athletic training industry to critically examine the impact of athletic trainers to the athletes, both physically and mentally. The main focus of the study was to examine Athletic trainer’s role in the athlete’s mental wellbeing. It also looked into the athlete’s trust to his or her athletic trainer not only in their expertise in the field and their knowledge, but also how the trainer is focused on what is best for the athlete’s long-term health and well-being. The study was motived by a belief that athletic trainers are usually held with high standard both off the field and in the field especially where everyone can directly see their performance. However, it is not common knowledge in the public domain what the athletic trainers do to help the athletes in terms of injury prevention as well as treating already incurred injuries. Data was obtained from primary and secondary sources. For primary sources, data questionnaires were administered online to purposively chosen participants while secondary data was sourced from written works and documented reports. Descriptive data analysis was used and the results used to draw conclusion and recommendations. The study findings indicated that the relationship between a student-athlete and athletic trainer is pivotal during the grind of a season and even the off season. The athletic trainer must work with the student-athlete and build trust with them along with the coaching staff and administration which is not easy to do. The findings and conclusion from the study recommends a need for a clearer answer on the impact that athletic trainers have on student- athletes, with a better way to show the actual relationship between the two.
Influence of Statist Inter-Ethnic Transformation of Politics in The Management of Inter-Ethnic Conflicts in Bungoma County, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2024) Mulati Job Chebai*
Politics largely defines both protractible and intractability in inter-ethnic conflicts globally. In Kenya, Bungoma County in particular, inter-ethnic political reasons exacerbated 1963 including 1992 conflicts. The specific objective was to examine the effect of statist inter-ethnic integration of politics in management of inter-ethnic conflicts in Bungoma County. A conceptual framework underpinned by Ledarach’s Conflict Transformation and Gultang’s Conflict Triangle theories guided the study. The study applied a descriptive research. The study was conducted in Bungoma County. Simple Radom and Purposive sampling procedures determined the participant. The sample size of 400 participants used was derived from 1375065 population using Yamane 1967. Questionnaires, interviews, FGD and document analysis were instruments used to collect primary and secondary data respectively. Quantitative data was analysed by MS excel while thematization, corroboration and verification was applied to qualitative data. The study findings were: Though the use of inter-ethnic politics as scapegoat scored 15% responses in fueling inter-ethnic animosity, it worked alongside, hostile inter-ethnic inter-group politics, the elite tilted inter-ethnic perceptions, inter- ethnic violent political transition from one party to multiparty, inter-ethnic political contests and intensified leadership struggles which scored 17% responses each in influencing inter-ethnic conflicts in Bungoma County. However, despite the regulation of political parties, affirmative action, consensus and inter-ethnic integration were statist inter- ethnic structures set for inter-ethnic political integration, the process was lethergic. The study recommends, detachment of inter-ethnic demarcation from political cum administrative boundaries in Bungoma County.
Cost of inputs influencing indigenous chicken egg production in Tharaka Sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2024) Chelangat, S. P.; Kinyua, J.; Gichure, M.
Poultry farming contributes to Kenya’s food and economic security. It provides a living for 70% of Kenyans by providing meat, eggs, and income. Indigenous chicken (IC) dominates poultry production in Kenya and is primarily kept in rural areas due to low economic rearing costs. Yet, IC’s egg production is low, laying 45 eggs/hen/year compared to its potential of 165 eggs/hen/year. Low and poor-quality feeds and disease management practices have been associated with low egg production. This study used a cross-sectional survey to establish the impact of the cost of inputs on IC egg production in Tharaka Sub-County, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. A structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from a clustered simple random sample of 246 IC farmers from Gatunga, Mukothima, Nkondi, Chiakariga, and Marimanti wards of Tharaka Sub-County. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics using STATA software version 17. Descriptive statistics were means, standard deviations, and proportions. A Stochastic Frontier production model was fitted to predict the influence of the cost of inputs on IC’s clutch sizes. The results showed that higher treatment expenditure (β = 0.0003, t = 29.01, p < .001) and commercial feeds (β = 0.005, t = 46.80, p < 0.01) were associated with higher clutch at a 1% significance level. IC produced an average clutch size of 18.6 with commercial feeds compared to 16.6 with local feeds. Poultry diseases adversely influence chickens’ physiological processes, such as impaired growth and feed utilisation decreasing egg production. Commercial feeds have nutrients such as protein, for egg yolk and albumen formation, calcium, and phosphorus essential for eggshell formation. Contrarily, local feeds may not have the balanced nutrients. Therefore, low cost of commercial feeds and disease treatment decreases the cost of egg production. Thus, IC farmers should use commercial feeds to increase egg production. Besides, the county should support IC farmers to control diseases through financing to improve egg production.
Examining the Effectiveness of the Legal Framework Governing Climate Change. In Kenya.
(Chuka University, 2024) Mwai Samuel; Wycliffe Otiso
The natural environment has been experiencing enormous challenges associated with natural and human factors. Precisely, most of these environmental challenges have been caused by human activities through pollution, degradation and human interference. Climate change remains one of the contemporary puzzles facing the earth and has been linked with increased heating of the earth. This paper briefly analysis how the world is legally responding to global warming and also investigates the strategic legal measures being undertaken by stakeholders. The paper then proceeds to review the Kenyan legal framework on climate change and the contribution of the regulatory measures adopted to minimise its intensity. The paper thus analysis the Kenyan climate change legal framework and its adequacy and effectiveness. The Constitution of Kenya, 2010, the Environmental Management and Coordination Act, and the Climate Change Act are identified as the main laws regulating this phenomenon. Noteworthy, Kenya was the first country in Africa to legislate on climate change. A review of the Kenya’s legal, institutional and policy framework reveals existence of a vibrant framework to combat climate change; however, the slow implementation and poor environmental practices derail the intentions and efforts made. This poses the question of the legal capability of bodies and institutions entrusted to discharge their mandate related to addressing climate change. This paper also notes that bodies and institutional mechanisms such as NEMA and National Climate Change Council have not adequately discharged their mandates in enforcing compliance. In addition, it is noted that such institutions’ capacity to tackle the climatic change issues is inadequate, overlapping and the system is compromised by external forces. Based on the findings, the study concludes there exists national and international legal frameworks for managing climate change. However, the analysis reveals that these measures are not comprehensive in addressing climate change in the country and beyond. The paper recommends that the state should develop effective and workable mechanisms and measures of protecting the earth from the adverse effects of climate change. Further, the international community should develop joint frameworks for combating climate change.

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