Factors Determining the Choice of Entrepreneurship Among Tertiary Institutions Unemployed Graduates in Kitengela Township – Kenya

Abstract

Youthful populace is a capability resource for increase and social development if gainfully and productively engaged. From a demographic standpoint, youth represent 60% of the human capital in Kenya (MOYAS 2008). According to the report, there are approximately 500,000 adolescents in Kenya who graduate from various tertiary institutions prepared to get into the marketplace annually but due to a slow financial growth, nepotism, and demand for skills by probable employers, (factors that are rampant today), have made over 75% of them remain unemployed. This study was done with a vision of contributing to the understanding of the main factors that determine the choice of entrepreneurship as a means to employment among tertiary institutions unemployed graduates. The purpose of the study was to establish the most important entrepreneurial competencies, and further examine how accessibility of economic resources and sociocultural factors influence unemployed graduates of tertiary institutions in choosing entrepreneurship as a means of employment. It focused in particular on the analysis of those personal attributes and competencies that influence such choices. The study utilized descriptive survey design and the population was drawn from those who graduated from the Technology Development Centre (TDC) between 2013 and 2014 and had indicated Kitengela as their place of residence in the register provided by the college. A stratified random sampling criterion was used where a 30% target population (39 respondents) was taken. The study established that tertiary education increased the level of entrepreneurial competency and choice of business to engage in; and most of the youths had capital to start their preferred business with access tothe Youth Enterprise Fund, Women Enterprise Fund, Micro Finance Institutions and others. The study concludes that youths consider the idea of becoming entrepreneurs although sociocultural factors and access to economic resources are determinants to their choices; and this has affected the realization of their aspirations. This study recommends that the National Government introduces business incubation centres in colleges and universities to mentor youth in entrepreneurship. It is upon the National Government to integrate entrepreneurship in the curriculum of higher education and emphasise entrepreneurship as a means to employment. Lending institutions should design products, including soft loans that attract unemployed graduates to establish their enterprises.