The study explored the effect of strategic management practices and performance of state corporations in Kenya. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: to find out the effect of strategic goal setting on performance at KEPHIS, to determine the effect of resource allocation on performance at KEPHIS, to find out the effect of technology adoption on performance at KEPHIS, a n d to assess the effect of monitoring and evaluation on performance at KEPHIS. The study focused on the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), a state corporation mandated to regulate the quality of agricultural inputs and produce in Kenya, and sought to address challenges in service delivery, operational efficiency, and financial stability through strategic management practices. The main objective of the study was to analyze the role of strategic management practices in improving organizational performance at KEPHIS, while the specific objectives were to assess the effect of strategic goal-setting, resource allocation, technological adoption, and monitoring and evaluation frameworks on performance. The study was limited to KEPHIS employees, targeting a population of 160 and a sample size of 114 respondents. It adopted a descriptive research design and was anchored on the Resource-Based View (RBV) Theory, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) Theory, and Balanced Scorecard (BSC) Theory. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, with results presented in tables. The findings revealed that well-defined strategic goals, transparent resource allocation, effective technological integration, and strong monitoring and evaluation systems significantly enhanced organizational efficiency, accountability, and service delivery. The study recommends that state corporations strengthen strategic goalsetting processes, promote transparent resource utilization, invest in modern technology and employee capacity building, and establish robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to foster accountability and continuous improvement. In addition, the study recommends that future research should explore the relationship between strategic management practices and organizational culture, as well as the role of leadership and innovation in enhancing performance within state corporations

This study examined the effect of talent identification and development, as well as leadership training, on organizational performance. The target population consisted of 357 employees from the Nairobi Depot and Head Office, and a stratified random sample of 186 respondents was drawn from the Human Resources, Operations, Finance, Procurement, Legal, and Audit departments. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising both qualitative and quantitative items designed on a 5-point Likert scale to capture perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors. The instrument was pilot tested with 10% of the sample to ensure reliability, assessed using Cronbach’s alpha (minimum threshold of 0.70), and validity through expert review. Data collection was conducted electronically via Google Forms, with strict adherence to ethical standards including informed consent, voluntary participation, confidentiality, and anonymity. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS Version 28 through descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis to determine the strength and direction of relationships between the independent and dependent variables, while qualitative responses were analyzed thematically. The findings provided empirical evidence that succession planning strategies significantly enhance organizational performance. The correlation between talent development and organizational performance showed a moderate positive relationship, while the regression coefficient indicated that a unit increase in talent development led to a corresponding improvement in performance. Similarly, the correlation between leadership training and organizational performance revealed a strong positive relationship, and the regression results implied that a unit increase in leadership training resulted in a notable rise in performance. The study recommends that the organization strengthen its talent development initiatives through structured mentorship programs, leadership training, and regular talent reviews to promote leadership continuity, and further apply transparent career development and promotion policies to enhance employee motivation, ensure fairness, and sustain organizational effectiveness.

This study examines the impact of microfinance services on the financial performance of women self-help groups in Kenya, specifically the Standard Women Self-Help Group in Langas Ward, Uasin Gishu County. Despite the expanding role of microfinance in empowering women entrepreneurs, limited research addresses the combined effects of credit, savings, training, and insurance in informal urban settings. The study’s sample consisted of 109 active women entrepreneurs selected through stratified random sampling from approximately 150 group members. Data collection involved structured questionnaires and focus group discussions, with instrument reliability confirmed by Cronbach’s alpha values exceeding 0.7. Quantitative analysis employed descriptive statistics, regression, and ANOVA to evaluate outcomes including income growth, savings mobilization, loan repayment capacity, and business expansion. Findings indicate that microfinance training significantly improves financial performance, whereas credit, savings, and insurance positively but not significantly influence outcomes. The integrated microfinance services explain variations modestly, emphasizing the influence of socio-economic and contextual factors. Recommendations urge tailored microfinance strategies addressing informal settlement challenges, increased training and advisory services, streamlined loan processes, and enhanced awareness and accessibility of insurance products. This study provides empirical evidence supporting the importance of integrated microfinance approaches with capacity-building components to foster sustainable economic empowerment among women self-help groups. These insights offer practical and policy guidance for microfinance institutions, development practitioners, and policymakers aiming to strengthen financial inclusion and resilience for women entrepreneurs in peri-urban Kenya

This study investigates the effect of risk management practices on the financial performance of Islamic banks in Kenya, with a focus on credit, operational, liquidity, and compliance risk management. A descriptive research design was employed to collect data from Gulf African Bank, Dubai Islamic Bank, and Premier Bank. Using both primary and secondary data analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics, the study found that all four risk dimensions positively and significantly influence financial performance. Credit and liquidity risk management had the strongest impact. The study concludes that an integrated and Shariah-compliant risk management framework enhances profitability and stability in Islamic banks. It recommends that policymakers and practitioners strengthen credit evaluation, liquidity planning, and compliance governance to promote sustainable Islamic banking growth in Kenya.

The study looked at how the Kenya Ports Authority's (KPA) procurement performance was affected by electronic procurement methods. The increased demand for accountability, efficiency, and openness in public procurement within Kenya's inland transport sector served as the impetus for the study. The study's primary goal was to find out how electronic procurement procedures affect KPA's procurement performance. Its specific goals were to ascertain how e-tendering, e-auctioning, e-cataloguing, and einvoicing affect procurement outcomes. The Resource-Based View, Transaction Cost Economics, and the Technology Acceptance Model served as the study's guiding principles. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods in a descriptive mixed-method design. Through organized surveys, document inspections, and interviews, information was gathered from 240 Kenya Ports Authority workers. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28 was used to analyze the data, utilizing multiple regression analysis, correlation, and descriptive statistics. The study established that procurement inefficiencies, limited transparency, and high transaction costs affected organizational performance. The theoretical framework emphasized the influence of internal capabilities, transaction efficiency, and technology acceptance on procurement performance. The literature review revealed that electronic procurement enhances operational efficiency, accountability, and cost reduction within public institutions. The conceptual framework demonstrated the interrelationship link eprocurement procedures and procurement success, demonstrating how digital solutions can enhance institutional results. The population characteristics, sampling techniques, and data collection tools were all described in depth in the research design. Cronbach's alpha, expert evaluation, and pilot testing were used to verify validity and reliability. The ethical precepts of secrecy, anonymity, and informed consent were upheld. The findings revealed that the four e-procurement practices jointly explained 69.2% of the variation in procurement performance at KPA (R² = 0.692). Individually, e-tendering contributed 22.8%, e-auctioning 18.6%, e-cataloguing 15.4%, and e-invoicing 12.4% to procurement performance. The results further showed that procurement planning moderated these effects and emerged as the strongest predictor of performance outcomes. The adoption of e-procurement improved efficiency, enhanced transparency, and reduced transaction costs. Findings showed increased effectiveness, more openness, and decreased procurement costs resulting from the adoption of electronic procurement systems. The study concluded that improving staff competency, strengthening contract management, ensuring adequate resource allocation, and institutionalizing procurement planning enhance procurement performance. Recommendations included continuous capacity building, integration of risk management practices, and increased investment in ICT infrastructure to sustain e-procurement effectiveness. The research provided empirical evidence on the significance of electronic procurement practices in improving efficiency, cost control, and accountability within the Kenya Ports Authority. The study contributed to policy formulation, institutional development, and academic discourse on digital transformation in public procurement systems.

Private hospitals offer an alternative for those who sought services beyond what the public sector provided, often characterized by shorter wait times, more advanced facilities, and a wider range of services. The current study sought to investigate how digital marketing strategies affect performance of private hospitals in Nairobi City County. The study was anchored in the marketing mix theory. A sample of 96 employees was used. Data was collected using a selfadministered questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive and correlation analysis with the help of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Hospital performance was significantly positively correlated with digital marketing techniques (r = 0.578, p = 0.000). The study concluded that hospitals that regularly update their websites, actively engage on social media, and use digital tools to track patient interactions experience improved performance. Hospitals should therefore strengthen their digital marketing strategies by regularly updating their websites with relevant information on services, health tips, and promotions to enhance patient engagement.

Blockchain technology has emerged as a transformative innovation with diverse global applications beyond decentralized monetary transactions, extending into finance, governance, healthcare, and supply chain management. Despite its potential, the adoption of blockchain-based smart contracts continues to face challenges, including regulatory uncertainty, security vulnerabilities, and integration difficulties within established business models. This study examined the effect of blockchain technology on the performance of smart contracts in procurement operations at the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) in Kenya, focusing on corporate transparency and decentralization. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Transaction Cost Theory (TCT), the Resource-Based View (RBV), and the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) Theory, the research utilized structured digital questionnaires administered via Google Forms to a target population of 210 officers, including procurement, IT, finance, and compliance staff across EPZA’s Athi River, Mombasa, and Kisumu branches. Multiple regression analysis using SPSS v28 was conducted to determine the relationship between blockchain technology and smart contract performance. The findings revealed that decentralization positively influences procurement performance by reducing dependence on intermediaries and minimizing manipulation in contract approvals. The results further support the view that blockchain-driven smart contracts enhance procurement efficiency, lower operational costs, and improve process integrity. However, the study also identified persistent challenges such as limited technical expertise, inadequate digital infrastructure, and weak legal frameworks that hinder full-scale adoption across African contexts. It concludes that blockchain technology possesses significant transformative potential for procurement operations through enhanced automation, security, and transparency and recommends that policymakers, practitioners, and scholars collaborate to strengthen regulatory frameworks, build institutional capacity, and invest in digital infrastructure to unlock the full benefits of blockchain-based smart contracts in procurement and other sectors.