RP-Department of Community Resource Management and Extension

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Business Performance of Local Apparel Traders in Nairobi’s Competitive Liberalised Market
(Scholarlink Resource Centre, 2012) Mugenda, Olive M.; Mburugu, K. G.; Imo, B. E.
This paper addresses the business performance of local apparel traders given new challenges resulting from a new liberalised market in Nairobi. Data were collected using interview schedules and observation checklists. A random sample of 90 apparel traders was drawn from Kenyatta Market, Jericho Market and the Central Business District for interview. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS®). Results showed that lack of customers, stiff competition and lack of government support were the major problems facing over 50% of the traders. For most traders, providing high quality merchandise was the main strategy used to solve their problems. Government support by way of providing loans and making licence prices affordable were suggested as ways of creating a level trading ground for all traders. However, the traders’ business performance provided adequate returns to meet both personal and business needs. The Ministry of Trade and Industry should formulate mechanisms that will enable apparel traders to access information easily on existing trends and policies as they affect their businesses leading to local product quality and trade improvements. Lack of a level trading ground for all traders remained the main deterrent to their success
Challenges Faced and the Coping Strategies Adopted by Family Caregivers in Dealing with P eople L iving with H IV/ A IDS in Thika District , Central Province, Kenya
(Center for Promoting Ideas, USA, 2014-04) Kathuri-Ogola, L. N.; Mugenda, Olive M.; Kerre, F. P.
Salt mining generates colossal profits for the investors and towards Kenya’s revenue margin. However, salt farming in Magarini District has increasingly elicited socialconcerns locally and ecological stress at large. Subsequently, this paper presents the findings of a study that explored the socio-economic and environmental issues associated with salt farming. Primary data sourced from the local community provided bulk of the information. Through multi-stage cluster andsnowball sampling techniques, a sample of 120 households and 12 institutions were identified after which appropriately designed questionnaires were administered. This was augmented by interviews and focus group discussions with key informants and observations. The results documents myriad of issues including: perceived forced evictions, delineations, pollution, health hazards, unacceptable labor conditions, intimidations and corrupt local leadership, among others. This informs the need to develop effective monitoring systems that guarantees environmental and social management plan compliance by this industry
Challenges Facing Apparel Traders in Nairobi, Kenya, and Strategies for Flourishing in a Liberalized Market
(Bloomsbury Journals (formerly Berg Journals), 2010-05-01) Mugenda, Olive M.; Mburugu, K. G.; Imo, B. E.
The lack of enabling policies that would have ensured fair trade amongst various stakeholders of contrasting interests in Kenya became obvious when market liberalization was introduced in the 1990s. It created increased importation of cheap textiles and apparel products to the detriment of the local industry. Market liberalization became a common phenomena in developing countries in the 1990s, prompting the need for their documented assessment, hence this study. Data were collected from a random sample of 90 apparel traders drawn from three market centers in Nairobi according to the types of apparel they sold (new imported, second-hand, locally produced, and custom-tailored apparel). Lack of customers and stiff competition were the major challenges facing over 55% of the apparel traders. Most traders provided high quality merchandise as the main strategy to increase purchase of apparel. Chi-square analysis showed that the trader’s age, employment position/designation, and source of fabric/clothing were the socioeconomic characteristics that significantly influenced the type of apparel sold. Therefore, the study recommends that other apparel traders adopt these factors, to increase their competitive edge and enhance growth of the local industry.
Evaluation of Raw Silk Produced by Bivoltine Silkworm Bom byx Mori L. (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) Races in Kenya
(2007) Mugenda, Olive M.; Nguku, E.K.; Adolkar, V. V.; Raina, S. K.; Mburugu, K. G.
Evaluation of raw silk produced in location S1 (laboratory) and S2 (field) was assessed during long rains (LR) and short rains (SR), using selected bivoltine Bombyx mori silkworm strains initially obtained from China and India. They included Chun Lei X Zen Zhu (C X Z), Quifeng X Baiyu (Q X B), Quingsong X Haoyoe (Q X H), 75xin X 7532, Suju X Minghu (S X M) and ICIPE I. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of raw silk produced by the domesticated silkworm B. mori L in Kenya. Silkworm rearing was done following the procedure of Jolly (1987). Setting of the silk quality control lab was done following specifications from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and the International Silk Association, Lee (1999). Raw silk characteristics were evaluated and performance tested to determine its suitability for silk production. Quality tests of each post-harvest production process were carried out to establish the overall quality of the product. Silk winding breaks varied amongst the different strains, with ICIPE I having the least counts while 75xin recorded the most counts 13, 16, 12 and 12 during/in SR S1, SR S2, LR S1 and LR S2 respectively. Elongation percentages differed between the seasons and strains, between 18 and 20%. It was also observed that silkworm strains with high elongation count had the least number of winding breaks. ICIPE I had an average elongation of 20% and an average of 5 winding breaks counts, whereas 75xin had 18% and 13 of the same respectively. Cleanliness and neatness percentages differed among the strains and were within the acceptable ISA standards but notably ICIPE I cleanliness and neatness percentages were higher than the other silkworm strains during the two seasons, 97 and 96% respectively. The data obtained identified ICIPE I as a more economical strain to rear for quality production of raw silk and yarn.
Gender Differences in Financial Perceptions, Behaviors and Satisfaction
(Institute of Certified Financial Planners, 2000-02-01) Mugenda, Olive M.; Hira, T. K.
Research has demonstrated that there are differences in the way men and women perceive financial issues. This article provides a summary of one such study, and presents several findings and conclusions in the hope of giving financial advisors insight into gender-influenced factors that may explain clients' spending behaviors.
Industries and Communities: Symbiotic Dependency and Sustainability of the Magana Town Industrial Park in Kenya
(Prime Journals (PJ), 2013) Mugenda, Olive M.; Maina, L.; Gachanja, Paul M.
Industrial development is perceived as an important indicator of economic growth. Though industries may be elected by private and public parties to provide goods and services at a market price, their existence at a place or region can change forever the intricate relations and interactions of a community within its environment. The situation of industries in rural areas affects rural economies by creating a demand for labour, agricultural goods and services while also opening up the areas to in-migration, increased settlements, spatial concentration of amenities and infrastructural development. In general, industrial location could change the life of communities directly and indirectly in a way that older living patterns can never be recaptured. Hence, industry-community linkages arise warranting an evaluation of the nature, the benefits and the impacts from the two dimensions. This paper thus explores these issues grounded on the following questions: are industries ‘attracted' to locate in some locales by community-based variables that is, demographics, labour characteristics, prevailing socio-economic activities within the area? Do industries utilize the community advantages that propel them to locate at a place and do communities contribute to their operations? Do communities that ‘host' industries leap benefits from them for individual and communal development? How can rural industrial parks contribute tangibly to community level development leading to sustainable development? The findings discussed in this paper are derived from a survey targeting a peri-urban industrial park located in the periphery of Nairobi city. It drew from a sample of 902 respondents, several key informant interviews and focus group discussions with segments of the community. The findings prove that industries can indeed contribute to community change and that communities can leap benefits from industrial operations for their own development and sustainability. However, the extent of these two-way flow of benefits are dependent on: the level of interaction between host community and industry, the employment ratio of community working in industry, the CSR policy and practice embraced by the companies and the good will of community leaders to connect their operations with the ideals of CSR practiced by the companies
Knowledge and skills used and the satisfaction derived in the choice of apparel among university students
(Pakistan Home Economics Association, 2009-12) Mugenda, Olive M.; Mugalavai, V. K.; Mburugu, K. G.
The purpose was to examine the relationship between the knowledge and skills used in the selection of apparel and the satisfaction obtained. Data were collected from 210 undergraduate students of which 94 were females and 116 were males. A self administered questionnaire and focus group discussions were used. Knowledge and skills related to apparel choice were measured by a 12-item Likert scale. Satisfaction was measured using a 15-item test asking how the respondents personally feel about their clothes and what others think about them. Level of satisfaction was higher among those who had adequate knowledge. Female respondents scored higher than the male respondents on most of the attributes tested and depicted cognizance in the use of knowledge and skills. Level of satisfaction was high, with gender and year of study being significant determinants.
Predictors of financial satisfaction: Differences between retirees and non-retirees
(Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education, 1998) Mugenda, Olive M.; Hira, T. K.
The main purpose of this study was to identify differences in factors that predict financial satisfaction among retirees and non-retirees and to ascertain how retirees and non-retirees differ in financial beliefs and behavior. Non-retirees were more likely than otherwise similar retirees to report worrying about finances. A higher proportion of non-retirees reported dissatisfaction with various aspects of their financial situation. However, non-retirees were more likely to perceive themselves as financially better off in comparison to others, or in relation to the past, than the retired respondents. Non-retirees were more optimistic about their future financial situation.
Psychosocial determinants of quality of life among Kenyan families
(Centre for Promoting Ideas, USA, 2011-06) Mugenda, Olive M.; Ondigi, Alice N.
The importance of Quality of Life studies cannot be overestimated. Virtually every government and development sector would be interested in the impact of its initiatives on people’s standard of living and essentially their Quality of Life. Results of such studies can be used to enable people, as far as possible, achieve their goals and choose their ideal lifestyle. Indeed the welfare of African families is a major concern in the recent decade. In adapting and surviving tough economic challenges to have a resiliency culture, one needs to recognizing strengths that keeps African communities satisfied and together. One way to recognize these strengths was to investigate the psychosocial determinants of Quality of life among Kenyans. The paper was to establish weather psychosocial related factors (emotional status, marital status, spiritual status, number of children, health status, educational level and income level) contribute to the satisfaction of quality of life among Kenyans. The information was gathered from all the eight (8) Kenyan provinces including urban and rural households. A total of 5179 people were interviewed using a survey questionnaire and also use of focus group discussions. The results indicated the majority of the respondents who were married, had more children, had more income, had high education level, were in good health status, who were more spiritual, indicated more satisfaction with their quality of life. Therefore the study concludes that psychosocial factors are part and parcel in achieving happiness in one’s life and a firmer foundation upon which to built intervention strategies.
Urbanization Challenges in Poor Slum Areas of Nairobi and the Role of Sustainability Science in Seeking Practical Solutions
(2014) Mugenda, Olive M.; Muriuki, J.N.
The chapter examines major sustainability challenges faced by people in the poor urban slums of Nairobi, Kenya. The objective of this study was to specifically examine challenges faced in the city’s slum areas, and application of sustainability science in seeking solutions. The study relied largely on secondary information available in print material. Site visits, discussions and observation were also applied in seeking information. The slum areas in Nairobi can be said to be a consequence of a multiplicity of factors ranging from old colonial policies, to post independence factors of governance which over time have resulted in migrations from rural to urban areas. Further, natural population increase and rise in cost of living for wage earners in the central business areas of the city have equally pushed families to slum, peri-urban or near-slum areas. The existing concentration of people in slum areas is an adaptation to poverty conditions. Slums residents are exposed to many challenges some of which include inadequacies of shelter, food, water and sanitation, infrastructure and other aspects of economic or social deprivations. In order to approach sustainability of livelihoods in poor slum areas, existing challenges and their impacts on livelihood have to be identified and solutions sought. The paper notes that in addressing slum challenges, a critical aspect is to first and foremost lower the cost of living and in effect facilitate provision of food, better shelter, clean water and other essential social amenities. As a way of tackling poverty, there’s need to reflect on governance and democracy, including women empowerment and to tap on the potentials of the slum dwellers by encouraging participation and improving on their innovations. Sustainability science research can help analyse on-going slum dynamics, identification of key drivers or factors that lead to deprivation and seek solutions or adaptive measures that can improve the wellbeing of poor slum dwellers, improve livelihoods and make urban areas attractive and sustainable places to live.

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