Demographic Rise Effect on Water Supply Systems in Urban Higher Learning Institutions; Case Study of Kenyatta University

In the past ten years, public institutions including Kenyatta University have experienced a surge in population growth, exacerbated by a demand for higher education. The university population has increased eight times more between the year 2006-2016 leading to inadequacy in accommodation services within university premises, thus three quarters of these students reside in the neighboring areas. This study aimed at looking at the impact of this population increase on the water systems. Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed; three FGDs, key informant interviews and 220 respondents were interviewed comprising of; students, households, caretakers and small business owners. The study established that 62% of the residents used water from municipal water integrated to borehole supply. There were high water shortages marked with rationing as supply was only 2-3 times a week during student peak sessions. Most residents reverted to boreholes that were sunk without following set standards. 60% stored water in locally made tanks with low storage capacity inadequate to meet demand. The respondents felt the need to have an integrated holistic approach and coordination among all relevant stakeholders including; government, management institutions, households, students, public institution administrators, and businesses in order to comprehensively manage the water resources effectivel

Determinants of Microfinance Services on Performance of Micro Enterprises in Kenya: A Case of Faulu Kenya In Trans Nzoia County

The purpose of the study Was to analyse the determinants of microfinance services on the performance of micro enterprises in Trans Nzoia County. The study was guided by the following objectives: to determine the effect of savings facilities on micro enterprises performance in Trans Nzoia County. The study employed the following theories: Wealth multiplier theory, uniting theory of microfinance, Poverty alleviation theory and Human capital theory. The study adopted the survey research design with focus on the various groups registered by or annexed to Faulu Kenya Deposit Taking Microfinance for purposes of accessing financial services. The target area of the study was Trans-Nzoia County.. A Census survey was employed on the entire 45 groups in Transnzoia County to select 45 respondents, one leader for each group. The questionnaire was the instrument which was used to collect data. The results were presented in form of frequency tables, bar graphs and pie charts. The analytical model used was in the form of a multiple regression model. The findings of the study revealed that microfinance services had great impact on the performance of micro enterprises. The study recommended that microfinance institutions and Banks should either restructure or reinforce their operations for efficient and effective service to micro entrepreneurs. The government should come up with the best legislative measures to undertake to create an enabling environment for effective economic empowerment of her citizenry. Keyword:  Saving Credit, Microenterprise Performanc

Determinants of Tax Compliance among Small and Medium Enterprises in Bungoman County, Kenya

Taxation is the main source of revenue to any government, since it the only stable flow of revenue that is predictable. a large segment of the informal sector, especially the smes in Bungoma county exhibit low tax compliance levels. the purpose of the study was to investigate the determinants of tax compliance among smes in Bungoma county. the study was guided by the following objective;  to determine the effect of cost on tax compliance among smes in Bungoma county.  The study applied a descriptive survey design of all the SMEs in Bungoma county. According to, Nteere et al (2012), and Creswell (2005), descriptive survey design enables the researcher to collect, analyze and link both qualitative and quantitative data in a single study. The population of the study consisted of all the SMEs in Bungoma County. A total of 170 SMEs in Bungoma County were targeted for the study. With a sample of size of 227 respondents. Closed-ended questionnaires covered all the issues relating to the causes of low tax compliance among SMEs in Bungoma County were personally administered the questionnaires to the respondents 227 managers, 1 from each of the sampled organizations in sectors. Pilot test was done to verify the reliability and validity of the research instrument. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlations, and linear regression analysis.  Results showed that there was a significant influence of cost on tax compliance in Bungoma County.  From study findings and earlier discussion, it was noted that cost influence tax compliance negatively and significantly contributing 9.6% variability to tax compliance by SMEs when other factors are held constant.  The Kenya Revenue Authority should consider revising the cost of tax product downwards. Additionally, Kenya Revenue Authority should make the tax filing process convenient, easy and costless. Similarly, Kenya revenue authority, should not impose penalties on late filing of taxes. The tax computation should be as easy as possible to enhance eligible tax payers’ compliance. Keywords: Tax Compliance, Cos

Impediments to the Growth of Cottage Industries in Kakamega County, Kenya

Cottage industries play a significant role in Kenya’s socio-economic development. However, a number of obstacles inhibit their growth. This research paper, which employed an exploratory research design, unearths these impediments. The major challenges cited by potters, crude sugar producers, brick-makers, liquor producers, masons, carpenters, traditional medicine persons, charcoal producers, weavers, bakers, bicycle repairers, flour-grinders, and shoe-makers and repairers in Kakamega County were: inadequate capital, competition, lack of ready market, scarcity of raw materials and unfavourable weather. Key Words: Impediments, Growth, Cottage Industries, Kakameg

Modelling protection behaviour towards micronutrient deficiencies: case of iodine biofortified vegetable legumes as health intervention for school-going children

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Despite successes recorded in combating iodine deficiency, more than 2 billion people are still at risk of iodine deficiency disorders. Rural landlocked and mountainous areas of developing countries are the hardest hit, hence the need to explore and advance novel strategies such as biofortification. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We evaluated adoption, purchase, and consumption of iodine biofortified vegetable legumes (IBVL) using the theory of protection motivations (PMT) integrated with an economic valuation technique. A total of 1,200 participants from three land-locked locations in East Africa were recruited via multi-stage cluster sampling, and data were collected using two, slightly distinct, questionnaires incorporating PMT constructs. The survey also elicited preferences for iodine biofortified foods when offered at a premium or discount. Determinants of protection motivations and preferences for iodine biofortified foods were assessed using path analysis modelling and two-limit Tobit regression, respectively. RESULTS: Knowledge of iodine, iodine-health link, salt iodization, and biofortification was very low, albeit lower at the household level. Iodine and biofortification were not recognized as nutrient and novel approaches, respectively. On the other hand, severity, fear, occupation, knowledge, iodine status, household composition, and self-efficacy predicted the intention to consume biofortified foods at the household level; only vulnerability, self-efficacy, and location were the most crucial elements at the school level. In addition, results demonstrated a positive willingness-to-pay a premium or acceptance of a lesser discount for biofortification. Furthermore, preference towards iodine biofortified foods was a function of protection motivations, severity, vulnerability, fear, response efficacy, response cost, knowledge, iodine status, gender, age. and household head. CONCLUSIONS: Results lend support for prevention of iodine deficiency in unprotected populations through biofortification; however 'threat' appraisal and socio-economic predictors are decisive in designing nutrition interventions and stimulating uptake of biofortification. In principle, the contribution is threefold: 1) Successful application of the integrated model to guide policy formulation; 2) Offer guidance to stakeholders to identify and tap niche markets; 3) stimulation of rural economic growth around school feeding programmes

Voter Behaviour amongst Kenyan Youths in relation to Party Primaries and General Elections: A Focus on Students at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology during the 2017 Election Cycle

This research study was conducted in 2017 at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology situated in Kakamega County, Kenya. It was motivated by the desire to gain insights into the political attitudes, inclinations and perceptions of Kenyan youths towards voting in party primaries and general elections. The study site was purposively selected. The Fisher’s formula of determining sample size was used to arrive at 338 respondents who were picked through the simple random sampling procedure. Observation, structured interviews, unstructured interviews, and focus group discussions were deployed. The exploratory research design was utilized given that it was a fact-finding endeavour. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistical analysis with the aid of SPSS. It was revealed that 52% of respondents had taken part in the 2017 party primaries, 47% did not, while 1% failed to respond. A majority of respondents (88%) indicated they would participate in the 2017 general elections. Most respondents (91%) had registered to take part in the election exercise. On the importance of voting in elections, an overwhelming majority of 97% argued in favour of participation, 2% against, while 1% failed to give a clear response. The study concluded that despite electoral hurdles most youths in Kenya faced, they still recognized the importance of expressing their democratic preferences during party primaries and general elections. Key Words: Voter Behaviour, Kenyan Youths, Party Primaries, General Elections DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/11-4-09 Publication date:May 31st 202

TEACHERS’ KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN DEVELOPING AND UTILIZING AUDIO-VISUAL INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES IN TEACHING AND LEARNING ORAL LITERATURE IN SELECTED PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KENYA

Performance of pupils in Oral Literature examinations in English Paper 2 has been below average in recent years. For instance, the 2016 KCSE examination student performance in English was poor across the country and Butere Sub County in particular. Therefore, this research sought to determine teachers’ knowledge and skills in developing and utilizing audio-visual instructional resources in teaching and learning oral literature in selected public secondary schools. The respondents for the study involved principals and oral literature teachers who were selected through purposive and stratified random sampling technique. The research instruments used were questionnaires and interview guides. The result of the analysis showed that despite most teachers attaining the required academic qualification, they did not adequately improvise audio-visual instructional resources during teaching and learning of oral literature in public secondary schools in Butere Sub County, Kenya. Oral literature teachers did not involve students in improvising these resources and this could the underutilisation of audio-visual instructional resources in teaching and learning Oral Literature in secondary schools. The study recommends that principals in secondary need to ensure that OL is allocated time in the school timetable and also support teachers for further in-service training on audio-visual instructional media use in schools.   Article visualizations

Influence of Distribution Channels on Supply Chain Performance-A Case Study of the New Kenya Cooperative Creameries Eldoret

Successful distribution channel strategy selection, implementation, and management cannot only help to meet the shopping needs and habits of the target customers efficiently under the cost constraints of the seller; they must also mitigate the disadvantages caused by distribution channel conflicts such as double marginalization. Customer needs analysis plays a relatively small role in product development in these firms. Instead, product development is typically driven by process technology capabilities which often are the result of incremental process improvements. Unlike market-driven firms, where a focus on value drives marketing decision making, marketing decisions in these firms often revolve around pricing issues, such as volume discounts, as the key to increasing the firm’s unit sales. The purpose of the study was analyse influence of distribution channels on supply chain performance: New KCC Eldoret. The specific objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of product efficiency on supply chain performance in the New KCC. The research employed descriptive research design. The study involved 84 employees from various departments in the company. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaires that consist of both open and closed ended questions. The data was analyzed using both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The findings indicated as significant relationship between the product efficiency 0.010. The study concluded that distribution channels have a significant impact on supply chain performance. For any organization to be effective there should be effective distribution management process to convey finished products from the manufacturer to the final consumers. The study recommended that organizations should involve themselves in the correct distribution channels; in order to meet their organizational objectives of being efficient in provision of the products, customer satisfaction should be considered in order to enhance supply chain performance in manufacturing companies. Keywords: Product Efficient, Distribution