http://repository.must.ac.ke/handle/123456789/11 All Research Publications by bona fide staff of Meru University of Science and Technology Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:54:26 GMT 2026-06-29T14:54:26Z http://repository.must.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1639 Corporate Governance and Financial Performance of Deposit Taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Meru County, Kenya Tharamba, Eva Kanini Corporate governance is a critical tool for enhancing the performance of Deposit-taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) and ensuring they meet their members' economic and social needs. Properly structured cooperatives can contribute to equitable development and justice. However, a significant challenge facing these SACCOs is the issue of corporate governance. Some have faced mismanagement problems, resulting in the cessation of their operations. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between corporate governance and the financial performance of deposit-taking SACCOs in Meru County by focusing on the impact of the audit committee, board size, and transparency. The study design involved 92 directors from all eleven deposit-taking SACCOs in Meru County, with a sample of 75 directors selected using stratified random sampling with proportional allocation. The questionnaire's reliability was validated through a pilot study. Data collection employed questionnaires containing closed-ended questions and secondary data collected from the SACCO supervision annual report; the analysis encompassed descriptive and inferential statistics, including multiple regression analysis using SPSS software (Version 26). The results were presented in tables, highlighting the significant associations discovered among the audit committee, board size, transparency, and the performance of Deposit-taking SACCOs in Meru County. Correlation and multiple regression analysis were carried out to establish the relationship between the study variables. The findings disclosed a significant association between the audit committee, board size, transparency, and financial performance of Deposit Taking SACCOs. The main contribution of the research revealed that the audit committee members were transparently selected and held frequent meetings. In addition, the study found that these SACCOs had effectively managed their liquidity, retaining funds for reinvestment rather than distributing all profits as dividends. The implications of these findings are substantial, particularly for the directors of Deposit-taking SACCOs and other cooperative organizations. Directors of SACCOs can employ strategies to enhance governance practices within their societies, ultimately improving their overall performance. The study recommends that audit committee members maintain regular meetings to assess the SACCOs' performance, ensuring smooth operations from the findings. Additionally, Deposit-Taking SACCOs should engage with their customers frequently to keep them informed of the SACCO's progress and involve them in governance through voting rights in board decisions. These recommendations can contribute to better governance and improve SACCO's financial performance Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.must.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1639 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.must.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1631 Effects of Principals’ Organization of Mathematics Contests on Students’ Performance in Mathematics in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education Examinations in Meru County Kirikua, Thiharu Maingi Performance of candidates in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education Mathematics in Meru County of Kenya from 2012 to 2016 has consistently been deteriorating. This has called for this study so as to establish whether this trend has anything to do with organization or otherwise of external Mathematics contests in secondary schools of Meru County of Kenya. The study adopted ex post facto design because the effects of independent variable on dependent variable had already occurred. Research instruments were Mathematics teachers’ questionnaire, and Principals’ interview guide. The target population was 299 principals and 836 Mathematics teachers in the County. This study used stratified random sampling with proportional allocation. The sample size was 30% of the total target population. It was established that most principals did not organize Mathematics contests, to the detriment of performance of their KCSE candidates. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.must.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1631 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.must.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1630 To Examine the Effects of the Principals’ Invitation of Mathematics Specialists on Students’ Performance in Mathematics in KCSE Examination in Meru County, Kenya Kirikua, Thiharu Maingi Performance in Mathematics in Meru County, Kenya from 2012 to 2016 has consistently been deteriorating. The purpose of this study was an evaluation of how the administrative strategies designed by the principals affected students’ performance in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in Meru County. Objectives that directed the study were to evaluate the various attributes on student performance in KCSE examination in Meru County. The objective was to evaluate the effects of Principal’s invitation of Mathematics specialists and students’ performance, in mathematics. This study used ex post facto design. The research instrument was Mathematics teachers’ questionnaire, KCSE document analysis for five years in Meru County and Principal’s interview guide. The target population was 299 principals and 836 Mathematics teachers in the County. This study used stratified random sampling with proportional allocation. The sample size was 30% of the total target population translating to 92 principals and 251 Mathematics teachers. Validity was ensured by piloting the instrument. Reliability was ensured by using split half technique. From the findings, majority of Mathematics teachers and principals claimed that they invited Mathematics specialists, team teaching and peer teaching specialists to their schools. However, most of the invitations were done only once a year. Chisquare results showed that invitation of Mathematics specialists (p 0.021), team teaching (p 0.006), peer teaching specialists (p 0.048) and others (p 0.034) all had a significant effects on how students performed. The study recommends that principals should invite more than one Mathematics specialist to their schools to ensure that Mathematics teachers and students are adequately exposed to different kinds of skills and strategies on Mathematics performance in K.C.S.E examination. Principals should also increase the frequency of inviting the external support staff from annually to one or twice per term to ensure that the skills and strategies imparted are reinforced to become a routine practice for the Mathematics teachers and the students. The findings of the study were expected to be useful to the Ministry of Education, teachers and students as well as other stakeholders in the education sector. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.must.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1630 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repository.must.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1629 To Establish the Effects of Principals’ Support to Teachers Through Mathematics Seminars/Workshop on Student’ Performance in Mathematics in Kcse Examination in Meru County, Kenya. Kirikua, Thiharu Maingi Performance in Mathematics in Meru County, Kenya from 2012 to 2016 has consistently been deteriorating. The purpose of this study was an evaluation of how the administrative strategies designed by the principals affected students’ performance in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) in Meru County. Objectives that directed the study were to evaluate the various attributes on student performance in KCSE examination in Meru County. The objective was to evaluate principal’s support to teachers through Mathematics seminars/workshops and student’s performance in Mathematics. This study used ex post facto design. The research instrument was Mathematics teachers’ questionnaire, KCSE document analysis for five years in Meru County and Principal’s interview guide. The target population was 299 principals and 836 Mathematics teachers in the County. This study used stratified random sampling with proportional allocation. The sample size was 30% of the total target population translating to 92 principals and 251 Mathematics teachers. Validity was ensured by piloting the instrument. Reliability was ensured by using split half technique. The findings revealed that principals were not sponsoring Mathematics teachers to attend workshops and seminars. The principals cited a lack of resources and budgetary allocation to the low number of Mathematics teachers attending seminars and workshops. The findings of the study were expected to be useful to the Ministry of Education, teachers and students as well as other stakeholders in the education sector. Wed, 01 Jan 2020 00:00:00 GMT http://repository.must.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1629 2020-01-01T00:00:00Z