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

Interpersonal Communication Channels Preferences among Parents of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine-Eligible Girls in King’oti Sublocation, Machakos County.
(Daystar University, School of Communication, 2025) Ngigi, Julia Wanjiku
The uptake of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Kenya remains dismal due to limited awareness, widespread misinformation, and inadequate interpersonal engagement with parents who are the primary decision-makers for their daughters' health. This study examined interpersonal communication channel preferences among parents of HPV vaccine-eligible girls in Kingoti Sublocation, Machakos County, Kenya. The objectives were to determine parents' awareness levels regarding the HPV vaccine, explore their attitudes toward vaccination, identify preferred interpersonal communication channels, and examine factors influencing these preferences.Anchored in the interpretivist paradigm and guided by the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), the study adopted a qualitative descriptive design. Fifteen parents of HPV vaccine-eligible girls aged 10–14 years were purposively selected to ensure diversity in gender, education level, and occupation. Data were collected through semi-structured face-to-face interviews conducted in participants' homes or other convenient private settings within Kingoti Sublocation. Interviews were conducted in Kiswahili or English depending on participant preference and lasted approximately 15–30 minutes each. Data were analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke's six-step reflexive thematic analysis framework. Ethical approval was obtained from Daystar University Institutional Scientific and Ethical Review Committee (DU-ISERC) and the National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation (NACOSTI).Findings revealed uneven awareness among parents, with many exposed to the vaccine primarily through school consent forms but lacking comprehensive understanding of its purpose and benefits. Persistent misconceptions linking the HPV vaccine to infertility and family planning fueled hesitation and mistrust. While attitudes were largely positive driven by trust in government institutions and health professionals—misinformation created significant apprehension. Parents overwhelmingly preferred face-to-face communication with trusted figures including health workers, teachers, community leaders, and pastors. Community and religious forums emerged as credible spaces for dialogue and validation, while digital platforms such as WhatsApp were viewed as complementary but insufficient replacements for interpersonal engagement. Trust in source credibility, family and community influence, and respectful communication approaches were identified as key factors influencing channel choice.The study recommends strengthening policy collaboration between the Ministries of Health and Education, enhancing health system training in culturally sensitive interpersonal communication, institutionalizing community-based sensitization through trusted local leaders, and proactively countering misinformation through evidence-based community dialogues.
Growth Strategies and Market Performance in Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Industry in Kenya: A Case Study of Unilever Kenya Limited
(Daystar University, School of Business and Economics, 2025) Waweru, Joy Njeri
The FMCG industry is volatile with rapid changes which necessitate strategic innovation and adaptability in order to stay afloat. The study investigated the impact of growth strategies on market performance of the FMCG industry with a focus on Unilever Kenya Limited. The objectives of the study included assessing how diversification strategies, product development strategies, market development and market penetration impact key outcomes such as market share, customer acquisition, and sales volume. The statement of the problem highlights the challenges faced by the sector due to increased competition despite the enabling factors such as urbanization and technological advancements such as closure, bankruptcy and dwindling market share. The study was guided by three theories, including the Ansoff model, the Balanced Scorecard Model, and the anchor theory- Resource-Based View Theory. This study adopted an explanatory and descriptive research design and quantitative methods in data collection with the use of structured questionnaires. The target population of this study was 500 employees of Unilever who comprise marketing managers, brand managers, and sales executives. To find the sample of 222, this study used the stratified random sampling technique. Reliability assessment was done using Cronbach's alpha and content validity assessed through the review of experts to ensure items comprehensively cover the construct. Correlational and regression analysis was utilized using SPSS version 28 and presented using descriptive and inferential statistics, including tables. The findings revealed that growth strategies positively and statistically significantly influence the market performance in the FMCG industry. Specifically, diversification strategy and market penetration strategies showing the strongest correlations (r=.732 and r=.714, p=.000). The study further found that 33.9% of the variance in market performance could be explained by the growth strategies adopted by this study. The study recommended that FMCG firms must continually embrace growth strategies to enhance market performance. Industry practitioners should pursue innovative marketing techniques and comply with relevant government regulations. The study further recommends that policymakers should contribute through the creation of an environment that supports new business entry, fosters innovation, and maintains market competitiveness. The study also recommends that generally, the study contributed to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence of the relationship between growth strategies and market performance in Kenya’s FMCG scene, offering practical solutions for industry stakeholders.
Efficacy of Resilience Building Programme on Drought in Kakuma, Turkana County: A Case Study of World Food Programme
(Daystar University, School of Arts and Social Sciences, 2025) Mugambi, Joy Kathomi
Climate-related disasters, particularly droughts, have had a major impact on the socioeconomic growth and stability of Kakuma in Turkana County, Kenya. The World Food Programme (WFP) through the Resilience Building Programme has responded by putting a number of plans into place to improve the region's resistance to drought. It has implemented climate-resilient agriculture Initiatives, cash transfer programs, and Water and Sanitation project as a social safety net to improve economic stability and food security. Despite effort of WFP to improve drought resilience, there is still a lack of documented data on the efficacy of social protection programs. This study offers a critical analysis of the contributions of these interventions to social protection systems. The main objectives for this study are; to evaluate WFP’s social protection initiatives for drought resilience among communities in Kakuma, to examine the effectiveness of WFP’s social protection initiatives on communities’ resilience to drought in Kakuma and to explore strategies for strengthening and sustaining social protection systems among communities in Kakuma. The theories used in this study include the Human Environment Relations Theory, Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) Theory and the Social-Ecological Theory. To critically evaluate the WTP’s role of enhancing social protection and drought resilience in Kakuma, a qualitative study was carried out. Key stakeholders, representatives of the Turkana County Government, Staff members of WFP, IConnect Kenya Initiative staff, and lastly smallholder farmer in Kakuma area. The goal of the qualitative method was to learn more about local perspectives, experiences, and the efficacy of WFP activities. The study comes to the conclusion that while WFP's resilience-building initiatives in Kakuma, which include cash transfers, climate-smart agriculture, and WASH programs, have improved drought resilience, they remain constrained by inequality in gender, sustainability gaps, geographical limitations and unequal funding. This emphasizes the need for social protection systems that are more inclusive and well-coordinated. The study offers practical suggestions to strengthen the WFP's role in fostering social protection and climate resilience in Kakuma.
An Assessment of Factors Influencing Farmers’ Preferences for Human Wildlife Conflict Insurance: A Case Study of Taita Taveta County, Kenya
(Daystar University, School of Applied Human Science, 2025) Mumbua, Makau Joyce
Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) threatens rural livelihoods and conservation efforts in Kenya, particularly in communities near protected areas. In Taita Taveta County, households adjacent to Tsavo East and West National Parks frequently experience crop destruction, livestock predation, property damage, and occasional human injuries. These conflicts reduce agricultural productivity, threaten food security, and erode household income, highlighting the need for sustainable mitigation and risk management mechanisms. Traditional compensation schemes have often been ineffective, prompting interest in insurance-based approaches. This study analyzed the prevalence, socio-economic impacts, and insurance preferences associated with HWC in Taita Taveta County. Specifically, it assessed HWC prevalence, identified preferred features of HWC insurance, examined socio-economic effects, and determined factors influencing insurance preferences. The study applied Random Utility Theory (RUT) to understand decision-making under uncertainty and used the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) to estimate farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP). A case study design and mixed-methods approach were employed. Data were collected from 397 households using structured questionnaires and from 12 focus group discussions (FGDs). Purposive and multi-stage sampling ensured representative coverage. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and logistic regression, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Results indicated that 90.7% of households experienced at least one form of HWC. Crop destruction was 78.3%, livestock predation 28.2%, and property loss 39.3%, with elephants causing most crop and property damage and carnivores such as lions, hyenas, and leopards responsible for livestock predation. Farmers preferred co-managed public–private insurance schemes at 56.2%, market price-based compensation at 86.2%, multi-peril coverage including crops and livestock at 91.5%, and mobile money payouts at 91.9%, with an acceptable annual premium of KES 350–410. Logistic regression revealed that household income, previous wildlife losses, herd size, insurance awareness, and WTP significantly influenced insurance preferences. The study concludes that HWC continues to impose significant socio-economic challenges. It recommends establishing affordable, inclusive, co-managed insurance schemes to enhance adaptive capacity, protect livelihoods, and promote human-wildlife coexistence.
Stakeholders' Perceptions on Government Communication in The Transition From The 8-4-4 System to Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) in Selected Primary Schools in Nairobi County.
(Daystar University, School of Communication, 2025) Ayieko, Julia Aoko
This study examined stakeholders’ perceptions of government communication during the transition from the 8-4-4 education system to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) in selected primary schools in Nairobi County, Kenya. Effective communication is critical to the successful implementation of education reforms that involve multiple actors and require coordinated understanding among teachers, parents, and administrators. Guided by Framing Theory and Stakeholder Theory, the study explored the effectiveness of government communication strategies, the influence of communication on CBC implementation, the challenges of information dissemination, and stakeholders’ attitudes toward the reform process. A mixed- methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative data from questionnaires administered to 64 participants (CBC class teachers and PTA officials) with qualitative data obtained from interviews with Ministry of Education officials and head teachers. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyze and interpret the findings. The results indicated that government communication was largely perceived as inconsistent, reactive, and unclear, particularly in policy framing and stakeholder inclusion. Although most teachers received training on CBC implementation, many described it as insufficient and poorly aligned with practical classroom realities. Structural barriers such as overcrowded classrooms, limited learning resources, and weak feedback mechanisms further impede effective communication. Stakeholders, particularly teachers and PTA members, felt excluded from planning and decision-making processes, even though they generally supported the goals of CBC. The study concludes that government communication must evolve from a top-down dissemination model to a participatory, inclusive, and dialogic approach. It recommends improving message clarity, strengthening feedback systems, expanding digital infrastructure, and investing in continuous teacher capacity development. The findings affirm that effective communication is the cornerstone of educational reform, shaping stakeholder trust, policy adoption, and successful implementation outcomes.