The number of venture-funded technology startups in Africa and the amount of venture capital investment have been on a steady rise in the recent past. We are now at a point in the evolution of the various startup ecosystems around the continent where we have had startups going through multiple rounds of venture funding, some increasing their valuations to unicorn status (that is, being valued at over $1 billion). Others have gone through exit and liquidation events. That said, startups and the venture capital funding model are still a relatively new phenomenon on the continent and there is scant research on startups in Africa in general, less so on how African ventures scale and how they adapt their operations and management, including their governance structures, to adapt to growth. This has all the more been highlighted by recent corporate governance failings among African technology startups resulting in crises. The study therefore to investigate the corporate governance (CG) of African technology startups, and how this might influence their valuation at successive funding rounds. The study used a correlational research design to investigate the existence, direction and strength of the relationship between the level of corporate governance implementation and valuation along the venture capital lifecycle among technology startups in Africa. Primary data was collected using a structured survey delivered via the world wide web (online). The data collected included the startup’s base country, category (tech, tech-enabled or non-tech) age, funding rounds to date and valuation through the various rounds, expressed as a multiple. Data relating to the independent variable, corporate governance implementation, included whether there was a board in place at the point of successive funding rounds, the board’s composition in terms of the number of board members, member profile and presence of independent board members, and the existence of board committees. While inconclusive on the valuation multiple specifically, VC-funded startups were on average, better governed than non-VC-funded. This was borne out by the ANOVA test result that indicated that whether a startup has raised VC has a statistically significant bearing on their level of corporate governance (p-value: 0.006). The most positively correlated to the level of corporate governance at a funding round was found to be the amount of capital being raised in the round (0.62), followed by the level of revenue generation (0.50) at the point of funding, whether the round was priced or not (0.39), which round it was (0.31) and least of all the valuation multiple (0.13).

URI http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/163243 Publisher University of nairobi Rights Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States Usage Rights http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/ Collections Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, Law, Business Mgt (FoA&SS / FoL / FBM) [24361]

It is estimated that 14,000 children are born with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) every year in Kenya. The absence of mass awareness and institutionalized newborn screening and management of SCD is a major concern leading to high morbidities and mortality rates among children under five years. The SCD is prevalent in Kenya, affecting 18 counties, with Nyanza, Western, Coastal and Nairobi regions leading among the counties. In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly ratified World Sickle Cell Day in order to increase awareness about the condition. Despite these efforts at the international level, Kenya, like most sub-Saharan countries, has yet to formally recognize SCD as one of the illnesses that need nationwide awareness as is the case with HIV/AIDS and cancer. More distressingly, there are numerous stereotypes surrounding SCD stemming from cultures and even individual tribes are a barrier to health-seeking behaviours thus making it difficult to diagnose and manage. Against this background, this study investigated SCD caregivers’ perceptions of the influence of interpersonal communication on stereotyping content surrounding Sickle Cell Disease in Kenya. The study determined the content of stereotypical information surrounding Sickle Cell Disease as perceived by the caregivers visiting the CSCF clinic, established the perceived influence of interpersonal communication on SCD-related stereotype content by the caregivers visiting the CSCF clinic and determine the relationship between interpersonal communication, stereotyping content and management of SCD. The study specifically focused on caregivers who attend to SCD patients and visit the Sickle Cell Foundation (CSCF) Clinic at Baraka Health Center in Mathare, Ruaraka Sub-County, Nairobi County. The study also targeted the healthcare providers who offer services at the Baraka Health Centre. Using the sample size formula, 100 caregivers and health practitioners were selected. Focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and questionnaires were used to collect data. Data were analysed using SPSS Version 24 and NVivo 11 for quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Findings show that there is a high level of awareness among caregivers about SCD and could discern stereotypes linked with the condition. There is also a knowledge awareness gap among the general population based on caregivers’ responses to how the rest of the public perceived them. Caregivers also cited that they live an atypical life because of the discrimination and stereotypes prevalent by the general public towards them as well as the patients. In conclusion, it can be inferred that interpersonal communication strategies used by the CSCF which include education, training, counselling, peer-to-peer support and dissemination of information, education and communication materials among the caregivers have been successful in dispelling stereotypical content associated with SCD among the caregiver.

This study examined the determinants of effectiveness of inter-agency cooperation as a counter-terrorism strategy in Kenya. Specifically, it aimed to determine the effectiveness of information sharing among the security agencies as a counter-terrorism strategy in Kenya, and to establish the effectiveness of joint training as a counterterrorism strategy in Kenya. This study adopted the social contract theory. This study adopted a cross-sectional study, where individuals or groups are observed at one specific point in time survey design was used. This study was conducted in Nairobi County, where it targeted security agencies departments dealing with counter terrorism in Kenya. Purposive sampling method was used to develop the sample of the study. The sample population size (n) was 370 respondents. Both primary and secondary data was used in this study. The Primary data was obtained by administering to the key informants with both open and closed ended structured questionnaire. Secondary data was obtained from examining publications of books, journals, internet websites, government documents, papers presented at conferences, periodicals, reports and academic papers relevant to the study. This study employed the use of quantitative techniques, where systematic scientific numerical information was used. The collected data was converted to numerical information through coding, and then analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) Edition 20.0. Converting the research data into statistical information made it easy to manipulate and interpret under different conditions like charts, graphs, percentages, and frequencies figures. Content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data into common themes. The study found that majority of the security agencies have intelligence unit within their organizations and they all strongly believe that intelligence sharing is effective in countering terrorism. The most preferred method of information sharing was through formal head of department and formally inter-agency analysts. Joint training enhances effective response to counter terrorism, most of the respondents from all security agencies are aware of existence of joint training programmes. Frequent conduct of relevant training to qualified and suitable participants yields positive results in responding and coordination of terror attacks. The study concluded that joint training enhances effective response to counter terrorism and that all security agencies are aware of existence of joint training programmes. Frequent conduct of relevant training to qualified and suitable participants yields positive results in responding and coordination of terror attacks. The research recommended that Kenya and other relevant stakeholders develop national counter-violent extremism and terrorism plans that reflect a multi-agency approach among government agencies, NGOs, religious groups, communities, and affected populations. In addition, the report suggests that security agencies be audited and scrutinized to verify that they are well-qualified and trained for their various roles. Furthermore, the study advises lawmakers to reinforce anti-terrorism laws and draft new ones in light of terrorism's evolving capabilities and activists.

Due to the significant losses that financial institutions are experiencing, credit management has become more significant in recent years. Notably, the decline in loan repayment among members is the primary issue affecting SACCO's credit management. There is a high incidence of credit risk, which is evident in the SACCOs' increasing levels of non-performing loans over the past ten years, which has hurt their profitability. This trend not only jeopardizes the SACCOs' survival and viability, but also makes it more difficult for them to fulfill their original purposes of bridging the financing gap in the mainstream financial sector and extending credit to the rural unbanked population. The objective of the study is to establish the effect of credit management on organization performance of SACCOs in Narok County. The9 study9 was anchored9 on9 three9 t theories, namely, asymmetric information theory, the modern portfolio theory and the transaction cost theory. For the research, a descriptive cross-sectional design was used. The 16 SACCOs in Narok County made up the study's target population. Purposive sampling was used in this investigation. This is where the researcher selected the appropriate respondents to collect data from. The sample of the study was 32 respondents from the 16 SACCOs targeted. The study employed both descriptive and inferential analyses. While inferential analysis aims to test hypotheses, descriptive analysis's goal is to present insightful summaries of the research variables. The findings indicated that credit policy in the SACCOs is essential since they provide a framework for offering and recovering credit financing. Moreover, due to the high risk associated with lending money to the members, the findings indicated while the SACCOs offer lenient interest rates, stringent policies were found to influence loans recovery. The study found that credit terms as measured by interest rates and period of loan repayment has a positive effect on organization performance. Credit appraisals was measured in terms of client capacity, character and collateral. According to the findings, credit appraisals help the SACCOs in lowering risks. As such, the study established that risk control strategy has been implemented to mitigate such risks. From the study, it was concluded that credit management strategies significantly impacts organization performance of SACCOs in Narok County. the study recommends that the government policy makers should step in and offer subsidies to SACCOs.The study also recommends that the SASRA should readjust their frameworks and policies in consideration to the emerging issues across the world.

The core business activities of every organization are the root cause of its financial success. The company's day-to-day operations are impacted by management's choices on working capital, which includes inventories, short-term loans, accounts payables, and receivables. This research looks at how different types of cut flower companies in Kenya handle their working capital and how it affects their bottom line. The return on assets was used as the performance indicator, with the working capital management variables of average collection time, inventory turnover, accounts payables period, and cash conversion cycle all being used. The return on investment was another metric used to evaluate company success (CCC). Secondary data from 85 cut flower companies in Kenya. This research uses a variety of statistical methods, including Pearson's Bivariate Correlation, multiple regression, and analysis of variance, to get the conclusion that WCM has a significant effect on the financial results of the businesses studied. Both the ACP and CCC demonstrated statistically and practically significant negative correlations with ROA (ROA). A negative link was found between ICP and ROA, while a positive correlation was found between APP and ROA, however neither association was statistically significant. However, these two pairings were diametrically opposed to one another. These results suggest that reducing ACP, CCC, and ICP would significantly increase ROA for manufacturing firms. The combined effects of the ACP, ICP, APP, and CCC were shown to explain 37.2% of the variation in ROA between businesses in the regression analysis. WCM was shown to be consistent with value maximization and value seeking. Management should regularly evaluate the impact of working capital on profitability in order to optimize shareholder value. No matter how large or profitable a company is, or how diverse its assets may be, managers know that they must have a steady supply of working capital if they want to maintain operations and develop their business.

commercial banks that have undergone mergers and acquisitions demonstrating their financial stability concerns include Spire Bank, National Bank of Kenya, as well as Kingdom Bank and Access Bank. The other banks that are facing concerns with regard to the financial stability in Kenya include the Consolidated Bank and the Development Bank of Kenya among others. Thus, the nexus between operational risk and financial stability of Kenyan commercial banks was the main focus of the study. The study adopted correlational research design targeting 39 Kenyan commercial banks and census was embraced. Information was obtained from auxiliary sources over the five year period of 2017-2021. The analysis was done through Statistical Package for Social sciences guided by means and standard deviations, correlation and regression analysis and presented through tables. The study observed that operational risk (r=-0.503, β=0.058, t>1.96 & p<0.05) is a significant predictor of financial stability of commercial banks in Kenya when Bank size (r=0.328, β=0.055, t>1.96 & p<0.05) and liquidity (r=-0.118, β=0.011, t>1.96 & p<0.05) are controlled. The study conclude that operational risk is negatively but significantly linked with financial stability of commercial banks. It was recommended that finance managers working in commercial banks in Kenya should put in place adequate mechanisms to enhance the liquidity position while cutting down on operational costs and expenses. It is important to have in place revenue maximization efforts and mechanisms among commercial banks in Kenya so as to maximize the operating income.

The Government Capitation grant is very vital to learners both in primary and secondary schools in Kenya. The government of Kenya through Ministry of Education allocates and disburses Ksh.22, 244 and Ksh. 57, 974 to regular and special needs public secondary schools respectively. The study investigated the influence of government capitation grants disbursement delay on the final examination in public secondary schools in Kisumu County, Kenya. The study was anchored on Resource dependence theory, Wrecker`s financial distress theory and Agency theory. The study adopted descriptive longitudinal research design. The Secondary panel data set of 426 public secondary school-year end observations was used. This revealed that on average, there was 38.5 percent (mean = 0.385) delay in release of government capitation grants to public secondary school in Kisumu County. The study noted that on average, public secondary schools in Kisumu County attained K.C.S.E. mean grade of 4.534. The Sub-County secondary schools had the lowest K.C.S.E mean score of 1.839 while National Schools had the highest K.C.S.E mean score of 9.577 in Kisumu County. The study revealed that government capitation disbursement delay has negative and significant affiliation with final examination performance in public secondary schools in Kisumu County, Kenya. The study recommended that the Ministry of Education should plan to release capitation grants either a week before or latest a week after commencement of public secondary school term. The study further recommended that the government should consider use of research based differentiated unit cost in allocating capitation grants to both regular and special needs school learners.

The study’s main objective was to elaborate upon the effect of climate finance on the exportation of red meat carcasses in Kenya. The influence of climate finance, prevailing temperature, rainfall patterns, exchange rates, and the GDP of the Kenyan population on the exportation of red meat carcass in Kenya served as the goal of the study. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Secondary data for each study variable was collected for the study period 2012 – 2021. The study undertook a correlational as well as regression analysis to determine the relationship between the study variables. The findings indicated that climate finance and exchange rate had a significant positive correlation against exportation of red meat carcass while temperature, rainfall and GDP indicated an insignificant correlation on exportation of red meat carcass. The regression analysis indicated that the coefficient of determination is 18.5 %. This implied that the model could only account for 18.5 of the changes in transportation of red meat carcass. The adjusted R square was lower than the value of R square indicating that the model contained elements that did not add value to it. The regression model was statistically significant indicating that there was positive statistically significant effect of climate finance on exportation of red meat carcass in Kenya. The regression coefficient indicated that all the independent variables were insignificant apart from exchange rate. Only the exchange rate was found to have a statistically significant effect on exportation of red meat carcass. The study therefore concludes that further investment should be injected into climate finance for the purposes of improving exports of red meat carcass. The study also concluded that the climate finance contributed in Kenya was inadequate and more measures needed to be undertaken to enhance climate finance that would enhance production as well as exportation of red meat carcass in Kenya. The study also recommends farmers to ensure that during the dry season, they should dispose off most of their livestock to avoid losses from droughts. This would increase exportation of red meat carcass during dry and hot seasons

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