Over the years, the introduction and reception of agricultural innovations and technologies have faced partial success as measured by observed rates of adoption. Utilization of Communities of Practice (CoPs) as communication pathways is one of the ways by which innovators can enhance the rates of innovation adoption. CoPs are a circle of persons with the same interest, problems, or preoccupation about a subject and widen their understanding and mastery in such areas by indulging in an ongoing basis. Primarily, they are known for knowledge management; however, there is minimal empirical evidence in literature on the role they play in engaging, adopting, and retention of agricultural innovation and technologies. This study, therefore, sorts to document the role of CoPs in advancing the adoption of agricultural innovations and technologies. It employed a case study to investigate the System of Rice Intensification (SRI) approach at the Mwea Irrigation Scheme. It is guided by three specific objectives: (i) to investigate the level of awareness and existence of CoPs among the promoters of SRI; (ii) to assess the influence of farmers’ knowledge, engagement, and learning ability on the adoption and retention of SRI technology and; (iii) to assess the usefulness of CoPs in influencing adoption and retention of SRI technology in Mwea Irrigation Scheme. The study purposefully targeted 347 farmers and 10 SRI promoters and three managers of the technology who were subjected to a series of interviews and focus group discussions. The study established that the majority of the farmers were aware of the existence of CoPs. It also ascertained the usefulness of CoPs in the dissemination of information and the adoption and retention of SRI technology. It is also found that the engagement of CoPs influences the adoption and retention of SRI technology at the Mwea Irrigation Scheme followed by knowledge of the use of CoPs and finally learning about the use of CoPs.

The Cooperative Learning Method (CLM) is a teaching method in which small groups of learners with varying degrees of ability work collaboratively on carefully devised tasks using a range of learning activities designed to ensure knowledge construction and competence. The purpose of this study was to explore effect of CLM on the achievement of competences in mathematical concepts in pre-school learners in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. Drawing on Piaget and Vygotsky’s cognitive development theory, Bandura’s behavioural learning theory and Johnson and Johnson’s social interdependence theory, the study was undertaken to establish the difference between groups of pre-school learners, firstly in the mean score index of those taught using CLM compared to those not taught by this method; and secondly, the difference in mean score index of pre-school learners taught by teachers with a favourable attitude to CLM compared to those whose teachers had a negative attitude to it. The study also sought to assess the difference in mean score index between pre-school learners with a favourable attitude to CLM and those whose attitude was unfavourable. Correlational and comparative research designs were applied to ascertain the existing differences in acquisition of mathematical concepts competences by pre-schoolers and in establishing the relationships between variables when using CLM in comparison with traditional teaching methods without manipulating those variables. The unit of sampling was pre-schools; and stratified and proportionate sampling procedures were used to determine sample size. Teacher and learner respondents’ sample sizes were derived using purposive sampling on the basis of the preschools sampled. This procedure led to a sample size of 20 pre-school teachers and 639 PrePrimary Two learners from twenty pre-schools out of the five sub-counties of Kirinyaga County. The key data collection instruments from the respondents in the study were: an observation schedule, a documentary analysis guide, a teacher questionnaire and a mathematical concepts competences achievement test. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data collected. The key findings were that learners taught using CLM achieved higher mean score indices than those who were not. Comparatively, the learners whose teachers had a favourable attitude towards CLM registered higher mean score indices than those whose teachers were unfavourable towards it. Learners who were favourable towards CLM achieved higher mean score indices than those with a negative attitude towards it. Among the recommendations from the study are the development of Ministry of Education policies and programmes to provide regular in-service training, in which CLM training forms a key part of the agenda, to refresh the mathematical concepts competences instructional skills of pre-school teachers; along with the restructuring of teacher training programmes to ensure that, in addition to other methods for teaching mathematical concepts competences, trainee teachers are able to embed CLM effectively into their delivery of learning in the classroom.

The study is a literary analysis of the images of the African woman in Buchi Emecheta's fictional works. Four texts that more exhaustively handle the issues surrounding the image and position of the African woman were selected. The first section of the study is devoted to the writer and her works. Within this section a survey is done to demonstrate that the works of fiction under study have been greatly influenced by the author's own personal life experiences. An exploration of Emecheta's main thematic concerns is then done. This study discusses particularly the themes that deal with the position and personality of the African woman. The study especially looks at the themes of motherhood, the enslavement, by tradition and man, of the African woman and that of liberation and the African woman's future. The study proceeds to examine characters and characterisation in the texts under study. The central focus here is on the principle female characters because their integral position in the works is artistically purposeful. The primary female characters also help delineate particular themes that the artist wishes to portray. After an examination of the main characters, conclusions are arrived at: that Emacheta depicts the images of motherhood, the innocent African woman, a receptive and dynamic woman and lastly the educated and assertive one, best exemplified in Miss Bulewao of Double Yoke. The study does an analysis of language use and style that Buchi uses and how they assist her to achieve her intended goals. It would appear, from the study, that Emecheta uses symbolism and irony to portray the painful reality of the African woman's position. She also uses the speeches of her characters to demonstrate how gender differences also mean differences in behavioural traits. The centrality of female characters, the use of linear plot patterns and the narrative method are also features of style discussed in this section. Lastly, the study comes up with conclusions about images of women in Buchi's works. We conclude that Buchi Emecheta is sensitive to the position of the African woman. We also conclude that given her background and the fact that her socio-cultural orientation informs her creativity, then her perception of the issues revolving around the plight and position of the African woman is different from a male author's.

Kenya has witnessed increased financial integration following financial liberalization in the late 1980s which led to increased foreign private capital flows. On one hand financial integration is considered to complement domestic investment, enhance economic growth and reduce macroeconomic volatility by promoting credit and risk sharing. However, on the other hand private capital can enhance macroeconomic volatility by exposing domestic market to external volatility. Kenya has experienced low and volatile economic growth in the past four decades even in the phase of increased private capital flows in the 2000s. It is therefore necessary to identify the effect of financial integration on macroeconomic volatility in Kenya. In order to address this issue this study estimated a VAR model using secondary time series data for the period 1970 to 2011 to identify the effect of financial integration on macroeconomic volatility using foreign private investment flows as a measure of financial integration and output, investment and private consumption volatility as measures of macroeconomic volatility. The study found that financial integration reduces investment volatility but has no effect on output and private consumption volatility. This shows that the country has not reaped the full benefits of financial integration with respect to reducing consumption and output volatility. It is therefore essential that policy makers formulate policies that enhance financial integration which in turn reduces macroeconomic volatility in Kenya.

Diabetes mellitus refers to a long-term disorder that occurs when pancreas is incapable of producing sufficient insulin and/or the body cells do not commendably utilize insulin. Globally, the prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus has been rising in the past two decades but at a faster rate in Low and Medium Income Countries. Diabetes being a complex endocrine disease is associated with other complications which are accountable for heavy burden to households in terms of treatment cost and decreased manpower. Self-care practices, sociodemographic characteristics and nutritional status have been shown to contribute greatly in the prognosis of diabetes. The broad objective of this study was to establish the enabling factors of poor glycemic control hence development of diabetic complications among clients in selected hospitals in Nairobi County. The study was conducted as hospital-based analytical retrospective cohort design. Kenyatta National Hospital, Mbagathi and Kayole II Hospitals were sampled to represent different levels of healthcare in the County. The study participants included 165 individuals more than 15 years of age who were attending outpatient diabetic clinics between the months of January and March 2021. The data were collected using semi-structured questionnaire uploaded in Online Toolbox Kit and extraction of data from the patient files. Analysis was done using SPSS and program R. The study showed that age (p=0.00), period after diagnosis with diabetes (p=0.00), area of residence (p=0.006), education level (0.00), education on modification of diet during management of diabetes (p=0.01), knowledge (p=0.03) and attitude (p=0.01) towards diabetes recommendations were significantly associated with poor glycemic control among diabetics. In conclusion, these factors were the enabling factors to development of diabetic complications. The study recommends that education on diet modification needs to be handled independently possibly on different sessions or days from the general diabetic education to allow better understanding by the clients

This article explores the linkage that may exist in an organization between human resource management practices, employee outcomes, organization outcomes and the performance of organizations. Literature regarding these aspects is explored which sheds some light on some of the challenges of conducting such a study. It is concluded that though there is no set of universally accepted ‘best practices’ that organizations adopt, there are bundles of ‘best practices’ that successful firms tend to integrate in their organizational strategies. However, adoption of ‘best practices’ should be done in such a way that they fit into an organization, given that ‘best practices’ that may work for one firm may not apply in another firm because of contextual factors.

The survival and success of an organization occurs when the organization creates and maintains a match between its strategy and the environment and also between its internal capability and its strategy. KPA envisions itself to be World class seaports of choice with a mission of facilitating and promoting global maritime trade through provision of competitive port services. Strategies are the various game plans developed by organizations in respond to the challenges posted by the operating environment. Organizations have to adequately and promptly respond to these challenges in the environment for them to be successful. The objectives of this study included: determining the strategies adopted by Kenya Ports Authority in its quest to be a world class sea port of choice and determining the effectiveness of these strategies developed in transforming the Port into a world – class sea port. This study adopted a case study design. The study used primary data collected using interview guides on the CEO and general managers at KPA. The data obtained from the interview guide was analyzed using content analysis. The data was then presented in prose format. The study concludes that KPA had plans of improving quality of services offered which were achieved through customer service charter, Performance standards, ISO Certification, baseline surveys to establish as is position, annual customer satisfaction survey, internal work standards measurements, annual financial performance measures (accounts) and bulletin of statistics. The study also concludes that KPA uses employee training and development as a strategy to improve its operations. Further the study concludes that KPA engages in collaborations with other sea ports like Port of Singapore, Shanghai, Egypt, Durban, the collaboration has influenced world-class status attainment at KPA by bench marking with world-class service providers worldwide. The study recommends that further training and study tours be used to allow the exchange of ideas among KPA employees and those in world-class service ports. The study also recommends that there is need to understand competitor strengths in the market and then position one’s own offerings to take advantage of weaknesses and avoid head on clashes against strengths.

The aim of this thesis was threefold. First, the study scrutinized the role of government spending on output growth for SSA countries. SSA countries’ economic growth has been low compared to other developing regions. Empirical evidence has shown that government expenditure is a significant driver of output growth. However, SSA economic performance has largely lagged despite the increase in government expenditure. The second objective assessed the efficiency of public spending and the sources of inefficiencies in spending across Sub-Saharan African countries. The third objective analysed the role of institutional quality on income variation among Sub-Saharan countries. The issues of institutional quality have been considered to be fundamental in explaining income variation across countries. Botswana’s growth miracle has been achieved by the strong institutions it embraced. This thesis therefore analysed the effect of institutional quality on output growth. In addition, we examined if income variation differs with the income level of SSA countries. Objective one and three adopted dynamic panel data and were estimated using two-step system GMM while taking into account the problem of instrument proliferation. Panel data of 35 SSA countries was considered for the periods 2006-2018. Efficiency score for objective two was achieved by adopting two-step bootstrap output-oriented DEA technique. Both CCR, BCC and scale efficiency were estimated. The study provided evidence that education and health expenditure are key determinants of income growth for SSA. The impact of education spending on cross-country income variation is more effective in low income SSA countries than the middle income SSA countries. However, military expenditure on output growth is more effective in improving income level of middle income SSA countries than low income SSA countries. SSA countries should allocate more funding towards education sector and should also avail compulsory and free primary and secondary education. SSA should carry out health reforms which improve primary health and universal health insurance coverage. The average bias-corrected inefficiency score was 48percent between 2006 and 2018 and the uncorrected spending inefficiency score averaged 32.3percent. Income per capita, secondary school enrolment rate, domestic savings, rule of law, political stability, capital formation, and accountability significantly determine the inefficiencies of government spending across SSA countries. Spending efficiency can be improved through efficient management of public resources. Distortions in SSA government expenditure can be eliminated by designing policies that improve income per capita and institutional quality. Institutional quality plays a significant role on output growth of SSA countries. Government effectiveness contributes more to income growth in middle income countries than in low income SSA countries. There exists regional difference on the effect of institutional quality on economic growth across the four regions of SSA. The contribution of institutional quality to output growth is more effective at the lower level of income and upper level of income than the middle level of income of SSA countries. SSA countries should strengthen institutional bodies that act as checks and balances for government operations. Strategic partnership that promotes civil liberty and independence of institutions should be adopted by SSA member states.

Inflammation, diarrhea, and microbial infections produce high morbidity and mortality globally, contributing to a high burden of disease in developing countries. Despite the utilisation of conventional drugs to treat inflammation, diarrhea, and microbial infections, their inaccessibility, unaffordability and their side effects hinder the successful treatment and alleviation of disease. The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and fungi strains have compromised the efficiency of antimicrobial chemotherapy, which leads to undesirable sequalae. There is an urgent need to search for alternative therapies, which are efficacious, affordable, accessible and safe in order to alleviate human suffering and promote the quality of life. Medicinal plants present a feasible alternative source of potent pharmacological molecules, which are affordable, easily accessible and safe due to the many biologically active phytochemicals they have. Although medicinal plants have been used by humans for ages as medicines and food, only a few have been empirically investigated. Cucumis dipsaceus has a long history of ethnomedicinal usage in treating inflammation, diarrhea, and microbial infections, in Kenya and other countries. However, there is scanty empirical data to validate its efficacy and safety. The anti-inflammatory antidiarrhea, antimicrobial, and toxic effects of methanolic and aqueous leaf and fruit (methanolic and aqueous leaf and fruit) extracts of C. dipsaceus were investigated. The in vivo anti-inflammatory activities of the methanolic and aqueous leaf and fruit extracts of C. dipsaceus were studied using the formalin-induced paw oedema technique in Wistar rats. The castor oil-induced diarrhea method was used to determine the antidiarrhea activity of the methanolic and aqueous leaf and fruit extracts of the studied plant in Wistar rats. Isolated rabbit ileum was used to determine the effects of the C. dipsaceus extracts on the gastrointestinal motility. Antimicrobial activity of the methanolic and aqueous leaf and fruit extracts was determined using the disk diffusion and broth microdilution techniques described previously. The acute oral and dermal toxicity effects of the methanolic and aqueous leaf and fruit extracts of C. dipsaceus were studied in rabbits and rats, respectively, using appropriate guidelines. Data was analysed using GraphPad Prism statistical software version 9.1. The results indicated significant reductions in formalin-induced paw oedema in the Wistar rats by methanolic and aqueous leaf and fruit extracts of C. dipsaceus, in a dose- and time-dependent manner (P<0.05), with percentage inhibition of between 1.56% and 97.59%. Methanolic and aqueous leaf and fruit extracts of C. dipsaceus significantly (P<0.05) inhibited diarrhea and intestinal motility in Wistar rats and rabbits respectively, in a dose-dependent manner, thereby depicting their antidiarrhea effects. Furthermore, the methanolic and aqueous leaf and fruit extracts of C. dipsaceus significantly inhibited the growth of P. aeruginosa, S. enteriditis, E. coli, C. albicans, and B. subtilis in varying degrees as depicted by the different growth inhibition zones of between 6 mm and 20 mm and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations of 3.125 µg/ml. The observed anti-inflammatory, antidiarrhea, and antimicrobial activities of the plant extracts were attributed to various phytochemicals extractable by water and methanol, which exerted pharmacological efficacy via various mechanisms. Moreover, aqueous and the methanolic and aqueous leaf and fruit extracts of C. dipsaceus showed no observable acute dermal toxicity effects on the abraded and intact skins of New Zealand White rabbits. Similarly, the methanolic and aqueous leaf and fruit extracts of C. dipsaceus showed no observable acute oral toxicity during the 14-day experimental period. In conclusion, the extracts were considered safe according to the OECD Guidelines. Further pharmacological and toxicological investigations of the tested plant extracts using more advanced techniques should be done in order to elucidate and optimise bioactive molecules for treating inflammation, diarrhea, and microbial infections.

Education is the most robust devise that aid in advancement of human capital vital for economic development and growth. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating how mainstreaming of early childhood education influences internal efficiency in public primary schools in Embu County, Kenya. The study was guided by the ensuing objectives, namely; To determine the status of physical infrastructure; establish how teacher professional qualifications; examine ways in which provision of Early Childhood instructional materials and explore how pupil-teacher ratio in Early Childhood Education influences internal efficiency in public primary schools. The study adopted a correlational research design to assess the influence of mainstreaming Early Childhood and Education on internal efficiency in Embu County public primary schools. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select respondents for the study. The study used questionnaires, document analysis guide and observation schedule as instruments for collecting data for the purpose of triangulation. Quantitative data was analyzed by utilization of statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) by generating descriptive and inferential statistics. While qualitative data was analyzed using themes. Data was presented using percentages, frequencies, standard deviation, mean and inferential statistics. The study findings showed a positive correlation between physical infrastructure in Early Childhood Education and internal efficiency in public primary schools (r = .653, n = 37, p< .05). There is positive correlation between teacher professional qualification in ECE and internal efficiency in public primary schools (r = .672, n = 37, p< .05). There is a positive correlation between ECE instructional materials and internal efficiency in public primary schools (r = .703, n = 37, p< .01). The study concluded that there is a positive correlation amid physical facilities and internal efficiency indicators such as participation rates. There is a positive correlation between teacher professional qualification and internal efficiency, especially promotion rates. There is a positive correlation between instructional materials and internal efficiency indicators of participation rates. The availability of instructional materials positively influences participation rates in Early Childhood Education. The researcher therefore recommends that more physical facilities should be provided by the county government which is mandated to manage Early Childhood Education. The county governments in partnership with parents and headteachers should employ more pre-primary teachers for purposes of successful transition.