This study assessed the strategies used in language acquisition by refugees, how language proximity and diversity influences second language acquisition, how second language competence affects integration of refugees and the role of government in acquisition of second language and integration. Integration entails giving some freedom to refugees to shape their livelihoods in ways suited to the environment. It is not akin to assimilation or naturalization. The study used multiple sources of data, which included desk reviews and primary data collected from the field. Data was analysed through the use of descriptive statistics and presented in charts and tables. Key findings of this study were that successful SLA is an important enabler for successful integration in any local community. The study also found that the government does not have laws and policies on language requirements for refugee integration. Other findings from the study indicate that language proximity and diversity determine how fast and efficient SLA occurs and that there was direct relationship between language acquisition and refugee integration. The findings above showed that there is need to mainstream language requirements of refugees as a way of making their existence in camps bearable and in order to promote controlled interactions with host community. These were deemed to be ideal strategies of enhancing language acquisition for refugees. Further, the government needs to take the leading role in promoting and protecting language needs of refugees. By building synergies with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), camp administration, refugees and host community geared towards promoting language needs of refugees

Cabin crew members in any aviation industry undergo work related stressors associated with the nature of their day to day work in the airlines. This is a daily actuality in the aviation sector; work demands are significantly connected to the cabin crew productivity, resilience and flight safety due to diminishing performance and alertness created. Globally, cabin crew members face numerous stressors during their day to day work in the airlines that need sufficient resilience to guarantee healthy adaptation. The research study was guided by the need to understand relationship between workload levels and psychological resilience among Kenya Airways cabin crew members. The researcher adopted descriptive research; the independent variable (IV) was workload levels categorized into low, normal and high workload levels, while the study’s dependent variable (DV) was psychological resilience. The study’s first three objectives were guided by the relationships between the IV and the three attributes of the DV while the fourth objective was guided by the interrelationship between the three attributes of the dependent variable. The study was guided by four null hypotheses. The targeted population for the research was cabin crew members at Kenya Airways, including pursers, assistant flight pursers and flight attendants. Stratified random sampling was utilized to select the participants and data collection was through a Likert structured close ended questionnaire. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 25 through descriptive statistics and also inferential statistics. Analyzing data descriptively involved central tendency measures and measures of dispersion. Analyzing data inferentially involved tests of correlation and chi-square analysis. Results were presented through charts and tables. Results from analysis showed a relationship between levels of workload and interpersonal control. However, there was no relationship between workload levels and personal competence, as well as self-esteem. Additionally, interpersonal control, self-esteem and personal competence had no relationship, but a significant relationship existed between personal competence and interpersonal control. The researcher recommended that a favorable working environment in the aviation industry needs to be maintained so as to boost interpersonal control. Also, maintaining good levels of personal competence can enhance cabin crew’s interpersonal control.

This research project set out to study the link between media community mobilization and water access and use in Mbeere South constituency, Kenya. The study seeks to find out how media engagement with stakeholders affects water access and use in the study area. The objective of the study was to find out what water sources are available to residents within the study area; the media platforms available in the study area and the frequency of their use; how stakeholders articulate water access issues; and the influence of media community mobilization on water access and use in the study area. The study utilizes a descriptive study design. Data was collected using Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions and semi-structured interviews. The study instruments yielded both qualitative and quantitative data. The study observed ethical considerations including seeking consent and observing COVID-19 precautions. The study findings indicate that the most common source of water available to residents is boreholes while piped water is the least available source in the study area. Most respondents spend more than one hour to access the water sources and most of the water is used for domestic purposes. Community management of water sources remains the most common form of water management. The radio emerges as the most common media platform available in the study area and consequently radio discussions are the most known means of engagement on water issues in the area. A majority do not know of social action taken after media engagement on water issues, but there is knowledge of demonstrations and meetings to address water challenges in the study area. Respondents do not think media community mobilization has influenced water access and use in Mbeere South, with most respondents stating there is no change in access and use as a result of the media articulation. The study concludes that despite a weak link between media engagement on water issues and water access and use in Mbeere South constituency, there is evidence of significant media community engagement on water issues and high collaboration between residents, local leaders, county government and KENGEN company. There is need for studies on how formal and informal rules and Embu county government institutions influence the distribution of water resources in Mbeere South constituency.

Improved communication is one of the recommended methods to strengthen rural learning towards addressing the problem of food security. Over the past, research has consistently demonstrated that stakeholder-aligned strategies of communication can be a catalyst in expediting agricultural projects’ sustenance. Hence, all stakeholders are able to influence a project either positively or negatively. The purpose of the study was to determine the use of participatory communication in sustainable agricultural projects in Karai Ward. The specific objectives were to: examine the farmers understanding of participatory communication in sustainable agricultural projects; assess how participatory communication is applied in different implementation levels of sustainable agricultural projects and to identify factors influencing the application of participatory communication in sustainable agricultural projects. The study was based on a mixed-methods research approach with farmers in Karai Ward as the target population. A random sample of 100 farmers was drawn. Nine agricultural officers in the area were also selected through purposive sampling to serve as key informants to the study. Data was collected by the researcher using a questionnaire and an interview guide. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Quantitative data gathered from the farmers was analyzed by employing descriptive statistics. On the other hand, qualitative data sourced from the key informants was analyzed using thematic content analysis. The findings revealed the majority of the residents in the area under study comprehended the meaning of participatory communication in the sense that they should be given a chance to express their views on what they think concerning agriculture in the area. It was established that farmers in Karai Ward are usually involved in all the activities of the agricultural projects implemented in the area. The findings also revealed that lack of commitment by the project facilitators, poor leadership of the projects and lack of funds are the key constraints to participatory communication in agricultural projects implemented in the region. Based on these findings it was concluded that agricultural projects in Karai Ward are mostly done through an extensive and unique participatory manner. To this end, the study recommends more awareness on the role of farmers and the farmers in ensuring participatory communication in agricultural projects through establishment of community-based information technological centers.

Unemployment as a macroeconomic indicator provides valuable insights into the economic health and general macroeconomic performance of an economy. This study is based on the Okun’s law and Philips curve theoretical frameworks to provide a regional perspective of the relationship between macroeconomic variables and unemployment in the East Africa Community (EAC). In analysing the relationship, the Hausman test is employed and it favours the use of the Random Effects model. The panel data estimation techniques are used on annual aggregate EAC data over the period 2000 to 2018. The results show that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), population and labour productivity are the significant macroeconomic variables that can be used to analyse unemployment in EAC. Population and labour productivity are found to have a positive relationship while FDI has a negative relationship with unemployment. This study, therefore, advocates for favourable macroeconomic environment that is conducive for employment creation in the EAC region.

The study intended to establish how liquidity, leverage and equity price risks affect financial performance of non-financial firms. It used descriptive cross-sectional approach and longitudinal design. The population of the study included all listed firms at the Nairobi Securities Exchange as at 31st December 2019. Secondary data was employed sourced from Nairobi securities exchange database during 2015 to 2019. Statistical package for social scientists was used to produce inferential and descriptive statistics. It was established that R = 0.770 implying a positive association between financial risk and performance. Adjusted R2 of 0.550 meant that 55% of variations in financial performance was caused by variations in liquidity risk, leverage risk, firm size and equity price risk. The analysis of variance found out that financial risks and financial performance are significantly related with p<0.05. The implication was that equity price risk, firm size, leverage risk and liquidity risk reliably predict financial performance. Ensuing from the research objectives, the study concluded that financial risk affects financial performance of non-financial firms listed in Kenya. It was also concluded that financial risk and performance are significantly related. Further, it was concluded that the extent to which financial risks affected financial performance was moderate implying that there was a strong possibility of existence of other certain issues affecting financial performance other than the financial risks considered in this study. It recommended that managements should constantly work on effective management of financial risks to maximize financial performance. The management should ensure adoption of new techniques of financial risk management especially with the increased adoption of information communication technology.

In spite of new innovations in technology, many nations have not yet realized optimal utilization of mobile lending. Facts available show that innovations in the banking sector are critical in creating value for banks and their clients. The research on mobile credit has always been pointed towards the access to mobile credit from the point of financial institutions while little attention has been pointed to how mobile credit impacts performance of MSEs in Kenya. The objective of this research study was establishing how mobile lending impacts performance of SMEs in Nairobi County CBD. The research adopted the technology acceptance model and the diffusion of innovation theory. “This study utilized a descriptive survey design. The study population was the 1539 SMEs in Nairobi County CBD while the sample was 10% of the population (155). The target respondents were owners or managers of the SMEs. Data was from 132 of the 155 that was a response rate of 85.2%. The study used primary data obtained from the original sources using questionnaires. The questionnaires were issued using drop and pick later method and emails via Google form. Data obtained using questionnaires was converted from simple responsive into a quantitative form to be useful in the analysis that was done using SPSS. This process generated descriptive statistics which included frequencies and percentages and inferential statistics. A simple linear regression model showed the relation between the dependent and independent variables. Findings reveal that the SMEs in Nairobi CBD have greatly adopted mobile lending. The study findings also reveal that mobile lending influenced firm performance positively. The regression and correlation results support the results as there existed a positive substantial relation between mobile lending and firm performance. The study recommends the need for having SMEs adopt mobile credit as this will boost their sales, reduce cost, increase profits, enhance customer satisfaction and employee retention and ultimately lead to improved firm performance. The study also recommends the need to have more providers of mobile loans as this will provide SMEs with options and eventually lead to reduced costs of the loans.”

General insurance companies in Kenya are linked with several reinsurance practices, including reinsurance capacity, underwriting capacity, risk management, and re-insurance pools. The assessment focused on effect of reinsurance practices on profitability of general insurance companies. Descriptive cross sectional research design was adopted. All the 29 general insurance companies in Kenya were targeted. Primary data were gathered from the insurance companies using questionnaires. The 29 reinsurance managers and underwriting managers of these firms were the target respondents. Twenty-two (22) questionnaires (75.9%) were successfully completed and returned. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis. The findings showed that reinsurance practices, involving reinsurance capacity, underwriting capacity, risk management, and reinsurance pools have significant effect on profitability of general insurers. Based on the study findings, the implication is that general insurers should engage in reinsurance practices which are closely related to the firms’ business underwriting approaches for better profitability results. The assessment recommends that for general insurers to improve their overall profitability, they should participate in reinsurance practices as a priority, bearing in mind their status in previous loss experience, loss frequency, as well as risk size. It is imperative for general insurers to have optimal risk management measures. It further recommends that general insurers should incorporate more branches across the country. In order to increase penetration which is still low in Kenya hence capturing a wider market, especially by reaching out to the many potential customers staying away from major town centres who may demand general insurance products to tap more revenue and increase profitability.

Change is an inevitable continuous process which establishes long-term direction as well as competitive advantage of organizations for ensuring cautious formulation, effective implementation as well as incessant evaluation of strategy in progress. Saccos have embarked on a number of strategic changes in the recent past which have made the Saccos to come up with organization structure that makes it to be competitive. The general purpose of this research was to explore the influence of strategic change management practices on competitive advantage of by Deposit Taking Saccos in Nairobi County. This study was based on two theories, Kotter's 8 Step Model of Change and Resource Based Theory. The target population for this study comprised of 142 deposit taking Saccos in Nairobi. The data was collected from one senior business and innovation manager per Sacco. Analysis was done using descriptive analysis, linear regression and correlation analysis. It was established that resistance to change and training influence change management to a great extent while many Saccos embraced communication change, coaching and feedback practices at moderate extent. The study established a positive association between strategic change management practices and competitive advantage. It was concluded that communication change, coaching and feedback and training were positively related to competitive advantage. The study recommends that leadership of Saccos should be committed to change management process and all employees and stakeholders should be part and parcel of the strategic change process so as reduce resistance to change. URI