Draft Genome Sequences of Enterococcus mundtii Strains Isolated from Beef Slaughterhouses in Kenya

We present here draft genome sequences of Enterococcus mundtii strains K7-EM, P2-EM, C11-EM, and H18-EM, which were isolated from slaughterhouse equipment, carcasses, and personnel of small- and medium-sized beef slaughterhouses in Kenya

Influence of Strategic Human Resource Alignment on Organization’s Performance in Selected Companies Listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange in Kenya

Competition in business is a worrying phenomenon for all managers of business organizations. There is increasing and rapidly changing business environment which is turbulent and highly competitive which requires firms to efficiently allocate resources and use such resources as sources of competitive advantage. The study adopted a mixed research methodology that allowed qualitative and quantitative data to be collected.  The study employed an explanatory research design. There were 156 senior managers in the 12 selected companies who constituted the Target Population; from this a sample of 112 respondents were sampled. The data collection method constituted adapted and well-tested structured questionnaires. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was applied in data analysis. Descriptive statistics were applied in analysing the data which included frequencies and percentages while inferential statistics used was majorly regression. The study found that companies listed in NSE aligned their human resource according to their strategic plan. This was evidenced by continuous training to sharpen the skills of the staff members, developed policies to ensure continuous knowledge and skills development among the staff members. Also the study found that the staff members working with those companies had enhanced their abilities, helped to generate information about the firms and creation of customer satisfaction loyalty. Further, a regression test found that human resource alignment had significant effect on the performance of the firms listed in NSE showing that human resource alignment was key to the performance of the firms listed in NSE. Keywords: Human resource, Alignment, Resource, Performanc

Influence of Strategic Technological Alignment on Organization’s Performance in Selected Companies Listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange in Kenya

In the contemporary world today, top managers of businesses and companies are continuously making strategic decision to improve or outperform their competitors. The success of an organization depends on how well managers strategically allocate and use resources at their disposal. The degree of technological advancement of an organization has is a key resource influencing the performance of businesses. This study sought to determine how strategic technological alignment influences the performance of business firms listed in NSE. The study employed an exploratory research design and collected data from top managers of firms listed in NSE. The study pursued a stratified random sampling to select the respondents of the study. The sample size of the study was 100. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. From the findings, the study revealed that different firms had aligned strategically technologically. Some firms had developed liberal plans of spending and plans for acquiring information, technology, information technology programmes and innovation as well as manipulation of the existing equipment to keep abreast with the changing technological environment. Others had made alignments to ensure there was adequate number of IT staff, upheld systems that fortified customer benefits, made administration efficient and bolstered client use as a way of enhancing product offering. The regression test showed that effect of the technological alignment had positive significant influence and contributed towards performance of the firm listed in NSE. Keywords: Strategic, Technological alignments, NSE, performanc

Identifying gaps in HIV policy and practice along the HIV care continuum: evidence from a national policy review and health facility surveys in urban and rural Kenya.

The last decade has seen rapid evolution in guidance from the WHO concerning the provision of HIV services along the diagnosis-to-treatment continuum, but the extent to which these recommendations are adopted as national policies in Kenya, and subsequently implemented in health facilities, is not well understood. Identifying gaps in policy coverage and implementation is important for highlighting areas for improving service delivery, leading to better health outcomes. We compared WHO guidance with national policies for HIV testing and counselling, prevention of mother-to-child transmission, HIV treatment and retention in care. We then investigated implementation of these national policies in health facilities in one rural (Kisumu) and one urban (Nairobi) sites in Kenya. Implementation was documented using structured questionnaires that were administered to in-charge staff at 10 health facilities in Nairobi and 34 in Kisumu. Policies were defined as widely implemented if they were reported to occur in?>?70% facilities, partially implemented if reported to occur in 30-70% facilities, and having limited implementation if reported to occur in?<?30% facilities. Overall, Kenyan national HIV care and treatment policies were well aligned with WHO guidance. Policies promoting access to treatment and retention in care were widely implemented, but there was partial or limited implementation of several policies promoting access to HIV testing, and the more recent policy of Option B+ for HIV-positive pregnant women. Efforts are needed to improve implementation of policies designed to increase rates of diagnosis, thus facilitating entry into HIV care, if morbidity and mortality burdens are to be further reduced in Kenya, and as the country moves towards universal access to antiretroviral therapy

Characteristics of Head Teachers in Management of School Facilities in Kenya

This paper discusses the characteristics of head teachers in management of school facilities in Kenya. The objective was: to determine the characteristics of head teachers in management of school facilities. The research employed descriptive survey design. The research instrument used was a questionnaire. Descriptive statistics technique was used to analyze the data. Then the data was presented in tables. Conclusions: Age is an important factor in school administration as it influences the authority and experiences of the head teacher; higher levels of education correlate with levels of productivity; qualification and experience enhance the head teachers’ expert power, credibility, confidence and decisiveness in managerial practice; head teachers’ administration and experience play a pivotal role in determining their attitudes and approaches as well as their problem solving techniques in their schools and participation in in-service training makes head teachers more effective and efficient in management. Recommendations: The Kenya Education Management Institute should organize in-service training programmes targeting head teachers’ management; the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology should provide adequate funding to enable the head teachers to participate in the in-service training programmes; also the ministry should reinforce the existing policies laws and enactments to enhance gender equity and the head teachers should be encouraged to continue upgrading their education level and professional qualification to enhance their knowledge, skills, attitudes and competencies in management and head teachers need to have Masters level expertise if they are to lead their schools and help their teachers become fully proficient

INFLUENCE OF PEER SUPPORT ON STUDENTS’ PREPAREDNESS FOR SECONDARY-UNIVERSITY TRANSITION: A CASE OF MOI UNIVERSITY, KENYA

Universities are taken to have multiple transitions in terms of culture, content (what is taught), environment, inter, and intra-personal relationships. As a result, the transition of students to university is an important aspect that should be examined because despite the expansion of secondary schools and institutions of higher learning in sub–Saharan Africa, the throughput rate is still very low, especially in terms of the skills and competences among the graduates. This study, therefore, sought to establish the influence of peer support on students’ preparedness for secondary-university transition. The study took a pragmatist philosophical view whereby mixed methods research design was used to generate data using a concurrent triangulation approach. Purposive sampling was applied to sample first-year students at Moi University and proportionate simple random sampling was used to select 375 respondents comprising of both male and female students. Data was collected quantitatively and qualitatively whereby questionnaires and focused group discussions were used respectively. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’ Correlation Coefficient and simple linear regression. The findings of this study revealed that although the majority of first-year students consulted continuing senior students and friends for guidance in transition to university, some ended up being misled especially on academics and social life. The results showed that peer support (PS) had a positive significant relationship (r =.740) with students’ level of preparedness (LP) at p&lt;.05). The regression results gave a coefficient determination of R2=.657 which means 65.7% of the variation in the level of preparedness (LP) can be explained by peer support (PS) and therefore, the null hypothesis (H0) was safely rejected. This study provides new and relevant insights into the literature on peer support and the transition of students from secondary to universities in Kenya.  Article visualizations

A comparative analysis of national HIV policies in six African countries with generalized epidemics.

OBJECTIVE: To compare national human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) policies influencing access to HIV testing and treatment services in six sub-Saharan African countries. METHODS: We reviewed HIV policies as part of a multi-country study on adult mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. A policy extraction tool was developed and used to review national HIV policy documents and guidelines published in Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zimbabwe between 2003 and 2013. Key informant interviews helped to fill gaps in findings. National policies were categorized according to whether they explicitly or implicitly adhered to 54 policy indicators, identified through literature and expert reviews. We also compared the national policies with World Health Organization (WHO) guidance. FINDINGS: There was wide variation in policies between countries; each country was progressive in some areas and not in others. Malawi was particularly advanced in promoting rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy. However, no country had a consistently enabling policy context expected to increase access to care and prevent attrition. Countries went beyond WHO guidance in certain areas and key informants reported that practice often surpassed policy. CONCLUSION: Evaluating the impact of policy differences on access to care and health outcomes among people living with HIV is challenging. Certain policies will exert more influence than others and official policies are not always implemented. Future research should assess the extent of policy implementation and link these findings with HIV outcomes

Free Agency Strategy: The New Human Resource Paradigm In the Kenyan Labour Market

The free agency strategy is a trend in the contemporary labour markets that has emerged to change the market dynamics and increase the autonomy of the employee in making choices, and this is more so in the Kenyan market. The strategy is more effective and efficient relative to traditional employment that has numerous flaws. With the advent of technological advances in the labour market, workers have been rendered capable of connecting and working together from anywhere. This form of flexibility is synonymous with the Free Agency Strategy (FSA), likely to dominate the Kenyan labour market in the near future. With adoption of this strategy, the business trend is shifting towards flexibility with project-based workforces picking a considerable pace. There are numerous benefits of adopting this strategy for employers and employees. Companies in Kenya are realising that through the adoption of the free agency strategy, it is extremely easy to scale up and down major operations. The new Kenyan workers who possess knowledge and skills are finding it easy to access work. Key Words: Free Agency Strategy, Entrepreneurial Empowerment, Leverage, Economic Downturn, Generation X, Generation Y, Silent Generation, Baby Boomers

A Comparative Analysis of National HIV Policies in Six African Countries with Generalized Epidemics

To compare national human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) policies influencing access to HIV testing and treatment services in six sub-Saharan African countries. We reviewed HIV policies as part of a multi-country study on adult mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. A policy extraction tool was developed and used to review national HIV policy documents and guidelines published in Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zimbabwe between 2003 and 2013. Key informant interviews helped to fill gaps in findings. National policies were categorized according to whether they explicitly or implicitly adhered to 54 policy indicators, identified through literature and expert reviews. We also compared the national policies with World Health Organization (WHO) guidance. There was wide variation in policies between countries; each country was progressive in some areas and not in others. Malawi was particularly advanced in promoting rapid initiation of antiretroviral therapy. However, no country had a consistently enabling policy context expected to increase access to care and prevent attrition. Countries went beyond WHO guidance in certain areas and key informants reported that practice often surpassed policy. Evaluating the impact of policy differences on access to care and health outcomes among people living with HIV is challenging. Certain policies will exert more influence than others and official policies are not always implemented. Future research should assess the extent of policy implementation and link these findings with HIV outcomes

Source Attribution of Human Campylobacteriosis Using Whole-Genome Sequencing Data and Network Analysis

Campylobacter spp. are a leading and increasing cause of gastrointestinal infections world-wide. Source attribution, which apportions human infection cases to different animal species and food reservoirs, has been instrumental in control-and evidence-based intervention efforts. The rapid increase in whole-genome sequencing data provides an opportunity for higher-resolution source attribution models. Important challenges, including the high dimension and complex structure of WGS data, have inspired concerted research efforts to develop new models. We propose network analysis models as an accurate, high-resolution source attribution approach for the sources of human campylobacteriosis. A weighted network analysis approach was used in this study for source attribution comparing different WGS data inputs. The compared model inputs consisted of cgMLST and wgMLST distance matrices from 717 human and 717 animal isolates from cattle, chickens, dogs, ducks, pigs and turkeys. SNP distance matrices from 720 human and 720 animal isolates were also used. The data were collected from 2015 to 2017 in Denmark, with the animal sources consisting of domestic and imports from 7 European countries. Clusters consisted of network nodes representing respective genomes and links representing distances between genomes. Based on the results, animal sources were the main driving factor for cluster formation, followed by type of species and sampling year. The coherence source clustering (CSC) values based on animal sources were 78%, 81% and 78% for cgMLST, wgMLST and SNP, respectively. The CSC values based on Campylobacter species were 78%, 79% and 69% for cgMLST, wgMLST and SNP, respectively. Including human isolates in the network resulted in 88%, 77% and 88% of the total human isolates being clustered with the different animal sources for cgMLST, wgMLST and SNP, respectively. Between 12% and 23% of human isolates were not attributed to any animal source. Most of the human genomes were attributed to chickens from Denmark, with an average attribution percentage of 52.8%, 52.2% and 51.2% for cgMLST, wgMLST and SNP distance matrices respectively, while ducks from Denmark showed the least attribution of 0% for all three distance matrices. The best-performing model was the one using wgMLST distance matrix as input data, which had a CSC value of 81%. Results from our study show that the weighted network-based approach for source attribution is reliable and can be used as an alternative method for source attribution considering the high performance of the model. The model is also robust across the different Campylobacter species, animal sources and WGS data types used as input