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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Determinants of Knowledge Sharing Through Institutional Repositories among Academic Staff in Selected Public and Private Universities in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-10) Njogu, Lynette Wambui
In recent times, organizations have experienced changes that have been characterized by the shift from relying on information to the utilization of knowledge. This led to the birth of the Knowledge Management (KM). With organizations investing in embedding KM in their operations, a component of KM being implemented is knowledge sharing. In this study, Knowledge Sharing (KS) is the process by which knowledge generated and stored in an organization is communicated from the source to the recipient. Universities have not been left behind in implementing KS by facilitating their academic staff in this endeavour. They have invested in ICT platforms where respective academic staff share knowledge generated and gained through research. The ICT platforms residing in institutions are referred to as Institutional Repositories (IRs). An evaluation of a number of university institutional repositories, show that academic staff in some faculties have contributed more research and knowledge outputs, while others have little or no contributions. This study led to establishing what determines academic staff’s decision to share their research and knowledge outputs via institutional repositories in selected universities in Kenya. The research objectives that guided the study included: establishing ICT skills of academic staff, the provision of a university ICT policy on knowledge sharing through institutional repositories, the perception of academic staff members in knowledge sharing and the reward systems for knowledge sharing through IRs. This study adopted the Knowledge-Sharing model developed by Cheng et.al. in 2009 as its theoretical model. Descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The study location for the research was the University of Embu, a public university, and St Paul’s University, a private university. The target population in the selected universities was 151 academic staff. A questionnaire was used as the data collection tool. Qualitative data was analysed based on the themes of the study. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data and were presented through frequencies, percentages, tables, and graphs. The study major findings included; the academic staff members have a positive perception on knowledge sharing through IRs, self-archiving of knowledge and research outputs through IRs is yet to be embraced, academic staff are not aware if KS through IRs is included in their respective university ICT policy and the academic staff are not satisfied with rewards system in place for awarding knowledge sharing through IRs and suggested monetary and non-monetary rewards as measures to improve on the reward systems. The study recommended that academic staff to be facilitated on self-archiving of their knowledge and research outputs via Irs. Also, universities to include and discuss KS through institutional repositories in their respective ICT policies, conduct user education to academic staff on KS through institutional repositories issues that are discussed in their ICT policies and to evaluate and improve on the rewards system that the respective universities have established.
Workforce Retention Strategies and Performance of Kenya Revenue Authority Employees
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Nyarongi, Desmond Rasugu
Workforce retention problems at Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) have impeded employee performance. KRA, a key agency charged with revenue collection, has a mandate that is critical to the nation's development, yet retaining skilled personnel proves a challenge that could impact its efficiency in achieving revenue targets. As recent statistics show, KRA has had a turnover rate of almost 12% annually, affecting overall performance and increasing recruitment and training expenses. Therefore, the aim of the study was to fill in these gaps by investigating how career growth, recognition, benefits, and organizational culture impact employee performance of KRA. Thus, the study provided an exhaustive understanding of retention strategies within the context of a government agency. Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory, developed by Frederick Herzberg in 1959 and Goal Setting Theory, expounded on by Edwin Locke in the 1960s, will anchor this study. A descriptive research design will be adopted for this study. The study targeted 300 senior management staff, 1,200 middle management staff, and 5,000 operational employees. The sample size, calculated using Yamane's formula, was 376 respondents. This study developed structured questionnaires and interview guides as data collection instruments. The study data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, evaluating the relationship between the study variables. Descriptive statistics summarized the demographics and characteristics of the respondents. Inferential statistics assisted in making conclusions regarding the relationships between independent variables {career growth opportunities, employee recognition, employee benefits, and organization culture} and the dependent variable of employee performance. The findings showed that career growth opportunities positively influence performance; employees are motivated by the prospect of clear promotion paths, professional development programs, and mentoring. The study has also established that recognition is one of the key motivation factors affecting productivity. When employees feel appreciated and recognized for their contribution, they tend to perform better and show greater levels of engagement. The study further considered that employee benefits were found to influence performance through job satisfaction and organizational commitment. The results demonstrated that a positive culture promoting teamwork, innovation, and open communication strongly supports employee performance. The study recommended that the Authority should consider technology-infused career development programs designed to link accessibility promotion growth and career opportunities with individual areas of interest. Knowledge programs may be expanded to incorporate peer-to-peer recognition systems and real-time digital acknowledgment platforms. KRA may want to consider setting in place some additional wellness programs such as mental health support and childcare services, which were identified by the employees as lacking.
Adaptive Pedestrian Detection System Based on Deep Learning
(Kenyatta University, 2025-03) Aquino Nyapara Joctum
The existing pedestrian detection algorithms have the potential to improve road safety on a
regional level, however their effectiveness in dynamic rural and urban environments remains
unexploited. With this potential capability, their efficacy remains uncertain due to
infrastructure and operational limitations. Nationally, integration into Kenya’s transport system is still in its infancy, with challenges in policy, infrastructure, and technological readiness limiting real-world deployment. The problem lies in the inability of current systems to provide accurate and timely detection, particularly in complex road topologies such as Type-S roads with sharp curves and frequent occlusions. To address this, this research proposes a YOLO-APD network to enhance detection accuracy and achieve real-time processing. A cost-effective RGB camera in the CARLA simulator was used to generate a custom dataset reflecting diverse traffic scenarios. Enhancements to the YOLOv8 baseline include a novel SimSPPF module for improved feature extraction and speed, a modified detection head with a gather-and-distribute mechanism, and C3Ghost modules for balancing efficiency and accuracy. The model was evaluated through ablation experiments, algorithm comparisons, and robustness tests. Results show YOLO-APD achieved a mean Average Precision (mAP) of 97.8%, with pedestrian detection exceeding 99.5%, outperforming state-of-the-art models. The model demonstrated robust performance with a 94% F1 score, validating its generalization ability in challenging environments. By enhancing detection accuracy and efficiency in Type-S roads, YOLO-APD presents a viable solution for improving autonomous navigation in complex traffic environments.
The Firm Characteristics and Financial Performance of Businesses Funded By Youth Enterprise Development Fund in Baringo Constituency, Baringo County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Kiplagat, Denis Kiprop
Unemployment continues to be a major challenge at global, regional, and local levels, prompting governments and development organizations to implement interventions aimed at creating income-generating opportunities. One such intervention in Kenya is the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, which was established to provide financial resources to young entrepreneurs at affordable terms and to encourage them to create employment rather than remain job seekers. Despite these efforts, the performance of youth-owned small and medium-sized enterprises remains below expectations, with many businesses struggling to sustain operations and generate profits. Baringo Constituency in Baringo County is one of the areas where young entrepreneurs access this fund to establish and expand their businesses.
This study sought to investigate the impact of firm characteristics on the financial performance of youth-funded enterprises in Baringo Constituency. Specifically, the study examined how firm age, ownership structure, source of finance, firm size, and business sector influence financial outcomes. The study was guided by financial management theory, agency theory, capital structure theory, and pecking order theory, which explain how resource allocation, ownership control, and financing decisions affect business profitability and sustainability. A descriptive research design was adopted, while a random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 83 respondents from a target population of 104 youth entrepreneurs. Primary data were collected using self-administered questionnaires, which were tested for validity and reliability using Cronbach’s alpha and validity ratios. Data diagnostics included normality, linearity, multivariate assumptions, heteroscedasticity, and autocorrelation tests. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive and inferential statistics, with results presented through tables and graphs. The findings revealed a positive relationship between financial resources, firm age, ownership structure, firm size, and business sector, and the financial performance of youth enterprises in Baringo Constituency. Financial resources and effective ownership structures had the most significant influence on performance, highlighting the importance of adequate funding and structured management in achieving profitability. Firm age showed a moderate positive effect, while firm size and business sector had significant but less pronounced effects. These results suggest that youth entrepreneurs should prioritize financial planning, adopt optimal ownership structures, and focus on operational efficiency to improve performance. The study recommends that further research should explore the impact of firm characteristics on financial performance across other constituencies in Baringo County and in similar local contexts, to provide broader insights into the sustainability of youth-funded enterprises.
Knowledge Management Practices and Quality of Service Delivery at Equity Bank Headquarters in Nairobi City County, Kenya.
(Kenyatta University, 2025-10) Ong’era,Deborah Nyanchama
Utmost service delivery is a fundamental component to any firm’s success. Businesses work to guarantee that their clients receive superior service at every point of contact. Satisfactory service delivery at Equity Bank has been a major obstacle and a major source of annoyance for its clients. Review of literature reveals that there is scanty empirical evidence on the effect of knowledge management on service delivery in the banking industry. Most prior studies have focused on NGOs, the judiciary, and NSE-listed firms, leaving a gap in the banking industry. This study addresses this gap by evaluating how knowledge management practices influence service delivery at Equity Bank. The main objective of this research was to establish the effect of knowledge management practices on quality service delivery at Equity Bank headquarters. Particularly, the study aimed to establish the effect of knowledge acquisition, sharing, creation, and application on quality-of-service delivery at Equity Bank headquarters. The research was centered on the knowledge-based theory of the firm and the SERVQUAL Model. The study utilized both explanatory and descriptive research framework. The Equity Bank headquarters in Nairobi City County was the target population. The observation unit was 25 staff working in middle-level management and 105 staff working in low-level management at the Equity Bank head Office. A census approach was used, and hence all the 130 middle and low-level management staff were utilized. To acquire primary data, semi-structured questionnaires were employed. A pilot study aimed at pretesting and validating the questionnaire was conducted with low-level management and middle-level management of Equity Bank Mundi Mbingu branch. Content validity was evaluated via a comprehensive process that involved not only the input of the research supervisor but also insights from relevant theories and prior studies. Face validity was assessed by the investigator in consultation with the supervisor to verify that the instrument seems to gauge what it is meant to gauge. Construct validity was further examined using confirmatory factor analysis. To assess reliability, Cronbach’s alpha was employed to measure internal consistency, with a threshold of 0.7 deemed acceptable. The research instruments were designed to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. Themes were created by adopting content analysis to the qualitative data acquired from open-ended questions. SPSS, version 28, was utilized to evaluate quantitative data obtained from the surveys utilizing both inferential and descriptive statistics. Standard deviation, percentages, mean, and frequency distribution served as examples of descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics consisted Pearson correlation along with regression analysis. The findings were presented in figures and tables, like pie charts and bar charts. The research found that knowledge acquisition (β₁=0.629, p-value=0.000), knowledge sharing (β₁=0.481, p-value=0.000), knowledge creation (β₁=0.317, p-value=0.000), and knowledge application (β₁=0.231, p-value=0.000) has a positive and significant effect on quality-of-service delivery at Equity Bank headquarters in Nairobi City County. The study concludes that knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing, knowledge creation, and knowledge application significantly affects quality of service delivery at Equity Bank. The research recommends that Equity Bank should strengthen knowledge application, creation, sharing, and acquisition by investing in continuous training, fostering collaboration, encouraging innovation, and implementing technology-driven knowledge management systems. In addition, the bank should establish structured knowledge-sharing platforms, reward knowledge contributions, and facilitate evidence-based decision-making to strengthen service quality and customer satisfaction.