e modern devolution development across the globe has been in part driven by assertions of a supposed ‘economic dividend’ linked with the devolved expenditure. There is however, little empirical evidence to validate these assertions in Kenya. Most empirical studies across different countries have used different methods of analysis, different time periods and diverse techniques of measuring variable which have generated mixed conclusions and others are inconclusive. More so, in Kenya these studies do not differentiate between long-run and short-run channels through which county expenditure influences economic activities. The implication in differentiating these two effects arises for the two motives. First, there is interval between a fiscal policy action and its impact in the county economy. Second, they can have opposite effects on growth. Failure to differentiate can give erroneous results and recommendations. It is against this background that this study was carried out to analyse the long-run and short-run effect of components of county expenditure on county economic growth in Kenya using panel data set over the period 2013 to 2017. This study used the published annual data from Economic Surveys, Gross County Product (GCP) report, Statistical Abstracts and county Budget Implementation Review reports. Further, this study was informed by neoclassical augmented Ram growth accounting model as the theoretical framework. The analysis techniques that were used in this study were descriptive and inferential statistics. Employing Harris–Tzavalis (HT) test, this study tested for the panel unit root and found that all variables were non-stationary at their level except GCP per capita, human capital and non-devolved expenditure. To check if the variables have long-run relationship, this study used Kao panel test. The result for this test revealed that there exists a long-run relationship among the real GCP per capita and regressors in the model. Once cointegration was confirmed using Kao test, the long-run and error correction estimates of the panel ARDL model were obtained. The ARDL results revealed that spending on recurrent and rise in absorption rate of expenditure exerts a positive and significant effect on economic growth both in short-run and long-run hence confirming Keynesian theory in Kenya. However, capital expenditure was insignificant during the study period. Arising from the study findings, this study submits that the county authorities need to put in place policies that will improve budget allocation and execution so as to improve expenditure to capital infrastructure in counties. This is because counties typically lack infrastructures such as roads, power, water and communications that boost private productivity and consequently GCP growth.

abstract

Given the impact of performance contracting on the operation and effectiveness of public sectors in Kenya, it is essential that employees sign performance contracts. The purpose of this study was to determine the management perception of the influence of performance contracting on service delivery and to establish the factors that influence management perception towards performance contracting at the Ministry of Education. The study adopted a descriptive research design.Data was collected using a structured questionnaire from38 respondentsdrawn from top level managementat the Ministry, then analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics.Respondents were required to indicate how they perceive the influence of performance contracting on service delivery at the Ministry of Education by scoring on statements describing such a link that were presented in a 1-5 point likert scale. To determine the perceived link, the study adopted the use of perception indices as were used by Kweyu (1998) in a similar study that involved the measurement of perception. The findings of the study showed that performance contracting is perceived to have enhanced service delivery at the Ministry of Education to some level and, that there were certain limitations to successful implementation of performance contracting which have made the process to be poorly rated. The study concludes that managers don‟t perceive that performance contracting has a great effect on the improvement of quality service delivery at the Ministry of Education. The study further concludes that performance contracting is not signed by all employees at the Ministry of Education hence there is less efficiency. The study therefore recommends that for effective performance contracting on the improvement of quality service at the Ministry of Education, all employees need to be included in the signing of the performance contracts. Also, performance contracts should be linked to rewards and all employees should be trained on performance contracting since each employee will be held accountable at the end of each financial year. The study further recommends that the set targets be well communicated to all members of staff in the Ministry for effective implementation.Based on the limitations of the study, suggestions for further research relating to management perception of the influence of Performance contracting have been put forth.

AThesis

The role of the dairy sector in Kenya with respect to the creation of employment, food & nutrition security cannot be overlooked. Smallholder farmers rely on it as their source of livelihood. The sector is however faced with a number of challenges. For instance, low milk processing capacity which can potentially increase the shelf life and retail price of milk, thus having a significant effect on the milk income realized by smallholder farmers. It is based on this scenario that providing a reliable ready market for dairy farmers in Makueni County was deemed important, thus necessitating the establishment of the Kikima dairy plant in the year 1971. The dairy plant has been operational for the last 51 years. However, its effect on the profitability of the dairy enterprise of the target population is not well known. This study, therefore, assessed the effect of participation in milk processing on milk income realized by smallholder farmers. The study utilized crosssection data obtained from a sample of 200 smallholder dairy farmers from Makueni County. Both descriptive and empirical analyses were utilized. Gross margin analysis, probit model, and endogenous switching regression models were applied. Descriptive statistics showed existence of significant differences in individual socio-economic characteristics between milk processing participants and non-participants. Factors identified to significantly influence participation in milk processing include; age, experience, sex, education and farming as the primary occupation. The effect estimates showed a negative and significant effect of participating in milk processing on milk income. Based on the low profitability of the dairy enterprise among the participants despite having higher milk productivity per cow as compared to non-participants, this study recommends that the plant management should consider offering a quality-based payment to the project participants in order to boost their income levels and attract participation by other farmers. Additionally, the study recommends the introduction of a structured trading system in order to influence participation into the project.

Abstract

Credit management is one of the most important activities in any company and cannot be overlooked by any economic enterprise engaged in credit irrespective of its business nature. Sound credit management is a prerequisite for a financial institution‟s stability and continuing profitability, while deteriorating credit quality is the most frequent cause of poor financial performance and condition. As with any financial institution, the biggest risk in microfinance is lending money and not getting it back. The study sought to determine the effect of credit management on the financial performance of Microfinance Institutions in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population of study consisted of 59 MFIs in Kenya that are members of AMFI. A census study was used to carry out the research. Primary data was collected using questionnaires where all the issues on the questionnaire were addressed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. Furthermore, descriptions were made based on the results of the tables. The study found that client appraisal, credit risk control and collection policy had effect on financial performance of MFIs in Kenya. The study established that there was strong relationship between financial performance of MFIs and client appraisal, credit risk control and collection policy. The study established that client appraisal, credit risk control and collection policy significantly influence financial performance of MFIs in Kenya. Collection policy was found to have a higher effect on financial performance and that a stringent policy is more effective in debt recovery than a lenient policy. The study recommends that MFIs should enhance their collection policy by adapting a more stringent policy to a lenient policy for effective debt recovery.

Abstract

Metaphors are among language universal elements freely used in normal conversation and writing. It is on that note that it can be said that metaphors are the fabric or basic structure of language. This is why the study was carried out to establish why these metaphors are understood and interpreted differently by different groups of people, in order to ascertain the possible causes of varying interpretations and their remedies. Subsequently, some metaphors from the Bible were identified and described using relevance theory. A few of these metaphors were taken to randomly chosen S.D.A. lay leaders for interpretation. After the interpretations of the metaphors by the S.D.A. lay leaders, they were analyzed using the same theory. The outcome of the investigation showed that the lay leaders‟ interpretations of metaphors were very different from one another. It was established from the data analyzed that the Respondents‟ level of education, religious or theological background, source of materials and years of experience were the main causes of varying interpretations. The study also recommended refresher courses, workshops, seminars and adult literacy programmes for the lay leaders as remedies to reduce the varying interpretations of the Bible.

The construction industry is laden with a lot of project performance issues which usually lead to disputes between the Employer and the Contractor. This study investigates the effectiveness of the alternative dispute resolution methods. The objective is to determine the causes of disputes, the level of application of dispute resolution methods, the effectiveness of the existing dispute resolution methods and the methods of evaluating and managing disputes in case of future projects. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were used in the study. The study population was the professionals in the built environment and the adjudicators/arbitrators. The study findings indicated that the main causes of dispute in construction projects in Rwanda are payment for variations, extension of time, cost escalation, retention money, wrongful termination of contract. loss of profits, delays in site possession, compensation for machinery and equipment confiscated by the employer, interest on delayed payments, return of the guarantee held by the employer, and costs related to the resolution of the dispute. Alternative dispute resolution methods are usually adopted on delay issues, poorly written specifications or lack of specifications, poor plan or drawings generally, poor level of workmanship, unauthorized works that are done by the contractor and defective works. The order of the effectiveness of the alternative dispute resolution methods is negotiation, mediation conciliation, facilitation, adjudication, dispute boards, arbitration, and arbitration-mediation. Based on the findings, the study concluded that the major causes of disputes need to be guarded against and in case disputes eventually occur, negotiation and conciliation methods should be given the first priorities. The study recommended that the government should put in place, strategies that are aimed at mitigating disputes on construction projects. Professional bodies should enlighten professionals to always be ethical in their discharge of duties.