Kenyatta University Repository
Kenyatta University Institutional Repository is a digital archive that collects, preserves and disseminates scholarly outputs of the Institution
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Strategic Management Practices and Operational Performance of Selected Supermarkets in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2024-11) Nyary, Amina Zuberi
The operational performance of supermarkets globally is characterized by a mix of trends and challenges arising from a highly competitive and unstable business environment. In Kenya, supermarkets have experienced reduced sales and declining performance, leading in some cases to closures. Consequently, many supermarkets aim to operate effectively and efficiently without giving adequate attention to overall performance. This research examined the effects of strategic management practices on the operational performance of selected supermarkets in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to investigate the effects of strategy formulation, strategy implementation, and strategy evaluation on the operational performance of these selected supermarkets. The study was anchored on the Resource-Based View, Activity-Based Costing Systems, Balanced Scorecard Theory, and the Dynamic Capability Theory. A descriptive research design was adopted to guide the study. The target population comprised 104 supermarkets currently operating within Nairobi City County, while the unit of analysis was the supermarkets and the unit of observation consisted of their employees, including supervisors, upper management, sales support staff, and general supermarket personnel. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the respondents. The research instrument employed was a semi-structured questionnaire used to collect primary data. A pilot test was conducted to assess the questionnaire’s validity and reliability, ensuring that the instrument accurately measured the intended variables and produced consistent results. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics through a multiple linear regression model. Ethical considerations were duly observed throughout the study. The findings revealed that strategy formulation had a positive but statistically insignificant effect on operational performance; strategy implementation had a positive and statistically significant effect; and strategy evaluation had a positive yet insignificant effect. The study concluded that supermarket management should focus on enhancing the implementation of existing strategies rather than merely formulating new ones. This can be achieved by investing in employee training programs to build the necessary skills for effective strategy execution.
Corporate Governance Practices and Performance of Kenya Medical Supplies Authority in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Mwangi, Alice Njeri
Kenya Medical Supplies Authority has struggled to establish a clear framework for contract administration, affecting order delivery both internally and externally. According to the PPRA report (2020), KEMSA has been starting procurements without a plan, lacks integration in its supply chain for both inbound and outbound flows, and is beset by corruption, awarding contracts to politically connected people without considering the supply risks involved. Also, KEMSA ceased to supply medications to the hospitals on level four in Nairobi due to arrears that were not paid. The company was accused of having supply chain flaws, which resulted in the sale of free HIV medications provided by donors to two hospitals in Kisumu. Furthermore, KEMSA and Revital Health (EPZ) Limited were involved in a disagreement regarding a tender to provide the organization with syringes. While several studies have focused on the subject of corporate governance and firm performance, there are methodological, conceptual and contextual knowledge gaps that remain unaddressed. The objectives of the study were to, determine the effect of effect of board composition, board quality, board independence and board audit function on organizational performance of KEMSA in Kenya. The study variables were anchored on Agency Theory and Resource Dependency Theory. The target population consisted of stakeholders from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority, with 36 respondents drawn from various categories. Descriptive research design was used. Due to the small number of respondents, a census approach was adopted for the study. Primary data was collected using a likert questionnaire. Content and construct validity was tested with the help of the university appointed supervisor. Reliability was tested using the Cronbach Alpha score and the threshold was 0.7. The researcher was guided by Kenyatta University research ethical code. Participation was voluntarily, informed consent was sought and confidentiality adhered to. The study established that board composition at KEMSA is a good governance measure which ensures good decision making and strategic planning since it comes with diverse skills and experience. They believed independent directors were necessary to bring objectivity and to avoid conflicts of interest. Having board members who have healthcare experience helped the board to handle sector specific challenges. Respondents found the board size to be optimal while diversity was related to better service delivery and institutional performance. Professionalism and ethical standards were viewed positively in terms of board quality, but training efforts were inconsistent. There was independence of the board from management, the board effectively overseeing management with autonomy supported by regular evaluations. The results show that board composition has a statistically significant and positive effect on organizational performance; the implication is that diversity and structure matter. It was anticipated that board quality would contribute to performance but the findings also suggest that too much emphasis on formal qualifications may reduce practical effectiveness. The Ministry of Health and the Public Service Commission should enforce policies promoting diverse and well-structured boards in health sector state corporations. Recruitment criteria should prioritize relevant sector expertise alongside formal qualifications. Audit committees should be strengthened through capacity-building initiatives to improve their effectiveness in financial oversight and governance. Partnerships with regulatory bodies should be formalized to provide independent oversight, ensuring greater transparency, accountability, and improved performance in health sector state corporations
Strategic Management Practices and Strategic Performance of Residential Construction in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Kanini, Elizabeth Mumbi
Despite ongoing efforts, Building projects for public housing in Nairobi City County, Kenya frequently fail to meet strategic objectives. This study investigates how strategic management practices affect project performance. Using Decision Theory, Resource-BasedView Theory, and Stakeholder Theory, the study investigates how public entities make strategic decisions in planning, resource allocation, and contract selection. It investigates how projects can successfully leverage their unique resources and capabilities while taking stakeholder needs into account. The overall goal intends to assess how strategic management techniques affect public residential construction performance. The research will assess the impact of strategic planning treats that are informed by decision-theory principles on project success, resource scheduling as per the resource-based view is helpful for project outcome, stakeholder-oriented strategic funding leads to project results, effective communications through the project life cycle attribute to performance, and control and assessment practices are related to project performance and accountability to stakeholders. The study shall use a descriptive research design with a stratified random sampling technique and will include 145 participants from different public residential construction projects. The scope of the study will include those involved in project implementation such as strategic managers, supervisors, engineers, and contractors. Data collection will be done through questionnaires, and a pilot study will be conducted for validity and reliability. The study shall use a descriptive research design with stratified random sampling technique involving 145 respondents drawn from different public residential construction projects. These will include strategic managers, supervisors, engineers, and contractors. Data will be collected by questionnaire, a pilot study will be carried out for validity and reliability. Following with data cleaning and coding, quantitative data analysis will be conducted using SPSS software. Information will be outlined via summary statistics (frequency, proportion, average, and dispersion). A multivariable regression framework will evaluate the link between strategic administration methods (predictor variables) and project success (outcome variable). The findings will be displayed in tabular and graphical formats. This research seeks to identify the key strategic administration methods fostering enhanced success in state-financed residential building projects within Nairobi City County. The conclusions are anticipated to shape policy and implementation for improved targeting and greater efficacy of public housing endeavors.
Leadership Practices on Strategic Planning Implementation: A Case of Kenya Law Reform Commission
(Kenyatta University, 2025-01) Matheri, Alex Mwangi
Public sector institutions in Kenya increasingly rely on strategic plans to improve performance and accountability. However, despite extensive investments in strategy formulation, many organizations continue to face challenges in translating plans into measurable outcomes. The Kenya Law Reform Commission (KLRC), mandated to review, harmonize, and reform laws to facilitate constitutional implementation, has developed several strategic plans since its establishment. Yet, execution of these plans has remained weak, largely due to leadership, resource, and institutional constraints. This study sought to examine how leadership practices influence the implementation of strategic plans at KLRC, focusing on three key variables: resource allocation, risk monitoring, and succession planning. The study was anchored on the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory, Enterprise Risk Monitoring theory, and Scharmer’s Theory U. These theories collectively explain how internal resources, risk management structures, and leadership development processes influence institutional performance. The study employed a descriptive research design that allowed collection of both quantitative and qualitative data from a target population of 100 KLRC employees drawn from six departments. Using stratified sampling, a sample of 52 respondents was selected. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires based on a five-point Likert scale. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Regression analysis using SPSS v.23 was applied to test the relationship between leadership practices and strategic plan implementation. The findings established that leadership practices have a substantial impact on strategic plan implementation. Resource allocation was identified as an essential determinant for aligning financial and human resources with strategic priorities. However, limited budgetary provisions, delayed disbursement of funds, and overreliance on external support undermined effective execution. Risk monitoring was found to contribute positively to implementation by enabling identification and mitigation of potential threats, though the absence of a formal enterprise risk management framework weakened its overall influence. Regression results indicated a positive but statistically insignificant relationship between risk monitoring and strategic plan implementation (p > 0.05). Succession planning emerged as the most influential leadership factor affecting strategic plan implementation. The study found that structured career development, mentorship programs, and inclusivity in leadership succession foster institutional continuity and stability. Regression analysis confirmed a statistically significant relationship (p < 0.05) between succession planning and implementation effectiveness, indicating that strong succession systems enhance organizational performance. The regression model further revealed that resource allocation, risk monitoring, and succession planning collectively accounted for 11.8% of the variance in strategic plan implementation at KLRC, implying that other institutional factors such as communication, organizational culture, and employee motivation also play a role. The study concludes that effective leadership practices are critical to the successful execution of strategic plans in public institutions. It recommends that KLRC strengthen its resource allocation mechanisms by linking budgeting processes to strategic priorities and improving accountability in resource use. The Commission should also institutionalize comprehensive risk monitoring through a formal enterprise risk management policy. Furthermore, a structured succession planning framework should be developed to nurture leadership talent, enhance continuity, and maintain institutional memory. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, administrators, and researchers seeking to enhance strategic implementation and leadership effectiveness in Kenya’s public sector.
Maudhui ya Ukungwi katika Nyimbo Teule za Taarab
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Wendo, Fadhili Hamisi
Utafiti huu umechunguza jinsi maudhui ya ukungwi yanavyojitokeza katika nyimbo teule za taarab. Malengo yafuatayo yalinuiwa kutekelezwa; kubainisha dhima ya kungwi katika jamii ya Waswahili, kuchunguza maudhui ya ukungwi katika nyimbo teule za taarab na kulinganisha dhima ya kungwi na maudhui ya ukungwi katika nyimbo teule za taarab. Sampuli iliteuliwa kimaksudi ambapo kati ya nyimbo nyingi za taarab, nne ndizo ziliteuliwa kutumika katika utafiti huu. Nyimbo hizi ni: Maji ya Uvuguvugu (Wachonga Vinyago), Nenda salama (Omar Kopa), Ndoa (Aslay na Khadija Kopa), Bi Harusi (AT). Sampuli ya utafiti huu iliteuliwa kwa kutumia mbinu ya kimakusudi. Kati ya maeneo mengi katika jamii ya Waswahili, eneo la Msambweni ndilo lililoteuliwa kutumika katika utafiti. Mbinu hii ilifaa katika kuwateua makungwi waliochangia data muhimu ya kuchanganuliwa. Utafiti huu uliongozwa na nadharia mbili; nadharia ya Simiotiki na nadharia ya Uamilifu. Nadharia ya Simiotiki iliasisiwa na Ferdinand Dessaussure (1913) na Charles Pierce (1977) na inahusu uhusiano uliopo kati ya kitaja na kitajwa na matumizi ya ishara, picha na msimbo. Nadharia hii ilisaidia katika kufafanua mbinu za uwasilishaji wa ujumbe katika nyimbo teule za taarab. Kwa upande mwingine nadharia ya Uamilifu iliasisiwa na Emile Dukheim (1912) na inahusika na uchambuzi wa dhima zinazojitokeza katika kazi za fasihi. Hii ilituongoza katika kubainisha dhima ya kungwi katika jamii. Utafiti huu ulikuwa wa kimaktaba na wa nyanjani ambapo maktabani; mtafiti aliweza kusoma tasnifu, makala na majarida yanayohusiana na mada. Nyanjani, mtafiti alitembelea eneo lengwa ili kuwahoji baadhi ya makungwi kuhusu dhima yao. Matokeo yalionyesha kuwa kungwi ana jukumu la kuwafundisha wanawali kuhusu maswala ya unyumba yakiwemo usafi wa mwili na nyumba, namna ya kumhudumia mume, namna ya kusema na marafiki na jamaa za mume, matumizi ya vifaa vya kiasili kama vile mbuzi, kinu, mchi ufagio miongoni mwa mengine. Aidha, maudhui haya ya ukungwi yanafundishwa na waimbaji wa nyimbo teule za taarab na kuonyesha namna kipera cha nyimbo na mawaidha vinaingiliana kimaudhui. Utafiti huu unatarajiwa kutoa mchango wa kuonyesha jinsi vitanzu vya mawaidha na nyimbo huingiliana kidhima.