Employability of Graduates from Kenyan Universities: The Employer’s Perspective

Employability of graduates, a key dimension of quality and relevance of any system of education has come under sharp focus in Kenya. Judging from the many concerns raised by employers about the need to retrain new graduate entrance to the employment sector, aspersion is being cast on the quality and relevance of University education. This study, therefore, sought to answer this by investigating the level of employability skills possessed by university graduates from the perspective of employers. The study was grounded on Human capital theory and adopted a triangular design which sought views from three different groups one of them being employers in Kericho county totaling 86. All employers were selected to take part in this study. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires. Multiple linear regressions was used to assess the objectives respectively. Employers recognize literacy & numerical skills, critical thinking skills, interpersonal skills, and work ethics as the key skills defining current graduate’s employability. Employers, the direct consumers of the graduates from universities in Kenya holds a positive view towards the levels of employability among Kenyan graduates, with the ratings in various skills being above average. This is contrary to the often peddled belief that Kenyan graduates are ill prepared to face the challenges in the work industry. In recognition that not every graduate will be an entrepreneur, inculcating the right skills going forward will be critical for graduates to remain employable. While most universities in Kenya are more focud on training graduates who are skilled in their technical areas and specialization, more focus should be on soft skills. Keywords: Employability of graduates, Employers, Kericho county, Kenya, DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/54-05 Publication date: April 30th 201

Satisfaction with Quality and Relevance of University Education: Views from Students of Selected Universities in Kenya

University environment has to be conducive if effective learning among the students is to take place. The objective of this study was to investigate the satisfaction level of graduates from public and private universities with the quality and relevance of education they received. The study adopted a triangular survey design where 2272 students from a Public university and 874 students from a Private university formed the population of the study. From these, a sample of 340 and 274 respectively were drawn to take part in the study. Results revealed that the Satisfaction level was higher among Students in public (ẋ=5 .04) than in private ( ẋ =4.98) though the difference was insignificant with variables under study explaining 39.4%. of the variance. Of the nine dimensions that measured quality of university education, seven were found to significantly explain variations in students’ satisfaction while only two were found to be insignificant. Contrary to the usual believe that quality of education services in private universities is higher than in public universities, the findings indicate that the difference is insignificant. Keywords: Satisfaction, Quality, Relevance, University Education, University of Kabianga, Kabarak university DOI: 10.7176/JMCR/54-03 Publication date:March 31st 201

Ethical Sustainable Development for The Betterment of Humanity: Management Ethics’ Perspective

To attain sustainable development for the betterment of humanity there is need for the balancing of its three dimensions: Economic growth, social progress and Environmental stewardship. Though Legislations relating to each of the three dimensions have been enacted by governments of various countries of the world, there is growing evidence that they have failed. The various scandals, undesirable business activities such as pollution of water bodies through disposal of industrial waste, exploitation of workers, giving bribes to government officials, fraud against consumers and egoistic decisions of some organization’s top management are some examples of managers omissions and commissions which needlessly stresses the outrageous ways that they use in their quest to maximize their company profits. An Equally important contributor to unsustainable development is omissions and/or commissions, refusal to listen to wise counsel of science and experts on the part of political leadership who manages state affairs. This calls for a paradigm shift to ethical approach. The ethical reasoning promises to be a panacea where legislations have so far failed. The purpose of this work is to discuss the concept of sustainable development viewed through the lens of management ethics, the role of management ethics in shaping the quality of decisions made by managers in furtherance of organizational or state  goals which have a bearing on the triple bottom line, ethical dilemmas in management and attempts to suggest ethical framework and strategies for use by managers in making decisions that will bring about sustainable development. Key words: Ethics, Sustainability, Green management, Utilitarianism ,Deontology, Teleology DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/58-06 Publication date: August 31st 201

Rethinking the Quality and Relevance of University Education in Kenya from Entrepreneurial Perspective

Many stakeholders have expressed concern about the many graduates from Kenyan universities who after qualifying, not only fail to get jobs but also fail to venture into alternative forms of engagement to earn their livelihood, a scenario that raises question as to the quality and relevance of University education they got. The concerns being raised calls for rethinking of the quality and relevance of university education in Kenya. This study, therefore, sought to investigate the propensity of university education in Kenya to inculcate entrepreneurial culture in graduates. The theory of planned behavior formed the theoretical foundation of the study. The study adopted a triangular design approach where views relating to entrepreneurial culture were sought from final year students from one public and one private university. The study targeted 3146 final year students drawn from University of Kabianga, (2272) and Kabarak University (874). From this, a sample of 614 students proportionately distributed among the two universities was drawn. Entrepreneurial environment was found to be more or less the same in both private and public universities recording moderate score. However, public university scored slightly higher. In conclusion, there is no significant difference in the levels of preference for entrepreneurship when comparison is made between public and private universities in Kenya. Arising from the current finding, the study recommends provision of better entrepreneurial support system. It will be preemptive to conclude that University education in Kenyan universities nature entrepreneurial culture Keywords: Entrepreneurial culture, Quality, relevance, University education DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-9-03 Publication date:March 31st 201

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

Determinants of Employee retirement Intentions Decisions In Private Sector In Kenya: A Survey Of Employees Of Finlay (K) Limited.

Retirement refers to the time when an employee reaches the end of his working life. Retirement is regarded as important stage in human development all over the world. Retirement is an inevitable activity in the lives of workers. Factors influencing employee retirement decision studied individual predictors of early retirement are age, financial status and health. For example among older people, those in more favorable financial situation and those in ill health were found to aim for early retirement. Specific objectives; To identify work factors that influence employee’s decision to retire early, To find out work factors that influence employees to postpone retirement and To find out stage in their employment life that such intentions develop. Financial issues- retirement brings many changes to both income and expenditure to the employer. The researcher was use case study research design as it gives a clear representation of the variable under study, The target population was be subdivided into three status  namely:  top management, departmental heads and employees. The data used in the study was obtained from questionnaires that were distributed to the respondents from a sample selected randomly. The purpose of the research study was to assess factors influencing employees’ retirement decision, a case study of James Finlay (K) Ltd. From the findings of the study, it shows that there is a great importance of recognizing the various stages in the employment life so as to motivate employees so that they can perform and improve on the organization productivity. This study has an advanced knowledge by accessing factors influencing retirement decision deeply. In most instances, the research study gained support and courage from prior researches conducted across different organizations in different countries of the world, and therefore, generalizability is not so much of a surprising fact, or similarity in ways of framing it, but this is a unique product. Key Words: Retirement intensions, Factors, workforce, Decision

Food safety policy framework for Kenya: Lessons and best practices from the Vietnam experience

Infographic created for Voice for Change Partnership, Food and Nutrition Security Dissemination Forum: Evidence for Policy, Advocacy and Partnerships, Online Webinar, 8th July 202

Development of a food safety policy framework for Kenya: Lessons and best practices from the Vietnam experience

Infographic created for Voice for Change Partnership, Food and Nutrition Security Dissemination Forum: Evidence for Policy, Advocacy and Partnerships, Online Webinar, 8th July 202