Rethinking Ethical Leadership in Kenya: Adopting A New Paradigm

Developing countries appear to many on the outside to be besieged by pervasive and endemic corruption. Although present in most governing systems globally, least developed countries especially struggle with a “business as usual, quid-pro-quo” institutionalized system of corrupt governing. Writer David Minja bravely takes on corruption at its most insidious level, drawing upon the prowess of both classic and contemporary scholars by introducing a path for those in positions of power and influence to more effectively connect theory to practice and effect fundamental change

Comparative Analysis of the Effects of Organization Development Interventions on Organizational Leadership and Management Practice: A Case Of Green Earth Program (GEP)

This study was an analytical descriptive research done to assess the effects of organization development interventions on leadership and management practises of Green Earth Program.      The theoretical framework was based on the models developed by Kotter and Lippit and the conceptual framework was based on the effects of organization development interventions framework of leading change. A pre- assessment of leadership and management practice at Green Earth was conducted which identified six problem areas or improvement issues. These were: absence of a strong compelling vision and an organization structure that encouraged an unhealthy competitive conflict, failure to involve staff at all levels in decision making especially in areas affecting their work, inadequate information flow (communication), a perceived unfair reward system and lack of human resources management policies and procedures, weak financial accountability practice and lack of financial management policies and procedures. The data from pre- assessment and post assessment were statistically treated using the means. A t-test was also used for the comparison of the pre and post interventions data, for improvements significance at 0.05 alpha levels. The results of the pre and post  intervention assessments showed that the  effects of the interventions was statistically significant. The study findings revealed that the overall mean for pre- assessment was 1.45 while the overall mean for post intervention assessment was 1.81. The overall p value was p=0.000. This was a clear indication that there was a very significant difference between data obtained during pre- assessment and data obtained after post intervention assessment. The above results led to the conclusion that the Organization Development Interventions offered were successful since there was a significant difference in the data before and after the interventions. These results therefore, led to the rejection of the hypothesis which stated that there were no significant differences in the obtained data on the six problems areas before and after the interventions. This hypothesis was to be accepted or rejected at the 0.05 alpha level.   Key words: organization development Interventions, Organizational leadership, Financial Accountabilit

Leadership Practices: A case of selected corporate institutions in Nairobi, Kenya

Leadership determines whether an organization, a nation or a group will achieve its goals and also satisfy the followers' needs. This study focused on leadership practices in selected institutions in Nairobi-Kenya. The design of the study was exploratory and snowball sampling methodology was used.The results of this study revealed that majority of executives in Kenya practiced participative and a combination of transactional and transformational styles of leadership. Majority of the respondents indicated that most of the leaders practice effective leadership. The study respondents revealed that effective leaders are guided by a leadership philosophy. They also stated that valued-based leadership practice is at the core of effective leadership.Based on the results of these findings, the researcher proposed a value-based leadership model and several values that effective leaders ought to possess have been suggested. The conclusion made as a result of this study is that effective leadership is both task and people-oriented. A leader must always strive to strike a balance between these two.Keywords: Effective leadership, transactional leadership, transformational leadership,value-based leadershi

Management Fibrillation and its Influence on Results-Based Management in Kenya’s Public Sector

Fibrillation is a medical term   that describes a condition in the heart where the muscle fibers contract rapidly at their own pace and not in coordination with other muscle fibers. As a result, the amount of blood pumped to the body is reduced. The body experiences a lot of heart activity but reduced heart output. This paper borrows this medical term to describe a phenomenon that exists in many organizations which inhibits superior performance. Many organizations are in the same state as the heart with respect to the practice of results-based management. There are lots of activities going on in the organization but minimal results by way of outputs, outcomes and impact. The best of such organizations only come up with outputs- the results of an activity. These outputs are not the end products for the user but simply a step along the results chain. The underlying theory in this research was Public Value theory developed by Prof. Mark Moore of Kennedy School of Government.The researcher conducted a survey of over one hundred middle-level managers working in public sector agencies. The responses were analyzed using percentages and thematic analysis. The findings were classified into ten thematic areas which had a score of over 50%. These areas were seen to be causing management and organizational fibrillation. On the basis of issues identified, several strategies have been proposed to help organizations deal with management and organizational fibrillation. Keywords: Management fibrillation, Results-based Management, Leadershi

Functional regulation of the Neurofibromatosis 2 tumor suppressor merlin

Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant disorder manifested by the formation of multiple benign tumors of the nervous system. Affected individuals typically develop bilateral vestibular schwannomas which lead to deafness and balance disorders. The syndrome is caused by inactivation of the NF2 tumor suppressor gene, and mutation or loss of the NF2 product, merlin, is sufficient for tumorigenesis in both hereditary and sporadic NF2-associated tumors. Merlin belongs to the band 4.1 superfamily of cytoskeletal proteins, which also contain the related ezrin, radixin, and moesin (ERM) proteins. The ERM members provide a link between the cell cytoskeleton and membrane by connecting membrane-associated proteins to actin filaments. By stabilizing complexes in the cell cortex, the ERMs modulate morphology, growth, and migration of cells. Despite their structural homology, overlapping subcellular distribution, direct molecular association, and partial overlap of molecular interactions, merlin and ezrin exert opposite effects on cell proliferation. Merlin suppresses cell proliferation, whereas ezrin expression is linked to oncogenic activity. We hypothesized that the regions which differ between the proteins might explain merlin s specificity as a tumor suppressor. We therefore analyzed the regions, which are most diverse between merlin and ezrin; the N-terminal tail and the C-terminus. To determine the properties of the C-terminal region, we studied the two most predominant merlin isoforms together with truncation variants similar to those found in patients. We also focused on the evolutionally conserved C-terminal residues, E545-E547, that harbor disease causing mutations in its corresponding DNA sequence. In addition to inhibiting cell proliferation, merlin regulates cytoskeletal organization. The morphogenic properties of merlin may play a role in tumor suppression, since patient-derived tumor cells demonstrate cytoskeletal abnormalities. We analyzed the mechanisms of merlin-induced extension formation and determined that the C-terminal region of amino acids 538-568 is particularly important for the morphogenic activity. We also characterized the role of C-terminal merlin residues in the regulation of proliferation, phosphorylation, and intramolecular associations. In contrast to previous reports, we demonstrated that both merlin isoforms are able to suppress cell proliferation, whereas C-terminally mutated merlin constructs showed reduced growth inhibition. Phosphorylation serves as a mechanism to regulate the tumor suppressive activity of merlin. The C-terminal serine 518 is phosphorylated in response to both p21-activated kinase (PAK) and protein kinase A (PKA), which inactivates the growth inhibitory function of merlin. However, at least three differentially phosphorylated forms of the protein exist. In this study we demonstrated that also the N-terminus of merlin is phosphorylated by AGC kinases, and that both PKA and Akt phosphorylate merlin at serine 10 (S10). We evaluated the impact of this N-terminal tail phosphorylation, and showed that the phosphorylation state of S10 is an important regulator of merlin s ability to modulate cytoskeletal organization but also regulates the stability of the protein. In summary, this study describes the functional effect of merlin specific regions. We demonstrate that both S10 in the N-terminal tail and residues E545-E547 in the C-terminus are essential for merlin activity and function.Neurofibromatoosi 2 (NF2) on vallitsevasti periytyvä kasvainsyndrooma, jossa potilaille muodostuu keskus- ja ääreishermoston kasvaimia, pääasiassa kahdeksannen aivohermon schwannoomia sekä aivokalvon meningeoomia. Vaikka kasvaimet ovat yleensä hyvänlaatuisia, niiden hankala sijainti ja monilukuisuus tekevät syndroomasta vaikeahoitoisen. Kasvaimet kehittyvät joko perittyjen tai hankittujen NF2-geenin mutaatioiden seurauksena. NF2-geeni koodaa merliniä, joka toimii kasvunrajoiteproteiinina säätelemällä solujakautumista. Mutaatioiden johdosta toimimaton merlinproteiini ei pysty estämään solujen jakautumista, näin ollen altistaen potilaan kasvaimille. ERM-proteiiniperheeseen kuuluva merlin toimii linkkinä solun tukirangan ja solukalvon välillä, säädellen solun tukirangan toimintaa. Vaikka merlinin yleisrakenne on samanlainen kuin ERM-proteiineilla, eroaa se toiminnaltaan muista perheen jäsenistä. Merlin toimii kasvua estävänä proteiinina kun taas samaan perheeseen kuuluvan ezrinin on osoitettu edesauttavan solujen kasvua. Väitöskirjan tavoitteena oli ymmärtää merlinin kasvunrajoitemekanismia tutkimalla sen toiminnallista säätelyä ja vertaamalla sen toimintaa ezriniin. Etenkin merlinin karboksi- (C-) terminaalinen osa sekä ensimmäiset 18 aminohappoa eroavat suurelta osin muuten samankaltaisesta ezrinistä, joten tutkimuksessa kartoitimme näiden alueiden merkitystä merlinin toiminnalle. Tutkimuksemme osoitti, että merlin säätelee solun morfologiaa, ja että proteiinin C-terminaalisessa osassa on solu-ulokkeiden muodostumista vahvistavia ja heikentäviä alueita. Tutkimuksista kävi myös ilmi, että proteiinin C-terminaalinen osa, ja etenkin E545-E547 alue, on välttämätön merlinin kasvunrajoitetoiminnalle ja että vastoin aiempaa käsitystä molemmilla luonnostaan esiintyvillä merlinin isoformeilla on kyky toimia kasvunrajoiteproteiinina. Merlinin aktiivisuutta säädellään fosforylaation avulla. Tutkimuksemme osoittivat, että proteiinikinaasi A (PKA), joka stimuloi Schwannin solujen kasvua, fosforyloi merlinin amino- (N-) päässä sijaitsevaa seriini 10 aminohappoa. Seriini 10:n fosforylaatio vaikuttaa solun aktiinitukirankaan ja säätelee solujen liikkumiseen vaadittavien ulokkeiden syntymistä. Lisäksi tutkimuksemme osoittivat, että myös Akt-kinaasi fosforyloi samaa seriini 10 aminohappoa. Akt on onkogeeninen proteiini, jonka tuotto on lisääntynyt kasvaimissa, joista merlin puuttuu. Tulostemme mukaan Akt:n aiheuttama fosforylaatio säätelee merlinin määrää soluissa ohjaamalla merlinin hajotettavaksi, näin ollen inaktivoiden merlinin normaalin toiminnan. Akt toimii yliaktivoituneena monissa syöpätyypeissä, joten löydöksellä voi olla huomattavasti NF2-tautia laajempi merkitys. Väitöskirjassa olemme kartoittaneet toiminnallisesti tärkeitä alueita merlinissä, jotka osin selittävät potilaissa todetut patologiset NF2-geenin mutaatiot. Tulostemme mukaan sekä N-terminaalinen seriini 10 että E545-E547 C-terminuksessa ovat tärkeitä merlinin aktiivisuudelle ja toiminnalle

The Signature of Effective Leadership

The purpose of this paper is to provoke scholars and practioners in the area of leadership to re-think about the whole concept of ‘effective leadership’.  A literature gap exists in the explanation of what constitutes effective leadership. This has led to the author studying some selected  leaders and through the lessons learnt has attempted to construct a conceptual model on the concept of effective leadership. Existing literature looks at effective leadership in terms of achieving organizational goals and developing followers. And personal leadership. The four elements form what the authors has referred to as the ‘Circumplex model of Effective leadership’. Theory and practice suggest that traits alone will not sustain one at the top. Traits and knowledge will however, do. Traits and individual exposure and/ or experience may take someone to the top, but to remain there will require a great deal of learning and application of knowledge. For an individual to be considered a great leader, the results of his/her leadership must say so. This leads to the concept of effective leadership. Effective leadership must be in place for organizational success. Effective leadership guides an organization to appropriately handle change. It aids in providing the correct skills to manage properly and to cope up with the outcomes of change. Keywords: Circumplex Model, Effective Leadership, Organizational culture & change, Self-transcendenc

Ethical Practices For Effective Leadership: Fact Or Fallacy-The Kenyan Experience

The subject of ethics in Kenya has been a hot one for the last few years. The country has witnessed some of the worst corruption scandals in her history since independence. Even with the establishment of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, the situation has not improved. This article tries to argue that laws alone cannot ‘convert’ the society that has developed and perfected the art of unethical practices. A new way of thinking is necessary that will involve and empower everyone to start thinking and behaving in an ethical way. I have in this article developed a model which can be used to transform societies. Several recommendations applicable not only to the Kenyan society but any other society that desires to transform its people into ethically responsible people has been made. Among the main recommendations is the adoption of a systemic approach to dealing with unethical practices as opposed to only a legalistic approach. In addition, the work of transformation begins with leaders who in turn mentor others to produce the desired behaviour. Hiring a person responsible for overseeing issues of ethics won’t do the job until everyone is involved. It is for that reason that I have adopted the systems approach in handling this challenge. The adoption of the proposed model will offer assistance to those who desire to influence their societies to be ethically responsible. In the light of this argument, ethical leadership can be a fact and not a fallacy

Television vampire fandom and religion

Popular culture and fandom provide a setting where people can reflect on the questions of life. A television show defines for many of its fans what it means to be human. It also discusses the way things are, and the way they should, or could, be in our reality. In this article the author shows that tele­vision shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer, True Blood and the Vampire Diaries have made the same kind of impact on their fans. The fan writings of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, True Blood and the Vampire Diaries show that these popular texts, and the communities they have formed, have greatly affected the lives of fans. People have found on their TV screens stories they can get strength and hope from. The vampire shows deal with the supernatural – vampires, werewolves, and witches – and place them in our contemporary world as if they are a natural part of it. Television vampire stories revolve around topics of death, good and evil, and humanity. These stories have created massive fan communities and even life changing fan experiences. The reflections upon existential questions, and the way the shows have empowered fans, make this phenomenon important to study in the context of today’s religions reality

ECOLOGICAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPLICATION OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND VARIABILITY ON TOURISM IN KILIMANJARO MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA

The study assessed social-economic and ecological implications of climate change and variability on tourism in Kilimanjaro National Park and adjacent communities. Specifically the study analyzed ecological and socioeconomic implications of climate change and variability in Kilimanjaro National Park. Further, the study identified climate change and variability adaptation strategies in the area. Also the study examines policy implication of climate change and variability on tourism. Both purposeful and random sampling was used for villages and households selection in the area. Primary and secondary data both qualitative and quantitative were used in this study. Primary data were mainly collected using structured household questionnaire. PRA methods such as questionnaire, Focus Group Discussions (FGD), key informant, time line, drivers of change and direct field observation were used to obtain data for CC&V implication on social economic and ecological in the area. Findings revealed that climate change and variability affects socio-economic and ecological resources in diverse ways. In terms of economic implications responses to Yes were significance X2 0.05=7.81, Df = 3. The presented calculated chi-square X2 = 9.214 was larger than tabulated; therefore there was a significant statistical difference in socio-economic implications. Education, capacity building, soft loans, grants were adaptation strategies adopted. It is anticipated that the information obtained from this study will be beneficial to researchers, policy makers and conservation officers in National Parks in Tanzania to mainstream effective mitigation, coping and adaptation strategies for sustainable tourism and ecosystem management