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Effect of strategic management practices on leadership effectiveness at equity bank, Rift valley region Kenya.
(Mount Kenya University, 2025-05) Gladys Cherotich; Dr.Geoffrey Biwott
Strategic management serves as a foundational element in strengthening leadership effectiveness by offering a coherent framework for setting goals and guiding organizational decision-making. The application of strategic tools—such as planning, resource allocation, performance measurement, and competitive analysis—was observed to have a notable impact on leadership performance within institutions. This research sought to examine the influence of strategic planning, resource allocation, competitive intelligence, and performance management systems on leadership effectiveness within Equity Bank Limited, Rift Valley Region. The study was anchored in transformational leadership theory and utilized a descriptive research design to evaluate the hypothesized relationships among variables. Using the Taro Yamane formula, a sample size of 324 was drawn from a target population of 1,945 employees. Participants were selected through simple random sampling to ensure representativeness. The analysis revealed a strong and positive correlation between the elements of strategic management and leadership effectiveness. Regression analysis confirmed that strategic planning, resource allocation, competitive analysis, and performance evaluation systems significantly contributed to leadership performance. Descriptive statistics, reflected through high average scores and minimal variability, demonstrated consensus among the respondents. The data collection process relied on a structured questionnaire, and analysis was conducted using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Multiple regression was employed to assess the influence of the independent variables on leadership outcomes. Based on these insights, the study concluded that strategic management practices play a key role in enhancing both leadership capability and employee performance. The study recommends that Equity Bank should adopt a holistic and dynamic strategic management approach to enhance leadership outcomes. Efforts should be directed toward developing adaptable strategies that align with evolving institutional needs. Furthermore, regular reviews and updates of leadership development programs should be implemented to ensure alignment with organizational objectives and workforce expectations. Ultimately, the effective deployment of strategic management tools will not only elevate leadership capacity but also drive organizational success across the region.
Drought adaptation strategies and sustainability of food security in Mandera county, Kenya
(Mount Kenya University, 2025-04) Hassan Robow Mohamed; Dr.Christopher Mutembei
Food security projects are created to accomplish the legislative goals of improving food access in low-income communities. They help develop proactive approaches for the welfare of low-income communities by creating their own comprehensive and sustainable food systems. In this regard, numerous food security projects have been initiated in most Kenyan Counties by both state and non-state prayers in Kenya. However, sustainability of food projects has been a challenge in the sense that some projects remain partially operational after the withdrawal of the main donor while others become defunct. This study thus established the extent to which drought adaptation strategies affect food security sustainability. The study sought to establish the effect of crop diversification, integrated water management and supplemental feeding on food security sustainability. In addition, the study examined how the moderating role of stakeholder engagement on drought adaptation strategies and sustainability of food security in Mandera County, Kenya. The study is anchored on Systems theory, Stakeholder theory and Anthropogenic global warming theory. A descriptive research design was adopted. The target population for this study was government funded food security projects in Mandera County. According to NDMA (2022) there are two main projects for food security in Mandera County which include Kutulo Water Pan and Irrigation project in Kutulo Sub-County, Mandera County and Koromey Irrigation project. The main study subjects was project supervisors, government officials and community leaders. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire to obtain quantitative data. The quantitative data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics using multiple regression models. The study found that crop diversification significantly improves food security sustainability, with each unit increase in efforts increasing food security by 0.086 units. The study reveals that most community members in Mandera County have adopted supplemental feeding for their livestock to a low extent, with most respondents indicating limited adoption. The study reveals a negative relationship between integrated water management and food security sustainability, possibly due to implementation challenges or resource allocation inefficiencies. The study found that most community members in Mandera County have adopted supplemental feeding for their livestock to a low extent. The study found a statistically significant positive effect of supplementary feeding on the sustainability of food security in Mandera County. The study shows that most respondents feel that stakeholders are engaged in food security projects to a low extent, with a significant majority (71.5%) reporting suboptimal engagement levels. The study reveals a negative relationship between integrated water management and food security sustainability, indicating a need for reassessment of current strategies. The County Government of Mandera formulated policies that ensure farmers have access to a variety of seed options, including drought-resistant and hybrid crops, to promote crop diversification and improve food security.
Influence of strategic management practices on service delivery of yatima outreach education program in Nairobi county
(Mount Kenya University, 2025-07) Harun Irungu; Dr. Eunice Gacheri Thiankolu
Most NGO-funded education programs grapple with issues such as weak resource mobilization, poor monitoring and evaluation, inadequate internal controls, and minimal stakeholder involvement. This study aimed to explore the influence of strategic management practices on the performance of NGOs in Kenya, using a case study of the Yatima Outreach Education Program in Nairobi County. Specifically, the study examined four independent variables: resource mobilization strategies, monitoring and evaluation strategies, internal control strategies, and stakeholder participation, and how this influenced service delivery at Yatima Outreach. The study was guided by stakeholder theory, systems management theory, and program theory. A descriptive survey design was adopted. The target population comprised 104 respondents, including 6 executive members, 32 administrative staff, and 66 teachers. Census sampling was used to include all 104 respondents. Structured questionnaires served as the primary research instruments. A pilot study involving 10 individuals from another NGOfunded education project in Nairobi County was conducted. The supervisor assisted in ensuring content validity, while Cronbach’s alpha was used to determine the reliability index. Data were analyzed descriptively using percentages, means, and standard deviations in SPSS, and a multiple regression model was applied. The study adhered to ethical research standards, including informed consent and confidentiality. The findings revealed that service delivery at the Yatima Education Program is significantly influenced by stakeholder participation, monitoring and evaluation, resource mobilization, and internal controls. Inferential statistics showed that stakeholder participation had the strongest correlation (r = 0.721), followed by monitoring and evaluation (r = 0.663), resource mobilization (r = 0.632), and internal controls (r = 0.569), all at p < 0.01. The regression model accounted for 50.4% of the variance in service delivery (R² = 0.504), confirming the combined influence of the four variables. Based on these findings, it is recommended that implementers diversify funding to stabilize resource flow, enhance use of evaluation data in decision-making, reinforce internal controls through audits and documentation, and deepen stakeholder engagement, particularly at the community level. These steps will strengthen transparency, improve responsiveness, and sustain quality service delivery.
Influence of community policing on incidents of crime reduction in Mandera county, Kenya
(Mount Kenya University, 2025-02) Haji Mohamed Mohamed; Dr. Ibrahim Nyaboga
Because Mandera County is so close to the Al Shabaab-infested region of Somalia, it has seen a particularly high number of terrorist activities in recent years. The Mandera County Government has frequently been urged to use greater community policing as a means of combating terrorism. This study investigates the influence of community policing on crime reduction in Mandera County, Kenya, using Identity Theory as its framework. A convergent parallel mixed-method research design was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection. The study involved 156 respondents, purposively selected from a population of 175,372, and data was gathered through surveys with community members engaged in policing and interviews with chiefs, police station commanders, and the head of the National Taskforce on Community Policing. To ensure instrument validity, tools were reviewed by a research supervisor and pre-tested in Wajir County, while reliability was measured using Cronbach's alpha, with a threshold of 0.7. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS and descriptive statistics such as mean percentages. The study aimed to expand the knowledge base on community policing, particularly its role in addressing crimes such as terrorism. The findings provide insights for the Mandera County government on the effectiveness of community policing initiatives in reducing crime and terrorism incidents. They also offer relevant information for researchers and development professionals interested in replicating similar studies in other regions. The findings reveal that respondents generally feel community policing campaigns are not conducted frequently enough. Respondents generally disagree on the frequency of neighborhood security meetings, with a range of opinions about the regularity of these gatherings. There is general disagreement about the regularity of government-led community-police meetings, with some variation in responses. The findings suggest that the Nyumba Kumi initiative is not always regularly practiced in neighborhoods, with mixed opinions on its frequency. Respondents perceive terrorism incidents and crime in their community as highly frequent, with a significant increase in victimization rates over time.The study concludes that there is a general recognition of the potential effectiveness of community policing in reducing terrorism, there are concerns about the infrequency of campaigns. There are concerns regarding the frequency and consistency of these meetings and information-sharing practices. While government-led community-police meetings have the potential to strengthen relationships and reduce terrorism. The Nyumba Kumi initiative appears to have a positive impact on enhancing community security and reducing terrorism, especially due to the involvement of local leaders and community engagement. The study recommends the need to regularly schedule awareness campaigns to ensure broader community engagement and increased impact. There is need to regularly schedule awareness campaigns to ensure broader community engagement and increased impact. The government should schedule and promote regular community-police meetings to foster continuous dialogue and collaboration. The Nyumba Kumi initiative is seen as a valuable tool in enhancing community security and reducing terrorism, especially due to its involvement of local leadership.
Analysis of human resource management practices on performance of public secondary schools in Mandera east sub county, Kenya
(Mount Kenya University, 2025-07) Najma Haydai Sheikh; Dr. Apollonius Kembu,
This study investigated the influence of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices on the performance of public secondary schools in Mandera East Sub- County, Mandera County, Kenya. The research was necessitated by the persistent challenges in educational outcomes and the critical role of human capital in school effectiveness. The primary objective was to establish how employee motivation, employee appraisal, and employee training collectively and individually impact school performance. Drawing upon key theoretical frameworks such as McClelland's Motivation Theory, Equity Theory, Human Capital Theory, and Social Learning Theory, the study posited that well-managed HRM practices are fundamental drivers of organizational success in the educational sector. A quantitative research design was employed, targeting a population of principals and teachers in public secondary schools within the sub county. Data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to a sample of 84 participants, yielding a robust response rate of 94.0% (N=79). Descriptive statistics, including means and standard deviations, were utilized to analyze perceptions of motivation, appraisal, and training practices. For inferential analysis, Pearson correlation was used to assess relationships between variables, while multiple linear regression and ANOVA were applied to determine the predictive power of the independent variables on school performance. The findings revealed that employee motivation, appraisal, and training all significantly and positively influence school performance. Specifically, employee motivation emerged as a strong predictor, driven by factors such as recognition for good performance, fair remuneration, and effective leadership communication. While teacher involvement in decision-making and work-life balance showed areas for improvement, overall motivation was positive. Employee appraisal systems were found to be valuable for providing feedback and setting clear performance targets; however, their effectiveness was hampered by concerns regarding regularity, perceived bias, and weak linkages
to promotion and professional development. Employee training was highly effective in improving instructional skills, strongly supported by school leadership, and its content was largely relevant to teaching needs. Nonetheless, challenges in training availability, regularity, and crucial post-training follow-up support were identified, alongside an unclear contribution to career advancement. The inferential analysis further confirmed these relationships, with a strong collective correlation (R=0.842) between the HRM practices and school performance. The regression model explained 70.9% of the variance in school performance, demonstrating a highly significant predictive power (F=135.50, p<0.001). Employee motivation (Beta=0.421), training (Beta=0.287), and appraisal (Beta=0.245) all exerted significant positive influences on school performance. Based on these findings, the study recommends enhancing participatory management to boost teacher motivation and improve work-life balance. It also advocates for reforming appraisal systems to ensure greater fairness, regularity, and explicit linkage to professional development and career progression. Furthermore, strengthening post-training follow-up and support mechanisms is crucial to maximize the impact of training on skill implementation. Future research could explore qualitative aspects of appraisal bias and conduct longitudinal studies on the long-term effects of specific HRM interventions.
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