Effects of Members Innovativeness on Performance of SHG's in Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

The study sought to establish the effect of members' innovativeness on performance of self-help groups in Uasin-Gishu County. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The study was conducted in Uasin Gishu County. The Target population was the registered Self-help groups in Uasin Gishu County, from the sub-County gender and youth affairs records of 2015. There were 647 active groups in Uasin Gishu County. The sample size was determined using a mathematical formula.  The study purposively selected self-help groups in rural areas and those that have been active for the last five years, hence the sample size for the study was 126 respondents. Questionnaire, interviews and document analysis were the main instruments for data collection. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics; frequencies and percentages while data from the interviews were summarized based on themes. Correlation analysis was conducted to establish the relationship between members' innovativeness and performance.  The study established that the members participate in table banking to facilitate individual savings among group members.  However, the members have not embraced the use of m-banking in payments of loans and savings. Most of the members agreed that members use energy saving stoves on brooding chicks which has reduced the expenditure on electricity and also members are divided into small manageable groups for easy monitoring loans payments. Members' innovativeness significantly affects SHGs performance.