Monitoring Approaches and Implementation of Entrepreneurship Projects Funded by Youth Enterprise Development Fund in Alego Usonga Sub-county, Siaya County, Kenya

Abstract

Entrepreneurship projects have been promoted as the “saving grace” for the unemployed youths in Kenya and worldwide. YEDF was created to reduce unemployment among Kenya’s youth. This research study has the view that diverse factors promote effective implementation of entrepreneurship projects funded by YEDF. This study sought to determine how monitoring approaches impact successful implementation of entrepreneurship projects funded by YEDF in Alego Usonga sub-county, Siaya County. Four objectives guided the study including; To establish the influence of process monitoring on implementation of youth entrepreneurship projects, to determine the influence of beneficiary monitoring on implementation of youth entrepreneurship projects, to assess the influence of compliance monitoring on implementation of youth entrepreneurship projects, and to determine how financial monitoring influence implementation of youth entrepreneurship projects. The objectives also formed the themes in literature review. The study was linked to the endogenous growth theory and agency theory. A descriptive survey research design was used, and the target population was 180 and a sample size of 123. The sample size was carefully chosen through systematic random sampling and Krejcie and Morgan sample size determination table 1970 was referenced in determining the sample size. Pilot testing using 12 non study respondents was done in Ugenya Sub-County. Collection of data was done by use of structured questionnaires that were self-administered by the respondents as well as guided interviews. SPSS version 27 was the preferred tool for data analysis. Data presentation has been done through tables. On objective one; the study reported a significant weak positive correlation between process monitoring and implementation of youth entrepreneurship projects funded by YEDF, (r=0.262; P0.005). Composite Mean and S.D 2.78; 1.314. On the second objective; the study reported a significant strong positive correlation between compliance monitoring and implementation of youth entrepreneurship projects funded by YEDF, (r=0.628; p0.000). Composite Mean and S.D 2.71; 1.350 respectively. On objective three; the study reported a significant moderate strong positive correlation between compliance monitoring and implementation of YEDF funded Entrepreneurship Projects, (r=0.319; p0.001). Composite Mean and S.D 2.18; 1.273 respectively. On objective four; the study reported a significant weak positive correlation between financial monitoring and implementation of YEDF funded Entrepreneurship Projects, (r=0.247; p0.008). Composite Mean and S.D 2.59; 1.312 respectively. The study concluded that monitoring approaches positively and significantly influences implementation of Entrepreneurship Projects funded by YEDF. The study recommends that monitoring approaches be actively implemented at every stage of implementation of Entrepreneurship Projects funded by YEDF as they were found to influence the projects significantly and positively.