http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/27 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 20:04:37 GMT 2026-04-07T20:04:37Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/6761 Title: Employee remuneration determinants and performance of microfinance institutions in Kenya Authors: Ombongi, Jemima Kerubo Abstract: The concept of employee remuneration has remained a key factor of organizational performance. Organizations that compensate their workers effectively are likely to achieve maximum productivity and vice versa. With increased competition and changing business environments, both small and large organizations in the local and global context are experiencing deteriorating performance related to inappropriate remuneration practices. The aim behind this study was to assess employee remuneration determinants and the performance of micro finance institutions in Kenya. The specific objectives of this study were to; examine the relationship between employee competencies, compensation policy, technology and labour market conditions and performance of microfinance institutions in Kenya .The study was anchored on human capital theory and supported by agency theory, efficiency wage theory and technology acceptance theory. The study adopted descriptive research design to establish the problem that was under investigation. It was appropriate because it explored and described the relationship between variables in their natural setting without manipulating them.The target population of the study were 56 microfinance institutions operating in Kenya. Purposive sampling technique was adopted to select the sample of the study. Structured questionnaires were instruments of data collection due to their effectiveness of capturing respondent information in a structured manner and the opportunity of respondents giving their views freely without interference from the researchers. Secondary data was collected from human resource records, related studies and books. Validity and reliability of the research instruments were tested through a pilot study using four employees selected from 2 MFI’s operating in Nairobi County, Kenya (Faulu Kenya and Kenya Women Finance Trust). Internal consistency of the instrument was tested using Cronbach’s Alpha method. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 20) software using descriptive and inferential statistics. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data and t-test, Pearson correlation as well as multiple regression analysis used to analyze the data. The F-test was used to test the hypothesis of the study. SPSS Version 22 aided in the data analysis. The analyzed data was presented in form of tables. It was revealed that employee competence, compensation policies, technology and labour market conditions had a positive relationship on performance of MFI’s in Kenya despite small extent of adoption. The study concludes that unless MFI’s realized the value of recruiting highly qualified workers, review compensation policies, integrate technology into the system and assessing labour market conditions before compensating workers, gaining competitiveness will be an uphill task. Therefore, the study recommends that top management of MFI’s should allocate adequate budgets to recruit competent staff, train workers, form industry partnership, implement change and review compensation policies for them to remain competitive. Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/6761 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/3507 Title: Factors influencing disclosure of HIV positive status to spouses among people living with HIV in Kirinyaga County, Kenya Authors: Kiranga, Jacinta Wanjiku Abstract: HIV status disclosure is critical to HIV prevention and access to health care and treatment. Thus disclosing ones HIV positive status to one’s spouse is crucial in HIV prevention. Failure to disclose one's HIV positive status compromises risk reduction and exposes one’s sexual partner(s) or spouse to infection if they are not already infected.This study investigated factors influencing the disclosure of HIV positive status to a spouse in Kirinyaga County, in Kenya. The study also investigated the role of perceived communication behaviour of a spouse on disclosure, methods of disclosure, challenges in disclosure and preventive behaviours adopted by the people living with HIV (PLWHIV).The Communication Privacy Management theory was used to provide a guiding framework to understand how individuals manage private information. The research adopted a qualitative approach. The sample consisted of both male and female PLWHIV attending selected comprehensive care centres (CCC) in Kirinyaga County. Data was collected from a convenience sample of 98 PLWHIV and seven key informants using semi-structured in-depth interviews. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. The study found that disclosure plays an important role in risk reduction and HIV prevention as most PLWHIV who had disclosed their HIV positive status to their spouses found it easier to discuss HIV prevention and safe sex practices with their spouses. The study found that perceived spousal communication behaviours influenced the decision to disclose or conceal a HIV positive status. The study concludes that disclosure is influenced by different factors which either result in the PLWHIV loosening control of their privacy boundaries and disclosing or tightening control and concealing their HIV positive status. The study recommends that couples should be encouraged to test together thus easing the process of disclosure. It also recommends increasing couple communication where couples can increase openness with each other especially in HIV disclosure. A key contribution of this study is the role of spousal communication in disclosure. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/3507 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/3490 Title: Public participation for sustainable development in a devolved system of governance in Kenya. Authors: Ronoh, Geoffrey Abstract: Achieving sustainable development to many nations still remains a major concern inspite of the numerous initiatives that are being employed. Today however, many nations Kenya included, seem to be adopting public participation strategy as means of realising sustainable development although little information exists on its actual effectiveness. This study examined the influence of public participation on sustainable development in the devolved system of governance in Kenya with emphasis on South Rift region comprising Kericho, Bomet and Narok counties. The study objectives were to: evaluate public participation process, examine the effects of public participation and assess the challenges facing public participation in the devolved system of governance. Anchored on the Human Development theory, the study adopted Pragmatism philosophical paradigm and Concurrent Triangulation research design. The target population for the study was 807,372 and using multistage cluster and simple random sampling techniques, a sample size of 383 was selected. Instruments of data collection were questionnaire and interview schedule. Questionnaire was administred to 383 respondents who are registered voters and six key informants were interviewed using interview schedule. Qualitative data was analyzed through thematic analysis while quantitative data was analysed descriptively and inferentially. Descriptive analysis employed frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation while inferential statistics utilized chi square and ANOVA. The chi square test for independence, from the value at 0.000 thus less than 0.05 which is significant; established that there was significant association between demographic characteristics and public participation process. ANOVA test, from value at (F, (2,315) = 2.208, P= 0.112 thus greater than 0.05; showed that for the items tested on effects of public participation on development, the results were statistically significant. Descriptively, majority of the respondents agreed that county governments and assemblies rarely involve the public in higher level public participation process such as collaboration and partnership but concentrated more on informing and consultation. The respondents interviewed believed that public participation has a positive impact on development. In conclusion; public participation is visible in the three counties, especially in information dissemination, consultation and awareness creation; but public involvement, collaboration and empowerment were least applied. It emerged that in instances where public participation took place, there was tangible evidence in the form of quality, friendly, acceptable and long-lasting projects. As much as public participation plays an instrumental role in achieving sustainable development; numerous challenges persist. If public participation is not handled well it may lead to negative attitude towards it and lack of willingness of the public to participate. Finally, a lot need to be undertaken to create awareness through civic education programs and continuous communication; engaging the right stakeholders especially the opinion leaders and experts. Public participation is feasible but it will fail to yield expected results if poorly handled. Otherwise the symbiotic relationship between public participation and sustainable development cannot be over emphasised. Public participation enhances sustainable development. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/3490 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/2374 Title: Hate speech, ethnic cleavages and youth violence in Kenyan politics Authors: Muluka Sophie Abstract: This study highlights the emergence of hate speech, resulting from institutionalization of ethnic cleavages, as a potential risk for the Kenyan nation that could lead to dire consequences if not urgently addressed. The study‟s analysis is located in the historical context of political violence and the language of political discourse in Kenya. The study is anchored in critical postmodernism, focusing on the primacy of discourse, and seeks to critically analyze and determine the extent to which hate speech is a dis- course, how we situate hate speech within the dynamics of violence and what should constitute the reform agenda if hate speech is to be muted. By adopting the postmodern approach, this study questions the dominant assumptions that belie the current models addressing hate speech and youth violence in Kenyan politics. The study constitutes a unique contribution to study on hate speech, providing critical insights on the extent of its influence in the Kenyan scenario. It demonstrates how political elites invoke ethnic identities to further their own agendas and argue that the power of hate speech derives from the mental concepts created through conspiracy theories spreading fear and hatred that then consequently result in violence. Using mixed methods, the study generates baseline data through quantitative methods, then further uses qualitative methods to critically engage in-depth discussions and validate varied aspects of the findings generated from the baseline data. The sample is drawn from the youth in Nairobi County. Questionnaires were administered on a sample of 150 students from the University of Nairobi, and 50 from the Technical University of Kenya. Focus group discussions were held with five university/college student leaders and five Mungiki sect members selected through snowballing. Further in-depth interviews in- volved three residents randomly selected from each of the study areas; Mathare North, Huruma and Kariobangi South and post-election violence victims numbering 18 from Kibera, 20 from Mathare North and 7 from Kariobangi South. The findings reveal that Kenyan communities co-exist in harmony except during elections when speech fomenting ethnic hatred dominates the campaign rhetoric, resulting in inter-ethnic violence. The study stresses on the incompleteness of research surrounding the hate speech discourse and its relevance to youth violence and calls for more analytical work on both their theoretical and practical aspects. It highlights the tenets of new policy imperatives to effectively augment efforts towards curbing hate speech, particularly in light of unprecedented developments in online media as an ongoing dis- course in post-conflict societies struggling with institutionalization of ethnic cleavages. The findings suggest that hate speech is to date sufficiently harmful to justify constitutional protection and points to the urgent need to develop an open discourse among the citizens, especially the „netizens‟, that is social media users, on the limitations of free speech on a seemingly „free‟ social media platform and the dangers of hate speech to the society at large. Sun, 01 Oct 2017 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mu.ac.ke:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/2374 2017-10-01T00:00:00Z