is essential for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) companies to outperform their competitors in the industry. LPG consumption has expanded in Kenya in recent years, thanks to better import and distribution facilities. The use of LPG in the commercial sector doubled to around 124,000 metric tonnes by 2017, up from a low base in 2014. In 2018-19, rapid demand growth continued, with demand almost doubling to 217,000 metric tonnes. Demand has boosted competition among LPG manufacturers, which has resulted in price wars. This study examined how competitive strategies influence the performance of LPG companies and how the performance of liquefied petroleum gas companies in Nairobi County is affected by competitive strategies. The specific research objectives were to determine the impact of focus strategies on performance; to define the impact of differentiation strategies on performance, and to determine the impact of cost leadership strategies on LPG business performance in Nairobi County. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional research design approach. LPG companies in Nairobi County were investigated and the sample size was 154 respondents, selected using simple random sampling. Cronbach's alpha was used to verify reliability, and content validity was assessed by consulting domain experts. The data was analysed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29.0.2.0. The key findings of the study were that, focus strategy increased performance significantly and differentiation strategy on the other hand had a non-significant increase on performance. Similarly, a unit increase in cost leadership strategy led to a non-significant improvement in performance. The study recommends that the leaders or decision makers of LPG companies widely adopt a focus strategy as it has a significant influence on firm performance compared to other strategies. The study also suggests that further studies be performed on the impact of differentiation and cost leadership strategies on firm performance.

Access to finance has remained one of the notable factors that impede the sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises in the developing world. This study aims to investigate the effect of financial accessibility on the sustainability of manufacturing small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in Nairobi County, Kenya. The elements of access to finance that are in the interest of this study include cost of credit, interest rate, credit rationing and business risk. The specific objectives were to analyse the influence of loan processing fees on the sustainability of manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs); to establish the influence of interest rate on the sustainability of manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nairobi County, Kenya; to determine the influence of credit rationing on the sustainability of manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nairobi County, Kenya; and to find out the influence of business risk on the sustainability of manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was underpinned by the Delegated Monitoring theory, Relationship Lending Theory and legitimacy theory. The study adopted descriptive research design methodology, which involved the collection of firsthand data from the operators of manufacturing SMEs in Nairobi County, Kenya. Stratified sampling technique was used to select the manufacturing SMEs that were involved in the study. A total of 89 participants were involved in the study. Data collection involved administration of online questionnaire to the participants using online communication platforms. The study documented positive effect of loan processing fees on sustainability of manufacturing small and medium enterprises in Nairobi, Kenya. Secondly, there was a negative and not significant effect of interest rate on sustainability of small and medium manufacturing companies in Nairobi County. Thirdly, there was positive and significant effect of credit rationing on sustainability of manufacturing small and medium enterprises. Further, there was positive and not significant effect business risk and sustainability of manufacturing small and medium enterprises in Nairobi, Kenya. From the findings it can concluded that loan processing fees, legal fees, insurance fees and negotiating fees have inverse effect on sustainability of manufacturing small and medium enterprises in Nairobi County, Kenya. Secondly, sustainability of manufacturing small and medium enterprises is significantly affected by inflation rates and total cost of credit. Thirdly, credit access was limited by number of loans applied by manufacturing companies, type of loan products applied for, repayment period and collateral required. Further, the higher the price fluctuations, competition and emergence of technologies the hinders the odds of sustaining firms. There is need for evaluation of measures aimed at minimizing credit access costs through mitigation of loan processing fees, legal fees, insurance fees and negotiating fees. Moreover, there is need for adoption of time series approaches while managing price fluctuations, competitiveness and emergence of new products.

Mobile money has become a popular payment method for many Kenyan businesses. The goal of this study was to determine how mobile money merchant services affected the financial performance of small and medium-sized businesses. Nakuru is a city in Kenya. The specific goals were to determine the effect of affordability of mobile money merchant services on the performance of small and medium enterprises, the effect of availability of mobile money merchant services on the performance of small and medium enterprises, the effect of effectiveness of mobile money merchant services on the performance of small and medium enterprises, and the impact of Value Added Services available on mobile money platforms on the performance of small and medium enterprises. The theories underpinning the study were; Technology Acceptance Model and Innovation Diffusion Theory (IDT). The study adopted explanatory survey design based on cause-effect relationship. The study targeted 12,250 licensed SMEs Mobile Money Merchants operating in Nakuru City. The study sampled 221 Small and Medium Mobile Money Merchant enterprises using stratified sampling technique. Small and Medium Enterprises in Nakuru City were chosen using simple random sampling. The study relied on primary data gathered through structured questionnaires as the primary data collection tool. The data was analyzed using regression analysis technique. The information was then presented in the form of frequency tables and figures. The study established that the effectiveness of Mobile Money Merchant Services had no effect on the financial performance of Kenyan Small and Medium Enterprises. Mobile Money services, according to the study, are becoming increasingly popular in many countries as a convenient, secure, and cost-effective way to make payments and transfers. The study recommends that the governments should create and enforce legislation that regulates and safeguards the use of Mobile Money services in order to ensure their safety and security.