Several multinational companies have set up base in Africa over the past years. This has led to a need of having Africa regional head quarters. Kenya can boast of being The African regional headquarter of 20 multinational companies. This research was carried out mainly to determine why multinationals would choose Kenya out of all the countries in Africa to be a regional headquarter. This study focused on variables such as location, economic status, political stability, market potentiality and labor as the main factors that would qualify Kenya to be a regional headquarter. In addition, this study was able to find out whether the country of origin and type of industry had an effect on choosing of Nairobi Kenya as a regional headquarter. Due to the findings of the study, it can be concluded that market potentiality has the greatest influence on choice of Kenya as a regional head quarter. Availability of skilled labor and the Kenyan economy influenced the decisions of MNCs to enter Kenya. The conclusion of the research showed that the USA has the highest number of MNCs with Africa headquarters in Nairobi. The media industry is the most invested industry in Kenya followed by NGOs. Highest entry of regional office set up by MNCs in Nairobi was in 2012 and 2011. This was a period when the economy of Kenya was growing but ironically just before the general elections period. This shows that many MNEs could still continue operations despite Kenya have a shaky political arena.A large number of the multinational firms used FDI as a mode of entry. It was also found out that most firms used both the centralized and decentralized system of decision making.10 MNCs have between 1-5 branches in Africa which is the most in number. These are followed by 3 MNEs which have between 16-20 branches in Africa. M-pesa has been a great determinant that has led to Kenya’s popularity. MNCs like Kiva and GSM mainly chose Kenya because of m-pesa which has enhanced their operations within the Kenyan market.Good international relations between Kenya and China have also led to major investments by Chinese in Kenya. The Chinese have set up several head offices in Kenya mainly due to the government relationships. Several Multinationals have chosen Kenya to be the East Africa HQ but however not African regional headquarters. Improvements on our economy, literacy levels, better infrastructure and better political situations will see many of those firms get promoted to African headquarters. However, findings have also indicated that several firms demoted Kenya from being the African head office. For example Nokia from Finland demoted the Kenyan office. This study recommends that there should be efforts channeled by the government to increase economic growth, literacy levels, better infrastructure and create a calm political scene. These efforts will definitely lead to many Kenyan offices getting promoted to African headquarters. Another recommendation is that Kenyan government should also create good international relations with several other countries which will lead to more investment.

In a bid to increase tea yields, small scale tea growers do annual application of a blend of inorganic fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (NPK 26:5:5). The application is normally done on the onset of the short rainy seasons. These nutrients can get into the streams, rivers, lakes and oceans through surface run-off contributing greatly to water degradation and pollution problems. Thus, a study was conducted to assess the levels of chemical fertilizer nutrients in soils from small scale tea farms, water and sediments from the Sulal River. The samples were collected from an area stretching a distance of 12 Km to cover the source of nutrients application along Sulal River catchment area. Sampling was done during dry (January-February 2019) and rainy (October-November 2019) seasons. Samples were analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and selected physicochemical parameters of soil, water and sediments. Nitrogen, as nitrate-nitrogen (NO3–N) and phosphorous, as phosphate-phosphorous (PO4 ˉ P) were analyzed calorimetrically using Salicylic acid and Olsen methods, respectively. Potassium was determined using flame photometer. The levels of water and sediment quality parameters were compared with recommended levels for drinking water and likelihood for eutrophication set by Kenya Bureau of Standards, World Health Organization and Water Service Regulation Board, Kenya. Results were analyzed using IBM SPSS 20. The average levels during the dry and rainy seasons in soil samples for pH were 4.64±0.26 and 4.41±0.1, electrical conductivities were 187±45.79 and 253±23.76 μS/cm, % moisture content were 20.91±3.11and 36.38±2.20, nitrate-nitrogen were 0.68±0.20 and 0.58±0.20 mg/kg, phosphate-phosphorous were 0.14±0.08 and 0.38±0.17 mg/kg and potassium were 1.22±0.31 and 2.63±0.70 mg/kg. The average levels during dry and rainy seasons in water samples for pH were 6.72±0.00 and 6.38±0.21, dissolved oxygen levels were 6.78±0.59 and 9.58±0.64mg/L, electrical conductivities were 174±5.02 and 205±20.14 μS/cm, total dissolved solids were 92±4.59 and 120.70± 19.57 mg/L, nitrate-nitrogen were 0.58±0.21 and 1.19±0.22 mg/L, phosphate-phosphorous were 0.00±0.00 and 0.13±0.84 mg/L and potassium were 0.26±0.08 and 0.84±0.19 mg/L. The average results during the dry and rainy seasons in sediment samples for pH were 6.62±0.20 and 6.75±0.17, electrical conductivities were 67±6.66 and 52±10.19 μS /cm, % water contents were 116.96±3.95 and 129.84±5.00 %, nitrate-nitrogen were 0.70±0.35 and 0.42±0.23 mg/kg, phosphate-phosphorous were 0.49±0.25 and 1.14±0.40 mg/kg and potassium were 1.53±0.45 and 2.86±0.31 mg/kg. The levels of pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen and potassium in water and sediments in both seasons were within the maximum permissible limits set by KEBS, WHO and WASREB while phosphorous in water during rainy season were however, above the WHO (0.025 mg/L) and KEBS (0.030 mg/L) recommended limit for drinking and domestic use and WASREB (0.005 mg/L) level for likelihood of eutrophication. The study revealed the pollution status of Sulal River due to high levels of phosphorous of phosphorous. Availability of excess phosphorus can accelerate eutrophication in water bodies causing a reduction of dissolved oxygen, followed by death of aquatic organisms. The water from Sulal River may be used for irrigation purpose but not drinking and domestic purposes. Seasonal variation revealed significantly (p<0.05) higher nutrients in the rainy season than the dry season except for nitrogen and phosphorous in soil and nitrogen in sediment samples. This indicates that the seasonal changes are the major factors in the fluctuation of most of the analyzed physicochemical parameters in soil, water and sediments.

Public organizations are increasingly becoming reliant on the adoption of Information and Communication Technology as a strategic management tool in order to enable them to achieve intended objectives. One such organization that relies on the ICT strategy is the Kenya Revenue Authority. The implementation of the ICT strategy in any organization faces challenges just like implementation of any other strategy. The objective of this study is to establish the challenges of implementing the ICT strategy at the KRA and determining the measures necessary to overcome the challenges established in that organization. The study has both the conceptual and contextual argument where strategy implementation and its inherent challenges are discussed with specific reference to ICT. KRA as organization is discussed to bring out its mandate and its operating environment. A case study methodology was used with selected respondents subjected to interviews through a prepared interview guide. Textual data was then collected in the form of field notes, transcripts and complementary secondary data were explored and analyzed through content analysis. It was found from the study that KRA faces challenges in implementing the ICT strategy both from internal and external factors. Internal factors relate to resources, organization structure, skills and knowledge and operationalization and institutionalization of the strategy. External factors relate to power of suppliers, resistance from stakeholders and the legal and regulatory framework in which the organization operates. Overall it was concluded that KRA has been able to mitigate some of the challenges through deliberate initiatives in the respective corporate plans. The study recommends that further research is undertaken on the subject of ICT strategy implementation in other similar organizations. It is also suggested that future research can achieve better results through use of alternative methods of data collection like use of secondary data sources as opposed to use of the interview guide like in these case study.

Background: Care for preterm and low birth weight infants poses a great challenge to the health care providers and their care takers. In order to reach their target weight, low-birth-weight infants are often admitted for a long time increasing the incidence of hospital acquired infections. Additionally, in order to get the required warmth and special care they often share incubators with other sick infants further decreasing their chances of survival due to cross infection. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is a low cost but effective method which has been shown to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality. The main barrier to KMC is lack of healthcare workers’ skills and awareness as evidenced from several previous studies conducted, thus it is important to evaluate simple, practical and scalable approaches to training to improve knowledge and practice. Primary objective: To assess the impact of a 1- day didactic and competency based KMC training on healthcare workers’ knowledge in Murang’a County Referral Hospital. Secondary objectives: To assess the impact of 1-day didactic and competency based KMC training on practice and to assess barriers and facilitators to KMC implementation. Study method: Study design: Quasi-experimental (before and after) study with a qualitative arm. Study site and subjects and tools: Healthcare workers in Murang’a County Referral Hospital. Baseline knowledge and practice on KMC of healthcare workers was assessed 2 weeks before training. Thereafter, a one day didactic training was conducted and a repeat assessment of their knowledge and practice was analyzed after 2 weeks of training. Focused group discussions with health care workers were used to determine barriers and facilitators to KMC implementation. Data was collected using pre and post training questionnaires, observers’ checklist and from focused group discussions. Qualitative data was manually transcribed and translated. Thematic content analysis was analyzed for recurring themes. Results: Fifty seven (57) participants were recruited in the study out of which 45(79.0%) of the participants were female. Majority of the participants were nurses 37(64.9%) and 56(98.4%) of the health care workers had not undergone training. Fourteen (24.6%) of the participants were working in the NBU department. Forty seven (82.5%) of the HCWs correctly defined what KMC was before training and 98.2% after training (p value=0.012). Twenty nine (54.7%) HCWs were able to correctly point out criteria for starting KMC before training and 44(81.5%) after training About two thirds of the participants 35(61.4%) and 39(68.4%) of the HCWs had the correct knowledge on discharge criteria of baby and mother on KMC before training respectively and 57(100%) and 56(98.3%) after training. Approximately half of the HCWs 29 (52.7%) had correct knowledge on readmission criteria for babies on KMC before training and 57(100%) after training. There was no change in KMC practice as observed on mother infant dyads on KMC before and after training. Majority of the participants pointed out that lack of infrastructure 25(43.9%) and training 19(33.3%) were barriers to KMC implementation in the facility, whereas LBW infants 17(30.4%) and availability of resources 14(24.5%) were facilitators to KMC success. Conclusion: There was significant change in knowledge noted after training on feeding options for the LBW and preterm infants, admission, readmission, discharge criteria and follow up of babies on KMC. There was however no change noted on KMC practice after training. Recommendation: Continuous medical education and sensitization on KMC should be done to the healthcare workers and priority offered to those working in maternity and newborn departments.

With the increasing competition that businesses especially in tourism industry face today, in order to survive, firms have to adjust their approach to business and come up with response strategies for dealing with the highly competitive environment. Traditionally more focused on the physical product and services, tourism industry is waking up to consumers who demand consistent delivery of the brand promise, changing needs and sensitivity to socio-political both locally and globally. This study sought to establish the response strategies adopted by Heritage Hotels Limited to increased competition in the tourism industry in Kenya. The study was conducted through a case study research design. The study used interview guides as primary data collection instrument. The interview guide was administered through five employees of Heritage Hotels Limited: the managing director, 2 departmental heads and 2-unit managers. Data collected was qualitative; analysis was by content analysis and presented in prose. The study findings illustrate that Heritage Hotels Limited faces a lot of competition from both small and large firms of local or international ownership and operations; the hotel faces threat of new entry into the industry; threat of substitutes aggravated by changing technology, insecurity in the country and subsequent travel advisory and fluctuation in demand. The study concludes that the hotel has responded to these challenges through competitive pricing, aggressive marketing in trade fairs, online and print media; product and service innovation and differentiation; promotion through offers and discount on repeat purchases among others. The study recommended that the hotel should expand its operations to other regions, pursue new markets and target local tourists besides foreign customers.

This project investigated and assessed the productive use and spread of solar PV (photovoltaic) systems among rural population of Borabu solar home systems and medium enterprises. It analyzed sustainability aspects of productive solar PV usage and the future prospects for this type of activities. As the situation is today there is a lack of electricity in a major part of the country and there is a big need for rural electrification. In recent years there has been a lot of effort and money put into the solar PV industry in order to achieve a higher quality of life for the rural poor. One of the goals except for producing electricity, has been to achieve a self-sustaining market where solar PV are used for generate income in rural areas, i.e. productive use of solar PVs. The main objective of the study was to assess social-economic impacts of photovoltaic solar installation and use. Specific objectives were to determine the impact of governmental organizations in Photovoltaic solar installation and usage in Kenya, Borabu Division; to evaluate the environmental impact of Photovoltaic solar installation and usage in Kenya, Borabu Division; to assess the climatic impact of Photovoltaic solar installation and usage in Kenya, Borabu Division; and to assess the impact of costs in the installation of PV panels in Kenya, Borabu Division. This research study adopted a cross-sectional research design. The study targeted a population of 58,079 persons in Nyamira County, Borabu Division. A sample size of 30 households was used for this study. Primary data was gathered directly from the households using structured questionnaires. Quantitative data collected using questionnaires was analyzed using descriptive statistics using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). From the findings, the study found out that persistent governmental impacts have significantly affected the installation and use of Photovoltaic solar system among household residents. It found out that existing environmental impacts have significantly affected the installation and use of Photovoltaic solar system among household residents. It further found out that changes of climatic conditions have significantly affected the installation and use of Photovoltaic solar system among household residents. It finally found out that high costs of installing PV solar system have significantly affected the installation and use of Photovoltaic solar system among household residents. The study concluded that the environmental impact had a great impact on the installation and use of PV solar system in the location. It also concluded that cost is a factor that has impacted the installation and use of solar in Borabu location, Nyamira County. The study recommended that a consistent PV strategy be in place on ambitious and long-term targets, a clearly defined implementation Programme and a well-conceived mix of instruments will become the groundwork for success. The basic requirement for each PV policy framework is its longevity and stability.

Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as the pneumococcus, is a major cause of life-threatening bloodstream infections, and may cross the blood-brain barrier and cause meningitis. Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) affects all age groups, but the populations highest at risk of infection are children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immunity. Despite the implementation of childhood immunization programs and effective antimicrobial agents, child mortality from pneumococcal meningitis still imposes a huge disease burden, even in developed countries. This study aimed to understand the differences in patterns of Streptococcus pneumoniae genome evolution through gene loss and gain events, and their effect on the propensity to cause meningitis compared to bacteremia. Streptococcus pneumoniae isolate genomes of strains retrieved from human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were compared to those retrieved from human peripheral blood. The two datasets were first each analyzed separately, followed by comparisons across the two subsets. Briefly, the sequences in each data subset were first broadly compared using an All vs All BLAST comparison. The BLAST results were then more accurately clustered into orthologous groups using a hidden Markov chain model algorithm called OrthoMCL. The resultant orthologous map generated was then annotated and processed using Bacterial Makeup eXplorer (BMX) to generate annotated phyletic patterns highlighting gene presence and absence. The phyletic patterns were further analyzed using the Gene Loss Mapping Engine (GLOOME) to determine the probability of genes acquisition or loss along the length of each genome in the dataset under study. The results were then analyzed to make inference of the general direction of evolution, which is gene gain or loss events, which are associated with propensity to cause meningitis or not; when comparing the meningitis and bacteremia associated data subsets. Among the known virulence proteins, putative bacteriocin transporter C39 protease domain BlpA2 and pneumococcal histidine triad protein D (bvh-11-2) showed more gene loss events in the meningitis set. The immunity protein PncB, pncF, immunity protein PncK and bacteriocin BlpO displayed more gene loss events in the bacteremia set. More gene loss events were observed in both bacteremia and meningitis sets for putative immunity protein PncM and putative membrane protein BlpL. Also, more gene gain in both sets was observed for putative uncharacterized protein PncC. There was more gene gain in bacteremia set for cell surface choline binding protein PcpA. The overall findings suggests that meningitis genomes were more conserved compared to those generated from bacteremia isolates. They highlight mechanisms that determine differences in invasive ability during infection since gene loss and acquisition primarily contribute to how bacteria genetically adapt to novel environments and diverge to form separate, evolutionarily distinct species and strains. Genetic flux can radically and rapidly increase fitness or alter some aspects of lifestyle, such as multidrug non-susceptibility.

The objective of the study was to determine the various challenges faced by Kenyatta University in implementing its competitive strategies. A case study approach was used to have an in-depth on the challenges faced by the University in the process of implementing its competitive strategies. Primary and secondary data were used. The respondents were drawn from the top level management who are involved on corporate strategic management issues. Interview guide was used to collect primary data from the correspondents. The results of the study indicated that there were several challenges facing Kenyatta University in its bid to implement its competitive strategies. The findings of the study indicate that Kenyatta University is on track in implementing its strategies. This has been made possible through having staff who are committed, having annual plans, sound leadership, supportive organization structure, supportive systems and procedure, and resources/budget allocation. However, the shortcomings came from lack of training for staff and inadequate communication in the organization. The findings of the study should be understood in light of the limitations of the study. This study is helpful to Kenyatta University as they engage in monitoring and evaluation of the already implemented strategies on a yearly basis and plan towards implementing those that have not been implemented. The study should also be useful to other universities to gauge their challenges they face in implementing their competitive strategies.

For many years, pest management has been a big problem in Africa, especially in Uganda. Pest proliferation has been exacerbated by climate change. With temperature rise, change in rainfall patterns, and change in humidity and windspeed patterns, the pest's metabolism is modified, increasing their proliferation and resistance to pesticides. Farmers in Uganda for a long time have been using agrochemical products for pest management which are not environmentally friendly. The study was conducted in Mbale and Namutumba, among Uganda's tomato-growing districts. Some of the invasive insect pests recorded during the study were Tuta absoluta, spider mite, thrips, aphids, and American bollworms. This study's general objective was to assess tomato production's climate resilience using climate-smart pest management technologies. The three study's specific objectives were, respectively, to determine climate change trends and effects on tomato invasive insect pests; identify opportunities and challenges associated with Climate Smart Pest Management (CSPM) technologies, and assess the perception of smallholder farmers on the role of digital tools in the implementation of CSPM. The study used a mixed research design. The study utilized temperature, rainfall, humidity, windspeed data (1981-2020), and household surveys (N=410). Trend analysis, Mann-Kendall test, Pearson's correlation, and Generalized Linear Model (GLM-quasi-Poisson) were used for data analysis for the first objective while Factor Analysis, percentages, means, and frequencies were used for the second objectives data analysis. For the third objective, expect the percentages, regression analysis was used during data analysis. The data shows that the climate has changed in Mbale and Namutumba, and temperature, rainfall, humidity, and windspeed have contributed to the increase of invasive insect pest occurrence in the districts. The results showed an increasing annual temperature trend in Kampala and Namutumba and some abnormalities in Mbale over the last 40 years by 0.04oC. The rainfall increased significantly in Kampala (0.24 mm/year) and Mbale (0.0011mm/year), with a significant decrease in the humidity in Kampala and Namutumba with an increased rate of 0.05 m s−1 and 0.003 m s−1, in Kampala and Namutumba during the study period. Though there was a shifting in humidity pattern in the three districts, the study revealed in Mbale and Namutumba, humidity has decreased with an increase in pests. The concurrent variations in all the variables are likely to have a low effect on the pest occurrence (p= 0.054). This change has affected the tomato farmers in Mbale and Namutumba who turned to CSPM technologies. The study found that CSPM technologies have contributed to the adaptation of climate change effects on tomato production, such as reducing chemical use, decreasing pest density in their farms, and improving crop yield while lowering the environmental pollution. At the same time, our study noticed some key challenges/barriers to the upscaling of CSPM by farmers, such as cultural beliefs, lack of strong publicity from the national government, and lack of good infrastructure like roads and good markets. The results conclude there is a need for providing digital tools to farmers to help sensitise the importance of CSPM technologies and their dissemination and upscale. The study recommends that policies emphasise strengthening the agricultural extension services and supporting the dissemination of CSPM technologies. Capacity enhancement and availability of digital tools and access to agricultural information tailored to the needs of farmers are needed for upscaling CSPM technologies practices.

Distance Education is not a new concept. In the late 1800s, at the University of Chicago, the first major correspondence program in the United States was established in which the teacher and learner were at different locations. Before that time, particularly in preindustrial Europe, education had been available primarily to males in higher levels of society. The most effective form of instruction in those days was to bring students together in one place and one time to learn from one of the masters. That form of traditional education remains the main model today. The early efforts of educators like William Rainey Harper in 1890 to establish alternatives were laughed at. The field of distance education has changed dramatically in the last decade. Distance education, structured learning in which the student and instructor are separated by place, and sometimes by time, is currently the fastest growing form of domestic and international education. What was once considered a special form of education using nontraditional delivery systems is now becoming an important concept in mainstream education. The purpose of this study was to establish the factors that influence enrolment into distance education program at the University of Nairobi’s Bachelor of Science Education degree. The study focused on how cost of the program, quality of the program, flexibility of the program and learners expectations influence the decision of students to enroll in distance learning education undergraduate program at the University of Nairobi. The study employed descriptive research design and used questionnaires. Data was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The study established that the fees charged for the B.Ed (Science) program, coupled with the flexible mode of payment and inclusion of learning materials in the overall fees have made the cost affordable. The quality of the program, its flexibility that made it possible for the students to combine study and work, and the availability of various learner support services have all influenced the students to choose this particular program among many that are available in the country. The students’ expectations after the acquisition of the degree that included promotion, higher pay and the prestige associated with such an achievement also influenced the decision to enroll into the Bachelor of Education (Science) degree by distance mode at the University of Nairobi. The students are certain on the quality of programs they aspire for as the study found and this expectation should be sustained by the university management. The TSC and The Ministry of Higher education should encourage their employees to benefit from the program by offering incentives such as the limited study leave that the students may require and also recognition of the achievement through promotion, higher pay among others. The current study focused on The University of Nairobi, further research is needed in other universities in the country. Furthermore other programs apart from B. Ed science could also be investigated. A study to investigate how the students finance their studies is also necessary.