Commercial banks play an imperative role within the economy through offering savings alongside credit facilities. However, giving out loans poses the banks to credit risks. There is empirical research evidence showing that credit risk possesses negative effects on the financial performance, thus it necessitated the need to scrutinize the credit risk management effect on the commercial banks’ performance in Kenya. This research has established how credit risk management affects the performance of Kenyan commercial banks. The objective of the research was to investigate the credit risk management effects on the Kenyan commercial banks’ performance. The researcher utilized secondary data and descriptive research design whereby the population were all licensed banks as at 31st December, 2020. The research period was 5 years between 2016 to 2020. The data analysis was steered through SPSS version 26 software. The researcher used multiple regression model to perform analysis of the amassed data thereby establish the link between the variables of study. The researcher also utilized F-test to establish the regression model’s significance. The study findings unveiled that non-performing loans significantly and negatively affect the performance of banks. Moreover, the capital adequacy exhibits positive as well as significant influence on the banks’ performance. Additionally, the scholar established that loan loss provisions positively affect the banks’ financial performance even though the impact is insignificant at 5%. Hence, the researcher concluded that credit risk management possess a positive effect on the financial performance, so the risk managers and policy makers should establish proper strategies in managing credit risks in banks.

Health facilities have become more reliant on information systems and are subsequently, more susceptible to security and data breach challenges. This study investigated information security strategies and patient data privacy among health facilities in Nairobi County. Security applies to how patient information is secured. Privacy refers to the privileges that patients have in relation to access and use of their personally identifiable information. The objectives of the study were to: (i) establish information security strategies implemented by health facilities in Nairobi, (ii) establish performance of data privacy by health facilities in Nairobi and (iii) establish information security and patient data privacy implementation challenges faced by health facilities in Nairobi. This research employed a descriptive survey design and the study population comprised of all 49 registered facilities as per the Kenya master health facility list of November 2020. A questionnaire with open and closed ended questions was used to collect data. The respondents were persons in charge of health information systems and data or records management in the health facilities. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics. Data tables, frequencies and percentages were used to draw numerical summaries. Data presentation was done by way of tables and figures. As pertains to application of information security strategies, the study found that implementation of compliance mechanisms was the most popular strategy applied by the health facilities, followed by governance and risk management. The second finding of the study, on application of data privacy principles by health facilities in Nairobi, indicated that performance of data accountability and data protection components was the best, followed by legal and regulatory requirements. A notable finding of data privacy performance was that the facilities did not register any significant data breach occurrences. The study however, appreciated the fact that such sensitive information might have been classified confidential and limited to the health facilities. Lastly, the study identified challenges that affected the health facilities in adoption of data protection and privacy. Common challenges that affected all the facilities were identified as; dynamic regulatory environment, fast pace of digital innovation and transformation, increased interconnection and data sharing with third parties and increase in cyber threats, attacks and crime. The study concluded that although the health facilities implemented robust information security strategies they did not achieve some of their data privacy performance requirements like: percentage of staff receiving privacy training, privacy impact assessment completion rate, satisfactory privacy internal audit score and percentage of organisational budget dedicated to privacy programmes. The study recommended that the facilities scrutinise and address the challenges identified in adoption of their information security and privacy strategies. Health facilities must address information security and data privacy risks to prevent patient harm and preserve the human life. Health facilities can assure attainment of their business goals and objectives by aligning their information security, privacy and business strategies.

Majority of firms excel in customer interactions but fail to pay sufficient attention to customers’ comprehensive experience on the buying procedures and post purchase evaluations. Firms that have perfected customer journeys benefit enormously in terms of rewards, improved customer satisfaction, condensed churn, amplified revenues, reduced costs and an improved collaboration across the company. The study's main goal was to investigate the impact of customer experience management on the performance of oil marketing enterprises in Kenya. Both the Value Hierarchy and Resource-Based Theories were used to conduct this research. There were 85 oil marketing firms in Kenya that were the focus of the investigation. Analyses was done using descriptive analysis, multiple linear regression and correlation analyses. Research shows that oil marketing firms have a high degree of cognitive experience management, whereas oil marketing companies have a moderate degree of relational experience management. Customer experience management and business performance were shown to have a favourable link. Customer experience management has been proven to have a positive influence on industry performance, hence the research proposes that the oil marketing organizations in Nairobi should use this strategy in order to improve their overall performance. It is essential that oil marketing businesses have rules and processes that encourage strong employee participation, understanding, and dedication to the company's vision, goal and objectives.

Every single region on earth has had an upsurge of the share of under-five deaths arising during the neonatal period. In Kenya, most of the previous studies conducted have largely focused on infant and under-five mortality. For the country to realize a decline of new-born deaths, a clear understanding of factors influencing neonatal mortality to guide in the design of evidence-based resolutions is inevitable. This study analyzed the 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey data; it examined neonatal deaths that occurred among the 20,964 children born in the last 5 years prior to the survey. Three levels of analysis, namely; univariate, bivariate and multivariate techniques were performed to investigate factors determining neonatal mortality. At multivariate level, logistic regression model was used to assess the simultaneous effects of the variables since the dependent variable is dichotomous (binary) and independent variables are either continuous or categorical. The study found age of mother at first birth; birth order, interval and size of the neonate; ANC visits; place of delivery; household wealth and region of residence to be significantly associated with neonatal deaths. Interventions aimed at reducing neonatal deaths should address the demographic, healthcare and socioeconomic factors that significantly influence neonatal mortality in Kenya. Reproductive health policies and programs geared towards enlightening women on the neonatal survival should be intensified. Conduct enhanced data collection in future health related surveys to facilitate capture of critical neonatal proximate determinant variables especially for births whose survival status at the time of survey date were reported as dead.

The overall objective of this study is to establish the effects of computerized accounting systems on the financial reports quality among firms listed at the NSE. A cross-section survey was adopted targeting 62 listed firms at the NSE and census was used. Information was sought from first hand sources and analyzed descriptively and inferentially. The study established that leadership quality had the largest beta (β=.950) that was significant (p<0.05), followed by corporate governance structure (β=.757, p<0.05) and lastly computerized accounting systems (β=.402, p<0.05). The study concludes the computerized accounting system has significant effect on financial reports quality among firms listed at the NSE. The study recommends that the senior managers among the listed firms in Kenya should demonstrate quality strategic leadership to support the quality of financial reports. The internal audit managers of the listed firms at NSE should strengthen the existing internal controls to enhance the quality of financial reports. The policy makers at the Capital Market Authority should stipulate strict regulations with regard to corporate governance and leadership of the listed firms to ensure credible financial reports are generated. The policy makers of the listed manufacturing firms in Kenya should strengthen the existing policies with regard to corporate governance and leadership among these firms.

The study sought to determine the effect of tax incentives on financial performance of manufacturing firms in Nairobi, Kenya. This inquiry leveraged a descriptive design targeting 95 manufacturing firms registered by Kenya Association of Manufacturers and census was used. Secondary data was collected from financial statements of the respective manufacturing firms and the analysis was supported by the Statistical Package of Social Sciences supported by means and standard deviations, correlation, and regression. The study established that tax credits and double deductions (β=.885, t>1.96 & p<0.05) had the largest significant effect on financial performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya followed by tax holidays (β=.731, t>1.96 & p<0.05), reduction in corporate tax (β=.552, t>1.96 & p<0.05) and exemptions, zero rating and remissions (β=.424, t>1.96 & p<0.05).The study concludes that tax incentives significantly enhance financial performance of the firm. To the management team of the manufacturing firms in Kenya, this study recommends that more emphasis of the tax incentives should be on tax credits and double deductions with least emphasis on exemptions, zero rating and remissions. The management team at the Kenya Revenue Authority should grant more tax credits and double deductions to the manufacturing firms in Kenya since they have the largest contribution towards their financial performance. The policy makers of the manufacturing firms should recommend to the management of these firms to require more tax credits and double deductions from the government as compared to exemption, zero rating & remissions incentives. The study was limited to a five-year period (2016-2020) and it covered 95 manufacturing firms in Kenya. Future studies should be conducted in other firms like the Export Processing Zones or the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) ventures in Kenya that enjoy tax incentives too apart from the manufacturing firms.

Evidence across the world points to various impacts of anthropogenic climate change on human security at different levels. While research on security implication is documented there is still lack of consensus on climate change-human security nexus. This study critically “examined the impacts of climate change on human security in 21st century international system”. This was analyzed through the following objectives: examined the “climate change-human security nexus in the 21st century international system”, assessed the “impact of climate change on human security in Africa” and critically analyzed the “impact of climate change on human security in Kenya”. Theory of securitization was employed in providing direction to the study. Descriptive-correlation design was utilized in data collection through primary and secondary sources. The target population consisted of climate change experts from UN, NGOs and the national government of Kenta. Descriptive statistics through the use of mean and standard deviation was used in analyzing the primary data. Findings of the study showed that at each global region is experiencing risks from climate change with risk ranging from low levels of warming to severe risks of climate change. The findings also established that extreme or more severe climate change impacts are possible if the climate change situation is not arrested. The findings revealed that climate change is connected to various human insecurities in Africa that are putting pressures on fragile food ecosystems worsening the food insecurity in Africa. The findings also showed that climate change occasioned by deforestation impacts local communities across different regions in Africa directly leading to personal insecurities, water insecurity, food security, cultural insecurity, health insecurity and environment insecurity. The study findings demonstrated that climate change impacts on human security in Kenya takes various forms such as food insecurity, health insecurity, water insecurity and personal insecurity. Further the findings revealed that the impacts of climate change on these securities are both direct and indirect. The researcher concludes that climate change scenarios positively impact on human insecurities in different areas in the world. The researcher concludes that climate change strongly contributes to various insecurities in Africa, most significant effect on food, water, health and personal security. Climate change the study concludes has led to scarcity of resources that has resulted to the exacerbation of human insecurities such as food, water, personal security and climate security has led to scarcity of resources and human insecurity in Kenya. The researcher has provided policy and practical recommendation in the research paper.

Contamination of crops with fumonisin leads to huge losses in cereals and negatively impacts on human health, animal productivity and international trade. Management of fumonisin contamination in maize has been a challenge since there are no effective management measures for Fusarium ear rots and lack of resistant maize varieties. This study was conducted with the objective of determining the efficacy of Aflasafe KE01 on the population of Fusarium species and fumonisin contamination of maize. The study was carried out in Wote, Kaiti, Kathiani and Nzambani sub counties of Makueni, Kitui and Machakos Counties, respectively. Twenty four maize fields were selected in each of the sub county where 12 fields were treated with Aflasafe KE01, while 12 fields comprised the untreated controls. The formulation comprised of four atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus on sterile sorghum seeds. Aflasafe KE01 was applied at a rate of 5 kg/ha and 10kg/ha by hand broadcasting in the maize fields two to three weeks before tussling of the maize. Soil samples were collected from each field prior to application of Aflasafe while maize grain samples were collected at harvest. Fusarium species were isolated from the ground maize and soil samples using pour plate method following serial dilution on low strength potato dextrose agar (PDA) and Spezieller Nahrstoffarmer Agar (SNA). Fusarium species growing were identified based on their cultural and morphological characteristics such as septation and sporophores, spore shape, pigmentation, mycelia color and colony pigmentation. Fumonisin in the maize samples was determined using Accuscan Pro-reader enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The Fusarium species isolated from soil and maize samples at high frequency were F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum, F. chlamydosporum, F. merismoides, F. semitectum and F. oxysporum. Fusarium verticillioides was isolated at highest frequencies across the four sub counties. Maize samples from Aflasafe KE01 treated maize fields had significantly lower population of the Fusarium species compared to untreated maize fields across all the four sub counties. The mean incidence of F. verticillioides was 43% and 40.9% in the maize grains sampled from fields treated with Aflasafe KE01 at the rate 5 kg/ha and 10kg/ha, respectively; while the control fields corresponding to the 5 kg/ha and 10kg/ha application rates had mean incidences of 63% and 54.8%, respectively. There was significant reduction of up to 68.7% in the fumonisin levels in maize samples from Aflasafe KE01 treated compared to the untreated maize fields. The population of Fusarium species and fumonisin levels were significantly different among the study areas following Aflasafe KE01 application. About 62.5% of the maize fields treated with 5kg/ha of Aflasafe KE01 met the European commission regulatory threshold of ≤2ppmfor total fumonisin as compared to about 45% from the control fields. The results showed that application of Aflasafe KE01 effectively displaced the toxigenic Fusarium species in maize resulting in reduction of fumonisin in the maize from the Aflasafe KE01 treated fields by up to 68% compared to samples from untreated fields. This indicates that Aflasafe KE01 is a potential biopesticide for the biocontrol of Fusarium species and fumonisin production in maize. Efficacy of Aflasafe KE01 on reducing fumonisin contamination of other key staples in Kenya should be evaluated. Key words: Fusarium species, fumonisins, Aflasafe KE01, maize, atoxigenic Aspergillus sp.

Value Chain management is a powerful tool an organization can utilize for the attainment and sustenance of competitive advantage. This revelation informs the firm’s crafting and implementing of a competitive strategy in a bid to acquire an admirable competitive position in the sector. Several theories and studies have advanced that a superior competitive advantage can be attained by disaggregating the firm into strategically significant activities and thereby understanding how each functions.With these imperatives known, the study sought to examine how Value Chain is managed for Competitive advantage at KIWASCO Limited. The study objectives were to determine the Value Chain Management practices and to establish how the firm manages its Value Chain to achieve a Competitive advantage. Among studies done in Strategic management, the focus was on Value Chain analysis and Competitive advantage in different contexts. Few of the studies revealed how the Value Chains are managed to achieve a Competitive Advantage. The planning and development of this research study was to fill this gap. The study adopted a case study as a research methodology in order to gain a deeper understanding of the firm’s Value Chain activities. Both primary and secondary data was collected. Primary data was obtained by the use of an interview guide and secondary data from organizational and sector specific documents.Such as the strategic plan,annual work plans and maintenance schedules. Due to the qualitative nature of data received content analysis was best suited for analysis with a pointer on the study objectives. The study established that KIWASCO has dissagregated its key business functions into value generating activities.The findings of the study revealed that sources of competitive advantage are inherent in the firm’s value chain management practices. Porter’s generic value chain model was resourceful in determining the VCM practices.Technology and development was found to bekey in value creation and competitive advantage. KIWASCO has automated its key value chain processes to ensure efficacy inservice delivery.Physical and soft infrastructural development within coverage areas accorded the firm seamless distribution channels, outbound logistics and marketing activities. Firm infrastructure, good corporate governance practices and partnerships with other stakeholders like donors and development partners enabled the firm to access technical and financial assistance. Personnel management applied practices like recruitment and selection which were found to be highly competitive ensuring the right people at the right jobs. The study recommends that KIWASCO should explore more robust initiatives in managing its value chain for competitive advantage. Such initiatives have to do with policy issues and expertise consultations. This study is particularly useful to KIWASCO’s management, policy formulation and implementation teams. Being a case study focusing on one WSP in Kenya.Future researchers should target more firms in the sector to enable generalization of findings and recommendation. Future studies should also consider contemporary Value chain models to factor in other crucial organizational aspects like leadership, corporate culture and people.

Across the world governments are transforming public organizations services in order to provide services that are customer centered, cost-efficient and user friendly. With Huduma Centres, the Government of Kenya has transformed public service delivery to the citizens. This research examined initiatives to enhance electronic government services in public organizations in Kenya using the case of Huduma Postal City Square in Nairobi. Objectives included to: establish the extent to which electronic government services are provided at Huduma Centres, explore the perception of customers towards electronic government services provided at Huduma Centres; investigate problems encountered by the customers in access and use of electronic government services at Huduma Centres; and determine the strategies to improve access and provision of electronic government services at Huduma Centres. The study used both qualitative and quantitative research methods to provide descriptive data from the case study of Huduma Posta City Square. Total target population incorporated in this research process was 298 respondents with 278 being customers and 20 staff members. Random and purposive samplings were used to choose the respondents for data collection purposes. Questionnaires and interviews were the tools used to gather data and information from the respondents whose results were presented in tables. The study revealed that electronic government services are accessed and provided at Huduma Centres included online applications for certificates such as marriage, licenses passports, and visa, business name search and registration, online payment system, information search on land matters information search for government services and information search on career, employment, education. The study revealed that majority of the citizens has a positive perception towards electronic government services provided at Huduma Centres. Huduma centres have eased service delivery by the government to its people. Huduma services has enhanced equitable treatment of citizens, promoted greater transparency in service delivery, fostered greater convenience and access to information and reduced bureaucracy. The study concluded that there are a number of challenges that affect access and use of electronic government services at Huduma Centres. Among the challenges include privacy issues, connectivity breakdown, lack of reliability of information, lack of awareness, slow speed of internet, lack of equality in public access to internet, lack of interconnectivity between government departments and high cost of internet. The study recommended that in order for the government to enhance provision of electronic government services at Huduma Centres, there is need to enhance the country's computer knowledge provision and internet penetration. Further the government needs to establish more Huduma Centres and increase the number of services provided at each centre. More importantly, since the virtually all services have been digitized, it is recommended that the government should ensure that there are strong internet connections within the centre to enhance service efficiency; this may be achieved by seeking the services of internet providers who are capable of providing high speed internet. The government should also keep training employees on customer service in order to improve the quality of services that the government provides to citizen.