This research investigates how impression management strategies impact the performance of online businesses in Nairobi. Various impression management strategies are canvassed by various scholars in general terms. The study is anchored in the impression management theory and the social capital theory. The broad categorizations of impression management strategies, namely, self-promotion, exemplification, intimidation, ingratiation and supplication were explored in terms of their applicability to the organizational environment. Of these, intimidation, self-promotion, and supplication were specifically investigated. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed in order to minimize any mediating or moderating factors arising from the dynamic online environment. The Facebook profiles of 30 online businesses that are registered in Nairobi were studied. The study established very weak correlation between impression management strategies and performance of online businesses. The study recommends further research in the correlations between various variables in online businesses. Particularly, there is need to explore the relationship between member subscriptions and both positive and negative feedback to business posts.

The impact of colonialism on African women and the transformation of their roles in the social, economic and political spheres has been the focus of many Africanist scholars. However, most of the works focus on African women generally. The current study specifically, focuses on Luo women in Kenya. It is an inquiry into the gendered political transformation the Luo have undergone from 1895 – 2002. It specifically analyses the role of women in pre-colonial Luo society. It also examines how the integration of the Luo community into the colonial system impacted on women. It further discusses how colonialism marginalised the women and how the independent Kenyan state has continued with the same legacy. The study has included the voices of the the few female political leaders such as; Grace Onyango, Phoebe Asiyo, Grace Ogot, Mama Uhuru: Magdalene Aboge Alila, Caroline Oguta and Roseline Aricho in the struggle against political marginalisation. Finally, it analyses the democratic transition in Kenya and how it impacted on Luo women.The study used two theoretical frameworks to interrogate the objectives. The liberal feminism and gender theory were used as tools of historical analysis. The two perspectives captured the roles of women in the period under study. The perspectives show how the gender roles were transformed, historically and culturally over time. The theories were used to show how the few women who challenged marginalisation worked within the societal structures to bring about changes for the women. The women politicians worked to change policies and to introduce new strategies such as Affirmative Action so as to have women integrated into national politics.The study is based on data from both primary and secondary sources. The data was analysed using the theoretical tools to explain the gendered political transformatoin that has taken place in Luoland.The study established that in the pre-colonal Luo society, women were actively involved in every aspect of the societal life, that is, social, economic and political. The political was closely fused with the economic and social spheres. Medicine women and prophetess for example made decisions that impacted the whole community. This fused version of politics would end with the integration of the Luo society and the colonial state, whereby the public sphere and domestic sphere were divided, thus locking women out of politics. The marginalisation of women in politics is as a result of a combination of factors; namely, colonial legacy, lack of education, lack of funds, political violence and abuse, and party-politics to mention but just a few. The study findings show a paucity of women in political positions, reflecting the existence of an unfavourable climate for women’s political initiative. In addition, it reveals that the democratisation process, beginning with the introduction of multiparty politics in 1991 has not, empowered Luo women in terms of political gains.

Military intervention has attracted a lot of scholarly attention in the recent past, with many scholars interested in interrogating the motives and justifications for the practice. Many of these studies have mainly focused on military intervention externally rather than the involvement of the military in internal security operations. By examining the rationale and dynamics of Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) interventions, this study sought to put forward a prism for internal military intervention based on normative principles of military intervention short of war and justified under existing legal frameworks. The study analysed, the Shifta campaigns (1964-1967), Operation Okoa Maisha (2008) and the ongoing Operation Linda Nchi, in which the KDF interceded to explain how and why it was necessary for it to intervene in these internal disputes which should have been within civil police jurisdiction. The study was guided by the military centrality theory, the theory of securitization and the just war tradition. The military centrality and securitization theories explained circumstances warranting military intervention while the just war theory addressed issues relating to the right to intervene, the right conduct in operation and concerns of justice after the intervention. The conduct of the interventions were assessed against international norms and rules of military engagement. The study utilized both exploratory research and historical research design. The target population was subject to stratified and purposive sampling. Primary data was collected through oral interviews and Focused Group Discussions from a sample size of 210 informants. Collected data was grouped, and corroborated with archival and secondary data and presented using the qualitative research techniques in themes corresponding with the objectives of the study. From the analysis, this study found that there are many normative principles guiding internal military operations. However, operational challenges faced by the military may result in violation of human rights and other constitutional contravention which are often condemned by civil society organizations. Amidst these criticisms, the KDF was legally justified to intervene under the provisions of the UN Charter and the Constitution of Kenya. The major proposition of the study was that, although military interventions may not enlist local support, they are more decisive in ending disputes. As such, the state should not hesitate to deploy her military when such crises occur. However, caution must be taken to ensure that military interventions are conducted strictly in line with the existing normative principles of conduct of hostilities to mitigate excessive use of force.

Small farmer commercialization was an indispensable pathway towards sustainable food security based on production specialization of food crops. The common staple food crops in Mwala and Yatta sub-counties which are the main semi-arid areas in Machakos County were green grams and pigeon peas. However, the factors affecting productivity and the resultant output for commercialization are not fully understood. The main objectives were therefore to assess the extent and determinants of the levels of commercialization, estimate the factors affecting productivity of green gram and pigeon pea, determine the effects of productivity and output retention on size of marketed surplus of green gram and pigeon production and assess the factors affecting market performance. A survey method was used during data collection where 364 households and 110 grain traders were sampled. Results shown by the descriptive statistics indicated that, the percentages of subsistence and commercial oriented households, focusing on green gram were 79.1% and 20.9%, respectively. The percentages of subsistence and commercial oriented households, focusing on pigeon pea production were 87.9% and 12.1%, respectively. The mean productivity of green gram in the subsistence, semi-commercial and fully commercial farms were 11.581, 104.474 and 204.439 kilograms per hectare, respectively. Pigeon pea mean productivity was 43.334, 48.25 and 13.708 kilograms per hectare in subsistence, semi-commercial and fully commercial farms. Marketed surplus of green gram was determined by the size of landholding (4.422***), yield of green gram (0.056***), retention for seed and given away (1.027**) and production systems in agro-ecological zones (43.613***). Significant increase in pigeon pea marketed surplus was due to household’s retention for seed (2.064***) and market price of output (1.641***). In terms of market degree of competition, results showed that, few large traders of green gram, about 8.26 % accounted for 78.40% of the total volume purchased. Few large traders of pigeon pea, about 8.27 %, accounted for 72.13%. Therefore, this study concluded that, subsistence level dominated in green gram and pigeon pea production. This could have been influenced by low productivity of green gram and pigeon pea, low household marketed surplus and low market competition. Based on the results, various policy concerns were recommended for transforming subsistence-oriented production into market-oriented production focusing on green gram and pigeon pea food crops.

In recent times, Islamic religion has been expanding rapidly at the global, regional and local levels. The presence of this religion in Nandi County and its evidence of growth raise the need to know more about it. Its origin, however, spread and impact on Nandi traditional religion and culture, has not been the subject of scholarly research. It is this gap that the study intended to fill. The specific objectives were: to investigate the origins and spread of Islam in Nandi County, 1850-2012; to establish the impact of Islam on Nandi traditional religion and culture in Nandi County; to analyze factors that contributed to the acceptance or rejection of the Islamic religion by the Nandi people and to establish the challenges facing its spread. Cross-cultural and Islamization theories were applied in collecting data and bridging the gap in knowledge. Further, the study utilized both qualitative design and the surveying data collection methods to arrive at the findings. It was noted however that the spread of Islamic religion was affected by various factors among them socio cultural, economic and religious and doctrinal this are just but a few factors which and challenged the spread of Islam in Nandi. The findings of the study will be used in understanding proselytism in a cross-cultural context and promotion of inter-faith dialogue; they will also be applied by government policy-makers and other stakeholders in addressing the development agenda for Nandi County particularly, in areas of education, cultural heritage and religion.

Firms opt to raise additional funds from rights issue so that they have an optimal capital structure, avoid breaching debt covenants and enhance the long-term liquidity of the business. This research sought to establish the effects of rights issue on shareholder wealth of firms listed at the NSE. The study focused on the firm size, dividends and leverage as determinants of shareholder wealth. The focus of the study was between 2008 and 2020 when most companies issued rights at the NSE. This study is an event study which uses a descriptive research design. The objective of the study was to establish the effects of rights issue on shareholders’ wealth for NSE listed firms. Different researchers across the globe have found mixed results and hence it was essential to focus on the firms listed at NSE as it was majorly an unexplored research area and also to update with recent data. From the 65 firms listed at the NSE during 2008-2020 there were 12 firms that issued rights. The study sourced data from secondary sources mainly mid-year or end year financial reports published at the CMA, NSE, and the firm websites. From the model developed, data was collected at intervals of 2- year prior and 4-year post rights issue. Shareholder wealth was determined as a function of firm size, leverage and dividends. Statistical analysis was done to determine how the independent and dependant variables behave when there is a unit change in one element. Using the market value added ratios the study found that the mean MVA reduced with rights issue from 19.48417 to 18.8634. From the regression analysis, fixed effects model showed an R squared value (within) of 0.6750 in the pre-issue period and 0.7199 for the post-issue period. This indicated that rights issue strengthened the effect of determinants of shareholder’s wealth among listed firms in Kenya. This indicated that firm size, leverage and dividends as determinants of shareholder wealth contributed largely to the changes in MVA of listed firms that issued rights.The study infers that rights issue has a negative effect on shareholder wealth on NSE listed firms. The study recommends that listed firms in Kenya to raise capital from other sources. Further research is recommended on other factors influencing shareholder’s wealth other than rights issue; different time period like 5 years; other measures like economic value added as measure of shareholders’ wealth; and use of a different methodology in either bull or bear market conditions.

The manufacturing industry has been worst affected by numerous taxation measures implemented by the government. These taxes and levies include; corporate tax, VAT, excise duty, custom duty, fire license, occupancy and safety permit, public health license, signage/branding license, among other taxes and fees. These taxes and levies have made it complex to operate a manufacturing business in Kenya. They have increased the cost of doing business and many investors have looked for alternative destination for their investments. In the same respect, other investors have closed their manufacturing operations in Kenya for alternative markets leading to loss of jobs, foreign direct investment, market rating and tax revenues. This research sought to bring out the effect of multiple taxation on financial performance among listed manufacturing firms at the NSE. The research established the effect of corporate tax, excise duty and custom duty on financial performance among listed manufacturing firms. Firm size, liquidity and leverage were used as the control variables in the model. Descriptive research design was used. The 9 listed manufacturing firms were the target population. Research variables data were derived from audited company's annual financial statements from 2016 to 2020. Regression and correlation analysis were used to test the study hypotheses by establishing the correlation between multiple taxation and performance. The results indicated R2 of 0.481 which implied that the selected independent variables contributed 48.1% to variations in performance. The study also found that corporate tax (β=0.210, p=0.000); and Firm size has a significant positive effect on performance (β=0.422, p=0.000) while leverage (β=-0.156, p=0.009) had a negative and significant relationship with financial performance among listed manufacturing firms. Excise duty, custom duty, and liquidity were not statistically significant. The study recommends that the corporate tax being levied on listed manufacturing firms should remain in place as it does not adversely affect performance of manufacturing firms. Manufacturing firms listed at the NSE should diligently pay the corporate taxes due as this will enhance their performance.

The study looked to analyze the impact of micro-finance on monetary execution of little and medium endeavors in Kwale County. The targets of the study were: to decide the impact of miniature preparing on monetary execution of SME in Kwale County; to decide the impact of miniature credit on monetary execution of SME in Kwale County; to decide the impact of miniature saving money on monetary execution of SME in Kwale County and to decide the impact of miniature protection on monetary execution of SME in Kwale County. The study was additionally directed by 3 hypotheses specifically, hierarchy hypothesis, asset based hypothesis and dynamic compromise hypothesis. The study embraced a graphic exploration plan, an objective populace of 813 SME administrators in Kwale County, concentrate on example was acquired utilizing Yamane's examining recipe subsequently 274 SME chiefs were occupied with this study. Examination information was gathered utilizing essential and auxiliary apparatuses. Essential examination instruments were tried for legitimacy and unwavering quality before investigation and show of discoveries. Information was dissected utilizing expressive and inferential measurements utilizing SPSS and introduced in tables and diagrams. Study discoveries set up a positive connection between miniature credit, miniature preparing, miniature protection and miniature reserve funds and monetary execution of Small and Medium ventures in Kwale County. It was hence reasoned that; microfinance emphatically impact the monetary exhibition of little and medium undertakings in Kwale County. The study suggested for preparing of SME managers on the various loans offered by microfinance so that they can choose wisely based on the need and ability to repay to discourage loan defaults. The study also recommended for continuity of training to ensure that SME managers are able to carry their businesses through all business cycles, it was noted that training services are offered only when a customer seeks credit. Furthermore, microfinance managers should also encourage SME to save more with them so that they can be liquid and buy shares in the financial institutions and discourage savings as a basis of acquiring a loan. Lastly, microfinance managers should educate their customers on the importance of insurance into their businesses, during the study many respondents indicated that they take insurance but see it as a liability as they do not claim funds contributed