PhD. Theses and Dissertations
http://repository.embuni.ac.ke/handle/123456789/8
2024-03-28T11:54:33ZFinancing Options and Financial Sustainability of Universities in Kenya (A Comparative Study of Public and Private)
http://repository.embuni.ac.ke/handle/embuni/4329
Financing Options and Financial Sustainability of Universities in Kenya (A Comparative Study of Public and Private)
Karimi, Ann kathomi
Universities provide higher education that boosts formation of human capital through
inculcation of knowledge, skills and promotion of talents which contribute significantly
to the economic development of a country. Despite this significant contribution, Kenyan
universities have continued to face financial challenges due to inadequate funds and
increasing operational costs leading to financial unsustainability. This has stifled
operations in the Kenyan universities. The study sought to establish the influence of
financing options on the financial sustainability of universities in Kenya. Specifically, the
influence of revenue streams, debt financing and the joint influence of financing options.
The moderating influence of institutional characteristics and mediating influence of funds
utilization was also examined. Five research hypothesis relating to objectives were tested.
The study used positivist research philosophy and employed longitudinal survey design.
The study collected secondary data from annual financial statements and reports from 55
universities, comprising of 31 public universities and 24 private universities, covering the
period 2015 to 2020. The study used descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze the
data. Prob (F-statistics) were used to test hypotheses in the study. The results revealed that
p = 0.000<0.05 for both public and private universities. H01 was concluded that revenue
streams had a statistical significant influence on financial sustainability for both public
and private universities. With p = 0.037<0.05, p = 0.028<0.05 for public and for private p
= 0.015<0.05, p = 0.044<0.05 on financial sustainability as measured by current ratio and
financial liability ratio respectively, H02 was concluded that debt financing had a statistical
significant influence on financial sustainability for both public and private universities.
With p = 0.013<0.05, p =0.358>0.05 for public and for private p = 0.027<0.05, 0.543>0.05
on current ratio and financial liability ratio respectively, H03 was concluded that financing
option had a statistical significant influence on financial sustainability as measured by
current ratio while insignificant on financial liability ratio for both public and private
universities. With p = 0.036<0.05, p = 0.017<0.05 for public and for private p =
0.040<0.05, p = 0.020<0.05 on financial sustainability, H04 was concluded that the
strength of the relationship between financing options and financial sustainability depends
on institutional characteristics. The recurrent expenditure had p-values<0.05 on financial
sustainability. With p-values<0.05 for capital expenditure on financial sustainability as
measured by financial liability ratio while on current ratio the p-values>0.05 for both
public and private universities respectively. H05 was concluded that the strength of the
relationship between financing options and financial sustainability partially depends on
funds utilization. The study highlight that the university management needs to formulate
diversified strategies to create and attract more revenue streams to meet university’s
operational costs. In addition, the university management need to employ optimal debt
levels when necessary. Universities need to expand academic and research programmes
and also put strict measures on how funds are spent. The study findings contribute to the
policy makers, existing empirical literature and researchers.
2022-08-01T00:00:00ZThe discourse of televised political news interviews and ethnic polarization in Kenya
http://repository.embuni.ac.ke/handle/embuni/4288
The discourse of televised political news interviews and ethnic polarization in Kenya
Omoke, Lillian Kemunto
Political interviews have been used as genres for dissemination of political information. The way they are presented is a subject of concern as they are thought to be causing division among the Kenyan audience along political party and hence ethnic lines. The purpose of this study is to look at the discursive practices in political news interviews and the interpretation they are given by the audience that may lead to ethnic polarization. The main objective of this study was to analyze the influence of televised political news interviews on ethnic polarization in Kenya. Two theories were used to support this study: Theory of Media Framing and Critical Discourse Analysis. The fusion of these approaches was helpful in showing how messages are selected and packaged and the ideological influences they have. The study adopted a qualitative design. A total of 6 recorded televised interviews were studied, two from Citizen TV and one from each the other stations samples (KTN, NTV, K24, KBC). Data collection and analysis was simultaneously done by transcribing the political news interviews and interpreting them using the Critical Discourse Analysis approach. Other data collection methods such as in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis were employed. Data presentation was done through discussing the interpretation against the institutional, societal, historical and political contexts in which the interviews were conducted. The findings showed that linguistic features are used subtly to cause polarization and it was established that the naming and referencing strategy was commonly used to create an US vs THEM mentality among audiences hence polarization. It was also established that the media treat audiences as markets and products hence presenting sensational news to attract ratings and eventually profits. It was concluded that political news interviews actually lead to ethnic polarization based on the production processes, language use, and ideological stands and through the use of media frames. The key recommendation from the study was that there should be audience awareness programmes on the processes and operations of the media.
Thesis
2017-01-01T00:00:00ZDoes Inquiry-Based Learning Approach In Chemistry Practical Lessons Affect Students’ Nzomo Attitudes And Self-Efficacy In Chemistry? A Case Of Meru South Sub-County,Kenya
http://repository.embuni.ac.ke/handle/embuni/4281
Does Inquiry-Based Learning Approach In Chemistry Practical Lessons Affect Students’ Nzomo Attitudes And Self-Efficacy In Chemistry? A Case Of Meru South Sub-County,Kenya
Maina, Samuel
xiv
ABSTRACT
Chemistry is a crucial subject for a country like Kenya that seeks to be industrialized by the year 2030. Even though the subject is important, performance in the subject has been declining consistently in Kenya. A decline in performance in Chemistry has also been reported in Meru South Sub-County. The decline in performance has been attributed to teacher-centered learning methodologies, negative attitudes of students towards the subject and low self-efficacy. Teachers have been encouraged to use Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) approach in teaching of Chemistry and particularly in practical lessons because it has been associated with improved attitudes and self-efficacy. However, little is known on the uptake of inquiry-based learning approach by teachers in Chemistry practical lessons and how it is related to students’ attitudes and self-efficacy in Chemistry in Meru South Sub-County secondary schools. The purpose of this research was to examine the utilization of inquiry-based learning approach in Chemistry practical lessons, and determine the relationship between the utilization of inquiry-based learning approach and selected performance predictors i.e. students’ attitudes and self-efficacy in Chemistry. The study was guided by the Vygotsky’s social constructivism theory which emphasizes on the role of social interactions and active construction of knowledge. A mixed method research design was employed in this study. The target population was all secondary schools in Meru South Sub-County. Stratified and purposive sampling was used to select both public and private secondary schools. Purposive sampling was used to select 42 form three Chemistry teachers while 357 students were chosen for the research using basic random selection. Data collection was done using practical lesson observation schedule, teacher’s questionnaire, student’s questionnaire, and document analysis framework. Results revealed that teachers used inquiry-based learning approach in Chemistry practical lessons once a week (mean = 3.89). Results from correlation and regression analysis revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between inquiry-based learning and students’ attitudes towards Chemistry (r = .9972, p = .000, t = 58.285, p = 0.00). Besides, it was established that inquiry-based learning is positively associated with students’ efficacy beliefs in Chemistry (β= 0.903, p < 0.05). From the study findings, it was concluded that inquiry-based learning approach is an effective teaching technique for enhancing positive attitudes towards Chemistry among students as well as improving their confidence in Chemistry. The study findings are significant in the education sector in improving teacher training programs and calls for shift from teacher-centered teaching methodologies to learner centered teaching methodologies among practicing teachers.
Thesis
2023-05-01T00:00:00ZFunctional Diversity and Ecological Role Of Nematodes in Pigeon Pea And Maize-Pigeon Pea Agro-Ecosystems
http://repository.embuni.ac.ke/handle/embuni/4279
Functional Diversity and Ecological Role Of Nematodes in Pigeon Pea And Maize-Pigeon Pea Agro-Ecosystems
Maina, Samuel
Kenya relies heavily on pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) as essential food crops, widely grown by small-holder farmers for food, feed, and income. These crops face significant production challenges due to plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN), which cause enormous yield losses. The four main species of PPN that negatively impact pigeon pea and maize are Meloidogyne spp., Rotylenchulus spp., Heterodera spp., and Pratylenchus spp. Plant-parasitic nematodes cause 50% and 8-35% yield reductions in maize and pigeon pea, respectively. Besides the presence of PPN, Kenyan agro-ecosystems have a high density of free-living nematodes (FLN) that perform vital functions, including breaking down organic matter, cycling nutrients, pest regulation and serving as bio-indicators of ecosystem quality. The objective of this study was to assess the variety of nematodes present in monocrop pigeon peas (PP) as well as the nematode community structure and their role as soil health indicators in maize-pigeon pea (MPP) agro-ecosystems. The study also determined the nematode functional guild diversity and their ecological role in PP and MPP agro-ecosystems, and the distribution and prevalence of PPN feeding groups in PP and MPP agro-ecosystems. For all objectives, baseline field surveys were carried out in respective PP and MPP farmers’ fields in Embu County using probability frame sampling design coupled with three separate W shaped “sample walk” pattern. For PP across the eight regions in Mbeere North, Embu County, 46 nematode genera were identified, of which Meloidogyne, Rotylenchulus, Acrobeloides and Cervidellus differed significantly among the regions. No variations were observed in Simpson diversity, Shannon, Pielou's evenness, and genus richness measures between regions at P > 0.05. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed marked connections between soil characteristics and specific nematode genera, with the first two axes explaining 56.65% of the total variation. For MPP agro-ecosystems across eight regions in Mbeere South, Embu County, 41 nematode genera were identified with Longidorus spp., Heterocephalobus spp. and Mononchus spp. varying significantly among the regions. Following structure and enrichment indices analysis, Irabari soil food web was degraded, while the other seven regions were well-structured. In all the studied regions, the energy pathways for decomposing organic matter were predominated by fungivores. Among the assessed nematode metabolic footprints, only bacterivore footprint showed marked variations. Regarding PP and MPP cropping systems in Mbeere South and Mbeere North sub-Counties, Embu County, nematode assemblages consisted of 45 and 44 genera in PP and MPP, respectively, of which Pratylenchus, Rotylenchulus, and Aphelenchoides varied markedly between the two cropping systems. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis indicated a deep overlap of nematode genera in the two systems at the community level. The MPP fields favored herbivores population assigned to PP2 and PP3 over the PP fields. Pearson correlation coefficients and CCA indicated sand, clay, Cu and pH as the most relevant soil properties for accounting the pattern of nematode community assemblages. In addition, the migratory endoparasites and epidermal/root hair feeders were significantly higher in MPP than in PP, while sedentary parasites and ectoparasites were more in PP than in MPP system. These results reveal a significant presence of economically important PPN in PP and MPP systems, which highlights the need for effective nematode management programs. The study also provides beneficial understanding of the structure and functioning of the nematode soil food web in PP and MPP, potentially contributing to the improvement of their yields and soil health.
Thesis
2023-08-01T00:00:00Z