Agricultural information dissemination is an important aspect in the quest to improve agricultural productivity both in Africa and specifically Kenya. Many experts have over the years identified radio as the best media for this purpose. Therefore, vernacular radio is ideally, best placed to provide agricultural information to its listeners because majority of them live in rural areas, practice agriculture as a source of livelihood, and might not have an in-depth understanding of English and/or Kiswahili. However, the commercial leanings of most emerging vernacular radio stations could be hampering this important role. This study was conducted on agricultural programmes aired on Kass FM radio, a vernacular radio station broadcasting in the kalenjin language in Kenya. A content analysis was done on agricultural programmes aired in the months of June July and August 2012, to find out the effect sponsors had on the content of the agricultural programmes they sponsored. Based on the findings, it was concluded that sponsors of agricultural programmes in Kass FM greatly influence the content of the programmes they sponsor. This has in effect greatly limited the number of topical issues in agriculture discussed in these programmes and thus creating a bottleneck in the amount of agricultural information that can be transmitted to farmers in Kass FM’s agricultural programmes.

The global sediment cycle is a fundamental feature of the Earth system, balancing competing factors such as orogeny, physical–chemical erosion and human action. In this Review, values of the magnitudes of several sources and sinks within the cycle are suggested, although the record remains fragmented with uncertainties.

Agricultural growth, especially in the early phases of development, is fundamental to broader economic growth and successful poverty reduction. This is because of high concentration of the poor in this sector, its strong growth linkages with other sectors, and its potential to offer low food prices to the urban poor (DFID, 2005). However, much of Africa’s agriculture is characterized by semi-subsistence, low-input, low-productivity farming systems, which are not favorable to achieving this broad-based growth. Transformation to a more commercialized agriculture is, therefore, unavoidable if the broad-based growth is to be achieved (Morris et al. 2009). Better and more accessible markets are a fundamental ingredient to a more commercialized agriculture, just as technologies and macroeconomic policies, since they are key determinants of farm productivity, food prices, and food availability (ILRI, 2011). Wellfunctioning markets send effective signals that influence incentives for investments by firms, households and workers, and enhance their efficiency and opportunities (ILRI, 2011). Yet in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, markets for agricultural inputs, outputs and finance remain thin (Poulton et al., 2006), and infrastructure, both ‘hard’ (e.g. roads) and ‘soft’ (e.g. telecommunications and information) are poor. The result is high transaction risks and costs (Poulton et al., 2006), which can distort crop choices and significantly dampen farmers’ returns from market participation as well as discourage them from producing for the market (ILRI, 2011). While market failure is a major constraint to most smallholder farmers, the effects are compounded for the marginalised groups such as the poor, women and households in low potential areas (Poulton et al., 2006; FAO, 2011). The intensity of marginalization is more pronounced among women farmers because they face higher entry barriers than men in modern value chains. For instance, women have less access to and control of productive resources such as land, capital and agricultural services like credit and training that are necessary for increasing yields and moving from subsistence to market oriented production (Jiggins et al., 1997; FAO, 2011). Consequently, women generally produce for more localized spot markets and in small volumes than men, and when they are involved in marketing of agricultural produce, they tend to be concentrated at the lower levels of the supply or value chain, and in perishable or low value products (Baden, 1998; World Bank, 2003). Addressing the challenges faced by these marginalized groups in accessing agricultural markets, remains a necessary priority in efforts to foster broad-based agricultural growth, and thereby contribute towards poverty reduction. However, interventions necessary for integrating marginalized groups into markets may differ by commodity market chain and by marginalized group. Hence, it is important to understand the constraints to market participation and types of 2 interventions that can overcome these constraints in order to unlock opportunities for involvement along a given value chain. Identifying specific agricultural value chains and interventions that could offer the best opportunities for sales, income, and poverty alleviation for marginal groups is a critical step in the process of making beneficial investments that can transform the fortunes of these groups. Further, analysis of value chains in combination with characteristics of marginalized groups of interest and the nature of potential interventions would be helpful in informing the design of such nterventions for greater impact. This study sought to identify critical challenges that need to be addressed and assess growth opportunities that could be exploited to improve access to and participation by women smallholders in agricultural markets along three value chains namely sweet potato, avocado and indigenous chicken. This was achieved through detailed value chain analysis of these selected enterprises and case studies on selected marketing innovations that could enhance market participation.

Abstract

finding out the different reference services offered in the library tghrough the use of notes during the search

This study was conducted with the aim of establishing how social capital influences career successes of the staff at the County Government of Mombasa. The study also sought to establish how social capital influences extrinsic factors of career success; and how social capital influences intrinsic factors of career success. The study adopted a survey research design. The population of the study comprised the 2,650 staff of the county Government of Mombasa. Primary data was collected through the use of questionnaires. Analysis was conducted through the use of descriptive statistics. The results indicated that employees were able to accrue diverse network resources/social capital to varying extents. From the data, it was clear that information was the network resource that employees at the County Government of Mombasa accrued most from social capital and networks at 23%. That was closely followed by ideas and knowledge at 20% and 17% respectively. The study also found that social capital influenced both extrinsic and intrinsic factors of career success to a least an average extent or more. The study consequently concluded that; first, diverse network resource (social capital) had been drawn by employees of the County Government of Mombasa to different extents and that had added great value to career success for the County Government staff; secondly, social capital had a positive influence on intrinsic indicator of career success to a least an average extent or more; thirdly, Social capital had a similarly positive influence on intrinsic indicators of career success to a least an average extent or more. On the basis of the findings, the study recommended that social capital be nurtured at the organizational level through drafting organizational policies that are social capital – friendly. This was so that social capital may continue its value addition to both intrinsic and extrinsic aspects of career success so that employees at the County Government of Mombasa may continue realizing career success. In addition, network resources were beneficial to both individual and organisation and therefore value addition was at both levels.

The study aimed at assessing the records management practices at Uganda Wildlife Authority, Head office Kampala. In order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness in the management of records at Uganda Wildlife Authority, the objectives of the study were: To assess the records management practices at Uganda wildlife authority, to Examine the types of records that are managed at Uganda wildlife authority, to determine the challenges faced in the implementation of proper records practices at Uganda wildlife authority, to propose and recommend proper records management practices at Uganda wildlife authority. The study adopted a case study design which helped to assess records management practices at UWA. A study population of 20 respondents provided data, An interview, observation and Document review were the methods used to collect data from the respondents. The research study found out that the records management practices at UWA include: records creation, records classification and indexing, records storage, retrieval of records, mail management, records inventory, records access, records appraisal and retention and records disposition, The study discovered that the types of records managed at UWA included; Administrative records, Legal Records, personnel, records and Financial Records. Further studies indicated that records at UWA are created manually and electronically through scanning, use of an email management system. The study further found out the challenges faced in the implementation of proper records management practices which included inadequate funds for records management, inadequate trained personnel, inadequate space and records management equipment. The study concluded that UWA would streamline records management practices to avert unauthorized access and unnecessary loss of records, misplacement of records misuse and inadequate security measures which is challenging the personnel in charge of records, UWA would depend largely on how its RMP are being implemented therefore proper records management should be emphasized. Lastly the study concluded that more efforts would be put into the use of electronic records practices this would help to overcome the challenge of no records disposal, records appraisal and inadequate space since there is accumulation of both archival and obsolete records. The study recommended that records staff should be provided with adequate trainining to ensure that they are able to undertake full responsibilities of records management, UWA should hire more trained records personnel to ensure efficiency and effectiveness, the study further more recommends that UWA should speed up the process of developing a records management policy so as to be able to manage the records in accordance with the policy and the law. The study recommended that the central registry should carryout digitization of records in order to reduce the volume of paper records and also save time, lastly the study recommends that enough funds should be allocated to the central registry so as to procure equipments for use in records management.

Corporates operate in an increasingly volatile and dynamic environment where control is limited. Most affected by the volatility in local and international markets are manufacturing firms due to high cost of imported raw materials and foreign exchange shocks. I t behooves a corporate to control its internal factors to maximize returns and stay afloat. Capital structure is one of those factors that a corporate has considerable control over and its optimal composition can positively influence performance. The research was an inquiry into the nature and extent of the connection between capital structure and performance Kenyan manufacturing entities listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Secondary data was gathered from the eight entities listed at the exchange as at 31st December 2021 Data collected was analyzed for descriptive and correlational characteristics using a regression model. Inferences drawn were to the effect that capital structure has a substantial impact on financial performance. Share capital, long-term debt and short-term debt affected performance positively while retained earnings affected performance negatively. The researcher recommends entities to use more leverage to fund operations and increase share capital but should reduce their retained earnings possibly by converting to share capital or increasing dividend payout ratio. The study recommends efficient working capital management to take advantage of short-term debt which displayed the highest beneficial impact

Change in land use has a direct effect in catchment hydrologic response. It is caused by human intervention to enhance and diversify their livelihood needs, and at the same time get economic benefits from the land resources. These interventions result in changes in surface runoff, soil erosion and sediment yield among others. If the change in land use is not well managed then it will affect the quantity and quality of water resources as well as production potential of the land. Based on this ground this study was formulated to investigate the effects of land use changes on catchment response, in particular surface runoff and sediment yield. Such a study required

Quality supervision is utilization of available resources effectively and efficiently. It has a major influence on the overall performance of building projects. Inadequate supervision, or lack of it cost huge sums of money which can not be divested. It is believed to be one of the major causes of poor project implementation, missed objectives of the projects and project failure in terms of schedule, budget, quality and safety. Consequently, inadequate professional supervision will result in material wastage, re-work, project abandonment or stalling of public building projects. The loss through project failure has a crippling effect on the economic growth of the country and militates against the realization of millenium Development Goals and Kenya Vision 2030. The purpose of this study is to critically assess the efficiency of Ministry of Public Works (MOPW) to supervise public building projects in Kenya, with a view of identifying and prioritizing factors and practices that have the potential for improving supervisory effectiveness in the delivery of public building projects. To achieve the study goal, a survey in a case study design was used. Purposive sampling which is a non-probability sampling technique was used to collect data directly from respondents drawn from MOPW building department, selected client ministries and contractors representatives. Secondary data was obtained from documents obtained from contract office, forward planning and departmental registry. A sample size of 40 respondents comprising Architects, Engineers, assistant Architects, assistant Engineers and clerks of works were used for this survey. The research findings revealed that MOPW organizational structure was not effective in a number of critical areas including teamwork; problem identification, reporting relationship and communication; timeliness, procurement process of plant and equipment; staff stagnation and inflexibility among other areas. The workload is eschewed with a huge staffing gap of 86% . The extent of new technology uptake in project management, supervision and decision-making tools, equipment and techniques is as low as 25%. Further, the study showed that project supervisors, despite having technical training and many years of experience, have had little continuous professional development training. xiii The study therefore recommends that flexibility be in-built in its organizational structure to enhance inter-linkages between staff. The study also recommends that the Ministry should ensure full implementation of its training policy by objectively identifying the training needs for project supervisors. The trainings must aim at bridging the skill gap of project supervisors on contemporary project management tools and should be done regularly. The study recommends that MOPW develop a comprehensive manual to guide in building projects supervision to avoid subjectivity in supervision and ensure uniform standards and quality in the buildings projects. Further, the study recommends that MOPW incorporate in its systems the principles of project management. Finally, The study recommends that MOPW look for more innovative ways of closing the technical staff gap including re-training the already employed staff to built capacity, employing young staff and ensuring that they are retained to reduce the huge workload currently being witnessed in the ministry. Key words: project management, public building projects, supervision