Effects of Entrepreneurial Training Content on the Growth of Micro and Small Enterprises in Kenya, Kangemi: Nairobi

Abstract

In Kenya the Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) sector has been experiencing challenges in growth which has been manifested through enterprise mortality before the  third birthday which has been occasioned by liberalization that has intensified competition in the economy. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of entrepreneurial training(ET) on the growth of MSEs in Kangemi suburbs, Nairobi county.Although ET may be important, it has not been widely used as an intervention in the growth of MSE and barely any research has been done on its influence on the growth of MSEs in Kangemi.Quasi-experimental research was used in this study.It involved selecting groups, upon which a variable was tested,without any random pre-selection processes.Quasi-experimental designs attempted to rule out unrelated explanations so that the outcome could  be attributed only to the experimental intervention which was ET.The target population of the study was the enterprise owners in MSE sector in Kangemi,Nairobi who have been trained over the last three years by the microfinance institutions. A total of 100 MSE owners formed the sample population. Questionnaires were administered to the sample population to enhance data collection for this  study. Qualitative analysis was used to analyze the data and key themes were identified as well as statistical representations such as percentages,bar graphs,and charts were used.The research findings revealed that SME owners in Kangemi Nairobi county were in agreement that the training content covered in the training had a positive relationship with ability to learn.When they acquired several entreprenuerial skills such decision making, financial mangemnt,time managent skills, they were able to make better decisions,communicate well,manage finances better and improved in  time management in their enterprise.These skills helped in increasing profitabilty which lead to opening of new branches, diversification of enterprises among other measures of growth.