RP-Department of Public Policy and Administration

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Globalization and Conflict in Central Kenya: The Case of Nyeri County, 1980-2010
(IISTE, 2014) Kiruthu, Felix; Mbataru, Patrick
While conflicts are common in Africa, contextualizing them against the backdrop of globalization calls for new research. This paper focuses on the source of conflict in a rapidly urbanizing rural region in Kenya. Specifically, it looks at globalization and conflict in central Kenya. It links the conflict in the county of Nyeri to the emergence of Mungiki vigilantes and armed militias by arguing that economic decline occasioned by collapse of cash crop and dairy farming contributed to the intensification of conflict. The paper found out that there is a close relationship between neoliberal economic policies and origins of conflict in central Kenya. The study was based on content analysis of documents and oral interviews. Oral interviewees were identified through snowballing techniques. The paper recommends that for the government of Kenya to tackle the issue of conflict, focus must be given to economic growth. Unemployment particularly among the youth must be tackled urgently
Music as a Strategy of Youth Resilience in Dadaab Refugee Camp Kenya
(IISTE, 2014) Kiruthu, Felix
The Dadaab Refugee Camp is located in Garissa County in North Eastern Kenya. It comprises five separate camps for refugees, most of whom are Somali, although it is also home to other refugees mostly from the horn of African, including Ethiopia and Sudan. Given the difficult life in the refugee camp, residents lead a difficult life, but have devised ways of entertainment and expression of their fears, hopes and daily struggles through music. This study analyses the forms of music adopted by the youth in Dadaab. The themes in the music are interrogated as well as the crucial role this music plays in the context of the refugee situation
Leadership practices and their contribution in influencing employee creativity and innovation in public institutions: A case of public procurement oversight authority
(2014-07-25) Gitonga, Mwangi Kahora; Minja, D.; Atela, M.
The purpose of this study is to assess leadership practices in public institutions and their contribution in promoting employee creativity and innovation. The specific objectives are to assess whether transformational leadership, organizational culture, transactional leadership and organizational strategic direction as applied in PPOA promote employees' creativity and innovation. Findings from this study could support efforts by PPOA to management to attain the organisation's mandate and thus propel the authority to higher heights in growth and also support PPOA's efforts in formulating remedial policies. To the government, the study could provide relevant information that will help in formulation and implementation of policies that will encourage employees' creativity and innovation in the public institutions in Kenya. This study will add to the current body of knowledge in leadership practices and their contribution in influencing employee Creativity and innovation and further build on the knowledge on the emerging discipline of corporate entrepreneurship (intrapreneurship). Data will be collected using questionnaires that will be administered to a sample population of 78 employees of PPOA and PPD. The data will be analysed and correlated in order to arrive and the appropriate conclusions and recommendations.
Generic strategies employed by food and beverage firms in Kenya and their effects on sustainable competitive advantage
(European Centre for Research Training and Development UK (www.eajournals.org), 2015-02-02) Minja, David; Mutunga, Stephen Laititi
The focus of this study was on competitive strategies that firms adopt in the Kenya beverage industry in order to create above average performance. The fundamental basis of above industry performance is sustainable competitive advantage which is either created by low cost or differentiation strategy. The study aimed at establishing the generic strategies food and beverage firms in Kenya employ for sustainable competitive advantage. This research entailed a descriptive study design. Descriptive design uses a set of scientific methods to collect raw data and create data structures that are used to describe the existing characteristics of a defined target population. This study sought to do that among the F & B firms in Kenya. The study population consisted of 138 food and beverage manufacturing firms in Kenya registered with the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) by 2011. The data was tested for central tendency and dispersion after confirmation of normal distribution by appropriate tests of normality. Since the sample size was 32 (over the minimum 30 required for statistical analysis), regression analysis was carried out and interpretation of results of tests of hypothesis done. The research showed that 56.2 percent of the firms embrace duo strategies of cost leadership and differentiation simultaneously while 25 percent were exclusively on cost leadership and 18.8 percent were exclusively using differentiation. The use of dual strategies is a company survival tactic in terms of diversification of risks especially in very competitive environments like that of the Kenyan F&B industry. Results from Pearson’s rank correlation coefficient between the dependent variable Y and the independent variables X1 and X2 gave coefficients of 0.653 and 0.279 respectively which was an indication of positive correlation.
Accountability practice in Kenya’s public service lessons to guide service improvement author's bio data
(European Centre for Research Training and Development UK (www.ea-journals.org), 2015-02-25) Minja, David
Although accountability is widely believed to be a good thing, the concept is highly abstract and it is often used in a very general way. Accountability is one of those words more often used than understood. A typical definition is that accountability concerns the processes by which those who exercise power whether as governments, as elected representatives or as appointed Officials, must be able to show that they have exercised their powers and discharged their duties properly. Theory and practice suggest that accountability practice in public sector is weak due to several reasons as shall be explored further in this study. While much of the accountability research work has focused on financial management accountability practice, little has been done on non-financial issues of accountability practice. Public sector reforms and increased democratic space have given rise to greater demand for enhanced accountability practice in public service more than ever before. This study therefore sought to establish the extent to which the whole range of accountability practices was evident in Kenya’s public sector. The study revealed that the current practice is one that promotes accounting for resources spent more than promoting accountability. It was further noted that public servants were more accountable to their seniors, the heads of departments and ultimately the president and his Cabinet than they were to the public which has put the government in place. Several lessons were learnt from this study which will be used to provide insight into the practice of accountability in public sector.
The Signature of effective leadership
(2015-02-25) Minja, David
The purpose of this paper is to provoke scholars and practioners in the area of leadership to re-think about the whole concept of ‘effective leadership’. A literature gap exists in the explanation of what constitutes effective leadership. This has led to the author studying some selected leaders and through the lessons learnt has attempted to construct a conceptual model on the concept of effective leadership. Existing literature looks at effective leadership in terms of achieving organizational goals and developing followers. And personal leadership. The four elements form what the authors has referred to as the ‘Circumplex model of Effective leadership’. Theory and practice suggest that traits alone will not sustain one at the top. Traits and knowledge will however, do. Traits and individual exposure and/ or experience may take someone to the top, but to remain there will require a great deal of learning and application of knowledge. For an individual to be considered a great leader, the results of his/her leadership must say so. This leads to the concept of effective leadership. Effective leadership must be in place for organizational success. Effective leadership guides an organization to appropriately handle change. It aids in providing the correct skills to manage properly and to cope up with the outcomes of change.
Patriarchal Societies and Women Leadership: Comparative Analysis of Developed and Developing Nations
(www.researchpublish.com, 2016) Mutabai, Clara; Yussuf, Ibrahim; Timamy, Firdaus; Ngugi, Phoebe; Waraiciri, Patriciah; Kwa, Ng‟eno
All around the world, the man has been seen to dominate over the woman. This can be blamed by on colonial teachings as well as biblical teachings that dictate that the man is superior to the woman. Male dominated nations are said to be patriarchal societies. Patriarchy is defined by (Walby,1990) as a system of attitudes and structures which men hold power over women or patriarchy can be defined as males holding power over women, and subsequently creating structures that prevent women from accessing power or resources. (Kalabamu,2006) suggests that men obtain power from social norms within a given culture. Thus this paper views the absence of women in leadership in Developing and Developed nations comparing a country like South Africa to Kenya and many African countries as the reason for continued patriarchal systems and poverty among women. The paper will also highlight culture as the greatest hindrance to women leadership as well as highlight how the male takes charge in matters of education, economic resources and political status to gain power. This supports the conceptualization of patriarchy as a system ‘under which cultural norms and common laws defining men’s and women’s rights, privileges, status and duties are defined. This paper suggests that patriarchy in the form of attitudes and structures influence gender inequality and contribute to feminization of poverty. These structures and attitudes hinder women from participating in most aspects of society.
Hydropolitics of the Nile: The case of Ethiopia and Egypt
(Taylor & Francis, 2016) Obengo, Joel Okundi
This article analyses the political relationship between Ethiopia and Egypt. It aims to provide an analytical framework to unpack this complex relationship and assess the impacts that the Nile River has on the nature of this relationship. It further identifies geopolitical factors determining the impacts of the Nile River on frameworks of actions and political opportunity structures in which political actors operate. Accordingly, the different combinations of these determinants lead to the formation of political actors and ensuing actions that can fuel conflict, sustain the status quo or build peace. The article seeks to provide tentative answers to the following questions: what can be done or what mechanisms might be used to reduce the risk of conflict? What parties should participate and what will be their roles? And how can modern technology and science contribute to a possible solution?
Order of Injunction, Gender, Marginalized Groups’ Rules and Human Resource Management Practices in Selected State Corporations in Kenya
(IPRJB, 2016) Muriithi, Zacchaeus Kinyua; Minja, David. M.; Kiruthu, Felix
Purpose: The main objective of the study was to examine the effect of order of injunction, gender and marginalized groups’ rules on the HRM practices in state corporations in Kenya. Methodology: The study adopted an explanatory research design. Findings: Results revealed that the order of injunction and gender and marginalized groups rules affects the human resource practices in State Corporation in Kenya. The particular aspects of human resource practices that were affected included; human resource planning, recruitment and selection of employees, performance management, rewards and compensation management, training and development and employee participation. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study findings will provide an insight into the effects of order of injunction and gender and marginalized groups’ rules on HRM practices in the Kenyan public sector and thus serve as a platform for progressive reforms of the labour laws. This will enable the Legislative organs in the National Assembly, Senate and County Assemblies enact laws that will facilitate good practices in Human Resource departments. The Judiciary will also benefit in terms of development of jurisprudence in labour related cases and come up with policies that will give effect to the Constitution and labour laws without hindering Human Resource practice and economic development in the Country. The study findings will also contribute to policy development in terms of restructuring human resource management in the public sector and labour laws. Further, Educational Institutions will also benefit especially when developing curriculum in the courses involving HRM, and in particular impart legal knowledge to the students studying HRM. The study will also add value to the existing body of knowledge on HRM practices and labour laws. Future researchers in this field will find this research quite resourceful as part of their literature review.
Reconsidering the Role of the United Nations Security Council in Promoting Peace and Security in a Rapidly Changing World: Case of the International Migration Crises
(www.researchpublish.com, 2016) Mugure, Stephanie; Oyugi, Agostinho; Uwineza, Bernadette; Ebot, Emmanuel Tabi; Wanjiru, Mwangi Lydia; Ngeno, Weldon K
Over the last 15 years around 22,000 men, women and children have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea. Majority of these people are fleeing from conflict and poverty mainly from the Middle East. Despite the vast migration of refugees to the European countries in search for better and safer environments very little has been done by the international community to save the situation. Thousands of migrants die in the process while others end up being subjected to harsh migration laws. In 2015 the total number of people that were subjected to death in attempt to reach Europe was about 2373. The International Community response in recent years to migration across the Mediterranean has focused largely on trying to prevent or discourage people attempting to make dangerous crossing. In reality, attempts to prevent crossing are likely to fail as this approach overlook the reasons people are willing to risk their lives to attempt several deadly sea passages. This paper looks at the challenges of the International Migration Crises and the ongoing suffering. It seeks to set out the problem of the international Migration crises and the causes of the migration. This work seeks to Challenge the United Nations to consider passing a resolution that all governments provide comprehensive responses, expand safe and legal channels of migration and act with humanity, compassion and in accordance with their international obligations. Advocating for the respectful and fair treatment of Migrants, and defend their access to procedures that guarantee basic rights enshrined in international law, albeit to help resolve this international migration crises.
The Impact of Strategic Thinking on Organisational Performance: A Case Study of Uchumi Supermarket Limited
(IPRJB, 2016) Juma, Gerald A.; Minja, David; Mageto, Joash
The purpose of this study was to determine how strategic thinking impacts on organizational performance. The researchers used a case study and descriptive research design. The study was guided by Cognitive Hierary Theory and Hybrid EWA Model. The population for this study included all the 1,073 employees at Uchumi Supermarket Kenya Limited based in Kenya. The target population was 116 management staff. A sample of 64 managers from Nairobi County was selected for inclusion in the study. Primary data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and in-depth interview conducted on a senior manager. The data was processed through excel application and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study found out that successful strategic planning and implementation requires intimate and enthusiastic involvement of all members of the organization and that management teams should strengthen the process of strategic thinking for it to be truly effective. The study recommends that top corporate executives should ensure that there is inclusion of all stakeholders especially employees in the planning process as this greatly encourages psychological attachment, strategic thinking and improves job satisfaction.
Citizen Perceptions of the Governance of Projects in Kenya
(IPRJB, 2016) Moi, Edna Jemutai; Iravo, Mike; David, Minja
This paper describes the citizen perceptions of the governance of projects in Kenya. The paper is based on the study of the process of citizen involvement on local government carried out in Elgeiyo Marakwet and Nandi Counties in Kenya. The study was guided by the SERVQUAL theory which depends on five administration quality measurements, in particular effects which are tangible, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy. These perceptions reflect the information available to them at low cost, whether it is obtained through direct experience, media coverage of projects, conversations with elected and appointed officials, or some similar source. In the case of public services such as education available at low-cost reflects academic performance at schools, health centers reflect the health of the people and infrastructure reflecting the ease of movement so too will citizens’ judgments of them. The growth in importance of service quality has been influenced greatly by the changing nature of the world economies and the customers’ changing needs, tastes and preferences. Quality service delivery is a challenge to many management and organizations only customer’s judge quality, and the perceptions stem from how well a provider performs, against customers’ expectations about how the provider should perform. When the expected service is more than the actual service, service quality is less than satisfactory. Whereas employees and leaders at the county government are an important source of knowledge about internal politics and power games inside the county, other stakeholders in the county may also have their valuable, independent perceptions of politics in administrative systems. Moreover, when public organizations are considered such perceptions and understanding of the political climate may shed light on a wider range of consequences, such as citizens’ attitudes toward government, trust and faith in public organizations, agencies and their behavioral intentions, as well as actual behaviors in the democratic realm.
The Effect of Successor Commitment on Corporate Growth Strategy in Local Family Businesses in the Manufacturing Sector in Nairobi County, Kenya.
(st. paul university, 2016) Mugo, Mary; Njanja, Lily; Minja, David
Family commitment is at the heart of the family business. Family members’ involvement and commitment are critical to the continuity and survival of the family firm. This means that family members’ integration into the business, the grooming process that takes place to prepare the offspring for their leadership role in the business, the deeply entrenched community values and family beliefs which allow the family business to have its unique corporate culture and to develop its own governance model through its family council, all contribute significantly to the corporate strategies adopted and hence the continuity and survival of family firms. Successors are an important stakeholder group in the succession process. In the absence of a successor who is managerially and physically capable of taking over the ownership, succession within the family will rarely occur. The successor's willingness to take over depends on three main variables: - commitment to the family; the maturity of the successor, and finally; the degree of responsibility of the successor. The higher these three variables are, the higher the successor's willingness to take over, and consequently the higher the overall satisfaction with the succession process. .A successor may be willing to take over the family business but not fully committed, thus jeopardizing the continuity and growth of the family business and all who depend on it.
An Assessment of the Practice of Results-Based Management in the Public Sector: The Case of Kenya
(IPRJB, 2016) Minja, David. M.
Purpose: The main purpose of the study was to assess the practice of resource based management in the public sector, a case of Kenya. Methodology: The research adopted an exploratory-survey design. Findings: Results revealed that leaders in public service adopted directive style of management. Results also found that majority of the employees are disempowered by management and to say the least, they are mentally disengaged from the organization. The survey identified ten most common practices seen to be inhibiting the practice of result based management which included organization culture, management paralysis, accountability practice, leader‟s insatiable desire to take all credit, failure to confront underperforming members of the management team, organizational politics, boss barrier syndrome, indecisiveness and fear of failure by managers, resistance to change and organizational structures and systems and developmental level of employees. Further, results revealed that the strategies for promoting result based management included leadership development for the top management, valuing employees, creation of cultural capital, removing empowerment barriers, promoting accountability, developing high performance teams and participative management. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This research looks at RBM in public sector which has become a key area of focus in the twenty- first century public management practice. It has looked at the causes of failure to practice RBM in public sector and proposed several strategies to remedy the situation. If successfully adopted, RBM practice will avoid creation of busy but ineffective public sector organizations. There are several ways to address this phenomenon and managers should adopt strategies that best suit their organizational situation and context. In order for an organization to survive and achieve success, it must have a sound set of beliefs on which it premises all its policies and actions. Beliefs must always come before policies, practices and goals. Faithfully adhering to those beliefs is critical to successful leadership and management practice.
Informal Sector and Taxation in Kenya: Causes and Effects
(Academia edu, 2017) Ndaka, Angella Katee
Finance whether public or private, domestic or international is one of the pillars for sustainability of any state. Any government/state needs funds to finance its institutions, agencies, development projects, its security apparatus, to pay workers and to finance its social enterprises just to name a few. Public finance is thus pertinent for growth and sustainability of any economy and can be either domestic private or domestic public, international public or international private finance, it can also be blended finance. Either way, public finance is critical for financing every economy that aspires for sustainable development. This is because revenue or tax is used not only to fund education and health which are key pillars for promotion human capital growth but also helps in supporting the growth of local economy through development of infrastructure which support the local business networks and, cash transfers and subsidies which help induce supply and demand in local markets. Tax administration and policy should be among the biggest concerns for any struggling economy. Every country desires to have a tax administration instrument that is efficient in collection of the taxes and a tax payer base that is fully compliant. This paper will analyze the causes and effects of the Informal sector on revenue collection in Kenya. It shall draw from secondary data findings in Kenya and through meta-analysis conclude that Kenya needs to relook its tax administration and policy if it is going to make progress in Public finance.
Rethinking the Conflict Of Interest Policy in Kenya
(2017) Ndaka, Angella Katee;
Corruption in public service in Kenya has become a bad cancer. The recent increase in the number of corruption cases has not only been disturbing nationally but has also raised emotions globally. Despite the enactment and enforcement of several acts of parliament to address the issue of corruption, the problem has continued to grow deeper into the society. Government jobs and tenders have become the most lucrative and attractive spaces as they provide a window for a person to amass wealth faster. In the last two years, there has been public outcry by the members of public, the opposition arm of parliament, the civil societies, the diplomats, the rights activists’ groups and the media who fear that a few individuals, families and tribes are the sole beneficiaries of the opportunities in the public service. The main problem involves hiring and awarding tenders to relatives, tribe-mates and friends of senior public officials, which amounts to corruption as a result conflict of interest. This paper analyzes the problem of conflict of interest in the African context, the gaps in the existing conflict of interest policy and further proposes how the public service can address this ethical issue. It mainly draws from secondary data, journal and readings, and examples of similar or closely related cases to build a solid model which can be adopted to address this ethical issue. It considers the cultural context of Kenya in which Ubuntu philosophy cannot be overlooked.
Rethinking ethical leadership in Kenya: adopting a new paradigm
(2017) Minja, David M.
The purpose of this paper is to encourage students and scholars in the field of ethics to re-think and develop new approaches concerning the actual practice of ethical leadership. While many authors have written on the subject of leadership values and ethics, this paper examines, in particular, the works of Aristotle, James Burns, James O’Toole, John Kotter, Edgar Schein, as well as other notable scholars. Additionally, it attempts to add to the body of knowledge an ethical leadership approach that could assist those in positions of power and influence to more effectively link theory to practice. The author argues that a leader who espouses and upholds values in an organisation is not sufficient to transform a corrupt system. This individual must indeed directly model the desired behaviour, create a sense of urgency within the entity to develop and embrace a new principled culture, and form a team of like-minded co-leaders and followers. The paper postulates that the application of the Theory of Mechanical Advantage would help usher an organisation into a state in which a firm foundation for ethical leadership could be established. This paper finally formulates what the author refers to as the Law of Pseudo- Revolutionary Change which states that change that does not directly impact the core of the organisational culture never effects real and fundamental change within that entity.
The Cost of Terrorism in Kenya
(Council for Social and Economic Studies, 2017) Muna, Wilson
Terror agents have hurled glaring attacks on both civilians and military personnel and have created what is seen as the watershed for Kenya’s security crisis. This crisis is associated with: (1) neighbors that are historically infested by conflict; (2) close diplomatic relations with Israel and the U.S. — with the former being blamed for the persecution of the Palestinian people and its strong ties with the latter; (3) the vibrancy of the tourism industry at the Coast that threatens the local Islamic culture; (4) and perception that the Muslim community in Kenya is excluded from the mainstream social, political, and economic arena. The effects of these terrorist attacks have included: (1) civilian and military casualties; (2) continued psychological and emotional suffering of families that have been directly affected; (3) trauma and anxiety amongst Kenyans and its visitors; (4) crippling tourism and the Kenyan economy; (5) an increased cost of running business due to the installation of sophisticated surveillance gadgets and personnel; and (6) a rising cost of living due to increased commitment of the national budget to security. This study calls on the Kenyan government to actively coordinate initiatives with local, regional, and international agents to address the root causes and effects of terrorism.
Influence of Performance Management Practices on Performance Contracting Outcomes in Kenya: A Case of Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
(IPRJB, 2017) Obure, Clement Odeka; Minja, David; Kiruthu, Felix
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of performance management practices on performance contracting outcomes in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology Methodology: The study employed a descriptive case study research design. The target population consisted of all the 600 employees in all cadres of members of staff in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology that were based in the headquarters. In this study, a sample of 15% of the total population was used. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) computer software. Results: The study findings revealed that staff development, work planning, strategic planning and financial resource allocation had positive and significant effects on performance contracting outcomes in the ministry. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: It was recommended that the ministry had to undertake quality and continuous training on performance contracting for those individuals actively involved in the process. Adequate funds for the training needed to be provided in the budget always and that capacity building needed to be embraced as a common practice in the ministry. It was also recommended that work plans needed to be circulated to all departments and also made available to the various teams implementing the performance contracts. The study further recommended that the ministry’s strategic plans needed to be comprehensive and have clearly spelt out intentions to guide the implementation of the set goals. Avenues needed to be made available to ensure that all employees are involved in the process of strategic planning.
Leadership in Public Administration: Which way to go?
(International Journal of Law, Humanities & Social Science, 2017) Moi, Edna Jemutai
Whether performance in public administration is improving or not, it is not governments only concern, too much emphasis on performance distracts attention from organizational capacity and underlying government values. Thus caution should be exercised on sources of legitimacy based on authority used during recruitment of personnel. Different systems of authority attract different personnel who will perform or not. This paper discuses three sources of legitimacy for domination based on authority and their limitations: the charismatic authority, traditional authority and legal rationality.

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