Exchange rate pass-through to domestic prices in Kenya

In 1993, Kenya liberalised its trade policy and allowed the Kenyan Shillings to freely float. This openness has left Kenya's domestic prices vulnerable to the effects of exchange rate fluctuations. One of the objectives of the Central Bank of Kenya is to maintain inflation levels at sustainable levels. Thus it has become necessary to determine the influence that exchange rate changes have on domestic prices given that one of the major determinants of inflation is exchange rate movements. For this reason, this thesis examines the magnitude and speed of exchange rate pass-through (ERPT) to domestic prices in Kenya. In addition, it takes into account the direction and size of changes in the exchange rates to determine whether the exchange rate fluctuations are symmetric or asymmetric. The thesis uses quarterly data ranging from 1993:Ql - 2008:Q4 as it takes into account the period when the process of liberalization occurred. The empirical estimation was done in two stages. The first stage was estimated using the Johansen (1991) and (1995) co integration techniques and a vector error correction model (VECM). The second stage entailed estimating the impulse response and variance decomposition functions as well as conducting block exogeneity Wald tests. In determining the asymmetric aspect of the analysis, the study followed Pollard and Coughlin (2004) and Webber (2000) frameworks in analysing asymmetry with respect to appreciation and depreciation and large and small changes in the exchange rate to import prices. The results obtained showed that ERPT to Kenya is incomplete but relatively low at about 36 percent in the long run. In terms of asymmetry, the results showed that ERPT is found to be higher in periods of appreciation than depreciation. This is in support of market share and binding quantity constraints theory. In relation to size changes, the results show that size changes have no significant impact on ERPT in Kenya

Application of ARMA information governance maturity model for assessment of records management programme at Chancellor College, University of Malawi

Institutions, whether public or private, create records in the course of conducting their business. Records constitute a vital resource for any organisation, including universities. They are important as they provide the information needed by decision-makers and promote accountability. This study assessed the records management programme at Chancellor College, Malawi, using the ARMA Information Governance Maturity Model. Data for the study were collected through face-to-face interviews with purposively selected participants, an examination of document analysis and non-participant observation. The findings of the study revealed that there is accountability in the records management programme although the responsibility for the records management function is delegated to individuals who do not necessarily have relevant qualifications in the area of records management. The findings also revealed that there is partial compliance with the existing legal and regulatory frameworks in the country. In addition, the findings indicated that retrieval of records, especially semi-current records, is problematic due to insufficient storage space and inadequate storage equipment. Based on the findings, the study concluded that using ARMA Information Governance Maturity Model, the level of maturity of the records management programme at Chancellor College is in the developmental stage. The study recommended that Chancellor College should develop and implement a records management policy and records retention and disposition schedule, train existing staff and provide resources and equipment for managing records so that records in these systems remain authentic and reliable. The study also recommends the development of a national policy on managing university records by the National Archives and Records Services in Malawi as a whole

Towards a threat assessment framework for consumer health wearables

The collection of health data such as physical activity, consumption and physiological data through the use of consumer health wearables via fitness trackers are very beneficial for the promotion of physical wellness. However, consumer health wearables and their associated applications are known to have privacy and security concerns that can potentially make the collected personal health data vulnerable to hackers. These concerns are attributed to security theoretical frameworks not sufficiently addressing the entirety of privacy and security concerns relating to the diverse technological ecosystem of consumer health wearables. The objective of this research was therefore to develop a threat assessment framework that can be used to guide the detection of vulnerabilities which affect consumer health wearables and their associated applications. To meet this objective, the Design Science Research methodology was used to develop the desired artefact (Consumer Health Wearable Threat Assessment Framework). The framework is comprised of fourteen vulnerabilities classified according to Authentication, Authorization, Availability, Confidentiality, Non-Repudiation and Integrity. Through developing the artefact, the threat assessment framework was demonstrated on two fitness trackers and their associated applications. It was discovered, that the framework was able to identify how these vulnerabilities affected, these two test cases based on the classification categories of the framework. The framework was also evaluated by four security experts who assessed the quality, utility and efficacy of the framework. Experts, supported the use of the framework as a relevant and comprehensive framework to guide the detection of vulnerabilities towards consumer health wearables and their associated applications. The implication of this research study is that the framework can be used by developers to better identify the vulnerabilities of consumer health wearables and their associated applications. This will assist in creating a more securer environment for the storage and use of health data by consumer health wearables

Recollections of a Kenyan Archivist

This article outlines the career of one of the few African archivists who joined the profession as a trainee archivist in the mid 1970s. It shows how this pioneer archivist has been engaged with archival work, first as a young archivist involved with the retrieval of Kenya's migrated archives in early 1980s, then as one of the prominent archival educators at Moi University in Kenya and later at the University of Botswana where the institution is regarded as one the centre's of archival excellence in the training of archivists and records managers. The article also provides insights into the links the archivist had with the International Records Management Trust (IRMT) and the various archival missions he was engaged in as part of the IRMT's team of consultants

Freedom of Information Legislation In Esarbica Member States and its Implication on Records Management Practices

This paper addresses the question of freedom of information. It begins by arguing that although all Citizens have the right of access to information, each citizen is entitled to enjoy certain rights that must be protected and must be enshrined in a freedom of information legislation. The paper identifies the major elements that should be contained in an ideal freedom of information legislation, explains the major procedures to be followed when requesting for information under FoI and finally assess the impact FoI is likely to have on record keeping requirements particularly on Eastern and Southern African region. (African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science: 2000 10 (1): 43-54

Archival claims in Southern Africa

The author examines the problem of archival claims in the region. He begins by defining the broad categories of archives that fall under the rubric of `migrated archives' and shows that virtually all states in the region are affected by problems related to this phenomenon. He argues that failure to distinguish the different categories may result in unnecessary and strained relations between states. He outlines some practical steps that have been taken to address this problem and concludes by stating no universal solution may be found which addresses all types of archival claims. (Innovation: 2002 24: 32-38

Managing University Records

The management of records is very often given low priority in organizations, and universities are no exception in this. As stated in the quotation above, one of the principal functions of universities is the storage of knowledge. However, in as much as universities provide excellent facilities and services in the provision of library materials, some of our universities are unable to manage the records they create. Records document all the activities of the organization. It cannot therefore be overstated that failure to control records under one’s control is not just a minor lapse in administrative activities, but in most cases it is a matter of bad management. Today, information is seen as a resource comparable to finance, workers and equipment. This article addresses some of the issues which should be examined by any university striving to establish an effective records management programme for its semi-current and non-current records. In the recent past we have witnessed an increase in articles contributed to this journal based on university records. Most of these articles have highlighted various problems currently affecting the creation, maintenance, use and disposal of university records. ESARBICA Journal Vol.21 2002: 32-4

Preservation and Management of Audiovisual Archives in Botswana.

This paper reviews the state of the audio-visual collections held by different government institutions in Botswana. The rationale of such review rests on the observation that although audiovisual materials constitute a vital information resource in such institutions, they are often not adequately managed after they are created. The paper identifies the types of audiovisual materials found in the public sector and the challenges in the management of the materials. The paper shows that many of the problems related to the management of audiovisual materials in the country emanate from weak legislative framework, lack of trained personnel in the management of audiovisual materials, technological challenges, inadequate storage facilities and the perception by users that audiovisual materials are not as valuable as records in other formats. The paper proffers strategies for dealing with the challenges of preserving and improving the use of audiovisual materials in Botswana.Keywords: Audiovisual materials, records management, preservation, National Archives, Botswana

Records and Information: The Neglected Resource

The paper examines some of the issues facing public and private organizations in their efforts to manage records and information, and suggests that to a large extent many of these problems are due to the lack of policies and procedures, inadequate storage facilities and lack of well-trained and competent personnel. The paper suggests possible strategies for the effective management of recorded information whether electronic or in paper format. ESARBICA Journal Vol.23 2004: 33-4