Ecological management of the Mau catchment area and its impact on Lake Nakuru national park

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the impact of human activities in the Mau catchment area and Lake Nakuru National Park. The increase in human population has led to increased pressure and diminishing of natural resources such as forests, grassland and water. This has led to conflicts over these resources. Developments in Nakuru town and other urban centers have contributed to pollution of Lake Nakuru National Park through the disposal of industrial and domestic wastes into the lake. These impacts are manifested through erosion, high silt loads, agro‐chemicals, urbanization, degradation, deforestation, encroachment into sensitive habitats and impacts of climate change. Data collection was carried out using interviews and questionnaires .The population size was 4960 and the derived sample size was 138. The random and purposeful sampling was used for data collection. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) statistical software was used in the analysis. The results indicated that natural resources were diminishing due to the practiced land‐uses and population increase. This has led to an increased demand for the scarce resources leading to overexploitation and to human ‐ human and human ‐ wildlife conflict. This has a negative impact on Lake Nakuru since rivers were drying up due to deforestation, sedimentation, sand harvesting, waste water, storm water drainage, solid wastes which have polluted the lake. Most of the rivers draining into the lake have dried up during the dry seasons due to deforestation of the Mau Catchment area. There is the need for concerted efforts to manage the Mau catchment area sustainably through conservation initiatives, sustainable farming, reforestation, agro‐ forestry, energy, and water and soil conservation methods. Farmers should be encouraged to increase tree cover through carbon trading.Key words: Ecosystem, catchment, natural resources, conservation, re‐forestation, waste management, conflict

Evaluation of noise levels in manufacturing sectors in Thika district, Kenya

Noise is considered as any unwanted sound that may adversely affect the health and wellbeing of individuals or populations exposed. This study assessed the magnitude of occupational noise exposures to workers in different manufacturing sectors in Thika District‐Kenya. Systematic random sampling was used to select 8 manufacturing companies (one per sector) from the Directorate of Occupational safety and Health Services (DOSHS) and Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) registered workplaces in Thika District. Thika district was selected because of its high concentration of manufacturing companies. Data was collected through; Environmental noise survey, Questionnaire Survey, observation and secondary data for comparison. A sample size of 400 participants from the eight selected manufacturing industries was recruited in this study as per the table of maximum return of sample. The results showed that the males population (χ2 = 14.7; p < 0.05, df = 7) was high (82%) as compared to females (18%), hence gender had a significant association between the companies sampled. This study also found that the generator department recorded the highest value of dB(A) (χ2 = 2.40; p < 0.05, df = 1.00) while the office department recorded the lowest values (p<0.05) in all the 8 selected companies. The production department had the highest exposure magnitude in relation to employees (p=0.041). The companies’ noise exposure levels had significant association in terms of departments. The magnitude of noise exposure to the workers in manufacturing industries in Thika District is high (p<0.05) and recommends strict enforcement of noise control regulations supported by necessary trainings, policies and personal protective equipments. The data obtained can be used by National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and DOSHS to develop monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for enforcement and compliance.Key words: Noise, exposure, compliance, manufacturing, Thika, pollutio

Influence of School Financial Resources on Student Academic Achievement in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education Examination (KCSE) in Public Secondary Schools in Kenya

Issues of education funding and adequacy of school financial resources have been highly debated both in developing and developed countries.  Policy makers, tax payers and other education stakeholders do wonder whether schools that receive the most in terms of financial resources produce most in terms of measurable student outcome. The purpose of this study was to establish whether there is a significant relationship between school financial resources and school KCSE mean score in public secondary schools in Kenya. The study adopted cross-sectional survey design and had a target population of all the 7,325 public secondary school principals in Kenya and 65,000 public secondary school teachers employed by Teachers Service Commission. The study used multistage sampling giving rise to a sample of 260 principals and 368 teachers. Data was collected using an observation guide and principal and teacher questionnaire. Data analysis was done using ANOVA and regression analysis. The study found statistical significant relationship between school financial resources and school KCSE mean score. School financial resources predicted school K.C.S.E. mean score at 11.1 percent. The study recommends the government to invest more to public secondary schools especially on school infrastructure and boarding costs to mitigate the effect of poverty in schools and ensure equitable provision of quality education for all. The government should provide free secondary education for all as opposed to the present free tuition secondary education Keywords-school financial resources, student academic achievemen

Regulation of informed consent: a focus on fertility treatments in Kenya

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The Effect of Quality of Service on Customers’ Loyalty to Financial Institutions: A Survey of Financial Institutions in Nyahururu Town, Kenya

The financial institutions in Nyahururu have experienced a scenario in which customers shift loyalty to different institutions over time, a situation that has led to managers’ complaints on matters of customers’ retention. This study aimed at examining the factors that influence customer loyalty to financial institutions in Nyahururu town. The study objective was to examine the effect of quality of service on customers’ loyalty to financial institutions. The study was based on the Loyalty Business Model as advocated for by Strorback, Strandvik, & Gronroos, (1994) and customer loyalty theory by Reynolds (2015). Descriptive survey design was applied with a target a population of 28860 staff members and customers served by the 6 Micro-Finance institutions in Nyahururu, Kenya. A stratified sampling method was applied to obtain 384 staff members and customers from 6 Micro- finance institutions in Nyahururu Town. Primary data was collected through the use of questionnaires. The data collected was sorted and then coded before analysis. Data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. In descriptive data analysis, mean, standard deviation and percentages were used. The SPSS computer program was used to aid in analysis. Multiple linear regression and correlation model was also used to analyze data by establishing the interrelationships between independent and dependent variable. Implementing the recommendations from the study would be useful to financial institutions seeking to improve the customer loyalty. This research study has also contributed to the body of knowledge on the best practices of retaining customers within financial institutions. Keywords: Customer’s loyalty, Customer Loyalty, Customer’s retention, Financial Institutions, quality of servic

EFFECTS OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE ON AGENCY COSTS IN COMMERCIAL AND SERVICES COMPANIES LISTED AT THE NAIROBI SECURITIES EXCHANGE IN KENYA

Academic and business research has focused on the competing interests of shareholders and managers, as well as the resulting agency fees. It is well known that managers have a strong desire to advance their own interests, such as their pay, the size of their companies, and the value of their securities. According to agency theory, shareholders will pay agency costs in order to reduce these conflicts. According to the free cash flow principle, when a company creates considerable free cash flow, there are significant agency conflicts between stockholders and executives. A number of empirical studies have proposed solutions to this problem, one of which is the use of a capital structure. Numerous studies on the effect of capital structures on agency costs have been conducted, with varying degrees of success. However, the majority of these studies took place in industrialized nations. The primary goal of this study, which lasted from 2012 to 2018, was to determine how capital configuration affected agency expenses in Kenyan commercial and service firms that were listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The study's specific goals included investigating the effects of equity on agency costs, retained earnings on agency costs, long-term debt on agency costs, and firm size as a moderator of the effects of investment configuration on agency costs. A descriptive research method was used in this study to provide a thorough examination of the relationship between capital structure and agency costs. To collect the required seven-year panel data from the entire population of firms, the Nairobi Securities Exchange, the Capital Market Authority's data banks, and the firms' websites were used. These data were then examined at two levels of statistics: descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. In Kenyan commercial and service firms, variations in equity capital, retained earnings, and long-term debts jointly accounted for 65.9% of the variations in agency costs, according to the regression results.JEL: E22; G31; L10  Article visualizations

Effect of Appraisal Standards on Employees’ Performance Appraisal in SACCOs of Laikipia County

Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs) are significant providers of savings, credit and insurance services to a large portion of the Kenyan population. As they grow in number and size a demand to improve management of SACCOs’ staff productivity increases. Consequently, performance appraisal has been adopted as a measure to achieve this goal. However, the 83 active SACCOs in Laikipia County have had performance appraisal hurdles based on the report of the County Cooperative Director’s office. The same report indicates that these hurdles have been brought about by lack of appraisal standards. When a SACCO fails to carry out proper and accurate staff appraisals, it consequently fails in meeting its obligations to its members. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of appraisal standards on employees’ performance appraisal in SACCOs of Laikipia County. This study was grounded on the Equity Theory by John Stacey Adams that says that satisfaction is based on a person’s perception of fairness. It adopted descriptive survey research design and the target population was the managers and board members from the eighty three SACCOs in Laikipia County. Since each SACCO has one manager and nine board members, the total population was eight hundred and thirty members. Sample size determination formula for a finite population was used to arrive at the sample size of three hundred and thirty nine members who comprised of eighty three managers and two hundred and fifty six board members. Both purposeful and stratified sampling were used to attain the sample size. Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained through a structured questionnaire. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in form of frequency and percentage tables, bar charts and pie charts. The analysis was done by SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version twenty two to generate those measures. Qualitative data was used to supplement interpretation of quantitative data. Based on the findings the study concluded that SACCOs generally carried staff performance appraisal without clarity on their practicality in boosting the SACCO’s performance. On overall performance appraisal, most SACCOs do not generate or receive reports outside those prepared through the Savings and Credit Cooperative Regulatory Authority (SASRA) driven initiatives. The appraisal process should be seen to be both fair and to regard the size of the SACCO. SASRA should conduct a review of the practicality of guidelines that it issues on staff performance appraisal. The standards must be regularly updated and should be comparable across the board. They should also be realistic, viable and reliable. The standards should address quality, quantity, timeliness and cost-effectiveness. This study is important because it has shed light on how the selected factors influence managers and board members of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in their efforts to measure employee performance and achieve organizational goals. Keywords: Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCO) Performance Appraisal, Appraisal Standard

Effect of Level of Implementation of HACCP Principles on Quality of Catering Services at Day Care Centers: A Case of Nyeri Town Constituency, Nyeri County, Kenya

Global reports show a general increase in the growth of childcare services, majorly because of modernization and tough economic conditions that require parents to be involved in various type of employment. Consequently, day care centers are becoming very popular for the child as an alternative avenue where children can spend part of their time. Quality of catering services is considered to play a significant role in the well-being of a child enrolled in any day care centre. To ensure quality of food, catering setups have to implement a food safety management system based on the principles of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP). The study sought to determine the effect of level of implementation of HACCP principles on quality of catering services at day care centers and was based on the System Theory in evaluating adherence to HACCP principles in the catering sections of children day care centers. In identifying the constituency to be studied purposive sampling method was used. Further, purposive sampling was employed in identifying day care catering personnel. A census was carried out in all legally registered 16 daycare centers. Target population was 64 respondents from all the 16-daycare centers and comprised the manager and three catering staffs who are majorly involved in ensuring quality of food at the centers. Mixed methods were used in collecting both quantitative and qualitative data, while primary data was obtained through use of questionnaires and interviews. Secondary data was obtained through a desk study of relevant documents including government policies, institutional strategic plans, minutes and admission lists. Numerical data was analyzed descriptively using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software program. Regression analysis was carried out to indicate the strength of association between the variables under the study. Further, coefficient of determination was calculated to indicate variations in the dependent variable as caused by the independent variable. The Research findings were presented using frequency distribution tables, bar charts and pie charts for quantitative data and thematic areas for qualitative data. From the findings, the study found that majority of day care centers purchased food from reputable or reliable suppliers, at the right time, and of good quality. However, food of different types was not stored in different storage rooms. Hygiene was observed in the preparation and handling of food though cooking was not done until all the ingredients were ready to be served. Majority of cooked food is re-heated few minutes before serving. This study is potentially of use to current and prospective parents since it could help them make informed choices on the day-care centers they choose for their children. For proprietors, the insight from the study could enable them to provide control measures that enhance adherence to HACCP principles in day-care centers, thus improve quality of services, which would eventually lead to increased number of customers and subsequently increase revenues. The study has also added new knowledge to hospitality industry as well as advanced knowledge and theory in hospitality studies. Keywords: - HACCP Principles, Quality of Catering Services, Day Care Centers

Digital places : rethinking urban elements : the case of the tower

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 2004.Includes bibliographical references (leaves [69]-[70]).Problem - How can we make working, living and all aspects of our life in the urban tower more palatable? How can we create environment at the urban tower scale. With technology as one of the biggest drivers of social and environmental change what new design opportunities does it present? Presented in this thesis is a new approach to the urban tower, where its design and planning are perceived as a form of urban design. This study reviews developing trends in: Space/Place making - A vertical theory of urban design; Technology and people - Focusing on the impact of technology and social trends on design of tower components (retail, office, & housing) This study will argue that these developments and the new juxtapositions of activities (live - work, point of sale - marketing, 'public space' - offices, digital interfaces - physical interfaces) will facilitate new design opportunities. Concept - recombining space, technology and people to achieve innovative and productive work & live spaces The outcome of this approach is a built milieu that is more physically and socially comprehensible. A high-rise built environment that is more humane and habitable; a built environment that emulates the ideal life on the ground plane. This study does not propose towers as a better environment than the ground plane, it argues for a better design of towers because, as shall be seen in later sections of this study, towers shall continue to be built as viable solution to cities' land use intensification. Another outcome of this approach is a new architecture which will be less about responding to a rigid architecture program and more about creating diverse, flexible, humane environments for electronically supported nomadic occupation.(cont.) This new architecture will also be about integrating inhabited space with its associated technologies - making technological devices standard architectural features. Ultimately, this study will attempt to capture through design experiments the new trends and design opportunities brought about by the interplay of these new technological and social factors.by Christopher M. Gichuhi.S.M