Experiences of African international students in a South African university – A qualitative study

South Africa has in latter decades embraced the growing trend of internationalization in higher education leading to greater international mobility of staff and students. Compared to other countries in most of the sub-Saharan Africa region, South Africa has a larger capacity to meet the tertiary needs of students within the region. An increasing number of international students has implications for their academic success, adaptation and wellbeing once in their host country. The current study explored the lived experiences of international students in a South African university, from 5 other African countries. The study adopted a qualitative design, using semi-structured in-depth interviews and open-ended questions. Nine mainly postgraduate students (4 males and 5 females) were recruited using convenient and snowball sampling methods. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis and revealed 5 themes namely “Internationalisation”, “experiencing the unforeseen”, “access”, “social support” and “structural support”, with several sub-themes emerging from these. A resulting framework shows “empowerment”, “alienation” and “adaptation” as over-arching themes in experiencing the phenomenon of being an African foreign student in South Africa

Approaches to Crime Control and Order Maintenance in Transitional Societies: The Role of Village Headmen, Chiefs, Sub-Chiefs and Administration Police in Rural Kenya

The need to illuminate and contextualize approaches to crime control and order maintenance in transitional societies has become increasingly necessary, thanks to the pervasiveness of social disorder and the elusive nature of crime in general. This study focuses on the functions of the Provincial Administration and the Administration Police in Kenya in order to reveal the little known but overarching powers of Chiefs and Sub-Chiefs as the official agents of crime control and order maintenance in the rural parts of the country. The study, which is a culmination of an in-depth review of Kenya’s legal framework and other germane literature, uses the country to cast a thoughtful appraisal of the African experience and, as a result, to provide a strong and reliable data point that could be used in cross-cultural and comparative crime control studie

Factors Influencing Performance of Income Generating Units in Public Universities

This paper discusses the performance of income generating units in public universities in Kenya. A broad study was done with regards to the various variables showing how each of them affects performance of income generating units. A descriptive approach in research was sought to explain the relationship between the variables of the study as shown in the conceptual framework. The research discloses that Economic factors such as inflation affect allocation of resources in the units and funds allocated to the various votes do not sufficiently meet the needs of the units. It was further noted that employees’ accountability determines performance of the units and internal controls ensures reliability of financial reporting which are accurate and complete. The study concludes by recommending a cost benefit analysis for any ventures in the future to ensure viability of projects so as to abate costs in setting up projects that have very little returns. Key words: Economic factors, Income generating units, Cost benefit analysis, Inflation

The Performance of Rapid Diagnostic Test for Malaria Parasite Diagnosis Compared to Microscopic Test in Meru South Sub-County, Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya

Despite intensive worldwide attempt to control malaria, it remains one of the most fatal and widespread protozoan infection of mankind. About 2.4 billon people inhabit malaria prone regions which is about forty percentage of the world population in over 90 countries of Sub-Saharan Africa are affected. Prompt accurate, diagnosis and treatment is important to avert suffering of patients and malaria infection is a serious global challenge in the affected countries. The rapid diagnosis test of malaria is a recent diagnostic technique whose performance has not been evaluated in Meru South Sub-County. The main purpose of this research study was to perform immunosurveillance and evaluate performance rapid diagnosis test for malaria parasites in Meru South Sub-County, Tharaka-Nithi County. The study design was hospital based cross-sectional study in the laboratory at Chuka Level Five Hospital. Three hundred and eighty four blood specimens were used from febrile patients with clinical manifestation of malaria infection. The blood specimens were used for thin, thick smear and rapid diagnosis test. The results were analyzed by t-test to compare the mean of the two methods. A P –value of 0.953 was obtained which is greater than 0.05, therefore we accept the null hypothesis that there is no difference in performance between the Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) and microscopic test. The results indicated that RDT had similar performance with microscopy for both positive and negative cases of malaria infection. In conclusion RDT is appropriate for malaria diagnosis since the incidence rate of malaria was found to be high and the predominant Plasmodium falciparum was high in the study area.  The researcher recommends the use of RDTs in mass screening for malaria infection, adopt or intensify protective measures during dry seasons and monitoring antimalaria drug resistance or tolerance in all counties in Kenya

Legal and Regulatory Framework as a Determinant of Effectiveness of Corporate Governance in State Corporations in Kenya

This study sought to establish the determinants of effectiveness of Corporate Governance at state corporations in Kenya. Based on the literature, research hypotheses were formulated to investigate the relationships between legal & regulatory framework and the dependent variable. This study was based on The Agency and Stewardship theories. The research methodology selected was a descriptive survey design. The design ensures ease in understanding the insight and ideas about the problem.  The target population of the study was the managers in all the 151 state-owned corporations in Kenya. The sampled companies for the study were 46 representing 30% which were identified through systematic random sampling technique. Five managers from each of the 46 sampled companies were identified through systematic random sampling by purposeful sampling technique giving a total sample size of 230 managers. The key research instrument used was a 5-point-likert scale questionnaire ranging from 1-strongly disagrees to 5-strongly agree. Primary data was collected by use of   questionnaires which were administered through drop and pick method. Reliability and convergent validity of the questionnaire was tested using the Cronbach’s alpha and principal component analysis respectively. .Descriptive statistics of means and standard deviation of Likert scores were calculated. Correlation analysis technique was undertaken to determine whether there was a significant relationship between study variables. However regression analysis was performed so as to test the hypothesis and subsequently model the relationship between the variables. The study found out that Legal and Regulatory Framework was positively correlated with corporate governance in State Corporations in Kenya. The regression analysis led the study to conclude that legal & Regulatory Framework was critical in determining effectiveness of Corporate Governance in State Corporations in Kenya. Consequently the study recommended that stakeholders of State Corporations should enhance, Legal & regulatory framework to sustain effective Corporate Governance in these institutions. Finally further research was recommended to include other corporation’s not only state corporations. Keywords:  Legal and Regulatory Framework, Corporate Governance, State Corporation

The theory of planned behaviour in exploring dietary diversity practices among mothers in informal settlements in Kenya

One of the leading causes of malnutrition, which contributes to morbidity and mortality in children, is lack of dietary diversity. Despite remarkable  improvement in exclusive breastfeeding in Kenya, there are still poor dietary diversity practices among children aged 6-24 months. Limited studies  have applied the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to examine the factors that influence dietary diversity practices in informal settlements in  Kenya. The objective of this qualitative study was to explore behavioral, normative, control beliefs, intention, and dietary diversity practices, based  on the TPB. The study sites were Kibera in Nairobi, Manyatta A in Kisumu, and Kaptembwo in Nakuru. Participants were 64 mothers of children aged  6-24 months selected using purposive sampling. Nine focus groups, each comprising of 5-10 mothers were conducted and the data analyzed  using thematic analysis. Using a focus group guide, based on the TPB, mothers described salient beliefs regarding their attitude, subjective norms  and perceived control of dietary diversity. Analysis of the data showed that some mothers had intended to introduce solid foods at six months.  However, barriers such as mother not feeding well, baby’s hunger, perceived insufficient breast milk production, and return to work led to earlier  introduction of foods. Most mothers indicated their intention to give a variety of foods to their children but were hindered by barriers such as  poverty/inadequate money, non-availability of food at home, and inadequate knowledge about complementary feeding. Friends, health  professionals, fathers, neighbours and friends were cited as most salient referents that influenced the dietary diversity practices. The most  frequently provided starchy foods were chappatis, mandazis, potatoes, rice, weetabix, porridge, and ugali. In conclusion, the results indicate that  mothers had positive attitude towards dietary diversity. The ‘significant others’ who mostly influenced dietary diversity practices were health  professionals, fathers, and friends. Future interventions need to target mothers' perceived childfeeding responsibilities, influence subjective norms,  and increase parents' perceived control over child feeding.&nbsp

The effect of interest rate changes on the stock market

The paper evaluates the existence and nature of the relationship between changes in interest rates and stock returns in Kenya with an aim to improve policy development and investment decision-making. This study uses the Central Bank Rate (CBR) as a representative of the . interest rates in the Kenyan economy and stock returns are used to represent the Kenyan stock market. This relationship is examined through the use of univariate and multivariate time series to determine stationarity and the long run and short run relationships respectively. All the variables used in this study are found to be stationary. The VAR model is used to determine the short run and long run dynamics of these variables and the results suggest that on the banking and the commercial sectors are affected by changing interest rates. The evaluation of a long' run .equilibrium relationship between changes in interest rates and the Kenyan stock market performance is found to be insignificant

Influence of Organizational Resources on Strategy Execution in Shipping Companies in Kenya

Current research shows that more attention is given to strategy development but less to strategy execution. This study therefore sought to bridge this pertinent gap in literature by establishing the influence of organization resources on strategy execution in shipping companies in Kenya. The study reviewed relevant literature and theoretical underpinnings to identify the determinants of strategy execution. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. The population of the research consisted of the 38 shipping companies in Kenya as at 2015. The unit of analysis were the employees in charge of strategic management matters in the shipping companies in Kenya. The study adopted purposive sampling and used primary data which was gathered using structured questionnaires which were pre-tested before being administered. The respondents comprised of the chief executive officer, chief operations officer, chief finance officer, chief information officer and the business development officer who were purposely selected due to their level involvement in strategy execution matters. Therefore the target population was 190 officers from the shipping companies in Kenya. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used in data analysis where both descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. Regression results indicated that organization resources and organization culture was statistically significant in explaining strategy execution in shipping companies in Kenya. From the study, it is possible to conclude that the shipping companies in Kenya are not fully putting into maximum use the resources available in order to execute their strategies. The study recommends that the shipping companies should support all relevant strategy execution initiatives in their companies and the managers should efficiently use any combination of the available resources in order to execute strategy. Keywords:  Organization Resources, Shipping, Strategy Execution Practices, Strategy

Influence of Strategic Leadership and Organization Culture on Strategy Execution in Shipping Companies in Kenya

A review of literature reveals that strategy execution is an important component of the strategic management process. However, it has been noted that there is a high failure rate in the execution of strategy as a result of the existence of many potential barriers to the effective execution of strategy. For successful strategy execution, an organization's various resources, systems, culture, structures and other variables must be expended. This paper evaluated how strategic leadership and organization culture influence strategy execution in shipping companies in Kenya. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. The population of the research consisted of the 38 shipping companies in Kenya as at 2015. The unit of analysis were the employees in charge of strategic management matters in the shipping companies in Kenya. The study adopted purposive sampling and used primary data which was gathered using structured questionnaires which were pre-tested before being administered. The respondents comprised of the chief executive officer, chief operations officer, chief finance officer, chief information officer and the business development officer who were purposely selected due to their level involvement in strategy execution matters. Therefore the target population was 190 officers from the shipping companies in Kenya. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used in data analysis where both descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. Regression results indicated that organization resources and organization culture was statistically significant in explaining strategy execution in shipping companies in Kenya. From the study, it is possible to conclude that the shipping companies have sound leadership practices that influence strategy execution. Further organizational culture contributes more to strategy execution than strategy leadership. The study findings led to the conclusion that the managers of these companies are committed to ensuring that strategy execution succeeds.  In any business company a willing and committed leader greatly influences the results of the business processes. It was also concluded that the shipping companies under study had sound company culture practices as this was evidenced on how culture influenced strategy execution results in the study findings. The shipping companies had sound cultural practices of rewarding best performance, embracement of sound business practices and behaviour towards business operations Keywords:  shipping, strategy execution practices, strategy, strategic leadership, culture

[Accepted Manuscript] Exclusive Breastfeeding Is More Common Among HIV-Infected Than HIV-Uninfected Kenyan Mothers at 6 Weeks and 6 Months Postpartum.

To compare breastfeeding practices determined by mothers' own recall versus a stable isotope technique (deuterium oxide dilution) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and HIV-uninfected mothers at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) rates were assessed cross-sectionally at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum among 75 HIV-positive and 68 HIV-negative women attending postnatal care. EBF was derived from maternal 24-hour recall of foods that were fed to the infant and by objective measurement of nonhuman milk-water intake using deuterium oxide (DO) dilution technique. Multivariable logistic analyses were adjusted for infant sex, gravidity, maternal age, marital status, and maternal education. Using recall method, a greater proportion of HIV-infected mothers exclusively breastfed than HIV-uninfected mothers both at 6 weeks postpartum [94.1% versus 76.9%, respectively (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 7.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9-31.6, p = 0.004)] and at 6 months postpartum [75% versus 59.7%, respectively (aOR 2.27; 95% CI 1.0-5.3, p = 0.058)]. At 6 weeks postpartum EBF rates from the DO technique were 23.5% and 13.8% for HIV-positive and HIV-negative mothers, respectively (aOR 0.35; 95% CI 0.11-1.04, p = 0.059). At 6 months postpartum, the DO technique determined EBF rates were 43.3% among HIV-positive and 24.2% among HIV-negative mothers, respectively (aOR 2.4; 95% CI 1.0-5.7, p = 0.048). HIV-infected mothers are more likely to exclusively breastfeed compared with HIV-uninfected mothers. In this resource-poor setting, maternal recall overestimates EBF rates as compared with the deuterium oxide dilution technique. Validating EBF recall data using the objective DO technique is highly recommended for accurate tracking toward global targets on breastfeeding practices