https://repository.cuk.ac.ke/handle/123456789/561 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:06:09 GMT 2026-07-07T12:06:09Z https://repository.cuk.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1978 Economic contraints and parenting in single-parent families.The case of Kaptembwa ward,Nakuru county,Kenya. Awuor, Euphemia.; Chesikaw, Lilian.; Wambu, Charles Parenting requires more than child conception and birth, it needs behavior development individually and working together to influence the child physical, social, emotional and cognitive outcome. Increased change in family structure and pattern in Kenya and other countries across the world affects the child’s wellbeing. Kaptembwa area is characterized by high poverty rates and limited economic opportunities, presents significant challenges for single-parent households in meeting their children's basic needs and ensuring positive developmental outcomes. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research explored how income levels influence parenting practices, access to education, emotional support, and overall child well-being. A mixed-methods research design was employed, integrating both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected from 121 respondents. Data was collected through structured questionnaires and Key Informants interviews to single parents, educators, and community leaders. Findings reveal that low income severely limits parental capacity to provide adequate nutrition, education, healthcare, and emotional support, often resulting in compromised parenting and adverse effects on children’s academic performance and social behavior. The study underscores the need for targeted economic empowerment programs, improved access to social services, and community-based support systems to alleviate the pressures on single parents. Recommendations are offered to inform policy and intervention strategies aimed at improving the livelihoods of single-parent families in resource-constrained urban settings. An article published in the International Journal of Social Sciences and Information Technology Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.cuk.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1978 2025-08-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.cuk.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1977 Career self-efficacy on enrolment and completion rates of students in stem oriented courses in selected public universities in Kenya. Njogu., Susan.; Wambu, Charles.; Chesikaw, Lilian. Aspirations of students for careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) have been found to be positively correlated with their positive impressions of scientists and engineers. In this study, the influence of gender on self-efficacy in STEM field particularly in computer science, health related courses, engineering, agriculture and sciences was examined. The study adopted a mixed methods research design involves the integration of both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The population of the study were students pursuing STEM courses in three selected public universities (University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology (JKUAT), and Egerton University). The study included three sampling techniques, namely, purposive, stratified, and simple random sampling. Both quantitative and qualitative data was collected and analysed. A simple linear regression analysis shows R value of 0.590, indicating a moderately positive correlation between career self-efficacy and enrolment. The R Square value of 0.230 implies that 23% of the variance in enrolment can be explained by career self-efficacy alone. The findings further revealed that career self-efficacy had a negligible explanatory power in predicting students' course completion status in STEM-oriented programs. The low pseudo R- square values (Cox and Snell R² = 0.005; Nagelkerke R² = 0.009) indicate that career self-efficacy alone accounts for less than 1% of the variance in students’ academic progress. This study concludes that career self-efficacy plays a significant but limited role in influencing students’ decisions to enrol in STEM-oriented courses. Career self-efficacy alone does not sufficiently predict course completion; Universities should implement multifaceted support systems. This should include academic advising, psychosocial counselling, and learning support services that address the diverse challenges students face throughout their academic journey. An article published in the Kabarak Journal of Research and Innovation. Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.cuk.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1977 2025-09-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.cuk.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1976 Loan Portfolio Risk and Capital Adequacy in Kenya’s Deposit- Taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies: Implications for Financial Stability and Inclusive Growth Maina, Justus Nderitu Deposit-Taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (DT-SACCOs) constitute a pivotal segment of Kenya’s financial system by fostering domestic savings, facilitating affordable credit access, and advancing financial inclusion, particularly among underserved populations. Despite this critical role, concerns have intensified over the sector’s financial resilience due to escalating levels of loan portfolio risk, persistent regulatory non-compliance, and eroding capital adequacy ratios (CAR). These vulnerabilities have been exacerbated by the absence of a lender of last resort, thereby exposing member deposits to elevated systemic risk and constraining the flow of credit to key productive sectors—including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), agriculture, and affordable housing. Such constraints are increasingly viewed as impediments to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and to Kenya’s broader commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those concerning poverty eradication, decent employment, and industrial development. To investigate the interplay between loan portfolio risk and capital adequacy, a positivist research philosophy and a descriptive cross-sectional design were employed. The target population comprised all 174 licensed DT-SACCOs in Kenya. A simple random sampling technique was used, and a 96.5% response rate was achieved. Data were extracted from audited financial statements through a structured collection instrument and analysed using linear regression techniques. Empirical results indicated a statistically significant positive association between loan portfolio risk and capital adequacy (β = 0.0569, p = 0.012), suggesting that increased risk exposure may prompt DT-SACCOs to strengthen capital buffers, either through regulatory compulsion or institutional prudence. It is recommended that DT-SACCOs adopt advanced credit risk mitigation strategies, including AI-enabled credit scoring systems, predictive early warning indicators, and operational automation via chatbots to enhance real-time monitoring and reduce manual error. Emphasis is also placed on the adoption of forward-looking metrics such as expected credit losses (ECL) and scenario-based stress testing under the IFRS 9 framework. Regulatory bodies are urged to enhance supervisory guidance and support financial literacy initiatives among members. Furthermore, capacity building, the promotion of digital loan syndication models, and collaborative risk-sharing frameworks are proposed to fortify capital adequacy, enhance institutional resilience, and ensure long-term sectoral stability. An article published in the Journal of Accounting, Finance and Auditing Studies. Tue, 24 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.cuk.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1976 2025-06-24T00:00:00Z https://repository.cuk.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1975 Organizational Strategies for Addressing Barriers to Women’s Participation in Agricultural Cooperatives M, Bitange; K, Waweru; C, Wambu Most of the time, women's active participation is structural and stems from household and community sociocultural norms. Both the law and culture acknowledge males as the nominal owners of household assets in the vast majority of cases. Women consequently do not have equal access to money and benefits. Due to this lack of access, women's confidence is further undermined, which makes it rare for them to hold important positions in market-based agricultural and mixed cooperatives. The study adopted mixed method research design and targeted 45 registered dairy and coffee cooperative with a membership of 114,267 members in Kiambu County. Simple random sampling was used to sample 398 female members who participated in the study. Data was collected using questionnaires and key informant interview guides. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The findings indicated that Level of education and age have a significant influence on women participation with both variables having a p value of 0.000. The findings also indicate that organizational policy strategies significantly affect women participation in agricultural cooperatives at p=0.000 and r=0.33. The study recommends that agricultural cooperatives should institute policies that favor women participation such as coopting some women members. An article published in the Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.cuk.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1975 2025-11-05T00:00:00Z