9th International Research Conference of Chuka University 2022

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.chuka.ac.ke/handle/123456789/17589

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Effect of contract cost control on operational efficiency of commercial state corporations in Kenya
(Chuka University, 2023-11) Njue F.K.; Thogori M; Galo N
Commercial state corporations are formed to offer essential goods and services to the general public. Despite governmenteffortstoimprovetheireffectiveness,commercialstatecorporationshavecontinuedtoperformdismally characterized by poor resource utilization leading to massive losses, increased customer complaints and frequent bailouts by the government over defaulted loans. Some studies have associated this with poor contract cost control howeverthemagnitudeofitseffectonoperationalefficiencyhasnotbeenestablished.Theobjectiveofthestudywas toestablishtheextenttowhichcontractcostcontrolaffectsoperationalefficiencyofcommercialstatecorporationsin Kenya.DescriptiveCross-sectionalresearchdesignwasused.Thetargetpopulationofthisresearchcomprisedthirty- three commercial state corporations in Kenya and a census was undertaken. The study utilized primary data. A questionnaire was used to collect primary data among the thirty-three commercial state corporations in Kenya. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between variables and t-statistic at 5% significance level was employed in testing hypothesis. The overall significance was tested using F-test. The study established a positive significant effect of contract cost control on operational efficiency with regression coefficient of0.181 withap-value of0.006. Corporationsthatimplementcontractcost controlare ableto preventcostoverruns and complete contracts within the agreed budget thus providing rational utilization of resources and minimizing wastage thus increasing operational efficiency. The study recommends that to ensure effective contract cost control andguaranteethatcontractsarefulfilledwithinthesetcontractprice,anticipatedcostsshouldbeassessedandincluded in the budget.
Influence of Flexible work arrangement on organizational performance in the E Banking Industry In Kenya
(Chuka University, 2023-11) Mungania A.K; WaiganjoE.W; KihorJ.M
Customer satisfaction and customer service being the prime work in the banking sector has evoked changes which consequently have brought changes in work setups. For example, employees in the banking sector in Kenya are more involvedintheirjobs,workinglongerhoursmorethan48hours(ILO2020)hencemakingitdifficultforemployeesto keep a balance between job, family and other personal issues. This has resulted in work life conflicts which has been found to be associated with mental health issues like stress and depression. The study objective was to determine the influence of flexible work arrangement on organizational performance in the banking industry in Kenya. This study adoptedacrosssectionalsurvey.Thetargetpopulationcovered43banksfocusingonbranchesinNairobi.Primarydata was collected using questionnaires that had both structured and unstructured questions. On data analysis, multiple regression analysis was used to regress relationship between flexible work arrangements and organizational performance.Itwasfoundthatworkplaceflexibilityinitiativesareincreasinglyseenasacriticalcomponentofaresult- driven workplace.Moreand moreorganizationsarerecognizinghowflexible workarrangementscanbeused to meet their business objectives and facilitate employee effectiveness on and off the job. The study concluded that consideration of flexible work arrangement aspects that pertains to employees, can greatly influence organizational performance in banks in Kenya. Child care issues, dependent care and employees having more time with the family had a positive and significant linear relationship on organizational performance which were customer satisfaction, target standards, employee satisfaction. The study recommends that managers should provide flexible work arrangements considerationssuchasgivingemployeesflexibilityonwhentobeginandendworkaslongastheymeetthetargetsince this influences organizational performance
Effect of contract costcontrol on operational efficiency 0f commercial state corporations in Kenya
(Chuka University, 2023-11) Njue F.K; ThogoriM; GaloN.
Commercial state corporations are formed to offer essential goods and services to the general public. Despite governmenteffortstoimprovetheireffectiveness,commercialstatecorporationshavecontinuedtoperformdismally characterized by poor resource utilization leading to massive losses, increased customer complaints and frequent bailouts by the government over defaulted loans. Some studies have associated this with poor contract cost control howeverthemagnitudeofitseffectonoperationalefficiencyhasnotbeenestablished.Theobjectiveofthestudywas toestablishtheextenttowhichcontractcostcontrolaffectsoperationalefficiencyofcommercialstatecorporationsin Kenya.DescriptiveCross-sectionalresearchdesignwasused.Thetargetpopulationofthisresearchcomprisedthirty- three commercial state corporations in Kenya and a census was undertaken. The study utilized primary data. A questionnaire was used to collect primary data among the thirty-three commercial state corporations in Kenya. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between variables and t-statistic at 5% significance level was employed in testing hypothesis. The overall significance was tested using F-test. The study established a positive significant effect of contract cost control on operational efficiency with regression coefficient of0.181 withap-value of0.006. Corporationsthatimplementcontractcost controlare ableto preventcostoverruns and complete contracts within the agreed budget thus providing rational utilization of resources and minimizing wastage thus increasing operational efficiency. The study recommends that to ensure effective contract cost control andguaranteethatcontractsarefulfilledwithinthesetcontractprice,anticipatedcostsshouldbeassessedandincluded in the budget
Influence of innovativeness on performance of food and beverage manufacturing enterprises in Nairobi City County
(Chuka University, 2023-04) ThuitaT.M; MiritiG.; Mwirigi R
Increase in global competition, ever-changing technologies and unstable business environment as a result of globalization, market liberalization and Covid 19 impact on businesses, have made firms search for other means of survival and growth. Food and beverage manufacturing enterprises are also experiencing these challenges. This is demonstratedbythedecreaseincontributiontoGDP,rangingfrom13.6%intheearly1990sto7.6%in2020,thereby raising doubt on whether the sector is capable to meet the goals of Vision 2030. Different studies around the world havesuggestedtheadoptionofentrepreneurialpracticesaspartofthesolution.However,thefindingsofthesestudies have been inconclusive. The objective of this study was to establish the influence of Innovativeness on performance of food and beverage manufacturing enterprises in Nairobi City County. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. The target population was one hundred and thirty-eight food and beverage manufacturing firms registered underKAMby2020.Acensuswasconductedanddatawasobtainedusingaquestionnaire.Datawasanalyzedusing simpleand multipleregressionanalysis withthehelpofSPSSversion25.0.Hypothesiswastestedusingt-statisticat 5% significance level. The study found that innovativeness had a positive influence on performance (regression coefficient0.446,p-valueof0.000).Thestudyrecommendsthatfirmsshouldassesstheirabilitytoembracenewideas andprocessesthat willleadtodevelopmentofnewproducts,services,marketsortechnologies.Innovativenessplays an essential role in doing away with challenges associated with businesses.
Influence of employee commitment on retention in private security firm sin Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2023-11) Mustafa N.K; Kaimenyi C.; Mwirigi R.
Thechallengeofemployee retentionisa globalproblemthat affectsorganizationsinboth developinganddeveloped countries. Even though a lot has been done towards addressing the problem, the situation has continued to be experienced among private security firms in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The main objective of this study was to determinetheinfluenceofemployeecommitmentonretentioninprivatesecurityfirmsinNairobiCityCounty,Kenya. Theworkenvironmentwasusedasamoderatingvariable.Thestudyadoptedadescriptiveresearchdesign.Thetarget population of this research was 50 private security firms in Nairobi City County registered with Kenya Security Industry Association. Primary data was collected using a close-ended questionnaire. Data was analyzed with the aid ofSPSSversion25.0andpresentedusingdescriptiveandinferentialstatistics.Simpleandmultipleregressionanalysis wasused toestablishtherelationship betweenvariablesand thet-statisticata95%significance level wasadopted in testing the hypothesis of the study. The overall significance was tested using F-test. The studyestablished a positive significanteffectofemployee commitmentonretentionwitharegressioncoefficientof0.799andap-valueof0.000 implying that employee commitment affected retention. The interaction between work environment and employee commitment had aregression coefficientof2.330 and ap-valueof 0.025 implying that workenvironment positively altered the relationship between employee commitment and retention. The study recommends that private security firms ought to put strategies that encourage employees to be committed to their work, to ensure increased retention. The findings of the research will contribute to theory, policy
Production Planning and control module and performance of manufacturing firms in Nairobi County, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2023-11) Chepkonga J.J; Mwangi P; Nyang’ara D
The performance ofthe manufacturingcompanies over the past few years has beendecliningand inorder to address this trend, firms have focused on using information and communication technology in manufacturing process to innovate, increase productivity and improve resource efficiency. Enterprise Resource Planning system integrates business activities that allow for a smooth flow of information and interaction across all divisions. Previous studies have linked Enterprise Resource Planning system to firm performance and found diverse results.The objective of this study was to establish the effect of production planning and control module on performance of manufacturing firms in Nairobi County. Descriptive research design was used. The population of the study consisted of 533 manufacturingcompaniesinNairobiCountythatweremembersoftheKenyaAssociationofManufacturers.Krejcie and Morgan’s formula was used to obtain a sample size of 223 firms and stratified random sampling was adopted. Data was analyzed using simple and multiple regression analysis with the help of SPSS version 25.0. Multiple regression analysis and correlation analysis were performed to examine the association between variables and hypothesis was tested using t-statistic at 5% significance level. With a regression coefficient of 0.709 and a p-value of 0.000, the studyfound that the production planning and control module had a favorable and significant impact on firmperformance.Thisinferredthattheusageofproductionplanningand controlmoduleimprovedtheperformance ofthefirm.Thestudyrecommendsthatfirmsshouldendeavortoacquireanduseenterpriseresourceplanningsystems, to promote organizational survival, efficiency, and overall performance.
. Influence of need assessment on procurement performance in public universities in Eastern Region Kenya
(Chuka University, 2023-11) Nyaga A.N; Thogori M; WabwireJ.M
There has been effort by the public institutions in Kenya to improve performance of the procurement function. However, poor procurement performance interms ofdelays and poor qualitygoods received isstilla challenge. The objective of the study was to investigate need assessment on procurement performance in public universities. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The population of the study was 324 participants, the sample size was 102 and stratified sampling was adopted. Data which was collected by means of questionnaires. Multiple linear regressionmodelsaidedinanalysistobringouttheinfluenceofindependentvariablesonthedependentvariablewith thehelpofStatisticalPackagesforSocialSciences(SPSSVersion28.0).Thesignificanceoftheindependentvariable was tested using t-test. The t statistics and significance level established a statistically significant positive effect of needsassessmentonprocurementperformanceofpublicuniversitiesinEasternregionata5%significancelevelwith coefficientof0.059,andp-values0.405.Thestudyconcludedthatpublic universitiesshouldencourage effective use of need assessments to impact positively on the effectiveness of the procurement process of public universities in Eastern region. The findings of this study are expected to be useful to; public universities, as it would provide complementary knowledge useful in formulation of policy and a regulatory framework on procurement planning in thePublicUniversities.Thestudywillbeakeyingredientinthe;planning,designingandimplementationofasound public procurement planning that will align itself to the overall economic strategy.
The impact of micro finance on the Poor in Kenya:A Systematic review of evidence from Kenya
(Chuka University, 2023-11) Huzaifa Mustafa Shakir
This study aims to review qualitative & quantitative researchontheimpactofmicrofinance(especiallymicro-credit) onthepoorpeopleinKenyatoenablepolicy-makers,donors,andpractitionerstounderstandthenatureoftheevidence available.DespitesomeexistingstudiesreviewingtheevidenceoftheimpactofmicrofinanceinSub-SaharanAfrica, asystematicstudyoftheeffectsofmicrofinanceservicesinKenyadoesnotexist.TheKenyanmicrofinanceindustry isconsideredthemostvibrantinAfrica, withapproximatelyKshstwohundred fiftybilliontotalindustryassetsasof 2021.Therefore, this study seeks to find whether or not the microfinance innovation has been a success. To identify relevant literature, a systematic search for evaluations of micro-credit or microfinance in Kenya was conducted on fouronlinedatabases,JSTOR,ScienceDirect,GoogleScholarandEBSCOhost,whichwasthensystematicallystudied andclassified.Keywordswereidentified,andtheinclusion/exclusioncriteriaweredefinedforidentifyingpapers.The findings of these studies were then synthesized byidentifying whether micro-credit had positive, negative, varied or no effects on poverty, along with a narrative synthesis of qualitative findings. The study concluded that rather than makingrich,somepoorweremadepoorerbymicrofinance.Somestudiesestablishedapositiveimpactofpovertyon the poor; however, the effect is not constant and universal across the country. With the commercialization of microfinance,theobjectiveofreachingthepoorestofthepoormaybeflawed.Cashtransferswithnostringsattached might be an impactful intervention against poverty.
Frugality:the missing piece ininnovation at the bottom of the pyramid jigsaw puzzle
(Chuka University, 2023-11) Mwangi P.G; Ogollah K.O.
Given, the changing business landscape globally, innovation is increasingly getting focus as a panacea for economic downturn. However, innovationcannot be a one size fitsall solutionacross the globe since different economies operate at different levels. To achieve economic development, innovation must take into account the constraints within which thisstrategyispursued.Thebottomofthepyramidconsistsofpeoplewholiveonlessthan$2/daywhoarecrosscutting intermsofcultures,literacy,capabilitiesandneedsandtoprofitfromthesemarkets,focusmustbeplacedontotalvalue delivery. This creates an innovation opportunitythat requires reframing the ‘normal’ rules of the game and challenging coreassumptions.Innovationatthebottomofthepyramid requirescommitmentto awareness,access,affordabilityand availability as fundamental constraints for creating business models. Specifically, business models in these markets capture total value through high volumes and low margins unlike those higher up the pyramid. This article presents a conceptual discussion on how firms at the bottomof the pyramid economies can exploit frugal innovation to overcome constraints withinthese economies. Throughanalysisofliterature, the article argues that the scarcityofresources at the bottom of the pyramid can confer frugality advantages. To capture value from frugal innovation, firms must take into account the specific constraints facing the firm and the market. This requires recognizing that bottom of the pyramid markets are dissimilar with different challenges and so frugal innovation must be tailored to the challenges they intend tosolveinordertobesustainable.Thisarticleisinformativetomanagersandpolicymakerspursuinginnovationinthese markets.Italsoprovidesafoundationtostrategyandentrepreneurshipscholarsinreviewingtheconditionswithinwhich innovation captures value especially in the bottom of the pyramid markets
Influence of wellness programs on performance of the banking industry in Kenya
(Chuka University, 2023-11) Mungania A.K.,; Waiganjo E.W; Kihoro J.M
As employees increasingly find themselves in the midst of work-family conflict due to the emerging work demands, the effect of these conflicts may affect employee commitment decisions which in turn may affect organizational performance depending on the manager’s role in supporting the employee to attain a balance. Due to simultaneously longorunprecedentedworkinghoursandupwardtrendofnonstandardworkschedulessuchasworkingintheevenings at night or weekend as a spread of a more globalized 24/7 economy, this has also put considerable strain on workers. Notably satisfaction and customer service being the prime work in the banking sector has evoked changes which consequently have brought changes in work setups. The study objective was to establish the influence of wellness programs on performance of the banking industry in Kenya. This study adopted survey research design using both quantitativeandqualitativeapproaches.Thetargetpopulationwas36,212employeesfrom all43commercialbanksin Kenya focusing on branches in Nairobi. Primary data was collected using questionnaire that had both structured and unstructured questions. The researcher also used descriptive statistics including frequency distribution tables, percentagesandmeasuresofcentraltendencysuchasmean.Inadditiontothis,advancestatisticaltechniqueswerealso consideredparticularlymeasuresofvariationssuchasstandarddeviationandotherslikeregressionanalysistoestablish relationships among variable. The study found that wellness programs were strongly related to performance of the bankingindustry.Thiswasthroughpreventivecare,educationandtrainingonimportanceofwellnessonemployeesas well as through supportive manager. The study recommends that organizations should focus on the use of wellness programs practices as they are necessary to ensure that employees support their objectives.
Effect of procurement planning on service delivery at public universities in Kenya
(Chuka University, 2023-11) Kinyua J.K; Thogori M.N; Wabwire,J.M.
Procurement in Kenyan public universities has been recognized as essential in.service deliverysince it affects how goods are procured and ensures tenders are awarded at the right time to ensure smooth running of the university. However, this has not been the case because even though most of the public procurement reforms have been achieved and procurement policiesandinstitutionsareinplace,thelevelofqualityservicedeliverybytheuniversitiesisstilllow.Thisstudytherefore soughttodeterminetheeffectofprocurementplanningonservicedeliveryamongpublicuniversitiesinKenya.Thisstudy wasanchoredbyagencytheory,resource-basedtheoryandknowledge-basedtheory.Descriptiveresearchdesignwasused. Primary data was collected using questionnaire. The target population of the study was 31 public universities in Kenya. The study adopted census technique since the population is small in size. A total of 31 Head of procurement department were the respondents. A multiple regression model was employed to bring out the effect of each independent variable on the dependent variable with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. The hypotheses of the studyweretestedusingt-testwhiletheoverallsignificanceofthemodelwastestedusingF-testat5%levelofsignificance. The studyestablished a positive significant effect ofprocurement planningon service deliverywithregressioncoefficient 0.591witha p-value 0.000.The studyconcluded that procurement planninghad a significant effect onservice deliveryof public universities in Kenya and recommends that firms should do timely procurements. This study contributes to procurement discipline by providing a model that captures procurement planning aspects and measuring their effect on service delivery. Based on the study findings it is recommended that companies should encourage implementation of procurement planning for the business needs at an early stage
Effect of information sharing practices on performance of food processing firms in Nairobi County, Kenya
(Chuka University, 2023-11) Perez L. M; Thogori M. N; Wabwire J. M.
The information sharing practices account to about fifty percent of the profitability and better performance of any firm. The food processing subsector performance has been declining thus its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product has reduced to 10% thus leading to operation inefficiency. The objective of the study was to probe the effect of information sharing practices on performance of food processing firms in Nairobi County. The study was premised on the Complexity theory in logistics. Descriptive research design was employed. A population of 172 food processing firms and a sample size of 120 firms was determined. Stratified and simple random sampling were used to select specific firms while data were collected using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics aided in describing the primary characteristics of the data. Regression analysis aided to ascertain the effect of information sharing practices 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 information sharing practices was found to be positively correlated to performance, (regression coefficient regression coefficient 0.247, p-value 0.029). The study concluded that information sharing practices had substantial impact on performance on Food processing firms and recommends that food processing firms should firms should invest more in information sharing platform such as the EDI to enhance free flow of information. Keywords: Information Sharing Practices, Performance and Food Processing Firms.
Ubabedume katika tamthilia ya bembea ya maisha (2022)
(Chuka University, 2023-11-24) Musyimi D. M. and Nyagah S.K .
Mfumo-dume humpa thamani kubwa mwanamume huku ukimdhalilisha mwanamke kwa sababu ya jinsia yake. Imani hii dunishi imo katika itikadi na tamaduni zinazohimiliwa na mfumo wa muundo wa kijamii ambao mwanamume anapewa nguvu na uwezo zaidi dhidi ya mwanamke katika nyanja zote za maisha hususan kiutawala, kiuchumi, kidini, kisiasa na kijamii. Basi, makala hii ililenga kuchunguza jinsi mwandishi wa tamthilia ya Bembea ya Maisha (2022) alivyomsawiri mhusika wa jinsia ya kiume katika kazi yake ili kuweka wazi shughuli za ubabedume zilizojengwa katika mila, itikadi na utamaduni wa jamii husika. Data ya makala ilipatikana kwa kuisoma tamthilia teule kisha kuichanganua kwa kutumia Nadharia ya Ubabedume ambayo hulenga kubainisha nguvu na mamlaka yanayomilikiwa na jinsia ya kiume, hasa kutokana na utamaduni wa jamii husika. Matokeo ya utafiti yalibainisha kuwa mhusika wa jinsia ya kiume amesawiriwa kama mtegemezi, mrithi wa mali, ameruhusiwa kupata mtoto nje ya ndoa, haruhusiwi kujishughulisha na kazi za nyumbani, anaitwa gumba kwa kutopata watoto na anayejitwika majukumu yote ya nyumbani. Masuala haya yamekithiri katika jamii za leo. Ikiwa nchi zinazoendelea zitapiga hatua katika maendeleo, basi usawa wa kijinsia unahitaji kutiliwa maanani na jamii zote. Istilahi Muhimu: Usawiri, Mfumo-dume, Taswira, Ubabedume, Jinsia
Flash fiction as a new avenue to address social vices: a case study of Vincent de Paul’s flashes of vice, Volume 1
(Chuka University, 2023-11-24) Owino H. O., Muriungi C. and Mukasa A
Advancement in technology and the internet age has given rise to new platforms of sharing ideas thus leading to the rise and development of flash fiction. This paper analyzes flash fiction as a new avenue for addressing social vices in the digital age. Some of the vices addressed in the selected mini-fictions resonate with the Sustainable Development Goals showing how writers rely on global trends in their creative processes. Marxist literary theory was adopted to examine the social vices that the selected texts address. The article argues that these exemplary flashes are used to develop and propagate complex themes with a long literary history and a wide contemporary relevance. It therefore avers that flash fictions of East Africa have a literary significance just like other genres of art. It is a new avenue to addressing human challenges with wide readership. Flash fiction and the new media are therefore seen as new frontiers in fostering education, research and economic recovery. Keywords: flash fiction, social vices, short stories, readership, new media
Sociolinguistic competence of a trilingual at age five
(Chuka University, 2023-11-24) Mbaka, N. W.
Being Trilingual is no longer a strange phenomenon as it may have been sometime back. In fact, in urban settings in Kenya, children are learning English as a third language (L3) rather than a second language (L2). Canale and Swain (1980), propose that communicative competence comprises four language competencies namely: linguistic, sociolinguistic, strategic and discourse competencies. Of concern in this study is sociolinguistic competence of trilingual children at age five. Purposive sampling and snowballing were used to select six children: three boys and three girls. Data was collected through conversational technique where the children were prompted to express themselves in three languages: English, Kiswahili and Mother Tongue. It was found out that the children exhibited three main sociolinguistic competencies: code-mixing, use of colloquial Kiswahili and use of politeness forms. Lexical code mixing was the commonest and the children code-mixed two languages in their utterances. The findings of this study reveal that Kenyan children are on the path of trilingualism at age five and it affirms the current language in education policy which encourages the use of three languages at different levels of education. These findings are relevant to language policy makers today and in the future. Keywords: Sociolinguistic competence, Trilingualism, Code-mixing, Communicative competence, Age five
SOCIAL NETWORKS INFLUENCING EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF YEDF IN ISIOLO COUNTY, KENYA
(Chuka University, 2023-11-24) Njuguna J. K.1*, Sande A.2 and Miriti G.3
The Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) was founded in the year 2006 with the aim of enhancing the wellbeing of youth in Kenya. Although Isiolo County is among the counties with the highest targeted number of youth beneficiaries (78,526), there is evidence of low levels of economic empowerment among them. The purpose of this study was to assess the social networks influencing effective utilization of YEDF in Isiolo County, Kenya. The study integrated correlational research and descriptive survey designs. The total study population was 9,602 people. This included a target population of 1,919 youths who have benefitted from YEDF in Isiolo County as at December 2021. These youths were obtained from the 288 youth groups whose members have benefited from YEDF. The population also included 7 YEDF officials in Isiolo County and 7,676 community members. A sample of 384 respondents consisting of 277 youths who have benefitted from YEDF in Isiolo County and 100 community members was obtained proportionately and purposively respectively. All the 7 YEDF officials in Isiolo County participated in the study. Data collection was done using questionnaires and interview schedule. The questionnaires were self-administered. An interview schedule for the key informants was filled by the respondents. Research assistants were hired to assist in the process. The respondents were given time to respond to the questionnaires and those who were not able to read or write were be assisted. Piloting was carried out in Tharaka Nithi County to establish reliability of data collection instruments. Reliability of the instruments was estimated using Cronbach Alpha Coefficients. Descriptive statistics used included frequencies and percentages. The inferential statistics used in the study was linear regression. It was evident, from the study that social networks had significant effects on effective utilization of youth enterprise development fund. The study recommended the necessity of integrating YEDF entrepreneurship trainings with IT through inclusion of digital financial transaction technology experts in the training programmes such as M-pesa and the banking sector. Research findings and recommendations could be used to guide further research as well as policy makers in relation to YEDF KeyWords: Social Networks, Effective Utilization, Entrepreneurial Partnerships, Financial Training, Information Technology Training.
Work environment and public service delivery of huduma centres in Kenya
(Chuka University, 2023-11-24) Mutegi, F. M., Nzioki S. and King’oriah, G.
This study set out to investigate whether Huduma centres are a success in eliminating corruption, petty bureaucracy and inefficiency in public service delivery (PSD). The study focused on influence of work environment on PSD of Huduma centres in Kenya and the mediating variable of government policies on PSD. The study anchored on Hertzberg two-factor theory, SERVQUAL model and New Public Model. Descriptive research design was used. Target population was branch managers of 52 Huduma centres, 1456 supervisors and 1456 public customers from government ministries offering public services in huduma centre branches. Multi-stage probability sampling was used. Both primary and secondary data was used. Primary data used self-administered questionnaires and Secondary data from reviewing relevant literature and government statistics. Pilot study measured validity and Cronbach’s alpha measured reliability. Inferential data analysis was used and it involved correlation coefficient (r) and linear regression analysis, which looked for strength and degree of relationship between variables. Hypothesis results show that work environment has no influence on PSD. Moreso, government policies don’t mediate the relationship between work environment and PSD. The study recommends government to re-evaluate government policies to increase PSD. In addition, work environment practices to be given more attention and their impact on PSD reassessed often. Public organisations are urged to use guidelines of human resource strategy for the public service, to avoid every ministry, from using its own regulations and standards. Further research is recommended on more HR practices in the public service. Key Words: Work environment, Government policies, Hertzberg two-factor theory, SERVQUAL model, New public management and Public service delivery.
Worldview clash: impact of persistence of Tharaka traditional worldview on christian discipleship among evangelicals in Tharaka
(Chuka University, 2023-11-24) Ndunjo M. K., and Kagema D. K
Christian discipleship is recognized by evangelicals as playing a pivotal role in the life of an individual Christian as well as the congregation at large. This is because it promotes character transformation which in turn makes one handle life diverse challenges including economic spiritual and social challenges experienced in our day. Although this is so, this emphasis is actually not done in many congregations in Tharaka as evangelicals see recommended in the Bible. One thing that hampers Christian discipleship in Tharaka is that many evangelicals still revert to African traditional worldview in the times of crisis. This is despite the fact that at many points, there is a worldview clash between evangelical faith and Tharaka traditional worldview. This consequently impends Christian discipleship. The research design used in this study was descriptive survey, stratified random sampling was used to obtain a representative sample. Using face to face interviews, focus group discussions and interviews, the study revealed that persistent of Tharaka traditional worldview among evangelicals promotes nominal Christianity, produces inconsistent Christians, promotes syncretism, demeans the means of grace, leads to poor evangelism, undermines the role of Jesus Christ in redemption and produces imbalanced theology. Informed by the theory of the Flaw of the Excluded Middle, the paper argues that evangelicals need to take note of the fact that the persistence of Tharaka traditional worldview aspects condemned by evangelicals among them would imply that these evangelicals are finding relevance in these worldview aspects. Evangelicals hence need to present the gospel at worldview level to allow the gospel to speak to the African reality. Thus African church will yield its spiritual influence in world Christianity as was the case in the period of the early church fathers. Keywords: Worldview, Persistence, Discipleship, Evangelicals, Tharaka, Christianity
Citizens’ satisfaction with police recruitment exercise: a case study of Bomet County, Kenya.
(Chuka University, 2023-11-24) Rotich, K.1, Mbuba, J. M. and Kiboro, C. N.
Previous studies have examined citizens' perceptions of the police. However, studies on the citizens’ perception of police recruitment are scarce. Thus, this study aimed at evaluating citizens' attitudes toward the recruitment of new police officers into the national police service. The study's objective was to determine citizens' satisfaction with the way police recruitment exercise is carried out in Bomet County, Kenya. The target population for the study was 875,689 citizens. This study used a descriptive research design. The simple random sampling method was used to pick three Sub-Counties in Bomet County and the respondents for the study from those selected sub-counties. A questionnaire with a series of statements on the Likert Scale was used to collect data. Analysis of the data was done through frequencies, percentages, and Chi-Square. The results were presented through frequency distribution tables. The study found that the respondents were not satisfied with the way police recruitment is done. The police recruitment exercise is still affected by police illegitimacy and other various vices such as bribery, nepotism, favoritism, and discrimination. The conclusion was that police the recruitment process is still below the recommended fairness, accountability, and transparency standards. These low standards during recruitment make citizens feel dissatisfied with police recruitment exercises. Keywords: Citizens’ satisfaction, police recruitment exercise
Narrating the economic and political environment: ghost characters in ben okri’s “the famished road”
(2023-11-23) Kainga J. K., Njogu J. G. and Mate A. M.
Since time immemorial, literature has played a pivotal role in mirroring the society. Literary authors in their endeavors to represent a lucid view of the state of things in the society have employed different types of characters to pass their messages. In Africa the use of humans, animals and objects feature in stories and have been studied and documented by various literary scholars. However, there have been little studies on the use of ghost characterization in prose. This paper has attempted to fill this gap by examining how ghost characterization reflects the economic and political environment in Nigeria. This paper has analyzed Ben Okri (1991) The Famished Road. The study has used Wendy (2004) magical realism strand as theoretical framework. Qualitative research design has been used where close textual analysis of the text has been carried out to show how the author has used ghost characters to reflect the economic and political environment in Nigeria. The study has established that ghost characters exceptional abilities enable them to pry into the oppressive, dilapidated, and impoverished Nigerian economic situation. In addition, ghost characters clairvoyant ability has enabled them to reveal the eerie political atmosphere that engulfed Nigeria during colonial and post-colonial period. The paper draws parallelism to the wobbly economic and political situation that overwhelmed the majority of African nations after the outbreak of covid-19 in 2020. Keywords: Magical realism, economic environment, political environment, clairvoyant, material realm, immaterial realm

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