Abstract:
As an institutional resource, records serve various functions in the operation of an establishment such as a University Archives. Records are vital asset of an institution that ensures it is governed effectively and efficiently. It is enhances accountability of its staff, students and the community that it serves. The aim of this study was to identify factors affecting the establishment of an archival center at MMU. The objectives were; to identify the types of records created/ received in MMU, to identify the records management program in Maasai Mara University, to investigate how MMU preserves their records, to investigate on policies in place for records management in MMU, to establish the existence of archives accommodation in MMU, to identify the challenges encountered in preservation of records in MMU and lastly to make recommendation and way forward. It focused on the introduction and background of the university as it defines its hierarchy. It looked into the conceptual and theoretical theory of records management that is the records life cycle model and records continuum model theory. The study used descriptive research design and study population was employees of different department who handle records. Being a descriptive study 10% of the accessible population was used as the sample size which was 12 respondents out the 115 people. The sampling technique used was convenience sampling and interviews were used for data collection. Data was then analyzed through descriptive statistics and findings of the study presented in such as tables, figures, pie charts, graphs and interpretive report. The research concluded that in MMU there are records of enduring value whose life cycle has not been paid attention to and proper management is not in place as well as relevant staff of level and skills in records management practice. It has recommended that there is a need to invest in record managements in terms of staff, professionalism, facilities and equipments and mainly establish a University Archive.
