Tangaza University Digital Repository
Preserving and promoting the intellectual and cultural heritage of Tangaza University.
The Tangaza Digital Repository is an open-access platform dedicated to the management and dissemination of scholarly research, including:
- Academic Research: Theses, dissertations, and faculty publications.
- Institutional Heritage: Multimedia resources, datasets, and archives.
- Global Access: Fully optimized for Google Scholar and international OAI-PMH harvesting.
- Permanent Records: Trusted identifiers ensuring your research is citable and accessible forever.
By hosting your work here, you contribute to a global community of scholarship and ensure the long-term visibility of African academic excellence.
Recent Submissions
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE SUSTAINABILITY OF WOMEN SELF-HELP GROUPS IN NAIROBI COUNTY: A CASE OF VIWANDANI IN MAKADARA SUB-COUNTY
(Tangaza University, 2025-11) INVIOLATA NJERI NJOROGE
Women SHGs serve as vital platforms for grassroots socio-economic development in Kenya. Despite their contributions, many SHGs continue to face challenges related to inadequate financial resources, weak management systems, and limited technical skills. This study investigated factors contributing to the sustainability of women SHGs in Viwandani, Makadara Sub-County, Nairobi; examining managerial practices, strategies for addressing challenges and the influence of member characteristics on group sustainability. The study involved 73 women from seven SHGs and was anchored on theory of social change and the T7 model of team effectiveness which identifies seven critical factors for group success: Thrust, Trust, Talent, Teaming and Task skills; Team leader fit and Team support. Data was collected through structured-questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics utilising SPSS. The findings revealed that Women SHGs in Viwandani are highly structured, operate with written constitutions, have defined leadership systems, and practice consensus-based decision-making. Governance featured frequent meetings, member-driven agendas, and comprehensive record-keeping. Activities centred on loan management and welfare support, internal mechanisms for conflict-resolution and addressing challenges included general meetings and disciplinary committees. Member characteristics, including self-employment status, limited formal-education, and high dependency burdens created strong incentives for active participation and collective action. However, weak external collaboration, limited market access, and minimal linkage with financial institutions emerged as notable sustainability constraints. The study concludes that sustainability is driven by a combination of strong internal governance, collective accountability, and member commitment. It recommends strategic partnerships to enhance financial inclusion, skills development, and market integration. The findings provide practical insights for policymakers, development practitioners, and community organizations seeking to strengthen women SHGs in informal settlements.
CHALLENGES FACING BACKYARD POULTRY FARMING PRODUCTION IN URBAN AREAS IN EMBAKASI EAST CONSTITUENCY-NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA
(Tangaza University, 2025-10) ROSEMARY GAKII JAVAN
The purpose of the study was to investigate the challenges facing backyard poultry farming production in urban areas of Kenya taking Embakasi East Constituency-Nairobi County as a case in point. Specifically, the study sought to establish how farm inputs influence backyard poultry production, determine the socio-economic factors influence backyard poultry production, determine how technology adaptation influence backyard poultry production and finally explore how availability of Market influence backyard poultry production in Embakasi East Constituency in Nairobi County- Kenya. Data was collected from a sample of 90 back-yard poultry farmers derived from a target population of 300 farmers who were registered with Embakasi East Nairobi County Government. Purposive and cluster sampling techniques was applied in selecting the farmers included in the sample size. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data through thematic analysis. The questionnaires and interview guide instruments were used to collect data. The quantitative information from the questionnaires was coded, keyed into a computer and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze data. Qualitative information from interviews was arranged and presented in narrative forms and direct quote. The study was anchored on three theories namely: Ecological Systems Theory that explores how different environmental systems shape human behavior and activities, Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA), which explores how people use assets and capabilities to sustain livelihoods, and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), which explains that behavior is determined by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. The study emphasized the importance of understanding challenges facing backyard poultry farming in urban areas in order to effectively develop interventions and policies that promote and enhance the sustainability of this agricultural practice. The study aim was to contribute to the knowledge base by providing insights into the key challenges facing backyard poultry farming. By conducting this analysis, the researcher intended to identify the challenges and opportunities surrounding this practice in urban areas of Kenya. Key findings reveals that poultry farmers face significant challenges related to access, resources, and knowledge, general trend of limited adoption of modern poultry technologies among respondents. Backyard poultry farmers face significant challenges related to market availability and also key structural weaknesses identified in marketing strategy, market accessibility, and distribution networks. The study recommends addressing these systemic barriers and through coordinated efforts, stakeholders can significantly improve the livelihoods of smallholder poultry farmers and unlock the potential of backyard poultry as a viable and sustainable income-generating activity.
CONTRIBUTION OF WOMEN ENGINEERS TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA
(Tangaza University, 2025-09) MUHINDO MULANGO Roger
While the construction industry is striving to increase women’s participation in the sustainable building construction industry, their contribution remains largely misunderstood, undefined, and undervalued in various phases of building construction. This study assessed the contribution of women engineers towards sustainable building in Nairobi City County in Kenya. Qualitative methods were used to gather data for this research. Women engineers in different departments in Nairobi with a specific target of La Femme Engineering Services Ltd (LFE) constituted the target population of the study. This research used a non-probability purposive sampling method to choose 16 participants who constituted the sample size of the population. The data collection from the participants entailed the use of qualitative instruments, namely the in-depth interview guide, key informant guide, observation checklist guide, and content analysis guide. The Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) Miner Lite software was utilised to create codes and perform data analysis based on thematic and content analysis. The findings aligned with the objectives of this study and illustrated the lived experiences of participants across three worksites, including the head office of LFE, Zimmerman, and Ruiru apartments. Under barriers and enablers, respondents highlighted education as a crucial facilitator for women engineers, while the absence of role models emerged as a primary obstacle. In terms of impacts, the value was the highest contribution of women engineers. Then, unique perspectives, green energy, and advocacy for sustainability were the top elements that women impacted with the building sector. The research concluded that women engineers made significant contributions to sustainable building in terms of innovation and creativity, eco-friendly materials and energy efficiency, and leadership and management. However, they expressed the issue of educational accessibility and the environment not being conducive for women. The researcher recommends institutionalising mentorship programs and leadership roles and improving STEM access for girls, enforcing gender equality and gender-sensitive policy.
THE EFFECT OF CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHINGS ON SOCIO ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION IN AJIA SUB-COUNTY, ARUA DISTRICT, UGANDA
(Tangaza University, 2025-11) RIYO ISAAC
This study investigates the influence of Catholic Social Teachings on socio-economic transformation in Ajia Sub-county, Arua District, Uganda. Despite the Catholic Church’s long-standing presence in the area, the extent to which its teachings have translated into measurable development outcomes remains unclear. The purpose of this study was therefore to assess how Catholic values and institutions contribute to education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and community empowerment. A descriptive research design grounded in a positivist philosophy was adopted, targeting Christians, church leaders, and government officials. A sample of 150 respondents was selected using both probability and non-probability sampling techniques. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires and analysed using SPSS for descriptive and inferential statistics, with results presented in tables and graphs. The findings revealed that Catholic-led initiatives such as Caritas, JPHRC, and the pharmaceutical warehouse have significantly enhanced access to healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities, thereby promoting community cohesion and economic resilience. The study concludes that Catholic Social Teachings plays a pivotal role in driving socio-economic transformation in Ajia Sub-county. It recommends that policymakers strengthen collaboration with faith-based organizations to scale up education, livelihood support, social justice, environmental conservation, and youth and women empowerment initiatives across the region.
SERVICE QUALITY AND STUDENTS’ SATISFACTION: THE CASE OF PRIVATELY OWNED UNIVERSITY HOSTELS IN LANGATA SUB-COUNTY, NAIROBI, KENYA.
(Tangaza University, 2025-11) KASINA PATRICIA NDUNGE
Student satisfaction in university hostels is increasingly recognised as vital in higher education, particularly given the rising demand for privately owned accommodations in urban academic centres such as Langata Sub-County, Nairobi. This study investigated the effect of service quality on student satisfaction in privately owned university hostels within the sub-county. Specifically, it examined the influence of reliable amenities, staff service assurance, hostel physical facilities, and staff empathy on student satisfaction, while also testing the mediating role of perceived value. Guided by the SERVQUAL Model, Disconfirmation Theory, and Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, the study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. Data were collected from 205 students drawn proportionately from 22 privately owned hostels through structured Likert-scale questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple regressions, and mediation analysis were applied, supported by diagnostic tests to validate assumptions. The results revealed that reliable amenities, staff service assurance, physical facilities, and staff empathy significantly influenced student satisfaction. Moreover, perceived value partially mediated the relationship between service quality dimensions and satisfaction, confirming the applicability of the chosen theoretical frameworks in this context. These findings emphasised that enhancing service quality in privately owned hostels improves students’ well-being and supports academic outcomes, contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 4 on inclusive and equitable quality education. Based on these findings, the study recommended that hostel managers adopt a holistic service quality framework by investing in reliable amenities, professional and empathetic staff, and modern facilities, supported by continuous improvement practices. The study also recommended that Universities collaborate with privately owned hostel operators to set benchmarks, conduct regular audits, and integrate feedback systems. Moreover, the study also recommended that the Ministry of Education should develop national guidelines and provide incentives for sustainable utilities and facility improvements. Also, students and parents to actively engage in feedback mechanisms and advocacy to strengthen accountability and ensure that hostels continuously align services with learners’ needs.