Aflatoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi and contaminate various agricultural commodities either before harvest or under post-harvest conditions. Acute aflatoxin poisoning leading to casepatients and deaths has continued to occur in several parts of Kenya. However, there is emerging evidence implicating chronic aflatoxins exposure as an important factor in infant growth stunting and immune suppression. The consumption of smaller dosages overtime produces no obvious symptoms as would happen with acute dosage. Thus, it has not attracted much attention in Kenya in terms of public health priorities. Aflatoxins have been detected mainly in the staple foods such as cereals and legumes commodities, which form the main gruel ingredients used to compose weaning foods in most rural households. This suggests that children may be more exposed to mycotoxins than the rest of the population and this could be the reason for increased cases of infant malnutrition and mortality in certain areas in Kenya. The extent to which stunted growth and immune suppression contribute to the overall burden of infectious disease merits consideration. Therefore, this paper discusses dietary chronic mycotoxins exposure in Kenya and emerging public health concerns of stunted growth and immune suppression as reported in various related animal and human studies. It also highlights several factors that may enhance the dietary mycotoxins exposure especially amongst children and further explores various localized control measures and research areas within the context of food scarcity and extreme poverty experienced in rural Kenya. This paper aims at reinforcing that presence of mycotoxins within the food system should be addressed as an urgent food safety issue as they place a significant hindrance towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 4 and 6 on reduction of child mortality and combating of diseases, respectively.

Micro financing is the provision of financial services to low-income clients or solidarity lending groups that lack access to banking and its related services. Traditionally, women based enterprises have not been favoured by the mainstream credit policies of the commercial banks owing to their inability to raise collateral securities to guarantee the loans. The general objective of this study was to determine the effect of micro financing on the performance of women owned enterprises in Kisumu City. Specifically, the study sought to determine the effect of microfinance on productivity, profitability and growth and expansion of women owned enterprises. The study population comprised 3000 registered women businesses. A sample of 341 was drawn. Clustering, simple random and purposive sampling approaches were applied. Primary and secondary data were used. Questionnaire and interview were used to obtain primary data. Quantitative data was analysed by use of both the descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicated that micro financing in sufficient quantities would have greater effect on profitability, productivity and growth and expansion of women owned enterprises. The outcome of the study would be significant in reformulating women business credit policies, for improving credit services to entrepreneurs.

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.

In Kenya there has been a significant increase of motorcycle taxi business since 2005 to date. This has resulted into diversification in transport industry and the competitive framework amongst the key operators in the industry. Past studies dwelt on the impact of commercial bicycle taxi on the revenue of other industry players yet little is known about the effect of motorcycle taxi on other related business activities in Siaya district. The purpose of this study was to establish the impact of motorcycle taxi on emergence of related business namely: spare parts trade, motorcycle mechanics, filling stations, and other traders within Siaya District. The study objective was to identify new businesses which have emerged as a result of motorcycle taxi. Multi stage sampling procedure was used to determine the sample size. A sample survey of 18 spare parts traders, 9 filling stations, 6 mechanics and 60 other traders were interviewed. Primary data was used for the study which was collected using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to show the extent of variable relationship activities. The study revealed a strong relationship between motorcycle taxi and emergence of sale of spare parts, motorcycle mechanics and filling stations activities. This was evident in the fact that 55% of spare parts traders, 27% of filling stations and 18% of mechanics traders agreed that their business was dependent on motorcycle taxi. The study established that many business emerged after the significant motorcycle taxi business and they existalongside each other as revealed in 38% sale of spare parts, 36% others and 11% motorcycle mechanics. The study concluded that there are many businesses which emerged after motorcycle taxi entry and that they exist alongside each other. Findings of the study will help the government in formulating and implementing policies on issues concerning motorcycle taxi and other related business. Further research can be done in the area of financial management among motorcycle riders.

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