3.2 Research Design The studywill employ a descriptive research design which is mainly used to describe the 22

current state of affairs. Mugenda & Mugenda (1999), states that descriptive research is the process of collecting data with a mind to gain knowledge and answer queries about the study subjects. In-depth analysis and description of thephenomena under investigation is thus ensured. Both quantitative and qualitative data will be used. 3.3 Population Population is a collection of subjects who a researcher wishes to make inference (Cooper & Schindler, 2006; Mugenda & Mugenda, 2012). The set of events, people or subjects to which a researcher wishes to infer his results is called the target population (Ngechu, 2004). In this study, the population is 34 SACCOs licensed by Sacco Societies Regulatory Authority (SASRA) and that have been in operation in between 2012 and 2016. 3.4 Data Collection The study will rely on both primary and secondary data as they usually reinforce each other (Stiles & Taylor, 2001). Primary data, mainly quantitative, which is concerned with the relationship of employee commitment, employee engagement, strategic leadership and firm performance, will be collected through questionnaires (Appendix 1). Questionnaire as data collection instrument is preferred as it enables the researcher to collect data from all the respondents within the limited time frame and responses which the respondent could have felt shy to give in face-to-face interviews (Kerlinger, 1992). Questionnaire has advantages of low cost, reduction in biasing error, greater anonymity, considered answers and consultations and finally accessibility to a wide geographical contact at minimal cost (Nachmias & Nachmias, 2005). The questionnaire method has been selected as it allows the researcher to collect data systematically and address the research issues in the standardized and economical way. In addition the questionnaire has been chosen because of the nature of this study which may require consultation. A well- structured questionnaire has been developed and will be used during primary data 23

collection phase to gather information from the senior management staff of the state corporations identified by the researcher. 3.5 Data Analysis The researcher will collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative, the primary data will be collected using questionnaires administered to the employees of Kenya tea SACCOs. Primary data will be cleaned and coded before analysis. The data will be then analysed at univariate analysis and bivariate analysis. The analyses methods are arranged into successive stages with increasing complexity. Growth in this study will be measured by income. The determinants to be considered are membership size, technology, capacity building of the officials, and product innovation.