The banking industry in Kenya plays a crucial role in financial intermediation, economic growth, and employment creation. However, many banks continue to face challenges of declining profitability, customer dissatisfaction, and workforce inefficiencies, partly attributed to inadequate leadership strategies. This paper investigates the effect of core competencies and human capital development on organizational performance at Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Kencom House. The study adopted a descriptive–explanatory research design, targeting 400 employees across strategic departments, from which a stratified random sample of 200 respondents was drawn. Data were collected using semistructured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression techniques with SPSS version 25. The findings revealed that both core competencies and human capital development significantly influenced organizational performance. Core competencies such as innovation capability, technological proficiency, service quality, and responsiveness accounted for improved financial outcomes and customer satisfaction (β = 0.327, p < 0.01). Similarly, human capital development comprising training, succession planning, knowledge sharing, and employee engagement positively contributed to productivity and operational efficiency (β = 0.251, p < 0.05). The study concludes that continuous investment in distinctive organizational capabilities and human capital enhances the performance and competitiveness of commercial banks. It recommends that KCB strengthen innovation systems, align employee development programs with strategic objectives, and institutionalize knowledge-sharing platforms to sustain superior performance in an evolving financial environment.

Climate change has had severe impacts globally and across different sectors. The global South, Kenya included, is bearing the brunt of these changes, which necessitate the process of adjusting to the change. In this regard, several adaptation initiatives have been initiated to address this need. To ensure the sustainability of these initiatives, financing should be sustainable, which has been a major challenge. This study, therefore, seeks to investigate the influence of carbon markets on the performance of climate adaptation initiatives in Kenya. This study is anchored on the theory of financial intermediation. Employing a descriptive research design, the study targeted 31 climate adaptive initiatives in Kenya with a focus on KOKO Networks and shall utilize census sampling. Data collection will be done using structured questionnaires administered through Survey Monkey. Data analysis will be done through descriptive and inferential statistics. This study will be useful to policymakers in creating policies that ensure project sustainability. Project managers shall also benefit through this in understanding best ways to structure future projects using the most suitable financing mechanisms for the project.

The objective of this study was to investigate how stakeholder involvement practices influence the performance of road projects in Uasin Gishu County, and the specific objective was to determine how baseline information provision influences the performance of road projects in Uasin Gishu County. In this study, Participatory Development theory and Stakeholder Theory were used, with the anchor theory being Stakeholder Theory. The study was conducted using a descriptive research design, with a target population of 152 respondents from Uasin Gishu County and a sample size of 110, where stratified random sampling was adopted. The researcher used a questionnaire as the main research instrument, and data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of SPSS version 25. Presentation of analysed data was done using percentages, mean and standard deviation by use of frequency tables The study findings showed that baseline information provision significantly affects the performance of road projects in Uasin Gishu County. A positive linear relationship between baseline information provision and project performance suggests that project management teams should ensure adequate provision for baseline data collection. The study recommends that project managers should focus on collecting and sharing baseline information for road projects, involving stakeholders in defining key performance indicators (KPIs), and establishing standardized protocols for data collection and sharing.

This study investigated the role of stakeholder engagement in ensuring the sustainability of disaster preparedness and response projects in Baringo County, Kenya, a region prone to recurrent droughts and floods. Utilizing a descriptive research design, data was collected from 120 Disaster Risk Management committee members through structured questionnaires, analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. The results demonstrated that robust engagement of community members, government agencies, NGOs, and private sector stakeholders significantly enhanced ownership, resource mobilization, and effective project implementation, accounting for 68% of the variance in project sustainability (R² = 0.68, p < .001). Community involvement in planning and inter-agency coordination during evaluation emerged as key predictors of sustained outcomes. Barriers such as conflicting agendas and weak feedback mechanisms were identified as impediments. The study recommends establishing formal stakeholder forums, capacity-building workshops, standardized feedback systems, and policy incentives to foster inclusive and sustained collaboration, thereby strengthening the resilience and longevity of disaster management initiatives in Baringo County.

Strategic planning positively affects the performance of state-owned companies (SOEs) in Kenya, with evidence indicating that their effective application enhances organizational outcomes. However, despite the adoption of strategic planning frameworks, many State-Owned Enterprises in Kenya continue to experience performance challenges such as inefficiency, weak governance structures, financial mismanagement, and delays in project implementation. These issues have led to low productivity, dependence on government bailouts, and failure to meet performance targets. This persistent underperformance raises concerns about the effectiveness of strategic management practices within these entities. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of Strategic planning on the organizational performance of State Corporations in Kenya: a case study of the Geothermal Development Company. This research was anchored by the Resource-Based View Theory, and supported by Strategyas-Practice (SAP). Employing a descriptive research approach, data from 871 employees at Geothermal Development Company (GDC) were analysed employing a stratified sampling technique, resulting in a sample population of 274 respondents. A standardized questionnaire was employed to gather information, preceded by a pilot study to validate the tool's dependability. Analysis involved reviewing surveys, extracting statistics, and applying regression analysis via SPSS version 24 to explore how independent and dependent variables relate to one another. The study found that strategic planning was inclusive and systematic, featuring stakeholder engagement and goal prioritization. Effective strategy formulation was evidenced by personnel engagement and alignment with organizational objectives, promoting a link between goals and performance. The study recommends that Kenyan state corporations enhance strategic planning through better organization, stakeholder participation, and regular updates. It stresses the importance of developing analytical skills for data-driven decision-making and aligning planning with performance metrics. The research advocates for stakeholder engagement, measurable outcomes, and suggests longitudinal studies to explore causal relationships.

Food security is a critical challenge in Kenya, with approximately half of the population living in poverty and about 7.5 million, in extreme poverty. This is undermined by challenges in the fresh produce supply chain, such as poor market access and high food loss rates, which adversely affect nutrition outcomes. This study examines the impact of digital supply chain optimization encompassing digital logistics integration, digital market linkages, digital traceability, digital transparency and information sharing, on food security. Grounded under systems theory, the study employed a cross-sectional design. Data was collected from 319 stakeholders via questionnaires and interviews, analyzed using SPSS Version 28 for descriptive and regression statistics, and content analysis for qualitative insights. The findings indicated that digital logistics integration had the strongest positive impact through improved delivery efficiency and reduced post-harvest losses. Digital market linkages showed significant influence, facilitated by mobile platforms, though adoption was constrained by low digital literacy and unreliable internet. Digital traceability systems had limited adoption due to infrastructural barriers, while digital transparency enhanced decision-making but lacked a regulatory framework. Analysis of qualitative insights highlighted stakeholder demand for lowtechnology solutions. Recommendations set out include the establishment of community Wi-Fi hubs, implementation of SMS-based tools, provision of digital literacy programs and creation of farmer cooperatives to facilitate the scaling of digital interventions. This research makes a contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) and Kenya's Food and Nutrition Security Policy, highlighting strategies for urban food systems in low-resource settings.

The objective of this study was to investigate how project management practices influence the institutional performance of public secondary schools in Kitui County. The specific objective was to determine how quality management practices, stakeholder engagement, risk management, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) influence the performance of public secondary schools in Kitui County. In this study, Systems Theory and Resource-Based View (RBV) Theory were used, with Systems Theory serving as the anchor theory. Systems Theory emphasizes that schools, as complex organizations, consist of interdependent subsystems—administration, teaching staff, students, and the community—that must function cohesively to achieve the overall performance of the school. RBV Theory emphasizes the internal resources of an organization as critical for achieving competitive advantage and sustainability. The study was conducted using a descriptive research design, with a target population of 374 public secondary schools in Kitui County and a sample size of 332, selected through stratified random sampling. A structured questionnaire was used as the main research instrument, and data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of SPSS software. The presentation of analyzed data was done using percentages, means, and standard deviations, with results displayed in frequency tables. The study findings showed that project management practices significantly affect the performance of public secondary schools in Kitui County. A positive linear relationship between project management practices (such as quality management, stakeholder engagement, and risk management) and school performance suggests that adopting formal project management frameworks enhances school efficiency, project completion rates, and academic outcomes. The study recommends that school administrators and project managers should adopt formal project management frameworks, emphasizing stakeholder engagement, risk management strategies, and quality assurance practices to improve resource allocation and ensure successful project outcomes in Kitui County.