Factors Influencing Youth Empowerment in Community Development in Kenya: the Case of Youth Enterprise Development Fund in Maragwa Sub-county, Murang’a County, Kenya.

Abstract

Youth empowerment has been defined as that which encompasses attitudes, structures, and cultural means in which the youth obtain abilities, authorities, as well as the avenue to independently make and implement choices that influence their own lives and the lives of other people .Unemployed youth cannot live life with dignity and respect and in most cases their self-esteem is very low since they cannot fed for themselves. In response to these the government pf Kenya started the YEDF (Youth Enterprise Development Fund) in 2006. The purpose of this study research is aimed to; establish how initiatives aimed at building capacity by YEDF influences youth empowerment in Maragwa Sub-County; to assess the influence of available capital provided by YEDF towards youth empowerment in Maragwa Sub-County and to evaluate the influence of Social structure on youth empowerment in Maragwa Sub-County. This research used a descriptive survey design. The study target comprised of youth groups from Maragwa Sub County. The research will utilize purposive sampling with a sample of 30%. Questionnaires were used gather the data of the study. Content validity was used by the researcher to examine whether the instruments answer the research questions and pilot study to improve validity as well as the reliability of the instruments. The study found that the youth are not yet empowered in Maragwa. The study found that the youth groups in Maragwa Sub-County are mainly made up of primary school drop outs; form four leavers and tertiary certificate holders. They do not have sufficient knowledge, awareness, the needed competency, entrepreneurship skills, income level of education, accessibility to funds, and amount of loan to grow their businesses. The study revealed that only a handful of the respondents had attended training on enterprise management and individual values, few owned a business and the monthly income from the business was low. The findings also indicated that few of respondents had attended any training tour organized by the YEDF (youth enterprise development fund) and the groups of youth have challenges in repaying loan, inflation and drought interference and marketing of products. They also do not feel respected and will rarely express themselves. The study concludes that the income generating activities youths engage in are service, trade, farming and others. The amount they earn cannot sustain their needs. The government should organize seminars and workshop on youth empowering to accommodate those that are out of school. By carrying out open, long term and networking structures and availing necessary financial support, institutions at all levels should purpose full participation of young people and CSOs in decision-making processes of the policies that affect young people. Youth participation in community development processes and effective democratic governance including economic empowerment and strengthened youth groups will enhance resilience in their communities and create empowered generation of young people.