This study sought to examine print media framing of gun violence in Kenya with reference to the Nation and Standard newspapers. The objectives of the study are to establish dominant frames in reporting gun violence by the Nation and the Standard newspapers; analyze the diction in framing gun violence by the Nation and the Standard Newspapers; to examine the figures of speech in framing gun violence by the Nation and the Standard Newspapers and; to assess the portrayal of gun violence as a serious societal problem by the Nation and the Standard Newspapers. The study was based on the Framing Theory and Goffman’s Frame Analysis. The study employed the descriptive research design and the mixed methods research approach. Purposive sampling technique was used to select suitable newspaper articles for the study. The study involved the collection of data on gun violence from Nation and Standard Newspapers for the period 1st September 2019 –30th August 2020. Data was collected using a code sheet and interview guide. The target population of the study consisted of 730 articles published by Nation and Standard Newspapers articles on gun violence. Two editors and three reporters experienced in reporting gun violence were also interviewed. Data was collected and analyzed using content analysis. Regarding the dominant frames in reporting gun violence by the Nation and the Standard newspapers, it is evident that most of dominant frame used to portray gun violence in both Nation and the Standard newspapers were fatality, terrorism, crime, citizen participation, cattle rustling, tactical response and accomplice. Cartoons and photos were also used as visual persuasion frames. Diction was also extensively used in the reporting of gun violence stories. In this regard, various catchwords and catchphrases were used in depicting gun violence. These included: silencing the guns, impunity, and proliferation of guns, dead, robbery, shootout and coup attempt. It was also made manifest that various figures of speech were used. These include idioms, similes, metaphors and idiomatic expressions. Lastly, the findings show that some of the major issues of societal concern focused by both newspapers included armed robbery, police brutality, cattle rustling and terrorism. It can thus be concluded that the print media plays a pivotal role in checking gun violence since it is widely viewed as the mirror of society and protective shield against violent gun crimes. The study recommends that the print media should expand the dominant frames used in reporting gun violence so as maximally show the various angles to the deep issue of gun violence. This could be through enhanced research on gun violence in Kenya. The use of diction and figures of speech could also be exploited within the process of enriching the presentation of gun violence stories. The print media should also increase the level to which they offer balanced coverage of gun violence stories in the whole country.

Service delivery in public institutions has been under focus in recent years. Most public institutions in the world have been under scrutiny for failing to deliver services to the satisfaction of the citizens. Consequently, there has been a growing demand for public institutions to comply with corporate governance practices. This study, therefore, was aimed at evaluating the effect of corporate governance on service delivery; case study of the National Cereals and Produce Board in Kenya. The specific objectives were; to determine the influence of internal controls on service delivery, to evaluate the effect of transparency on service delivery, and to establish the influence of risk assessment on service delivery. The study covered a period of five years which is the year 2015 to 2019 according to the National Cereals and Produce Board strategic plan period. There are various branches in Kenya but the study was limited to the Head office since they have consolidated information that covers all branches in the country. The study was premised on the stakeholder theory and the agency theory. A case study research design was used. The population of the study was 307 comprising the top managers, partners, and employees of the Board. The sample size was 154. The test for reliability and validity was done the results for reliability using Cronbach’s coefficient was 0.870. data collection was done using the questionnaires mainly targeting the employees and partners while interview guides were administered to top managers to get in-depth information on the subject matter. Consequently, the rate of response was 60% for the questionnaires and 75% for the interviews. The outcome indicated that internal controls, transparency and risk assessment, had a significant and positive effects on service delivery since the p values were 0.005, 0.000, and 0.002 respectively. To foster transparency, the study recommends that a clear line of communication at the NCPB need to be established to ensure that information is disseminated to all the stakeholders in a timely way. The study also recommends that mechanism towards preventing the conflict of interest be put in place for instance proper disclosure of the owners of the companies and businesses that supplies grain to the Board. Whistle-blowing mechanisms also need to be enhanced to prevent fraud and corrupt practices. The study recommends that employees at all levels should be trained on risk management practices particularly on the market risks. The Board should also develop a comprehensive mechanism for the identification of traders who are likely to pose a potential risk to the organization in terms of illegal traders. Further, in liaison with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Board should come up with a limit as to how much a single trader can supply to prevent illegal traders and prevent the exploitation of small farmers. Lastly, the study recommends that the Board should consider automatic its internal control systems to enable accuracy in the transactions and efficiency in the processes like procurement.

One of the most pressing concerns about how the market perceives high earnings quality is the impact of financial reporting quality on a company's subsequent performance. The market favourably judges those firms that have are highly capable of providing quality financial data to shareholders and other stakeholders, having demonstrated that firms with quality financial data have a relatively better worth in the future, aiming for the elimination or avoidance of information asymmetries among market participants. The overall objective of the study was to establish the impact of discretionary accruals on the earnings quality of Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed companies. 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 discretionary accruals on earnings quality. The agency, stakeholder, and signalling 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 analyzed 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 discretionary accruals and earnings quality. The study findings were that total accruals (R=0.0081; p=0.8929>0.05), deferred tax expense (R=0.0235; p=0.6946>0.05), Modified Jones dis. accruals (R=-0.0112; p=0.8512>0.05), Fwd-Look Dis. accruals (R=0.0062; p=0.9170>0.05), and firm size (R=0.0638; p=0.2855>0.05) do not have a significant correlation with firm value. Further study findings established that the model entailing; total accruals, deferred tax expense, Modified Jones dis. accruals, and Fwd-Look Dis. accruals, as well as firm size explains earnings quality to a very least extent with a coefficient of determination value of 0.45%. Additional study findings were that the model consisting of total accruals, deferred tax expense, Modified Jones dis. accruals, and Fwd-Look Dis. accruals, as well as firm size significantly predicts earnings quality (Prob>chi2=0.0000<0.05). Final study findings were that total accruals (p=0.319>0.05), deferred tax expense (p=0.962>0.05), Modified Jones dis. accruals (p=0.532>0.05), Fwd-Look Dis. accruals (p=0.868>0.05), and firm size (p=0.475>0.05) do not each individually have a significant relationship with firm value. 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 focus on discretionary accruals when endeavouring to boost firm earnings quality in order to spur the development of capital markets. CMA as well as NSE should boost their surveillance and monitoring of listed firms to stem discretionary accruals which will in turn boost the firms’ earnings quality, and ultimately their value. Recommendations are also generated to the financial analysts to estimate market capitalization, and by extension, securities value, by gauging the extent to which firms employ discretionary accruals. The earnings quality of firms that rampantly utilize discretionary accruals will most likely to be poor. Finally, recommendations are made to consultants and listed firms practitioners should focus on discretionary accruals to time strategies like securities exchange listings, rights issues, and dividend pay-outs. Less use of discretionary accruals will signal earnings quality which will rave up demand of the firms’ security instrument offerings.

Accountability linked to finance has been quite possibly the most dangerous and pervasive issue for organizations globally for quite a while. They informed the basis for this study whose general objective was to examine the impact of financial accountability on the financial sustainability of Non-Governmental Organizations in Kenya. Resource mobilization theory, agency theory and fraud triangle theory guided the research. The investigation applied a research case and investigated all the 251 NGOs operating in Nairobi County due to the convenience of accessibility of the facility. The research relied on primary data gathered by administering a questionnaire that is structured through the Likert measurement scale. The mean score for each characteristic was determined and the standard deviation applied to decipher the respondent's deviation from the mean. Additionally, quantitative data was analyzed through correlation and regression analysis. The outcomes were introduced on recurrence appropriation pie graphs, tables, pie, and bar outlines. The correlation results displayed that financial planning services had a useful remarkable correlation with financial sustainability (p=0.000, r=0.761), financial management services had a useful and remarkable correlation with financial sustainability (p=0.000, r=0.781) and management competence had a positive significant correlation with financial sustainability (p=0.000, r=0.714). Results also showed that financial planning services had a useful and remarkable effect on financial sustainability (β=0.358, p=0.000). In addition, outcomes displayed that financial management services had a useful and remarkable effect on financial sustainability (β=0.565, p=0.000). findings also indicated that management competence had caused a useful and remarkable effect on financial sustainability (β=0.389, p=0.000). The study concluded that financial accountability impacted the financial sustainability of NGOs in Kenya. The research concluded that the impact was positive. The specific aspects of financial accountability that impacted financial sustainability were finance planning services, financial management services and management competence. However, the study concluded that for some aspects had greater impact than others. For instance, financial management practices had the greatest impact, followed by management competence and the financial planning services. the researcher recommends that the management of non-governmental organizations in Kenya should ensure that the hire competent staff who are able to execute laid out plans appropriately. They should be keen to identify staff who have the right skills during the recruitment process. Additionally, they should engage their staff in retraining programs with an aim of keeping them at par with the changes in the NGO world. The study recommends that the same research be carried out aiming on Community Based Organizations (CBOs). This would help to compare the two types of organizations as they have some similarities.

Employee turnover intention is a very important facet of modern day talent management. Employers adopt talent management practices to continuously reduce employee turnover intentions. When a company loses people, it loses skills, information, and experiences, all of which may have a major financial impact. In this scenario, talent management is critical for companies that want to achieve their aims and objectives. Employers have adopted talent management strategies and practices with an aim of reducing their employees’ turnover intentions. The main aim of this research was to analyze the influence of talent management practices on employee turnover intentions at Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company. The following objectives were used to provide guidance; to determine the influence of HR planning on employee turnover intentions, to study the effect of training practices on employee turnover intentions, to study the effect of rewards management on turnover intentions and to establish the effect of recruitment practices on employee turnover intentions. This research adopted the talent management theory and human capital theory. A descriptive research design was used in this research. The population of the study was the 997 management staff working in the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company. Sample size was 286 employees stratified according to their cadre. Primary data obtained using questionnaires was used in this study. The administration of the questionnaires was done through Google forms. The collected data was converted into quantitative format to make analysis using statistical package for social sciences. The statistics generated were descriptive statistics which included mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics which included both correlation analysis and multiple linear regression. The study revealed a significant positive relationship between human resource planning, training, rewards management, recruitment and employee turnover intentions at NCWSC. Regression analysis revealed that 62.8% of changes in employee turnover intentions at NCWSC were attributed to the four variables selected in this study. This study concluded that human resource planning, training, rewards management and recruitment are essential in reducing employee turnover intentions. Based on the findings, HR planning had the greatest influence on employee turnover intention followed by training while recruitment practice and rewards management had the least influence. It is therefore recommended that managers and board members of NCWSC should implement talent management practices relating to these variables as they enhance employee retention and reduce employee turnover intentions.

The concept of corporate governance among corporate entities has recently received a lot of attention due to an increase of scandals and crises globally. The contribution made by public benefit organizations to good governance has effected growth in economy as well as several social background aspects. However, PBOs within Migori County have continued to face many challenges in the implementation process of good governance practices. This has led to wastage of resources on formulation of plans of great governance which can give their counterparts a competitive edge. The intetion of this research was to determine the influence of corporate governance on performance of public benefit organizations operating within Migori County. The study was underpinned on stakeholder theory, resource dependency theory, together with agency theory which helped in prediction of the relationship that existed between variables. The present research was experimental and employed use of longitudinal research design. The study was interested in carrying out a survey on all the 36 PBOs operating in Migori County as at the time of study.The present research involved use of secondary data which was drawn from the annual reports and available records for a period of two (2) years 2019 and 2020. Collected data was analyzed through use of descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that board size and board composition individually influenced organizational performance of PBOs significantly. The results of the joint effect indicated that only board composition was found to influence organizational performance of PBOs in Migori County. On contrary, board independence and board size were not found to significantly affect organizational performance in the joint effect. The study therefore, concludes that corporate governance has an impact on the organizational performance of public benefit organizations. Thus, recommending that the board of directors, shareholders and owner managers of PBOs should review the structures of corporate governance regularly.

Restorative justice is one of the many modern approaches to justice that are geared towards addressing the justice needs in the criminal justice systems. Its objective is to offer the affected parties a chance to dialogue by identifying the cause of the crime in question, the parties’ needs arising from that crime, and how to best remedy the situation. This expands room for a people-centred process thus advancing the course of justice. Alternative justice systems, exhibit restorative justice principles and objectives which are geared towards achieving reparation, rehabilitation, and reintegration. These objectives eventually translate to deterrence which is one of the objectives of criminal law. This research has discussed alternative justice systems as an embodiment of restorative justice principles and its understanding within the Kenyan context. The research found that restorative justice is an old idea of justice whose application has been dynamic to accommodate the legal requirements and social changes. It is no longer confined to the traditional dispute resolution model but has numerous other forums that are constituted based on religion, family, local administrative units, civil rights groupings etcetera, with all being referred to as the informal justice systems. The alternative justice elements have further been traced in the Kenyan legal and institutional structures, with Article 159(2)(c) forming a bedrock on which all are anchored and from which other laws and institutions of AJS draw their strength. The centre of focus in this research has been the practice of AJS in courts and the emerging jurisprudence as envisaged in the constitution.1 However, uncertainty exists on the part of the courts on how they should treat negotiated settlements in cases classified as felonies. To cure this situation, the research borrows from the practice in South Africa and recommends to the Kenyan parliament to enact a law or laws that implement the constitution as well as legislating on diversion which has been described as a restorative justice tool. There is currently no statutory backing that is specific to diversion a fact that hampers its effective application. A law on diversion will be specific in making provisions on alternative to trial. In addition to legislation, the judiciary has a role to interpret the law in a way that promotes human rights.2 This is an opportunity for courts to develop progressive jurisprudence on matters of AJS to harmonize, clarify, and create uniformity in practice thus enhancing trust to the justice system as a whole.

Despite the fact that citizens suffer the impact of conflict, women among the population are specifically affected most. In most cases, their bodies become the new theater of war as rape is employed as a tool of war. In some instances, women play ultimate responsibilities as the culprits of conflict through conveying information to fighters, cooking and hiding fighters as well as inciting men to fight. However, as customarily defined caregivers, they have the capacity to transform society into a desirable environment. Comparatively they play flagrant roles in begetting peace in post-conflict societies. This is similar to Salome Matakwei who represents women in Mt Elgon as a symbol of resilience in a patriarchal society for playing the role in the conflict of Mt Elgon as a culprit, a victim, and a peace maker. Reference to Salome Matakwei in Mt Elgon between the period of 2006 and 2017, the study sought to scrutinize the transformation she underwent as perpetrator of the conflict to peace maker. Moreover, the study relied on the theory of dualistic conversion established by William James – the voluntary and contemplative conversion-type on one extreme, and the immediate, involuntary self-surrender conversion-type on the other – has a long tradition of association with the written accounts of Paul’s conversion; the outcome is a classification of his Damascus experience as a stark division “established in the twinkling of an eye” between the old life and the new. To test the hypothesis, interviews were conducted and data used to examine the roles Salome Matakwei played before and throughout the conflict of Mt Elgon, the transformative daises she used in peace building to reintegrate herself in society as well as her impact in the region. Additionally, the purposive sampling method and the snowballing technique were used in the study to classify respondents who were interviewed using a question guide. The qualitative method was used to analyze the data collected. Content analysis was used to analyze secondary data. Firstly, the study divulged that Salome Matakwei actually played vital roles in the conflict that led to her rejection in the society, a situation that pushed her to transform to peace building. Secondly, she was involved in peace building and utilized various transformative plinths ranging from being the women group leader, Ambassador of peace, preacher, ‘mother to the conflict’s orphans', proprietor of peace initiative center, and peace educator to reintegrate herself into the society. Thirdly, her peace efforts in the region of Mt Elgon brought peace, unity among the widows in Mt Elgon and initiated self- reliable activities to the widows and Ex-SLDF members. Lastly, Salome Matakwei used peace building as a platform of reintegrating herself into society to repudiate the state of rejection and isolation by society. From the study, it is palpable that the role of women in peace building is entangled with their transformative agenda, management of conflict and peace building settings in Africa. It is intended to reintegrate women, in this case Salome Matakwei, back into society after being rejected and secluded especially when they had a direct link with the main culprit in the conflict.

Academic libraries across the globe are vital entities based at the heart of universities to support knowledge production, information resources sharing and dissemination to meet the educational, research and teaching needs. Most libraries have for long adopted the use of ICTs in their operation and provision of library services. However, the frequent evolution and the disruptive nature of these technologies has continued to transform and disrupt the entire information management ecosystem in which academic libraries fall in. The study aimed at assessing the level of adoption of disruptive technologies in academic libraries with reference to the Mahatma Gandhi Graduate Research Library, University of Nairobi. The study was guided by the following objectives: to establish the library staff perceptions on the use of available disruptive technologies; to establish the extent of adoption of disruptive technologies at this library; to find out the library staff capacities in the use disruptive technologies; to examine ICT infrastructure supporting adoption of disruptive technologies at the library; to propose appropriate strategies for the adoption and utilization of disruptive technologies in academic libraries in Kenya. The study used the qualitative research design and purposive sampling technique where a sample size of 11 respondents consisting of the library staff, University of Nairobi library management, and ICT staff was selected. Due to the global Covid-19 pandemic which prevented physical meetings, interview guides were administered to all respondents through telephone calls, video conferencing. Qualitative research approach was applied to analyze, interpret, and discuss data collected through interview guides. The findings from the research showed that: Library staff perceptions were positive on the use of disruptive technologies. The library has adopted and uses some of the available disruptive technologies although it has not adopted the newer technologies in the market. Majority of the library staff were competent, well trained, and skilled on the use of the disruptive technologies adopted at this library although not all the technologies adopted were fully utilized. The library has put in place an ICT infrastructure to support adoption of disruptive technologies, however it can not support newer technologies. In conclusion, it was noted that adequate financial resources were needed to support adoption of newer technologies and train staff. Carry out more benchmarking activities overseas on new technologies as well as employ more ICT staff.

This study examined enforcement and implementation of durable solutions among South Sudanese refugees at Kiryandongo settlement, Uganda from 1990 to 2010. It set out to examine South Sudanese refugees’ settlement and coping mechanism at Kiryandongo settlement, examine the enforcement and implementation of the durable solutions among South Sudanese refugees at Kiryandongo and, finally, to examine the impact of enforcement and implantation of durable solutions among South Sudanese refugees. The project paper was guided by three hypotheses suggesting that South Sudanese refugees had challenges upon settling in Uganda, secondly, durable solutions were not fully enforced and implemented among South Sudanese because of non-compliancy of hosting governments, animosity between host communities and refugees not forgetting continued conflicts in refugees’ countries of origin. Thirdly there were challenges to the enforcement and implementation of durable solutions for South Sudanese refugees at Kiryandongo settlement. The study was shaped using the Kinetic model of refugee theory which categorized refugees into two types; the anticipatory refugees and the acute refugees. This research adopted a qualitative research paradigm, descriptive in nature. Research data was obtained from both primary and secondary materials. The study reviewed scholarly refugee journal articles and books in an attempt to understand refugee issues in the world. From the reviews, a research gap was identified. Primary data was derived from oral interviews in Uganda, for two weeks in Kiryandongo and one in Kampala. The interviews conducted with refugees, chief officers of particular NGOs and government officials both in Kampala and at the settlements were in-depth and semi-structured interviews. The study also used internet sources, focused group discussions as well as key informants to collect data during the field visit. The data collected was incorporated and analyzed to breed this thesis. The study established that South Sudanese refugees discerned the three instruments; local integration, repatriation and resettlement as solutions to their plight. Settlement was an option but they regarded it as a temporary solution, repatriation was not an option refugees took for reasons of insecurity and continued instability back home and lastly resettlement to a third country was their most preferred solution. All the instruments were applied among the refugees by implementing partners; government of Uganda and the UNHCR but they were not successful. The reason for this was, factors like language barrier, hostility of host communities, animosity and competition of resources between refugees and host communities made local integration unsuccessful, continued instability and conflicts in refugees’ countries of origin made repatriation as a process impossible yet noncompliance of host governments to receive refugees coupled with strict policies of host countries against refugees hindered resettlement. This research recommends that host governments and refugee implementing agencies should protect refugees against discrimination and hostility from host communities to effect local integration, similarly, governments should resolve conflicts in refugees’ countries of origin and support refugees to willingly return home in order to achieve repatriation as an instrument to refugee plight and lastly, all refugee laws be should be practical rather than on paper, third countries where refugees desire to be resettled should be complying and loosen up their policies to accommodate refugees because their issues are humanitarian. The study concluded therefore that all options were to a small extent implemented and enforced among South Sudanese refugees, and are still a work in progress indicating that these so-called durable solutions are not a finality in the life of a refugee.