Analysis of Budget Imbalance Dynamics in Kenya

Kenya needs substantial and sustained fiscal consolidation to create fiscal space for financing the government’s election pledges, the Vision 2030 development projects, and sustainable development goals. However, the government has found it hard to sustain its fiscal consolidation attempts. This study investigates the fiscal consolidation constraints that act through the budget imbalance dynamics in Kenya using the Olivera-Tanzi effect approach. The study covers the period 2000-2015 using time series data and employs three Auto-regressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) error correction models in the analysis. The study showed that a rise in the general price levels in the economy, adjustment of minimum wages, rise in perceived levels of corruption in the public sector and the political budget cycles (occurrence of a general election) worsen the budget imbalances (deficits) thus constrain fiscal consolidation efforts in Kenya. The study also demonstrated that budget imbalance dynamics in Kenya could partly be explained by the Olivera-Tanzi proposition. The study recommends measures to reduce the fiscal imbalance gap in Kenya, which include controlling both supply and demand side inflationary pressure and dealing with rent seeking behavior in the public sector

Characterization of postharvest physiology attributes of six commercially grown tomato varieties in Kenya

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) is the leading vegetable in terms of production in Kenya. The Kenyan local market has a wide variety of tomato cultivars with a wide range of morphological and sensorial characteristics. However, information on the nutritional and postharvest quality of these varieties is lacking. The aim of this research was to investigate and identify tomato varieties of superior postharvest quality and recommend them to small and medium scale farmers. In this study, six tomato varieties were grown in a greenhouse and analyzed at three maturity stages (mature green, turning and red ripe). The tomatoes were analyzed at specific days after harvest and storage at room temperature (25o C). Percentage weight loss, color, respiration and ethylene production rates were analyzed to assess the postharvest quality of the tomatoes. The color was measured using a Minolta Chromameter while the respiration rate and ethylene production rates were determined using the static system approach. Color, weight loss, respiration and ethylene production rates were positively affected by storage time when harvested at the three maturity stages. The percentage weight loss of the tomato fruits was higher in the determinate varieties, and at the turning stage of maturity (3.8 %). Minor color changes were observed after storage of the tomatoes harvested at red stage for six days. Both rates of respiration and ethylene production were low, with the respiration rate ranging between 56-10 ml CO2 Kg-1h-1. The Chonto F1 variety had the highest rate of ethylene production (5.4 μL C2H4 Kg-1h-1) on the 4th day of storage after harvest at the red ripe stage. Overall, the indeterminate tomato varieties displayed better postharvest quality that can prolong the fruits shelf life for marketing. In turn, the turning stage of maturity proved to be a better stage to harvest tomatoes as the color development was more uniform.Keywords: Tomato, varieties, postharvest quality, respiration rate, ethylene, colo

Evaluation of Classroom Physical Adjustments for Inclusion of Pupils with Physical Disability within Inclusive Public Primary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya

Kenya has always placed education as a priority at all levels, promoting it as a key driver for social and economic development. However, as schools are increasingly challenged to serve a diverse population of pupils, much of the concern now is no longer whether to provide inclusive education, but how to implement inclusive education in ways that are both feasible and effective in ensuring schooling success for all children. In relation to this, the government of Kenya recognizes the importance of special needs education as a crucial subsector for accelerating the attainment of Education for All (EFA) and the millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  However, the Salamanca Statement reported great concern for learners with special needs being enabled to learn in a conducive environment. This  includes  adjustment  of  anything  in  the  education  sector  that  hinders imparting  knowledge  and  skills  to  the  learners,  such  as  those  with  physical disability. Therefore, certain classroom conditions are paramount within inclusive schools for children with physical disability to enable enhancement of their learning activities. This paper therefore realized this and aimed at evaluating the preparedness in terms of classroom physical adjustments of the selected inclusive public primary schools to accommodate pupils with physical disability.This study adopted mixed method research paradigm. Descriptive survey research and phenomenology designs were used. The findings indicate that there are inadequate classroom physical adjustments for inclusion of pupils with physical disability

Fibroadenoma With Pleomorphic Stromal Giant Cells: It\u27s Not as Bad as It Looks!

Clinically relevant histological categorization of fibroepithelial lesions can be a daunting task, especially in a core needle biopsy. Assessment of stromal nuclear atypia, including nuclear pleomorphism and mitotic activity, is a key morphological feature employed to classify fibroepithelial lesions. We describe a case of fibroadenoma with markedly atypical nuclear features in the stromal cells that led to misclassification as phyllodes tumor in the core needle biopsy. Excision showed a fibroadenoma containing pleomorphic stromal giant cells, with occasional mitotic figures, including atypical forms. Aforementioned nuclear findings in a fibroepithelial lesion raise a legitimate question of phyllodes tumor. Knowledge of this pitfall may help avoid overtreatment of an otherwise benign fibroepithelial lesion

The Status of Student Involvement in University Governance in Kenya: The Case of Public and Private Universities

The book is based on the study on the status of student involvement in University Governance in Kenya using experiences of one public and one private university. It addresses the critical area of governance of higher education in Kenya, given the role universities play in socio-economic and political development for most African countries. Governance of universities has been a challenging issue on the African continent with most universities experiencing poor governance characterized by poor quality of university education and staff and student strikes. The book is conceptualized around the theoretical framework of shared governance to interrogate how students, who are key members of the university community, have been mainstreamed in the democratization of higher education processes that have taken place in Kenya in the last decade. It is premised on the reality that collaborative governance is essential if universities are to attain their visions, missions and goals. The level and nature of student involvement in university governance is interrogated through the examination of key student self governance processes including the inclusiveness of policies and organizational structures as well as the role of and support provided to, student governance bodies to ensure participation in university decision making. In addition, the objectives of the study center on whether students value and are satisfied with, their involvement in the decision making processes. The book is organized in six chapters. The first three chapters set the stage for the study by providing a background on the history and state of university governance in Kenya. They highlight the issues that relate to student involvement in decision making processes at the university. Chapter one introduces the book by spelling out the problem statement, objectives, and justification and research issues of the study. In chapter two, the growth of university education in Kenya is discussed providing a platform for analysis of governance in higher education for proceeding chapters. Here, factors responsible for university growth and challenges faced that have implications on the quality of university education in Kenya are highlighted. Chapter three which is on the governance of higher education is mainly a literature and theoretical conceptualization of the study. The concepts of leadership and good governance are not only debated but their intersection is also established and contextualized to the governance of university education. Specifically, the chapter uses Kenya to provide an understanding of the structures and practices of university governance from a student involvement xviii The Status of Student Involvement in University Governance in Kenya perspective. Chapters four, five and six delve into how the study was done, its findings and the conclusions that can be drawn from it. In chapter four, details of the study methodology and protocols are underscored. In chapter five, after providing a background on the socio-demographic characteristics of the study respondents, the study findings are discussed along the study objectives. Chapter six concludes the book by discussing the study findings and drawing some implications of the findings in terms of conclusions and recommendations on how to ensure a democratic culture in the governance of Kenyan universities in general and student involvement in particular

Clear Cell Lesions of the Mullerian System: Not Always That Clear !

A spectrum of lesions, benign and malignant, of the Mullerian system display clear cells. Interpretation of this finding can be confusing resulting in significant interobserver variability even among gynecologic pathologists.1 It is critical to distinguish bona fide clear cell carcinoma from other endometrial lesions as management is significantly different. We present some key morphologic aspects of endometrial clear cell carcinoma and compare it with 2 other endometrial lesions with clear cells: endometrial surface epithelial changes, clear cell type (SECs),2 and Arias- Stella reaction, posing a major diagnostic pitfall, especially when present in small biopsy material

Large Epithelial and Stromal Lesion of Breast: It’s Not Always Phyllodes!

Fibroepithelial lesions (FELs) of breast often pose a diagnostic challenge to pathologists.1 In this article, we share gross and microscopic findings of 3 large breast lesions with epithelial and spindle cell components: (1) a giant fibroadenoma (FA; Figure 1 [1A-C]), (2) a borderline phyllodes tumor (World Health Organization classification2; Figure 1 [2A-C]), and (3) a nodular pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (NPASH; Figure 1 [3A-C]). This brief report highlights histological overlap between NPASH and FELs, and describes morphological clues that can help pathologists in differentiating NPASH from FELs with PASH-like stroma