The objective of this study sought to investigate the impact of ICT (with specific focus on broad-band services) on Kenya's economic growth. Due to the nature of the variables that have been selected, this study employed reduced Vector Autoregressive (VAR) model informed by the iden-tification challenges that exists when Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) estimates of a structural VAR result to inconsistent results. Additionally, autoregressive model, AR (2) was estimated for robust check. The study used annual time series data for the period 1992-2019 obtained from World Banks database and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) publications. The findings showed that in the second lag growth in the broadband services was found to have a positive and significant effect on the economic growth in the current year. Other factors that were associated that caused significant growth in economy included the trade openness, inflation rate both at first and second lags and trade openness in the second lag. Apart from economic growth, increased performance in the broadband services was attributed to capital growth at first lag, trade openness at first lag as well as the flow of FDI stock in the country. On this basis, the study therefore pro-poses that the government should increase investments in the ICT sector and put measures in place to encourage the access to and use of broadband services and additionally ensuring policies to-wards ensuring macroeconomic stability are enforced in order to woo investors to invest in ICT sectors in Kenya.

Water is the second most fundamental ware for life after air, it's a nurturing force and in that capacity, its shortage demands our complete consideration. In Laikipia West, Laichakun West Sub-County, this study is aimed at examining the effect of the participatory monitoring and assessment method on water implementation. The purpose of this study was to establish the impact of participatory water project planning in Laikipia West Sub-County on community-based water projects; to establish how the participatory decision-making process in M&E affects the implementation of community-based water projects in Laikipia West Sub-County. Descriptive transversal survey design and research design for correlation were employed in this study. For this study, the aim was to have 158 registered members and 24 monitoring and evaluation members of the Kaichakun Spring Protection Water project. The samples were collected via systemic random sampling for the research and the monitoring staff of 123 heads of households from the target population. The data were obtained using surveys and phone interviews as the principal tools for studying the data. In order to create frequency distributions, percentages, median and standard deviation, the data was analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical Social Sciences Package 25) to help the scientist respond to the study questions. The data were submitted in tabular form. Descriptive data show a medium and standard 3.96 and 1.08 deviation respectively in participatory project planning for M&E. Further descriptive statistics portrayed that participatory stakeholder identification for M&E indicated an influence on implementation of community-based water projects (M=3.82, SD=1.14), participatory decision-making for M&E with7 a7mean7and7standard7 deviation7of (M=3.91, SD=1.10) on implementation of community-based water projects and budgetary allocation for M&E against the dependent variable implementation of community-based water projects with a7 mean7and7standard7deviation7of 3.89 and71.14 respectively. The7study7therefore concluded the predictor variables participatory project planning for M&E, participatory decision-making for M&E, participatory stakeholder involvement for M&E and budgetary allocation for M&E had an influence on implementation of community-based water projects. The engagement of the local community at all levels of Community-based water projects is vital to ensure that community-based water projects are implemented. Further the researcher recommended that the government and other stakeholders should seek for community engagement to ensure the continuity7 of7 the7 project7 in7 the7 long7run.

Corporate governance attributes has been associated with numerous benefits including reducing the agency conflicts among stakeholders of a firm. A desirable structure of governance would assist in ensuring that resources of the firm would be utilized properly by management to benefit other stakeholders. Despite a tight regulatory framework, corporate governance issues are still experienced among commercial banks. This is evidenced by the recent collapse of Chase Bank and Imperial Bank and the struggles experienced by National Bank. This research sought to bring out the effect of corporate governance attributes on the financial performance among banks in Kenya. The research established the effect of gender diversity, ownership concentration and board independence on performance among banks. Credit risk, capital adequacy and bank size were used as the control variables in the model. Descriptive research design was used. The target population was the 38 banks in Kenya. Research variables data were derived from audited company's annual financial statements from 2016 to 2020 for all 38 banks making 190 observations. Regression and correlation analysis were used to test the study hypotheses by establishing the relationship between corporate governance attributes and ROA. The results indicated R2 of 0.234 which implied that the selected independent variables contributed 25.8% to variations in ROA. The study also found that ownership concentration (β=0.322, p=0.000), board independence (β=0.301, p=0.000) and bank size (β=0.207, p=0.001) had a positive and significant relationship with ROA among banks. Credit risk has a significant negative effect on ROA (β=-0.417, p=0.000) while gender diversity (β=0.002, p=0.649) and capital adequacy (β=0.003, p=0.834) were not statistically significant. The study recommends that policy makers should focus on ownership concentration as this contributes to ROA of the banks. The study also recommends that CBK which is the regulator should make it mandatory to all banks that they should have board independence.

The Eastern Mt. Kenya region has a significant number of mofette or cold CO2-rich springs which have not been fully investigated previously. They include Gikumene, Kathathantu, Kiambogo, Mbwinjeru, Mulathankari, Nthungu, Rwarera-A, Rwarera-B, Tharu and Ukuu. This study evaluated the origin of CO2 and geochemistry of these springs in relation to their potential environmental, socio-economic and health impacts. A wide range of instruments were used for the analysis. Non-dispersive infra-red sensor was used for the measurement of ambient CO2 in the air, cavity ring-down spectroscopy for δ 13C and dissolved inorganic carbon determination, potentiometric titration for alkalinity, ion chromatography and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry for major ions and inductively coupled plasmaoptical emission spectrometry for trace elements analysis in water. Host rocks analysis was done by atomic absorption spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction methods. Questionnaires were used to obtain views about the springs from the local community. The springs had average ambient CO2 levels between 3,417 and 4,804 ppm which were far above the reported global atmospheric CO2 value of 410.24 ppm in August 2019. The dissolved inorganic carbon δ 13C ranged from -3.597 to +0.283 ‰, Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite. This indicated that the CO2 was either mantle or deep crust derived probably due to post volcanic degassing with a minor contribution from carbonate minerals. The springs had low temperatures (21.2-29.7 oC) and slightly acidic pH (5.83-6.81). The results indicated high dissolved inorganic carbon (39,184-89,013 μmol/kg), total alkalinity (14,925-61,810 μmol/L) and electrical conductivity (1,221-5,195 μS/cm). The predominant cation in the waters was Na+ at 121-1,273 mg/L which was largely counter-balanced by HCO3 - to form Na-HCO3 water-type. The levels of As, B, Mn, Ni, Se and F ions in some spring waters exceeded the Kenya Bureau of Standards guideline values. Only As and F ions exceeded the World Health Organization limits. Variations of data between the wet and dry seasons were not statistically significant. Essential trace elements such as Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni and Zn were present in the rocks. Among the toxic elements, As and Pb dominated in the rocks. From these findings, CO2 emissions is evident in Mt. Kenya region based on the high dissolved inorganic carbon in the waters and high levels of ambient CO2 in the air which could influence climate change. There is great socio-economic potential in the region for industrial extraction of CO2 and processing of the mineral waters. However, there is considerable health risk of long-term consumption of the waters contaminated with As which is a known carcinogen.

In the modern world, the priorities of most business leaders have shifted to saving costs and managing growth. Electronic governance is more than simply automation; it might be a major shift of electronic services, technology, and body processes that can alter the way people get services and information. Additionally, Queue Management Systems and open-plan service spaces have been implemented at the Huduma Center to increase service acquisition orderliness and accountability. Research was conducted to examine the effect of electronic governance adoption at Huduma Centers in Nairobi Kenya. Technology Acceptance Model, Resource-Based View Theory, and Diffusion of Innovation Theory were all used in this research. Only 60 of Huduma Centers' top and mid-level managers were included in this study's target group. The huduma center's implementation of E governance was found to be to a large degree. The study established that interactivity and decision support was at great extent as benefit of e- governance while transparency was at moderate extent as benefit of e- governance. The study recommends that huduma Centers select a technologies steward that will be responsible for guiding the huduma Centers towards e-governance services adoption. Management should be involved as they are the decision makers and thus need to be involved in the entire process.

Earnings “management stems from agency problems, the separation of management and ownership, and information asymmetry, management having comparative information over outsiders. Owing to the widely publicized financial reporting frauds, regulators have reacted to this through making reforms on the corporate governance structures contending that the credibility of financing reporting is immensely improved by having strong corporate governance structures. The probability of manipulation of earning is systematically associated with the weaknesses in the oversight of management such as lack of audit committee, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)-chairperson duality, and insider board membership domination. The financial reporting integrity however depends on other conduct and performance of financial reporting ecosystem member such as the management, auditors, and directors. The overall objective of the study was to establish effect of corporate governance on the financial reporting quality of firms listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. It also aimed at reviewing the increasing body of theoretical and empirical studies that have endeavored to examine the range of magnitude and effects of corporate governance on financial reporting quality. The resource dependency, stakeholder, and agency theories guided the current study. The current study utilized the descriptive research design. The target population was all the 64 listed firms at the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The study employed a census and it examined the whole population. The unit period of analysis was annual, and data was collected for the period from 2016 to 2020; the period comprised of five years. The study applied correlation analysis and multiple linear regression model with the technique of estimation being Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) so as to establish the relationship of board independence, audit and risk committee, board size, and firm size with financial reporting” quality. The study findings were that board independence, audit and risk committee, board size, and firm size do not have a significant correlation with financial reporting quality. Further study findings were that the model entailing; entailing corporate governance that include; board independence, audit and risk committee, and board size, as well as firm size, explains financial reporting quality to a very least extent with a coefficient of determination value of 2.04%. Additional study findings were that that the model entailing corporate governance that include; board independence, audit and risk committee, and board size, as well as firm size, does not significantly predict financial reporting quality. Final study findings were that board independence, audit and risk committee, board size, and firm size do not have a significant relationship with financial reporting quality. Policy recommendations are made to the government officials and policy formulators in the financial sector, mainly the regulator, the Capital Markets Authority (CMA), and the Treasury to utilize corporate governance when endeavouring to boost financial reporting quality, and by extension fraud, in order to boost the credibility of the capital markets. Further recommendations are generated to the financial analysts to utilize corporate governance when analysing the financial statements of listed firms when trying to estimate their intrinsic values. Finally, recommendations are generated to consultants and listed firms practitioners to utilize corporate governance when trying to bolster financial reporting quality and minimize the principle-agent conflict.

The rate of adoption of tissue-culture banana at smallholder farmer level in Uganda has been low since the technology was introduced over 20 years ago. This study assessed farmer perception, soil biotic and abiotic factors influencing tissue culture banana (TCB) production, and compared the effect of integrated soil amendments on TCB growth in smallholder farms in Uganda. A cross-sectional survey on 280 smallholder farmers sampled from four districts of western Uganda was conducted among farmers growing both TCB and non-tissue culture banana (NTCB). The responses were subjected to Principal Component Analyses. Nested Case-Control design within smallholder banana orchard farmers was used to establish the interactions between selected biotic and abiotic parameters. Composite root and soil samples were collected from 20 banana orchards, and processed to determine the status of selected nutrients and numbers of plant parasitic nematodes. Banana weevil traps on a total of 1,280 banana mats were used to establish the spatio-temporal and biophysical interactions that exist in banana orchards. Variations in banana weevils trapped, nematodes and soil nutrients extracted were subjected to Redundancy Analysis and nested ANOVA at 5% critical value. Field experiments were carried out to establish the effect of integrated soil amendments on TCB growth. Banana cultivars of Mpologoma and Kibuzi were treated with 0g, 100 g, 300 g, and 500 g of NPK, 0, 5, 10, and 15 litres per plant of both cow manure and banana brew bio-slurries, respectively. Combinations of 100 in 5L, 300 in10L, and 500 in 15L NPK and sole bio-slurries, were applied to the two tissue cultured cultivars. Observations were made on soil and plant banana growth parameters at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after planting. Composite root samples were analysed for Helicotylenchus multicintus, Radopholus similis Pratylenchus goodeyi, and Meloidogyne spp. Disc-on-stump and split pseudo-stem traps were laid to establish banana weevil variations vis-à-vis the amendments. Phytochemicals were extracted from composite root samples of the banana cultivars by maceration at room temperature with n-hexane (50ml) for 48 hours and sample extracts analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Demographic and farmer perceived factors influenced (p ≤ 0.05) the decision to adopt or reject TCB technology. When exposed to weevil and nematode pests in heterogeneous banana orchard conditions, both TCB and NTCB were equally infested with banana weevil and nematodes. Infestation by weevils and nematodes was higher and significant [Pr (>F) 0.0343*] in TCB than NTCB during the dry season. Mean banana weevil density was higher for TCB and NTCB orchards in Kiruhura District than any other district. While the highest mean nematode density was recorded for the district of Ibanda, Helichotelenchus multicinctus and Radopholous similis were found most prevalent in western Uganda. High banana weevil and nematode populations densities independently and negatively influenced TCB adoption (p<0.001). Adoption of NTCB was largely influenced by the banana weevil (P<0.05) than it was by nematodes in the same farmers‘ fields (p>0.05). Variations in soil pH, and N significantly (p<0.001) influenced TCB distribution and adoption. Small amounts of organic and inorganic soil amendments equally caused normal TCB growth up to 12 months after planting and significantly provided nutrients at variable depths. Kibuzi cultivar was more infested with H. Multicinctus than Mpologoma cultivar, which was more infested with P. goodeyi. Generally, Mpologoma was found more prone to nematode infestation by all the four genera under this study. Nematodes and banana weevil populations significantly (p<0.001) reduced with application of organic amendments, compared to the control. The study established that there are variations in the occurrence of phytochemicals in the root of banana of different cultivars due to treatment application, which probably acted as a defence against the weevils and nematode attack. Farmers most likely accepted type of banana that co-exists with pest infestation in those management practices that are probably affordable by the smallholder farmers. Critical understanding of seasonal and spatial distribution of banana xiv weevils and nematodes is an essential basis for developing strategic and affordable treatments to manage the pests below the threshold level in smallholder banana farms of Uganda. Key words: Tissue culture banana, adoption, banana yield, Banana weevil, nematode, biophysical interactions, bio-slurry, organic amendments, phyto-chemicals.

Sustainability threats are encountered by organizations in both developed and poor nations on a daily basis. There has been great competition in the business environment because firms endeavor to outdo one another. With the advancement in technology and increased players in the industry, the competition has been intensified even further. Coping with this increased competitive environment demands companies to do reconsideration of their marketing strategies. The study's overarching goal was to determine the impact of competitive tactics on service delivery among Nairobi County, Kenya's logistics enterprises. Both the dynamic capacities theory and the service quality theory informed this investigation. 100 logistics companies in Nairobi, Kenya, were the focus of a descriptive cross-sectional design. The survey was aimed at top logistics company executives. Descriptive analysis, multiple linear regression, and correlation analyses were all used in the research. According to the findings, logistics companies heavily rely on cost leadership strategies while using differentiation and focus strategies only to a limited amount. It has been shown that competitive tactics have a favourable impact on service delivery. There is a strong correlation between competing tactics and service delivery, hence the study model is important. According to the report, it's important for logistics companies to always improve their product and service offerings. Research and development should be stepped up by logistics companies in order to ensure that their services are of the highest quality and variety.

This study entitled “The effects of teenage pregnancy on the family socio-economic development in Rwanda, a Case study of Nyamagabe District, 2016-2019” has the purpose to find out the effects of teenage pregnancy on the family socio-economic development in Rwandan society. The study research questions were: What are the causes of teenage pregnancy among 15-19 years in Nyamagabe District? To what extent the teenage pregnancy affects family socio-economic development in Nyamagabe District? and What are the strategies to deal with the effects of teenage pregnancy on family socio-economic development in Nyamagabe District? In order to respond to these questions, the research used the quantitative research design. The total population was 834 and sample size was 108 including 89 young mothers (deliveries under 19 years). Questionnaire and interview have been used to collect data. In order to analyze data, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16.0 was used. For the findings, 22% of respondents strongly agreed whilst 66% agreed the proposed causes of teenage pregnancy such as poverty, experimenting sex, single parenting, broken homes, peer influence, street hawking, ignorance of the use of contraceptives, lack of sex education, early sexual debut, sexual exploitation by relatives/ acquaintances, lack of moral education and exposure to pornographic films. The researcher noted that under these causes, there are other causes highlighted by respondents especially living alone, drugs and alcohol. Findings revealed that the teenage pregnancy causes the social effects to young mothers notably stopping schooling (100%) and early marriage (100%), stay single or unmarried (100%), risk of HIV/ AIDS contamination (75.3%), forced to work for a wage (85.4%), unemployment (1.76 of mean), and economic effects like poverty (1.65 of mean), lack of income (1.67 of mean) and lack of saving (1.6 of mean). Findings revealed the strategies to contribute in overcoming the effects caused by teenage pregnancy such as utilization of contraceptives (97.8%), sexual education (93.3%), effective control of parents (91.0%), provision of child basic needs (88.8%), good relationship between parent and children and the counseling (87.6%). The researcher evidenced that the teenage pregnancy has effects on social and economic development and it is very significant to know what factors of teenage pregnancy in Nyamagabe District so that the adequate strategies can be taken in order to overcome those effects.

In Rwanda, cooperatives are relied upon because they are thought to improve operating efficiency and help improve the living standards of the population. Yet, households in Rwandan rural areas are said to be still vulnerable. The current study was carried out to investigate how involvement in rice growing activities has impacted on the improvement of households living standards of both cooperative and non-cooperative members operating in JYAMBERE MUHINZI WA HUYE Cooperative Rice-Growing Zone in Huye District. A sample of 207 respondents was randomly selected from a population of 346 rice growers. The sample comprised 175 respondents selected from 312 and 32 cooperative and non-cooperative members respectively. Data collected using a questionnaire filled in by cooperative and non-cooperative members were analyzed using SPSS and excel software. The findings indicated the extent of cooperative members’ involvement in rice growing activities is greater than that of non-cooperative members. The findings also revealed a moderate extent of improvement of households living standards among cooperative members and a low extent of improvement of households living standards among non-cooperative members. This led the conclusion that involvement in rice growing activities has helped improve the households living standards among cooperative members better than among non-members. Correlation analysis revealed that, for the case of both cooperative and non-cooperative members, a significant relationship between involvement in rice growing activities and improvement of households living standards. It was recommended, among others, that the government should through its agricultural officials, make follow-up to ensure that the best and modern rice growing practices are adequately implemented by rice growers so as to increase the yields of the exploited land.