http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/20 2026-05-01T11:27:48Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/10122 Designing a Machine Learning Model for Crop Pest Surveillance among Small Holder Farmers in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya Songol, Michael Kipkorir Uasin Gishu County is noted as a breadbasket region in Kenya. This county provides a big proportion of the rural smallholder farmers’ income because 90% of its land is arable. It is endowed with high and consistent rainfall and favorable cropping temperatures. Maize, wheat, beans, and Irish potatoes are the common food crops in the county. However, crop productivity in the region is currently tapering off due to the use of traditional mechanisms to mitigate and control emerging crop pests and their effects. This coupled with inadequate extension services and hardly accessible information from agricultural agencies both at the county and the national governments has greatly contributed to a decline in agricultural production in the county. Crop pest surveillance by small holder farmers has been sub optimal while using ICT tools such as mobile phone. Notably, this challenge can be mitigated by leveraging mobile technology in building digital solutions that can provide farmers with easily accessible, precise, and timely information. Other technologies used in modern world applications include Machine Learning (ML), a branch of artificial intelligence. The digital solution in this case is ML technology which has proved to minimize losses incurred in farming. In solving the real-world problems, ML has found its use in predicting commodity prices, detecting fraudulent transactions, treatment and diagnosis of diseases, prediction of energy use and image recognition among other uses. It has increased efficiency and precision in farming thereby guaranteeing high quality farm output. The study aimed at exploring potential of ICT tools in providing information access to farmers by leveraging mobile technology. The main objectives looked at establishing usage of mobile phones for crop pest surveillance in Kenya, to design a machine learning model for crop pest surveillance for small holder farmers, and to evaluate the proposed machine learning model for crop pest surveillance among small holder farmers using mobile phones. The study targeted farmers in Kesses Sub County involved in small scale crop farming. Stratified sampling technique was used to select 3 Wards in Kesses Sub County that have had the highest hit of emerging crop pests. The targeted sampling technique was used to select farmers who experienced greatest loss due to crop pest between 2017 and 2021. The study involved mixed methods research design, and system analysis design methodologies. In mixed methods design, questionnaires were administered to respondents. Statistical methods employed was descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. In analyzing qualitative data, content analysis technique was applied. In systems analysis and design, this described how the development of the system will be achieved using the four-phased model which are planning, analysis, design, and implementation. Insights from field data showed that most farmers, 45 percent are using mobile phones in sourcing agriculture information. This was used to inform design of machine learning model for crop pest surveillance. This was achieved by use of plant disease detection, processing, segmentation, extraction, and classifier algorithms. In supporting the testing of the algorithm, accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 measurement score was used because this is highly supported in literature results with over 90% scores, which is within the acceptable score for testing. This study supports the use of mobile phone as one of key tools in carrying out crop pest surveillance by small holder farmers. 2025-10-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/9967 A Cybersecurity Defense Framework for Healthcare: A Case of Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret Bore, K. Jacob In the face of escalating cybersecurity threats, tailored defense frameworks are imperative to safeguard patient data and ensure the continuity of critical healthcare services. This study pursues four primary objectives: (I) to identify and analyze evolving cybersecurity threats and challenges in the healthcare sector, (II) to establish cybersecurity strategies and countermeasures for healthcare organization systems, (III) to design and develop a cybersecurity framework specifically tailored for the healthcare sector, and (IV) to validate the cybersecurity framework within the healthcare sector. A comprehensive approach was adopted, commencing with a meticulous literature review of existing cybersecurity frameworks. Subsequently, qualitative research was conducted through interviews in key departments at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), including management of HRIS, ICT, and Internal Audit departments. These departments serve as primary custodians of data governance systems, tools, and policies, providing insights into cybersecurity practices within the healthcare sector, elucidating both strengths and gaps. Identified gaps include inconsistencies in data access controls, insufficient real-time monitoring capabilities, and a lack of automated compliance monitoring mechanisms. Building upon these findings, a novel cybersecurity defense framework was meticulously crafted, incorporating elements from HL7 and the Kenya Health Act. Validation of the framework was conducted through a mixed-method approach, including questionnaires and interview schedules at MTRH. The positive responses obtained affirm the efficacy of the framework, underscoring its relevance in fortifying cybersecurity practices within the healthcare sector. Following the validation of the framework, recommendations were derived. These recommendations include the implementation of fine-grained access controls to mitigate unauthorized data access, the enhancement of real-time monitoring systems to promptly identify and respond to cybersecurity incidents, and the integration of automated compliance monitoring tools to ensure adherence to industry regulations. Additionally, the study recommends ongoing training and awareness programs for healthcare staff to bolster cybersecurity awareness and adherence to best practices. Overall, this thesis contributes to advancing cybersecurity practices, ensuring secure and uninterrupted delivery of high-quality patient care amidst a hostile digital landscape. 2025-10-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/9854 Assessment of Psychosocial Factors Influencing HIV Prevalence in Kisii Central Sub-County, Kisii County, Kenya Ismael, Nyabuti Joseph The users of the Integrated Financial Management Information System in public organizations have been experiencing various challenges in service delivery.This is contrary to the expectations that the system would enhance efficiency and effectiveness in government financial processes and service delivery. While empirical studies exist in the Kenyan literature on the adoption and implementation of IFMIS in governments, the focus has been largely on factors affecting its implementation, leaving experiences in its implementation largely unexplored. None has particularly, to the best of the researcher’s knowledge, explored challenges in the implementation of IFMIS, as perceived and experienced by users in service delivery. This study therefore sought to address the identified gap by assessing the challenges faced by the users of IFMIS in service delivery in the government of Kenya. More specifically, to examine the effect of IFMIS user training on service delivery at the National Treasury, Kenya, determine the impact of IFMIS implementation on service delivery at the National Treasury, Kenya,establish the effect of authorization through the IFMIS on service delivery at the National Treasury, Kenya and to isolate the challenges facing the users of IFMIS and suggest interventions to address them.The researcher adopted a case study design using quantitative and qualitative (mixed method) approach to collect data. The study targeted a population of 1,539 officers who were purposively selected from the IFMIS user departments at the headquarters. A sample of 94 respondents was selected from the target population using the Yamane formula. Stratified random sampling technique was then used to draw respondents from specific departments.Quantitative data was collected through structured questionnaires while interview schedules were used to collect qualitative data. Data collected through interviews were first organized into themes, patterns identified and then coded. Content analysis was done to categorize data for classification, summarization. The quantitative data was processed and analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings revealed that IFMIS had to a significant extent been implemented at the National Treasury. The ‘Procure to pay’ module was the most widely used in the organization. The challenges identified in the use of IFMIS ranged from technological, proficiency and technical. The most prevalent technological challenge faced was technophobia.The complexity of the system, resistance to change and bureaucracy in authorization were the most prevalent technical challenges while lack of training was the most prevalent proficiency related challenge. Delays in service delivery concerning the application of IFMIS were attributed to the many levels of IFMIS authorization.This was the major challenge to the users as it contributes to delays in service delivery.The change management had not been done effectively the reason why some modules had not been implemented. The bureaucracy should be minimized, and training programs should be regularly tailor-made to improve user capacity and skills and address any emerging changes in financial management in the country.This would motivate the users to improve service delivery to the public. 2019-12-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/9853 Challenges Facing Users of the Integrated Financial Management Information System in Service Delivery: A Case of the National Treasury, Nairobi Kenya Njagi, Stephen Nyaga The users of the Integrated Financial Management Information System in public organizations have been experiencing various challenges in service delivery.This is contrary to the expectations that the system would enhance efficiency and effectiveness in government financial processes and service delivery. While empirical studies exist in the Kenyan literature on the adoption and implementation of IFMIS in governments, the focus has been largely on factors affecting its implementation, leaving experiences in its implementation largely unexplored. None has particularly, to the best of the researcher’s knowledge, explored challenges in the implementation of IFMIS, as perceived and experienced by users in service delivery. This study therefore sought to address the identified gap by assessing the challenges faced by the users of IFMIS in service delivery in the government of Kenya. More specifically, to examine the effect of IFMIS user training on service delivery at the National Treasury, Kenya, determine the impact of IFMIS implementation on service delivery at the National Treasury, Kenya,establish the effect of authorization through the IFMIS on service delivery at the National Treasury, Kenya and to isolate the challenges facing the users of IFMIS and suggest interventions to address them.The researcher adopted a case study design using quantitative and qualitative (mixed method) approach to collect data. The study targeted a population of 1,539 officers who were purposively selected from the IFMIS user departments at the headquarters. A sample of 94 respondents was selected from the target population using the Yamane formula. Stratified random sampling technique was then used to draw respondents from specific departments.Quantitative data was collected through structured questionnaires while interview schedules were used to collect qualitative data. Data collected through interviews were first organized into themes, patterns identified and then coded. Content analysis was done to categorize data for classification, summarization. The quantitative data was processed and analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings revealed that IFMIS had to a significant extent been implemented at the National Treasury. The ‘Procure to pay’ module was the most widely used in the organization. The challenges identified in the use of IFMIS ranged from technological, proficiency and technical. The most prevalent technological challenge faced was technophobia.The complexity of the system, resistance to change and bureaucracy in authorization were the most prevalent technical challenges while lack of training was the most prevalent proficiency related challenge. Delays in service delivery concerning the application of IFMIS were attributed to the many levels of IFMIS authorization.This was the major challenge to the users as it contributes to delays in service delivery.The change management had not been done effectively the reason why some modules had not been implemented. The bureaucracy should be minimized, and training programs should be regularly tailor-made to improve user capacity and skills and address any emerging changes in financial management in the country.This would motivate the users to improve service delivery to the public. 2019-12-01T00:00:00Z