A Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) attempts to provide sustainable utilization of the available water resources by reducing water pollution and water acquisition costs. Improper matching of RAS components yields inflated cost of production and consequently leads to system failure. The significant challenges in RAS are to maintain favorable water quality for the fish and create conducive conditions that minimize the cost of energy required. In Kenya, many Recirculating Aquaculture Systems have not been able to strike a balance between the optimal levels of water parameters and the cost of energy required to run the system. This study, therefore, aimed at evaluating environmental and energy requirements for different production densities of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in a RAS. In this study, both production density and water flow rates were varied, and water quality parameters namely Dissolved oxygen, ammonia, pH, EC, and temperature monitored. Tilapia stocking densities were varied between 2.3 kg/m3 and 10 kg/m3 while flow rate was varied from 2.0 L/min and increased at intervals of 1 L/min to a flow rate of 10 L/min. The energy consumed for the different stocking densities and flow rates was also monitored using installed electricity meters.

The quality of drinking water is determined by measuring its physico-chemical, chemical, heavy metals and bacteriological characteristics. Quality drinking water is one which none of the above parameters can result to any significant health risk to its users upon consumption. A study was conducted to determine the sources and quality of drinking water in Isibania settlement, Nyamaharaga sub location of Kuria West Sub- County in Migori County. The following parameters were investigated; physico-chemical parameters comprising of pH, total dissolved solids, total alkalinity and total hardness, chemical; nitrate, nitrite, chloride, fluoride, sulphate, phosphate, sodium, magnesium, heavy metals; iron, manganese, cadmium, zinc, chromium, lead and bacteriological; total coliform and fecal coliform. Sixty closed ended questionnaires were administered to residents of Isibania who were selected through stratified random sampling to establish their demographic characteristics and sources of drinking water. A total of 27 samples were collected through stratified and purposive random sampling from water sources that included wells, streams and rainwater harvest. The questionnaires were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists while physico-chemical parameters were analyzed using portable electrochemical meters that had been standardized in the laboratory. Single Beam UV Spectrophotometric method was used for the analysis of nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, chloride, sulphate and fluoride. Flame Atomization Atomic Absorption Spectroscopic method was used to analyze for sodium and magnesium. Flameless Atomic Absorption Spectroscopic method was used to analyze for cadmium, zinc, chromium, lead, iron and manganese. Bacteriological quality was determined by measuring the most probable number of colonies for total coliform and fecal coliform after incubation. It was established that 98% of the respondents depended on wells, streams and rainwater harvest as sources of their drinking water. It was observed that; 14.8 % of the water samples had an average pH value of 5.3, 26% nitrites of 0.008 mg/L, 15% nitrates of 104.65 mg/L, 3% chromium of 0.08 mg/L, 7% manganese of 0.7 mg/L, 7% lead of 0.04 mg/L, 78% total coliform of 136 MPN and that 56% had fecal coliform of 120 MPN. It was further established that water from 82% of the sources studied was unsuitable for human consumption. This implies that majority of Kuria West residents consume poor quality water according to standards guidelines.

Dividend policy is a very important aspect of financial management but remains as the ten important unresolved problems in finance. This is because it affects such areas as the financial structure of the firm, the flow of liquid funds, liquidity and investor satisfaction. Not only do managers show extra care in their payout decisions, especially in changing payout decisions, but also the markets react strongly to dividend changes, and more so, to dividend omissions and initiations. The purpose of this paper was to study the relationship between dividends changes and subsequent period earnings changes of SACCOs in Kenya. This research involved the use of a descriptive survey. The target population of this study consisted of 4233 SACCOs registered under the Societies Act in Kenya. The SACCOs were selected using Systematic random sampling method. Nairobi was selected as it is the center of SACCO activity as about 40% of all registered SACCOs in the country are found here. In this study emphasis was given to secondary data which was obtained from the financial results filled at the ministry of cooperative and development. The data included the actual dividend paid by the SACCOs and financial statements data over five-year period of 2005-2009. Regression analysis model was used to test the data. The study concluded that there is a positive relationship between dividend changes and subsequent period earnings change in the dividend payment year and previous years but only a significant though modest relationship between dividend change and subsequent year‟s earnings. The study also concludes that managers only incorporate their expectation of earnings in relatively shorter time when changing dividend payment. This is due to various uncertain factors which may prevent managers from incorporating longer future into consideration into financial decisions thus they prefer to use a short time period to raise feasibility.

Several multinational companies have set up base in Africa over the past years. This has led to a need of having Africa regional head quarters. Kenya can boast of being The African regional headquarter of 20 multinational companies. This research was carried out mainly to determine why multinationals would choose Kenya out of all the countries in Africa to be a regional headquarter. This study focused on variables such as location, economic status, political stability, market potentiality and labor as the main factors that would qualify Kenya to be a regional headquarter. In addition, this study was able to find out whether the country of origin and type of industry had an effect on choosing of Nairobi Kenya as a regional headquarter. Due to the findings of the study, it can be concluded that market potentiality has the greatest influence on choice of Kenya as a regional head quarter. Availability of skilled labor and the Kenyan economy influenced the decisions of MNCs to enter Kenya. The conclusion of the research showed that the USA has the highest number of MNCs with Africa headquarters in Nairobi. The media industry is the most invested industry in Kenya followed by NGOs. Highest entry of regional office set up by MNCs in Nairobi was in 2012 and 2011. This was a period when the economy of Kenya was growing but ironically just before the general elections period. This shows that many MNEs could still continue operations despite Kenya have a shaky political arena.A large number of the multinational firms used FDI as a mode of entry. It was also found out that most firms used both the centralized and decentralized system of decision making.10 MNCs have between 1-5 branches in Africa which is the most in number. These are followed by 3 MNEs which have between 16-20 branches in Africa. M-pesa has been a great determinant that has led to Kenya’s popularity. MNCs like Kiva and GSM mainly chose Kenya because of m-pesa which has enhanced their operations within the Kenyan market.Good international relations between Kenya and China have also led to major investments by Chinese in Kenya. The Chinese have set up several head offices in Kenya mainly due to the government relationships. Several Multinationals have chosen Kenya to be the East Africa HQ but however not African regional headquarters. Improvements on our economy, literacy levels, better infrastructure and better political situations will see many of those firms get promoted to African headquarters. However, findings have also indicated that several firms demoted Kenya from being the African head office. For example Nokia from Finland demoted the Kenyan office. This study recommends that there should be efforts channeled by the government to increase economic growth, literacy levels, better infrastructure and create a calm political scene. These efforts will definitely lead to many Kenyan offices getting promoted to African headquarters. Another recommendation is that Kenyan government should also create good international relations with several other countries which will lead to more investment.

In a bid to increase tea yields, small scale tea growers do annual application of a blend of inorganic fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium (NPK 26:5:5). The application is normally done on the onset of the short rainy seasons. These nutrients can get into the streams, rivers, lakes and oceans through surface run-off contributing greatly to water degradation and pollution problems. Thus, a study was conducted to assess the levels of chemical fertilizer nutrients in soils from small scale tea farms, water and sediments from the Sulal River. The samples were collected from an area stretching a distance of 12 Km to cover the source of nutrients application along Sulal River catchment area. Sampling was done during dry (January-February 2019) and rainy (October-November 2019) seasons. Samples were analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and selected physicochemical parameters of soil, water and sediments. Nitrogen, as nitrate-nitrogen (NO3–N) and phosphorous, as phosphate-phosphorous (PO4 ˉ P) were analyzed calorimetrically using Salicylic acid and Olsen methods, respectively. Potassium was determined using flame photometer. The levels of water and sediment quality parameters were compared with recommended levels for drinking water and likelihood for eutrophication set by Kenya Bureau of Standards, World Health Organization and Water Service Regulation Board, Kenya. Results were analyzed using IBM SPSS 20. The average levels during the dry and rainy seasons in soil samples for pH were 4.64±0.26 and 4.41±0.1, electrical conductivities were 187±45.79 and 253±23.76 μS/cm, % moisture content were 20.91±3.11and 36.38±2.20, nitrate-nitrogen were 0.68±0.20 and 0.58±0.20 mg/kg, phosphate-phosphorous were 0.14±0.08 and 0.38±0.17 mg/kg and potassium were 1.22±0.31 and 2.63±0.70 mg/kg. The average levels during dry and rainy seasons in water samples for pH were 6.72±0.00 and 6.38±0.21, dissolved oxygen levels were 6.78±0.59 and 9.58±0.64mg/L, electrical conductivities were 174±5.02 and 205±20.14 μS/cm, total dissolved solids were 92±4.59 and 120.70± 19.57 mg/L, nitrate-nitrogen were 0.58±0.21 and 1.19±0.22 mg/L, phosphate-phosphorous were 0.00±0.00 and 0.13±0.84 mg/L and potassium were 0.26±0.08 and 0.84±0.19 mg/L. The average results during the dry and rainy seasons in sediment samples for pH were 6.62±0.20 and 6.75±0.17, electrical conductivities were 67±6.66 and 52±10.19 μS /cm, % water contents were 116.96±3.95 and 129.84±5.00 %, nitrate-nitrogen were 0.70±0.35 and 0.42±0.23 mg/kg, phosphate-phosphorous were 0.49±0.25 and 1.14±0.40 mg/kg and potassium were 1.53±0.45 and 2.86±0.31 mg/kg. The levels of pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, nitrogen and potassium in water and sediments in both seasons were within the maximum permissible limits set by KEBS, WHO and WASREB while phosphorous in water during rainy season were however, above the WHO (0.025 mg/L) and KEBS (0.030 mg/L) recommended limit for drinking and domestic use and WASREB (0.005 mg/L) level for likelihood of eutrophication. The study revealed the pollution status of Sulal River due to high levels of phosphorous of phosphorous. Availability of excess phosphorus can accelerate eutrophication in water bodies causing a reduction of dissolved oxygen, followed by death of aquatic organisms. The water from Sulal River may be used for irrigation purpose but not drinking and domestic purposes. Seasonal variation revealed significantly (p<0.05) higher nutrients in the rainy season than the dry season except for nitrogen and phosphorous in soil and nitrogen in sediment samples. This indicates that the seasonal changes are the major factors in the fluctuation of most of the analyzed physicochemical parameters in soil, water and sediments.

Public organizations are increasingly becoming reliant on the adoption of Information and Communication Technology as a strategic management tool in order to enable them to achieve intended objectives. One such organization that relies on the ICT strategy is the Kenya Revenue Authority. The implementation of the ICT strategy in any organization faces challenges just like implementation of any other strategy. The objective of this study is to establish the challenges of implementing the ICT strategy at the KRA and determining the measures necessary to overcome the challenges established in that organization. The study has both the conceptual and contextual argument where strategy implementation and its inherent challenges are discussed with specific reference to ICT. KRA as organization is discussed to bring out its mandate and its operating environment. A case study methodology was used with selected respondents subjected to interviews through a prepared interview guide. Textual data was then collected in the form of field notes, transcripts and complementary secondary data were explored and analyzed through content analysis. It was found from the study that KRA faces challenges in implementing the ICT strategy both from internal and external factors. Internal factors relate to resources, organization structure, skills and knowledge and operationalization and institutionalization of the strategy. External factors relate to power of suppliers, resistance from stakeholders and the legal and regulatory framework in which the organization operates. Overall it was concluded that KRA has been able to mitigate some of the challenges through deliberate initiatives in the respective corporate plans. The study recommends that further research is undertaken on the subject of ICT strategy implementation in other similar organizations. It is also suggested that future research can achieve better results through use of alternative methods of data collection like use of secondary data sources as opposed to use of the interview guide like in these case study.

Background: Care for preterm and low birth weight infants poses a great challenge to the health care providers and their care takers. In order to reach their target weight, low-birth-weight infants are often admitted for a long time increasing the incidence of hospital acquired infections. Additionally, in order to get the required warmth and special care they often share incubators with other sick infants further decreasing their chances of survival due to cross infection. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is a low cost but effective method which has been shown to significantly reduce morbidity and mortality. The main barrier to KMC is lack of healthcare workers’ skills and awareness as evidenced from several previous studies conducted, thus it is important to evaluate simple, practical and scalable approaches to training to improve knowledge and practice. Primary objective: To assess the impact of a 1- day didactic and competency based KMC training on healthcare workers’ knowledge in Murang’a County Referral Hospital. Secondary objectives: To assess the impact of 1-day didactic and competency based KMC training on practice and to assess barriers and facilitators to KMC implementation. Study method: Study design: Quasi-experimental (before and after) study with a qualitative arm. Study site and subjects and tools: Healthcare workers in Murang’a County Referral Hospital. Baseline knowledge and practice on KMC of healthcare workers was assessed 2 weeks before training. Thereafter, a one day didactic training was conducted and a repeat assessment of their knowledge and practice was analyzed after 2 weeks of training. Focused group discussions with health care workers were used to determine barriers and facilitators to KMC implementation. Data was collected using pre and post training questionnaires, observers’ checklist and from focused group discussions. Qualitative data was manually transcribed and translated. Thematic content analysis was analyzed for recurring themes. Results: Fifty seven (57) participants were recruited in the study out of which 45(79.0%) of the participants were female. Majority of the participants were nurses 37(64.9%) and 56(98.4%) of the health care workers had not undergone training. Fourteen (24.6%) of the participants were working in the NBU department. Forty seven (82.5%) of the HCWs correctly defined what KMC was before training and 98.2% after training (p value=0.012). Twenty nine (54.7%) HCWs were able to correctly point out criteria for starting KMC before training and 44(81.5%) after training About two thirds of the participants 35(61.4%) and 39(68.4%) of the HCWs had the correct knowledge on discharge criteria of baby and mother on KMC before training respectively and 57(100%) and 56(98.3%) after training. Approximately half of the HCWs 29 (52.7%) had correct knowledge on readmission criteria for babies on KMC before training and 57(100%) after training. There was no change in KMC practice as observed on mother infant dyads on KMC before and after training. Majority of the participants pointed out that lack of infrastructure 25(43.9%) and training 19(33.3%) were barriers to KMC implementation in the facility, whereas LBW infants 17(30.4%) and availability of resources 14(24.5%) were facilitators to KMC success. Conclusion: There was significant change in knowledge noted after training on feeding options for the LBW and preterm infants, admission, readmission, discharge criteria and follow up of babies on KMC. There was however no change noted on KMC practice after training. Recommendation: Continuous medical education and sensitization on KMC should be done to the healthcare workers and priority offered to those working in maternity and newborn departments.

With the increasing competition that businesses especially in tourism industry face today, in order to survive, firms have to adjust their approach to business and come up with response strategies for dealing with the highly competitive environment. Traditionally more focused on the physical product and services, tourism industry is waking up to consumers who demand consistent delivery of the brand promise, changing needs and sensitivity to socio-political both locally and globally. This study sought to establish the response strategies adopted by Heritage Hotels Limited to increased competition in the tourism industry in Kenya. The study was conducted through a case study research design. The study used interview guides as primary data collection instrument. The interview guide was administered through five employees of Heritage Hotels Limited: the managing director, 2 departmental heads and 2-unit managers. Data collected was qualitative; analysis was by content analysis and presented in prose. The study findings illustrate that Heritage Hotels Limited faces a lot of competition from both small and large firms of local or international ownership and operations; the hotel faces threat of new entry into the industry; threat of substitutes aggravated by changing technology, insecurity in the country and subsequent travel advisory and fluctuation in demand. The study concludes that the hotel has responded to these challenges through competitive pricing, aggressive marketing in trade fairs, online and print media; product and service innovation and differentiation; promotion through offers and discount on repeat purchases among others. The study recommended that the hotel should expand its operations to other regions, pursue new markets and target local tourists besides foreign customers.

This project investigated and assessed the productive use and spread of solar PV (photovoltaic) systems among rural population of Borabu solar home systems and medium enterprises. It analyzed sustainability aspects of productive solar PV usage and the future prospects for this type of activities. As the situation is today there is a lack of electricity in a major part of the country and there is a big need for rural electrification. In recent years there has been a lot of effort and money put into the solar PV industry in order to achieve a higher quality of life for the rural poor. One of the goals except for producing electricity, has been to achieve a self-sustaining market where solar PV are used for generate income in rural areas, i.e. productive use of solar PVs. The main objective of the study was to assess social-economic impacts of photovoltaic solar installation and use. Specific objectives were to determine the impact of governmental organizations in Photovoltaic solar installation and usage in Kenya, Borabu Division; to evaluate the environmental impact of Photovoltaic solar installation and usage in Kenya, Borabu Division; to assess the climatic impact of Photovoltaic solar installation and usage in Kenya, Borabu Division; and to assess the impact of costs in the installation of PV panels in Kenya, Borabu Division. This research study adopted a cross-sectional research design. The study targeted a population of 58,079 persons in Nyamira County, Borabu Division. A sample size of 30 households was used for this study. Primary data was gathered directly from the households using structured questionnaires. Quantitative data collected using questionnaires was analyzed using descriptive statistics using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences). From the findings, the study found out that persistent governmental impacts have significantly affected the installation and use of Photovoltaic solar system among household residents. It found out that existing environmental impacts have significantly affected the installation and use of Photovoltaic solar system among household residents. It further found out that changes of climatic conditions have significantly affected the installation and use of Photovoltaic solar system among household residents. It finally found out that high costs of installing PV solar system have significantly affected the installation and use of Photovoltaic solar system among household residents. The study concluded that the environmental impact had a great impact on the installation and use of PV solar system in the location. It also concluded that cost is a factor that has impacted the installation and use of solar in Borabu location, Nyamira County. The study recommended that a consistent PV strategy be in place on ambitious and long-term targets, a clearly defined implementation Programme and a well-conceived mix of instruments will become the groundwork for success. The basic requirement for each PV policy framework is its longevity and stability.

Streptococcus pneumoniae, also known as the pneumococcus, is a major cause of life-threatening bloodstream infections, and may cross the blood-brain barrier and cause meningitis. Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) affects all age groups, but the populations highest at risk of infection are children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immunity. Despite the implementation of childhood immunization programs and effective antimicrobial agents, child mortality from pneumococcal meningitis still imposes a huge disease burden, even in developed countries. This study aimed to understand the differences in patterns of Streptococcus pneumoniae genome evolution through gene loss and gain events, and their effect on the propensity to cause meningitis compared to bacteremia. Streptococcus pneumoniae isolate genomes of strains retrieved from human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were compared to those retrieved from human peripheral blood. The two datasets were first each analyzed separately, followed by comparisons across the two subsets. Briefly, the sequences in each data subset were first broadly compared using an All vs All BLAST comparison. The BLAST results were then more accurately clustered into orthologous groups using a hidden Markov chain model algorithm called OrthoMCL. The resultant orthologous map generated was then annotated and processed using Bacterial Makeup eXplorer (BMX) to generate annotated phyletic patterns highlighting gene presence and absence. The phyletic patterns were further analyzed using the Gene Loss Mapping Engine (GLOOME) to determine the probability of genes acquisition or loss along the length of each genome in the dataset under study. The results were then analyzed to make inference of the general direction of evolution, which is gene gain or loss events, which are associated with propensity to cause meningitis or not; when comparing the meningitis and bacteremia associated data subsets. Among the known virulence proteins, putative bacteriocin transporter C39 protease domain BlpA2 and pneumococcal histidine triad protein D (bvh-11-2) showed more gene loss events in the meningitis set. The immunity protein PncB, pncF, immunity protein PncK and bacteriocin BlpO displayed more gene loss events in the bacteremia set. More gene loss events were observed in both bacteremia and meningitis sets for putative immunity protein PncM and putative membrane protein BlpL. Also, more gene gain in both sets was observed for putative uncharacterized protein PncC. There was more gene gain in bacteremia set for cell surface choline binding protein PcpA. The overall findings suggests that meningitis genomes were more conserved compared to those generated from bacteremia isolates. They highlight mechanisms that determine differences in invasive ability during infection since gene loss and acquisition primarily contribute to how bacteria genetically adapt to novel environments and diverge to form separate, evolutionarily distinct species and strains. Genetic flux can radically and rapidly increase fitness or alter some aspects of lifestyle, such as multidrug non-susceptibility.