Radio plays an important role of peace building which is often ignored by policy makers, stakeholders, and even security personnel. The radio stations in Pokot and Turkana are working towards ensuring peaceful coexistence between communities. However, despite the many radio stations in Pokot and Turkana Counties, conflict between the two communities still persists to date. The purpose of the study was to establish the role of radio in peace building; a case of Pokot-Turkana conflict. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; To identify the radio programs that focus on peace as a key issue among the Pokot and Turkana communities; To examine the messages conveyed in the radio programs that address peace as a key issue among the Pokot and the Turkana; To determine the understanding of the messages conveyed by these radio programs among the Pokot and the Turkana; To establish the challenges faced by radio stations in promoting peace among the Pokot and the Turkana. The study was grounded on two theories namely; Peace Journalism theory and agent setting theory. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. The target population of the study included two radio stations, namely; Kalya FM and Ata Nayeche FM, and community members in the Pokot and Turkana region. Using purposive sampling, the study sample was made up of 44 respondents. An interview guide was used to collect data from the four staff members from Kalya FM and Ata Nayeche sampled while four focus group discussion were used to collect data from the community members. The interview guide, Focus group discussions and secondary sources of data collected qualitative data. The data was therefore analyzed on the basis of conceptual content analysis. The study revealed that the two radio stations did not have an adequate number of programs focusing majorly on peace. The study indicated that the two radio stations conveyed the message of togetherness, peace and unity through framing of messages. The study indicated that by using vernacular language, celebrities and professionals as guests the radio stations enhanced audience understanding. Moreover, conducting dialogues with community members and guests was also identified essential in radio programming. The challenge identified in promoting peace building included deciding on either to make profits or promote peace, internal competition in media houses, poor working conditions and poor employee motivation. The study agreed with the peace journalism theory to the extent that the media needs to take a serious stand in promoting peace in each program. Lastly in relation to agenda setting theory the study revealed that framing messages was a key element of effective communication on any topic including peace issues. The study recommended that the government needs to establish a radio station operated by people from the two communities to act as an example for peaceful coexistence. In addition, the study suggested that further studies need to be conducted focusing on other radio stations such as radio Akicha, Maata FM and Serian FM which operate in the Turkana and Pokot region and how they have participated in promoting peace in the area.

Issuance of loan is fundamental for economic growth and development of any economy. The loan portfolio both domestic and foreign plays a major role in funding the nation and its citizenry towards achieving a stable economy. The research problem was the influence of economic variables in non-performing loans in bank in Kenya. A case of selected bank funded projects in Nairobi County. The objectives of the study were to determine the influence of Gross domestic Product, inflation rate and foreign exchange rate on non-performing loans in bank funded projects. The researcher used descriptive research design and the research instrument was questionnaires. The target population were projects that had defaulted from repaying their loans within a period of ninety days after the loan maturity period. This information was drawn from 160 respondents with sample size of 114 which were picked by Yamane formulae technique. The study employed simple random sampling and stratified sampling techniques which were used when selecting the number of respondents. Descriptive data analysis involved presenting the means, percentages, frequencies and standard deviations of core variable of interest. The analysis of non-numerical data was done in line with the objectives and reported in narrative form. The generalization and prediction of data using correlation and regression analysis determined the relationship between variables. The regression analysis determined the influence of selected economic aspects on nonperforming loans in bank funded projects. Information on credit risk was sourced from survey questionnaires and annual banks supervision reports by CBK, while data on macroeconomic variables from the statistical bulletins of CBK and KNBS. The Reliability test was 0.89 hence this was considered reliable for further test and analysis. Multiple regression models were applied to ascertain the existence of a long run effect by the selected variables on the non-performing loans in bank funded projects. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was applied to test and build up the strong negative relationship that exists between Gross Domestic Product, (r - 0.0524) and non-performing loans. The correlation results indicate a positive relationship between inflation rate (r 0.0284) and non-performing loans while there is a strong positive relationship between foreign exchange (r 0.1973) onto the NPLs in bank funded projects in Kenya. From data collected spanning from 2008 to 2018 the study concluded that certain economic variables do influence the rate of loan performance in Kenya. The study recommends that the Government of Kenya in consultation with the private sector should come up with policies that would help curb the rate of non-performing loans in Kenya. Banks should be able to flag potential risk in their loan portfolios which will enable mitigation and making right decisions so as to improve the loan recovery rate. Further research should be conducted so as to comprehend the long run impact of nonperforming loans in the banking sector as well as the economy of Kenya.

The promotion of community policing in East Africa (especially Kenya and Tanzania); has been criticized as typically entailing the imposition of best practice models derived elsewhere with little regard for context. The general objective of the study was to critically examine the relationship between national security and community policing strategies in East Africa by identifying the challenges in community policing and security systems in place. More specifically, the study was: To investigate the existing community policing strategies in Kenya and Tanzania; To examine the effectiveness of community policing strategies on police-citizen relations and to determine the challenges and the gaps existing between the community policing and national security in Kenya and Tanzania. The theoretical framework used in this study was Kuhn theory of revolution and system theory. The overall method adopted for the study was the Case Study method. For data generation, use of primary and secondary sources were employed, where questionnaires was used to collect data. The study had its main focus on East Africa in particular Tanzania and Kenya. Primary data collection was done in Nairobi, Kenya and Dodoma in Tanzania. The two field study locations were chosen because they are the capital cities and administrative headquarters of the two countries under investigation for both Kenya Police and Tanzania Police; in addition they are more likely to encounter criminal activities due to high population. In this study, the targeted population from which general conclusions were drawn from covered four categories, namely OCD, OCS, police, and citizens. The populations which were sampled targeted about 200 respondents across the board; 100 from Kenya and 100 from Tanzania. The study adopted purposive and random sampling technique to select respondents. Based on the findings it was noted that the perception on impact of CP in reducing fear of crime is good and satisfactory. Generally, the study revealed that there is perceived improvement of CP in reducing fear of crime in Nairobi, Kenya and Dodoma in Tanzania. CBP in practice includes: police and community training and capacity building, the development of a national CBP policy, strategic planning and pilot CBP at the local level; Pilot CBP programmes can include community safety/information centres and support for local partnership safety projects. As observed overally, the piloting of CBP has improved trust and cooperation between the police, civil society and the communities. It was concluded that; the sustainability of CP in Kenya and Tanzania depends on improved policy environment, skilled, knowledgeable and motivated human resource, sustainable financial systems, equipment and technological systems. For the Tanzanian case, the concept has taken root unlike for the Kenyan case that is still making the baby steps and this is because Tanzania adopted communist approach which became a culture allowing the community policing strategy to take root more quickly. Kenya on the other end adopted the capitalist approach hence adopting community policy has picked albeit slowly. The study recommends that, there is a need for the governments to develop national policy on CP that will guide on better police practice, build trust of people to the police, enhancing community engagement and improvement of police as well as local government agencies hence reducing fear of crime xii

The research set to investigate impacts of macroeconomic variables on performance of domestic investments for Kenya from 1975 to 2018. ARDL estimation technique was employed in estimation of domestic investments model. Macroeconomic variables under study included; GDP, Government expenditure, inflation, interest rates, amount of credit to private sector, external debts, trade openness and exchange rates. Time series properties on stationarity test were conducted using ADF unit root tests. The finding showed existence of differences between macroeconomic factors on domestic investment. For the long run period, results revealed existence of significant effects for GDP, public expenditure, real exchange rates and trade openness variables on domestic investments in Kenya. However, no significant effects established for the inflation, real interest rates, external debts and credit to private sector on domestic investment. Conversely, the estimated short-run model revealed that GDP annual growth rate, public expenditure, external public debts first lag and real exchange rate first lag had short run significant effects on the performance of domestic investment at 5% significant level. The rest of the variables that include, credit to private sector, inflation, interests’ rates, trade openness had expected signs but coefficients were not significant. Shocks in the economy were represented by co-integrating ECM coefficient of negative 0.76 and t-statistics significant at 5% level. This suggests that previous short run shocks convergence to long run equilibrium at a speed of 76% thus takes approximately one and half years. The results suggest the need for the government of Kenya to ensure enabling macroeconomic environment and promote domestic investment enhancing policy for accelerating economic transformation.

This study explored solid waste management and suitable dump site selection using GIS in Homa-Bay town. Solid Waste management (SWM) is an environmental global issue which is a major problem in the world today. Many towns and urban centres that have rapid urbanization and population growth inevitably face the challenges of selection of suitable solid waste dumping sites Rapid technological development, which has increased consumption, is also a contributing factor to rapid solid waste generation. The project focused on the following areas of solid waste management in Homa-Bay town: efficient and economical collection methods, identification and allocation of proper dumping sites and relocation of dumping bins for users. To achieve optimal waste management system, GIS was used as an effective tool in selecting suitable disposal sites in Homa-Bay town.

This study was concerned with internal determinants in county government fiscal sustainability in Kenya between 2013 and 2016. The first three fiscal years since the inception of devolved governance in March 2013 witnessed county governments struggle to meet their financial obligation and this catapulted them from one crisis to another leading to calls for more resources while at the same time calls for prudent fiscal management. The study’s objectives included investigating the influence of county fiscal strategy on fiscal sustainability, determining the effect of nonadherence to fiscal responsibility laws on county fiscal sustainability, and ascertaining the influence of revenue capacity on county fiscal sustainability in Kenya. The study found that majority of respondents concur that Nairobi City and Narok county governments face challenges including weak fiscal strategies, revenue inadequacy, inherent narrow revenue bases, unpredictable revenue allocation, lack of diversification of its revenue sources, and inflation of its recurrent expenditures all affecting their fiscal strategy. Secondly, the two county governments neither do not observe tax and expenditure limits from the Controller of Budget, do not adhere to balanced budget rules/requirement, lack fiscal discipline incentives in their revenue allocation, and a proper debt management plans. Lastly, the two county governments utilize antiquated local revenue collection measures, face higher vertical revenue gaps, do not promote accountability and transparency in fiscal management, and thus haplessly weak in revenue capacity. A few respondents believed the nascent devolved units require time to strengthen their fiscal capacities/strategies and compliance as all devolved functions were transferred to them with a bang by the Transition Authority. Based on the findings, the study recommends that fiscal strategies be entrenched in all departments and with all the stakeholders. There is need for county government to totally adhere to fiscal responsibility laws as dictated by PFM Act 2012 and finally, Finally, county governments are urged to enhance revenue capacity by enhancing revenue collection measures, prudently managing intergovernmental transfers in service provision, embrace transparency and accountability, embracing IT in tax collection, properly prioritize spending needs, and enhance fiscal wealth to help cover government fiscal imbalances, and supplement the lowly performing local own source revenues.

There have been increasing cases of human wildlife conflicts affecting local communities living adjacent to wildlife conservation areas. These pose a great challenge to the communities as they adversely affect their livelihoods. This is the case around Kamnarok National Reserve (NR) in Baringo County. Incompatible livelihood diversification has been linked to the escalation of human wildlife conflicts in the study area thus the objectives of the study were to;- i) examine the types of human wildlife conflicts in the study area ii) analyze the impact of human wildlife conflicts (HWC) on community well-being iii) analyze community motivation for livelihood diversification and iv) assess the relationship between livelihood diversification and human wildlife conflicts. Three (3) hypotheses were formulated and tested using the collected data. These were (a) no significant relationship between local community livelihoods and Kamnarok National reserves’ resources; (b) there is no significant relationship between human wildlife conflicts and community livelihoods and (c) there is no significant relationship between livelihood diversification and the rising cases of human wildlife conflicts within Kamnarok NR adjacent areas. Random sampling was used to select 384 respondents from households adjacent to Kamnarok NR. Purposive sampling was used to identify Key informants and Focus Group Discussants. Data collected was analyzed using content analysis, chi- square goodness of fit test, Pearson Product Moment correlation (PPMC) and multinomial regression (MR) test. The results were presented using graphs and tables. The results from the study revealed that crop raiding (72%) and livestock predations (46%) were the main causes of human-wildlife conflicts. Chi-square statistics and Pearson product Moment correlation coefficients showed that land rights contestation, competition for the NR resources, increase in wildlife populations, inadequacy of livelihood sources and the NR management style were other main contributors to the prevailing conflicts in the study area. Elephants were identified as the most destructive in farm raiding incidences. Furthermore, 71% of the households suffer human wildlife conflicts (HWCs) with human injuries (11.4%) and deaths (2.7%) being the main direct human bodily forms of conflicts manifestation. Coefficients of the logistic regression model indicated that the main factors influencing community livelihood diversification in Kamnarok NR were wildlife related factors (β = 1.218; p<0.05); education levels (β = 0.442; p<0.05) and agro-climatic factors (β= 0.861,p<0.005). However, HWCs significantly differed by gender (X2 = 8.265, df =4, p<0.001) as more male headed household bear the brunt of conflicts. However, other causes included imposition of policies without effective participation (66.4%), climate change (58.4%), conflict of interest among resource users (56.2%), and culture of cattle rustling (38.1%). The study further established that households diversified livelihoods into various portfolios including land sales, local transport business, and sale of merchandise in open-air markets as a result of wildlife conflicts. Finally this study recommends that (a) Kamnarok NR management authorities should address community land right issue by exploring more amicable solutions that ensure community support for wildlife conservation, (b) Promote the development of more sustainable alternative livelihoods such as tourism which reduce pressure on already strained resources of Kamnarok NR (c) Encourage livelihoods land uses such as livestock ranching which promote local livelihoods as it is compatible with wildlife conservation and (d) integrate community views in the management of the reserve.