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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Information Technology-Based Platforms Adoption on Farmgate Prices and Production among Vegetable Farmers in Selected Counties in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-12) Kasera,Stephen Oluoch
Information Communication Technology platforms, such as mobile apps and online
marketplaces, play a crucial role in improving agricultural production and marketing of produce.
According to the basic Agricultural survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics,
approximately 45% of smallholder farmers in Kenya used Information Communication
Technology tools in agriculture in 2022, reflecting an 8% increase from previous years. This
growth is attributed to government initiatives to promote technology across sectors and the
emergence of new platform providers fostering healthy competition. However, despite this
growth, the impact of these platforms on vegetable production levels and prices remains
underexplored. This study examined how adopting Information Communication Technology
platforms affects prices and production among vegetable farmers in the counties of Kiambu,
Makueni, and Nakuru in Kenya. The analysis used panel data with 7,500 observations collected
from 3,750 vegetable farmers across two seasons: 2023 (before intervention) and 2024 (after
intervention). Key variables included farmgate prices, production quantities, farm size, education
level, input costs, market distance, and access to government subsidies. Farmers were divided
into treatment and control groups based on platform usage. The study applied a Difference-in
Differences approach, revealing that adopting information communication technology was
significantly linked to higher farmgate prices. Regression analysis showed that using ICT-based
platforms increased farmgate prices by Ksh.6.40 per kilogram. The Difference-in-Differences
results also confirmed a causal effect, with the Average Treatment Effect on the Treated showing
a statistically significant increase of KSh.3.20. Regarding production levels, findings indicated
that platform adoption led to a notable increase in output, with adopters producing 675 kilograms
more than non-adopters. The Average Treatment Effect on the Treated from Difference-in
Differences analysis supported this, showing a statistically significant production rise of 410
kilograms attributable to adoption at the 95% confidence level. The study concludes that
adopting farm-based information technology platforms has a positive and significant impact on
both farmgate prices and production levels among vegetable farmers. These findings provide
empirical support for the hypothesis that digital tools improve farmers' market engagement and
production efficiency. The policy implications from the study, from the evidence that information
communication technology based- platforms positively affect both farmgate prices and
production, suggest that agricultural digitalization can play a central role in national strategies to
improve rural incomes and food security and policymakers should recognize that without a
foundational understanding of how to interpret and apply digital information, the benefits of
information communication technology platforms tools may not be fully realized
Capital Structure and Financial Performance of Kenya Tea Development Agency Processing Factories in Nyeri County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Gichuki, Shelmith Wanjira
Globally, save for China, the tea industry has faced a significant market decline. The
general performance of the Kenyan tea industry posted mixed results, but more often
demonstrated a declining trajectory. The financial performance of the tea factories, as
shown by profitability metrics and dividend payout ratios, indicated a decline. Group
financial results put the dividend payout ratio at 14% in 2020, 12% in 2021, 10.5% in
2022, and 11% in 2023. Prudent and well-researched financing decisions have the
potential of optimizing the benefits accruing from consumption of funds while
minimizing the risks involved. The study sought to establish the effect of capital structure
on the financial performance of tea factories in Nyeri County, Kenya. Specifically, the
study aimed to determine the effect of long-term debt, short-term debt, internal equity,
and external equity on the financial performance of Kenya Tea Development Authority
managed tea factories. Financial performance was assessed using the dividend payout
ratio, an insightful profitability metric. The study used a causal research design. The study
employed the census method, which involved collecting data on all six Kenya Tea
Development Authority-managed tea factories in Nyeri County. The study relied on
secondary data collected from all six tea factories for the period 2013 to 2022, making a
total of 60 observations. The data was quantitative in nature. Panel regression analysis
was used for the time series data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for
analysis. The descriptive statistics included means and standard deviations. Diagnostic
tests were carried out to test the assumptions in the study. The researcher was guided by
Kenyatta University ethical codes when collecting, analyzing, and citing the literature.
The findings indicated that short-term debt had a positive coefficient of 0.076 with a
highly significant p-value of 0.001, suggesting that increasing short-term debt positively
affects firm performance, likely due to its flexibility and lower interest costs. Internal
equity also had a positive and significant effect, with a coefficient of 0.081 and a p-value
of 0.006, highlighting that retained earnings are a valuable financing source, supporting
stability without increasing debt obligations. External equity showed a positive effect as
well, with a coefficient of 0.054 and a p-value of 0.034, implying that funding from
external investors contributes to firm performance by providing capital without
immediate repayment, thus enhancing reinvestment capabilities. Conversely, long-term
debt presented a positive but statistically insignificant coefficient of 0.064 (p = 0.287),
indicating that it does not play a substantial role in enhancing performance, potentially
due to higher interest costs and repayment terms that may counterbalance its benefits.
These results underscore that short-term debt, internal equity, and external equity are
effective financing sources for Kenyan tea factories, while long-term debt may be less
critical, reflecting the industry’s preference for financing methods that support liquidity
and flexible growth.
Devolution of Health Sector and Service Delivery in Garisa County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-10) Abdullahi Sheikh Mohammed
The study evaluated the effect of healthcare devolution on service provision in Garissa
County, Kenya. The research placed a specific emphasis on addressing the existing
research gaps in healthcare and service delivery. The specific objectives of the study
were: to establish the effects of information sharing; assess the effects of financial
allocation; to evaluate the effects of staff capacity and; to examine the effects of ICT
infrastructure on service delivery in Garissa County. The study was grounded in
theoretical frameworks that included the Resource Dependency Theory and the Social
Capital Theory. The conceptual framework illustrated the relationship between
independent and dependent variables. The study population included 120 healthcare
providers in Garissa County. The study utilized a mixed methods research design with
qualitative and quantitative methods being applied. Given the small size of the study
population, census method was employed where all the 120 were included as the sample
of the study. This included 100 facility-based community health promoters, 7 hospital
managers, 7 hospital administrators, 1 Chief Executive Officer of Health, 1 Garissa
County assembly chair of health, 1 Chief Officer Public Health, 1 Chief Officer Medical
Services, 1 Director Public Health and 1 Director Medical Services in Garissa County.
Semi- structured questionnaires were used in the research to gather both quantitative and
qualitative data. Validity and reliability assessments were done to ensure the accuracy of
collected data. Descriptive statistics were employed in the analysis of the data collected.
To ensure adherence to the ethical considerations, the study placed a high priority on
participant anonymity and informed consent. The study established that information
sharing processes are fairly established, financial allocation to the health sector is
reasonably done, staff capacity is fairly established and that ICT infrastructure is
reasonably established within the health sector. The study concluded that devolution of
health services impacts delivery of service within the health sector in Garissa County.
Robust information sharing procedures, adequate financial allocation, enhancing of staff
capacity and a strong ICT infrastructure have a positive impact on service delivery. To
further enhance service delivery in the health sector, the study recommends strengthening
of information sharing systems, enhanced financial allocation, addressing of existing
gaps in staff capacity and improving of ICT infrastructure. Further, there is need for
Garissa County government put in place a comprehensive policy to guide all the
healthcare processes including information sharing, staff capacity building, utilization of
funds.
Capital Structure and Profitability of Companies Listed at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-09) Mutiso, Samuel Mwongela
The primary goal of companies is to maximize shareholders’ wealth, and effective
management of capital structure is crucial in achieving this objective. However,
declining profitability trends, as measured by Return on Assets (ROA), have raised
concerns about how companies listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) utilize
debt and equity financing. Grounded in the Modigliani and Miller Theorem and Pecking
Order Theory, this study examined the effect of capital structure on the profitability of
non-financial firms listed on the NSE. The independent variables included the
components of capital structure: equity, term loans, mortgage bonds, and times interest
earned ratio, while profitability, measured by ROA, served as the dependent variable.
The study adopted a survey research design using secondary quantitative data from all
63 listed non-financial companies over the study period. Data were collected from
publicly available financial statements and analyzed using descriptive statistics and
inferential regression analysis with SPSS version 28. Findings indicated that the listed
companies demonstrated positive profitability with an average ROA of 8.1%. Equity
financing (56.8%) had a significant positive effect on ROA (β = 0.072, p < 0.000), while
term loans (24.2%) negatively affected profitability (β = -0.093, p < 0.000). The times
interest earned ratio (average 3.765) positively influenced performance (β = 0.007, p <
0.000), whereas mortgage bonds (10.6%) had a non-significant effect. Overall, capital
structure explained 35.5% of profitability variation, highlighting the influence of other
factors beyond financing decisions. The study concluded that prioritizing equity
financing enhances profitability by reducing financial risk, while excessive reliance on
term loans can impair performance. Maintaining strong interest coverage improves
financial health, and mortgage bonds have a marginal impact. Recommendations
include establishing optimal equity-to-debt ratios, prudently managing term loans
below 24.2%, improving interest coverage ratios above 3.765, diversifying financing
instruments, and conducting regular reviews of capital structure to adapt to market
conditions.
High Gastrointestinal Carriage Rates of Extended-Spectrum-Β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales and Associated Factors Among Hospitalized and Nonhospitalized Children in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-03) Githii, Susan; Ndungu, Cecilia; Maingi, John M.; Musyoki, Abednego
Background: Gastrointestinal carriage of extended-spectrum β-lactamaseproducing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E) presents a critical public health threat globally. However, in resource-constrained countries with poor sanitation, inadequate drinking water, and limited microbiology laboratories like Kenya, epidemiological data of these strains is limited. This study assessed the gastrointestinal carriage of ESBL-E and the risk factors for colonization among children (≤ 5 years) in the inpatient department (IPD) and outpatient department (OPD). Method: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study at Thika Level 5 Hospital, Kenya, from February to June 2023. In total, 540 participants (OPD: 270, IPD: 270) were recruited, using systematic random sampling and consecutive sampling in OPD and IPD, respectively. Children admitted for less than 48 hours in the paediatrics ward and those with a prior history of hospitalization (≤ 3 months) in OPD were excluded. Demographic data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire. Following the standard microbiology methods, stool or rectal swab samples were cultured, with the identity and antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates elucidated by automated platforms. Results: The overall ESBL-E gastrointestinal carriage rate was 35.4% (191/540), and was highest among outpatients at 40.4% (109/270). Isolates demonstrated co-resistance to aminoglycosides (43-52%), quinolones (52- 62%), carbapenems (44-50%), and sulfonamides (92-97%). They were more susceptible to piperacillin/tazobactam (67-95%) and colistin (96-99%). Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) co-carriage rate was 17.6% (16/91), with similar rates for inpatients (50%, 8/16) and outpatients (50%, 8/16). Escherichia coli was the predominant ESBL-E overall (82.2%, 157/191), among outpatients (83.5%, 91/109), and inpatients (80.5%, 66/82), and was also the main CPE (overall: 81.3%, 13/16; OPD: 75%, 6/8; IPD: 87.5%, 7/8). Independent predictors of colonization included child age (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.60, p = 0.045) and a history of antimicrobial use from retail pharmacies without a clinician's prescription (adjusted OR: 0.18, p = 0.047). Conclusion: This study demonstrates a substantial burden of gastrointestinal carriage of ESBL-E and CPE co-carriage among children (≤ 5 years), with E. coli being the predominant organism. Age less than two years and a history of exposure to non-prescribed antimicrobials were independent factors for colonization. Efforts to limit exposure to contaminated environments and targeted antimicrobial stewardship initiatives are required to mitigate AMR in the current study setting.