Non-Credit Services of Group-Based Financial Institutions: Implications for Smallholder Women’s Honey Income in Arid and Semi Arid Lands of Kenya

This paper analyses the effect of non-credit services of joint liability credit institutions on smallholder women beekeepers’ honey income. The non-credit services offered to the beekeepers are mainly enterprise development services (training on marketing, business, production and subsector analysis). The study uses cross-sectional data from a survey of women beekeepers participating in group-based credit programmes; the survey was conducted in September 2005 in Makueni district of Kenya. The findings indicate that the number of enterprise development related trainings attended by women beekeepers that are offered by the group-based financial institutions positively and significantly influence honey income. The results confirm that non-credit services contribute positively to the enhancement of honey income. These results imply that extension and strengthening of group-based financial institutions’ non-credit services in the marginal areas will enhance development of smallholder agriculture for improved income generation.Credit, Finance, Honey, Makueni, Agricultural and Food Policy, Agricultural Finance, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Consumer/Household Economics, Demand and Price Analysis, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Food Security and Poverty, Labor and Human Capital, Marketing, Productivity Analysis, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Making Universal Health Coverage Effective in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Blueprint for Health Sector Reforms

Health sector reforms not only require attention to specific components but also a supportive environment. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), there is still much to be done on ensuring that people receive prioritized healthcare services. Despite LIMCs spending an average of 6% of their GDP on health, there have been minimal impacts compared to high-income countries. Health sector reform is a gradual process with complex systems; hence, the need for a vision and long-term strategies to realize the desired goals. In this chapter, we present our proposal to advance universal health coverage (UHC) in LMICs. Overall, our main aim is to provide strategies for achieving actual UHC and not aspirational UHC in LMICs by strengthening health systems, improving health insurance coverage and financial protection, and reducing disparities in healthcare coverage especially on prioritized health problems, and enhancing a primary care-oriented healthcare system

Influence of school category on teachers’ self-efficacy and its domains in selected secondary schools

Teachers’ self-efficacy remains one of the most important constructs that determine their delivery and competence in schools. In Kenya, it has been reported, that there is low teachers’ self-efficacy, however, no analytic attention had been paid to the influence of school category. The study examined the influence of school category on teachers’ self-efficacy in Kenyan secondary schools. The study used Concurrent Embedded Design. The sample size comprised 327 teachers, obtained using stratified sampling technique. The Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale and an interview schedule were used to collect data. The reliability of teachers’ self-efficacy was ascertained by using Cronbach’s alpha and a reliability coefficient of 0.992 was obtained. Quantitative data was analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Variance, while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The results indicated that the influence of school category on teachers’ self-efficacy was significant, Wilk’s λ (2, 324)=0.893, p=0.000. Furthermore, the results show that the influences of school category on teachers’ self-efficacy in student engagement, F (2, 324)=11.498, p=.000, instructional strategy, F (2, 324)=8.432, p=.000, and classroom management, F (2, 324)=10.173, p=.000, were all statistically significant. The study recommends that Teachers’ Service Commission should organize mentorship programs for teachers to boost their self-efficacies

Public participation in Court Administration

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the Bachelor of Laws degreeThis dissertation examines the role that citizens can play in the administration of courts from a policy formulation point of view. Citizen participation is increasingly being considered a valuable element of citizenship and decision-making. Many theorists claim that citizen participation has positive effects on the quality of democracy. It examines the issue of public participation in Kenyan Courts in addition to finding out if the quality of justice will improve if citizens who are affected by administrative policies of the Judiciary are granted the opportunity to influence those decisions.To explore the role which the citizens may play, this dissertation analyses the laws on which such activities may be based and the virious ways through which the judiciary may reach many people if it were to decide to involve the citizens in policy making

Depressive Disorders among Workers in the Selected Hotels in the Capital City of Kenya: A Cross Sectional Study on Prevalence and Correlates

Background: Depressive symptoms are potential outcomes of poorly functioning and demanding work environments. Such symptoms are frequent and cause considerable suffering for the employees as well as financial loss for the employers. As a major hub of tourist attraction and the current consistent terrorism threats, workers in hotel industries in Nairobi Kenya have significant pressure not only to deliver quality services but also are faced with declining tourist flow. Accordingly, studies of psychosocial working conditions and depressive symptoms in this industry are valuable. Objective: This study measured the levels of depressive disorders and associated correlates among workers in selected luxury hotel industries in Nairobi Kenya. Methods: This cross-sectional study, consented and enrolled 360 workers in selected hotels in Nairobi. A sociodemographic based questionnaire and a mental health screening tool; Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used to gather information relevant to this study. The data was analyzed for central tendencies as well as for any associations and correlations. Results: The mean age of the 360 respondents was 28.4 (SD± 4.98) years. The majority 84.2% were aged 20 to 30 years, 55.3% had secondary level education, 35.3% worked as waiters. Using the PHQ-9, 9.2% had major depressive disorder while 10% were categorized as other depressive disorders. In multivariate analysis, major depressive disorders were independently associated with staying in temporary housing (OR 0.1, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.6) and those whose adult household population was between 1 to 3 persons (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.03 to 7). The other depressive disorders were independently associated with working in low end hotels (OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 22.7); having primary education level (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.1 to 15.9); staying in temporary houses (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.8); and with monthly income of 10,000 to 50,000 KSh (100 to 500USD). The Key informant interviews identified poor remuneration, management disregard to employees input, negative attitude from work and colleagues, hostile treatment by clients, employers and colleagues, long working hours, poor diet, domestic problems, political instabilities, pressure from family members and high standards of living as some of the factors contributing to work related depression. Conclusion: Cumulatively, significantly high proportion of hotel workers suffer from depressive disorders in Nairobi. If correlates such as socio-demographic and economic, influenced by working conditions are not tackled, workers in hotel industries in Nairobi are poised to record one of the highest levels of depressive disorders in Kenya. Keywords: Depressive disorders, Workers in selected hotels, Nairobi Kenya

Survivors of Gender Based Violence in a major recovery Center in Nairobi, Kenya; a retrospective study on characteristic, prevalence, trends and correlates between 2006 and 2009

Background: Gender-based violence (GBV) is an endemic perpetrated mainly against women and children that results in physical, sexual or psycho-social harm. Globally about one in three women experience GBV in her lifetime while in Kenya about 50 % of women experience GBV in their lifetime, which is currently among the highest rates in the world. While various report exists highlighting various forms of GBV in Kenya, data are skewed on the trends and correlates of GBV in Kenya. Objective: This retrospective study characterized the survivors of GBV attending a major Gender Violence Recovery Center (GVRC) in Nairobi Kenya and evaluated the trends and factors associated with GBV between 2006 and 2009. Methods: This study, obtained permission from the hospital to retrieve data from past records of d 384 GBV survivors who were recruited from different parts of Kenya. A sociodemographic based questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used to gather information relevant to this study. The data was analyzed for central tendencies as well as for any associations and correlations. Results: The mean of the 384 GBV survivors was 19.79 (SD = 11.8; range 1-70) years while 90.4% of them were female. Among the survivors, 55.5% were single (never married before), 52.9% had primary and lower education level, while 70.6% were unemployed. Rape (46%) was the most common type of GBV. Other GBV types included defilement (26%), domestic/physical violence (17%), sexual violence and sodomy (4%). Of all the GBV, a quarter (39.3%) occurred at night (9 pm to 5am). The year 2007 and 2008 was marked by high level of GBV at 35.9% and 32.8% respectively while 96.2% occurred in the later months of year (October, November and December). Penetrative GBV was common among survivors who knew their perpetrator OR 0.7 (95% CI 0.6 to 0.9); in the years 2006 OR 1.9(95% CI 1.2 to 3.1), 2007 OR 1.7(95% CI 1.1 to 2.5) and 2008 OR 1.7(95% CI 1.2 to 3.6). Defilement was common among survivors who had primary level education OR 6.7 (95% CI 2.7 to 16.9), who knew their perpetrators OR 1.8 (95%CI 1.2 to 2.8), in the morning hours OR 2.7 (95% CI 1.5 to 4.9) and afternoon hours OR 3.9 (95% CI 2.2 to 6.8). Further, defilement was more common in the year 2006 OR 2.7 (95% CI 1.2 to 5.8). Domestic violence was likely to occur among survivors aged 30 to 40 years OR 1.9 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.6) and those who knew their perpetrators OR 41.2 (95%CI 5.7 to 300). Rape was common among survivors who were aged 19 to 29 years OR 2.3 (95% CI 1.6 to 3.3) or 30 to 40 years OR 2 (95% CI 4 to 2.9), female OR 4.7 (95% CI 1.8 to 12), those employed or in business OR 1.9 (95% CI 1.4 to 2.6) and lastly in the year 2007 OR 1.8 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.1) and 2008 OR 1.7 (95% CI 1.0 to 2.5). Sexual violence was common among survivors who know their perpetrators OR 0.4 (95% CI 0.2 to 0.9) and among survivors who reported the incidence within 72 hours OR 10.2 (95% CI 2.4 to 42). Sodomy occurred less among the female OR 0.01 (95% CI 0.1 to 0.2). Conclusion: Rape was more common form of GBV among the survivors and most of the GBV occurred in the later months of year in the years 2007 and early 2008 which were marked by post-election violence. Familiarity with perpetrators, female gender, and the younger age were disproportionately vulnerable to GBV. Strife of any nature are key predictors of GBV. Effective protection can be established only by preventing GBV, identifying risks and responding to survivors. Keywords: Survivors of Gender-based violence, Major GBV Recovery Center in Nairobi Kenya, trends and correlates between 2006 and 2009

Non-Communicable Diseases and Urbanization in African Cities: A Narrative Review

Rapid urbanization in Africa has been linked to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Urbanization processes have amplified lifestyle risk factors for NCDs (including unhealthy diets, tobacco use, harmful alcohol intake, and physical inactivity), especially among individuals of low and middle social economic status. Nevertheless, African countries are not keeping pace with the ever increasing need for population-level interventions such as health promotion through education, screening, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as structural measures such as policies and legislation to prevent and control the upstream factors driving the NCD epidemic. This chapter highlights the NCD burden in urban Africa, along with the social determinants and existing interventions against NCDs. The chapter concludes by offering insights into policy and legislative opportunities and recommends stronger efforts to apply multisectoral and intersectoral approaches in policy formulation, implementation, and monitoring at multiple levels to address the NCD epidemic in African cities

Influence of celebrity endorsements on young consumers’ brand recall behaviour in Kenya : a case of Nairobi County

Paper presented at IAABD Conference, 2015Celebrity endorsement has become a major form of advertising and Kenyan companies are increasingly using it to promote and position their brands targeting different market segments. The purpose of this study was to examine the Influence of Celebrity Endorsements on Young Consumers’ Brand recall behaviour in Kenya. Researcher-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from a sample of 167 youth drawn from Nairobi County. A multi-stage non-probability sampling was employed and the data analyzed using descriptive and factor analysis. The main findings revealed that celebrity endorsement generally influenced young consumers’ brand recall behaviour. When used as endorsers, celebrities were found to add an appeal to the endorsed brand making it easier for consumers to correctly remember it as having been previously seen or heard in the crowded market. The findings will provide guidance to marketing and advertising practitioners on how to improve the effectiveness of celebrity-based advertising by way of aligning their brand with a celebrity that resonates with the target market. To future researchers, this study will act as a catalyst and help them in defining future research agendas. Replication of this study using larger samples, different age groups and in different geographic settings is suggested for cross-validation purposes