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Influence of Knowledge Creation on Organizational Resilience among Travel Firms in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Book Publishing, 2025-12) Morong, Dorice Ronoh; Kariuki, Albert Chege; Bitok, Jane Jebet
Knowledge creation have become essential for organizations seeking to build resilience in today's dynamic business environment. The tourism industry, particularly travel firms, faces unprecedented challenges that require effective knowledge utilization to maintain operational continuity. Thus, this study examined the influence of knowledge creation on organizational resilience among travel firms in Nairobi City County, Kenya. A mixed-methods research design was employed, targeting 286 participants drawn from travel firms and tourism-related institutions including KATO, KATA, TOSK, Ecotourism Kenya, the Tourism Regulatory Authority, Tourism Promotion Fund, Kenya Tourism Board, Tourism Research Institute, Kenya Tourism Federation, GTRCMC–EA, the Tourism Professional Association, and the State Department of Tourism. The sample size comprised of 233 respondents, representing an 81.47% response rate. Quantitative findings showed that knowledge creation had a significant positive effect on organizational resilience, demonstrating that travel firms with structured practices for generating new ideas, insights, and solutions were better able to withstand disruptions. Qualitative results revealed that although some firms had initiated knowledge creation activities, many relied heavily on informal practices that limited the institutionalization of creativity and innovation. The study concludes that knowledge creation is a critical driver of organizational resilience among travel firms but remains underdeveloped due to inconsistent structures, limited formalization, and insufficient institutional support. Strengthening knowledge creation systems, fostering collaborative innovation environments, and enhancing organizational mechanisms for generating new knowledge are essential for improving resilience capacity. The study recommends that travel firm managers should strengthen structured systems for knowledge creation and innovation, ensuring that such processes are institutionalized and supported through dedicated teams, professional development, and continuous learning mechanisms. The study further recommends that tourism sector policymakers should enact supportive regulatory frameworks that reduce barriers, promote collaboration, and provide incentives that enable travel firms to develop innovation hubs and advance sustainable tourism development.
In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Haloalkaliphilic Fungal Extracts from Lake Magadi, Kenya
(Science Mundi, 2025) Kiboi, Nathan; Abonyo, Collins; Ouko, Nahashon; Kimani, James; Juma, Kelvin; Ngugi, Mathew Piero; Marera, Domnic; Were, Tom
The wide-ranging saline-alkaline ecological setting is steadily acquiring appreciation as a rich source harbouring a repertoire of extremophilic fungal diversity exerting exclusive biological activities ranging from anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic among other varied medicinal capacities. However, studies characterizing biochemical functionalities from structurally unique haloalkaliphilic fungal biota remain scanty and undocumented. Importantly, saline emitting hot-springs situated in Rift valley soda lakes are gaining recognition as natural reservoirs with enormous fungal microbial community bearing potential for antioxidation capacity. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional laboratory based experimental study through random sampling aimed at characterizing in vitro antioxidant activity from haloalkaliphilic fungal strains of Lake Magadi in Kenya. Sample types comprising wet sediments, soils and surface water were cultured in sabouraud’s dextrose agar (SDA), potato dextrose agar (PDA) and malt extract agar (MEA) plates at temperatures of 250c and 410c respectively, for 1-3 weeks. Resulting pure isolates underwent molecular identification. PCR proceeded using ITS-1 & 4 universal primers followed by Sanger sequencing. NCBI’s nBLAST supported molecular identification with ≥90% identity cut-off values. Fermentation and extracts production progressed for 28 days at 250c accompanied by lyophilisation. Yielded freeze-dried extracts were profiled for antioxidant activity through hydroxyl, superoxide, DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, FRAP and lipid peroxidation inhibition assays. Extracts’ total phenolics and flavonoids content were also estimated. IC50 was tabulated based on dose-response curves against standards through linear regression. One-way ANOVA compared means across treatments and Tukey’s post hoc used for pairwise group comparisons. Statistical significance was considered at P≤0.05. Genera Cladosporium exhibited dominance (n=4) among sampled fungal biota. Samples P1, P6, P9 and P5 extracts exhibited maximal scavenging activity at higher concentrations against hydroxyl (76.53% ± 1.27), superoxide (78.90% ± 1.29), H202 (76.19% ± 0.40) and DPPH (80.19% ± 0.94) radicals, respectively. Ferric reductive (0.583 ± 0.005) and lipid peroxidation inhibitive (80.95% ± 1.07) activities for isolate P5 was statistically higher relative to other profiled extracts. Radical scavenging capacity of respective antioxidant standards was substantially higher against assayed extracts. Profound IC50 scavenging effect occurred at extract concentrations between 2.5 - 3.5 mg/ml. P7 extracts revealed peak total phenolic content of 3.61 ± 0.05 mg gallic acid equivalents/mg crude extract at 4mg/ml, while P6 expressed comparable total flavonoid content of 3.32 ± 0.04 mg quercetin equivalents/mg crude extract. Overally, fungi extracts showcased free radicals scavenging ability against reactive species in assorted antioxidant assays. Besides safety profile validation, our extracts demonstrate applicability for antioxidative potential that may further be discerned via comparative in vivo and ex vivo murine experimentation models.
Role of Risk Identification on the Financial Performance of3-5-Star Hotels in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Book Publishing, 2025-12) Sammy Munyi Njeru
Risk identification is crucial to success in hospitality, helping achievestakeholders' income and growth objectives. Risks can negatively affect financialoutcomes. This study examines how risk identification influences the financial performance of 3-to 5-star hotels. It provides insights for hotel owners, managers, industry stakeholders, officials, policymakers, and researchers, emphasizing the importanceof risk mitigation strategies in ensuring financial stability. Data was collected from 396 participants across 44 star-rated hotels, divided into three groups, using structured questionnaires, interviews, observation, and published sources. A stratified random sample of 196 respondents, including hotel managers, staff, and suppliers, was selected. The study employed a descriptive, mixed-methods approach to analyze both qualitative and quantitative data to answer the research questions. Data analysis was conducted with SPSS, utilizing descriptive and inferential statistics. Results indicated that risk management practices significantly impact the financial performance of star-rated hotels. Risk identification (β = 0.4080, p < 0.05) enables 3-to 5-star hotels in Nairobi City County, Kenya, to anticipate financial uncertainties, reduce losses, minimize disruptions, and enhance operational efficiency. The study emphasizes that a strong risk identification strategy contributes to long-term financial stability. The conclusion states that a structured risk identification approach improves hotels' financial performance, leading to higher profitability, lower risk, and sustainable growth. Risk governance officers should enhance risk identification and incorporate it into strategic planning for stability. Future research might explore differences in risk mitigation between private and franchise hotels and their financial outcomes.
Teachers’ Perceptions of Competence in Conducting Functional Vision Assessment in Selected Public Primary Schools for Learners with Visual Impairments in Kenya
(Journal of Popular Education in Africa, 2025-12) Tataka, William; Nzoka, Stephen; Murugami, Margaret W.
The purpose of this article was to investigate Teachers’ Perceptions of Competence in Conducting Functional Vision Assessment in Selected Public Primary Schools for Learners with Visual Impairments in Kenya. The contention of the article is that functional vision assessment (FVA) provides the basis when determining the visual capabilities for LVIs, which helps teachers develop effective teaching methods. However, teachers’ perceived incompetence is the integral justification why its utilization continues to be limited. A descriptive survey design was used in the investigation. A purposive sample of thirty-three participants that comprised thirty teachers and 3 headteachers from public primary schools for LVIs was selected. Headteacher interviews, classroom observation checklists, and teacher questionnaires were utilized to collect data, with particular focus on the utilization of FVA tools, instructional adaptations and environmental modifications. A review by experts was performed to ensure instruments validity while internal consistency methods aided in determining questionnaire’s reliability. The results demonstrated that majority of teachers were not certain about their ability to effectively utilize FVA procedures. As a result, instructional preparation rarely incorporated FVA. The study additionally showed that FVA’s limited and irregular application throughout schools was the consequence of the lack of national policy guidelines. These results undercut the potential advantages of FVA in working alongside learners who have visual impairments by demonstrating significant discrepancies in preparation for teachers. The lack of policy guidance and inadequate instruction lead to a reactive approach to instructional preparation and visual assessment rather than an approach that is proactive. This effectiveness of instruction for LVIs is decreased when teachers are obligated to resort to improvised or unconventional techniques in the lack of clear guidelines and institutional support. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education develop and implement clear policy guidelines for FVA implementation. Additionally, to increase teacher capacity, specific training programmes and the availability of suitable FVA instruments are also critically required. In order to ensure inclusive and unparalleled learning to LVIs, teachers’ competence in FVA need to be enhanced. Keywords: K
Credit Administration and Financial Stability of Non-Withdrawable Deposit Taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations in Kiambu County, Kenya
(International Journal of Social and Development Concerns, 2025-10) Mbithi, Charity Minoo; Omagwa, Job; Musau, Salome
Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs), member-owned financial institutions, have faced financial instability due to ineffective credit management. The study investigated the financial instability of Non-Withdrawable Deposit Taking SACCOs in Kiambu County, Kenya, focusing on the impact of credit administration practices. The research aimed to assess how credit risk management, credit worthiness, credit policy, and credit information sharing affect financial stability. Anchored on loanable funds, agency, liquidity preference, and profit maximization theories, the study used a cross-sectional design targeting all 17 SACCOs in the county. Stratified sampling selected respondents, and data spanning 2020–2024 was collected via structured questionnaires, pretested in two SACCOs. Descriptive statistics and simple linear regression analysis were employed as the data analysis techniques, with diagnostic tests for normality, multicollinearity, and heteroscedasticity conducted beforehand. Credit risk management practices, including thorough risk identification (M=4.241), efficient mitigation (M=3.177), and strict adherence to credit approval processes (M=4.190), these shows efficient credit risk management boosts financial stability. The study recommends legislative reinforcement of SACCO regulations through mandatory information sharing, robust risk management, and structured credit scoring. SACCOs should adopt transparent lending practices, proactive risk strategies, strong internal systems, and clear credit policies. The results support financial intermediation and credit risk theories, highlighting the integration of policy, credit worthiness, and information sharing for sustainability. Future research should explore regulation, fintech innovations, rural-urban disparities, cultural factors, and long-term impacts on SACCO stability