Kenyatta University Repository
Kenyatta University Institutional Repository is a digital archive that collects, preserves and disseminates scholarly outputs of the Institution
IMPORTANT LINKS
Communities in DSpace
Select a community to browse its collections.
Recent Submissions
Understanding Performance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Nairobi City County, Kenya: The Influence of Financial Accessibility Practices
(Journal of Business Management & Innovation, 2026-03) Alata, Vincent; Aluoch, Moses Odhiambo
In any business or organization’s endeavors, performance is the critical vision for management, growth, and improvement. Besides, in the unpredictable and competitive business environment, the availability of financial resources plays a significant role a sound financial accessibility practice leads to better business opportunities and innovative processes. Small and Medium Enterprises are part of the vast informal economy, which significantly contributes to job creation and poverty alleviation. In Kenya, however, within a few months of operation, about half of these businesses close, while most that remain perform poorly. The dismal performance has been linked to challenges in credit access in the banking sector, as these financial institutions play a key role in serving this segment. The study examined the influence of financial accessibility practices on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises in Nairobi County, Kenya. Specifically, the study aimed to investigate the impact of entrepreneurial orientation, interest rate, collateral requirements, and credit rationing on access to credit and performance of Small and Medium Enterprises. This research was anchored in three theories: the asymmetric information theory, the adverse selection theory, and the Credit Rationing Theory. A descriptive survey research design was employed in the study to target 3,000 Small and medium enterprises registered in Nairobi County. The sample size was determined using Taro Yamane's formula, selecting 97 respondents as the unit of observation. Proportionate stratified and random sampling was used as the sampling technique. The data collection instrument was a pilot-tested questionnaire for accurate measurement examination. Descriptive statistical methods, such as the mean, standard deviation, frequencies, and percentages, were used to analyze the data. In addition, inferential statistical techniques, such as Pearson's correlation and multiple regression, were used to assess relationships among the variables. The data were presented through tables and charts. The empirical results indicate that the four independent variables had a significant impact on the performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Nairobi County, Kenya (Adj R2 = 0.743, F-stat = 54.485, p < 0.005). The study concluded that financial accessibility practices improve the affordability, profitability, growth, and cost efficiency of firms' financial services. The study's findings contribute to the body of knowledge, thereby enriching the formulation of policies and best practices for firms to access credit and loans. Management and directors of Small and Medium Enterprises should entrench credit access activities and practices to optimize organizational outcomes.
Maternal Attachment among Teenage Mothers in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(International Academic Journal of Arts and Humanities (IAJAH), 2026-03) Momanyi, Brilliant Nyaboke; Gachara, Esther
Although teenage motherhood affects the entire spectrum of society, it is becoming increasingly evident that teenagers in rural urban areas are at high risk of becoming mothers. Maternal attachment in teenage mothers presents itself with adverse effects on the well-being of the teenage mothers and children. Existing literature shows that attachment styles of children born by teenage mothers have been perceived to be insecure. Existing studies have majorly focused on different attachment styles of children, but little is known on how teenage mothers perceive the attachment styles of their children in relation to their maternal attachment. The study aimed to establish the levels of maternal attachment among teenage mothers with children ages one to six years in Nairobi city county Kenya. The study was guided by attachment theory and psychosocial development theory. The study utilized a correlational research design to establish relationships. Research instruments were adapted from the Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale by Condon (2015) and the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised (ECR-RS) questionnaire by Fraley, Waller, and Brennan (2000). The study’s target population was teenage mothers with children one to six years, between ages thirteen to nineteen years old living in Kibra, Nairobi City, County, Kenya. The study incorporated purposive sampling techniques to sample 156 participants based on Cochran’s formular. The Pearson Product-Moment Correlation was utilized to determine the strength and direction of the relationship between the variables. Multiple regression model was used to control the influence of intervening variables in the association of maternal attachment and attachment styles. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29. The research findings show that, maternal attachment among teenage mothers significantly influenced their perception of their children attachment styles. Mothers with secure attachment behaviours perceived their children as securely attached. The findings were significant to teenage mothers, the Ministry of Health, ministry of education and AMREF &SHOFCO clinics in formulating policies to help the teenage mothers on establishing a perception of teenage mothers on attachment styles towards their children
Revenue Diversification and Sustainability of Public Universities in Kenya
(International Academic Journal of Arts and Humanities (IAJAH), 2026-03) Bett, Jackline; Kosgei, Margaret
Kenya's public universities are major drivers of economic growth because they develop human capital, encourage innovation, and interact with the community. These institutions are essential in advancing equitable and sustainable development as well as Kenya's shift to a knowledge-based economy. Thus, public universities' continued existence is essential to Kenya’s economic development. Universities seem to be stabilized when their revenue sources are diversified because they are less susceptible to changes in government financing. Government financing is provided to public institutions to support their sustainability; nonetheless, there has been an increasing funding deficit recently which threatens the sustainability of the institutions. Government funding to universities under the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) model has been steadily decreasing over the past few years, falling in 2022 compared to the previous years. Therefore, public universities' ability to continue operating is under jeopardy, which calls for the current inquiry.This research sought to explore the effect of revenue diversification particularly consultancy services and public-private partnership on sustainability of public universities in Kenya. The Resource-based and contingency theories provided the framework upon which the study was based. The study utilized a cross-sectional survey research design. The target population consisted of staff members of Kenya's state universities. Teaching and non-teaching staff was the units of observation, and the university was the unit of analysis. A simple random sampling technique was used to choose 241 nonteaching staff members and 143 teaching staff members from the sample size of 384 respondents. Primary data which was sourced through the administration of questionnaire was utilized as the main data source for the study. The research instrument's validity was assessed using content and face validity while reliability was tested using Cronbach Apha with a coefficient of 0.7 as the threshold. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyse the data and results was presented in the form of table, charts and graphs. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the estimates a number of diagnostic tests was carried out which include multicollinearity, normality, heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation every ethical guideline was appropriately adhered to. Findings demonstrated that consultancy services had positive and significant (β=.189, ρ=.000) effect on the sustainability of these Kenyan public universities. Public-private partnership revealed a significantly positive (β=.252, ρ=.000) effect on the sustainability of Kenyan public universities. Further results indicated that philanthropic donations had positive but insignificant (β=.055, ρ=.434) effect on the sustainability of Kenyan public universities. The study recommends that cconsultancy services should be institutionalized within the public universities by creating specific consultancy bureaus and definite contractual structures. There should be incentives that will encourage staff participation in consultancy, such as revenue sharing programs and professional recognition. Project writing, contract negotiation, and service marketing training need to be given priority to enhance uptake and efficiency. Public-private partnerships must be prioritized due to their potential in providing a central means of mobilizing resources in universities. Institutional and national policy frameworks must be transparent and accountable and share risks fairly in PPP contracts. Cooperation in fields like infrastructure, ICT development, and research commercialization needs to be intensified, and the government ought to offer an environment of facilitation in the form of favorable legislation and checks and balances.
Human Resource Management Practices and Employees Retention in Non-Governmental Organizations in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Olweny, Odhiambo Fredrick
The main objective of this research was to study the effect of human resource management practices on employee’s retention within Non-Governmental Organizations in Nairobi County. Specifically, the research purposed to ascertain the influence of leadership style, work environment, and career development opportunities on employee retention. Additionally, the study sought to assess the role of job embeddedness as a mediator in the relationship between human resource management practices and the ability of Non- Governmental Organizations to retain employees. A good number of employees in Non-Governmental Organizations in Nairobi express a lack of intention to remain in their current work environments. In 2020, more than 30% of Non-Governmental Organizations employees in Nairobi expressed a desire to voluntary leave their employment. A rate that rose to 34% in 2021 according to reports. This observation was predominantly attributed to poor working environments, unfriendly organizational cultures, poor staffing practices, lack of motivating renumeration packages and operational methods. The theoretical foundations underpinning this study is drawn from one model and three theories, namely, the Mixed Model of employees Retention, Trait Theory, Hierarchy of Needs Theory, and Job Embeddedness Theory. They provided insight to understand employee’s retention. The study assumed an explanatory research design, targeting 201 Non-Governmental Organizations operating within Nairobi County. The research sample comprised of 69 Non-Governmental Organizations selected through stratified random sampling technique. This enabled the sample to be representative and accurate, ensuring that the distinct subgroups from the population were adequately and proportionally included. Fishers’ formula was used to get the 69 organizations. Semi-structured questionnaires were utilized, with pilot testing conducted on 7 Non-Governmental Organization employees who were subsequently excluded from the final study. Questionnaire validity was ensured through expert judgment and reliability was ensured through Cronbach's alpha testing with a threshold of 0.7. Data analysis involved coding and entry into Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22, followed by descriptive statistics analysis to characterize the data, and logistic regression to assess variability associations of the variables under the research. The research established that leadership style, work environment and career development opportunities affected employee’s decision to stay or leave the organization. In addition, job embeddedness was observed to mediate the affiliation amongst human resource management practices and retention in Non-Governmental Organisations. Further, the study showed that job satisfaction moderates the connection amongst human resource management practices and retention of workers. The study determined that factors such as employee commitment, motivation, and work-life balance are key contributors to retention. However, many employees in Non-Governmental Organizations in Nairobi do not have adequate access to coaching and mentorship programmes, which could support their professional growth. It is recommended that managers adopt appropriate leadership styles, that integrate supportive work environments with career development opportunities to enhance employee retention
Identifying the Availability of Information Communication Technology in the Special Primary Schools for Learners with Visual Impairment in Kenya
(European Journal of Special Education Research, 2026-01) Keitany, Julia Jelagat
Information Communication and Technology has become the most suitable tool for learners with special needs, for it meets their different learning demands. Access to this tool by these learners is hence vital. This study aimed to identify the availability of information and communication technology in the special primary schools for learners with visual impairment in Kenya. The study was guided by Bruner’s constructivist theory and was also supported by the social model of disability and the philosophy of universal design for learning. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and used both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. It targeted the seven special primary schools for the visually challenged in the country. The purposive sampling method was used to select the schools, head teachers, teachers and Ministry of Education officials. The stratified random sampling method was used to sample the learners. The sample size consisted of 3 MoE officials, 3 headteachers, 3 computer teachers, 18 class teachers and 168 learners with visual challenges. The students were selected randomly. Data collection instruments included questionnaires for the teachers and for the learners, a classroom observation schedule, and interview schedules for head teachers and officials from the Ministry of Education. Inventory document analysis was used to collect the data. Validity and reliability of the instruments were tested through piloting in one school, which was not included in the main study. The questionnaires were tested and accepted at r=0.785. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics that included frequencies, percentages, means, ratios and inferential statistics. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze the data. The results showed that the schools had a variety of modern ICT resources, which could be helpful in accessing quality education for the learners. For instance, iPods and iPads, these devices could provide all the functionality, including WiFi, MN chat, and document processing. There was also Braille embosser technology, which enhanced the production of Braille in terms of the number of copies. The study concluded that the special primary schools have a variety of modern ICT resources, which could be helpful in accessing quality education for the learners, but the resources do not adequately meet the demands of the learners because they are inadequate. The ICT resources were accessed by a small number of learners with VI. The study recommended that special schools for learners with VI should be equipped with relevant, adequate and functioning ICT resources and other assistive technologies to enable the learners with visual impairments to benefit from the growing technology-based knowledge.