Problems that finance managers face include decisions that guide on how a firm’s operations will be financed. A key indicator of an organization that is achieving the objective of shareholder wealth maximization is improvement of financial performance. To improve financial performance of an organization, managers may consider the increment of the debt component of the company. The study determined the impact of leverage on the financial performance of four listed Energy and Petroleum Kenyan firms at the NSE from 2011 to 2020. Data retrieved from firm’s annual reports was utilized and descriptive research was conducted. Leverage was assessed by employing the debt ratio and interest coverage ratio (ICR) while financial performance was estimated by return on Equity (ROE). Pecking Order Theory and Trade Off Theory are the theories on which this research was anchored. Regression and correlation analysis identified the influence of leverage on the financial performance of study population. The interest coverage ratio and the debt ratio’s influence on ROE was positive while the increment of firm size resulted in a decrease in ROE. This study concluded that a positive influence of leverage on financial performance was found. As firms continue to rely on debt financing, their income and financial performance improves. This research recommends that finance managers should strive to achieve a balance between benefits of debt as a result of tax savings and costs of bankruptcy that are linked to borrowing when deciding on the leverage levels to adopt.

This study was focused in determining the impact of interest rates caps had on financial performance of listed commercial banks in Kenya. The key measure adopted was the return on investment of the listed banks, and was complemented by incorporation of amounts of customer deposits and also the non-performing loans to have a wider look at the potential effects of the capping on the banking industry. The study used Stata software and also an excel software for the analysis and focused on 12 quarters before capping and 12 quarters after the interest rate capping. Nominal amounts of ROI were used while for both customer deposits and non-performing loans, their growth was used. An event study methodology was used and the main analysis was based on a paired t-test of the two periods. Descriptive statistics and trend graphs were also used. The average ROI was found to decrease from 1.9% to 1.6% while its standard deviation increased from 0.0074 to 0.0079. This implied that the capping affected financial performance negatively by reducing profitability and also increasing volatility in returns. Customer deposits were also found to decrease in the rate at which they used to grow, from 4.06% to 1.53%. The volatility however decreased from 0.028 to 0.023 meaning that the growth in deposits became more predictable and stable. The growth in non-performing loans was also noted to decrease in the rate at which they used to grow, from 10.12% to 5.56%. Like customer deposits, volatility in change in non-performing loans became more stable with a decrease in its standard deviation from 0.145 to 0.047. Plotting the graphs, it was noted that ROI had been reducing long before the capping, while the nominal amounts of customer deposits and non-performing loans were growing. There was no observed changes in the direction of the growth, only the rates of change were observed. Using t-test, it was noted that none of the changes were significant as measured by the p-values at a 95% confidence interval. The study findings concur with perceptions, and support the idea of free market theory where government should not control the operations of an economy, and market forces of demand and supply should be left to play and determine equilibrium prices, including for money (interest rates). The researcher therefore notes that the removal of interest rate capping was a good idea. The findings of this study imply that, ROI for listed banks can be enhanced by letting banks price their loans as per the demand and supply for funds, and also taking measures that increase customer deposits. Considering the significance levels, it can also be noted that there many other factors that can influence ROI for commercial banks and thus further research is needed. The research would help in identifying these other factors and thus enhance knowledge on financial performance of listed banks. Future research is also required to establish why post-capping change in non-performing loans were positively correlated with ROI, while it is expected that it should influence ROI negatively as banks lose on interest. There are possibilities that performance of listed commercial banks was totally disrupted the capping.

This research project discusses and describes conceptual metaphors found in Kenyan business media discourse. The theory that has guided this study is the Conceptual Metaphor Theory (CMT) that argues that people think in terms of metaphors, and that metaphors are so pervasive in the human conceptual system that people would hardly be able to communicate if they did not have recourse to metaphors. Metaphorical concepts and expressions found in business media discourse were analyzed, taking the CMT point of departure, which talks of one thing being understood in terms of another. Thus, an encyclopedic entry of a source domain is mapped onto the target domain and the result is that the target domain is understood in terms of the source domain. The data used was collected from the Daily Nation, the Saturday Nation and the Sunday Nation spanning a period of five months (November 2020 – March 2021). This research found that there is a variety of conceptual metaphors used in Kenyan business media discourse. Apart from encountering some like TIME IS MONEY, GOOD IS UP and BAD IS DOWN that are universally used conceptual metaphors, this research found that there are a number of typically Kenyan conceptual metaphors. The conceptual metaphor BUSINESS IS CONSTRUCTION is rooted in the fact that Kenya is a developing country that is experiencing a lot of growth in infrastructure. Most Kenyans find it hard to make ends meet and therefore CHEAPER IS BETTER and EXPENSIVE IS BAD is an attribute of the way of acting and thinking of a majority of Kenyans who are always seeking cheaper options, because they have to be careful with how much they spend. BUSINESS IS NATURE/FARMING is another conceptual metaphor that was abundantly used, probably because Kenya is largely an agricultural country, along with the fact that most of the Kenyan population is rural and thus lives very close to nature. FIGHT METAPHORS featured prominently. This was found to be because Kenyans have an intense spirit of competition in all spheres, and this has greatly influenced the way they perceive seeking success in any aspect of life. All the typically Kenyan conceptual metaphors have been used because they are particularly relevant to the Kenyan context and would therefore be easily accessible to any Kenyan sharing the same cultural encyclopedic entries. Another reason for their use is that some of the conceptual metaphors found are universally accepted and Kenyans are quite familiar with them and will find it easy to derive the intended meanings without much effort.

“This study investigated the role of community radio in mass media campaigns to mitigate malaria in Homabay County. Therefore, the importance of community radio campaign messages on public health cannot be stressed enough. In this respect, community radio is key in complementing government efforts to create malaria awareness among the affected communities. This would enable the government to embark on processes that would eradicate malaria and other preventable diseases in the country. To assist in the research to find out whether community radio is adequately utilized for campaigns in public health, the researcher interviewed staff at the Radio Sunset - a community radio station based in the county. The staff interviewed decried lack of cooperation between health workers and the journalists when it comes to malaria awareness. A questionnaire was administered for quantitative data and structured questions for key informants. 113 respondents from a sample size of 394 was collected using Taro Yamane’s statistical formula. Interviews were also conducted with 10 identified key informants. Primary data gathered was from the population living in Central Ward in Homabay Town Constituency. Secondary data relied on documents from health facilities and the relevant government offices, including from similar academic works done earlier. Data was analysed using tables, pie charts and bar charts. The study concluded that whereas radio has a wider reach and is also an important tool to disseminate public health awareness messages, community radio stations are faced with challenges. The stations are not profit making media houses hence, rely solely on well- wishers and/or individuals for funding. Sunset Radio staff we interviewed acknowledged that there were no specific slots for malaria programmes in their programming schedules. The study observed that Dholuo is the preferred language spoken and understood by majority of residents in the county. Therefore, they criticized public health promoters for not involving public participation even in their local spoken language to create public awareness on their health. Public health promoters also charged county residents for not adhering to lay down public health guidelines. The study therefore, recommends; firstly, suitable use of community radio to reach a large number of area residents for malaria awareness. Secondly, that the Ministry of Health sponsors malaria programmes on community radio stations in Homabay County to mitigate malaria cases to avoid further loss of life”.

Child defilement is a global problem with enduring negative implications on a victim's well-being and behaviour patterns. However, it's scope and extent of social harm remains unclear due to rampant under- reportage caused by a culture of secrecy and related cultural inhibitions. Available data shows an increase in defilement cases by 7.7 percent in Kenya between 2015 and 2016. Additionally, Police statistics indicate a minimum of 200 cases of defilement nationally per week, with 10 whom are attributed to Kakamega County. The study therefore sought to establish the extent to which child defilement is associated with the prevailing socio- cultural and economic factors; substance abuse and family disintegration. It also sought to identify challenges involved in combating child defilement in the County. A descriptive survey design was employed to purposively pick and randomly select a sampling frame of 86 respondents comprising of 44 Gender Police Officers, 27 Social Workers, 9 Children Officers and 6 Probation Officers. Of the sampled respondents, seventy (70) of them were interviewed using a semi- structured questionnaire. The study established that child defilement is a significant problem that exposes children to early pregnancies and marriages; HIV/AIDS and psychological trauma; that majority of the defilements were perpetrated by persons known to the victim, namely family members and /or neighbours; that the perceived level of association between poverty and defilement was 95%, unemployment (58%), family disintegration (60%), alcoholism and drug abuse (73%) and negative cultural practices (26%). Additionally, teenage marriages, contributed to the problem of child defilement. Consequently, high levels of poverty, drug and alcohol abuse and ignorance of the illegality of the vice, appeared to be key challenges in the fight against child defilement. It was therefore concluded that child defilement can be fought more effectively by strengthening the existing, counselling, legal, child protection, rescue and gender recovery services. There is also need to increase awareness campaigns and capacity building among the relevant criminal justice agents. Additionally, eradication of drug and alcohol abuse is key to minimizing the problem. Finally, the problem can be dealt with more effectively through a collaborative multi-agency framework, specifically designed for tackling the vice.

The study's specific goals were to assess the impact of truancy on students' academic performance at Nairobi County's Olympic High School in Kibra Sub-County. Determine the relationship between truancy, academic performance, and school dropout among students at Olympic High School in Kibra Sub County within Nairobi County and the effect of truancy on school completion among students at Olympic High School in Kibra Sub- County within Nairobi County. The researcher adopted correlational research design. The research was carried out at Olympic High School, a public day school in Kibera informal settlements, Kibra sub county, Nairobi County. Olympic Secondary School has 9 class teachers for both form two and form three, a guidance and counseling teacher, 259 students in form two, and 206 students in form three. This means that 475 people were included in the study's target population. Simple random sampling and judgmental sampling were utilized in the identification of participants. The research employed mixed methods approach to collect data. In order to gather primary data, the researcher used pre-structured questionnaires, while secondary data was gleaned from classroom teachers and the principal’s office by way of oral interview. Percentages, means, and standard deviations were used to describe the relationship of truancy on academic achievement and school dropout. Pearson Product-Moment correlation tested the relationship between truancy, academic performance, and school dropout. Truancy, according to the findings, has a negative impact on academic performance, it also found out that truancy positively affects school dropout. This conclusion is in line with that of Yahaya et al (2010) who found out that truancy is an obstacle to students’ performance and school completion as students who miss classes fall behind their colleagues and in turn drop out of school. Lastly, the findings depicted a positive relationship between truancy, academic performance, and school dropout. According to the data, there was a strong link between truancy and poor academic performance. The conclusion is supported by the study of Oluremi (2013) who carried out a study in South Western Nigeria on truancy and secondary school performance and concluded that truancy indeed contributes to dismal academic performances. In addition, parents should become more involved in their children's education, according to the study. This is due to research indicating that parental involvement is paramount in dealing with truancy among students. Strengthening of school policies must also be emphasized if school-related determinants are to be effectively addressed. This is due to the fact that each school has both a Ministry of Education and internal truancy policies. URI

This study discussed students’ perception and expectation levels on the service quality, satisfaction1 and frequency in utilization of library facilities in Universities in Kenya in view of South1 Eastern1 Kenya University1 (SEKU). The main1 objectives1 were: to find out students’ perception levels and expectations at SEKU library services; examine the levels of1 the1 quality of service delivery at the campus library; and to explore/determine whether there existed1 a relationship1 between the1 quality of1 service, library1 user satisfaction and frequency of use among students, and other users with the view of improving their effective management for quality service delivery. The study targeted 6125 respondents with a sample size of 362 respondents using a SERVQUAL model which consisted of 5 dimensions including, tangibles, service assurance, service reliability, empathy levels, and service responsiveness. This is because the researcher felt the SERVQUAL model could help SEKU know how to measure these constructs from the consumers’ perspective in order to better understand their needs and hence satisfy them. A standardized questionnaire was designed and distributed amongst students from first year to fourth year1 in the1 School of1 Education, Humanities1 and Social1 Sciences which1 formed the1 largest School1 in South1 Eastern Kenya1 University1 with1 a population1 of over1 4,5001 students during the 1 time the1 research was1 conducted and1 information1 gathered for analysis. Furthermore, a list of interview questions was developed to guide the researcher in collecting more data to supplement the questionnaire. Group discussion was integrated in the study as a research instrument to aid in collecting data to obtain different perspectives on the phenomenon under investigation besides helping clarify unclear questions because dialogue was used. Descriptive research design and a stratified random sampling approach were used in selecting the respondents. Data analysis and verification was done using qualitative and quantitative methods of analysis. The study gave recommendations to south Eastern Kenya University on ways on how to assist in bridging quality service gaps offered to students, and other users. The study also created awareness to policy makers and higher education practitioners on the perception of students on the quality, satisfaction and frequency of use of library services. SEKU1 library management1 should1 develop1 ways1 of1 reducing1 the 1turnaround1 time1 when1 providing1 user1 services in1 an1 effort1 to1 improve1 and 1provide1 faster1 and1 reliable1 services

This study’s primary concern was to analyse media performance during the Jubilee era with respect to media ownership and editorial content in Kenya. The study had four objectives. These were: To assess levels of ownership influence on editorial performance during the Jubilee regime; to examine factors informing ownership influence on editorial performance in Kenya; to identify areas of editorial content that are susceptible to media ownership influence in Kenya and to determine the effects of media ownership on professional journalistic practice in Kenya. The study is guided by the propaganda model and the authoritarian theory. It adopted qualitative research approach and a case study research design. One of the study’s fundamental findings is that editorial interference remains entrenched in Kenya’s print outlets. In fact, even young outlets that could be regarded as “alternative press” are equally under the capture of their owners and by extension politicians and advertisers. The study shows that media owners are close associates of the political elite who are the subjects of media scrutiny. This makes independent practice of journalism impossible. In many instances, there is a deliberate move by the media to manipulate public opinion for vested interests. The Kenyan media is used to cover up embezzlement, malfeasance and clientelism. This study also found out that corruption is deeply entrenched in newsrooms and has become a major threat to editorial sanctity. Senior editors have become gatekeepers for “evildoers”. In addition, this study found out that the Jubilee government has used all manner of tactics to have their way in the media. However, it’s the introduction of GAA that has dealt the biggest blow to media independence in Kenya.