The Effect of Project Manager’s Leadership Style on Performance of Water Projects in Kenya

The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between project manager’s leadership style and performance of water projects in Kenya. Operationalization of leadership style was based on transformation and transaction leadership style while project performance was based on project time and cost performance. The study analyzed secondary and primary data for 102 water projects that were completed between 2011 and 2014. Hierarchical regression analysis was undertaken on the variables. The results show that a significant relationship exist between project manager’s leadership style and project time performance. In addition, the findings show that adoption of transformational leadership style leads to higher level of project performance. However, no significant relationship was established between project manager’s leadership style and project cost performance. This may be due to the use of fixed price contracts that specify the conditions for escalation and the maximum allowable cost escalations which could have made cost changes insignificant. The study has provided empirical evidence on the relationship between project manager’s leadership style and project performance within a developing country context. To enhance project time performance, project manager’s leadership style is critical and managers should strive to intellectually stimulate project team members

Calibration and data analysis strategies for enhanced 21-cm EoR limits with the MWA

This thesis targets observations of the 21 cm signal emitted by neural hydrogen during the early stages of the Universe using data from the Murchison Widefield Array radio telescope. The detection of this elusive signal is challenging, and this thesis tackles the obstacles involved, investigating current methods and proposing novel ones. The work presented by this research is therefore another step towards a complete understanding of the history of our Universe

Effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide application in the treatment of acne

The development of a pencil graphite electrode (PGE) for use in electrochemical testing represents a sensitive, selective, disposable, and low-cost method of analysis. Despite its advantages over the traditional glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in these characteristics, the PGE lacks the reproducibility seen with the GCE. In order to better control the surface chemistry of the PGE and thus achieve a higher level of reproducibility, various electrode activation techniques were tested. The activation of an electrode is a pre-treatment method in which the electrode is coated using electrochemical processes to alter the surface chemistry of the electrode. Three different solutions were examined for the activation: 0.10 M potassium nitrate, 0.50 M sulfuric acid, and 1.0 M sodium hydroxide. Experimentation proved the sulfuric acid, applied using cyclic voltammetry, to be the most effective activation method. Once activated, the PGE was used in the analysis of coffees and teas brewed by various methods. Coffee and tea samples were prepared by a traditional coffee brewer, as well as with a Tassimo T20 Home Brewing system. Once prepared, the samples were tested using square wave voltammetry and compared to results from the Folin-Ciocalteu assay. Our results show that the activation of the PGE provided more reproducible peak currents and allowed for the determination of antioxidant content in various coffee and tea samples brewed by multiple methods. *Indicates faculty mentor

Opportunities for Reducing Expenses through Digital Innovation: The Case of an Insurance Company

Operational inefficiencies not only affect the quality of a company\u27s offerings but also increase its overhead expenses. Insurance companies have some of the highest overhead costs, which often are transferred to customers as premiums for insurance products. While companies are adopting digital innovation to reduce expenses by optimizing their operational functions, not all companies are ready for the digital transformation journey, which risks their existence. The unreadiness exists despite evidence that digital innovation has many potential benefits to these companies. Nine participants from six business units, all with 133 employees, were interviewed for this study. This research uses a single, in-depth case study of an established insurance company to show how operational inefficiencies affect customers’ costs and how using digital innovation can reduce these expenses. The findings reveal that the insurer is still reliant on pre-digital methods to conduct business. This research amplifies the importance of adopting digital technologies, such as Artificial intelligence, Chatbot, Robotic Process Automation, Blockchain, and the Internet of Things into the insurance companies\u27 processes, leading to lower operational expenses and more affordable products and services for customers

Co-ordination behaviour of a novel tristhiourea tripodal ligand; structural variations in a series of transition metal complexes

The co-ordination chemistry of a tristhiourea tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligand (L1) with a series of transition metal ions has been investigated. Crystallographic data show that large metal ions, with no geometrical preferences , such as Mn(II) and Cd(II), will form seven co-ordinate monocapped octahedral complexes, while smaller metal ions such as Zn(II) favour five co-ordinate trigonal bipyramidal structures. In a similar manner to the related bisthiourea complexes, the Ni(II) complex shows a strong preference for octahedral geometries resulting in the ligand binding asymmetrically. Spectroscopic (IR and NMR), spectrometric (MS) as well as electrochemical data for these complexes are reported

A 150 MHz all sky survey with the Precision Array to Probe the Epoch of Reionization

The Precision Array to Probe the Epoch of Reionization (PAPER) was built to measure the redshifted 21 cm line of hydrogen from cosmic reionization. Such low frequency observations promise to be the best means of understanding the cosmic dawn; when the first galaxies in the universe formed, and also the Epoch of Reionization; when the intergalactic medium changed from neutral to ionized. The major challenges to these observations is the presence of astrophysical foregrounds that are much brighter than the cosmological signal. Here, I present an all-sky survey at 150 MHz obtained from the analysis of 300 hours of PAPER observations. Particular focus is given to the calibration and imaging techniques that need to deal with the wide field of view of a non-tracking instrument. The survey covers ~ 7000 square degrees of the southern sky. From a sky area of 4400 square degrees out of the total survey area, I extract a catalogue of sources brighter than 4 Jy whose accuracy was tested against the published GLEAM catalogue, leading to a fractional difference rms better than 20%. The catalogue provides an all-sky accurate model of the extragalactic foreground to be used for the calibration of future Epoch of Reionization observations and to be subtracted from the PAPER observations themselves in order to mitigate the foreground contamination

Embracing online dispute resolution as an avenue to Justice in Kenya

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the Bachelor of Laws Degree, Strathmore University Law SchoolOnline Dispute Resolution (hereinafter ‘ODR’) is a branch of dispute resolution that incorporates aspects of information and communication technology (hereinafter ‘ICT’). However, this does not limit the scope of ODR to the internet since it also incorporates off-line dispute resolution. Essentially, ODR is a derivative from the conventional Alternative Dispute Resolution (hereinafter ‘ADR’) mechanisms. Withal, with the significantly rapid developing ICT sector, there is an urgent need for a direct and more efficient dispute resolution mechanism for online disputes. In Kenya for example, the rapid developments in the ICT sector have led to an increased access to internet facilities by the citizenry. It has therefore become difficult to ignore the changes brought about by ICT developments to the world of dispute resolution. Consequently, this study seeks to address the viability of ODR mechanisms in the Kenyan context. It will seek to clarify the barriers inhibiting this application and how they can be overcome. It will also address the validity of ODR as an independent dispute resolution mechanism contrasting it with the already established forms of ADR

eLearning adoption in Eastern and Southern African higher education institutions

Philosophiae Doctor - PhDThis research was undertaken to propose a model for eLearning adoption in Higher Education in Africa and to identify and empirically test measures to assess the model. The model identified eLearning, individual and organisational factors affecting eLearning adoption in higher education. eLearning factors were deemed to be aligned with the individual and organisational factors and therefore, the measurement of individual and organisational factors of eLearning adoption is essential in determining the current state, and future development that could enhance eLearning adoption in higher education. This study is a first attempt in Africa to define and present a conceptualization of an eLearning adoption framework. The framework is a combination of frameworks and models from various disciplines, including social psychology, information systems, anthropology, sociology, education, communication, marketing, management, geography, economics and cognitive psychology. These frameworks for eLearning adoption in Higher Education are synergised and contextualised in the study.South Afric

Uptake of Antenatal Care Services among Women of Reproductive Age in Mandera County, Kenya

Background: Antenatal care is an opportunity for prevention and management of existing and potential causes of maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity. The new WHO antenatal care model, stipulates that, the first antenatal care visit takes place within the first trimester (gestationalage of <12 weeks) and then, additional seven visits. Only 37% of women in Mandera County had utilized the recommended minimum four ANC visits.Objectives: There was need to assess the critical factors influencing the uptake of ANC in Mandera County Kenya, in order to enlighten stakeholders on the development of appropriate ANC Service Provision Program. This study took the intiative of bridging the gap.Methodology: The study adopted cross-sectional design using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Stratified and Sample random sampling were used to get a quantity of 348 respondents. Data was collected using questionnaire, FGDs and KIIs guides and Pearson’s Chi-square test. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression was summarized to establish the strengths of the association. Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were used and threshold for statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Qualitative data was transcribed and analyzed thematically.Results: The proportion of women who utilized ANC was 83.0% and only 60.3% had attended recommended visits. Individual factors that influenced ANC uptake were; age, level of education, monthly income, gravida, parity and complications during pregnancy. Contextual factors that influenced ANC were; time taken to reach health facilities, source of maternal information and local discouragements. There was no significant relationship  between Religion, marital status, age at first pregnancy with ANC uptake.Conclusion: The negative perception can change by; improving culturally sensitive ANC services accessibility by; increasing the number of female  skilled health workers and reducing traveling time to the health facilities by conducting regular outreach services targeting villages with no close  facility to pastoral communities. It will be important to strengthen CHVs' capacity to emphasize primary health care and accelerate progress towards UHC in the County. Provide health education and promotion targeting older mothers with high parity, women inclined to harmful culturalpractices and their partners. In spite of a wide range of literature on ANC topics in most parts of Kenya, it was limited pertaining Mandera County.Recomandations: Meticulous understanding of local barriers and facilitating factors of ANC utilization is prerequisite for designing and implementing interventions that aim to improve ANC uptake. Well developed infrastructure is a basic need that falls in the category of basic wants for Mandera County. Key words: Antenatal care (ANC), Mandera, FGDs, immunization

Awareness, Treatment and Control of Hypertension in Kenya

The emerging epidemic of hypertension (HTN) in sub-Saharan Africa is predicted to worsen. Uncontrolled HTN is associated with CVD, high morbidity and premature mortality; hence early detection, treatment and control of HTN is critical to reduction of the associated sequelae. The study was guided by the Social Ecological Model and principles of Community Based Participatory Research