Purpose-The purpose of this study is to focus on women small and medium enterprises (WSMEs) financed by Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT) for poverty alleviation in Kakamega District-Kenya. Design/methodology/approach-The study utilized cross-sectional data from KWFT and follow-up field survey data of women beneficiaries of KWFT credit. Multi-stage stratified sampling technique was adopted to identify 90 women entrepreneurs of the total population of 300. Primary data were gathered using structured and non-structured questionnaires, interview schedules and focus group discussions. The study adopts both qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Findings-KWFT micro credit has had a positive impact upon women entrepreneurs on income savings, asset creation and their general social welfare. However, the KWFT's fight against poverty is constrained by socio-culture and other institutional policy issues such as: right to own property, right to education, own land, manage and inherit property, conduct business, among others. Practical implications-Women have shown that they are strong entrepreneurs, borrowers and change agents through WSMEs. Government of Kenya should urgently adopt a gender policy to address socio-culture issues constraining WSMEs. Further, KWFT should avoid cumbersome loan procedures but rather provide quick and convenient access to credit for women entrepreneurs, simple product offerings, with some flexibility to boost fight against poverty. Originality/value-Linking women entrepreneurship in the context of overall fight against poverty in Western Region in Kenya through KWFT; provide opportunity to add knowledge to current literature critical for academia and women entrepreneurship policy in Kenya in particular, as well as Sub-Saharan African region.

This paper examined the effect of Information Systems on revenue collection of Local Authorities in Homa Bay, Kenya. Study objectives included establishing the relationship between internal control systems, Information Systems and revenue collection in Kenyan Local Authorities; determining the levels of quality service offered to the clients by Local Authorities and investigating whether Information Systems relate to effectiveness and efficiency of Revenue Collection. A structured cross-section survey was used to collect data from 2,007 individuals, of which 165 were Local Authorities staff and 1,842 were traders in Homa Bay Municipality. The study found that: there is a relationship between Information Systems and both efficiency and effectiveness in revenue collection, there is a strong positive relationship between Internal Control Systems and revenue collection as reported by 97% of the respondents, and that resistance to change by the council staff was derailing the full implementation of Information Systems. The study is useful in reviewing the institutions' Act and statutes to cater fully for the integration of IS in the management activities of Homa Bay Municipal Council, to managers at all levels, public sector, policy makers and scholars.

COVID-19 virus can be described as one of the worst global pandemic ever experienced in the 21st Century. Focusing on the pandemic the study main objective was to analyze direct and indirect economic effect of COVID-19 pandemic and establish the extent to which the virus has affected Kenya’s key economic sectors contributing to the country’s GDP. The study adopts a content analysis approach whose aim is to describe COVID-19 phenomenon. The study relies on diverse secondary database not limited to: World Health Organization (WHO) on COVID-19 trends, IMF, UNDP, Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), KNBS, IPAR, ICA and KIPPRA among others. Data Analysis results reveal that COVID-19 poses an unprecedented shock by disrupting economic activity. Kenya’s current account deficits has declined drastically in capital flows. The GDP in 2020 shrank to 1.1% from. 5.7% .The country is also experiencing risk of collapse of health systems that is under pressure from spread of the virus; households have fallen into poverty; and a huge number of losses of employment have been experienced across all sectors estimated to about 4.64 million. Whereas the Kenyan Government focuses on re-engineering the economy by implementing economic stimuli package of fiscal, monetary, wage, and social protection policies aimed to arrest the economic recession. The study recommends that the government may consider sovereign debt restructurings; expansion of loan programs to firms and households in the formal sector and cash transfers to cushion vulnerable households in the informal sector and promote recovery of the economy.

The sugar industry has experienced poor performance attributed to industry deregulation, poor management and political interference. Adopting the Simons' Levers of Control framework, this study sought to establish the relationship between belief control practices and organizational performance in the sugar industry in Kenya. Using a census survey of the 45 firms in the

Kenya -China trade and investment are at a record high with China"s entry point being heavy infrastructural investments in Kenya. China now controls 66 per cent of Kenya"s bilateral debt. Given the rapid penetration of Chinese manufactured exports to the East African market, prospects for Kenya"s industrialization could be in jeopardy. The flooding of counterfeit products from China into the Kenyan local market reduces the entry of genuine products, making fair competition impossible. Considering that "Trade, not aid is regarded as an important aspect of development strategy promoted by some nations. But in the context of Kenya"s commitments to "trade not aid" strategy there is flimsy research done in current body of knowledge to give direction. This paper focuses on Kenya -China trade investments to unveil knowledge on a nexus of "Trade not Aid" phenomenon and its effectiveness to economic growth. The paper utilizes secondary database and content analysis approach for drawing inference. The study findings indicate that Kenya -China relations in trade and investment is not only a great opportunity to harness trade and aid benefits but also poses a cutthroat competition to Kenya"s manufacturing sub-sector considering that trade between China and Kenya is in favor of China. Further, the influx of low quality products into Kenyan markets from China have direct negative effect on Kenya"s labour market. The research concludes that "Trade not Aid" is a critical policy strategy that Kenya as a country should embrace and populate as a best opportunity to strengthen and increase trade and investment with China.