https://academia-ke.org/journal/index.php/kpb/issue/feedKenya Policy Briefs2021-09-06T00:47:26-06:00Prof Madara Ogotinfo@academia-ke.orgOpen Journal Systems<p>The <em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Kenya Policy Briefs</em> presents translations of research results from universities and research institutes for a policymaker and media audience. It targets those who formulate or influence policy. The briefs seek to provide evidence-based, high quality, and practical policy recommendations directly addressing issues under each objective of <a href="https://academia-ke.org/library/download/ntp-vision-2030-third-medium-term-plan-2018-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kenya’s Vision 2030 Medium Term Plan III.</a></p>https://academia-ke.org/journal/index.php/kpb/article/view/33Role of Fintech in Enhancing Credit Usage Among the Un(der)-Banked2021-09-03T06:22:12-06:00Davis Bundidbundi@uonbi.ac.ke<p><strong>Key Messages</strong></p> <ul> <li>Market regulator need to develop mechanisms to make digital loan data publicly available to assist in drawing broad market trends.</li> <li>Need to tame predatory lenders to protect the consumers and competitors and increase consumer trust through a sound regulatory framework.</li> <li>Level the playing ground through common market standards to enhance competition and business conduct for the regulated and unregulated digital lenders.</li> </ul>2021-08-31T00:00:00-06:00Copyright (c) 2021 Kenya Policy Briefshttps://academia-ke.org/journal/index.php/kpb/article/view/34Using Flexible Loans to Improve Access to Credit for Farmers in Kenya2021-09-03T06:28:02-06:00Fredrick Odhiamboombako82@gmail.comRadha Upadhyayaradha@njora.com<p><strong>Key Messages</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lenders are designing loan products with flexible terms to respond to the unique needs of farmers in a bid to improve access to credit.</li> <li>However, these products are moderately flexible thus are not improving access to credit for farmers as envisaged.</li> <li>Lenders should redesign loan products to make them more flexible by providing flexible options such as bullet payments and credit lines.</li> <li>Lenders should also educate farmers on full product features to increase their financial literacy in order to improve their agency.</li> <li>Government should provide credit guarantee schemes for institutions that lend to farmers to encourage the lenders to design more flexible loan products.</li> </ul>2021-08-31T00:00:00-06:00Copyright (c) 2021 Kenya Policy Briefshttps://academia-ke.org/journal/index.php/kpb/article/view/35Improvement of Coconut Production in Kenyan Coast for Income Generation2021-09-03T06:32:36-06:00Maurice Oyoomauriceoyoo464@gmail.com<p><strong>Key Messages</strong></p> <ul> <li>Kenya has lagged behind in technology development for coconut production, product diversification and product utilization.</li> <li>Morphological variation exists. This variation cannot be exploited reliably because it’s uncertain how it will impact on nut production.</li> <li>There is narrow genetic variation among coconut trees at the Kenyan coast. This hinders meaningful crop improvement.</li> <li>Research on coconut is hindered by the long juvenile phase of palms and long- term of field evaluation.</li> </ul>2021-08-31T00:00:00-06:00Copyright (c) 2021 Kenya Policy Briefshttps://academia-ke.org/journal/index.php/kpb/article/view/36Cowpea Leaves: Feasible Solutions to Overcome Seasonal Availability2021-09-03T06:36:11-06:00Joshua Owadeowadehjm@gmail.comGeorge Abong’georkoyo@yahoo.comMichael Okothmwokoth@uonbi.ac.keAgnes Mwangombewakesho123@gmail.com<p><strong>Key Messages</strong></p> <ul> <li>Despite the critical role of cowpea leaves in the ASAL as a food security crop, drought, diseases and pests remain major challenges to be addressed. Prioritizing alternative water sources and extension services is recommended.</li> <li>The gender of a household head influences the use of cowpeas leaves in the ASAL. There is need for food security initiatives to adopt gendered approaches in the promotion the value addition approaches and utilization of cowpea leaves.</li> <li>Even though the cowpeas leaves are the main vegetables in ASAL households, the fresh forms are highly perishable; households in the ASAL areas need to employ the complementary utilization of both the preserved and fresh forms to assure food security.</li> <li>Limited knowledge on value addition technologies coupled with lack of equipment remain major limitations on processing, preservation and improved consumption of cowpeas leaves.</li> <li>Dehydrated products from cowpea leaves contain adequate amounts of limiting minerals and hence provide possible food vehicles for dietary diversification of the diets of the populations vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies.</li> </ul>2021-08-31T00:00:00-06:00Copyright (c) 2021 Kenya Policy Briefshttps://academia-ke.org/journal/index.php/kpb/article/view/37Mitigating Engineering Profession Regulatory Gaps2021-09-03T06:44:47-06:00Peter Ndibapkndiba@uonbi.ac.ke<p><strong>Key Messages</strong></p> <ul> <li>Regulation of engineering education by both Commission for University Education and Engineering Board of Kenya resulted in uncoordinated directives.</li> <li>The University (Amendment) Act No. 48 of 2016 that sought to address the duality by vesting accreditation mandate on CUE, created gaps in the regulation of the engineering profession that require mitigation.</li> </ul>2021-08-31T00:00:00-06:00Copyright (c) 2021 Kenya Policy Briefshttps://academia-ke.org/journal/index.php/kpb/article/view/39Enhancing Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among the Youth2021-09-06T00:31:35-06:00Angela Mainaangela.wairimu@gmail.comNaomi Mwanginmwangi@uonbi.ac.ke<p><strong>Key Messages</strong></p> <ul> <li>There is need to involve the youth as major stakeholders with regard to matters concerning their health and wellbeing.</li> <li>It is important to leverage on technology to come up with innovative digital solutions to solve current health challenges.</li> <li>Youth peer counsellors ought to be engaged in hospitals to allow the youth to more freely share their issues.</li> </ul>2021-08-31T00:00:00-06:00Copyright (c) 2021 Kenya Policy Briefshttps://academia-ke.org/journal/index.php/kpb/article/view/40System Approach and Implementation of the Education Programme in Kenya2021-09-06T00:36:47-06:00John Mbuguajohn.mbugua@uonbi.ac.keNaomi Gikonyonmwangi@uonbi.ac.keJohn Kanjogujkkiumi@gmail.com<p><strong>Key Messages</strong></p> <ul> <li>For the fundamental changes introduced in the education system to achieve their desired outcomes, the government through its various agencies needs to adopt a more inclusive and collaborative sectoral plan approach.</li> <li>The Curriculum for teacher education needs to be revised to be in tandem with the new school system. Teachers’ training in universities and colleges should focus on equipping teachers with the relevant skills, knowledge and right attitudes for successful implementation of the competence-based curriculum.</li> <li>Learning and teaching resources should be incorporated in the sectoral-wide approach to educational plans for effective implementation of the new programme</li> </ul>2021-08-31T00:00:00-06:00Copyright (c) 2021 Kenya Policy Briefshttps://academia-ke.org/journal/index.php/kpb/article/view/41The Future to Conservation of Ramsar Sites: Environmental Education And Awareness2021-09-06T00:42:37-06:00Parita Shahparita@uonbi.ac.keGeorge Atisa george.atisa@utrgv.edu<p><strong>Key Messages</strong></p> <ul> <li>Education and awareness of local communities is key to the survival of inland wetlands.</li> <li>Partnerships between communities, public and private institutions is the way forward.</li> <li>Educational curricula must be revised to start teaching citizens at all levels to understand the benefits of wetlands conservation and sustainable development.</li> </ul>2021-08-31T00:00:00-06:00Copyright (c) 2021 Kenya Policy Briefshttps://academia-ke.org/journal/index.php/kpb/article/view/42COVID-19 and Domestic Violence against Men in Kenya: Issues and Policy Directions2021-09-06T00:47:26-06:00Tom Ondichotondicho@uonbi.ac.keSharon Mwanyulitondicho@uonbi.ac.ke<p><strong>Key Messages</strong></p> <ul> <li>Men are experiencing higher levels of controlling behaviours from women, and higher levels of violence perpetrated by women since the onset of COVID-19 in Kenya.</li> <li>Obstacles to disclosure and access to services are exacerbated by the fact that access to and supply of support services has been disrupted by the restrictions imposed to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.</li> <li>There is an urgent need to improve policy responses and to make essential services accessible and open to all abused men in need of support and help during COVID-19.</li> </ul>2021-08-31T00:00:00-06:00Copyright (c) 2021 Kenya Policy Briefs