This study contributes to the strategic information systems literature through empirical investigation on the effect of corporate IT strategy, IT governance and information quality on service delivery of state corporations in Kenya. The study was motivated by a number of research gaps which could only be addressed through an integrated conceptual model testing on how corporate IT strategy, ITG and information quality could individually and jointly affect service delivery of state owned entities. This study proposed six hypotheses to be tested on the effect of corporate IT strategy, IT governance and information quality on service delivery of state corporations in Kenya with simple and multiple linear regression analyses, correlation analysis. This study was anchored on the Fourth Industrial Revolution Theory and Diffusion of Innovation (DoI) Theory. This study utilized the positivist orientation philosophy. The unit of analysis was 178 state corporations in Kenya corporations spread across the twenty ministries. Primary data was collected through administering structured questionnaire and secondary data on service delivery was collected from annual performance contract reports. In conclusion; this study found statistically significant effect of corporate IT strategy on service delivery of state corporations in Kenya, F (12, 107) = 15.121, P>0.000; 58.7% (Adjusted R2 = 0. 587) of variations in the service delivery is explained by variations in corporate IT strategy. Secondly, this study found statistically significant effect of information technology governance on service delivery of state corporations in Kenya, F (7, 112) =23.052, P>0.000.; 56.5% (Adjusted R2 = 0.565) of variations in the service delivery is explained by variations in the information technology governance. Thirdly, effect of information quality on service delivery of state corporations in Kenya was statistically significant, F (11, 108) = 7.576, P>0.000; whereby 37.8% (Adjusted R2 = 0.378) of variations in service delivery is explained by variations in the information quality. Fourthly, this study found statistically significant effect of IT governance on the relationship between corporate IT strategy and service delivery of state corporations in Kenya, F (6, 113) =46.875, P>0.000 g; whereby 69.8% (Adjusted R2 = 0.698) of variations in service delivery is explained by variations in corporate IT Target* ITG level of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of ITG framework, existence of corporate IT strategy, IT governance on resource capability/use, level of implementation of corporate IT strategy, level of cascading of corporate IT strategy. Fifthly, this study found statistically significant effect of information quality on the relationship between corporate IT strategy and service delivery of state corporations in Kenya, F (7, 112) =37.514, P>0.000h; which implies 68.2% (Adjusted R2 = 0.682) of variations in the overall service delivery are explained by effect of information quality on the relationship between corporate IT strategy and service delivery of state corporations in Kenya. The study additionally found statistically significant joint effect of corporate IT strategy, IT governance and information quality on service delivery of state corporations in Kenya, F (29, 119) = 12.300, P>0.000; which means 73.4% (Adjusted R2 = 0.734) of variations in the service delivery are explained jointly by corporate IT strategy, IT governance and information quality. The study suggests management practices to increase sustainability efforts through various mechanisms. The results of this study add to existing knowledge in the area of service delivery of State Corporation’s by determination of the relevant factors that are important in defining service delivery of state corporations xvii in Kenya. Also, the findings helped in reducing the controversy on the relationship between corporate IT strategy and service delivery by showing that the positive relationship that is direct and significant among the proxies of corporate IT strategy and service delivery. Based on the results of this study, the government through relevant ministries and other stakeholders in the state corporations sector should develop appropriate policies in an attempt to organize the IT applications to enable investor’s and regulatory bodies get access to information pertaining how to improve their ability to perform as well as give quality services. The study suggests future studies which it deems important in contributing to future knowledge in research works. Other studies on the factors influencing service delivery like market efficiency may also be important to evaluate their effect on the regulator’s potential to give regulations that enhance efficiency. There are several possible sources of uncertainty in the state corporations functioning like Political instability and government interference are possible extraneous factors that could impact on service delivery which future study could factor in as control variables.

In theory, the nexus between firm shareholding indicates that distribution of equity among various ownership categories affect firm performance. Whilst ownership structure influences decision making, the effect on firm results is not necessarily positive. Separation between management and ownership can create conflicts between owners and management as envisioned by the Agency theory. The Kenyan case evidences conceptual and contextual gaps. Accordingly, therefore, this study interrogated nexus of ownership structures and returns of corporates, specifically in manufacturing sector of Kenya. This study had four explanatory variables which were used to derive specific aims. These factors are: management ownership, foreign ownership, institutional ownership and individual ownership. In line with the variables, the study was anchored on tenets and postulates of Agency Theory, Stulz’s Integrated Ownership Theory and Stewardship Theory. The main method that was used to obtain inferences was in form of a descriptive design. This study has a population of nine hundred and twenty manufacturing companies. In sampling, ninety firms were used for gathering observations for the variables for a period of eight years. Inferences evidenced that management ownership had a positive and significant effect on firm performance, foreign ownership negatively and insignificantly affected firm performance, institutional ownership positively and significantly affect performance and individual ownership negatively and insignificantly affected returns financially. It was recommended that manufacturing firms should encourage institutional and management ownership in order to increase their financial performance.

Participatory monitoring is at the center of a global conversation as useful tool in tracking the progress of interventions and has been cited as a critical contributor to improved performance. The practice has largely been inculcated in project execution though with no much scientific backing. For this reason, this study sought to ascertain its role in projects by interrogating its moderating effect on the relationship between reform interventions in the World Bank context against the performance of agricultural projects using in Trans-Nzoia County as a de-facto test environment. The study arose out of the need to empirically quantify and institutionalize aspects of participatory monitoring in contemporary projects through five objectives which are: examine the influence of financing reform on the performance of agricultural projects funded by the World Bank, assess the influence of marketing reform on the performance of agricultural projects funded by the World Bank, establish the influence of capacity building reform on the performance of agricultural projects funded by the World Bank, determine the joint influence of reform interventions on the performance of agricultural projects funded by World Bank and establish the moderating influence of participatory monitoring on the relationship between reform interventions and performance of agricultural projects funded by the World Bank. Reforms under study were first tested independently and then jointly so as to determine the extent of their relationships with project performance before determining the moderating effect. Five research hypotheses were generated from the objectives of the study and were tested to shed light on the direction of the study and unravel the magnitude of these relationships. Empirical and theoretical literature was reviewed based on the literary works of other scholars and academicians in the fields of project management, quality assurance and development Economics. Reviewed literature was interrogated in relation to the theory of change, outcomes theory, the empowerment theory and responsive-constructivist evaluation theory. The nexus amongst the study parameters was configured on a conceptual framework that exemplified extent of perceived relationships. Mixed-methods research under descriptive survey design was utilised to quantify the relationships. The study is grounded on pragmatism; a philosophy complementing epistemological, methodological and axiological underpinnings desired in mixed methods research. Target population was 800 farmers and 15 project staff determined using proportionate sampling. Study sample of 268 respondents was determined scientifically using simplified Yamane formula of proportions. Quantitative data was obtained using a structured questionnaire with likert-type questions while qualitative data was collected using key informant interviews and focus groups. Qualitative data analysis was by iterative inquiry, critical reflection and thematic review while inferential data was analyzed using the measures of central tendency, regression and correlation. Stepwise regression inferred the moderating effect alongside the significance of the coefficient and the change in R2. Multiple regression established the joint influence of reforms on performance of agricultural projects while the t-statistic was used to test the hypotheses. The findings reveal there is a positive significant relationship between financing reform and the performance of agricultural projects by r=0.0244 (p-value< 0.05); there is positive significant relationship between marketing reform and performance of agricultural projects by r=0.0472 (p-value< 0.05); there is a positive significant relationship between capacity building reform and the performance of agricultural projects by r=0.0199 (p-value< 0.05) and there is positive significant relationship between joint reforms and performance of agricultural projects by r =0.024 (p-value< 0.05). Using stepwise regression, it was established that participatory monitoring was responsible for 28.59% variation in the performance of agricultural projects. These findings are therefore useful in cementing the role played by participatory monitoring in projects and therefore enrich project management as a discipline. The results also provide an empirical justification for the adoption of participatory monitoring in projects. In terms of policy, since the Kenyan government and the development community are keen on reforming the development space, these findings provide an empirical basis upon which research-based policy formulation and public participation can be anchored. This study will contribute to growth of project policy, practice and methodology upon which further research in evaluation and project management can be anchored.

Owing to increased nutritional requirements, pregnant women stand a higher risk of malnutrition. Their nutrition is of paramount importance as it affects not only their health and survival but that of their unborn babies. It is, therefore, necessary that these women practice dietary habits that are promotive of good nutritional status and thus health. The available evidence, however, shows that several nutritional deficiencies and conditions exist among pregnant women, many of which are attributable to a diet that does not meet their nutritional requirements. Globally, existing estimates show that 38.2% and 39% of pregnant women suffer from anaemia in the world and Africa respectively. Iron deficiency anaemia is one of the factors that contribute to 20% of maternal deaths globally. In Kenya, it has been documented that anaemia is among the factors that contribute to maternal deaths. This study, which was conducted in Othaya Constituency sought to understand the contributions of dietary habits on the nutritional status of pregnant women seeking ANC services in the Constituency. The following were the objectives of the study: To assess the nutritional status of pregnant women in Othaya Constituency making their first ANC visit during their current pregnancy; to establish the dietary habits of pregnant women in Othaya Constituency; to determine the factors influencing dietary habits among pregnant women in Othaya Constituency; to examine the role of dietary knowledge on the nutritional status of pregnant women making their first ANC visit during their current pregnancy in Othaya Constituency; to identify and document existing strategies which address the dietary habits and nutritional status of pregnant women in the Constituency. The study was grounded on the Social Learning Theory (SLT) and Symbolic Interaction Theory. The study used a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design which employed a mixed-method approach. A questionnaire administered by an interviewer was used to collect data from 119 pregnant women. Qualitative data were gathered by use FGD with the pregnant women and in-depth interviews with key informants. The hospital records which included the ANC register were used as the sources from which secondary data were retrieved. The maternal and child health booklet too was used as a source of secondary data. Hb levels, MUAC, and Women Dietary Diversity Score were used to assess the nutritional status of the women. To better understand the existing strategies to address maternal dietary habits and nutritional status in-depth interviews were carried out with Key Informants. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS while qualitative data were analysed according to thematic areas. The findings established that 14% of the study participants had Hb levels below 11 g/dl and were therefore anaemic. MUAC measurements established that 9% of the women were undernourished (MUAC below 23 cm) while 91% had adequate nutritional status (MUAC ≥ 23). The mean dietary diversity score for the 9 food groups was 4.68±1.32 while the lowest and highest were 1 and 7 food groups respectively. The study also established that pregnant women had good nutritional knowledge. However, their choice of food was not based on the knowledge as most of them reported basing their choice of food on other factors like individual food preference or family food preference. A significant relationship was established between household size, the occupation of the respondent, and their dietary habits. There was also a relationship between culture, household income, education level and the women’s dietary habits. To more effectively address the dietary habits and nutritional status of pregnant women, there is a need to intensify nutrition education and counselling at the community level. Provide income-generating activities for pregnant women who have financial constraints so that they may generate some income to enable them to purchase nutritious foods.

The age of consent in Kenya is set at 18 years. Any sexual intercourse with a person under this age is illegal and attracts dire consequences to the extent of serving a life imprisonment even though the law accords a defense such as the minor deceived the accused to be above the age of maturity and the accused reasonably believed that he/she was of age. However, this defense is rarely applicable owing to the stringent application and invocation of the age of consent. There is an arbitrary application of this concept and any attempt by different actors in the justice system among them judges to call for a reform of the law have been met with anger, fury and backlash. Based on this sorry state that has seen many minors teeming in our prisons, this study sets out to call for a reconsideration of the law on the age of consent. The study calls for an honest national discourse on this subject so as to reform the character and behavior of minors. This study propagates the take ascribed to the celebrated author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, that, ‘… tell her that her body belongs to her and her alone, that she should never feel the need to say yes to something she does not want, or something she feels pressured to do. Teach her that saying no when no feels right is something to be proud of.’ In order to make the informed decision Chimamanda talks of, [with necessary modifications to include both sexes], the minors need to be engaged in this discourse of maturing of children, morality, autonomy, protection of children and the need for proportionality in punishing sexual offenders. This study culminates in proposing a number of recommendations that will create a fair and just criminal justice system and therefore create a harmonious society where dreams of consenting minors to sexual escapades’ potential is not thwarted because of rigid and obsolete legal regime that seeks to set abstract limits on natural processes like maturity.

Over the years, the older person population has grown, currently at 9% of the world’s total population. This growth is attributed to modern treatment advancements, modern technology, and improved living standards. However, the Kenyan 2019 census shows that 1.7% and 2.2% of its population represent male and female elderly (Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, 2019), respectively, a growing concern of their physical, social, psychological, and psychosocial well-being. Therefore, the older population needs are continuously growing and necessitate a better solution to ensure their comfort, sense of belonging and elevate self-worth. Over the years, the physical, social and cognitive needs have been enabled by modern interactive mobile technologies commonly referred to as gerontechnology; to assist the elderly in their day-to-day activities, monitoring, exergames, social engagements, etc., encouraging active ageing. However, the interactive mobile interfaces are developed and evaluated technically, neglecting the users’ emotional experience in determining the older adults' acceptance and adoption of modern technologies. Moreover, the technical assessments are domiciled in the traditional heuristics such as Nielsen’s principles, Norman’s heuristics, and Schneiderman’s golden rules that have been followed over the years in universal design and not modified to the growing needs of users and evolving technologies. The inclusive design calls for revision as geriatric persons have unique needs to be considered during design and development. The inclusive design creates a moment with the users, offering a natural interaction that changes how one feels about the system/application/product. Through observations and interviews, this research purposed to investigate the unique needs of geriatric persons and assess if modern technologies incorporate these needs. The researcher achieved this through a design for delight (D4D) methodology that involved eight participants; four were community dwellers, and four were residents of a philanthropic social home. We introduced touch technology; used tablets for ten weeks where games and interactive video and voice calls through a cross-platform experiment. The researchers uniquely identified the participants’ psychosocial features and users’ emotions for modern technology usage. Perceived self-worth and subjective norm were the psychosocial factors that directly and indirectly affect the geriatric person’s usage behaviour towards technology usage, contributing to Chen and Chan’s STAM model (2014). The researcher considered the Psychosocial needs identified in this research for heuristic development to evaluate interactive mobile interfaces. Alrazgan et al. (2014) and Van Biljon et al. (2010) findings of look and feel, interaction, and functionality (as technical evaluation) vi were compared to our results and brought out unique features that these scholars did not elaborate on. This research also brought forth the psychosocial theme of generating psychosocial usability heuristics, which were defensible using the technical features for evaluation, affecting the behavioural attitude that determines usage. This research presents the heuristics guidelines that guide synchronous and non-synchronous activities such as mentorship and storytelling in an interactive mobile interface. The actions influenced the geriatric person's self-worth and sense of belonging as they believe they are a positive contributor to the surrounding societies through modern technology. For further works, the research recommends inclusion on mixed-age related issues to test the applicability of the proposed research model in determining user behaviour towards modern technology Keywords: Geriatric persons, Gerontechnology, Interactive Mobile Interfaces, Perceived Self-Worth, Psychosocial Usability Heuristics, and Subjective Norm.

Climate change and vulnerability are major challenges in ensuring household food security. In response to this, many adaptation options are being implemented in the form of small, timebound pilot-based projects in developing countries. Among these is the promotion of the use of climate services in an attempt to cushion rural households from extreme climate risks. This study endeavored to enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers in Kitui county through improved adoption of climate services. The study employed a mixed type of methods and approaches. The sampling was done through a mixed stratified and systematic random sampling. Systematic literature review method was used to interrogate the past climate services pilot projects in order to establish good practices, which could inform future efforts towards enhancing adoption of climate services. The study attempted to transfer those good practices to the study area, Kitui County. The study also assessed the vulnerability of smallholder farmers in the study area using the indicator approach to vulnerability assessment. In addition, the study defined a climate services innovation system comprised of key actors at the county level, which was operationalized throughout a crop growing season in a transdisciplinary approach to realize enhanced adoption of climate services among the smallholder farmers. The innovations systems approach embraces a network of heterogeneous actors working together throughout the value chain, that is, from production to use in a way that the flow of information is not linear but composed of very complex. The results showed that the pilot projects have contributed enormously to climate risk management at the farm level through informing strategic farm decisions. The vulnerability assessment results pointed to a general vulnerable population in the county albeit with spatial disparities. Further, the study revealed the use possible of innovation systems approach in overcoming inherent climate services challenges, which resulted in enhanced adoption of climate services among smallholder farmers. In conclusion, the study revealed that climate services offer great opportunity to smallholder farmers in managing impending climate risk, which contributes to building their adaptive capacity to climate change. It also revealed that participatory approaches, which view knowledge adoption more systematically and interactively, such as innovation systems approach, present opportunities to enhance adoption of adaptation interventions. The study recommends a more systems approach in place of the current linear and top-down delivery approach of climate services, because it has the potential to enhance salience, credibility and legitimacy of the scientific information and ultimately lead to enhanced adoption.

For years, conservationists have been captivated by the existence of many species of large herbivores in grasslands and savannas. However, climate changes manifested through increasing land temperatures and changing rainfall regimes increasingly threaten the distribution of large herbivores. There is a developing understanding of the significance of including environmental change scenarios in management planning and actions, yet this is lacking in numerous frameworks. The main objective of this study was to investigate the potential impact of climate change and variability on herbivore distribution in the Amboseli ecosystem. Trends of rainfall and temperature were examined based on historical Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station (CHIRPs) and Climate Hazards Group Infrared Temperature with Station (CHIRTs) data for 1960 - 2014 and the period 2006-2100 for the projections. The projections data were from the regional climate models from the Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX). Analysis of long-term annual and seasonal rainfall trends and temperature were done using quadratic and linear trend analysis. The range maps of herbivores were developed from aerial censuses conducted in the study area from 1977 to 2014. Future distributions were done based on temperature thresholds for each of the fifteen species for the 2030s, 2050s, and 2070s. The results show that the annual and seasonal rainfall declined slightly between 1960 and 2014. On the contrary, the annual minimum temperatures increased by 1.23 °C and the maximum by 0.79 °C. There was a variation in projected rainfall with RCP 2.6, indicating a decline for the four seasons and a marginal increase in annual and October-November-December (OND) with decreases in the March-April-May (MAM) and June-July-August-September (JJAS) for RCP 4.5 and 8.5. Projected maximum and minimum temperature for RCP 2.6 show increments of less than 1°C, while for RCP 4.5, the maximum range is between 0.57 °C and 1.85 °C, and the minimum is between 0.51 °C to 1.98 °C. RCP 8.5 indicated the most significant increment in maximum temperature between 1.11°C and 4.34 °C and a minimum temperature between 1.34 °C and 5.26 °C for the 2030s, 2050s, and 2070s. Range analysis showed that the increasing temperatures would lead to a contraction in the range size of most herbivores. According to the findings, 3 out of 15 species will lose more than half of their range by the 2030s, 5 out of 15 by the 2050s, and 4 out of 15 by the 2070s under RCP 2.6. According to the RCP 4.5 climate change scenario, three species would lose more than half of their range by 2030, and five will lose more than half by 2050 and 2070. Finally, based on the RCP 8.5 scenario, five species will lose 50% of their range in the 2030s, seven species in the 2050s, and xi ten species in the 2070s. The level of range loss varied by species, but it was most severe for water-dependent species such as buffalo, Thomson's gazelle, waterbuck, and wildebeest. The elephant, gerenuk, hartebeest, lesser kudu, and oryx, on the other hand, are anticipated to maintain the majority of their range in all RCP scenarios. Further investigation into the relationship between elephant population and rainfall revealed a robust linear relationship between the elephant population and OND's historical seasonal rainfall over 13 years. Under RCP 2.6 and 4.5, annual rainfall increased marginally, but RCP 8.5 indicated a significant rise. The Amboseli ecosystem's anticipated elephant population was influenced by rainfall fluctuation. The elephant population increased by 2455 and 2814 elephants in RCPs 2.6 and 4.5, respectively, whereas RCP 8.5 recorded an average of 3348 elephants. The community's perspectives were determined through a survey, key informant interviews, and stakeholder’s forums. The results show that there is a relationship between the modelled climate and the observations from the locals. Through participatory mapping, it is evident that changes in community livelihoods and human activities are blocking the corridors used by herbivores, further affecting their adaptation to the changing climate. Coupled with the projected range contractions, this scenario raises severe worries about the future of wildlife in Kenya's savannah. As a result, the wildlife sector must adopt climate policies and strategies that consider future climatic scenarios.

With increased competing demands of sustainable structures to support the United Nations sustainable development goals, new technologies are evolving for efficient design, manufacture and construction of civil and environmental engineering projects. Researchers have upscaled their effort to develop techniques that can monitor the performance of civil engineering structures within their service life for optimum return from investment. Reinforced concrete structures constitute a good percentage of components of civil engineering structures in water conveyancing structures. The service life of these structures affect sustainable systems including hydropower generation, water supply for consumption and for irrigation. Existing service life models of reinforced concrete structures are structure specific and each of them have inherent limitations resulting from the specific use. Most codes of practice define the design life of reinforced concrete water conveyancing structures as 50 years. The performance of a structure at any reference age within the service life of a structure should be able to be defined. Deterioration due to reinforcement corrosion affects the performance of reinforced concrete water structures and hence their service life. Because of the high investments involved and risk associated with water structures, there is need to create a service life model to predict their performance. The main objective of this research was to create a corrosion model to predict the service life of water conveyancing structures. To realize the main objective an accelerated corrosion experiment to monitor evolution and propagation of crack width to 0.2mm maximum. There was a variation of concrete characteristic strength and reinforcement cover. In order to extend the service life of reinforced concrete, corrosion inhibitors are often used. Corrosion inhibitors prevent corrosion or lowers the rate of corrosion. Test samples from four selected corrosion inhibitors; a calcium nitrite and vi nitrate based, a dimethylathanolamine based organic inhibitor and fly ash in combination with a selected brand of cement X, Y or Z were used. From the results, the rate of corrosion decreases with increase in concrete cover and strength. The results were used in derivation of a corrosion model for the service life of reinforced concrete water conveyancing structures. A corrosion model for prediction of the service of reinforced concrete water conveyancing structures was formulated by dividing the service life into the initiation period and propagation period. The initiation period was found by dividing the critical penetration depth by the rate of corrosion. Models for calculating the critical penetration depth were evaluated from which the Xu and Shayan model was selected as applicable for this work. A model for the propagation period was derived by calculating the period from corrosion initiation to appearance of 0.05mm crack and adding up to propagation of the crack width from 0.05mm to 0. 2mm.The results of the proposed corrosion propagation period model were compared with the experimental results and models of other researchers and found that it has a strong correlation with the laboratory output. From the experiments, it was noted that due to variation in chemical composition of cement, the choice of cement brand affects the rate of corrosion of steel embedded in concrete. It was also noted that all the selected corrosion inhibitors increased the bond strength of reinforced concrete. A corrosion current density model was formulated for corrosion propagation period. A corrosion model for prediction of the service life of reinforced concrete water conveyancing structures was proposed and compared with experimental work and models of other researchers. The proposed service life model compares well with the experimental work. Further research has been recommended to improve the model. Keywords: Corrosion, Hydropower, Service life model, Water conveyancing structures.