OUTCOMES OF LIVELIHOOD DIVERSIFICATION AMONG AGRO-PASTORAL HOUSEHOLDS IN LAIKIPIA COUNTY, KENYA

Purpose: The purpose aimed to investigate livelihood diversification strategies and livelihood outcomes among agro-pastoral households in Laikipia North Sub-county, Kenya. Methodology: The study adopted a cross sectional survey design where a sample of the population was selected, and from these individuals, data was collected to help answer the research questions. A total of 422 households were systematically sampled. Data were collected using two instruments; household interview guides and key informant interview guide. Data analysis was done using SPSS (version 20) computer software program. Frequency tables, pie charts and bar graphs are used to present the findings of the study. Descriptive statistics were presented using maximum, minimum, mean, percentage, and standard deviations. Significance correlation between descriptive variables was tested using Chi square test and Spearman correlation coefficient at 0.05 level of significance. Results: The findings of the study revealed that there was a response rate of 90.3% with more than half of the respondents being household heads. The average number of years the respondents had lived in the area was 43. The researcher sought livelihood strategies pursued in the past, presently and enumerated the reasons for disparity where it existed. Climate change was cited as a major cause of disparity at 40.7% followed by increased levels of education, changing land use and need to increase income and availability of market in that order. Assets (physical, financial and social) were found to have a significant influence on livelihoods outcomes. Challenges the respondents faced however was found to have no significant influence on the livelihood outcomes (χ=1.017, df =1, p=0.313). Finally, there was significant relationship between the adopted livelihood strategies and livelihood outcomes (χ2=14.730, df =1, p=0.000, r=-0.197). Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The government should strengthen Cooperative Development and Trade and Industry to the ward level. Such efforts will enhance the formation and effective running of cooperative societies as well as equip local community members with skills of running profitable businesses.

IDENTIFICATION AND PREVENTION OF EXPECTED CYBERSECURITY THREATS DURING 2022 FIFA WORLD CUP IN QATAR

Purpose: This research aimed to identify cybersecurity threats expected at the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022 and assess how they can be prevented. Methodology: This was done by adopting a quantitative research design and survey strategy with 167 respondents from Qatar. The respondents were purposively sampled from the event industry, and a Likert scale was used to quantify the responses for further statistical analysis. The quantitative data collected was analysed using the SPSS version 25 for data analysis. A hypothesis was tested as to whether the perceived expected cybersecurity threats are significantly associated with the perceived quality of measures to tackle these threats. The testing was done using multiple methods, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and cross-sectional linear regression analysis. Further analysis was done using One-way ANOVA and correlation analysis, as well as, independent samples t-test. Descriptive statistics, such as percentages and frequencies were used, with tables and charts used in presenting the findings. Findings: The results revealed high loadings of potential cyberattacks on sponsors, fans, online ticket sales, government and the FIFA website based on the PCA. The regression analysis revealed a statistically significant association between the perception of the cybersecurity risks and perceived quality of measures undertaken to address the cyber threats. The research was limited, however, by not covering technical issues of cybersecurity, including the development of improvements to current security systems, which presents an area for future research with the implementation of machine learning technologies, big data and AI training. Contribution: The study provided recommendations for policymakers to invest in technologies for the protection of sensitive data, including online databases and hiring competent specialists in the field of cybersecurity. To address the risks for fans, policymakers are recommended to start a campaign aimed at increasing the awareness of cyberattacks on personal and financial information at large events.

ADOPTION AND IMPACT OF IMPROVED PIGEON PEAS ON FARMING HOUSEHOLD POVERTY IN SEMI-ARID SOUTH EAST KENYA

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess the factors influencing adoption of improved pigeon peas in semi-arid South Eastern Kenya and to evaluate the impact of adoption on households’ poverty. Methodology: The study used cross sectional data gathered through household survey to establish the factors influencing improved pigeon pea adoption. Propensity score matching approach was further used to assess the impact of adoption on households’ poverty. Findings: The results show that farmers’ access to improved pigeon pea seed, contact with agricultural extension service providers and access to market information significantly influenced adoption (p< 0.001). Adopters and non-adopters got an average net farm income of Kenya shillings (KES) 29,570 and 21, 490 per acre per year respectively. Adoption of improved pigeon peas resulted in a decrease of head count poverty by 0.24% and a reduction of poverty gap and poverty severity by 0.30% and 0.20 % respectively. Contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that both National and County Government make policies that create enabling environment for private sector participation in production of certified seed to improve farmers’ access to improved seed to augment production. Facilitating farmers’ improved access to reliable and timely market information will increase production of marketable surplus of the peas that are adaptable to semi-arid areas, increase fall income and contribute to reduction of rural poverty.

CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND (CDF) AND ITS EFFECTS ON COMMUNITY WELFARE IN TIGANIA EAST CONSTITUENCY, MERU COUNTY KENYA

Purpose: The objective of the study was to identify the effects of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) on community welfare in Tigania East Constituency. Methodology: The study adopted descriptive design. The target population was the Constituency Development Fund beneficial groups and project leaders including project management committees (PMCs) of Tigania East Constituency currently implementing projects funded by the CDF. The population comprised of 500 project-member committee drawn from the ongoing CDF-funded projects in Tigania East Constituency. The study employed stratified sampling where the Constituency was divided into Sub Counties. This study utilized a sample size of 100. The study used structured questionnaire and semi structured interviews to collect data. Pilot study was done on ten randomly picked members, two from each sub county and would not participate in the actual study. The researcher used Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version to analyse data. Data analysis employed both descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The findings showed that devolved funding has impacted positively on the community welfare of the people of Tigania East constituency. The findings revealed that all the independent variables notably; (X1) youth projects, (X2) health programmes, (X3) infrastructure projects and (X4) educational programmes have a significance influence on community welfare. Youth projects, health programmes, infrastructure projects and educational programmes have p-value of 0.022, 0.004, 0.049, and 0.007 respectively. These p-values are statistically significant at 5% significant level. The study concludes that youth projects, health programmes, infrastructure projects and educational programmes had a significant positive relationship with community welfare in constituency offices. The findings show there are several projects that are being funded/ have been funded by the CDF. It also shows that there are positive outcomes to the community from CDF and that the level of community participation in the projects funded by devolved funds is high. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that all stakeholders have to participate in ensuring sustainability of positive strategies adopted in the management of the fund so as to continue realizing their effects. The study also recommends that the national government should fasten the processes leading to disbursement of funds to local units so as not to delay the implementation of projects. The study further recommends that there is the need to train CDF Funds staff as well as the community representatives on issues of project prioritizing, choice and management.

BRIDGING ECONOMIC INEQUALITY GAP IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: A DIAGNOSIS OF OBSTACLES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CONTEXT OF UGANDA

Purpose: Economists argue that a nation will never survive morally or economically when so few have so much, while so many have so little. In the context of Uganda where the level of economic inequality is high as revealed by the present gini coefficient of 0.42, the purpose of this paper was to explore obstacles making it difficult to bridge economic inequality in the country and the possible opportunities that could be capitalized on so as to bridge this gap. Methodology: The study employed an extended literature review to explore the state of economic inequality in Uganda, the obstacles to dealing with the problem of economic inequality and the possible opportunities for addressing economic inequality in Uganda Findings: Study findings show that economic inequality in Uganda is a chronically growing problem that will need more than just policies and regulations to deal with it. In this regard, political will and commitment by both the government of Uganda and its citizens are essential factors in this struggle. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The paper recommends that the political will and commitment of the prevailing leadership and policy makers in Uganda will be vital in bridging economic inequality gap in the country.

EFFECTS OF HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY ON THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AMONG PUPILS IN MUKURU INFORMAL SETTLEMENT, IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA

Purpose: The study assessed the effects of household food security on academic performance among pupils in Mukuru informal settlement, Nairobi County. Methodology: The population of the study consisted of 7565 participants from Mukuru. Stratified, purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select a sample size of 205 respondents (100 children, 10 teachers and 85 parents from the study area, and 10 officials from the Ministry of Education), who responded to the households access to food in Mukuru informal settlement, factors hindering the attainment of households food security, effect of household food security on academic performance of pupils. A descriptive research survey was conducted, using a mixed method. Data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Correlation analysis and regression analysis were used to determine the relationships and significance between variables. Results:The key finding indicated that there is a strong positive relation between the effects of food security and academic performance; it established a positive association between the variables with a significance ‘‘R’’ value of .635 and a coefficient of determination R square of 0.404. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: From the findings, some recommendations were made, for the government to formulate policies that would help improve food security so as to reduce its effects on pupils’ academic performance, also creation of jobs to increase employment which would offer people opportunities to raise their income.

SOCIAL DETERMINANTS AND UPTAKE OF SOLAR COOKING PROJECTS- KAKUMA REFUGEE CAMP IN KENYA

Purpose: To investigate the influence of social determinants on uptake of solar cooking projects in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. Methodology: A cross-sectional study of 122 systematically sampled households in Kakuma Refugee Camp was done. Questionnaires were completed to collect information about social norms, family size, security and safety, education level and beneficiary participation. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the findings. Findings: All the 122 questionnaires completed by respondents had a mean age (SD) 37.8 (8.6); 85% female. Households in Kakuma mainly acquire their domestic fuel via different means within the camp such as firewood collection, purchases from local vendors or donations from aid agencies. Firewood on open fires was the modal cooking practice at 83.6%, followed by charcoal at 15.6% and solar cooking at 0.8%, while use of alternative fuels like gas, ethanol or kerosene was found to be insignificant. Adoption of solar cooking was observed to be under influence of social norms, family size and education. A greater uptake of solar cooking was noted among respondents with higher education levels and lower uptake among large families. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Firewood is given to refugees for domestic fuel in Kakuma Refugee Camp; however, getting adequate supplies for the sprawling camp population is getting increasingly difficult, and environmentally damaging. Solar cooking projects have been implemented as possible solutions albeit with little success. There is a need for humanitarian agencies to make refugees aware and conversant with use of the free, sustainable solar fuel to cook and cognizant of benefits of shifting from wood-based cooking to the cleaner solar cooking option. Household cooking is such a socio-culturally embedded practice in Kakuma that context-specific solar cookers that can fry, boil, and bake using ordinally cooking styles of refugees would be key to a wider-spread solar cooking uptake. In addition, there is a gap between the refugees’ preferred fuel option and their ability to pay. To get solar cooking to scale, more investment is needed and agencies should explore working with local businesses to subsidize cost of solar cookers in camps. Finally, the Kenya and the ISO standards for clean cookstoves need developing since there is a gap and the existing standards mainly focus on solid fuel, biomass or ethanol cookstoves.

CONGESTION IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND PRIVATE INVESTMENTS

Purpose: Public goods and services play a vital role in a given economy. Most importantly, optimal supply of public goods and services is desirable. The justice system services are public services that, as argued by most economists and governments, would be expected to spur the growth of private investment. However, these services are prone to congestion which may influence their supply and level of use. This study investigated the effect of congestion in the justice system on private investments growth in Kenya. Methodology: Drawing from the modified neoclassical theory of investment, a government service characterized by congestion was integrated as an input in the firm’s production function to derive a structural model for private investment growth. Utilizing data for the period 1960 to 2016, two-stage least square (2SLS) instrumental variable (IV) method was used for estimation. Results: The study found that congestion in the justice system reduces growth of private investment. This implies that congestion increases firm’s adjustment costs, decrease their profitability and consequently reduces capital accumulation. Recommendation: To enhance the growth of private investments, we recommend reduction of congestion in the justice system to the possible minimum. This can be achieved by upscaling resolution of disputes out of court to reduce inflow of new caseload. Consequently, the waiting period between hearings and mentions for existing cases would reduce translating to speedy conclusion of cases. The justice system institutions with involvement of litigants and their legal representatives should continuously undertake activities targeting rapid finalization of old cases, but not at the expense of inbound demand for justice. Consequently, congestion would diminish creating a legal and contracting environment characterized by minimal delay hence supporting accumulation of capital.

A BASELINE ASSESSMENT OF RECIPIENTS OF OPCT PROGRAM IN KIBERA INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to conduct a baseline assessment of recipients of OPCT program in Kibera informal settlements Methodology: The exploratory design was considered appropriate for this study. Random sampling was used to select 50 respondents (15men, 35women) OPCT beneficiaries who were not members of KDC and 20 members of KDC. Random sampling was ideal because each respondent of the target population had an equal chance of being selected. Purposive sampling was used to identify 5 key informants. Results: The study found out that there were more women compared to men in the OPCT program. The study noted that the OPCT beneficiaries were 65 years and above, which showed adherence to the objective selection criteria. It was observed further that majority of the elderly OPCT beneficiaries also suffered from chronic diseases such as tuberculosis, high blood pressure and diabetes. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: To the recipients of OPCT, they should be sensitized and ensure they follow the required protocol so that they can avoid being struck off the register, and form welfare groups where they can socialize, share, enlighten each other, make friends and even champion their rights.

How Does Public Deficit Affect Public Investment in Senegal?

Purpose: This paper proposes an assessment of the non-linear relationship between public deficit and public investment in debt situation.Methodology: We use an endogenous growth model, with productive public spending, that we test empirically using the interaction model of Brambor et al. (2002), over the period 1980-2015, in Senegal.Results: The results of the estimates show a change in the regime of the relationship between public investment and public deficit for public debt level equal to 80% of GDP. When public debt is below this threshold, any increase in the deficit has an expansive effect on public infrastructure spending. When public debt is above the threshold of 80% of GDP, an increase in the deficit has a recessive effect on public investment.Policy recommendation: An important contribution of this study is to show that the PCSCS implemented in the WAEMU zone cannot register only in a nominal sense to inking with the euro. The budgetary rules laid down in the Stability Pact should be studied in depth. The study would benefit from further study. One of the extensions of this study would be to determine the impact of this debt threshold of 80% on long-term economic growth in Senegal.