Socio-Economic Effects of Liberalization of Small Scale Tea Sector in Kenya: Evidence from Tea Farmers in Konoin District

Liberalization in Kenya started in 1990’s and continued ro date with far reaching effects on various sectors of Kenyan economy. The aim of this study was to investigate socio-economic effect of liberalization of small scale tea sector. The study sought to: Determine how liberalization has affected the living standard of the farmers, to investigate the impact of liberalization of tea sector on the competitiveness of small scale tea farmers and analyze the effect of liberalization on the performances of KTDA managed tea factories. A case study design was used in the study. The target population was 380 from which a sample of 38 was selected. In collecting data , a questionnaires was used. Descriptive statistics were computed. The findings revealed that Liberalization has exposed the smallholder and factories stiff competition due to entrants of new firms into the tea business. Factories have been ‘forced’ to streamline their operations to cope with completion. Effects of liberalization to farmers is mixed: On the positive farmers have been relieved of monopolistic tendencies of KTDA such as unilateral price determination and farmers have had a much bigger say in the management of tea factories. Negative effects include: Declining bonuses that farmers used to earn. Keywords: Liberalistaion, Tea secor, small-scale tea farmer

Information Technology Innovation and Organizational Policy: Implications on Employee Privacy

Issues relating to workplace privacy and how organizations address privacy have sparked a lot of public debate in recent years. Research reveals that potential employers have exploited employees seeking job opportunities by asking information to do with: disclosure of confidential information about the past employer’s work, financial background, and family intimate issues not relevant to the job being sought among others. This paper establishes the implications of information technology innovation on organization policies with emphasis on employees’ privacy. The study was done in two organizations and it adapted a case study approach. Data was collected from 74 respondents using questionnaires. Respondents were sampled using purposive technique. Frequency distribution tables were used in data presentation followed by discussions. The findings of this study are critical in informing the policy makers in organizations on procedures and strategies of inclusive policy formulation and implementation as well as provide HR managers with insight on managing privacy issues in dynamic organizational setups. Key words: Employees’ Privacy policy, Information Technology, Surveillanc

Research Paradigms: Theory and Practice

This paper reflects on the ontological, epistemological and methodological underpinnings of the two major research approaches i.e the quantitative and the qualitative approaches. Their differences, occasioned by these philosophical foundations are discussed and practical implications examined. It is our view that this paper will have positive impact on the work of researchers and students undertaking courses in research studies. Key words: Research paradigms, ontology, epistemology, methodology, quantitative, qualitativ

Hybrid Power Systems for Commercial Application in Kenya

The cost, availability and stability of power are parameters that greatly define the quality of energy supplied by a generating system. A hybrid power system with different sources of energy must be properly designed in order to capitalize on the positive features of the deployed resources. Hybrid power system optimization is a process that allows for deliberate attainment of desired output from a power system. In this paper, a learning institution, East African School of Aviation (EASA) was selected as a case study for investigating the outcome of harnessing local energy resources to serve a commercial consumer in Kenya. A cost competitive hybrid power system was obtained through Simulation and optimization processes

The Effect of Performance Contract Implementation on Service Delivery in Provincial Administration

In order for the Provincial Administration department in Kenya to deliver its mandate, it needs efficient and proper service delivery. The implementation of performance contracting was aimed at addressing quality of service delivery. Despite these reforms, there remain some challenges in terms of quality of service delivery. The study sought to evaluate the effect of implementing performance contract on service delivery in provincial administration and also evaluate the effectiveness of Performance Contracting in improving efficiency in service. The study used descriptive survey research design. Primary data was collected from a sample size of 147 drawn from a target population of 490 consisting of 90 employees of Provincial Administration and 400 members of the public. Both stratified random sampling and purposive sampling were used for Provincial Administration staff and members of the public respectively to pick the respondents. The data was gathered by use of a questionnaire that had both open and closed ended questions. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze data in form of frequencies and percentages, and presented in tables. The study revealed that the implementation of Performance Contracting was effective in improving efficiency in service delivery by the department. Keywords: Performance contract, competent, effectiveness, quality service delivery

Current trends of Traditional Herbal Medicine Practice in Kenya: A review

The use of herbal medicine is increasingly finding more relevance today, especially with the recognition that we are facing more challenges in the treatment of some medical conditions such as diabetes and cancer. To date, there are not many publications or records on the traditional herbal medicine use among the various Kenyan communities despite the widespread use. There is therefore an urgent need to document traditional medicines in Kenya for future reference and research. The main objective of this review is to examine the current state of traditional herbal medicine practise in Kenya, the challenges facing the sector and the possible solutions to streamline the practice and maximize on the benefits. The method adopted in this research involved the analysis of the available records on herbal medicine in Kenya from various sources including internet and the available books. This information was then compared with those in other countries with established systems in order to establish the existing inadequacies. The various efforts to document herbal medicine incorporate into mainstream healthcare and the legal framework was also reviewed. Key words: Herbal medicine, documentation, researc

A computer-based medical record system and personal digital assistants to assess and follow patients with respiratory tract infections visiting a rural Kenyan health centre

BACKGROUND: Clinical research can be facilitated by the use of informatics tools. We used an existing electronic medical record (EMR) system and personal data assistants (PDAs) to assess the characteristics and outcomes of patients with acute respiratory illnesses (ARIs) visiting a Kenyan rural health center. METHODS: We modified the existing EMR to include details on patients with ARIs. The EMR database was then used to identify patients with ARIs who were prospectively followed up by a research assistant who rode a bicycle to patients' homes and entered data into a PDA. RESULTS: A total of 2986 clinic visits for 2009 adult patients with respiratory infections were registered in the database between August 2002 and January 2005; 433 patients were selected for outcome assessments. These patients were followed up in the villages and assessed at 7 and 30 days later. Complete follow-up data were obtained on 381 patients (88%) and merged with data from the enrollment visit's electronic medical records and subsequent health center visits to assess duration of illness and complications. Symptoms improved at 7 and 30 days, but a substantial minority of patients had persistent symptoms. Eleven percent of patients sought additional care for their respiratory infection. CONCLUSION: EMRs and PDA are useful tools for performing prospective clinical research in resource constrained developing countries

Diagonal Offset Arrangement and Spacing Architecture Effect on Growth and Yield Components of Grain Amaranth in Kenya

The grain Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) is often referred to as the crop of the future because of its advantages both for production and consumption. However, the grain amaranth has an under-exploited potential that can contribute to food security, nutrition, health, income generation and environmental services. However, productivity of the crop in Kenya where it is grown in small plots has not been fully utilized. The current study was conducted to find out how conventional intra row spacing and diagonal offset spacing influence growth and yield of grain amaranth. A field experiment was carried out at Kenyatta University field station. It was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two arrangements (Conventional and Diagonal Offset) and two row spacings (30 cm × 15 cm and 15 cm × 15 cm) that was replicated three times. The longest roots (23.0 cm) were observed in the diagonal offset with 15×15 cm during season one and the widest stem diameter were elicited under the 15×15 cm in the diagonal offset arrangement with 0.62 cm and 1.05 cm recorded during the first and second season, respectively. The root mass under the diagonal offset arrangement at 15×15 cm  spacing had the highest with 26.3 g and 25.0 g per plant during the first and second season, respectively. The least leaf area per plant was recorded under the narrow spacing (15×15 cm) of the conventional arrangement for both seasons while the greatest was under the narrow spacing of the diagonal offset arrangement recording a mean of 1200 cm2 and 1230 cm2 for the first and second seasons, respectively. The diagonal offset arrangement under the narrow spacing showed the highest grain yield per plant with a mean of 48.2 g during the first season and 47.22 g during the second season. There were no significant differences between the treatments on the number of leaves, plant height, number of branches per plant and the 1000-seed mass. The Diagonal offset arrangement led to improved performance of grain amaranth in both seasons and is therefore highly recommended especially in the narrow spacing of 15×15 cm. In conclusion, results of this study revealed that the narrow spacing of 15×15 cm under the diagonal offset arrangement led to the best performance of grain amaranth and is highly recommended

Installing and Implementing a Computer-based Patient Record System in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Mosoriot Medical Record System

The authors implemented an electronic medical record system in a rural Kenyan health center. Visit data are recorded on a paper encounter form, eliminating duplicate documentation in multiple clinic logbooks. Data are entered into an MS-Access database supported by redundant power systems. The system was initiated in February 2001, and 10,000 visit records were entered for 6,190 patients in six months. The authors present a summary of the clinics visited, diagnoses made, drugs prescribed, and tests performed. After system implementation, patient visits were 22% shorter. They spent 58% less time with providers (p < 0.001) and 38% less time waiting (p = 0.06). Clinic personnel spent 50% less time interacting with patients, two thirds less time interacting with each other, and more time in personal activities. This simple electronic medical record system has bridged the “digital divide.” Financial and technical sustainability by Kenyans will be key to its future use and development