https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/150 2026-03-22T10:20:34Z 2026-03-22T10:20:34Z Ochieng, Vincent O. Wayua, F. O. Kirigua, V. O. Gitonga, C. Wasilwa, L. https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/7544 2024-04-23T09:00:34Z 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Status of production of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) in Busia County, Kenya Authors: Ochieng, Vincent O.; Wayua, F. O.; Kirigua, V. O.; Gitonga, C.; Wasilwa, L. Abstract: Jackfruit is one of the underutilised fruits in Kenya which has potential to contribute to food and nutrition security. However, little is known about the status of jackfruit production in the country. This study assessed the status of jackfruit production in Busia County, Kenya. Data were collected through structured interviews with farmers (n=291), traders (n=6), key informant interviews (n=5) and field observations and analysed using descriptive statistics. There were two main varieties of jackfruit - yellow-fleshed and orange-fleshed. Yellow-fleshed jackfruit was grown by 78.0% of the farmers, the mean number of jackfruit trees in the farm being 5 (range: 1 to 30). Orange-fleshed jackfruit was grown by 38.5% of the farmers, the mean number of orange-fleshed jackfruit trees in the farm being 4 (range: 1 to 25). Despite being grown by fewer respondents, orange-fleshed jackfruit was the most preferred, because of sweetness, having less latex, quick maturing and perceived more nutritious. The estimated mean production of jackfruit fruits per year per household was 665±120 (range: 50 to 20,000 fruits). Jackfruit trees were mainly used as a source of food (42.5%), income (22.3%) and shade (18.9%). Other uses included manure (from the leaves), firewood / charcoal, livestock feed and timber. The trees were grown in pure stands (45.4%), along the hedge (29.5%), and intercropped with other crops (15.0%). Only 13.1% of farmers had access to information on jackfruit production. The main sources of information were fellow farmers (52.2%), indigenous knowledge (21.7%), traders (8.7%) and Ministry of Agriculture extension (7.2%). The main types of information were on seedling production and nursery management. Appropriate strategies are needed to enhance commercialisation of the fruit and its contribution to livelihoods of rural communities. Such strategies include awareness creation on the economic and nutritional importance of the fruit, developing a viable seed system, capacity building of farmers on good agricultural practices, and promotion of value added products.

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z Yatundu, Faraji A. Ngacho, Christopher https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/7499 2024-01-25T08:02:56Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Relational bonds and customer loyalty: Insights from related literature Authors: Yatundu, Faraji A.; Ngacho, Christopher Abstract: The pursuit by organizations to retain their current customers and increase their market share has made customer relational bonding and the adoption of retail mix critical for organizations. The study focused on effect of relational bonds strategy on customer loyalty. A number of objectives were addressed by this study; it assessed the effect of financial, social, structural and customization bonds on customer loyalty. A number of papers with bias to bonding were identified by examining the table of contents of the leading journals followed by a scrutiny of the key words used in each paper in the journal. The literature search included journals published by numerous publishers, for the period 2011–2016. These papers were filtered on the basis of their focus and the dates of publication. After this process, there were approximately 24 papers whose copies were collected and formed a basis of this review. A number of outcomes were identified. Financial, social, structural and customization bonds have an effect on the loyalty of customers in the retail chains. The financial bonds are crucial in relationship development hence most retail chains to embrace non monetary financial bonds. It’s important to create theoretical support in identifying different social bonds so as not to have the social bond frequently being included as one type of bond in a relational or relationship bond measurement scale. Retail chains to embrace structural bonding to give them an edge in competition, but equally to focus in non service sector that has very little of structural bonding. It’s equally important to have intimate knowledge of individual customers needs and through the development of customized solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of the individual customers. The relationship between the relational bonds and customer loyalty developed in this paper is expected to contribute to the existing body of relationship marketing and management literature in terms of exploring the nature of relationships. The management will use the findings of this study to guide them in their customer relationship decisions. Furthermore, the findings of this research will be source of reference for the academicians who intend to carry out studies in relation to the subject of relational bonds and customer loyalty in retail firms and related organizations. Description: Proceedings of Kibabii University 2nd Interdisciplinary International Scientific Conference; June 14-15, 2017

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z Mamuli, Catherine L. Namasaka, David B. Wekesa, Getty Khayinga, Consolata M. https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6296 2023-11-30T09:56:22Z 2017-06-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Influence of selection on academic staff retention in universities in Kenya Authors: Mamuli, Catherine L.; Namasaka, David B.; Wekesa, Getty; Khayinga, Consolata M. Abstract: Kenyan universities are operating in a highly competitive environment where supply of qualified academic staff is in deficit. One of the challenges these universities face is academic staff retention. This study sought to establish the influence of selection practices on academic staff retention in Universities in Kenya. The study was conducted in four public and four private universities and data was collected between the period June to September, 2016. The literature was reviewed as per the study objective. The study used mixed method research design. The target population was 2,768 academic staff from 8 (4 public and 4 private) universities. The sample size of 284 (276 departmental academic staff plus 8 (HR) registrars) was drawn. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedule.A validity index of 0.80 was obtained. Reliability of the questionnaires was measured and calculated using Cronbach’s alpha and a correlation coefficient of 0.84 was achieved .Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to present data. Pearson correlation on commitment as a moderating variable was done and results showed that commitment affected selection practices significantly with the Pearson’s correlation of 0.4000 and p-value of 0.000. Additionally, commitment did not affect retention significantly with a correlation of 0.021 and p-value of 0.764. The findings of the study revealed that selection practices had an influence on academic staff retention in universities with a frequency of 131 and a percentage of 64.8 %.The overall conclusion of this study is that selection practices had significance influence on academic staff retention in universities in Kenya. The study recommended that universities should review their practices on selection so as to help them to achieve and enhance academic staff retention. Description: Proceedings of Kibabii University 2nd Interdisciplinary International Scientific Conference

2017-06-01T00:00:00Z Ngure, Kelvin M. Kananu, Addy, M. Munini, Munywoki E. Evusa, Zablon Ndirangu, Antony W. Sisimonda, Kinya M. https://repository.seku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/4445 2023-11-30T09:38:37Z 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Factors influencing optimal revenue collection in Kitui county government Authors: Ngure, Kelvin M.; Kananu, Addy, M.; Munini, Munywoki E.; Evusa, Zablon; Ndirangu, Antony W.; Sisimonda, Kinya M. Abstract: Enhancement of revenue collection in counties is a crucial activity in the financial obligation that leads to the recognition of their directive by the constitution to offer well timed services to the citizens and demand that may surpass the available resources within the counties. Currently, the largest proportion of the County financial resources comes from the National Exchequer. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the factors affecting optimal revenue collection by KituiCounty Government. To achieve the overall goal of the study, four specific objectives were formulated and each respective variable was then presented in the conceptual framework. The specific objectives included: To establish the influence of Technology on optimal revenue collection by KituiCounty Government; To determine the influence of public participation on optimal revenue collection by KituiCounty Government; To find out the influence of internal control system on achievement of optimal revenue collection by KituiCounty Government; To establish the influence of human resource on optimum revenue collection by KituiCounty Government. Longitudinal research design and descriptive research designed were used. The target population was the finance and accounting officers of Kitui County Government. The Sample population was selected using purposive and simple random sampling. Questionnaires were used for collection of primary data. The questionnaires pilot tested to determine the reliability and validity before they were administered in the final study. Both descriptive and inferential analysis was done for the collected data. The study population comprised a total number of 56 members and sample population of 15 members. Data was analyzed using SPSS (V.25) and the results in a multiple linear regression used to reveal the coefficients of the specific independent variables of the study. On overall, the study established internal control system and technology has the greatest effect on optimal revenue collection, followed by public participation while human resource had the least effect on optimal revenue collection. Technology and internal control system a strong positive correlation of 0.533 and 0.564 respectively and public participation and human resource had a positive correlation of 0.213 and 0.189 respectively on optimal revenue collection. The study significance level was below the 0.05 with technology at 0.024, public participation 0.044, internal control system 0.011 and human resource 0.024. The study recommends that County government should set up public forums more often. Also, it provides that government institute should be started to give County revenue collectors trainings on use of new technologies implemented.

2019-01-01T00:00:00Z