Dimensions of Social Capital in Trifling Event Administration in Kenya

This paper examines indicators that measure social capital in small event management undertakings. This study enhances understanding of social capital and contributes significantly to literature on by providing pragmatic knowledge. Descriptive research design was employed in the study. Sample size of 271 industrialists formed the sample size. Census sampling was used where all the event management industrialists in Nairobi, Kisumu and Uasin Gishu counties in Kenya were included in the study. Data was collected using questionnaires containing closed-ended questions. Reliability was tested using Cronbach’s alpha. Exploratory factor analysis grouped the constructs into two components namely positive exchange and sharing. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to measure the extent to which the observed variables (positive exchange and sharing) explain the unobserved variable (social capital). The results showed that both variables adequately explained social capital of event management ventures. Keywords: Event Administration; Industrialists; Trifling; Kenya; Social Capital; Factor analysis.

Devolution and Governance Conflicts in Africa: Kenyan Scenario

The interests on devolved system of government have increased over time in Africa. This paper looks at devolution and governance conflicts in Africa. The paper makes an attempt in assessing the likely conflicts from this system and possibly so their mitigations with the Kenyan scenario. The study applies the underlined objectives in achieving its goals. Ultimately, the paper will attempt to answer questions such as; what is devolution? Why devolution? What is the rationale of devolution? What are the likely conflicts inherent in devolution and governance in Africa from the global experience? What are the mitigations available and its prospects and challenges? Confusions linger as to whether devolution is decentralization or federalism. In tackling the objectives, this study tries to make clarity to these dilemmas. Key words: Devolution/ Decentralization/ Conflicts/ Governanc

Effects of Demographics on the Relationship between Optimism and Work Engagement among Employees of State Agencies in Kenya

Organizations desire highly engaged employees for higher productivity. Both personal and organizational factors drive work engagement. Work engagement in the public sector is low globally. In a survey of 389 managerial employees in 32 state agencies in Kenya, the study explored whether optimism and demographic factors influence the level of work engagement.325 returned questionnaires were analyzed to derive descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 21. The reliability and the validity of the questionnaire items were checked. Work engagement levels was high (mean 4.14), Optimism was moderate (mean 3.44).Work engagement positively and significantly correlated with optimism (r=0.257, p< 0.01).Age positively and significantly correlated with work engagement (r=0.153, p<0.01).Optimism and demographics predicted 6.6% and 3.5% of work engagement respectively. The study demonstrated evidence that optimism influence work engagement more than demographic factors. Employees can exhibit high levels of work engagement when they are psychologically positive about their future. Keywords: Optimism, Work engagement, Positive organizational behaviour, Public sector

IMMIGRANT YOUTH LEADERSHIP IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT THROUGH SPORT PARTICIPATION IN A NEW COUNTRY

The purpose of the study was to explore how immigrant youth develop leadership identity through sport participation in a new country. A purposive sample of 15 immigrant and refugee youth participating in a local sport club in the southeastern United States was selected for the study. All of the participants were male; ranged in age from 13 to 18 years old. The country of origin for one was Mexico, while the remaining 14 came from eight different countries in sub-Saharan Africa. This instrumental case study involved in-depth interviews twice with each participant and a group interview with all of them. The researchers used several strategies to establish credibility, including adherence to IRB guidelines for human subjects’ research. Inductive analyses yielded two major categories with several themes for each; (a) sport participation, and (b) leadership skills. Findings related to these themes led to several implications for schools, community-based organizations, and sport clubs that provide programs for immigrant and refugee youth.  Article visualizations

Hotel choice attributes and demographic characteristics of tourists in North Rift Region, Kenya.

The aim of this paper was to establish the effect of hotel choice attributes on demographic characteristics of tourists. The attributes used in this study were state of hotel facilities, helpfulness of employees, perceived value for money, perceived quality of service, accessibility of hotel and services, service delivery and physical attractiveness. The demographic characteristics in this study included gender, marital status, level of education and employment status. The study also established the significance of how previous visits made or no visit at all on the hotel choice attributes. Six hotels in three counties in Kenya (Uasin-Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet and Baringo) located in the North Rift region of Kenya were selected for the study. Descriptive and causal research designs were utlized in the study. The target population comprised 240 tourists who visited the hotels, out of which only 191 structured questionnaires were returned for data analysis. Simple random sampling was used to identify the respondents. An independent sample t-test was used to test the five hypotheses. The results indicate that attributes that inform hotel choice decisions seem not to depend on all demographic characteristics. Physical attractiveness is primarily considered based on marital status, repeat guests considering the accessibility of the hotel, and physical attractiveness is also considered. These are dependent on education and employment status which appear to view quality of service and delivery of the service as crucial elements in deciding where to stay

Building relationships and facilitating immigrant community integration: An evaluation of a Cultural Navigator Program

Despite the United States’ long history of immigration, large and small communities around the country struggle to integrate newcomers into the social, economic, cultural, and political spheres of society. Utilizing results from the program evaluation of one public library’s Cultural Navigator Program (CNP), the authors illustrate how communities and public institutions can promote integration and relationship building between newly arrived immigrants and long-time residents. Existing social networks, conceptualized in this article as social capital, within receiving communities were leveraged to build capacity among newly arrived immigrants and foster inclusivity and integration at the community level. As a place of intervention, public libraries are suggested as a safe and shared space where community integration can be fostered. The program model is provided as an approach to immigrant community integration. Insights derived from the evaluation inform a discussion on engaging approaches to immigrant integration. The CNP utilized community networks to deliberately and systematically facilitate integration and relationship building between newly arrived immigrants and community members. Lessons learned and recommendations for program evaluators and administrators are provided

Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in Kenyan blood donors.

The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Africa is poorly described. The first case of SARS-CoV-2 in Kenya was reported on 12 March 2020, and an overwhelming number of cases and deaths were expected, but by 31 July 2020, there were only 20,636 cases and 341 deaths. However, the extent of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in the community remains unknown. We determined the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G among blood donors in Kenya in April-June 2020. Crude seroprevalence was 5.6% (174 of 3098). Population-weighted, test-performance-adjusted national seroprevalence was 4.3% (95% confidence interval, 2.9 to 5.8%) and was highest in urban counties Mombasa (8.0%), Nairobi (7.3%), and Kisumu (5.5%). SARS-CoV-2 exposure is more extensive than indicated by case-based surveillance, and these results will help guide the pandemic response in Kenya and across Africa

Temporal trends of SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence during the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Kenya.

Observed SARS-CoV-2 infections and deaths are low in tropical Africa raising questions about the extent of transmission. We measured SARS-CoV-2 IgG by ELISA in 9,922 blood donors across Kenya and adjusted for sampling bias and test performance. By 1st September 2020, 577 COVID-19 deaths were observed nationwide and seroprevalence was 9.1% (95%CI 7.6-10.8%). Seroprevalence in Nairobi was 22.7% (18.0-27.7%). Although most people remained susceptible, SARS-CoV-2 had spread widely in Kenya with apparently low associated mortality