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Abstract:In the process of urbanization, the peri-urban areas are often the front line of urban transformation and transition and therefore potential zones of conflicts over land tenure arrangements. This study sought to explore land tenure arrangements, administration and governance in the peri-urban zones of Kisumu city. The objective was to provide empirical evidence on the conflicts and emerging governance issues in Kisumu city. In this working paper, we recognize three main drivers as being particularly important for facilitating equitable land use and therefore good outcomes from urbanization in Kisumu; Sound land use planning, smoothly functioning land and housing markets and capable and responsive land market. The results, based on the insights gained through conversational interviews as well as desk-top reviews show that public land tenure, leaseholds, freeholds and community land tenure systems are the most widespread in the study area. Holding land under leasehold and freehold tenure appears to be more widespread within peri-urban fringe. Whereas elaborate town planning criteria should ideally direct resource allocation, the challenge for Kisumu like other developing towns and cities is that it has been developing against a backdrop of poor urban planning practice.

The study sought to fill an information gap of streamlining productive processes in the implementation of differential advantage approach in Kenya OVOP projects. Since the adoption of One Village One Product (OVOP) movement has been faced with implementation challenges, inadequate resources, and capacities inhibiting its momentum in Kenya. Similarly, lack of political commitment, leadership and mutual cooperation among different actors in shared value of productivity, seems to be a major hindrance for OVOP drive in Kenya. It therefore suggest that lack of deep understanding of the critical role of productive processes for effective implementation of differential advantage approach was the study's knowledge gap tried to fill. The overall objective of the study was to examine the role of productive processes on the implementation of differential advantage approach in OVOP projects with the view of deepening our understanding requisite conditions for successive implementation process of the approach. The study took place in three pioneer districts adopted OVOP project: Nyeri North, Laikipia West and Yatta. The study unit of analysis was OVOP projects based on convergence and social development theories. The study was a descriptive case design. A sample of 72 individuals was selected through quota sampling on the ground of pre-specified characteristics. Questionnaires, interviews guides, FGDs and observations were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. A literal replication analysis was also involved to confirm predicted propositions through pattern matching and generalizing results. The study recommended the establishment of county coordinating organ with chain champion and make Kenyan typical villages as OVOP units instead of current selfinterest groups or projects. It was therefore hoped that the lesson provided may be useful for the implementation of rural development approaches to county governments and regional planners.

Purpose: To assess the accessibility of students with physical disability to washrooms in Bungoma main bus terminus.Method: A case study approach was used. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and an observation schedule. A total of 108 respondents from three schools participated in the study. Results: It was established that washrooms in the area were narrow and full of barriers which hampered access to the facilities. Respondents experienced difficulty in using the washrooms due to the narrow doors, high thresholds and lack of grab bars. Conclusion:This study concluded that the numerous barriers in the washrooms of Bungoma bus terminus hampered the safety and mobility of students with physical disability.

In today's marketplaces, information products are vital tools with which city governments and businesses can optimize their capacities and make cities more livable. Cities should treat their digital infrastructure and the data as a market creation asset that can propel economic development. Despite the opportunities posted by network technologies, optimal utilization remains a challenge for local authorities and businesses in developing countries. This paper examines the utilization of network technologies in market information exchange in Kisumu City of Kenya based on a case study which involved stratified random sampling of 40 staff of Kisumu City Council and systematic sampling of 260 small business enterprises. The study shows that 72% of business respondents and 77% of City Council respondents used some form of network technology, a clear indication that the technologies has been adopted. The major technology trends include use of internet at 54% by the business enterprises and 67 % by the council staff. Technology has contributed positively to both work and business despite the impediments which include financial constraint and lack of awareness. The Council and the businesses have great opportunities for information exchange through technology. It is discovered that network technologies are used more for non market information exchange, an indication why the technology adoption for business has not moved beyond the substitution stage. It is recommended that the Council sensitizes the businesses on network technologies and the potentials therein. The government should explore installation of cheaper and faster internet connectivity as well as enact viable policies to propel market information exchange.