Organizational Strategy, Culture, and Performance of Commercial Banks in Kenya

This paper examines the relationship between strategy, culture, and performance of commercial banks in Kenya. The population of study are all the commercial banks operating in Kenya while Return on investment (ROI) is the measure of performance. Likert-type questionnaires with questions framed on the basis of pre-designed operational definitions of Miles and Snow’s strategy types of defender, prospector, analyzer and reactor; as well as Schneider`s culture types of control, collaboration, cultivation and competence were designed, and used, in collecting primary data from the bank managers. Secondary data on bank performance were collected consisting of returns on investment. The primary data was analyzed using correlation and regression analysis to test the relationship between strategy types, culture types and performance. The results indicate that analyzer, defender and prospector strategies are positively correlated to performance while reactor strategy is negatively correlated to performance. Similarly, control, cultivation and competence cultures are positively correlated to performance while collaboration culture is negatively correlated to performance. Regression estimates show that commercial banks which perform well are those combining control culture and prospector strategy as well as those combining competence culture and defender strategies. Banks stand to lose if they combine control culture and defender strategy, competence culture and reactor strategy, and cultivation culture and prospector strategy. Consequently, the choice of strategy and culture determines the performance of commercial banks in Kenya. Keywords: strategy, culture, organizational performanc

The Role of Pension Schemes in Economic Development: Comparing Kenya and Singapore

The purpose of the study was to examine the role of pension schemes in economic development by comparing Kenya and Singapore. Kenya and Singapore attained independence from the British government nearly at the same time in the year 1963. Ironically Singapore is an emerging third world economy with its GDP over seven times the Kenyan GDP. As per the 2011 statistic, Singapore’s GDP was estimated at over Kshs.20 trillion and Kenya’s 2.8 trillion. Kenya is still characterized by high rates of unemployment, high poverty rates, poor housing, poor healthcare and low of life rates expectancy and other characteristics of third world countries. The puzzle is: do pension schemes play any role in Economic Development? We  examined the role pension schemes has played in Singapore to achieve its growth and Development the lessons Kenya can learn and replicate to achieve its economic growth and development as envisaged in vision 2030. The research focused on the first pillar of pension system in both countries that is National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and Central Provident Fund (CPF) for Kenya and Singapore respectively. We used a historical design where secondary data was collected from already available sources. Major  findings and trends are that in Singapore the CPF deals with both retirement, healthcare and home ownership with contributions to the fund being mandatory and adequate and covers all Singaporeans while Kenya’s pension system characterized by low levels of contribution hence inadequate and cannot sustain retirees after retirement. We recommend that for Kenya to achieve its vision 2030 there has to be robustness in dealing with pension system because its role in economic development are immense and cannot be over emphasized as we have demonstrated in this study. Keywords: Pension Schemes; Economic Developmen

Sources of Exchange Rate Fluctuations in Kenya: The Relative Importance of Real and Nominal Shocks

The purpose of this study is to determine the factors contributing to real exchange rate fluctuations in Kenya; whether the real exchange rate responds more to real or to nominal shocks. A vector autoregression framework is applied in the analysis yielding impulse responses and decompositions of the forecast error variance. The results demonstrate the important role played by real shocks in causing exchange rate fluctuations, in particular highlighting the predominant role played by demand shocks. It is also shown that shocks hitting the Kenyan economy are asymmetric to shocks affecting the US economy. Thus, the Kenyan economy is buffeted by idiosyncratic shocks which are more country specific. Consequently, it can be argued that the exchange rate plays an important role as a shocks absorber in the Kenyan context

EFFECT OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION STRATEGIES ON ACHIEVEMENT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN BARINGO COUNTY, KENYA

The participation of members of the public in government development programmes is enshrined in the Kenyan constitutions. The participation is not just mere appearance in project deliberations meetings but to be involved in all aspects of the project from initiation to completion. Poor achievement of sustainable development agenda in the county of Baringo has resulted to increased poverty level, increased illiteracy level, increased health risks challenges, insecurity, household income per day being below 1 USD, devastating natural occurrences (flooding of Lakes Baringo and Bogoria, famine, hunger) and poor road network access continues to be experienced. The aim of this paper was to determine the effect of public participation strategies towards achievement of sustainable development in Baringo County. The study was conducted in the six sub counties of Baringo involving sampled residents and sub county administrators. The study was anchored on concurrent triangulation design that allowed collection of quantitative and qualitative data. Data was collected through use of questionnaire and interview guide. Analysis of data has been done using descriptive, inferential statistics and thematic content analysis. The research found out that there was minimal participation of Baringo residents in development initiatives. The county government of Baringo at times shared (M=2.61, SD=1.25) information on socio-economic projects being implemented in the county on occasional basis. Correlation statistics computed showed a weak positive relationship (r=0.288) between public participation practices and sustainable development in Baringo County, Kenya. The paper concludes that public participation practices strategies were not regularly used, and this contributed to slow achievement of sustainable developmental targets in the study area. The paper recommends that if the county of Baringo is to realise its county integrated development plans goals, public participation should be the key strategy towards achievement. This means that public participation should be at the core of any sustainable development initiative and hence Baringo county government needs to be keen on this practice. Article visualizations

Determinants of Equilibrium Real Exchange Rate and its Misalignment in Kenya: A Behavioral Equilibrium Exchange Rate Approach

This paper examines the real exchange rate misalignment in Kenya using quarterly data over the period 2000 – 2014. The Behavioral Equilibrium Exchange Rate (BEER) approach to determine the extent of exchange rate misalignment is adopted. A vector error correction model (VECM) is estimated and the results show that the real exchange rate is largely driven by fundamentals. Thus, the equilibrium real exchange rate has been closely aligned to its long run equilibrium level, save for instances when misalignment occurred due to major economic shock such as the recent global financial crisis and the Euro zone economic crisis. Hence, given the managed float regime in Kenya, exchange rates keep adjusting to changing economic fundamentals

Determinants of Equilibrium Real Exchange Rate and its Misalignment in Kenya: A Behavioral Equilibrium Exchange Rate Approach

This paper examines the real exchange rate misalignment in Kenya using quarterly data over the period 2000 – 2014. The Behavioral Equilibrium Exchange Rate (BEER) approach to determine the extent of exchange rate misalignment is adopted. A vector error correction model (VECM) is estimated and the results show that the real exchange rate is largely driven by fundamentals. Thus, the equilibrium real exchange rate has been closely aligned to its long run equilibrium level, save for instances when misalignment occurred due to major economic shock such as the recent global financial crisis and the Euro zone economic crisis. Hence, given the managed float regime in Kenya, exchange rates keep adjusting to changing economic fundamentals

GENDER, LAND OWNERSHIP AND FOOD PRODUCTION NEXUS IN MBEERE DRYLANDS, KENYA: IMPLICATIONS ON HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY

Land ownership gives an individual the confidence and dignity required to be active in society. Indeed, land ownership and rights are important for effective utilization of farmland for food production to alleviate food insecurity and revitalize household welfare and national development. While the foregoing is the ideal situation, the reality is that culture and gender dictates who owns land especially when customary laws seem to override any legal and policy provisions regarding land ownership, access and control. In particular, women are largely land caretakers, with men owning most of the land, titled or otherwise. Based on the foregoing, this paper sought to identify gender and land ownership structures in the context of dryland farming and their implications on household food security in the Mbeere drylands of Embu County. It utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods of social investigation and concluded that while many factors combine to determine food production and food security, inadequate access to and control of land and related resources by women in the Mbeere drylands is significant. Consequently and given the environmental and cultural milieu on which land is utilized, measures have been proposed to augment dryland farming and alleviate food insecurity in the Mbeere drylands.  Article visualizations

The malaria testing and treatment landscape in Kenya: results from a nationally representative survey among the public and private sector in 2016.

BACKGROUND: Since 2004, Kenya\u27s national malaria treatment guidelines have stipulated artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) as first-line treatment for uncomplicated malaria, and since 2014, confirmatory diagnosis of malaria in all cases before treatment has been recommended. A number of strategies to support national guidelines have been implemented in the public and private sectors in recent years. A nationally-representative malaria outlet survey, implemented across four epidemiological zones, was conducted between June and August 2016 to provide practical evidence to inform strategies and policies in Kenya towards achieving national malaria control goals. RESULTS: A total of 17,852 outlets were screened and 2271 outlets were eligible and interviewed. 78.3% of all screened public health facilities stocked both malaria diagnostic testing and quality-assured ACT (QAACT). Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) for intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy was available in 70% of public health facilities in endemic areas where it is recommended for treatment. SP was rarely found in the public sector outside of the endemic areas (\u3c 0.5%). The anti-malaria stocking private sector had lower levels of QAACT (46.7%) and malaria blood testing (20.8%) availability but accounted for majority of anti-malarial distribution (70.6% of the national market share). More than 40% of anti-malarials were distributed by unregistered pharmacies (37.3%) and general retailers (7.1%). QAACT accounted for 58.2% of the total anti-malarial market share, while market share for non-QAACT was 15.8% and for SP, 24.8%. In endemic areas, 74.9% of anti-malarials distributed were QAACT. Elsewhere, QAACT market share was 49.4% in the endemic-prone areas, 33.2% in seasonal-transmission areas and 37.9% in low-risk areas. CONCLUSION: Although public sector availability of QAACT and malaria diagnosis is relatively high, there is a gap in availability of both testing and treatment that must be addressed. The private sector in Kenya, where the majority of anti-malarials are distributed, is also critical for achieving universal coverage with appropriate malaria case management. There is need for a renewed commitment and effective strategies to ensure access to affordable QAACT and confirmatory testing in the private sector, and should consider how to address malaria case management among informal providers responsible for a substantial proportion of the anti-malarial market share

Factors influencing malaria control policy-making in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania

Abstract Background Policy decisions for malaria control are often difficult to make as decision-makers have to carefully consider an array of options and respond to the needs of a large number of stakeholders. This study assessed the factors and specific objectives that influence malaria control policy decisions, as a crucial first step towards developing an inclusive malaria decision analysis support tool (MDAST). Methods Country-specific stakeholder engagement activities using structured questionnaires were carried out in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The survey respondents were drawn from a non-random purposeful sample of stakeholders, targeting individuals in ministries and non-governmental organizations whose policy decisions and actions are likely to have an impact on the status of malaria. Summary statistics across the three countries are presented in aggregate. Results Important findings aggregated across countries included a belief that donor preferences and agendas were exerting too much influence on malaria policies in the countries. Respondents on average also thought that some relevant objectives such as engaging members of parliament by the agency responsible for malaria control in a particular country were not being given enough consideration in malaria decision-making. Factors found to influence decisions regarding specific malaria control strategies included donor agendas, costs, effectiveness of interventions, health and environmental impacts, compliance and/acceptance, financial sustainability, and vector resistance to insecticides. Conclusion Malaria control decision-makers in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania take into account health and environmental impacts as well as cost implications of different intervention strategies. Further engagement of government legislators and other policy makers is needed in order to increase funding from domestic sources, reduce donor dependence, sustain interventions and consolidate current gains in malaria.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109455/1/12936_2014_Article_3344.pd

Characterizing street-connected children and youths' social and health inequities in Kenya: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Street-connected children and youth (SCY) in Kenya disproportionately experience preventable morbidities and premature mortality. We theorize these health inequities are socially produced and result from systemic discrimination and a lack of human rights attainment. Therefore, we sought to identify and understand how SCY's social and health inequities in Kenya are produced, maintained, and shaped by structural and social determinants of health using the WHO conceptual framework on social determinants of health (SDH) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) General Comment no. 17. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted from May 2017 to September 2018 using multiple methods including focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, archival review of newspaper articles, and analysis of a government policy document. We purposively sampled 100 participants including community leaders, government officials, vendors, police officers, general community residents, parents of SCY, and stakeholders in 5 counties across Kenya to participate in focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. We conducted a thematic analysis situated in the conceptual framework on SDH and the CRC. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that SCY's social and health disparities arise as a result of structural and social determinants stemming from a socioeconomic and political environment that produces systemic discrimination, breaches human rights, and influences their unequal socioeconomic position in society. These social determinants influence SCY's intermediary determinants of health resulting in a lack of basic material needs, being precariously housed or homeless, engaging in substance use and misuse, and experiencing several psychosocial stressors, all of which shape health outcomes and equity for this population. CONCLUSIONS: SCY in Kenya experience social and health inequities that are avoidable and unjust. These social and health disparities arise as a result of structural and social determinants of health inequities stemming from the socioeconomic and political context in Kenya that produces systemic discrimination and influences SCYs' unequal socioeconomic position in society. Remedial action to reverse human rights contraventions and to advance health equity through action on SDH for SCY in Kenya is urgently needed