The study sort to establish the mediating effect of customer loyalty on the relationship between product differentiation strategies and the performance of selected edible oils manufacturing firms in Kenya. Using the Baron &amp; Kenny (1986) four-step approach for conducting mediation analysis, the study hypothesized the relationship between product differentiation strategies and firm performance, product differentiation strategies and customer loyalty, customer loyalty and firm performance and finally the mediation relationship between product differentiation strategies, customer loyalty and firm performance. The study employed an explanatory research design and was guided by the discrete choice theory of competitive advantage and the customer loyalty business model. The target population was 535,840 of which 104 were top and middle-level employees from the sales and marketing departments of the three selected edible oils manufacturing firms and 535,736 were consumers of the products within the middle-class estates in Nairobi. A sample size of 504 respondents was used for the study. Structured questionnaires were used to collect primary data and a document analysis guide was used to collect secondary data which was then analysed using descriptive statistics, linear regression and correlation analysis. The results revealed that customer loyalty (R-square change = .028 had a p-value = .005) has a positive mediating effect on the relationship between product differentiation strategies and the performance of the selected edible oils manufacturing firms in Kenya.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0071/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

The reformation of the healthcare system in Kenya is anchored on the objectives of Articles 10, and 232 of the Constitution of Kenya promulgated on 27th August, 2010. However, these reforms have not achieved the envisioned results due to the transfer of functions to counties before building capacity at the county level to enable them to undertake the devolved functions effectively and efficiently, especially in the health sector despite the major policy, system, and infrastructural changes to 'fix' the health system to increase access, improve service delivery, reduce costs and increase accountability and improve responsiveness. The health sector in the county governments is still facing a myriad of challenges like delayed or lack of promotion, a severe shortage of staff in essential cadres, workers' strikes, and diminishing productivity among health workers. There is evidence of failure to provide sustainable access to quality and affordable healthcare occasioned by frequent strikes by HRH. Their major grievances have been lack of promotion and poor remuneration among cadres disrupting the only health system accessible to the poor majority. This informs the study's objective of assessing the influence of career development management on the health sector service delivery in devolved healthcare units in western Kenya. The study was anchored on Hertzberg's two-factor theory and agency theory. The study targeted a population of 3,547, and a sample size of 367 (201 HRH and 166 inpatients) was obtained based on the sample size determination table proposed by Krejcie and Morgan (1970) and Proportional allocation. Simple random sampling was used to obtain sample sizes for each stratum. Multi-stage, purposive and simple random sampling procedures were used to get the health facilities to participate in the study. Stratified cluster sampling, purposive and simple random sampling were used to include pre-described sample targets. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain data from the human resources for health and inpatients, whereas interview schedules were used to collect data from the in-charge of cadres. An explanatory research design was used. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, which included correlational and Simple Linear Regression Analysis on SPSS (version 23). The results of the regression coefficient indicated that b= 0.108, t =0.966, p=0.000<0.05. It showed that career development management significantly influenced service delivery in the health sector in the devolved units. The study recommends that promotion decisions should be based on employee performance to encourage fairness. Adequate training opportunities be provided to all employees to prepare them to do their job efficiently. It proposes policies and frameworks for the welfare of health care workers and improves service delivery to the citizens of these counties. County governments should have a clear succession plan so that healthcare providers can align their productivity to their career goals and aspirations.

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Globally, food insecurity is a fundamental problem. The aquaculture sector plays a vital role in supplying food with great potential to enhance food security. A significant challenge for the industry is the scarcity of protein sources in fish feeds and high prices that escalate production costs beyond economic viability. A growing paradigm shift for sustainability in the aquaculture sector is the usage of alternative insect-based diets like the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae meal (BSFLM). The cost of fish production is always a pertinent issue in the aquaculture sector. Therefore, farmers would benefit from minimised and feed costs using technologies such as linear programming, which considers input costs and nutrient levels on different feed ingredients to ensure the production of least cost nutrient-dense diets. This study focused on applying the linear programming technique in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) feed formulation using BSFLM as an alternative source of protein. In determining the least cost diet, five feeds were formulated with BSFLM at the following levels (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%) using ready to use excel solver function for linear programming. The study shows that replacing fishmeal with BSFLM at 100% is cost-effective and may reduce the cost of feeding by as much as 26.8%. This study focuses on minimising feed cost in the aquaculture.The study recommends that a further study be conducted to test the diets on fish growth performance.However the level of pprotein content in the diets formulated is also a good since they meet the requirements for juvenile nile tilapia.Reduced feed costs will enable aquaculture farmers to increase their income and enhance food security.