Productivity in Food Crops Production: Evidence from Makueni County, Kenya

The objective of this study was to determine the level of productivity in food crops production and establish its determinants among smallholders in Makueni County, Kenya. The study used primary data collected through one on one interviews with 100 farming households in Kaiti Constituency. Average productivity for each household in food production was computed and regressed on demographic and farm characteristics. Findings show that on average households made Kshs.21, 940 from food production in the given cropping season. For the households that rely exclusively on farming, the productivity per person was below what is required to spend to be out of poverty. Regression results indicated that; age of the household head, cultivation of own land, farming experience, access to extension services, use of high mechanized farming tools and close proximity to a market place had a positive influence on the household food crop productivity. The findings imply that, establishing rural markets within villages at a close proximity to farming households and increased engagement of extension officers from the county government to equip farmers with knowledge and skills on farming technologies can be useful strategies for enhancing food productivity and security in Makueni County. Keywords: Smallholders, Food crops, Productivity, Determinants DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-18-07 Publication date:September 30th 202

"You Know You Are Sick, Why Do You Carry A Pregnancy Again?" Applying the Socio-Ecological Model to Understand Barriers to PMTCT Service Utilization in Western Kenya.

ObjectiveThroughout most of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services are readily available. However, PMTCT programs in SSA have had suboptimal performance compared to other regions of the world. The main objective of this study is to explore the socio-ecological and individual factors influencing the utilization of PMTCT services among HIV-positive pregnant women in western Kenya using a social ecological model as our analytical lens.MethodsData were collected using in-depth interviews with 33 HIV-infected women attending government health facilities in rural western Kenya. Women with HIV-infected infants aged between 6 weeks to 6 months with a definitive diagnosis of HIV in the infant, as well as those with an HIV-negative test result in the infant were interviewed between November 2012 and June 2013. Coding and analysis of the transcripts followed grounded theory tenets. Coding reports were discussed in a series of meetings held among the authors. We then employed constant comparative analysis to discover dominant individual, family, society and structural determinants of PMTCT use.ResultsBarriers to women's utilization of PMTCT services fell within the broad constructs of the socio-ecological model of individual, family, society and structural determinants. Several themes cut across the different steps of PMTCT cascade and relate to different constructs of the socio-ecological model. These themes include: self-motivation, confidence and resilience, family support, absence or reduced stigma, right provider attitude and quality of health services provided. We also found out that these factors ensured enhanced maternal health and HIV negative children.ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that a woman's social environment is an important determinant of MTCT. PMTCT Interventions must comprehensively address multiple factors across the different ecological levels. More research is however required for the development of multi-component interventions that combine strategies at different ecological levels

Effect of electronic commerce on output and total factor productivity in Kenya

Abstract. Kenya seeks to transform into a middle-income country by 2030 with target annual growth rates of 10 percent. However, this has not been realized since growth rates are under 10 percent while 36 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. Various studies interpret this as an underperformance. However, this study held the view that the economic growth witnessed in the years 2007 to 2018pointed to a resilient economy characterized by average steady growth rates of 5.4 percent despite the deterioration of the global economic outlook. This resilience coincided with the adoption of e-commerce, increased output in absolute values and emphasis of Information and Communication Technology as a key industry under the economic pillar of the Kenya Vision 2030. The period also saw the emergence of mobile payment gateways, which is a key enabler for E-commerce among others. E-commerce activities increase efficiency and ease of doing business by reducing costs and barriers of operation, which are important for achieving economic growth in transition countries such as Kenya. The main objective of the study was to investigate the effect of e-commerce on output and total factor productivity. The study developed a framework following the neoclassical and endogenous growth theories. The study used quarterly time-series data from the period 2007 to 2018 and applied Ordinary Least Squares regression models. The results showed that e-commerce had a positive effect on output. The effect of e-commerce on Total Factor Productivity was positive when considering the value of mobile payments while that of card payments was negative. The results suggest that continued investments towards e-commerce in terms of capital and mobile payments technology will be important for Kenya to sustain output growth and productivity increase.Keywords. E-commerce, ICT, Output, Mobile payments, Total factor productivity.JEL. 011, 033, 041, 047, P24

Challenges to generating political prioritization for adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Kenya: A qualitative study.

BackgroundDespite the high burden of adverse adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes, it has remained a low political priority in Kenya. We examined factors that have shaped the lack of current political prioritization of adolescent SRH service provision.MethodsWe used the Shiffman and Smith policy framework consisting of four categories-actor power, ideas, political contexts, and issue characteristics-to analyse factors that have shaped political prioritization of adolescent SRH. We undertook semi-structured interviews with 14 members of adolescent SRH networks between February and April 2019 at the national level and conducted thematic analysis of the interviews.FindingsSeveral factors hinder the attainment of political priority for adolescent SRH in Kenya. On actor power, the adolescent SRH community was diverse and united in adoption of international norms and policies, but lacked policy entrepreneurs to provide strong leadership, and policy windows were often missed. Regarding ideas, community members lacked consensus on a cohesive public positioning of the problem. On issue characteristics, the perception of adolescents as lacking political power made politicians reluctant to act on the existing data on the severity of adolescent SRH. There was also a lack of consensus on the nature of interventions to be implemented. Pertaining to political contexts, sectoral funding by donors and government treasury brought about tension within the different government ministries resulting in siloed approaches, lack of coordination and overall inefficiency. However, the SRH community has several strengths that augur well for future political support. These include the diverse multi-sectoral background of its members, commitment to improving adolescent SRH, and the potential to link with other health priorities such as maternal health and HIV/AIDS.ConclusionIn order to increase political attention to adolescent SRH in Kenya, there is an urgent need for policy actors to: 1) create a more cohesive community of advocates across sectors, 2) develop a clearer public positioning of adolescent SRH, 3) agree on a set of precise approaches that will resonate with the political system, and 4) identify and nurture policy entrepreneurs to facilitate the coupling of adolescent SRH with potential solutions when windows of opportunity arise

Efficacy of Adaptation of Smallholder Maize Production to Climate Variability in Selected Countries of Kenya

Maize is a staple food for 96 percent of Kenyans. Smallholders supply up to 75 percent of maize produced in Kenya but are affected by unpredictable timing, duration, and distribution of rainfall, especially during the growing season. To enhance maize productivity adoption of robust adaptation measures is vital. The study aimed to evaluate the level of efficacy of adaptation of smallholder maize production to climate variability in Kitui and Laikipia counties. Data from 273 smallholder maize producers drawn from Kitui and Laikipia counties was analyzed. A questionnaire was administered to collect data on demographic, socio-economic characteristics, and adaptation choices. The level of efficacy of adaptation was derived based on the Multiple Criteria Evaluation. Results showed that the majority of smallholders in the study (47 percent) reported a low level of efficacy of adaptation most of whom were from Laikipia County (54 percent) as compared to Kitui County (44 percent). Overall, a very small proportion of smallholders reported a high level of efficacy of adaptation (7 percent).  The study concluded that the level of efficacy of adaptation of smallholder maize production to climate variability in semi-arid areas was low. The County Governments through the department of agriculture and environment could establish guidelines for a robust combination of adaptation choices to ensure the suitability and enhancement of maize production

Efficacy of Adaptation of Smallholder Maize Production to Climate Variability in Selected Countries of Kenya

Maize is a staple food for 96 percent of Kenyans. Smallholders supply up to 75 percent of maize produced in Kenya but are affected by unpredictable timing, duration, and distribution of rainfall, especially during the growing season. To enhance maize productivity adoption of robust adaptation measures is vital. The study aimed to evaluate the level of efficacy of adaptation of smallholder maize production to climate variability in Kitui and Laikipia counties. Data from 273 smallholder maize producers drawn from Kitui and Laikipia counties was analyzed. A questionnaire was administered to collect data on demographic, socio-economic characteristics, and adaptation choices. The level of efficacy of adaptation was derived based on the Multiple Criteria Evaluation. Results showed that the majority of smallholders in the study (47 percent) reported a low level of efficacy of adaptation most of whom were from Laikipia County (54 percent) as compared to Kitui County (44 percent). Overall, a very small proportion of smallholders reported a high level of efficacy of adaptation (7 percent).  The study concluded that the level of efficacy of adaptation of smallholder maize production to climate variability in semi-arid areas was low. The County Governments through the department of agriculture and environment could establish guidelines for a robust combination of adaptation choices to ensure the suitability and enhancement of maize production

Efficacy of Adaptation of Smallholder Maize Production to Climate Variability in Selected Countries of Kenya

Maize is a staple food for 96 percent of Kenyans. Smallholders supply up to 75 percent of maize produced in Kenya but are affected by unpredictable timing, duration, and distribution of rainfall, especially during the growing season. To enhance maize productivity adoption of robust adaptation measures is vital. The study aimed to evaluate the level of efficacy of adaptation of smallholder maize production to climate variability in Kitui and Laikipia counties. Data from 273 smallholder maize producers drawn from Kitui and Laikipia counties was analyzed. A questionnaire was administered to collect data on demographic, socio-economic characteristics, and adaptation choices. The level of efficacy of adaptation was derived based on the Multiple Criteria Evaluation. Results showed that the majority of smallholders in the study (47 percent) reported a low level of efficacy of adaptation most of whom were from Laikipia County (54 percent) as compared to Kitui County (44 percent). Overall, a very small proportion of smallholders reported a high level of efficacy of adaptation (7 percent).  The study concluded that the level of efficacy of adaptation of smallholder maize production to climate variability in semi-arid areas was low. The County Governments through the department of agriculture and environment could establish guidelines for a robust combination of adaptation choices to ensure the suitability and enhancement of maize production

EFFECTS OF POLITICAL RISK FACTORS ON TAX REVENUE IN KENYA

A broad range of tax reforms have been implemented in Kenya in the post-independence period with the objective of increasing tax revenue for promoting economic growth with reduced reliance on external funding. Most of the reforms have targeted broadening of the tax base. However, tax collections remain inadequate, and deficits have persisted. Past studies on tax revenue growth have looked at effects of foreign sector, stage of development, demographic factors and sectoral mix on tax revenue. The models used in those studies did not factor in political risk factors including democratic accountability, bureaucracy quality and internal conflict. Such factors can have significant direct or indirect influence on tax revenue. This study estimated tax revenue models with these factors captured using data for the period 1984 to 2016. The findings show that increase in bureaucracy quality and democratic accountability lead to increase in tax revenue. Efficiency of institutions is shown to enhance tax collections during periods of social strife suggesting the presence of displacement and inspection effect. Internal conflicts are shown to cause declines in tax revenues. The government of Kenya and its revenue authority should therefore strengthen the quality and efficiency of institutions and effective control measures on acts of civil war, terrorism and civil disorder alongside the tax reforms to increase tax revenues. JEL: H20; H21; H25 Article visualizations

Integration of family planning services into HIV care clinics: Results one year after a cluster randomized controlled trial in Kenya.

OBJECTIVES:To determine if integration of family planning (FP) and HIV services led to increased use of more effective contraception (i.e. hormonal and permanent methods, and intrauterine devices) and decreased pregnancy rates. DESIGN:Cohort analysis following cluster randomized trial, when the Kenya Ministry of Health led integration of the remaining control (delayed integration) sites and oversaw integrated services at the original intervention (early integration) sites. SETTING:Eighteen health facilities in Kenya. SUBJECTS:Women aged 18-45 receiving care: 5682 encounters at baseline, and 11628 encounters during the fourth quarter of year 2. INTERVENTION:"One-stop shop" approach to integrating FP and HIV services. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Use of more effective contraceptive methods and incident pregnancy across two years of follow-up. RESULTS:Following integration of FP and HIV services at the six delayed integration clinics, use of more effective contraception increased from 31.7% to 44.2% of encounters (+12.5%; Prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.39 (1.19-1.63). Among the twelve early integration sites, the proportion of encounters at which women used more effective contraceptive methods was sustained from the end of the first to the second year of follow-up (37.5% vs. 37.0%). Pregnancy incidence including all 18 integrated sites in year two declined in comparison to the control arm in year one (rate ratio: 0.72; 95% CI 0.60-0.87). CONCLUSIONS:Integration of FP services into HIV clinics led to a sustained increase in the use of more effective contraceptives and decrease in pregnancy incidence 24 months following implementation of the integrated service model. TRIAL REGISTRATION:ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01001507