This study investigated the effect of supplier and customers' collaboration on product innovativeness in manufacturing SMEs. Using a cross sectional survey design with a sample size of 196, a standard multiple linear regression (MLR) was performed between product innovativeness as the dependent variable and the dimensions of supplier and customer collaboration, as independent variables. The results of the supplier collaboration regression indicated that the predictors explained 45.1% of the variance (R 2 =.477, Adj R 2 =.451), F (6, 119) = 18.115, p < .001; t=1.995.; that of customer collaboration indicated that the predictors explained 38.8% of the variance (R 2 = .388, Adj R 2 = .358), F (6, 119) = 12.597, p < .001; t=6.441. Understanding customer needs is the only dimension that significantly contributed positively to predicting PI (B = 1.169, p= .056) t=1.930. It is concluded that supplier dimensions of win-win relationships, deep suppliers trust, expertise from suppliers and support in product launch will positively predict PI. Similarly, customer collaboration dimension of deep understanding of customer needs will positively predict PI. The researchers recommend the setting up of SMEs support policies that promote collaborations in research for purposes of sharing information / accessing the diverse knowledge base on new product design, development and production.

The effect of clustering on product innovativeness in manufacturing SME sector has been analyzed in this study. The cooperation of firms at national level and on a global scale is becoming more and more important as a tool of economic development. SMEs tend to work together in order to share their competencies, reduce various costs, consolidate limited resources, and hereby increase their productivity, product innovativeness, and profitability. Clusters create the environment for innovation and technological advancement. Therefore, SMEs may gain additional benefits that include know-how, cost-saving options, and innovative products to fulfill unmet customer needs. The study has concluded that the clustering of manufacturing SMEs is closely related to product innovativeness and hence their competitiveness at the local and regional level.

Innovations enhance long and short-term decisions making towards remaining competitive in the business environment. MFIs in Kenya and more so in Narok Town are no exception. The study sought to assess the effect of product innovation strategies on the growth of microfinance institutions in Kenya, Narok Town. The research adopted cross-sectional design and a census was applied of 180 respondents employed in 11 registered MFIs. Primary and Secondary data was collected and correlation and linear regression analyses were applied. The results showed that product innovation had a significant positive association to growth of MFIs in Narok Town (r= 0.190, p=0.019), and product innovation had a positive Statistical effect on growth of MFIs in Narok Town (β=0.169, t (149) = 2.35,p=0.02<0.05). In conclusion, it is evident that the more MFIs invest in innovative products the better their growth. The study therefore, recommends that the MFIs in Narok town need to invest more in product innovation as a mean to sustain their growth and remain afloat in the completive market.

The study examined the relationship between budgeting and strategic plan implementation at the Narok County Referral Hospital (NCRH). Using a descriptive research design and a sample size of 30, a principal component analysis (PCA) was used to reduce the number of variables in a data set. Correlation analysis showed a positive relationship between dependent variable (strategic plan implementation) and independent variable (budgeting). Formal budgeting and budgetary participation showed a direct moderate positive relationship with availability of resources and professionalism at the hospital. The study concluded that budgetary participation and formal budgeting improves the availability of hospital resources and professionalism. The study recommends improving formal budgeting and budgetary participation at NCRH for successful strategic plan implementation.

Access to safe drinking water is a basic human need necessary for both the wellbeing and social economic development of populations living in rural Kenya. In spite of efforts to increase access to water, many rural water supplies have either stopped operating or are not operating optimally. This has resulted in loss of service to populations living in the rural areas of Kenya (Mwangangi & Waynoka 2016). Many of the dysfunctional water sources are operated by community-based organizations such as community Water and Sanitation (WASH) Committees, Water User Associations or women groups. That 35% of improved rural water supply points in sub-Saharan Africa are non-operational and this scenario is no exception in Kenya (Ababa, 2013). Quoting USAID Kenya Oino, Kirui, Towett and Luvega (2015) notes that despite the Kenyan government effort of setting ambitious targets to provide access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities to 85% of the population by 2015 and 100 % by 2025 in line with MDGs, the country still faces considerable challenges in reaching the water and sanitation Sustainable Development Goals According to Mamburi (2014), access to safe water supplies throughout Kenya is 59 percent with access in rural areas remaining as low as 47 percent , relying on unprotected wells, springs or informal water providers. Alida (2012) citing an IRC Triple-S 2010 study, noted that despite relative success in the provision of new rural water infrastructure in the last two to three decades, evidence show that between 30 to 40 per cent of facilities either do not function or are operating below capacity. In Kenya, about 25 to 30 per cent of the recently completed community managed rural water project facilities become dysfunctional within the first three years following completion (Alida, 2012), Central Nyakach is no exception. Consequently, the National governments and development partners have begun to recognize the scale of the problems associated with poor sustainability of rural water projects (IRC, 2011).Project sustainability has been defined by the American Heritage as the ability of a system of any kind to endure and be healthy over the long term. Macharia, Mbassana and Oduor (2015) contend that project sustainability refers to the benefits realized, maintained and continue after the project has been handed over to the beneficiaries. Sustainability is also defined as the ability of an organization to develop a strategy of growth and development that continues to function indefinitely. This study will adopt the definition of sustainability as the process of ensuring an adaptive prevention system and sustainable infrastructure and interventions that can be integrated into ongoing operations to benefit diverse stakeholders (Mwangi, 2014).