http://ir.mksu.ac.ke/handle/123456780/195 Sholarly Articles by Faculty & Students in School of Business & Economics Sat, 16 May 2026 01:16:21 GMT 2026-05-16T01:16:21Z http://ir.mksu.ac.ke/handle/123456780/21179 Impact of Gender Differences in the Prevalence of Food Security among Rural Households in Kenya Njoroge, Jacqeline; Murunga, James; Karau, James Gender inequality in access to productive and economic resources has been a significant issue in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Kenya, where rural households face varying levels of food security. While existing research has extensively examined the general determinants of food security among rural households in Kenya, there is a significant gap in understanding how these determinants differ by gender. Utilizing Kenya Intergrated Household Budget Survey (KIHBS) 2015/16 data and a binary logistic regression model, the study seeks to examine the impact of gender differences on the prevalence of food security among rural households in Kenya, while controlling for a set of household demographic and socio-economic characteristics. The findings revealed significant gender disparities, with female-headed households exhibiting higher food security scores compared to male-headed households. This is attributed to women’s greater involvement in household food management and decision-making processes. The findings further revealed that the education status of the household head and household size are important determinants of food security among female-headed households while the education status of the household head, household size, access to credit and income are important determinants of food security among male-headed households. Given the findings of the study, it is evident that gender differences significantly influence food security among rural households in Kenya. The study therefore recommends that policy makers should incorporate gender-specific considerations into the design of food security policies and reforms. Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mksu.ac.ke/handle/123456780/21179 2024-09-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mksu.ac.ke/handle/123456780/21176 Effects of Covid-19 Pandemic on Performance of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs): A Case of Agri-Businesses in Machakos County, Kenya Nganu, Margaret; Kalei, Anne; Kilonzo, Thomas The main objective of the study was to establish the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of agribusiness MSEs in Machakos County, Kenya. The study utilized a descriptive research design. The unit of analysis was the agribusiness MSEs involved in mango, avocados, citrus, and dairy value chains. Purposive sampling and simple random sampling were employed, and 198 suitable responses were received. The study identified high operational costs, market inaccessibility, price fluctuations, inadequate cash reserves, and increased competition as the major business risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The study showed that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performance of agribusiness MSEs in Machakos County were not uniform but value chain dependent, with avocados, mangoes, and citrus being the most affected and the dairy sector experiencing the least effects of COVID-19 pandemic. The major effects of the COVID-19 pandemic included reduced revenues, market inaccessibility, increased spoilage, inaccessible supplies, increased cost of operations, and information gaps leading to shrinkage in profitability. Setting aside cash reserves, using courier services for deliveries, and direct selling were the main coping strategies for the COVID-19 pandemic's effects on businesses. Additionally, adequate stocking and online selling were also used. Moreover, temporary business closure, selling through agents, and value addition were embraced. Pooling of transport with other traders, door-to-door sales, having direct contracts with buyers, selling through cooperatives, and online sales emerged as the main alternative business strategies that have persisted during the pandemic. Reduction in traded volumes, market diversification, collective buying of inputs, and collective marketing have also persisted post-pandemic. Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mksu.ac.ke/handle/123456780/21176 2024-07-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mksu.ac.ke/handle/123456780/20012 DETERMINANTS OF FOOD SECURITY AMONG RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN KENYA Njoroge, Jacqeline Wanjiku; Murunga, James; Karau, James In Kenya, ensuring food security among rural households is pivotal for sustainable development and poverty alleviation. With about 71 percent of Kenya’s population living in the rural areas and agriculture being the main economic activity, 36 percent of the rural population is experiencing food poverty. The main focus for this study is to establish the determinants of food security among rural households in Kenya. The study is grounded on the Engel Curve theory. Data for this study is obtained from the Kenya Integrated Household Budget Survey (KIHBS) 2015/16, covering 13,092 rural households. Logistic regression estimation technique was employed to meet the study objectives. The findings reveal that education status of the household head, access to credit, household size and income are significant determinants of food security among rural households in Kenya. The education status of the household head, access to credit and income have positive effects on household’s food security while household size has a negative effect on household food security. The study recommends that credit facilities be made accessible for rural farmers to help them expand both on farm and off farm operations, thus enhancing household food security. The government should also prioritize expanding education access in rural areas and implement policies to boost household income by supporting agricultural value chains and improving market access. Additionally, policy measures focused on family planning should receive adequate attention to reduce household sizes to a level that household heads can manage effectively. Thu, 01 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mksu.ac.ke/handle/123456780/20012 2024-08-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.mksu.ac.ke/handle/123456780/18633 Human Capital Investment and Organizational Performance: A Theoretical Review Mutua, Jemmy; Kimanthi, Ruth; Kinyili, Jacinta Skill and capacities present in the workforce, if put to productive use, can be vital determinants of a nation's longterm profit gains. Building employees' competence through skill acquisition is an important yardstick in measuring an organization's performance. Keeping into account the importance of investing in human resources in an organization, the current study tries to review existing literature and research work on human capital and organization investment with a main focus on human capital accumulation, human capital depletion and human capital drivers. The study reviewed existing literature that shows the relationship between human capital and organization investment, which shows either a firm performing well or projecting poor performance. The review has shown that human capital accumulation, human capital depletion and human capital drivers have a positive influence on the performance of an organization when proper investment strategies are adopted. The findings also show that organizations that invest in developing their human capital project growth, positive performance and survival of firms in very competitive environments. Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.mksu.ac.ke/handle/123456780/18633 2024-03-01T00:00:00Z