Influence of Governance Practices on Performance of County Governments in Kenya

The Kenyan government acknowledges that there has been poor performance in the public sector over the years, especially in the management of public resources, which has hindered the realization of sustainable economic growth. Governance presents the single biggest opportunity for operational efficiency in any organization; therefore, its adoption is paramount in public sector management. The study examined the influence of governance practices on the performance of county governments in Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to establish how internal controls, stakeholder participation, internal audit standards, and transparency influence the performance of county governments in Kenya. The study employed a descriptive research design. The target population was Heads of Departments in all Ministries, Chief Officers of all Ministries, and Members of the County Assembly. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Data gathered from the questionnaires administered was analyzed with the help of SPSS and Microsoft Excel. The study used multiple linear regression and correlation analysis to show the relationship between the variables. The study findings indicated that internal controls, stakeholder participation, internal audit standards and transparency have a positive and significant relationship with on performance of county governments' in Kenya. The entire null hypotheses was rejected. The study recommends that the County Government should encourage stakeholders to participate by incorporating their views in governance processes. A feedback mechanism should also be delivered where stakeholders are informed of the process of their participation and the key decisions that result from the participation. Further, the study recommends that there is need for the county government to come up with its calendar of events on its activities. Keywords: Internal Controls, Stakeholder Participation, Internal Audit Standards, Transparency, Performance & County Government.

Effect of Traditional Knowledge System in Sustainable Development and Management of Natural Resources in Meru Community

This paper aimed at studying the effect of traditional knowledge system in sustainable development and management of natural resources in Meru community. The study was guided by the following questions: What is the role of indigenous system in the protection and conservation of natural resources in Meru community? What is the role of integrated environmental management frame work in the sustainable development and management of natural resources in Meru community? What is the relationship between participatory decision making, policy maker’s implementation and natural resources users in Meru community? The research was conducted in Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties and through purposeful sampling had two case studies from each county in Meru community. Data was collected using guided interviews and semi structured questions. The data was collected through a focus group discussion, documents and audio-visual materials. The study reviewed the literature to understand the effect of traditional knowledge system in sustainable development and management of natural resources in Meru community. Theoretical insights and empirical findings from the studies suggest that despite the generalized worldwide trend of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) erosion, substantial pockets of TEK persist in both developing and developed countries. The findings also reinforce previous hypotheses pointing at the importance of TEK systems as reservoirs of experiential knowledge that can provide important insights for the design of adaptation and mitigation strategies to cope with global environmental change in the management of natural resources. Recognition of endogenous management of Indigenous knowledge becomes an enhancing solution to the seemingly mega challenges of community development. Indigenous knowledge is a more secure foundation for sustainable solutions to challenges in developmental issues in communities and in Africa. Advanced technology in Indigenous knowledge (IK) usage and preservation empowers users to improve on pre-existing solutions to a problem, achieve a goal, and most of all improve on the standards of living. Keywords: Traditional knowledge System, development and management, Natural Resources, Meru community

Effect of Corporate Governance Practices on Organizational Performance of State Corporations in the Health Sector, Kenya

Sound corporate governance practices are a major contributor to effective and efficient management of State Corporations in the health sector in Kenya. Since independence, the level of accountability in management of State Corporations has continued to decline despite the availability of various monitoring structures like legal frameworks, ethics and integrity, policies and the code of conduct and ethics intended to provide a clear road map to successful performance of the State Corporations. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of corporate governance practices on the performance of the State Corporations in the health sector in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design with a population comprising of the health State Corporations. Primary data was collected the using questionnaires. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. The results indicated that accountability and organizational performance of health State Corporations is positively and significantly related. The results further indicated that transparency and organizational performance of health State Corporations is positively and significantly related Board Responsibility and organizational performance of health State Corporations is positively and significantly related. Moral Integrity and organizational performance of health State Corporations is positively and significantly related The study concluded that corporate governance practices have a positive and significant effect on organizational performance of State Corporations in the health sector in Kenya. The study recommended that the management of the State corporations should establish certain control mechanisms that ensure accountability. The study recommended that there should continuous internal check and audit on the part of management and low level of management to ensure adequate accountability systems in the State Corporations. Keywords: Corporate Governance, Organizational Performance & State Corporations

Resource and Stakeholder Mobilization by Community-Based Organizations for Community Economic Development in Kenya: A Survey of Community-Based Organizations in Siaya County

Most developing countries, including Kenya, have a big proportion of the population still living in rural areas that face an immense challenge especially on economic development and access to basic social infrastructure that include roads, health, water, and education. The government and local authorities are striving with the available limited resources against the competing priorities in order to meet the needs of the population and improve the quality of life and wellbeing. This study examined the role of community-based organizations (CBOs) on economic development in Siaya County, specifically their role on resource and stakeholder mobilization in Kenya. The study was anchored on Social Capital Theory but also analyzed both System and Conflict Theories. The study provides new and relevant information on the role of CBOs in development to the County governments as devolved systems of government responsible for development and planning thus justifying investment and policy formulation for closer collaboration. Descriptive study was undertaken and targeted and enumerated two respondents per group (total 50) in all the 25 CBOs in Siaya County that were duly registered and had coverage of at least one Sub-County. Using a Likert scale questionnaire, quantitative data was collected. Prior to that, a pilot study was done in the nearby Kakamega County to test the instrument. Descriptive, correlation and regression analysis was applied to the data using SPSS version 21. The findings indicate that; Resource Mobilization by CBOs enhances the organizations’ contribution to community economic development, stakeholders’ mobilization plays a critical role in community economic development, the CBOs in Siaya County have managed to increase their impact on economic development at the community level. The study suggests replication in other counties where NGO activity is evident in Kenya, focusing on community based organizations that do not rely on aid as their main income sources. Moreover, a comparative study involving the CBOs from the East African countries should also be considered in future studies. Keywords: Resource Mobilization, Stakeholder Engagement, community based organization and Siaya County.