Influence of Entrepreneurship Development Programs on Youth Empowerment: a Case of Kaptembwo Ward of Nakuru County Kenya.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the Influence of entrepreneurship development programs on youth empowerment at Kaptembwo ward of Nakuru county Kenya.Despite their significance, statistics show that in Kenya, three out of five of the youth run small enterprises fail within the first three years of operations. This is highly exemplified in informal settlement that constitutes Kaptembwo ward, the site of this study. Many factors were identified as to the contributing factors to the premature death. Key among these include lack of appropriate entrepreneurship development. This study sought to determine the influence of entrepreneurial training, mentorship, financial assistance and infrastructure on the youth development. This study used descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was the 520 registered youth enterprises in Kaptembwo ward. Firstly, purposive sampling was used to select Kaptembwo ward. Secondly, stratified sampling technique was used to select five stratas of youth enterprises in the five villages of Kaptembwo Ward. Stratified random sampling technique was then applied within the five clusters to ensure that all the youth enterprises in the sub county were included in the sample and to ensure representativeness. A sample size of 221 youth enterprises was considered. A self-administered questionnaire was used as the research instrument. A pilot test involving 10 youth entrepreneurs was carried out in Free Area Ward. The study collected both qualitative and quantitative data. The results of the data analysed was presented in form of tables. This study will be helpful to youths who are aspiring to be entrepreneurs as it identified the potential entrepreneurial factors that influence the performance of youth based enterprises. Identification of these factors means that prospect entrepreneurs would be well prepared to face the entrepreneurial world. To improve the reliability of the instrument, The Cronbach Alpha reliability test was performed on the piloted instruments at a test score of 0.7. The study found majority of the youth were inadequately trained in entrepreneurial skills hence could not effectively engage in profitable economic activities. Most of the youth did not access sound mentorship leading to business challenges. There were also poor roads, frequent power cut, limited affordable stalls, lack of transport mean and lack of running water significantly affecting entrepreneurship. The study recommended that the government builds technical facilities across the country to equip youths with basic business skills. The support agencies were encouraged to identify well established business owners and match them with the youth business owners for mentorship and coaching, which would develop skills and confidence in running their businesses. Financial institutions should also come up with more flexible lending policy to assist the youth. It was further recommended that both the national and county government to improve on the roads, power grid, water supply as well as build affordable stalls for young entrepreneurs in the area. Further studies were also recommended on impediments of entrepreneurial training as well on other variables not included in this study.