African Journal of Emerging Issues

INFLUENCE OF PROMOTION OF SCHOOL-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP ON PERFORMANCE IN KENYA CERTIFICATE OF PRIMARY EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN MARSABIT NORTH SUB-COUNTY, MARSABIT COUNTY, KENYA

Quri Dalana — 2024-10-23

Statement of the Problem: School-community partnerships are crucial for improving academic performance. However, public primary schools in Marsabit North Sub-county continue to record low performance in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams.

Purpose of the Study: This study aimed to assess the influence of school-community partnerships on KCPE performance in public primary schools in Marsabit North Sub-county, Marsabit County, Kenya.

Methodology: The study utilized a mixed-method approach with a concurrent triangulation design, targeting 147 respondents, including 18 headteachers, 120 teachers, and 9 Coordinators of Public Benefits Organizations (PBOs). A sample size of 108 was determined using Yamane’s formula, employing stratified sampling across three zones to select participants through purposive and random sampling. Data collection involved questionnaires for teachers and interviews for headteachers and PBO Coordinators. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed, while quantitative data were processed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation with SPSS Version 25.

Findings: The study found that KCPE performance had declined over the past five years (2019-2023), with many pupils scoring below 300 marks. While community stakeholders were sometimes involved in activities like volunteering and ensuring school security, these partnerships were often hindered by bureaucratic challenges and the lack of formal strategic frameworks.

Recommendations: Headteachers should actively foster regular collaboration with the community, as their involvement is essential in developing strategies to improve KCPE performance and in providing additional resources to support academic programs.

Keywords: Promotion, School-Community, Partnership, Performance in Kenya, Certificate of Primary Education

INFLUENCE OF PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PRACTICES ON EMPLOYEES’ PERFORMANCE IN THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT OF MANDERA, KENYA

Adan Issak Mahad — 2024-10-28

Purpose of the Study: To assess the influence of performance evaluation practices on employees’ performance in the County Government of Mandera, Kenya.

Statement of the Problem: Performance evaluation, as a governance practice, plays an important role in realization of organizational objectives. However, in Mandera County, this is not the case due to the fact that employees’ performance is yet to be fully realized.

Methodology: The study employed a mixed-methods approach with concurrent triangulation, targeting 1,395 employees in Mandera County, and sampled 310 respondents using Yamane’s Formula. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews, then analyzed thematically for qualitative insights and through descriptive and inferential statistics (linear regression) using SPSS.

Findings: The study found that employees in Mandera County often struggle with productivity, miss deadlines, and face complaints of service delays, reflecting unmet performance potential. While the county government engages in reward practices, job analysis, and pay increments, these measures are applied minimally. Frequent lack of staff rewards, job analysis, and pay adjustments limit efforts to enhance employee performance.

Conclusion: The study concludes that performance evaluation practices are essential yet underutilized tools for enhancing employee productivity and organizational effectiveness within the County Government of Mandera.

Recommendations: The County Government should conduct job analysis and evaluation in order to place right employees for the right jobs and ensure that no employee has too much workload which might compromise efficiency and productivity.

Keywords: Performance evaluation practices, employees’ performance, county government of Mandera

EFFECT OF ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION ON SUSTAINABILITY OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT IN MANDERA MUNICIPALITY GREENING PROJECT, IN KENYA

Siyad Ahmed Maalim — 2024-10-28

Purpose of the Study: The study aims to examine how organizational leadership and community involvement affect the sustainability of the Mandera Municipality Greening project implemented by the County Government of Mandera.

Research Methodology: The study employed a descriptive research design targeting 165 employees from Mandera County's environment department, from which a sample of 116 respondents was drawn. The sampling process combined stratified, purposive, and simple random sampling methods. Data collection involved observation of project managers and team members, with primary data obtained through researcher-administered questionnaires. Content validity was ensured through departmental expert review, while internal consistency was measured using the Cronbach alpha reliability index.

Findings of the Study: The research revealed that most participants agreed that organizational leadership significantly impacts the sustainability of environmental projects in Mandera County. Similarly, community involvement emerged as a crucial factor affecting project sustainability. The study established a strong positive correlation between both organizational leadership and community involvement with the sustainability of environmental projects in the region.

Conclusion: Based on the research findings, it is evident that both organizational leadership and community involvement are essential components for ensuring the sustainability of environmental projects in Mandera County.

Recommendations: County governments should prioritize strengthening their organizational leadership structures while ensuring active community participation throughout project implementation.

Keywords: Organizational Leadership, Community Participation, Sustainability, Environmental Project, Mandera Municipality Greening Project

INFLUENCE OF PRINCIPALS’ BUDGETING COMPETENCIES ON FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN THARAKA SOUTH SUB-COUNTY, THARAKA NITHI COUNTY, KENYA

Robert Muthini Njagi — 2024-10-29

Statement of the Problem: Budgeting competencies demonstrated by principals play a significant role in enhancing financial performance in secondary schools. However, in Tharaka South Sub-county, this has not been the case, as many public secondary schools have reported instances of low and delayed financial performance.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of principals’ budgeting competencies on financial performance in public secondary schools in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya.

Methodology: The study used a mixed-method approach with a concurrent triangulation design. It targeted 28 principals, 140 department heads, 28 bursars, 28 BoM Chairs, and two County/Sub-county Auditors, selecting a sample of 144 respondents through Yamane’s formula. Data were collected via questionnaires for department heads and interviews for principals, BoM Chairs, bursars, and auditors. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically and presented narratively, while quantitative data were analyzed descriptively with frequencies and percentages and inferentially through regression analysis using SPSS version 25, with findings presented in tables.

Findings: The study found that financial performance in many public secondary schools in Tharaka South Sub-county remains suboptimal. Numerous cases of financial misappropriation, wastage, pilferage, and overall financial inefficiency were reported. This financial mismanagement was linked to insufficient budgeting competencies among principals. Specifically, when principals lack essential financial skills, budgets often fail to align with school objectives, resulting in fund misallocation and financial shortfalls.

Recommendations: The Ministry of Education should implement targeted professional development programs to strengthen principals' financial management and budgeting skills. These programs should cover budget forecasting, resource allocation, financial reporting, and the use of budgeting tools.

Keywords: Financial performance, principals’ budgeting competencies, public secondary schools.

STRATEGIC PUBLIC–PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND ACHIEVEMENT OF SELECTED STATE-OWNED CORPORATIONS IN KENYA

Gilbert Sabri Soita — 2024-10-29

Purpose: This research sought to delve into the influence of strategic public-private partnerships on the success of selected state-owned enterprises in Kenya. The study's specific objectives included examining the effects of supply chain, integration, financial, and marketing partnerships on the achievement of these corporations.

Methodology: The study used a descriptive design, focusing on three Kenyan State Corporations and targeting 1,228 managers, with data collected via structured questionnaires. Analysis through SPSS v26.0 involved descriptive and inferential analytics to examine variable relationships.

Results: The findings reveal that all the strategic partnerships significantly impact the achievement of State-Owned Corporations (SOCs) in Kenya. Specifically, strategic supply chain partnerships (β = 0.227, p < 0.001), strategic integration partnerships (β = 0.229, p < 0.001), strategic financial partnerships (β = 0.384, p < 0.001), and strategic marketing partnerships (β = 0.32, p < 0.001) each have a positive and statistically significant effect on SOC performance.

Conclusion: Strategic partnerships are vital for SOC success, significantly enhancing performance, competitiveness, and growth across supply chain, integration, financial, and marketing domains.

Recommendation: SOCs should strengthen strategic partnerships by focusing on joint planning, transparent financial practices, regular evaluations, and staff training to maximize performance and competitive advantage.

Keywords: Public-Private Partnerships, State-Owned Corporations, Strategic Partnerships, Operational Efficiency, Kenya

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RELIABILITY OF IMPROVED WATER SERVICE AND PUPIL’S HAND WASHING PRACTICES IN LURAMBI SUB COUNTY, KAKAMEGA COUNTY, KENYA

Humphrey Buradi Zadock — 2024-10-30

Statement of the Problem: Inconsistent and inadequate water services in Kenyan public schools hinder effective handwashing practices, exposing students to preventable diseases such as diarrhea and respiratory infections. Insufficient hand hygiene resources are prevalent, with only 40% of schools equipped with essential soap and water facilities. This lack of resources poses a barrier to maintaining essential hygiene standards, impacting students' health and attendance.

Purpose of the Study: This study aims to analyze the relationship between the reliability of improved water services and students’ handwashing practices in Lurambi Sub-County, Kakamega County. Insights from this research will inform targeted interventions to promote reliable water infrastructure and improve hand hygiene practices in schools.

Research Methodology: A cross-sectional survey design was used, with data collected from 389 pupils and 12 head teachers through questionnaires and key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, while qualitative insights were derived through content analysis.

Findings of the Study: The study found that reliable water services, such as boreholes and shallow wells, increased handwashing participation among students; however, improved water service alone did not guarantee high compliance. Although students had a high level of knowledge about handwashing, factors such as inadequate handwashing stations, overcrowding, and maintenance issues limited effective handwashing practices.

Conclusion: Reliable water access positively impacts handwashing but must be paired with well-maintained and accessible facilities.

Recommendations: Schools should prioritize funding and infrastructure improvements for reliable water services and adequate handwashing stations to promote better hygiene practices.

Keywords: Reliability, Improved Water Service, Pupil. Hand Washing Practices, Lurambi Sub County