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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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Organizational agility and performance of selected public universities in Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-12) Adoli, Hebron Litsulitsa
Public universities in Kenya have been operating in an environment that has been changing over the past few years, and the numerous uncertainties have made survival challenging. The unprecedented challenges such as ineffectiveness and inefficiencies due to reduced enrolment of self-sponsored students who form a greater portion of population in the public universities in terms of fees payment to support effective processes, low global ranking of public universities, low research output and the weak university-industry partnerships due to the closed system nature of public universities and other internal and external factors have continued to affect university performance. The application of the organizational agility concept may be viewed as a panacea to addressing the above pertinent issues and bring the public universities to a higher level of performance in uncertain changing environment. Therefore, the goal of this study was to examine the relationship between organizational agility, Leadership style, Regulatory environment and performance of selected Kenyan public universities. The study intended to specifically determine the effect of readiness to change, agility enabler, responsiveness and agility practice on performance of selected Kenyan public universities. The study also intended to evaluate the moderating effect of regulatory environment and mediating effect of leadership style on relationship between organizational agility and performance of selected Kenyan public universities. The study was based on five theories: Dynamic Capability theory as lead theory, Resource based view theory, learning organization theory, Institutional theory and Balanced Scorecard model as relevant in underpinning the various variables in the study. Pragmatism philosophical approach guided the study and semi-structured questionnaires were used to measure both quantitative and qualitative data, using mixed research methodologies for empirical analysis. Content analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data, and the results presented in accordance with patterns and themes. The target population was the 31 fully fledged public universities in Kenya out of which 10 were sampled systematically from best to worst ranked institution based on January and July 2023 web metrics global university ranking scale. The study targeted 220 respondents comprising of Deputy Vice Chancellors, Deans of schools and faculty, academic department heads and key senior staff in administration. Out of this, only 207 returned the questionnaire accounting for 94.1% success rate. Due to the characteristics of the respondents and the goal of the investigation, a proportionate stratified random sampling technique was employed to choose the respondents for the study. A drop-and-pick methodology was used to collect data by trained research assistants. The questionnaire was subjected to both validity and reliability tests by carrying out a pilot test on different group from the study group but with similar characteristics and use of SPSS version 27 to process the data. Using a multiple regression analysis approach, descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data in accordance with the specific research objectives and hypotheses. Results from quantitative data analysis were presented using figures and tables while qualitative data was analyzed based on common themes and presented in narrative form. The findings of the study established that organizational agility positively influenced university performance. Moreover, organizational readiness to change, agility enabler and responsiveness were found to be statistically significant except agility practice. Leadership style and institutional environment were found to fully mediate and moderate the relationship between organizational agility and university performance respectively. The management of public universities can use these findings to enhance utilization of the concept of organizational agility in their institutions in the face of uncertainty. Furthermore, these findings are expected to provide a framework for enhancing performance of public universities in the midst of adverse environmental circumstances.by forming appropriate policies and strategies.
Phytometabolite characterisation and bioefficacy of croton dichogamus and Warburgia ugandensis extracts against Callosobruchus maculatus in stored Cajanus cajan grains
(Kenyatta University, 2025-05) Katoo , Athanas Alexander
Pigeon pea bruchids, Callosobruchus maculatus has been a major biotic factor of stored pigeon pea, Canjanus cajan (L.) Huth grains whose damage can lead to food insecurity. Conventional use of synthetic insecticides is expensive and arguably associated with many side effects. Therefore, there is need to develop not only safe but also effective botanical pesticides as an alternative. The current study was designed to evaluate bioefficacy and phytometabolite characterization of dichloromethane (DCM) leaf extracts of Croton dichogamus and Warburgia ugandensis against C. maculatus in stored grains Canjanus cajan. Fresh leaves of C. dichogamus were harvested from Kangonde, Machakos County, Kenya, while as W. ugandensis leaves were collected from Lower Yatta, Kitui County, Kenya. The extraction was carried out using DCM solvent. The plant leaf extracts were prepared at concentrations of 25, 50, 75 and 100 % for bioassays. Pigeon pea bruchids, C. maculatus of a single strain were subjected to free-choice tests with pigeon pea grains treated with the DCM leaf extracts and controls. Untreated grains and solvent treated grains served as the normal and negative controls respectfully, whereas grains treated with Actellic 50ECTM served as the positive control. The extracts were assayed for their insecticidal abilities through fumigant and direct-contact toxicityinduced mortalities of C. maculatus exposed to treated grains of C. cajan for the period of 96 hours. The repellency properties of these extracts on bruchids were evaluated using the area preference method. Crude acetlycholinesterase enzyme (AChE) was extracted from adult bruchids and the Ellman method was employed to determine inhibitory action of the C. dichogamus and W. ugandensis DCM leaf extracts on AChE activity. The effects of C. dichogamus and W. ugandensis DCM leaf extracts in terms of adult bruchids reduction/percentage mortality (PM), percent corrected bruchids mortality (Pr), percent repellency, repellency index (IR) and AChE inhibitory effects was determined. Phytometabolites analyses of the leaf extracts were done using Chromotography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The DCM extracts of the two plants caused significant death of C. maculatus on C. cajan grains upon 96 hours of fumigation. Corrected bruchids mortality (Pr) rating of DCM extracts of C. dichogamus was between 61.84 and 97.37 %. On the other hand, DCM extracts of W. ugandensis had a bruchids killing potential that ranged from 82.37 to 100 %. The extracts also manifested potent repellency effects of repellency indices (IR) between 0.06 and 0.53 in C. dichogamus while in W. ugandensis recorded between 0.08 and 0.49 on adult bruchids. Moreover, the studied organic leaf extracts of C. dichogamus and W. ugandensis showed potent in vitro AChE inhibitory effects of up to 84.58 % and 86.55% at a concentration of 17.5mg/ml in C. dichogamus and W. ugandensis respectively which was significantly comparable with effects of synthetic insecticide. The GC-MS analysis showed that C. dichogamus extracts contained 75 phytocompounds while W. ugandensis revealed 58 phytocompunds. Further, the extracts of C. dichogamus and W. ugandensis showed several terpenoids, fatty acids and their derivatives, vitamins, phytosterols and phenols that have previously been associated with insecticidal and anti-AChE effects. In conclusion, the present study showed significant fumigant toxicity effects of C. dichogamus and W. ugandensis DCM extracts on C. maculatus. Further, it was evident that the extracts contain several insecticidal and anti-AChE phytometabolites. This study provides significant information for further study on the plants as bio-resource of novel biopesticide against C. maculatus in stored grains of C. cajan. Nevertheless, there is need for fractionation of specific phytometabolites in the extracts associated with the confirmed properties (insecticidal and anti-AChE).
Small and medium enterprise innovations: determinants in the agri-food value chain in central and eastern Uganda
(Kenyatta University, 2025-02) Ajer, Basil
The Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a significant role in agri-food value chain, through adding value to primary agricultural produce and acting as a linkage between the consumers and producers. However, for the SMEs to remain continuously relevant and competitive in the agrifood value chain, they need to innovate. There is limited studies on determinants to SME innovation in the agri-food value chain for developing economies. Most of the available studies on factors driving SME innovation are either focused to a developed country context, or in a non-agricultural based context. This study was set up to bridge this gap, specifically, the study was set up to: (1) assess the level of agri-food SME innovation in central and eastern Uganda, (2) analyze the factors that influence the level of agri-food SME innovation in central and eastern Uganda, (3) assess the association among SME market orientation, attitude towards innovation, and firm innovativeness, and (4) determine the influence of agri-food SME entrepreneurial orientation on learning, cost focus and innovation. The study collected cross-sectional primary data from a sample of 521 agri-food SMEs selected from the districts of Kampala, Mukono, Wakiso and Jinja. These districts collectively have the highest concentration of agri-food SMEs. Collected primary data was analyzed in SPSS using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, hierarchical regression analysis and the multivariate structural equation modelling using AMOS v. 23. Results for the first objective showed that the levels of SME innovations were generally high, at about 80%. Customer focused innovation would be increased by presence of policies that support innovation and reward of creative employees. On the other hand, system focused innovation would be increased by having policies and principles that support innovation and undertaking of internal product and process improvement research. However, systems focused innovation didn’t show increase due to reward to creative employees. Results for the third objective showed that interfunctional coordination influences both firm innovativeness and innovation attitude. On the other hand, competitor orientation does not influence innovation attitude, but negatively influences firm innovativeness, while, customer orientation does not influence firm innovativeness, but positively influences innovation attitude. Results also confirmed the positive influence of innovation attitude on firm innovativeness. Results of the fourth objective suggested the importance of proactiveness in enhancing learning orientation, cost focus and innovation. On the other hand, entrepreneurial proclivity was seen to have significant influence on learning orientation and cost focus but not on innovation. The study findings have three broad practical implications. First, encouraging agri-food SMEs to develop policies that support innovation would improve the overall level of innovation, while, building the capacity of agri-food SMEs to conduct product and process improvement research would increase the level of systems focused innovation. Secondly, focusing on improving internal coordination among departments enhances both attitude and firm’s ability to undertake innovation. Lastly, helping SMEs to become proactive or have high levels of proclivity would also increase their cost focus and learning orientation which are all important to the sustainability of agri-food SMEs. Theoretically, this study extends the literature on innovation to agri-food SMEs, a sector that is increasing becoming important for growth and development of most African countries, including Uganda. Studies on agri-food SME innovation have been generally lacking. By assessing the drivers of SMEs innovation in agri-food sector of a developing country, this study becomes theoretically relevant
Principals’ transformational leadership influence on information communication technology integration in teaching and learning in public secondary schools in Kakamega County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-07) Mbune, Beatrice Abisaki
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) integration is critical for 21stcentury education, requiring effective leadership to drive digital transformation in schools. Transformational leadership plays a significant role in promoting teachers' ICT use, enhancing student collaboration, professional growth, and classroom innovation. However, despite substantial investments by the government in technology infrastructure, teacher training, and leadership initiatives, ICT integration in schools remains minimal. The study aimed to investigate principals' transformational leadership influence on the integration of information and communication technology in teaching and learning in Kakamega county Public secondary schools. The research objectives were: To establish the extent to which principals' individualized consideration of staff skill development influences ICT integration in teaching and learning in public secondary schools in Kakamega county ,to examine the extent to which principals' intellectual stimulation of teachers influences ICT integration in teaching and learning in public secondary schools in Kakamega county, to explore how principals' inspirational motivation to teachers influences ICT integration in teaching and learning in public secondary schools in Kakamega County, to determine the degree to which principals' idealized influence on teachers influences ICT integration in teaching and learning in public secondary schools in Kakamega County. Using a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design and Burns' (1978) transformational leadership theory, the study identified transformational leadership as the independent variable and ICT integration as the dependent variable. The research targeted a population of 6,290 and sampled 62 principals, 186 teachers, 372 students, and one County Quality Assurance and Standards Officer (CQUASO). Teacher and student sample sizes were determined using Slovin's Formula and selected through single random sampling, while principals and the CQUASO were purposively sampled. Data collection instruments included interview guides, questionnaires, Focus groups, observation checklists, document analysis checklist. The research instruments were validated by experts in Education Management, Policy, and Curriculum Studies, and a pilot study was conducted with 70 respondents. Reliability was confirmed through Cronbach's Alpha coefficient. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze both qualitative and quantitative data. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative insights, while quantitative data was analyzed using percentages, frequencies, means, and standard deviations, presented in charts and tables. Linear regression analysis assessed the relationships between variables. Data analysis was conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings revealed positive correlations between principals' leadership components and ICT integration in classrooms. Individualized consideration had a strong correlation (r = 0.584, p<0.001), while intellectual stimulation (r = 0.534, p<0.001), inspirational motivation (r = 0.569, p<0.001), and idealized influence (r = 0.557, p<0.001) also showed statistically significant positive relationships with ICT integration. The study concluded that transformational leadership positively influences ICT integration in classrooms. It recommended that the Ministry of Education strengthen training programs on both transformational leadership and ICT skills. Secondary school principals in Kakamega County are encouraged to enhance their leadership strategies to address staff needs for effective ICT integration.
Determination of Nevirapine Levels in Hair and Plasma Samples of People Living With HIV in Kenya Using HPLC-UV and LC-MS/MS Techniques
(Kenyatta University, 2025-01) Chepkirui C. Philomena
Monitoring the response to antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) in patients is crucial for
effective HIV treatment. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is pivotal in mitigating the
epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), particularly in the prevention of
vertical transmission of the virus. Monitoring of the adherence of the patients to ART
is imperative for gauging their response to antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) and identifying
treatment inadequacies. Methods previously used in monitoring adherence, like
measuring ARV drug concentrations in blood and urine, are limited by their ability to
only reflect doses taken within 1 to 2 days before the day of sampling. In response to
these limitations, hair testing has emerged as a preferred tool for assessing chronic
exposure to various substances, owing to its extended detection window. Therefore,
this study determined the viability of hair samples for adherence monitoring, serving
as an alternative to blood-based ARV analysis. Furthermore, it investigated the
potential of using high-performance liquid chromatography with a UV detector
(HPLC-UV) as a cost-effective substitute of liquid chromatography-tandem mass
spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) technique, particularly in resource-limited settings like
Kenyan hospitals. The research focused on nevirapine (NVP), a fundamental
component of Kenya's first-line ART regimen. Hair and blood samples were collected
from consenting patients with varying viral loads. NVP levels in these samples were
compared using HPLC-UV and LC-MS/MS instruments. Significantly, the findings
reveal no substantial difference between hair and plasma NVP concentrations, as
verified by statistical tests. A robust positive association between the two
measurement methods further validates the utility of HPLC-UV for monitoring ARV
drug concentrations in both hair and blood in resource-limited settings. Quantitatively,
the median (IQR) NVP levels in hair and blood samples were 67.80 ng/mL and
706.50 ng/mL for HPLC-UV, and 36.80 ng/mL and 19.32 ng/mL for LC-MS/MS,
respectively. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test, yielding a statistical result of (Z = -0.93,
p > 0.05), confirms no significant difference between hair and plasma NVP
concentrations. The Spearman rank test indicates a significant positive association
between NVP concentrations analysed using both LC-MS/MS and HPLC-UV (r2
=
0.995, p < 0.05) for hair samples, and (r2
= 0.966, p < 0.05) for plasma samples. This
research demonstrated the potential of using hair testing as a non-invasive, cost effective means to quantitatively monitor ARV adherence among people living with
HIV, particularly in regions lacking traditional laboratory facilities and skilled
personnel for blood sampling. Importantly, it does not suggest replacing plasma
testing with hair testing in all scenarios; instead, these methods can complement each
other for a comprehensive assessment of adherence to antiretroviral therapy