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Kenyatta University Institutional Repository is a digital archive that collects, preserves and disseminates scholarly outputs of the Institution
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Music Therapy and Its Correlation with Speech Development among Children with Speech Disorders in Nakuru Hills Special School in Nakuru County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-10) Nyabwengi, Faith Moraa
Music has long been integrated into children’s growth and development through phonics songs, play songs, and lullabies, which stimulate early language and speech development. For children with speech disorders, however, this natural progression is disrupted, resulting in difficulties in speech sound production and effective communication. These challenges negatively impact their social interactions, learning, and academic performance. This study aimed at examining the correlation between music therapy and speech Development in Children who have Speech Disorders in Nakuru Hills Special School, Nakuru, Kenya. The study focused on meeting the following objectives: To investigate how music therapy affects children’s speech development in Nakuru Hills Special, Nakuru County, Kenya; examine the specific prosocial skills linked to speech development have been developed in children in Nakuru Hills Special School, Nakuru;and assess whether redesigning music therapy is necessary in remedying problems related to speech development among children in Nakuru Hills Special School, Nakuru. The theoretical framework of the study included cognitive behavior theory and social-pragmatic theory. A quasi-experimental design was used to group the participants into two groups: the comparison group and the experimental group. The comparison group of learners with speech development disorders or problems received standard care or intervention, while the experimental group of learners with speech development disorders or problems received music therapy. The research population included special education teachers, special schools’ music teachers, and caregivers, as well as speech and language pathologists working at Nakuru Hills Special School and Kenyatta University. The sample consisted of 20 participants randomly selected from the sample population. The study utilized a mixed research approach to achieve and answer research objectives and questions, respectively. The qualitative and quantitative research approaches were applicable in the mixed methodology. Interview and survey instruments were used for data collection. Piloting of the research instruments was done to enhance the reliability and validity of the research instruments.. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis, was conducted in IBM SPSS version 26 using particulars gathered during the survey. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview data. Pearson correlation tests showed that music therapy had a positive and significant impact on multiple aspects of speech development, including articulation, vocabulary, and overall communication skills. Data collected from caregivers and speech therapists showed that children demonstrated noticeable improvements in clarity of speech, increased vocabulary, and enhanced ability to construct sentences. Cooperation emerged as the most developed skill, with 60% of caregivers reporting positive changes. However, skills such as empathy and listening require further exploration to fully understand their relationship with the therapy modalities used. It was concluded that caregivers and therapists both advocate for a more tailored approach to therapy, suggesting that personalized sessions and increased frequency could lead to better developmental outcomes for children. The insights garnered from both quantitative and qualitative data point towards a clear need for adjustments in therapeutic practices to better align with the specific needs of children with speech disorders. The study recommended that policies should be established to incorporate music therapy into speech therapy programs within special schools. This approach can enhance speech development while providing a holistic, engaging learning environment.
Sex Stereotypes as Predictors of Mathematics Performance among Secondary School Students of Machakos County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2017-04) Kiswii, Irene Mbula
Abstract
Risk Management Strategies and Organizational Performance of Deposit-Taking SACCOs in Kiambu County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-08) Murungi, Doris Kagendo
Deposit Taking Saccos performance in the County of Kiambu is essential for long-term provision of guaranteed services to its membership while also supporting the governments Vision 2030 and growth of gross domestic product. However, an analysis of a three years organizational performance of DT-SACCOs revealed decline in deposits, gross loans and total assets. The focus of this research was to investigate the effect of risk management strategies on organizational performance of DT-SACCOs in Kiambu County. The study intended to determine the effect of risk avoidance, risk reduction, risk transfer and risk retention strategies on the organizational performance of DT Saccos in Kiambu County. Resource-based view, balanced scorecard, contingency and enterprise risk management theories guided the study. Research design for the study was explanatory and descriptive. The unit of observation was all 14 DT-SACCOs in Kiambu County while the unit of analysis consisted of all 126 heads of department from 14 DT-SACCOs Based on the small number of DT-SACCOs in Kiambu County, a census study was used. Semi-structured questionnaire was utilized for data collection. Nairobi City County is where the Pilot Study was done involving two DT-SACCOs with 12 respondents. Content, face and construct validity determined validity of the instrument. Cronbach alpha with a cut-off point of 0.7 to enable reliability analysis. Descriptive statistics and inferential analysis aided in data analysis. Ethical consideration such as anonymity, voluntary participation and consent was considered in the research. The risk avoidance (β=0.0311, p=0.002), risk reduction strategy (β=0.0405, p=0.003), risk transfer strategy (β=0.0297, p=0.002) and risk retention strategy (β=0.0506, p=0.004) were found to have a positive significant impact on the success of DT-SACCOs in the County of Kiambu, Kenya. The study concludes that a risk avoidance strategy streamlines processes and implements best practices leading to improved operational efficiency, reducing costs and enhancing service delivery to members. A strong risk reduction strategy demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding members' investments which strengthen trust and loyalty among members, resulting in higher retention rates and attracting new members. Risk transfer strategy enable DT-SACCOs to maintain a more stable financial position which is crucial for building trust among members and attracting new clients, ultimately leading to increased deposits and lending activities and retaining risk enable the DT-SACCOs to develop a deeper understanding of their risk profiles, allowing for more informed decision-making and better management of financial resources. The study recommends that it is necessary to conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities within the DT-SACCOs. The deposit taking Saccos should adopt advanced technology solutions that can significantly improve risk management through the use of data analytics and risk management software to monitor financial health, assess creditworthiness, and detect fraudulent activities in real time. Deposit taking Saccos can enhance their risk transfer strategies by diversifying their investment portfolios and collaborating with insurance companies can provide DT SACCOs with tailored insurance products that cover specific risks and the DT-SACCOs should focus on educating members about financial management and risk awareness can enhance their understanding of the cooperative's operations.
Export Intensity, Total Factor Productivity and Employment in Kenya’s Manufacturing Firms
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Kimolo, Dorothy Ngina
The manufacturing sector is vital in achieving industrialization of a country as evidenced by the East Asian Miracle. Kenya has pursued several industrial policies intended to boost the performance of her manufacturing sector whereby several targets have been set. By 2022, the economic output from manufacturing was targeted at 15 per cent whereas the percentage of manufactured exports in all exports was targeted at 60 per cent. However, manufacturing sector’s contribution to economic output averaged 10 per cent between 2007 and 2023 and has persistently declined since 2011. Besides, from 2007 to 2023, the share of total exports made up of manufactured goods averaged 33 per cent and the share of employment in the sector has been below 14 per cent. For more policy guidance, it is imperative to understand the link between key performance indicators in the sector such as export intensity, total factor productivity and employment. This research specifically explored the firm-level determinants of export intensity and established the effect of export intensity on total factor productivity and employment in Kenya’s manufacturing firms. The study utilized panel data obtained from World Bank Enterprise Surveys for the period 2007, 2013 and 2018. The two-step Heckman Sample Selection model was employed to establish the firm-level determinants of export intensity. The effects of export intensity on firm-level total factor productivity and firm employment were analyzed using the Two-Step System Generalized Method of Moments. The results indicated that export intensity was positively influenced by total factor productivity (0.0351%), foreign ownership (0.4281), firm size (0.0632%), firm age (0.0361%), human capital (0.0298%), research and development (0.0464) and negatively influenced by labor productivity (-0.0197%). The study established a positive effect of export intensity (0.2279%), labor productivity (0.4043%) and management experience (0.4459%) on firm level total factor productivity. Total factor productivity was negatively influenced by firm size (-0.2242%) and capital intensity (-0.1796%). Export intensity (0.2868%), firm age (1.7525%) and research and development (0.4562) had positive effects on firm employment while wage per worker (-0.1649%) negatively affected firm employment. Based on the study findings, firms need to focus on enhancing their total factor productivity through adoption of new technologies, innovation and inventions and investment in human capital through enrolling in specialized training programmes by the National Industrial Training Authority. Export promotion strategies such as expansion of Export Processing Zones, Special Economic Zones and participation in regional and international trade agreements ought to be intensified by the government. More so, firms may consider working closely with state agencies and corporations such as the National Research Fund and actively engage in research and development activities. This will aid them secure and utilize research and development grants, set up manufacturing incubators and register for intellectual property rights to safeguard their innovations. Given that Kenya is a labour rich country, the government and firms may consider adopting labour friendly technologies such as collaborative robotics so as to remain efficient and more productive.
Impact of Water Harvesting and Soil Fertility Management Technologies on Intercropping Sorghum and Cowpea Production in Embu and Kirinyaga Counties, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Njeru, Peterson Newton Muchiri
Climate change coupled with poor soil fertility, shrinking natural resource base, ineffective markets, institutional weaknesses, and inadequate policies are the key drivers to sub-optimal agricultural productivity. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) production continue to experience intransigent production problems. This study was carried out in Mbeere South and Kirinyaga West Sub-Counties classified as semi-arid lands and Medium to high potential areas with declining potential (MHPDP), respectively. This research aimed to determine the effect of soil water harvesting and integrated soil fertility amendment practices on: - i) Sorghum and cowpea yields, ii) Soil chemical properties and soil water content at different soil depths, iii) Farmers evaluation criteria for ranking and evaluation of treatments, and iv) The cost benefit returns during LR 2011, 2012 and LR 2012. The study involved experimentation approach and farmers’ evaluation of the study treatments in the scale of good, fair and poor using a structured questionnaire. The treatments were arranged in a 3 x 2 x 6 factorial structure. The main factors were three water harvesting (i.e., Tied ridging, Contour Furrows and Farmer Practice), two cropping patterns (Mono-cropping and Inter-cropping) and 6 soil fertility management options (Control, 40 kg P ha-1 + 40 kg N ha-1, 40 kg P ha-1 + 20 kg N ha-1, 40 kg P ha-1 + 40 kg N ha-1 + Manure 5 t ha-1, 40 kg P ha-1 + 20 kg N ha-1 + Manure 2.5 t ha-1 and manure 5 t ha-1 laid out in a partially balanced incomplete block design (PBIBD), replicated thrice. Soil moisture was measured at soil depth of 100 cm at 10 cm intervals using Diviner 2000 at fortnight interval of 2 weeks after planting. Soil samples were also collected and a composite sub-sample derived at a depth of 0-20 cm for soil elements analysis for each treatment at the beginning and end of experiment. Sorghum and cowpea productivity was measured at physiological maturity, and cost of production data was collected during the experimentation period to determine cost benefit return. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and significant means separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 95% Confidence Interval. There were significant effects (p=0.051, p=0.001 and p=0.0314) of soil water harvesting techniques, cropping patterns and soil fertility amendment options on sorghum height during the SR 2011 respectively, and significant (p=0.0001) during the LR 2012. However, soil fertility amendment practices had significant effect (p=0.0003, p=0.0001 and p=0.0001) on sorghum grain yields during the LR 2011, LR 2012 and SR 2011, respectively. There was also a significant interaction effect (p=0.0047) and (p=0.0047) on cowpea productivity during the SR 2011 and LR 2012 seasons, respectively. Soil pH, N, total C and available P increased significantly (t-test, p<0.05) in manure treatments except in the “controls” at the end of experiment. Soil water content measurements was a significantly higher at initial stages of 2 WAP, 4 WAP and 6 WAP intervals in relation to the late stages of the season. On farmers treatment evaluation, biophysical sorghum grain yields (t/ha) and farmers treatment evaluation had a significant positive correlation (r>0.5, p<0.0001) on individual treatments. However, there was a significant relationship where farmers evaluation and ranking of treatments highly depended on his/her gender and education level (Pearson Χ2>15.4, p<0.0001). The treatments of the study showed significant effect (p<0.0001) on net benefit, benefit cost ratio and return to labour were significantly. This study demonstrated that soil water harvesting techniques, cropping patterns and integrated soil fertility amendment practices have positive influence on sorghum and cowpea productivity in Central Kenya Highlands and is cost-effective.