An Evaluation of gender mainstreaming practices in Bungoma County in Kenya

A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters in Public Policy and Management at Strathmore UniversityThe main aim of this study was to assess the gender mainstreaming practices in Bungoma County, which is one of the 47 devolved units of government in Kenya. To achieve the study objectives, the study adopted a descriptive survey design. The approach allowed for triangulation of methods in order to collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data for reliability and validity of the findings. The study population comprised of the employees of Bungoma County. Considering the huge number of employees involved, the study focused on employees from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Irrigation and Cooperatives (MOALFIC). Considering employees of the county are divided into homogenous categories in terms of directorates but also in terms of whether they are technical, administrative or clerical employees, stratified sampling was be used in choosing the sample population in order to capture the different categories of employees. Data in this study was collected using a semi structured survey questionnaire as well as through key informant interviews. Collected data was be analyzed through use of descriptive statistics such as frequency distributions and measures of central tendency. The study relied on chi square test to measure the strength of relationship between variables in the study. Qualitative data was summarized thematically into narratives. This study established that awareness of gender issues and gender mainstreaming among employees in Bungoma County is but some employees lack such awareness or understanding of gender issues and related gender mainstreaming. Most assertions on gender mainstreaming in Bungoma County received a moderate rating which implies employees not fully agreeing with the various statements on gender mainstreaming. This is indicative of some progress being achieved but process of gender mainstreaming not being entirely satisfactory. Key areas of concern is lack of a gender policy, unfair recruitment practices, lack of proper participation in legislative processes and general pessimism with regards to implementation of the two-thirds gender principle

Entrepreneurial Orientation as Antecedent of Business Model Innovation among Medium Enterprises in Kenya

This study investigated the influence of entrepreneurial orientation on business model innovation in medium enterprises in Kenya. The study was grounded on the dynamic capabilities view. A descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was adopted to achieve the study’s objective. The sampling frame was the Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG) East Africa and the Nation Media Group annual Top100 companies in Kenya.  Stratified random sampling was utilized to derive 221 companies that were used in the study. Primary data were collected from single respondents comprising senior managers of the participating firms. A total of 134 questionnaires were analysed. Ordinary least squares regression analysis revealed that entrepreneurial orientation is an antecedent of business model innovation among medium enterprises in Kenya. On the basis of the results, this study concluded that entrepreneurial orientation is necessary for enterprises to benefit from business model innovation. The study recommends that managers of medium enterprises in Kenya embrace entrepreneurial behaviour and attitude to enhance business model innovation practices.   It is further recommended that policymakers should develop and implement policies that encourage innovation and entrepreneurial behaviour. The study clarifies the position of entrepreneurial orientation in relation to BMI. Additional studies are recommended

Entrepreneurial Orientation as Antecedent of Business Model Innovation in Medium Enterprises in Kenya

This study investigated the influence of entrepreneurial orientation on business model innovation in medium enterprises in Kenya. The study was grounded on the dynamic capabilities view. A descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was adopted to achieve the study’s objective. The sampling frame was the Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG) East Africa and the Nation Media Group annual Top100 companies in Kenya.  Stratified random sampling was utilized to derive 221 companies that were used in the study. Primary data were collected from single respondents comprising senior managers of the participating firms. A total of 134 questionnaires were analysed. Ordinary least squares regression analysis revealed that entrepreneurial orientation positively and significantly influenced business model innovation in medium enterprises in Kenya. On the basis of the results, this study concluded that entrepreneurial orientation is necessary for enterprises to benefit from business model innovation. The study recommends that managers of medium enterprises in Kenya embrace entrepreneurial behaviour and attitude to enhance business model innovation practices.   It is further recommended that policymakers should develop and implement policies that encourage innovation and entrepreneurial behaviour. The study clarifies the position of entrepreneurial orientation in relation to BMI. Additional studies are recommended

Entrepreneurial Orientation as Antecedent of Business Model Innovation among Medium Enterprises in Kenya

This study investigated the influence of entrepreneurial orientation on business model innovation in medium enterprises in Kenya. The study was grounded on the dynamic capabilities view. A descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was adopted to achieve the study’s objective. The sampling frame was the Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG) East Africa and the Nation Media Group annual Top100 companies in Kenya.  Stratified random sampling was utilized to derive 221 companies that were used in the study. Primary data were collected from single respondents comprising senior managers of the participating firms. A total of 134 questionnaires were analysed. Ordinary least squares regression analysis revealed that entrepreneurial orientation is an antecedent of business model innovation among medium enterprises in Kenya. On the basis of the results, this study concluded that entrepreneurial orientation is necessary for enterprises to benefit from business model innovation. The study recommends that managers of medium enterprises in Kenya embrace entrepreneurial behaviour and attitude to enhance business model innovation practices.   It is further recommended that policymakers should develop and implement policies that encourage innovation and entrepreneurial behaviour. The study clarifies the position of entrepreneurial orientation in relation to BMI. Additional studies are recommended

The Politics of Boundary Formations and Implications on Federal System of Government in Nigeria 1967 – 1996

This article interrogates boundary formations in Nigeria 1967 – 1996. It argues that the exercise of boundary creations in the country was politicized by the military ruling elite in concert with local elite in the country just to satisfy selfish interest and for the purpose of rent seeking and promotion of clientele relations thus leading to the marginalization of different sections of the country. Our inquiry extends to ascertaining whether in fixing boundaries in Nigeria the state did so in consonance with the basic principles of federalism. The choice of 1967 as entry point lies in the fact that it marks the beginning of states creation in Nigeria while the 1996 exit date on its part marks the end of an era of state and local government creations in the country by the military regimes. In discussing the politics of how boundaries were fixed in Nigeria 1967 – 1996, the work adopts a combined or an eclectic theoretical scheme that borrows heavily from both John Locke and Thomas Hobbes’ social contract theories to explain its phenomenon and the aftermath. The study builds on a body of existing literatures which although have tackled issues on the politics of boundary formations in Nigeria, they have not discussed the impact or implications of state and local government creations on Nigeria’s federalism. The research utilized historical research design in a narrative form and achieved its objectives by taking a historical analysis of boundary formation politics in Nigeria 1967 – 1996 across regime periods. In addition to secondary sources, the study relied on primary data such as archival materials and oral interviews in its methodology in order to achieve its objectives. The study proposes that the exercise of boundary fixings in Nigeria was a direct outcome of the interest of the state. Thus, it has been established that Nigeria’s processes of boundary formations have been guided by manipulations by the elite that held on to power stretching from the point of independence. The study’s findings have implications on restructuring the Nigerian state so as to redress or dismantle the structural imbalances in the country in order to achieve fairness for all citizens. Keywords: Politics, Boundary Formations, Federalism, Nigeria DOI: 10.7176/HRL/55-01 Publication date: April 30th 202

The Impact of Boundary Formations on State-Society Relations in Nigeria 1960 – 1996

Boundary formations in Nigeria have been politicized since independence, with long term effects on state-society relations. Against this backdrop, this study argues that Nigeria’s processes of boundary formations have been guided by manipulations by the elite that held on to power right from the point of independence to 1996. This has complicated relationships of the people and their perceptions on the state as an institution that has applied forced in administering and Balkanizing them. The year 1960 is chosen here because it marks the beginning of a period of formal or self-rule accompanied by the creation of domestic boundaries while 1996 on its part marks the end of boundary reforms in the country through a process of state and local government creations by the military regimes. Thus The work adopts a combined theoretical scheme and relies on both John Locke and Thomas Hobbes’ social contract theories to show the joy that local groups express when boundaries are fixed in a way that favours them which improves smooth state-society relations on the one hand and the sadness that they also show when boundaries are created in such a manner that does not appeal to them which disrupts state-society relations. The study builds on a body of existing literatures which although have tackled issues on the politics of boundary formations in Nigeria, but have not discussed how and why such politics have diffused into or affected state–society relations in terms of the distribution of states and local governments, placement of state capitals, political participation, patronage, segregation and distribution of infrastructural development. Thus, using a historical research design, the work in a narrative form gives a historical analysis of the impact of boundaries on state-society relations in the country across regime periods stretching from 1960 to 1996. The study relied on both primary and secondary data such as archival materials, oral interviews and books in its methodology. The article proposes that the exercise of arbitrary boundary fixings in Nigeria has disrupted state-society relations in the country. Keywords: Impact, Boundary Formations, State-Society Relations, Nigeria. DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/14-3-04 Publication date: April 30th 202