Enterprise resource planning systems implementation and upgrade (a Kenyan study)

In recent years there has been an increase in using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems in large companies and government corporations mainly in developed countries. While there is wide adoption of ERP systems in Western economies, developing countries lag far behind. However, due to recent economic growth, developing countries such as Kenya are increasingly becoming major targets of ERP vendors. There is an urgent need for under- standing ERP implementation issues in developing countries, as ERP systems are still in their early stages in these countries. They face additional challenges related to economic, cultural and basic infrastructure issues. This research investigates the organisational and national context within which ERP is adopted and used in Kenya, and how the context and ERP influence each other. In general, this research is based on the need to study organisations in their societal contexts and information systems in their organisational settings. The research contributes to the controversial debate on the conflict between standardisation imposed by ERP systems and localisation of business practices. This study provides some key insights into the implementation and use of ERP systems in the public and the private sectors in Kenya. Case study findings suggest that the company sector plays an important role in ERP implementations in several key dimensions. ERP systems with in-built business practices express the tendency toward standardisation. In addition, the study investigates the challenges faced by organisations implementing ERP systems in Kenya and factors influencing ERP upgrade decisions. Findings of this research suggest that ERP implementation and upgrade is influenced by, but not necessarily bound by, existing contextual factors - national and organisational. Two models, namely, the Empirical ERP Implementation Model (EEIM) and the Upgrade Decision Model (UDM), are developed to represent ERP implementation and upgrade practices. The EEIM helps to identify why there will be particularly high variance in potential outcomes and further validates which organisational contexts and ERP implementation configurations create options during ERP implementation and usage. The UDM makes a novel contribution by showing how different forces interact to bring an aggregate of influences to a threshold level where an ERP system upgrade becomes necessary. The findings of this study also aid the management of organisations that are implementing ERP systems to gain a better understanding of the likely challenges they may face and to enable them to put in place appropriate measures to mitigate the risk of implementation failures. This study also proposes an IT strategy framework which can be used by organisations planning to implement ERP to align their business and IT strategy. Finally, the study provides practical guidelines to practitioners on ERP implementation and upgrade based on the experience of the case study organisations and the ERP consultants interviewed

Effects of Changes of Lake Victoria Water Levels on Land Use Patterns, Covid-19 Pandemic and Food Security in Winam Gulf, Homa-Bay County, Kenya

The study was carried out on the Southern shore of Winam Gulf, Homa Bay County, Kenya. It was aimed at establishing the relationship among changes of Lake Victoria water levels, land use patterns and food security during the COVID-19 pandemic. Empirical studies involving ground point survey was used to determine the extent of spread of the back flow and vertical rise of the lake’s waters from five pier and nine beach survey points between July 2019 to October 2020. In-depth interviews and questionnaires were also used to collect data which were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Likert’s scale. The average variations of the extent of the back flow was approximately 294m while the vertical change in the water levels along the pier points was 1.03m. This led to submergence of the adjacent land use patterns and interfered with food security in the region. Coupled with the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, majority (209) of the respondents substituted their meals and a quarter (79) of the them reduced their number of meals per day. A strong positive perception on the responses by the Government of Kenya and County Government Homa Bay towards addressing the pandemic with the Likert’s scale summative perception index of 381 very effective, 328 effective and 363 satisfactory were realized. The study recommends: observance and execution of environmental laws governing settlement on riparian lands, proactive compliance with the warnings and advice from the meteorological department, and adoption of alternative land use patterns

Effects of Piers on Water Recession on the Southern Shores of Winam Gulf, Homa- Bay County, Kenya

Piers are important man-made water vessel landing facilities in lakes and seas. A study on the effects of piers on water recession was conducted on the Southern shores of Winam Gulf of lake Victoria, Homa Bay County in Kenya. It was conducted in three pier points namely Kendu Bay, Kowour/Homa Lime and Homa Bay. The study aimed at explaining a phenomenon whereby the Western side of the piers on the Southern shores of the gulf, having more water recession than on their Eastern side. This unique phenomenon has not been sufficiently researched on hence, instigated the research. It collected data on the length of recession at the sides of the piers, directions of water currents flow based on devised simple current simulator and empirical studies. Google map and Landsat map techniques were used for aerial data collection. Ground truthing was carried out to corroborate the findings of the aerial data based on physical ground measurement and observation. The result had it that the sides of the piers facing currents directly were more recessed than the opposite sides. Homa Bay pier had its Western side 38m shorter than the Eastern side which had only receded 2m. Kowuor/Homa Lime pier had its Northern side 32m more recessed than the Southern side. The drenching works at Kendu Bay pier at the time of study, made it impossible to accurately measure its sides under recession. However, it showed the same trend based on Landsat and Google maps data. The data were presented using photographs, ‘current rose,’ maps and diagrams

Ethnomedicine of the Kagera Region, north western Tanzania. Part 3: plants used in traditional medicine in Kikuku village, Muleba District.

BACKGROUND\ud \ud The Kagera region of north western Tanzania has a rich culture of traditional medicine use and practice. Traditional medicines are the mainstay of healthcare in this region and are known to support the management of many illnesses such as malaria, bacterial infections, epilepsy, gynecological problems and others. However, most of the plants being used have either not been documented or evaluated for safety and efficacy or both. This study, the sixth of an ongoing series, reports on the medicinal plants that are used at Kikuku village, Muleba District.\ud \ud METHODOLOGY\ud \ud A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information on the common/local names of the plants, parts of the plants used, diseases treated, methods of preparing the herbal remedies, dosage of the remedies administered, frequency and duration of treatment and toxicity of the medicines. A literature review was carried out for information on the ethnomedical uses of the reported plants.\ud \ud RESULTS\ud \ud A total of 49 plant species belonging to 47 genera and 24 plant families were documented. The family Euphorbiaceae and Asteraceae had the highest representation. The plants are used for the treatment of skin conditions (10 plants; 20%), bacterial infections and wounds (14 plants; 28.6%), malaria (14 plants; 28.6%), gastrointestinal disorders (11 plants; 22.4%), gynecological problems including infertility (8 plants; 16.3%), hypertension (5 plants; 10.2%), viral infections (7 plants; 14.3%), chest problems (5 plants; 10.2%), diabetes (3 plants; 6.1%), cancer (2 plants; 4.1%), inflammatory conditions (arthritis, rheumatism), HIV and AIDS, and hernia each treated by 1 plant (3 plants in total; 6.1%). Information obtained from the literature indicate that 25 (51.0%) of the therapeutic claims are supported by laboratory results or have similar claims of ethnomedical use from other countries.\ud \ud CONCLUSION\ud \ud Herbal remedies comprise an important and effective component of the healthcare system in Kikuku village with plants in the families Euphorbiaceae and Asteraceae comprising an important part of plants used in the indigenous healthcare management in the village. Malaria and bacterial infections dominate the list of diseases that are managed using traditional medicines

Technical efficiency and technology gaps in beef cattle production systems in Kenya: A stochastic metafrontier analysis

In this study the stochastic metafrontier method is used to investigate technical efficiency and technology gaps across three main beef cattle production systems in Kenya. Results show that there is significant inefficiency in nomadic and agro-pastoral systems. Further, in contrast with ranches, these two systems were found to have lower technology gap ratios. The average pooled technical efficiency was estimated to be 0.69, which suggests that there is considerable scope to improve beef production in KenyaTechnical efficiency, technology gap, beef cattle, production systems, stochastic metafrontier, Kenya., Livestock Production/Industries, D24, O32, Q18,

Socio-cultural factors influencing utilization of prevention-of-mother-to child-transmission of HIV strategies among women attending antenatal care clinics in Rachuonyo North Sub-County-Homa-Bay County, Kenya

Objective: To assess the sociocultural characteristics influencing HIV positive women attending antenatal care clinics in North Rachuonyo Sub- CountyDesign: Health facility cross sectional studySetting: 20 antenatal care clinics in North Rachuonyo Sub-CountySubjects: Three hundred and eighty-five HIV infected pregnant women as participants.Results: The mean age of the women interviewed was 25.7 years (range =31) and 67% were married. Majority 60% (95% CI:55.0 -64.8) did not seek permission to know or undertake HIV testing, this contributed to nondisclosures of the HIV status where 13.6% (95% CI:9.0 -20.1) were in single parenthood and non- committal relationships and perceived fear of stigma and discrimination by partner 25% (95%CI:29.7 – 45.0). Barriers impeding women participation on MTCT awareness programs included cultural practices such as wife inheritance (26.8%), lack of support from partners in attending PMTCT services (25%), fear of losing property inheritance once HIV status is known by the family (22.3%) and cultural sexual ritual and beliefs by unknown partners 17.1%. Public discrimination and stigmatization 52%, protracted high cost of drugs 18% and 7% of health care attitude contributes to underutilization of PMTCT services. There are significant association between age, marital status and occupation with utilization of PMTCT services unlike to women with formal education.Conclusion: The study showed sociocultural impediments with little potential impact to influence, improve and promote PMTCT services. Therefore, there is need to further intervention and educating women by demystifying sociocultural factors associated with HIV/AIDS spread by engaging various players, stakeholders and other community resource persons to increase utilization with a goal towards free HIV generation

The determinants of health related quality of life of patients on maintenance haemodialysis at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya

Background: Health related quality of life (HRQOL) is increasingly being recognised as a primary outcome measure in the treatment of end stage renal disease. In addition to being an important surrogate marker of quality of care in patients on maintenance haemodialysis, HRQOL measures have being shown to be robust predictors of mortality and morbidity.Objective: To determine the health related quality of life and its determinants in patients on maintenance haemodialysis at the Kenyatta National Hospital.Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study.Setting: Renal unit, Kenyatta National HospitalSubjects: Adult patients with end stage renal disease on maintenance haemodialysis.Results: The mean physical composite summary and mental composite summary scores were 39.09±9.49 and 41.87±10.56 respectively. The burden of kidney disease sub-scale, symptom and problems sub-scale and effect of kidney disease on daily life sub-scale scores were 16.15±21.83, 73.46±18.06 and 67.63±23.45 respectively. No significant correlations were found between the health-related quality of life scores, socio-demographic and clinical factors assessed.Conclusion: The health-related quality of life of patients on maintenance haemodialysis is reduced. The physical quality of life is more affected than the mental quality of life. No independent determinants of health-related quality of life were identified

Utilization and Impact of Microfinance Credit on Performance of Microenterprises among Entrepreneurs who are Members of Self-Help Groups in Butere, Mumias, Matungu and Khwisero Sub-Counties, Kenya

Self-help groups (SHGs) are important institutions at the grassroots through which members can exploit existing institutional linkages with other stakeholders, within Kenya’s development framework, to enhance their development activities. For instance, members of SHGs in Butere, Mumias, Matungu and Khwisero Sub-Counties, which comprised the study area, operate micro enterprise (ME) to generate employment and improve their incomes. However, shortage of capital, which is occasioned by the unwillingness of the mainstream financial institutions such as banks to provide credit to majority of entrepreneurs, remains one of the major obstacles to the performance of MEs. Thus, a number of microfinance institutions (MFIs) have developed ‘special’ ME-sector credit lending programmes, preferable for entrepreneurs in SHGs, in a bid to address the problem of shortage of credit. It is, however, not clear how such microfinance credit impacts ME capitalization, incomes and employment in the study area, which this study sought to investigate. Both descriptive and experimental research designs were used in this study to ascertain and assess the impact of microfinance credit on MEs variables. An experimental sample of 267 entrepreneurs who were members of SHGs and owners of credit-assisted MEs, located in 40 centres, was drawn using stratified and proportional random sampling techniques for study. Also, a control sample of 155 entrepreneurs operating MEs that were not credit-beneficiaries was drawn in the same 40 centres surveyed. Data, sourced mainly from entrepreneurs and MFIs, was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Observations, mini-case studies, and key informant interviews were also used to collect data. Data generated was analyzed using: descriptive statistics; and chi-square. The study found out that between the year 2008 and 2011, entrepreneurs had secured loans totaling Ksh 18,448,100 and spent 69.2 per cent of this amount on MEs. Microenterprise capitalization was the largest beneficiary, accounting for 79 per cent of the money spent on MEs. The loan money spent on MEs met 86.3 per cent of all MEs needs. Also observed was that credit impacted significantly on MEs incomes and capitalization levels, with insignificant impact observed on ME employment levels. The study recommends that MFIs and SHGs should come up with institutional control mechanisms to ensure appropriate utilization of credit so as to ensure better performance of MEs resulting from microfinance credit secured. MFIs can also consider lending to potential entrepreneurs who want to start new businesses in the informal sector, other than entrepreneurs already operating MEs. This will ensure significant growth in ME employment, as a ME performance indicator. Keywords: Entrepreneurs, Impact, Microfinance, Micro enterprise, Enterprise Performance and Self-help Groups

The Pattern of Breast Diseases at Kenyatta National Hospital

Objective: To determine the pattern of breast diseases. Design: Retrospective descriptive study. Setting: Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), a University Teaching and National Referral Hospital. Patients: One thousand one hundred and seventy two patients records were reviewed. Results: An average 469 new patients per year or 11 new patients per clinic visit were reviewed over a two and a half year period. Females predominated (98.9%). The mean age of the patients was 34.71 years (range 1 to 96 years). The average age at menarche was 14.49 years and the mean duration of symptoms was 6.86 months. Only 2.6% of 843 patients had a positive family history of breast disease. Fibroadenoma was the commonest diagnosis made (33.2%) followed by ductal carcinoma (19.7%). Gynaecomastia was the most common lesion seen in males. Two thirds of patients presenting with lumps had masses measuring more than 5cm. Overall, five conditions (fibroadenoma, ductal carcinoma, breast abscesses, fibrocystic disease and mastalgia) accounted for over 85% of all breast ailments. Surgery formed the mainstay of care in over 80% of patients. Conclusions: The pattern of breast diseases at KNH closely mirrors those reported in literature. This study indicates that a large proportion of patients presenting with breast diseases are treated initially by surgery. It may be wise to consider other alternative forms of therapy where appropriate

Information Security Threats to e-government Services in Kenya

This study examined information security threats to e-government services commonly known as e-citizen Grounded on General Systems Theory examined the nature of complex inter-relationships and interdependence of global society states non-state actors and individuals and how they relate in a complex internet enabled communication network Mixed method cross sectional survey was used Targeted population of 12000 respondents from 51 Huduma Centres Purposive sampling at 10 was chosen where 1200 structured questionnaires issued returned 966 responses at 80 The data was processed and analysed using SPSS The hypothesis was tested at 5 significance level The study found that Kenyan citizens were the majority at 50 Companies at 35 Foreign Agencies 10 and Foreign Nationals at 5 The services sought Government to G2C 43 Government to Business G2B 35 Government to employees G2E 20 and Government to Government G2G 2 The study identified 12 categories of information security threats i e unauthorized access illegal devices unauthorized codes distributed denial of services ddos false publications computer frauds cyber espionage terrorism and squatting phishing identity thefts electronic interceptions fraudulent electronic data employee aiding and child pornograph