Changes from natural forests and bush lands to various land use types has been shown to have great influence on soil structure and carbon storage. However, little is still known about how these changes affect soil aggregate stability and C storage over the long-term, especially in Africa. A study was conducted in central highlands of Kenya to evaluate the influence of four land use types on soil aggregation and aggregates C content, as affected by the abundance of earthworms and termites. The four land use types included: (1) an undisturbed natural bush land dotted with Lantana camara L. shrubs and Croton macrostachyus Hochst. ex Delile. trees, (2) over 50 years old grazed pasture dominated by a mixture of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) and Kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst. ex Chiov.), (3) over 80 years old coffee plantation with Coffea arabica L. cv. SL 28, and (4) a maize field that had been cultivated continuously for the last 3 years. Sampling for soil aggregates and soil macrofauna was done using monolith method to a depth of 0.3 m. Separation of stable soil aggregates was done through wet sieving process, where seven aggregate fractions were obtained; large macroaggregates (LM), small macroaggregates (SM), microaggregates (m), silt and clay (s+c), coarse particulate organic matter (cPOM), microaggregates-within-macroaggregates (mM) and silt and clay within macroaggregates (s+cM). The aggregate C content was analyzed using wet oxidation method. Soil macrofauna were handpicked from the monolith soil and preserved in 75% ethanol and identified to genera or species where possible, using morpho-anatomical keys and comparison with reference collections. It was hypothesized that soil aggregates and aggregate C would decrease with increasing level of soil disturbance, with the magnitude of these effects being reduced by the abundance of earthworms and termites. Generalized linear models (GLM) were used to test the effects of land use types on aggregate fractions and aggregate-associated C using R statistical x software However, to test the effects of the two factors on soil macrofauna data, negative binomial regression was chosen as an extension of the Poisson distribution. When analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant effects, Tukey’s post-hoc tests were performed at α = 0.05. Results showed that land use types had significant influence on soil aggregation. Notable differences were observed in large macroaggregates (LM) fraction, with higher weight in bush land (14.4 g 100 g-1 soil) and grazed pasture (12.4 g100 g-1 soil) compared to coffee plantation (3.9 g 100 g-1 soil) and maize field (0.6 g100 g-1 soil). On the contrary, microaggregate fraction weight was higher in maize field (41.2 g 100 g-1 soil) and lowest in bush land (18.8 g 100 g-1 soil). Land use type also had significant effects on soil aggregate-associated C, with the differences similar to those of the aggregate fractions. Among the soil macrofauna recovered, myriapods was the only group that showed significant differences, where Spirostreptidae sp. showed the highest abundance in bush land (149.3 individuals m2 ) compared to grazed pasture (42.7 individuals m2 ) coffee plantation (53.3 individuals m2 ) and maize field (5.3 individuals m2 ). Soil macrofauna considered ‘ecosystem engineers’ (earthworms and termites), and have been suggested to have significant effects on soil aggregation also showed no significant differences. Their abundance also showed weak or no correlation with soil aggregates and aggregate-associated C content across the land use types. This study shows the significance of land use change in shaping soil aggregation process and soil C content which could have far-reaching implications on the long-term C storage in the soil. This could be important especially in the tropics where mitigation and adaptation to climate change are ideally closely linked due to the critical importance of soil C for crop production

Abstract In the formulation of an organization corporate strategy, researchers have emphasized the importance of fitting or aligning the organizations strategy with an appraisal of the organization‟s internal and external environmental opportunities and threats. The objective of this study was to determine the competitive strategies adopted by the mainstream Churches in Nairobi County. The descriptive and research adopted the descriptive and cross sectional design. The population of the study was all the seven mainstream Churches in Nairobi County. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics to summarize and relate variables which were attained from the administered questionnaires. A multiple regression model was developed to describe the relationship between the strategies adopted and the extent at which they are adopted by the mainstream Church. The findings of the study were that differentiation, Low cost leadership, Focus differentiation, diversification and clears strategic direction were used as the competitive strategies within the mainstream Churches. The studies found that the base for member‟s choice of one Church against the others is the clear specific direction, wide range of programs that are customized to meet the diverse needs of the members. Engagement of well-trained pastors and other qualified professionals in the operation of the Churches contribute greatly to the competitive positioning of most of the mainstream Churches. Future research could therefore investigate extent to which these findings can be generalized to other Churches, evangelical, Pentecostal and charismatic Churches, and other Church related institutions. The sample used focused on mainstream Churches only. Further research is recommended on all the Churches using a larger sample for the purposes of generalizations. A cross sectional study across of a number of denominations within the sector can also be done to make comparative analysis. This being a cross sectional survey design, the researcher responses were limited to the 7 mainstream Churches. A generalization of the findings to represent a wider and more diverse sample of Church sector would have provided a broader insight on the subject and especially reveal any industry specific differences.

Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) has been recommended to address challenges of low soil fertility, by incorporating locally available organic resources (ORs) together with inorganic nitrogen (N) fertilizers. Despite ISFM success in field trials, there is limited information on ORs contribution to atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations through nitrous oxide (N2O) emission. A short-term field study was conducted at two sites with different soil types; silt loam (Aludeka) and silty-clay soil (Sidada), to determine the effects of selected ORs (Calliandra carothyrsus (CL), farmyard manure (FYM) and maize stover (MS)) and their combination with inorganic N fertilizer on soil N2O emissions, available soil nitrogen and maize yields. The study also evaluated the relationship between N2O emissions and soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), soil temperature, moisture content, soil nitrate (NO3 - ) and ammonium (NH4 + ). Static manual chambers were set up in the field to collect gas samples to quantify soil N2O emission. Relative to the control (0.19±0.1 Kg N2O-N ha-1 ), cumulative N2O emissions were significantly (P= 0.01) higher by 6, 9 and 13 fold under MS +N (1.05±0.8 Kg N2O-N ha-1 ), FYM +N (1.74±0.8 Kg N2O-N ha-1 ) and CL +N (2.54±1.2 Kg N2O-N ha-1 ), respectively at the Aludeka. At Sidada, cumulative N2O emissions were similar across all the treatments (P = 0.149). Approximately 240% and 411% of increase in cumulative N2O emissions across treatments at Sidada and Aludeka, respectively, was related to inorganic N fertilizer application. At Aludeka, cumulative N2O emissions exhibited significant positive relationship with SOC (r = 760, P = 0.029), TN (r = 0.820, P = 0.013), NO3 - (r = 0.905, P = 0.002) and NH4 + (r = 0.738, P = 0.036), and negatively correlated with soil C:N ratio (r = -0.710, P = 0.049), soil pH (r = -0.739, P=0.036). At Sidada only NO3- (r = 0.711, P =0.048) exhibited a significant positive correlation with cumulative N2O emissions. In terms of grain yield at Aludeka, there was a significant (P < 0.001) effect of treatments on maize grain yield, with no observed significant effect at Sidada (P>0.05). FYM +N treatment recorded the highest mean maize grain yield at both Aludeka (10.63 t ha−1 ) and Sidada (9.23 t ha−1 ). In Aludeka site, treatments with ORs in combination with inorganic N fertilizers increased maize grain yield in comparison with those without. The study suggests that influence of OR on N2O emissions in maize based-cropping system vary depending on the type of soil and increases when OR are applied in combination with inorganic N fertilizers. A more understanding of the prevailing environmental soil conditions especially on soil texture is necessary for finding the best treatment combination in terms of yield and N2O emission reduction under the ISFM approach.

Commercial banks play an imperative role within the economy through offering savings alongside credit facilities. However, giving out loans poses the banks to credit risks. There is empirical research evidence showing that credit risk possesses negative effects on the financial performance, thus it necessitated the need to scrutinize the credit risk management effect on the commercial banks’ performance in Kenya. This research has established how credit risk management affects the performance of Kenyan commercial banks. The objective of the research was to investigate the credit risk management effects on the Kenyan commercial banks’ performance. The researcher utilized secondary data and descriptive research design whereby the population were all licensed banks as at 31st December, 2020. The research period was 5 years between 2016 to 2020. The data analysis was steered through SPSS version 26 software. The researcher used multiple regression model to perform analysis of the amassed data thereby establish the link between the variables of study. The researcher also utilized F-test to establish the regression model’s significance. The study findings unveiled that non-performing loans significantly and negatively affect the performance of banks. Moreover, the capital adequacy exhibits positive as well as significant influence on the banks’ performance. Additionally, the scholar established that loan loss provisions positively affect the banks’ financial performance even though the impact is insignificant at 5%. Hence, the researcher concluded that credit risk management possess a positive effect on the financial performance, so the risk managers and policy makers should establish proper strategies in managing credit risks in banks.

Health facilities have become more reliant on information systems and are subsequently, more susceptible to security and data breach challenges. This study investigated information security strategies and patient data privacy among health facilities in Nairobi County. Security applies to how patient information is secured. Privacy refers to the privileges that patients have in relation to access and use of their personally identifiable information. The objectives of the study were to: (i) establish information security strategies implemented by health facilities in Nairobi, (ii) establish performance of data privacy by health facilities in Nairobi and (iii) establish information security and patient data privacy implementation challenges faced by health facilities in Nairobi. This research employed a descriptive survey design and the study population comprised of all 49 registered facilities as per the Kenya master health facility list of November 2020. A questionnaire with open and closed ended questions was used to collect data. The respondents were persons in charge of health information systems and data or records management in the health facilities. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics. Data tables, frequencies and percentages were used to draw numerical summaries. Data presentation was done by way of tables and figures. As pertains to application of information security strategies, the study found that implementation of compliance mechanisms was the most popular strategy applied by the health facilities, followed by governance and risk management. The second finding of the study, on application of data privacy principles by health facilities in Nairobi, indicated that performance of data accountability and data protection components was the best, followed by legal and regulatory requirements. A notable finding of data privacy performance was that the facilities did not register any significant data breach occurrences. The study however, appreciated the fact that such sensitive information might have been classified confidential and limited to the health facilities. Lastly, the study identified challenges that affected the health facilities in adoption of data protection and privacy. Common challenges that affected all the facilities were identified as; dynamic regulatory environment, fast pace of digital innovation and transformation, increased interconnection and data sharing with third parties and increase in cyber threats, attacks and crime. The study concluded that although the health facilities implemented robust information security strategies they did not achieve some of their data privacy performance requirements like: percentage of staff receiving privacy training, privacy impact assessment completion rate, satisfactory privacy internal audit score and percentage of organisational budget dedicated to privacy programmes. The study recommended that the facilities scrutinise and address the challenges identified in adoption of their information security and privacy strategies. Health facilities must address information security and data privacy risks to prevent patient harm and preserve the human life. Health facilities can assure attainment of their business goals and objectives by aligning their information security, privacy and business strategies.

Majority of firms excel in customer interactions but fail to pay sufficient attention to customers’ comprehensive experience on the buying procedures and post purchase evaluations. Firms that have perfected customer journeys benefit enormously in terms of rewards, improved customer satisfaction, condensed churn, amplified revenues, reduced costs and an improved collaboration across the company. The study's main goal was to investigate the impact of customer experience management on the performance of oil marketing enterprises in Kenya. Both the Value Hierarchy and Resource-Based Theories were used to conduct this research. There were 85 oil marketing firms in Kenya that were the focus of the investigation. Analyses was done using descriptive analysis, multiple linear regression and correlation analyses. Research shows that oil marketing firms have a high degree of cognitive experience management, whereas oil marketing companies have a moderate degree of relational experience management. Customer experience management and business performance were shown to have a favourable link. Customer experience management has been proven to have a positive influence on industry performance, hence the research proposes that the oil marketing organizations in Nairobi should use this strategy in order to improve their overall performance. It is essential that oil marketing businesses have rules and processes that encourage strong employee participation, understanding, and dedication to the company's vision, goal and objectives.

Every single region on earth has had an upsurge of the share of under-five deaths arising during the neonatal period. In Kenya, most of the previous studies conducted have largely focused on infant and under-five mortality. For the country to realize a decline of new-born deaths, a clear understanding of factors influencing neonatal mortality to guide in the design of evidence-based resolutions is inevitable. This study analyzed the 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey data; it examined neonatal deaths that occurred among the 20,964 children born in the last 5 years prior to the survey. Three levels of analysis, namely; univariate, bivariate and multivariate techniques were performed to investigate factors determining neonatal mortality. At multivariate level, logistic regression model was used to assess the simultaneous effects of the variables since the dependent variable is dichotomous (binary) and independent variables are either continuous or categorical. The study found age of mother at first birth; birth order, interval and size of the neonate; ANC visits; place of delivery; household wealth and region of residence to be significantly associated with neonatal deaths. Interventions aimed at reducing neonatal deaths should address the demographic, healthcare and socioeconomic factors that significantly influence neonatal mortality in Kenya. Reproductive health policies and programs geared towards enlightening women on the neonatal survival should be intensified. Conduct enhanced data collection in future health related surveys to facilitate capture of critical neonatal proximate determinant variables especially for births whose survival status at the time of survey date were reported as dead.

The overall objective of this study is to establish the effects of computerized accounting systems on the financial reports quality among firms listed at the NSE. A cross-section survey was adopted targeting 62 listed firms at the NSE and census was used. Information was sought from first hand sources and analyzed descriptively and inferentially. The study established that leadership quality had the largest beta (β=.950) that was significant (p<0.05), followed by corporate governance structure (β=.757, p<0.05) and lastly computerized accounting systems (β=.402, p<0.05). The study concludes the computerized accounting system has significant effect on financial reports quality among firms listed at the NSE. The study recommends that the senior managers among the listed firms in Kenya should demonstrate quality strategic leadership to support the quality of financial reports. The internal audit managers of the listed firms at NSE should strengthen the existing internal controls to enhance the quality of financial reports. The policy makers at the Capital Market Authority should stipulate strict regulations with regard to corporate governance and leadership of the listed firms to ensure credible financial reports are generated. The policy makers of the listed manufacturing firms in Kenya should strengthen the existing policies with regard to corporate governance and leadership among these firms.

The study sought to determine the effect of tax incentives on financial performance of manufacturing firms in Nairobi, Kenya. This inquiry leveraged a descriptive design targeting 95 manufacturing firms registered by Kenya Association of Manufacturers and census was used. Secondary data was collected from financial statements of the respective manufacturing firms and the analysis was supported by the Statistical Package of Social Sciences supported by means and standard deviations, correlation, and regression. The study established that tax credits and double deductions (β=.885, t>1.96 & p<0.05) had the largest significant effect on financial performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya followed by tax holidays (β=.731, t>1.96 & p<0.05), reduction in corporate tax (β=.552, t>1.96 & p<0.05) and exemptions, zero rating and remissions (β=.424, t>1.96 & p<0.05).The study concludes that tax incentives significantly enhance financial performance of the firm. To the management team of the manufacturing firms in Kenya, this study recommends that more emphasis of the tax incentives should be on tax credits and double deductions with least emphasis on exemptions, zero rating and remissions. The management team at the Kenya Revenue Authority should grant more tax credits and double deductions to the manufacturing firms in Kenya since they have the largest contribution towards their financial performance. The policy makers of the manufacturing firms should recommend to the management of these firms to require more tax credits and double deductions from the government as compared to exemption, zero rating & remissions incentives. The study was limited to a five-year period (2016-2020) and it covered 95 manufacturing firms in Kenya. Future studies should be conducted in other firms like the Export Processing Zones or the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) ventures in Kenya that enjoy tax incentives too apart from the manufacturing firms.

Evidence across the world points to various impacts of anthropogenic climate change on human security at different levels. While research on security implication is documented there is still lack of consensus on climate change-human security nexus. This study critically “examined the impacts of climate change on human security in 21st century international system”. This was analyzed through the following objectives: examined the “climate change-human security nexus in the 21st century international system”, assessed the “impact of climate change on human security in Africa” and critically analyzed the “impact of climate change on human security in Kenya”. Theory of securitization was employed in providing direction to the study. Descriptive-correlation design was utilized in data collection through primary and secondary sources. The target population consisted of climate change experts from UN, NGOs and the national government of Kenta. Descriptive statistics through the use of mean and standard deviation was used in analyzing the primary data. Findings of the study showed that at each global region is experiencing risks from climate change with risk ranging from low levels of warming to severe risks of climate change. The findings also established that extreme or more severe climate change impacts are possible if the climate change situation is not arrested. The findings revealed that climate change is connected to various human insecurities in Africa that are putting pressures on fragile food ecosystems worsening the food insecurity in Africa. The findings also showed that climate change occasioned by deforestation impacts local communities across different regions in Africa directly leading to personal insecurities, water insecurity, food security, cultural insecurity, health insecurity and environment insecurity. The study findings demonstrated that climate change impacts on human security in Kenya takes various forms such as food insecurity, health insecurity, water insecurity and personal insecurity. Further the findings revealed that the impacts of climate change on these securities are both direct and indirect. The researcher concludes that climate change scenarios positively impact on human insecurities in different areas in the world. The researcher concludes that climate change strongly contributes to various insecurities in Africa, most significant effect on food, water, health and personal security. Climate change the study concludes has led to scarcity of resources that has resulted to the exacerbation of human insecurities such as food, water, personal security and climate security has led to scarcity of resources and human insecurity in Kenya. The researcher has provided policy and practical recommendation in the research paper.