Social Factors Influencing Women's Access to Uwezo Fund in Turbo Constituency, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

This study focuses on the social factors influencing Women's access to Uwezo Fund in Turbo Constituency, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Despite the benefits that have come with Uwezo Fund, like the 30% government procurement preference, interest free loan and entrepreneurs' opportunity to expand and start new business for wealth and employment, a significant number of women groups in Turbo Constituency, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya have not been able to access the funds due to unknown factors. Thus, this study comes in to fill this gap the study was guided by Social Capital Theory. This study adopted a descriptive survey design. The unit of analysis for this study was the women in the sampled women groups. The target population of the study was 210 women groups, who had either accessed or not accessed Uwezo Fund. A sample size of 126 respondents was drawn using simple random sampling and purposive sampling. Data was collected using interview schedules and focused group discussion. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis. Quantitative data collected was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and was presented in form of frequency tables, charts and graphs. The results revealed that age was not a limiting factor as all of the respondents met the lending criteria of 18 years and above, gender was also not a limiting factor as the women under the study noted that they were given priority in accessing the funds, the level of education limited them so much as they were unable to do what was required by Uwezo Fund on their own. Religious affiliations did not limit them as meetings were determined by their days of worship and therefore could schedule depending on when they were available. The results from the study showed that women were not fully satisfied on Uwezo Fund access as social gaps still exist. Therefore, the government should have a clear process to access and expand access to government and Non Governmental Organizations funds.