About the Journal

The KEMI Journal of Educational Leadership and Management (KJELM) is an open access international journal by the Kenya Education Management Institute(KEMI).It is a multi-disciplinary and double-blind peer-reviewed journal dedicated to advancing knowledge and practice in educational leadership, governance, and management. KEMI is the semi-autonomous agency of the government of Kenya, mandated to carry out training, research, and consultancy in education, both locally and internationally. We aim to provide a platform for high-quality research that addresses contemporary issues and challenges in the education landscape. KJELM serves as a platform for researchers, practitioners, policymakers, scholars, and education stakeholders to share evidence-based insights, innovative practices, and critical analyses on leadership issues impacting the education sector in Kenya and globally. It publishes original research articles, case studies, policy analyses, and theoretical papers that contribute to improved decision-making, strategic leadership, and institutional effectiveness in education systems. The journal upholds rigorous academic standards through a double-blind peer review process, ensuring impartiality and academic integrity in the selection of manuscripts. Each submission is evaluated anonymously by at least two independent reviewers with expertise in the field. The journal welcomes manuscripts throughout the year, and contributors are encouraged to adhere strictly to the manuscript submission guidelines.

Scope of the Journal

The International journal (KJELM) encourages interdisciplinary approaches and comparative studies that offer new perspectives in educational contexts. The KEMI Journal of Educational Leadership and Management covers a broad range of topics, including:

  1. Educational policy and governance.
  2. Instructional leadership and Pedagogical approaches
  3. Human resource management in education
  4. Quality assurance, monitoring, and evaluation in education
  5. Leadership development and training in educational institutions.
  6. Innovations in educational management.
  7. Technology integration and digital leadership in education
  8. Impact of leadership practices on school performance and teacher effectiveness.
  9. Educational finance and resource management
  10. Inclusive education and equity in education
  11. Climate education in schools

Aims/Objectives of the Journal

  1. To provide a credible forum for scholarly discourse on educational leadership and management practices.
  2. To foster evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation through the dissemination of high-quality research.
  3. To contribute to the professional development of education leaders by sharing best practices and innovations.
  4. To enhance the global visibility of Kenyan research in education leadership and management.

Ethical Procedures of the KEMI International Journal

The International Journal adheres to strict ethical guidelines aligned with international standards such as those set by Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). Authors must ensure that submitted work is original, free from plagiarism, and has not been published or submitted elsewhere. All sources must be appropriately cited, and data must be presented honestly and transparently. Any form of research involving human subjects must include ethical clearance and informed consent statements. Editors, reviewers, and authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

Manuscript Submission Guidelines

Scope and Focus

Manuscripts should offer original contributions to theoretical advancement, policy discourse, or practical applications in the field of education leadership and management, with relevance to both African and global contexts, and in alignment with the thematic priorities outlined in the call for papers.

General Formatting Guidelines

  1. Manuscripts must be submitted in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx), in the prescribed structure
  2. Use APA 7th Edition referencing style
  3. The font should be FootLight MT Light, size 13, 1.5-spaced
  4. Margins should be 1 inch on all sides
  5. Pagination should be at the bottom center of each page
  6. All pages should be numbered consecutively
  7. The paper should not exceed 8000 words

Structure of the Manuscript

Title Page

The title page should include the manuscript title (not exceeding 15 words), the full names, email address, phone number, and institutional/organizational affiliations of all contributing authors.

Main Manuscript (blinded for review)

Desktop Research Format:

  • 1.0 Introduction
    • 1.1 Background of Study
    • 1.2 Statement of Problem
    • 1.3 Objectives of the Study
    • 1.4 Research Questions/Hypotheses
  • 2.0 Literature Review
    • 2.1 Theoretical Framework
    • 2.2 Empirical Studies
  • 3.0 Methodology
  • 4.0 Results/Findings
  • 5.0 Conclusion and Recommendations
  • 6.0 References

Primary Research Format:

  • Topic of the Study
  • Author
  • Abstract
  • 1.0 Introduction
    • 1.1 Background of Study
    • 1.2 Statement of Problem
    • 1.3 Objectives
    • 1.4 Research Questions/Hypotheses
  • 2.0 Literature Review
    • 2.1 Theoretical Framework
    • 2.2 Conceptual Framework
    • 2.3 Empirical Studies
  • 3.0 Methodology
    • 3.1 Research Design
    • 3.2 Target Population and Sample Size
    • 3.3 Research Instruments
    • 3.4 Data Collection Procedures
    • 3.5 Data Processing and Analysis
  • 4.0 Research Findings and Discussion
  • 5.0 Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations
    • 5.1 Summary
    • 5.2 Conclusions
    • 5.3 Recommendations
    • 5.4 Areas for Further Research
  • 6.0 References

Ethical Considerations

  • Authors must confirm that the manuscript is original, not under consideration elsewhere, and free of plagiarism.
  • Where applicable, provide ethical approval number and consent information.
  • Proper anonymization of data and participants must be observed.
  • Authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest.

Language and Style

  • Manuscripts must be in either UK or American English and professionally written, not a mixture of both.
  • Proofreading and language editing before submission is highly encouraged.

Numbering Sub-Topics

The article numbering should not exceed level three. That is: 1.0, 1.1, and 1.1.1

Submission Process

Submit manuscripts via the KJELM Online Submission Portal (Register /Login) or email editorkjelm@kemi.ac.ke. First-time users must register as authors before submission.

Publication Frequency

The journal publishes two issues per year, biannually, in February and July.

Manuscript Review Process

KJELM uses a rigorous peer-review process to ensure the quality, originality, appropriateness, significance, validity, and readability of the research published in the journal. The process is designed to be transparent, fair, and impartial. All submissions are evaluated based on their originality, significance, and scientific merit. The process should take approximately 14 days and includes the following steps:

  1. Initial Screening – All submissions are initially screened by the editors to ensure they meet basic requirements for publication.
  2. Peer Review – Suitable submissions are sent for blind peer review by experts in the field.
  3. Decision Making – Editors decide to accept, reject, or request revisions based on reviewers’ feedback.
  4. Revision – Authors revise and resubmit manuscripts where required.
  5. Final Review – Accepted submissions undergo a final editorial check before publication.

Principles of KJELM

  • Excellence: Upholding the highest standards in research quality and integrity.
  • Confidentiality: Maintaining privacy during submission and review.
  • Integrity: Adhering to ethical and responsible research practices.
  • Honesty: Fostering a culture of originality and acknowledgement.
  • Accountability: Taking collective responsibility for published work.

Editorial Advisory Board

The board performs the following functions:

  • Provides editorial advice for the journal.
  • Collaborates with the editorial board to align with the journal’s mission.
  • Acts as guest editors during publications.
  • Advises on reviewer recruitment and appointments.

Members of the Editorial Advisory Board

  • Prof. Raphael Nyonje, Ph.D
    Chief Editor, KJELM
    P.O. Box 62592-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Dr. Charles Omwanza, Ph.D
    Assistant Chief Editor, KJELM
    P.O. Box 62592-00200, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Dr. Maurice Odondo, Ph.D
    Kenya Education Management Institute
  • Dr. Joyce Kiruma, Ph.D
    Kenya Education Management Institute
  • Prof. Anne Wairimu Ndiritu, Ph.D
    Associate Dean, Department of Educational & Distance Studies, University of Nairobi
  • Prof. Genza Gyaviira Musoke, Ph.D
    Associate Professor - Educational Leadership & Management
    Head - Department of Foundations & Curriculum Studies, Makerere University
  • Prof. Peter Moyi, Ph.D
    Department of Leadership, Learning Design and Inquiry, University of South Carolina
  • Dr. Maina WaGioko Ph.D
    Aga Khan University
  • Dr. Peter Changilwa, Ph.D;
    Department of Curriculum Studies and Instruction, United States International University-Africa

Section 4: Decision regarding the paper

  • ( ) Accept the paper in its current format
  • ( ) Accept the paper with minor changes
  • ( ) Resubmit with the major changes
  • ( ) Decline the submission

Publication Fees

The publication fee is 50 USD per article.

Login or Register to make a submission.