Daystar University Repository

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Conference/ Workshop/ Seminar/ Proceedings/ Lecture Series
A collection of conference, workshop, seminar, proceedings, and lecture series showcasing diverse topics and cutting-edge research from faculty and staff of Daystar University.
Daystar Archives
An archival collection chronicling the institutional history, academic achievements, and diverse heritage of Daystar University.
Daystar University Publications
A collection of Publications by faculty and staff showcasing research, academic achievements, and institutional insights of Daystar University.
Lectures and Speeches
A collection of Lectures and Speeches from distinguished speakers across various disciplines of Daystar University.
Policies
A collection Policies and Operational Manuals from different departments of Daystar University.

Recent Submissions

Integrating Innovative Design Strategies in Advancing Sustainable Housing in Kenya
(Land Use Policy, 2025-11-03) Mathu, David Njuguna; Wanjala, Bernadette Mukhwana; Owino, Edward Otieno; Richu, Salome Wambui
Rapid urbanization, persistent housing deficits, and environmental pressures have intensified the need for sustainable housing solutions in Kenya. This study evaluates sustainability in Kenya’s housing development and explicates the contribution of innovative design strategies in the advancement of sustainable housing in the nation. Guided by pragmatist philosophy, the study employed a qualitative methods design to assess the role of innovative housing strategies in the promotion of sustainable housing. Data was collected through site inspections of ten ongoing public housing projects, a survey of 342 housing-sector stakeholders selected proportionately from government, private, and civil-society institutions, and focus group discussions with 39 technical experts. Qualitative data was subjected to thematic analysis using NVivo to extract recurrent patterns and insights on sustainability of housing. The findings revealed that low public engagement, inadequate maintenance, and constrained implementation, attributed to financial and technical barriers, posed significant challenges to sustainable housing. The study concludes that sustainable housing in Kenya requires holistic interventions spanning environmental stewardship, economic viability, and social inclusivity, underpinned by progressive policy and contextually attuned design. The empirical results inform targeted policy recommendations to advance sustainable and innovative housing practices
Topics, Trends, and Sentiments in Software Testing: An Analysis of Developers’ Engagement on Stack Overflow
(International Journal of Computer and Information Technology, 2025) Wambua, Anthony
This study investigated software testing discussions on Stack Overflow from 2020 to 2024 to uncover key trends, topics, and developer sentiments. 14 key topics, including unit testing, machine learning testing, mobile testing (especially Flutter), and Docker testing were identified. The study revealed a decline in developer engagement, as the number of posts answered and with accepted answers decreased, particularly after 2022. Sentiment analysis showed a predominance of negative sentiments across most topics, especially in mobile and machine learning testing. While some topics like machine learning testing initially saw positive sentiment, this shifted toward frustration as the years progressed. These findings suggest that the rise of AI-based tools, such as ChatGPT, has affected the way developers engage with traditional forums like Stack Overflow. The decline in engagement and the prevalence of negative sentiments highlight the challenges developers face in software testing. This research points to the need for further investigation into how AI tools influence developer behavior and their reliance on peer support platforms. Additionally, it suggests exploring how sentiment analysis can be integrated into software testing tools to better address developer frustrations and improve support for testing emerging technologies. The study provides insights that could guide the development of more effective tools and frameworks to enhance the software testing process.
Determinants of Investment Decisions by Sacco Members: A Case of Imarisha Sacco, Kenya
(International Journal of Financial Management and Economics, 2025) Iyadi, Anastantheas & Onchomba,; Onchomba, Molson; Abongo, Jared; Owino, Edward; Otoi, Shem Sam
Background: Investment decision by SACCO members is influenced significantly by many variables; Arbitrary or well-founded. It is not known to what extent emotional biases and financial literacy influence such decisions. In this paper, we seek to empirically estimate the contribution of emotional biases and financial literacy to financial decisions. Objective: To empirically evaluate the influence of financial literacy and emotional biases on investment decisions by SACCO members. Method: Data was collected from July 28th to 31st 2025 among 284 Imarisha SACCO members in Kericho Couty, Kenya. The data was cleaned, coded, tested for normality before analysis. To estimate the influence of financial literacy, herd behavior bias, overconfidence bias, loss aversion bias and investment decisions, a multiple linear regression followed by multiple logistic regression are estimated. The models were evaluated for validity. Then, results were obtained and interpreted. Results: The findings from both multiple linear and logistic regression analyses demonstrate that emotional biases and financial literacy significantly shape SACCO members’ investment decisions. In this regard, the linear regression results indicates that investment decisions increase by 28.6% when emotional biases and financial literacy are held constant. A unit increase in emotional biases and financial literacy enhances investment decisions by 51% and 38.2%, respectively. Confirmatory analysis using logistic regression model corroborate the joint influence of emotional biases (overconfidence, loss aversion, and herd behavior) and financial literacy, with the latter contributing an additional 16.1% improvement in investment outcomes. Conclusions: Both emotional biases and financial literacy influence investment decisions. There is both tradeoff and synergies in the influence of the considered variables.
Comparative Analysis of Emotional Biases in Investment Decisions
(International Journal of Financial Management and Economics, 2025) Iyadi, Anastantheas Sauli; Onchomba, Molson; Abongo, Jared; Owino, Edward; Otoi, Shem Sam
Background: Emotional Biases have influence in investment decision of SACCO members. These biases are overconfidence, loss aversion, and herd behavior. We seek to establish empirically to what extent each emotional bias contributes to investment decisions and identify which emotional bias has an overarching influence. Objective: To identify influence of each emotional bias and establish which among them has overarching influence. Method: Perception based data was collected among 284 Imarisha SACCO members in Kericho County, Kenya between 28th to 31st July, 2025. The data collected was self-filled questionnaire using KoboCollect. The data was checked for completeness, entered in excel, cleaned, coded and analyzed. First the data was tested for normality before Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to compare the strength of the three dimensions; PC1, PC2, PC3. Results were obtained and interpreted. Results: The principal component analysis revealed that herd behavior (PC1) emerged as the most significant emotional bias, loading strongly at 75.2% and explaining the largest share of variance at 58.26%. Overconfidence bias (PC2) also featured prominently, with a positive loading of 70.1%, and together with herd behavior, the two accounted for 81.26% of the total variance, underscoring their combined influence on investment decisions. Conversely, loss aversion bias (PC3) loaded negatively (-76.4%), indicating that it primarily acts as a constraint, discouraging SACCO members from making investment decisions. Overall, herd behavior exerts a disproportionate influence compared to other biases, while loss aversion uniquely inhibits investment participation.
Firm Size and Sustainability Reporting in the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya
(African Journal of Commercial Studies, 2025) Oino, Naftal Nyarangi; Kithandi, Charles Katua
Globally, there is huge concern about the effect of economic development on the sustainability of environmental and social resources. These concerns are growing in the current age with the huge effect experienced by global warming on the sustainability of the planet and its resources. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of firm size on sustainability reporting from the perspective of firms published on the security exchange system in Nairobi. This study was guided by four key objectives: Analyzed the effect of Market Capitalization on sustainability reporting in the context of companies listed at Nairobi Exchange market, Kenya, analyzed the effect of Sales value on sustainability reporting in the context of companies listed at Nairobi Exchange market, Kenya and analyzed the effect of net assets on sustainability reporting in the context of companies listed at Nairobi Exchange market, Kenya. The study was underpinned by the agency theory, signaling theory and resource-based theory. This research utilized descriptive research design, which accommodated quantitative research methodologies. In the context of firms listed on the NSE, the entire population consisting of the 64 companies listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange was the basis of the research. The stratified sampling technique was used to collect primary data using a semi- structured questionnaire. The validity of the data was assessed through content validity and criterion validity, while reliability was evaluated using Cronbach alpha coefficients to measure internal consistency of the variable under study. The data was analyzed using SPSS, employing descriptive statistics and reg was presented in the form of tables, frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation. Ethical considerations were also taken into perspective. The findings of the results revealed a positive and statistically significant relationship between sustainability reporting and firm size. Firms with high market capitalization, sales value and high net assets were found to significantly influence sustainability reporting. The study recommends that firms invest in high market capitalization, sales value and net assets and adopt strategies that align with the modern sustainability demands. The findings are expected to benefit various shareholders, firms, academicians and regulators in understanding the role of firm size in enhancing sustainability reporting.