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Corporate governance and service delivery in Embu County Government, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2026-12) Kariuki, Edwin
Corporate governance plays an integral role in the service delivery of government entities, forming the foundation for transparency, accountability, and public trust. Effective governance in county governments is essential to address citizens' growing demands for quality services and responsible resource management. Despite the establishment of devolution in Kenya, service delivery challenges persist in many counties, including Embu County. Issues such as weak accountability structures, lack of transparency, and minimal public participation have hindered the practical enactment of county functions. Poor service delivery in Embu County, marked by governance lapses, corruption, and inefficiencies, indicates a gap in understanding how corporate governance principles, such as stakeholder inclusivity, transparency, public participation, and accountability, influence effective service delivery in the context of devolved governance. This study therefore sought to examine the effect of stakeholders’ transparency, inclusivity, public contribution, and accountability on service delivery. The theoretical basis for this research was anchored on SERVQUAL Model. The study was in addition underpinned by Agency Theory, Stewardship Theory, and Institutional Performance Theory, elaborating on variables of governance mechanisms, whereas Resource-Based Theory provides an outlook of various aspects of service delivery. A descriptive survey research design was applied, targeting 248 workers from Embu County from which a sample of 153 respondents was selected using a proportionate stratified and simple random sampling technique. Questionnaires were used to collect data. Cronbach's Alpha was used to guarantee reliability with threshold at alpha value of at least 0.7, and expert assessments was used to assess face construct validity and content. In order to assess the link between corporate governance factors and service delivery, quantitative data analysis was carried out using SPSS, utilizing descriptive and inferential techniques specifically regression analysis. The findings revealed that stakeholders' inclusivity, transparency, public participation, and accountability jointly explained 62.9% of the variation in service delivery in Embu County Government (Adjusted R² = 0.615). Regression analysis showed that stakeholders' inclusivity (β = 0.208, p = 0.020), transparency (β = 0.053, p = 0.007), public participation (β = 0.465, p = 0.000), and accountability (β = 0.164, p = 0.042) were all positively and significantly related to service delivery. Public participation had the largest effect on service delivery, highlighting its critical role in governance effectiveness. The study concludes that stakeholders’ inclusivity, transparency, public participation, and accountability significantly affect service delivery, with public participation having the most substantial impact. It was thus suggested that Embu County Government should improve corporate governance practices by institutionalizing structured public participation frameworks, improving financial transparency, and reinforcing stakeholder engagement mechanisms.
Non-monetary incentives and employees’ performance in the ministry of interior and national administration in Kajiado County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-10) Kuria, Mary Wangui
Employee performance in the Ministry of Interior and National Administration (MINA) in Kajiado County remains low despite ongoing public sector reforms, as shown by limited task completion, low recognition, and minimal career advancement. This study aimed to examine the influence of non-monetary incentives on employee performance among National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs). Specifically, it assessed the effects of mentorship, job enrichment, career progression, and recognition on performance. Guided by Herzberg’s Two-Factor, Expectancy, Equity, and Social Learning Theories, the study adopted a descriptive explanatory research design. Data were collected using structured questionnaires from 191 respondents after a pilot study in Nairobi County confirmed instrument reliability and validity. Data were analyzed and presented using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression in SPSS version 25 to test the relationships among variables. The study revealed that nonmonetary incentives significantly influence employee performance within the Ministry of Interior and National Administration in Kajiado County. Career advancement opportunities emerged as the strongest predictor (β=0.358, r=0.823), followed by mentorship (β=0.287, r=0.794), job enrichment (β=0.246, r=0.768), and recognition (β=0.213, r=0.751). All variables demonstrated statistically significant positive relationships with employee performance, confirming their collective importance in enhancing productivity and motivation among public service workers. The study concluded that non-monetary incentives are critical determinants of employee performance in public service organizations. Career advancement opportunities constitute the most powerful performance driver, while mentorship, job enrichment, and recognition practices significantly contribute to employee motivation and productivity. However, inconsistent implementation across departments and varying quality of support systems limit optimal effectiveness. Standardizing these practices, ensuring adequate resource allocation, and maintaining transparent, merit-based systems are essential for sustaining high performance standards organizationally. The study recommended that the Ministry should establish standardized frameworks for mentorship, job enrichment, career advancement, and recognition programs across all departments. Organizations should implement regular training for mentors and managers, ensure adequate resource allocation for challenging assignments, maintain transparent promotion criteria, and develop comprehensive recognition systems accommodating diverse employee preferences. Regular monitoring mechanisms, performance assessments, and feedback platforms should be established to evaluate program effectiveness and ensure consistent support provision.
Government expenditures and the Kenyan economic growth
(Kenyatta University, 2026-11) Magiri, Jonathan Mwenda
The economic growth of a nation is key to that economy as it contributes significantly to the development and well-being of that economy. These benefits are dependent on many factors including government expenditures that need to be addressed through the management of the country’s fiscal policies. Ideally, a country's economic growth is anticipated to enhance lifestyles by providing education, healthcare access, infrastructure, housing, quality food availability, improved roads, and similar amenities. However, this is not always the case. The economic growth of Kenya has recently attracted attention due to widespread volatility in its growth and inability to hit its Vision 2030 target growth of 10% despite huge investment in expenditure by the government. Therefore, the intent of this research is to ascertain the effect of government expenditure on economic growth in Kenya. In particular, the research ascertained the effect of education expenditure, health expenditure, defense and security expenditure, and social services expenditure on the economic growth of Kenya. The research was underpinned on the public finance theory, the theory of maximum social advantage, endogenous economic growth, and Peacock and Wiseman Theory. The causal-effect research approach was utilized in the research. The target audience was Kenya as a country with twenty five observations from 2000 to 2024 which is the unit of analysis. Secondary data was gathered with the aid of documentary guides and data sheets from the World Bank and KNBS. STATA software version 14 was used. Diagnostic tests (Auto correlation, multicollinearity, heteroscedasticity, normality, Co-integration, and unit root test) will be carried out before data analysis. VAR time series regression model was adopted. Descriptive statistics involving the use of frequencies, mean and standard deviation, and, inferential statistics was adopted in data analysis; and displayed in frequency distribution tables, charts, and graphs. The research's results indicate that education expenditure, health expenditure and Defense and security expenditure substantially influenced Kenya's economic growth with pvalues of 0.000, 0.000 and 0.005 respectively. On the other hand services expenditure insignificantly influences economic growth in Kenya with p-value of 0.125. The research recommend that Kenya government should invest in education that provide its citizen with the necessary skills to be utilized in the labour market that will foster economic growth. Additionally, the research recommends that the government should invest in the health program (SHA and UHC) for its citizen that will provide a population health to the masses which will eventually lead to high productivity and hence economic growth. Finally, the research recommends the Kenyan government to secure the country using both physical and technological means that will enhance peace for the country men and women to concentrate to work leading to economic growth
Effects of Environmental Variability and Resource Conflicts on Food Insecurity in Kerio Valley Basin, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2023-05) Laxmana, Peter Kiptoo
Food insecurity continues to be a major challenge in the world. By 2018, one-third of the
global population experienced food insecurity. A greater proportion of the population that
J*p.rien.ed food iniecurity were in Sub Sahara Africa (SSA), East and Horn-of Africa,
and Northwestern Kenya including Kerio Valley. Accordingly, the purpose of this study
was to assess the nature of food insecurity and the drivers in Northwestern Kenya
particularly Northem Kerio Basin, a semi-arid valley. More specifically, the objectives
of tn. study were to assess the demographic characteristics of the local communities in
Northern Iierio Valley Basin, the nature of food insecurity, the nature of agro-pastoral
production, the effects ofresource-ethnic-conflicts on food insecurity, the effects ofthe
environmental variability and to identify mitigation measures to achieve food security
and development. The study site was Northern Kerio Valley, a triangle border consisting
of Kolowa Ward of Tiaty in Baringo County, Endo Ward of Elgeyo Marakwet County,
and Lomut Ward of the West Pokot County. The target population for the study was the
2600 households in which a sample size of 387 was determined using Yamane (1967)
formula for finite and small populations. Qualitative data were collected through Key
Informants Interviews (KIIs) and the Focused Group Discussions (FGDs). The primary
quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire which also incorporated an
adapted phased experience of food insecurity scale based on FAOIFSAU (2006) and
IpiC/FAO (2015) to us."s the prevalence of food insecurity. The study established that
Northem Kerio Basin was characterized by a young population, limited formal and
vocational education, limited occupation opportunities and extensive poverty.The study
established also that 98o/o of the households lived in a community or clan land, where
B9%hadcustomary rights to use l-2 acresof land for the homestead and cultivation. The
community (clan) land and limited access rights were associated with open resowce
access andlimited agricultural innovation and production. The study established that60Yo
of the households experienced three or more resource-ethnic conflicts in the last five years
and61%reported r.r"r" impact on access to food and livelihoods; 90% of the households
also experienced more tharthree drought cycles in the last five years and 70o/o reported
severe impact on their access to food and livelihoods. More importantly, the study
conciuded that 48% of the food insecurity had been influenced by the joint effects of
environmental variability and resource-ethnic conflicts. The study recommended
adoption of resilient and transformative agricultural production, and adoption of measures
to mitigate environmental variability andietated resource conflicts; rethink and repurpose
agriculiural production by embracing modemized agricultural practices; diversification
of ugro-purtoral occupations in arid and semi-arid zones; carryout land reforms in North
Kerio Vatley Basin with emphasis on land demarcation and adjudication with a view to
enhance food production, udd..s the 'tragedy of commons, reduce environmental
degradation and related resource conflicts. Adoption of measures that would mitigate
eniironmental vulnerability including enhanced and modernized irrigation technologies
and farm mechanization. Adopt measures that would enhance socio-economic
empoweflnent, including expanded formal and vocational education and expanded
occupation opportunities beyond the limited agro-pastoralism
Usimilishaji wa Ishara za Kiisimu Katika Mawasiliano ya Breilt ya Kiswahili
(Kenyatta University, 2022) Mwangi,Daniel Mburu
'fhis stucly analyzerl the assirnilation ol' linguistic symbols in Kiswahili braille.
This analysis was motivated by Iive kcy fhctors: lirstly, braille is the only form of
writing that blind people use in their communication and learning. In addition,
there is an absence ol an impofiant pronunciation element in braille dictionaries
and especially grarnmar books. Moreover, students who use braille are given
alternaiive questiolrs when they are exermined in the areas of phonetics, phonology,
morphology and even in scntence analysis. Also, there is the absence of any
definite linguistic syrnbols in thc Kiswahili braille text. Finally, the two braille
primers of the Kisr,vahili language used in East Africa, one for 1978 and the other
one for 1995, have no linguistic signs.'l'his study ainiedto achieve fourobjectives;
first, to identify and address the challenges that hinder the development of
linguistic symbols in the Kiswahili language; to analyze the relationship between
Engtish ancl Kiswahili Braille drafts; to examinethe effect of the absence of these
signals in the teaching of linguistics; and finally, to evaluate the impact of the use
of contractions using similar dots in the pubtication ol linguistic textbooks' 'l'he
research methods that lvere used to collect data wcre observation, questionllaires
ancl interviews. T'he collected data on the assimilation ol'linguistic symbols were
analyzed by using the Reading and Writing Theory of Braille that was compiled by
Kizuka and Fuji (1985).'l'he researchcr found that the insufficient braille dots led
to a dramatic increase in their use. This paradigm has contributed to the
cqmplexity of the phonology and syntax of Kiswahili, the barriers to language
teaching among blind students. crrors in grammar textbooks especially lbrm one
and lbrm two books. and the challenges facing the development of linguistic
syn-rbols in Braille. This study that rvas aimed at developing linguistic symbols in
Kiswahili braille is expected to benefjt students who use braille, teachers and
lecturers who teach linguistics