http://41.89.205.12/handle/123456789/170 2026-05-09T14:00:10Z http://41.89.205.12/handle/123456789/2849 Towards Transformative Impact: Assessing the Reciprocity and Effectiveness of Environmental Sustainability and Community Engagement Initiatives at Alupe University in Busia County, Kenya Jerop, (PhD) Dr. Caren; busolo, (PhD) Prof. Hillary This study investigates the current state of environmental sustainability practices and community engagement at Alupe University in Busia County, western Kenya. The study research questions were, what are the current environmental sustainability practices at Alupe University, and what key areas need improvement? how can a comprehensive green strategy that includes waste management, energy efficiency, and sustainable resource use be developed for Alupe University? And how can the university community effectively engage in sustainable practices through education, awareness programs, and active participation in green initiatives? Through a structured questionnaire administered to 163 members of the university community, the research assessed current waste management, energy use, sustainability awareness; development of a green strategy; and community involvement in environmental sustainability. The findings reveal a significant gap between the expressed desire for sustainability and current practices, highlighting challenges such as inadequate waste management infrastructure, limited adoption of energy-efficient measures, and infrastructural and resource constraints hindering the implementation of green initiatives. Despite these challenges, the study identifies strong community support for integrating sustainability into university policies and a willingness to participate in green activities. Based on these findings, the paper proposes actionable recommendations encompassing institutional policy integration, enhanced waste and energy management, green infrastructure development, robust community engagement programs, digital transition, and the establishment of a dedicated sustainability unit for monitoring and evaluation. This study investigates the current state of environmental sustainability practices and community engagement at Alupe University in Busia County, western Kenya. The study research questions were, what are the current environmental sustainability practices at Alupe University, and what key areas need improvement? how can a comprehensive green strategy that includes waste management, energy efficiency, and sustainable resource use be developed for Alupe University? And how can the university community effectively engage in sustainable practices through education, awareness programs, and active participation in green initiatives? Through a structured questionnaire administered to 163 members of the university community, the research assessed current waste management, energy use, sustainability awareness; development of a green strategy; and community involvement in environmental sustainability. The findings reveal a significant gap between the expressed desire for sustainability and current practices, highlighting challenges such as inadequate waste management infrastructure, limited adoption of energy-efficient measures, and infrastructural and resource constraints hindering the implementation of green initiatives. Despite these challenges, the study identifies strong community support for integrating sustainability into university policies and a willingness to participate in green activities. Based on these findings, the paper proposes actionable recommendations encompassing institutional policy integration, enhanced waste and energy management, green infrastructure development, robust community engagement programs, digital transition, and the establishment of a dedicated sustainability unit for monitoring and evaluation. 2025-08-16T00:00:00Z http://41.89.205.12/handle/123456789/2848 Impact of Communication Strategies on Loan Repayment among Microfinance-Supported Women Groups in Alego Usonga Sub-county, Siaya, Kenya Auma, Dr. Rose; Busolo, Dr. Hillary; Shitubi, Dr. Isaac; Mulindi, Carey Adekhela Access to microcredit is a vital tool for microentrepreneurs seeking to expand their economic activities, generate employment, and alleviate poverty in developing nations. In Kenya, microfinance institutions (MFIs) have expanded access to credit for underserved populations. However, despite the communication strategies implemented by these institutions to promote financial literacy, value addition, budgeting, record-keeping, and loan management among borrowers, there has been a significant rise in loan defaults, particularly among informal sector borrowers. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the communication strategies implemented by MFIs for microfinance-supported women's groups in Alego-Usonga Sub-county, Siaya, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to examine the communication strategies employed by MFIs to communicate with their borrowers in Alego-Usonga sub-county, assess the effect of these strategies on loan borrowers' repayment behavior and to establish perceptions of borrowers and MFIs regarding the effect of the quality of communication between them. The study was grounded in Systems Theory, Transactional Communication Theory, and the Resource-Based Theory. The study employed mixed-methods research, utilizing purposive sampling and stratified sampling, and applied Yamane's formula (1967) to determine a sample size of 110 respondents. Structured questionnaires and Key Informant Interviews were used to collect data from women group clients and MFI staff, respectively. SPSS was used to analyze descriptive statistics, correlation tests and regression analysis, whereas qualitative data was analyzed thematically. A key finding was that repayment improves when communication improves. Borrowers who receive timely, understandable, and respectful information are significantly more likely to repay on time. Transactional and participatory communication models are more effective than top-down or one-way models. Channels that allow borrower input, such as face-to-face meetings, build trust and accountability. Communication strategies that do not adapt to local language, education levels and social norms tend to isolate borrowers and increase default risk. While SMS and mobile apps are efficient, they exclude some borrowers in rural areas, such as Alego Usonga Sub-County, unless digital literacy, device access, and language are considered. Further, there is limited rapport between borrowers and microfinance agents when digital communication is applied in loan recovery. Access to microcredit is a vital tool for microentrepreneurs seeking to expand their economic activities, generate employment, and alleviate poverty in developing nations. In Kenya, microfinance institutions (MFIs) have expanded access to credit for underserved populations. However, despite the communication strategies implemented by these institutions to promote financial literacy, value addition, budgeting, record-keeping, and loan management among borrowers, there has been a significant rise in loan defaults, particularly among informal sector borrowers. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the communication strategies implemented by MFIs for microfinance-supported women's groups in Alego-Usonga Sub-county, Siaya, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to examine the communication strategies employed by MFIs to communicate with their borrowers in Alego-Usonga sub-county, assess the effect of these strategies on loan borrowers' repayment behavior and to establish perceptions of borrowers and MFIs regarding the effect of the quality of communication between them. The study was grounded in Systems Theory, Transactional Communication Theory, and the Resource-Based Theory. The study employed mixed-methods research, utilizing purposive sampling and stratified sampling, and applied Yamane's formula (1967) to determine a sample size of 110 respondents. Structured questionnaires and Key Informant Interviews were used to collect data from women group clients and MFI staff, respectively. SPSS was used to analyze descriptive statistics, correlation tests and regression analysis, whereas qualitative data was analyzed thematically. A key finding was that repayment improves when communication improves. Borrowers who receive timely, understandable, and respectful information are significantly more likely to repay on time. Transactional and participatory communication models are more effective than top-down or one-way models. Channels that allow borrower input, such as face-to-face meetings, build trust and accountability. Communication strategies that do not adapt to local language, education levels and social norms tend to isolate borrowers and increase default risk. While SMS and mobile apps are efficient, they exclude some borrowers in rural areas, such as Alego Usonga Sub-County, unless digital literacy, device access, and language are considered. Further, there is limited rapport between borrowers and microfinance agents when digital communication is applied in loan recovery. 2025-08-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.205.12/handle/123456789/2841 Theory-Based Approach to Research Question Formulation: Fundamentals for Postgraduate Students Elazia, Paul Major; Manya, Stephen Wandefu; Ngugi, Margaret; Makhokha, Paul Major; Wisindi, Andrew; Amateshe, Maurice; Wanyonyi, Michael Shinachi; Bah, Saidou Postgraduate students are required to undertake research projects as part of the requirements of the courses they take. In that regard, they need to understand how theories are applied in research work. The aim of this study was to document challenges postgraduate students encounter when applying social research theories in constructing research questions. The key objective was to determine the deficits postgraduate students have in applying theories in the formulation of research questions. The second objective was to identify appropriate strategies as proposed from the respondents in overcoming the deficits identified under the first objective. The study was conducted in Kenya and Armenian selected public universities. A Quasi-qualitative survey research design was used and target population consisted of lecturers and postgraduate students conveniently selected from the social sciences departments. Focused group discussions(FGD)were used to collect data through the online platform Zoom where one FGD consisted of 9 conveniently selected postgraduate supervisors and two consisted of 11 and 14 postgraduate students respectively. Internet-based research was used to get information from online sources. Thematic and contextual analyses were used and the results showed that students have inadequate skills, knowledge, and competencies suitable for helping them formulate research questions using theoretical constructs. The study recommends improving the content and approaches of teaching research methods, focusing on the application of theory in research studies. The study further proposes strategies for ensuring that the students can design, develop, and use theory in all aspects of conducting research. The study has value by proposing ways of overcoming inadequacies by improving postgraduate students’ research competencies ,by applying theoretical constructs in the development of research questions for their research studies. 2025-06-01T00:00:00Z http://41.89.205.12/handle/123456789/2837 EFFECT OF BUDGETARY PROCESSES ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF COUNTY GOVERNMENTS UNDER THE WESTERN REGION ECONOMIC BLOC, KENYA Kusimba, Brenda Njata; Cherono, Irene; Melly, Peninah Tanui Financial performance is a major concern for the county governments because through improved financial performance the county governments are able to fulfill their obligation of service delivery to the citizens. Hence, adhering to the budgetary processes is important in enhancing financial performance at the county level. However, the county governments in Kenya especially those in the Western Region Economic Bloc (WREB) are still encountering financial performance challenges despite undertaking of the budgetary processes. It is on this basis that this paper explored the effect of budgetary processes on the financial performance of the WREB counties in Kenya. Specifically, the paper examined the effect of budgetary planning, budgetary implementation and budgetary control and auditing on the financial performance of the WREB counties in Kenya. It also examined the combined effect of budgetary planning, implementation and control and auditing on the financial performance on the financial performance of the WREB counties. The study was anchored on the theory of budgeting and adopted the causal explanatory research design. The target population was 191 budgeting officers, accountants and internal auditors from 5 WREB counties in Kenya. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and document analysis and both the descriptive and inferential statistics employed in data analysis. The results showed that budgetary planning, implementation and control and auditing significantly affected the financial performance of the WREB counties (Beta=0.428; p=.002<0.05, Beta=0.324; p=.000<0.05 and Beta=0.460; p=.003<0.05). Moreover, the joint effect of budgetary planning, implementation and control and auditing on the financial performance of the WREB counties was significant. It is recommended that the WREB counties should adhere to the provisions of the budgetary processes to enhance their financial performance 2024-09-05T00:00:00Z