Infrastructure holds a central position in a country’s economic activity, hence the need to do a comprehensive analysis of its specific contributions to an economy. In the last decades, the East African Community (EAC) governments have devoted significant public resources towards building new infrastructure projects in the region. However, growth has not been commensurate with increased public investment in infrastructure; in addition, the volume of trade has stagnated. Therefore, this study employed panel time-series technique and infrastructure augmented production function, to establish the short- and long-run relationship between infrastructure stock and economic growth using data for the period 1990-2019. The study also explored the possible channels through which infrastructure could manifest itself on growth by doing an in-depth analysis on key determinants of growth, like private investment and trade. Infrastructure stock index was constructed from public economic infrastructure including transport, energy, and communications. Data was obtained from various sources including the Socio-Economic database of African Development Bank, World Bank database, International Monetary Fund database and National Bureaus of Statistics of EAC Partner States. Panel data models for growth and private investment were analysed using pooled mean group estimation technique. The study established a cointegrating relationship between infrastructure stock and economic growth in EAC and a uni-directional causality from infrastructure to economic growth. Using an error correction framework to capture the short-and long-run dynamics, the results confirmed that, public infrastructure investment crowds-out private investment in the short-run but crowds-in private investment in the long-run. The study estimated a gravity model augmented for both hard and soft infrastructures from transport and information and communications technology indicators using random effects model and Poisson Pseudo Maximum Likelihood method. Both methods confirmed that infrastructure stock is important in increasing the volume of EAC’s trade. The policy implications are that increased investment is vital in economic infrastructure to increase infrastructure stock, encourage private sector activities and growth in the long-run. Macroeconomic stability is also crucial for private sector investment. Transport infrastructure has a greater impact on exports than Information and Communications Technology infrastructure and thus, it is important to channel additional resources towards increasing transport infrastructure stock. The study also found that, many documents required for exports lowers the volume of trade, hence it is critical to enhance border efficiency for more trade. Key Words: Infrastructure Development; Economic Growth; Private Investment; International Trade; EAC JEL Classification: H54; O47; R42; F10; F15

Soil carbon stocks (SOCs), soil water balance and greenhouse gas fluxes measurements in wooded grassland are often done in a single assessment. This is oblivious of its heterogeneous nature and asymmetric distribution that characterizes wooded grassland and thence inaccurate results are captured. This information is essential, albeit lacking, for designing sustainable strategies important for management of the fragile wooded grassland ecosystems. The present study investigated topographical and vegetation cover types effects on SOCs, soil water balance (SWB) and greenhouse gas fluxes in wooded grasslands of Laikipia County, Kenya. This study was conducted during the short and long rainy seasons of 2016 in Ilmotiok group ranch of Laikipia County. Soil organic carbon stocks (SOCs), soil water balance (SWB) and greenhouse gas fluxes across different topographical positions and vegetation cover were quantified. The experimental design was a RCBD with a split plot layout. The main plots were topographical zones (TZ); mid slopes (MS), foot slope (FS) and toe slope (TS). The subplots were vegetation cover (VC) types: tree (T), grass (G) and bare (B). Sampling of soil was done at intervals of 10 cm to a depth of 50cm in a zigzag manner using a soil auger. The sampling was done along a transect line of 150m after every block of 50m forming three replicates. The sampled soil was analyzed for texture, bulk density (BD) and soil organic carbon. Runoff plots were set up across the TZ and VC types to monitor runoff (RO) and soil loss (SL). To measure Greenhouse Gas (GHGs) fluxes (methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), and Nitrous Oxide (N2O) static chamber frames were installed across the topographic zones and vegetation cover types. GHGs were measured every 7-10 days in the dry season, intermediate and rainy season between 0800hrs and 1200hr local time. TZ, VC, depth and TZ*VC significantly (p<0.05) influenced BD and SOCs. There was a significantly higher bulk at MS (1.03 g/cm3 and 1.00 g/cm3) but not significantly different from TS (1.02 and 0.92 gcm-3) with FS having the lowest value (0.97 and 0.88 gcm-3) for LRS and SRS respectively. Vegetation cover significantly (P <0.05) influence with highest bulk density recorded under BR (1.04 and 0.96 gcm-3) which was not significantly different from TR (1.01 and 0.92 gcm-3) and significantly higher than GR (0.97 and 0.92 gcm-3) for LRS and SRS respectively. The interaction of topography and vegetation significantly influence bulk density with highest value recorded under FS*BR (1.11 and 1.03 gcm-3) for LRS and SRS respectively. Highest soil organic carbon stocks were recorded at the TS (6.40 and 6.51 MgHa-1) as compared to other zones though not significantly different v v from MS (6.16 and 6.46 MgHa-1) but significantly different from FS (5.29 and 5.93 MgHa-1). SOCs under GR (6.31 and 6.53 MgHa-1) were slightly higher than other vegetation cover, the lowest was recorded under BR (5.76 and 6.02 MgHa-1) for LRS and SRS respectively. The upper soil depth (0-10) had (8.70 and 8.74 MgHa-1) compared to the lower depth (40-50) with (3.52 and 4.07 MgHa-1). There were significant [P<.001] differences in evapotranspiration, runoff and soil loss across the three topographical zones and vegetation cover types. The run off was significantly higher in mid slope*bare [175.90 and 168.75 mm] and mid slope *grass [172.00 and 164.85mm] compared to toe slope *bare [169.79 and 162.64 mm] and Toe Slope* Grass [165.89 and 158.74 mm] during the LRS and SRS. Whereas Soil water balance was highest at the toe slope*grass [279.46 and 119.49 mm] than Foot slope*Grass [273.51 and 113.54 mm] and Mid Slope*Grass [267.23 and 104.76 mm] during the LRS and SRS respectively. The Run off Coefficient was significantly lower in the Toe slope*Grass [0.30 and 0.45] than Foot slope*Grass [0.31 and 0.46] for LRS and SRS). During the wet months, CH4, N2O and CO2 emission were significantly higher than the dry season. Methane fluxes ranged from -0.32 mg.m-2.h-1 to 0.24 mg.m-2.h-1 with the lowest (-0.32 mg.m-2.h-1) recorded under TS*T whereas CO2 was highest under TS*G (47 mg.m-2.h-1) as compared to MS*G (19 mg.m-2.h-1). TZ*VC significantly influence N2O with MS*B recording the lowest (0.008) as compared to TS*B (2.228 mg.m-2.h-1). CO2, N2O and CH4 In the month of January and February emissions were low and it increased in March and April in all the TZ*VC. Topography and vegetation have an effect on soil organic carbon stocks and bulk density. Toe slope and grass significantly increased soil organic carbon stocks and reduced bulk density. Toe slope with grass significantly reduced both runoff and soil loss thus increased Soil water balance and improved runoff coefficient. Therefore, protection of slopes from raindrops can effectively reduce soil loss and runoff and enhance deposition in the mid slope and toe slope. The trends of soil CO2, N2O, and CH4 fluxes were principally controlled by topography and plant cover, with larger soil CH4 uptakes and CO2 emissions on the toe slopes and foot slopes than in MS. Keywords: bulk density, runoff, soil loss, soil water balance, soil organic carbon stocks, topographical zones, vegetation cover.

Community health is the health of a specified group of people, as well as the public and private activities and circumstances adopted to improve, preserve, and conserve their health (McKenzie, Pinger and Kotecki 2005) Health of a community is a product of their environment that is a community where the population have access to safe homes, quality education, adequate employment, physical activities, nutrition, quality healthcare and transportation. According to World health organization (WHO) defines Health as the process of empowering people to take charge and improving their health. In a community different segments of a community contribute to health promotion and therefore share the responsibility for its protection. To improve the health of a community, the population must change the physical, social, organizational, and political environments so as to minimize factors contributing to health hazards and introduce new aspects which promote improved health such as introducing new programs, changing attitudes, beliefs and norms, policies and organization infrastructure. The urban population explosion has been accompanied by overwhelming rate of poverty due to the rising number of people living in informal settlements and has led to poor health outcomes. This study aimed on establishing the disaster management cycle and performance of community health projects a case of Kangemi informal settlement in Nairobi County. This was reviewed through the four stages of disaster management cycle which are identified as: - disaster mitigation, disaster preparedness, disaster response and disaster recovery. All these stages were reviewed in relation to how each one of them influences the performance of community health projects. The study was anchored on the domino theory and theory of reasoned action. Further, the study sought to identify the association amongst independent variables involved and how they influence on performance of health promotion projects. The study used descriptive survey design with a target population of 100,000. A sample size of 390 was drawn from the target population using the Krejcie and Morgan formula and further adopting a proportionate sampling technique. Data was obtained using semi-structured questionnaires and interview guides. The instruments were pilot tested using 39 questionnaires that were administered to Kawangware informal settlement residents who have similar characteristics as the study area. The collected data was analysed with the aid of a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) for both descriptive and inferential statistics and then presented in form of description. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was adopted to ascertain for reliability that was obtained through split-half technique. Simple linear regression was applied in testing for the strength of the association amongst the various variables for instance establishing how the dependent variable was influence by the independent variable. It was established that disaster mitigation with has a strong positive significant influence on performance of community health projects. The study also established a positive relationship between disaster preparedness and performance of community health projects. The study findings showed that disaster response influences performance of community health projects; and also a positive relationship between disaster recovery and performance of community health projects was established. The conclusion according to the study was that catastrophe mitigation, disaster preparedness, disaster response, and disaster recovery all have an impact on the efficacy of community health programs. The research recommended that there is need to adequately enhance sensitization of disaster management strategies during project planning. The research suggested that environmental studies in project management and social analysis should be carried out in informal settlement areas in Kenya.

This study contributes to the strategic information systems literature through empirical investigation on the effect of corporate IT strategy, IT governance and information quality on service delivery of state corporations in Kenya. The study was motivated by a number of research gaps which could only be addressed through an integrated conceptual model testing on how corporate IT strategy, ITG and information quality could individually and jointly affect service delivery of state owned entities. This study proposed six hypotheses to be tested on the effect of corporate IT strategy, IT governance and information quality on service delivery of state corporations in Kenya with simple and multiple linear regression analyses, correlation analysis. This study was anchored on the Fourth Industrial Revolution Theory and Diffusion of Innovation (DoI) Theory. This study utilized the positivist orientation philosophy. The unit of analysis was 178 state corporations in Kenya corporations spread across the twenty ministries. Primary data was collected through administering structured questionnaire and secondary data on service delivery was collected from annual performance contract reports. In conclusion; this study found statistically significant effect of corporate IT strategy on service delivery of state corporations in Kenya, F (12, 107) = 15.121, P>0.000; 58.7% (Adjusted R2 = 0. 587) of variations in the service delivery is explained by variations in corporate IT strategy. Secondly, this study found statistically significant effect of information technology governance on service delivery of state corporations in Kenya, F (7, 112) =23.052, P>0.000.; 56.5% (Adjusted R2 = 0.565) of variations in the service delivery is explained by variations in the information technology governance. Thirdly, effect of information quality on service delivery of state corporations in Kenya was statistically significant, F (11, 108) = 7.576, P>0.000; whereby 37.8% (Adjusted R2 = 0.378) of variations in service delivery is explained by variations in the information quality. Fourthly, this study found statistically significant effect of IT governance on the relationship between corporate IT strategy and service delivery of state corporations in Kenya, F (6, 113) =46.875, P>0.000 g; whereby 69.8% (Adjusted R2 = 0.698) of variations in service delivery is explained by variations in corporate IT Target* ITG level of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of ITG framework, existence of corporate IT strategy, IT governance on resource capability/use, level of implementation of corporate IT strategy, level of cascading of corporate IT strategy. Fifthly, this study found statistically significant effect of information quality on the relationship between corporate IT strategy and service delivery of state corporations in Kenya, F (7, 112) =37.514, P>0.000h; which implies 68.2% (Adjusted R2 = 0.682) of variations in the overall service delivery are explained by effect of information quality on the relationship between corporate IT strategy and service delivery of state corporations in Kenya. The study additionally found statistically significant joint effect of corporate IT strategy, IT governance and information quality on service delivery of state corporations in Kenya, F (29, 119) = 12.300, P>0.000; which means 73.4% (Adjusted R2 = 0.734) of variations in the service delivery are explained jointly by corporate IT strategy, IT governance and information quality. The study suggests management practices to increase sustainability efforts through various mechanisms. The results of this study add to existing knowledge in the area of service delivery of State Corporation’s by determination of the relevant factors that are important in defining service delivery of state corporations xvii in Kenya. Also, the findings helped in reducing the controversy on the relationship between corporate IT strategy and service delivery by showing that the positive relationship that is direct and significant among the proxies of corporate IT strategy and service delivery. Based on the results of this study, the government through relevant ministries and other stakeholders in the state corporations sector should develop appropriate policies in an attempt to organize the IT applications to enable investor’s and regulatory bodies get access to information pertaining how to improve their ability to perform as well as give quality services. The study suggests future studies which it deems important in contributing to future knowledge in research works. Other studies on the factors influencing service delivery like market efficiency may also be important to evaluate their effect on the regulator’s potential to give regulations that enhance efficiency. There are several possible sources of uncertainty in the state corporations functioning like Political instability and government interference are possible extraneous factors that could impact on service delivery which future study could factor in as control variables.

In theory, the nexus between firm shareholding indicates that distribution of equity among various ownership categories affect firm performance. Whilst ownership structure influences decision making, the effect on firm results is not necessarily positive. Separation between management and ownership can create conflicts between owners and management as envisioned by the Agency theory. The Kenyan case evidences conceptual and contextual gaps. Accordingly, therefore, this study interrogated nexus of ownership structures and returns of corporates, specifically in manufacturing sector of Kenya. This study had four explanatory variables which were used to derive specific aims. These factors are: management ownership, foreign ownership, institutional ownership and individual ownership. In line with the variables, the study was anchored on tenets and postulates of Agency Theory, Stulz’s Integrated Ownership Theory and Stewardship Theory. The main method that was used to obtain inferences was in form of a descriptive design. This study has a population of nine hundred and twenty manufacturing companies. In sampling, ninety firms were used for gathering observations for the variables for a period of eight years. Inferences evidenced that management ownership had a positive and significant effect on firm performance, foreign ownership negatively and insignificantly affected firm performance, institutional ownership positively and significantly affect performance and individual ownership negatively and insignificantly affected returns financially. It was recommended that manufacturing firms should encourage institutional and management ownership in order to increase their financial performance.

Participatory monitoring is at the center of a global conversation as useful tool in tracking the progress of interventions and has been cited as a critical contributor to improved performance. The practice has largely been inculcated in project execution though with no much scientific backing. For this reason, this study sought to ascertain its role in projects by interrogating its moderating effect on the relationship between reform interventions in the World Bank context against the performance of agricultural projects using in Trans-Nzoia County as a de-facto test environment. The study arose out of the need to empirically quantify and institutionalize aspects of participatory monitoring in contemporary projects through five objectives which are: examine the influence of financing reform on the performance of agricultural projects funded by the World Bank, assess the influence of marketing reform on the performance of agricultural projects funded by the World Bank, establish the influence of capacity building reform on the performance of agricultural projects funded by the World Bank, determine the joint influence of reform interventions on the performance of agricultural projects funded by World Bank and establish the moderating influence of participatory monitoring on the relationship between reform interventions and performance of agricultural projects funded by the World Bank. Reforms under study were first tested independently and then jointly so as to determine the extent of their relationships with project performance before determining the moderating effect. Five research hypotheses were generated from the objectives of the study and were tested to shed light on the direction of the study and unravel the magnitude of these relationships. Empirical and theoretical literature was reviewed based on the literary works of other scholars and academicians in the fields of project management, quality assurance and development Economics. Reviewed literature was interrogated in relation to the theory of change, outcomes theory, the empowerment theory and responsive-constructivist evaluation theory. The nexus amongst the study parameters was configured on a conceptual framework that exemplified extent of perceived relationships. Mixed-methods research under descriptive survey design was utilised to quantify the relationships. The study is grounded on pragmatism; a philosophy complementing epistemological, methodological and axiological underpinnings desired in mixed methods research. Target population was 800 farmers and 15 project staff determined using proportionate sampling. Study sample of 268 respondents was determined scientifically using simplified Yamane formula of proportions. Quantitative data was obtained using a structured questionnaire with likert-type questions while qualitative data was collected using key informant interviews and focus groups. Qualitative data analysis was by iterative inquiry, critical reflection and thematic review while inferential data was analyzed using the measures of central tendency, regression and correlation. Stepwise regression inferred the moderating effect alongside the significance of the coefficient and the change in R2. Multiple regression established the joint influence of reforms on performance of agricultural projects while the t-statistic was used to test the hypotheses. The findings reveal there is a positive significant relationship between financing reform and the performance of agricultural projects by r=0.0244 (p-value< 0.05); there is positive significant relationship between marketing reform and performance of agricultural projects by r=0.0472 (p-value< 0.05); there is a positive significant relationship between capacity building reform and the performance of agricultural projects by r=0.0199 (p-value< 0.05) and there is positive significant relationship between joint reforms and performance of agricultural projects by r =0.024 (p-value< 0.05). Using stepwise regression, it was established that participatory monitoring was responsible for 28.59% variation in the performance of agricultural projects. These findings are therefore useful in cementing the role played by participatory monitoring in projects and therefore enrich project management as a discipline. The results also provide an empirical justification for the adoption of participatory monitoring in projects. In terms of policy, since the Kenyan government and the development community are keen on reforming the development space, these findings provide an empirical basis upon which research-based policy formulation and public participation can be anchored. This study will contribute to growth of project policy, practice and methodology upon which further research in evaluation and project management can be anchored.

Owing to increased nutritional requirements, pregnant women stand a higher risk of malnutrition. Their nutrition is of paramount importance as it affects not only their health and survival but that of their unborn babies. It is, therefore, necessary that these women practice dietary habits that are promotive of good nutritional status and thus health. The available evidence, however, shows that several nutritional deficiencies and conditions exist among pregnant women, many of which are attributable to a diet that does not meet their nutritional requirements. Globally, existing estimates show that 38.2% and 39% of pregnant women suffer from anaemia in the world and Africa respectively. Iron deficiency anaemia is one of the factors that contribute to 20% of maternal deaths globally. In Kenya, it has been documented that anaemia is among the factors that contribute to maternal deaths. This study, which was conducted in Othaya Constituency sought to understand the contributions of dietary habits on the nutritional status of pregnant women seeking ANC services in the Constituency. The following were the objectives of the study: To assess the nutritional status of pregnant women in Othaya Constituency making their first ANC visit during their current pregnancy; to establish the dietary habits of pregnant women in Othaya Constituency; to determine the factors influencing dietary habits among pregnant women in Othaya Constituency; to examine the role of dietary knowledge on the nutritional status of pregnant women making their first ANC visit during their current pregnancy in Othaya Constituency; to identify and document existing strategies which address the dietary habits and nutritional status of pregnant women in the Constituency. The study was grounded on the Social Learning Theory (SLT) and Symbolic Interaction Theory. The study used a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design which employed a mixed-method approach. A questionnaire administered by an interviewer was used to collect data from 119 pregnant women. Qualitative data were gathered by use FGD with the pregnant women and in-depth interviews with key informants. The hospital records which included the ANC register were used as the sources from which secondary data were retrieved. The maternal and child health booklet too was used as a source of secondary data. Hb levels, MUAC, and Women Dietary Diversity Score were used to assess the nutritional status of the women. To better understand the existing strategies to address maternal dietary habits and nutritional status in-depth interviews were carried out with Key Informants. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS while qualitative data were analysed according to thematic areas. The findings established that 14% of the study participants had Hb levels below 11 g/dl and were therefore anaemic. MUAC measurements established that 9% of the women were undernourished (MUAC below 23 cm) while 91% had adequate nutritional status (MUAC ≥ 23). The mean dietary diversity score for the 9 food groups was 4.68±1.32 while the lowest and highest were 1 and 7 food groups respectively. The study also established that pregnant women had good nutritional knowledge. However, their choice of food was not based on the knowledge as most of them reported basing their choice of food on other factors like individual food preference or family food preference. A significant relationship was established between household size, the occupation of the respondent, and their dietary habits. There was also a relationship between culture, household income, education level and the women’s dietary habits. To more effectively address the dietary habits and nutritional status of pregnant women, there is a need to intensify nutrition education and counselling at the community level. Provide income-generating activities for pregnant women who have financial constraints so that they may generate some income to enable them to purchase nutritious foods.

The age of consent in Kenya is set at 18 years. Any sexual intercourse with a person under this age is illegal and attracts dire consequences to the extent of serving a life imprisonment even though the law accords a defense such as the minor deceived the accused to be above the age of maturity and the accused reasonably believed that he/she was of age. However, this defense is rarely applicable owing to the stringent application and invocation of the age of consent. There is an arbitrary application of this concept and any attempt by different actors in the justice system among them judges to call for a reform of the law have been met with anger, fury and backlash. Based on this sorry state that has seen many minors teeming in our prisons, this study sets out to call for a reconsideration of the law on the age of consent. The study calls for an honest national discourse on this subject so as to reform the character and behavior of minors. This study propagates the take ascribed to the celebrated author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, that, ‘… tell her that her body belongs to her and her alone, that she should never feel the need to say yes to something she does not want, or something she feels pressured to do. Teach her that saying no when no feels right is something to be proud of.’ In order to make the informed decision Chimamanda talks of, [with necessary modifications to include both sexes], the minors need to be engaged in this discourse of maturing of children, morality, autonomy, protection of children and the need for proportionality in punishing sexual offenders. This study culminates in proposing a number of recommendations that will create a fair and just criminal justice system and therefore create a harmonious society where dreams of consenting minors to sexual escapades’ potential is not thwarted because of rigid and obsolete legal regime that seeks to set abstract limits on natural processes like maturity.

Over the years, the older person population has grown, currently at 9% of the world’s total population. This growth is attributed to modern treatment advancements, modern technology, and improved living standards. However, the Kenyan 2019 census shows that 1.7% and 2.2% of its population represent male and female elderly (Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, 2019), respectively, a growing concern of their physical, social, psychological, and psychosocial well-being. Therefore, the older population needs are continuously growing and necessitate a better solution to ensure their comfort, sense of belonging and elevate self-worth. Over the years, the physical, social and cognitive needs have been enabled by modern interactive mobile technologies commonly referred to as gerontechnology; to assist the elderly in their day-to-day activities, monitoring, exergames, social engagements, etc., encouraging active ageing. However, the interactive mobile interfaces are developed and evaluated technically, neglecting the users’ emotional experience in determining the older adults' acceptance and adoption of modern technologies. Moreover, the technical assessments are domiciled in the traditional heuristics such as Nielsen’s principles, Norman’s heuristics, and Schneiderman’s golden rules that have been followed over the years in universal design and not modified to the growing needs of users and evolving technologies. The inclusive design calls for revision as geriatric persons have unique needs to be considered during design and development. The inclusive design creates a moment with the users, offering a natural interaction that changes how one feels about the system/application/product. Through observations and interviews, this research purposed to investigate the unique needs of geriatric persons and assess if modern technologies incorporate these needs. The researcher achieved this through a design for delight (D4D) methodology that involved eight participants; four were community dwellers, and four were residents of a philanthropic social home. We introduced touch technology; used tablets for ten weeks where games and interactive video and voice calls through a cross-platform experiment. The researchers uniquely identified the participants’ psychosocial features and users’ emotions for modern technology usage. Perceived self-worth and subjective norm were the psychosocial factors that directly and indirectly affect the geriatric person’s usage behaviour towards technology usage, contributing to Chen and Chan’s STAM model (2014). The researcher considered the Psychosocial needs identified in this research for heuristic development to evaluate interactive mobile interfaces. Alrazgan et al. (2014) and Van Biljon et al. (2010) findings of look and feel, interaction, and functionality (as technical evaluation) vi were compared to our results and brought out unique features that these scholars did not elaborate on. This research also brought forth the psychosocial theme of generating psychosocial usability heuristics, which were defensible using the technical features for evaluation, affecting the behavioural attitude that determines usage. This research presents the heuristics guidelines that guide synchronous and non-synchronous activities such as mentorship and storytelling in an interactive mobile interface. The actions influenced the geriatric person's self-worth and sense of belonging as they believe they are a positive contributor to the surrounding societies through modern technology. For further works, the research recommends inclusion on mixed-age related issues to test the applicability of the proposed research model in determining user behaviour towards modern technology Keywords: Geriatric persons, Gerontechnology, Interactive Mobile Interfaces, Perceived Self-Worth, Psychosocial Usability Heuristics, and Subjective Norm.