With the ongoing changes in Human Resources Management (HRM), it’s important that managers, executives and HR employees, specifically, be aware of the challenges that today’s HRM team may face. This should then be coupled with the solutions to containing these challenges. While there are certainly other issues, it is common to most of any type of business or size of company to having policies in place to ensure these challenges are met head-on to make the workplace more settled and peaceful for everyone. The principals as human resource managers should embrace change which of course is not limited to these challenges. This is because their roles keep on changing from the administrative and teaching roles to human resource roles. This will help them sustain adverse consequences resulting from there changing roles if poorly managed. This study is set to establish the ways in which School Principals and other stakeholders can curb the increasing challenges faced by them as HRMs. The study used a Survey research design with a target population of 140 secondary school principals drawn from Nandi County. Census sampling was used to select the study sample. Data collection was done using self-administered questionnaire after which Coding of responses was done using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) for windows Version 16. Analysis of the data was done through descriptive statistics. Data was presented in form of frequency tables and charts.

Globally, millions of street children live in the streets where they are deprived of social, economic, education and health opportunities for their survival. Street children grow up in an environment where equanimity and psychosocial stability is frequently threatened. To the worst, their health is compromised by shoddier and everyday deteriorating environmental conditions. This is compounded by inadequate research on health issues of street children hence, lack of enough data in planning effective interventions for them. This paper is an extract of a larger study that was conducted in Eldoret town and partly looks into the health implications of children living on the streets in Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. A cross sectional descriptive type of study was conducted among 45 street children between the ages 8 to 16 years who were available at different bases of Eldoret town. Study findings show that street children in Eldoret face myriad health challenges which included poor access to health facilities where they were discriminated against and were also required to buy medication prescribed to them by health providers. The study recommends that sustainable interventions should be in place to remove street children from the streets to prevent them from exposure to harsh conditions that threaten their survival and development

A CO2 water to water heat pump system was used to investigate the effects of throttle valve opening and water flow rates at higher charge capacity (149% of the full charge). It was observed that the throttle opening affects the gas cooler pressure (and inlet temperature) where the less the opening the higher the pressure. Although the increase in gas cooler pressure was improving the gas cooler heat output and therefore the system efficiencies, there is an optimum pressure which when exceeded, the system performance deteriorates. This optimum pressure also is related to a certain throttle opening which is approximately at 20% in this study. Similarly, as the throttle valve is reduced, the overall system becomes more ideal as indicated by Lorentz efficiency. On the other hand, the higher the flow rates the higher the performance although it’s better to keep the chilling water (evaporator) flow rate low and cooling water (gas cooler) flow rates high than vice versa for the best heat pump performance. However, if the main intention is to idealize the system, then it’s better to keep the chilling water flow rates high and the cooling water flow rates low as stipulated by the Lorentz efficiency. Many systems tend to be overcharged while the refrigerant is being refilled and therefore will behave as observed in this study, thus its importance

The untrained early childhood development education (ECDE) teacher tends to escape from children’s problems instead of dealing with them. They do not know how to deal with different age groups since they do not know what tasks to give which group of children. The type of training enables a teacher to escape the constraints of a curriculum. Once this issue can be established, preferably by research, it will ease the inconsistencies in the ECDE teacher training in Kenya. The purpose of this study was to establish teacher factors that influence the choice of teaching methods used by ECDE teachers in Keiyo South District. This study was guided by the Learning Styles theory by McCarthy (1980) and adopted a descriptive survey design. The study targeted 126 public ECDE centres, 252 ECDE teachers and 126 ECDE head teachers in the public EDCE centres in the district. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 38 public ECDE centres. The study used the questionnaire, interview schedule and observation checklist to collect data. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and presented using frequencies and percentages. The availability of teaching /learning materials, age of the ECDE child, mastery of content and teacher’s experience influenced the choice of teaching method. Others such as teacher motivation, number of children and the school locality also tend to influence the choice of the teaching method. It was also established that there was a relationship between the factors and choice of teaching method. A teacher should embrace the use of a variety of teaching methods; they should appropriately choose the teaching methods in consideration of the learners’ needs.

Although the aim of collective bargaining is to eventually reach a mutual agreement, there is usually a degree of conflict in Kenya between the involved parties with regard to the means by which agreements may be reached and the terms on which it is reached. As a result of this, very few collective bargaining agreements are attained as compared to the number of industrial disputes raised. It was on this basis that the study sought to find out the endogenous factors inhibiting CBP in Nandi Tea Estates. The study was guided by Cole’s collective bargaining theory and employed a descriptive survey research design. Data was collected using questionnaire and interview schedule from union officials. Data was analysed using descriptive statistical techniques and presented in frequency tables. The study revealed that trade unions do not undertake adequate training in industrial relations negotiation skills. Trade unions also prefer retrospective implementation of CBP agreements as opposed to the employers who prefer prospective implementation. Unions in most cases negotiate for awards instead of settlements. Trade unions don’t engage in adequate preliminary preparations for CBP. Further, the study established that trade unions pursue single-issue as opposed to multiple based demands. Trade union officials also tend to accept the demands of employers because they depend on the members’ contributions remitted by employers through the check-off system. It was revealed that union officials are bribed by employers to accept relatively lower offer than the one they demand for their members. Further, union officials call for strikes or call off strikes even without the permission of members who would otherwise root for more negotiations as they continue working or continue with the strike until their demands are met.

Cyber bullying affects many adolescents and teens on a daily basis; it is a form of violence that can do lasting harm to people at different ages and social status in a society. Cyber bullying is real experience that has been in existence for a quite a long time; Bullying statistics show that cyber bullying is a serious problem among teens and gaining roots among adults. By being more aware of cyber bullying, teens and adults can help to fight it. Cyber bullying involves using technology, like cell phones and the Internet, to bully or harass another person. The introduction of social media and other communication systems has seen several people being bullied online by those who are already proficient on the platforms. The reasons behind cyber bullying might or might not be mala-fide but its existence isn’t in the best interest. It has been looked at mainly from the teens’ effect both in physical and psychological perception not realizing that adults are also equally affected. The impact on adults comes in different forms and has serious impact on the families and work places. The impact at work places affects productivity due to psychological trauma, legal involvement, shame/embarrassment whenever it goes public. Some people have gone to point of resigning from jobs, others have buried themselves into work for fear of victimization, others have committed suicide - At whatever level of status in society there is a great repercussion that is if situation is not put under control the victim can easily go down to a total down trend. Cyber bullying has fatal consequences and existing laws about it are woefully lacking despite some legal measures having been put in place but it gets tricky especially if the cyber bully is anonymous. There are cybercrime cells that help in preventing cyber bullying or minimize the happenings to set up a good working environment that may increase individual productivity and increase organisations profits

Unintended pregnancy among adolescents represents an important public health challenge in developed and developing countries. Numerous prevention strategies have been employed by countries across the world, in an effort to address this problem. However, many girls still cannot complete school due to early pregnancies. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of mentorship and role modeling programs on pregnancy prevention among secondary school girls in Homa Bay Sub-County. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and guided by the feminist theory. The study was carried in girls’ schools and mixed schools only because students in boys’ schools only are not directly affected by the phenomenon under study. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used for the purpose of collecting data. Two sets of questionnaires were administered for the heads of guidance and counseling department and the class teachers. Interview schedules were administered to the principals and the sub-county director of education. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentages while the interview schedule was analyzed thematically according to the objectives of the study. The study revealed that there were mentors who encourage students to work hard in their education and that the schools had alumni of prominent women that the students can look up to. The schools arrange regular mentorship programmes that enable students to meet with their mentors and share ideas, though this was not the case in some schools in the sub-county. The findings also indicate that in schools where mentorship was witnessed, the number of girls proceeding with their studies without getting pregnant and join institutions of higher learning had increased. The findings of the study will be used to make recommendations toward strategies of averting the problem of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies and attainment of educational equity.

Informal settlements in developing countries have been growing and so has been the need to better their interventions. The international development community and governments have been actively working to improve living conditions of informal settlement dwellers through adaptive and proactive measures implemented through a variety of upgrading initiatives. However, there has been limited study on evaluation of integration process of green practices interventions that ensure improved human well-being and efficient utilization of resources while significantly reducing environmental risks. This study evaluates the integration process of green practices in water, energy and waste sectors in upgrading of informal settlements in three informal settlements namely: Munyaka, Kamukunji and Huruma in Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Developing a view of ascertaining what was involved in the upgrading, how it was done as well identification of various stakeholders involved in upgrading process. The study was anchored on Triple Bottom Line Model of sustainability. The findings of the study established that there are various activities involved in integration process which included street and security lighting, footpath and bike path and storm water drainage. The study also established that various stakeholders were involved in the upgrading process and that there was low informal settlement dwellers participation. The study recommends that to be effective and to fully integrate green practices all stakeholders should be involved and instead of wholly depending on development actors the informal settlements residents should also embrace green practices at individual level

Integrating e-procurement in hospitals’ supply chain units has made it possible to conduct procurement practices effectively as compared to the manual methods of recording procurement and general conducting of procurement functions. However, the performance of hospitals in delivering high quality of services has reduced due to lack of an e-procurement system in some hospitals. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of e-tendering on organizational performance. The study adopted the use of diffusion of innovation theory. The study employed a descriptive survey of 5 hospitals. The sample size was 367 respondents. Questionnaires were the main types of data collection tools. The data collected was then coded and entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22. The study used both quantitative and qualitative data. Data was then presented in tables of frequencies and percentages. The study findings indicated that e-tendering has increased competitiveness in the tendering bid for the hospital; The result on inferential analysis was that e-tendering had a ß = 0.369; P <0.005. The study findings will be of great significance to Uasin Gishu County Hospitals as it was deemed to shed light on how e-procurement practices can enhance performance. The study recommended the e-tendering to be adopted for all hospitals to enhance performance. The study also forms a basis for further research in the area of procurement

The study sought to establish the effect of board size on financial distress of listed firms in Kenya. The study used a panel study of a 10 year firm observations from 2004-2013. The study utilized resource dependency theory to underpin the study. Financial distress was measured using Altman Z score. Random effect model was used to achieve the objective of the study. The study findings indicated that board size was positive but insignificant with financial distress of listed firms in Kenya (ß=. 0.490>0.05). Board size does not matter in times of financial distress in Kenya. Few empirical studies have examined the effectiveness of the board size with financial distress especially in the developing countries. This study contributes to the existing literature by examining such associations and providing updated empirical evidence from a developing country.

Globally, the rural youth are the future of food security and sustainability, yet only a few of them see a future in rural agriculture. Unfortunately, many governments and interventionists have not taken rural youth in farming seriously as they are considered uninterested stakeholders, since majority especially those educated opt for white collar jobs in urban areas. In Kenya, despite concerted efforts by various stakeholders to involve rural youth in agricultural activities, less has been achieved due to lack of interest by the youth themselves, high pressure on arable land, lack of access to credit and many other productive resources necessary for rural farming. This paper focuses on the dynamics and encounters of rural youth farming in Kabete Lari sub-county. The study adopted the sustainable livelihood theoretical framework. The researchers employed a mixed research design method. A sample size of 111 rural youth farmers were selected through simple random sampling. Parent farmers were conveniently sampled for the interviews and focused group discussions. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively using SPSS version 21.0 while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The study found that 70% of the rural youth engaged in farming in the study area. Over 80% of the rural youth engaged in rural farming were able to meet their daily basic needs and save some money in SACCOs for future investment. More so 65% of the rural youth engaged in farming, preferred dairy farming. Despite many achievements, rural youth also faced some constraints in rural farming particularly, during post-production due to unavailability of ready markets for their products. The study concluded that youth farming was offering a wide potential for rural youth by creating employment, encouraging savings, reducing food expenses and encouraged self-reliance among themselves, however not many rural youth engaged in farming activities. The study recommends that government should sensitize, provide financial, technical support and mainstream rural youth in venturing into farming for the realization of substantive sustainable livelihoods.

Leadership is vital in the overall performance of any organization. The leadership chosen is dependent on various contingent factors. The environment influences the link between leadership and performance. The combination of the various factors contributes to the leadership selected which influences the performance of the organization. Over the past three decades, transformational leadership has emerged as one of the predominant paradigms to understand leadership efficacy. Transformational leadership theory is based on the concept that certain leader behaviors transform followers values needs, preferences, and aspirations, and motivate them, “to perform above and beyond the call of duty”. Transformational leadership has gained extensive attention in the literature research because of its potential proposition for the performance of the organizations. Research indicates that this type of leadership can collectively influence workforce performance and loyalty leading to improvements in the workers motivation and creativity. In consideration to the past decades research findings and strength this forms the foundation for this study research on the importance of transformational leadership through its four constructs; idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individual consideration and their influence on organizational performance in fifty five state corporation in Kenya with commercial and strategic functions. A total of 257 surveys instrument questionnaires were distributed with 235 retuned and 215 were suitable for use. The data was analyzed using multiple regressions method with a significance level of p < 0.05. The measurement instrument used was on five likert scale ranging from strongly disagree as 1 to strongly agree as 5. The results indicate that while transformational leadership and three of its constructs; inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individual consideration contributed to 78.6 percent of the variation in organizational performance; idealized influence was moderately a significant factor contributing to the study outcomes. Top Leadership management may need to focus on these constructs of transformational leadership to improve performance of the organizations understudy

Children with chronic illness are at the intersection of the health and education systems. Unfortunately, typical educational programs and policies are not designed to support students battling chronic illness. Therefore understanding their educational needs of pupils affected with chronic illness is important if we are to provide equitable educational opportunities. Chronic illness has an impact on children development, affecting their academic performance, self esteem, social relationship and ability to access the same educational outcomes as healthy peers. This paper seeks to highlight some of the experiences that chronic ill pupils go through that affect their academic performance. The study was descriptive targeted pupils from class 7 and 8 and class teachers from Public primary schools in Ainabkoi constituency. Questionnaires and interview guide formed tools for data collection. Results from the study revealed that children academic performance is affected by other factors caused by chronic illness. The finding also revealed that chronic illness affects intelligence, memory, concentration and self esteem of pupils. Pupils with chronic illness are likely to perform poorly in Languages, and mathematic. The study therefore, recommends modification of curriculum to be able to accommodate this group of pupil. The study also recommends an in-service training that will enable teachers learn how to deal with chronically ill children in schools

Service delivery is an essential function in the relation between companies and citizens. Over the past ten years the realization that citizens are customers has become increasingly important to the way companies think and act. The aim of this study was determine effect of strategic plan resource allocation on quality service delivery in the sugar manufacturing industry. The study was guided by the Vrooms expectancy theory. Accessible population for this study was 734 respondents from Nzoia Sugar Company, Mumias Sugar Company, Chemelil Sugar Company, Kibos Sugar Company, South Nyanza Sugar Company and Soin Sugar Company. Slovin’s Formula was used to get the desired sample size which was 259 employees from the 6 selected sugar companies. The study utilized questionnaires to collect data. Reliability of the instrument was ensured through split-half method. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics was used to analyze data. Data were presented in form of frequency tables and in written report. Study findings also rejected the null hypothesis because there was a statistical significant effect of strategic total rewards on service delivery in the sugar manufacturing industry (p=0.000). The study enabled policy makers obtain knowledge of manufacturing industry dynamics and the appropriate strategies to be applied to enhance performance and therefore obtain guidance from this study in designing appropriate policies that will regulate the industry. To the academicians the study might contribute to the existing literature in the field of strategy implementation and quality service delivery of sugar manufacturing industry.

Financial literacy provides knowledge and understanding of financial concepts and the skills, motivation and confidence to apply such knowledge and understanding in order to make effective decisions across a range of financial context and to improve the financial well of SMEs. Research shows that 65.1% of the SMEs in Kenya fail within their first year of operation. This study determined the relationship between financial risk management and the performance of micro and small enterprises in Moiben constituency, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. A total of 1923 registered micro and small enterprises in Moiben Constituency comprised the study population. A sample of 331 micro and small enterprises was involved in the study. Two stage sampling technique; purposive sampling and simple random sampling was used to select micro and small enterprises to be used in the study. A pilot study was conducted so as to test the validity and reliability of the research questionnaire. Validity of the research instrument was achieved by using of content validity test while reliability was tested using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Self-administered questionnaires and a secondary data sheet were used to collect data. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and presented by use of tables, charts and graphs. The result of the study indicates that financial risk management affects the firm’s performance of micro and small enterprises in Moiben Constituency. Performance of small and micro enterprises was found to be significantly affected by financial risk management (t = 8.327; p = 0.041). The study therefore recommends that stakeholders involved should therefore focus on developing programs to educate SMEs on how to assess, monitor and reduce risk of a given business portfolio. The study findings informs all the stakeholders in charge of the SMEs sector as it proves that financial literacy affects the financial performance of the micro and small enterprises

With the current Kenyan government goal of power connectivity to its citizens through Kenya power company limited, there has been an increase in illegal lines, operational accidents, long connectivity time, leakage of company information, and rise in number of complaints from the customers since the adoption of outsourcing. This study sought to establish the effects of operational risks reduction on service delivery at Kenya Power Company limited, Kapseret Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study adopted Transaction Cost (TC) Theory. Descriptive survey research design was used. A total population of 1812 and sample size of 317 were used. The study also employed stratified random sampling method done according to the Kenya Power Company limited structure and used the questionnaire and interview as the main research instrument which was tested for validity and reliability after pilot study. The data analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 24. Quantitative data was analyzed by use of inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regressions. These obtained data was presented in form of tables. There was a positive significant relationship between operational risks reduction of projects (ß1=0.528) and service delivery at Kenya Power Company limited. Management of Kenya Power Company limited should ensure there is existence of a competent outsourcing team. They should also sensitize its employees on the core and non-core activities of Kenya Power Company limited, the activities outsourced and reasons for outsourcing. For effective implementation of outsourcing there should be an overall clear understanding of what it entails and requires for great performance

The evolution of Community Based Organizations in recent year especially in developing countries has reinforced the new that these grassroots organizations are more effective in addressing local needs than larger charitable organizations due to their penetration, networks and perceived neutrality in their areas of operations. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of financial management capacities on financial sustainability of CBOs in Turkana County, Kenya. The study was founded on resource-based theory. The study adopted an exploratory research design and stratified proportionate sampling. The population of the research consisted 126 respondents from 42 CBOs in Turkana County. The study used both primary and secondary data. The study utilized self-administered semi-structured questionnaire and content analysis for collecting secondary data using data collection schedule. A pilot test was conducted to confirm validity and reliability of the research questionnaires. Content validity of the research instruments was ensured by consulting supervisors. Reliability was tested using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The study found that financial management capacities had a positive and significant effect on financial sustainability (ß=0.016, p<0.05), in Turkana County, Kenya. The study recommended that CBOs management should consider putting in place the recommended strategies to enhance financial management practices to improve financial sustainability. The study will contribute new dimensions and perspectives to generate policy solutions to the management and CBOs sector stakeholders. The new empirical evidence will form the basis for further studies with the aim of addressing financial sustainability of CBOs through prudent financial management practices.

The Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis posits that ecological degradation as a result of different pollutants upsurges at the primary stages, but declines as the economy attains a particular level of economic growth, determined by considering the per capita income of that economy. This hypothesized association results in an inverted U-shaped curve. The hypothesis has become a critical area of concern amid scholars who study environmental guidelines hence drawing much enquiry attention for both established and developing economies. This study examines the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis in Kenya using the time period of 1970–2015 relying on data from Energy Information Administration database and World Bank’s World Development Indicators database. The study utilized the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to achieve the objective of this study. The study sought to address this challenge of climate change by examining the macroeconomic factors that are responsible in increasing environmental pollution and recommend appropriate policies for stable and sustainable economic growth and development in line with Kenya’s vision 2030. With the application of bounds test, the findings of this study confirmed the presence of a long run equilibrium relationship between the variables under study. Applying the Narayan and Narayan 2010 approach, the study determined that the short run coefficient 0.035 (p< 0.05) is weaker than the long run coefficient 0.207 (p < 0.05) confirming the absence of EKC in Kenya. This implies that there is no evidence of positive effect of economic activities on emissions in Kenya. This therefore means that EKC hypothesis is not significant for formulating policy in Kenya given its stumpy level of economic development. In terms of policy implication of these findings, intensifying economic activities in the country may not extremely result into carbon emissions. However, it should be noted that there will be no environmental paybacks from ill-using the environment in the name of economic growth. The study therefore recommends that in order to ensure sustainable development, Kenyan policymakers should make significant investments on appropriate environmental policies alongside economic development policies in order to achieve positive results regarding environmental quality along with the economic growth

Background: Epilepsy is a medical condition with serious social ramification. People living with epilepsy experience lowered quality of live and altered self-esteem as a result of stigma attached to their condition. This stigma may be attributed to knowledge deficit and different social meaning on epilepsy among populations. This study sort to assess knowledge and social construction of epilepsy and its treatment modalities among households in Vihiga County of Kenya. Method: A survey study was carried between January-June 2016. The study sort to understand knowledge on causes and treatment modalities of epilepsy among people living in Vihiga County. A sample of 121participants was randomly selected from 121 households that were selected through stratified proportionate sampling techniques. Results: Thirty five (35%) defined epilepsy by describing what happens during an epileptic fit. 30% defined epilepsy by giving signs and symptoms of the condition, 24% explained epilepsy by explaining cause of the condition while 10% explained using perception: Causes; Respondents gave varied responses on causes for epilepsy, they included, curse, breaking a taboo, heredity, acute illness such as Malaria and complications from physical injury to the brain: Treatment; 50.8% said epilepsy can be treated using anti-epileptic medicine. 11.5% said herbal medication could heal epilepsy, 6% said eating cooked dog meat could heal epilepsy, 20% said rituals and animal sacrifices could heal epilepsy while 1% said epilepsy can be resolved by killing the person who is suffering epilepsy. Conclusion: Though signs and symptoms of epilepsy are well known, there is knowledge deficit on causes and treatment of epilepsy.

The study sought to establish the effect of board size on financial distress of listed firms in Kenya. The study used a panel study of a 10 year firm observations from 2004-2013. The study utilized resource dependency theory to underpin the study. Financial distress was measured using Altman Z score. Random effect model was used to achieve the objective of the study. The study findings indicated that board size was positive but insignificant with financial distress of listed firms in Kenya (ß=. 0.490>0.05). Board size does not matter in times of financial distress in Kenya. Few empirical studies have examined the effectiveness of the board size with financial distress especially in the developing countries. This study contributes to the existing literature by examining such associations and providing updated empirical evidence from a developing country.