Factors influencing the performance of micro and small scale female entrepreneneurs: a case of Nyeri Town Constituency, Nyeri County, Kenya

Abstract

Kenya like many other countries is fast tracking towards the achievement of the millennium development goals and the vision 2030.To realize the achievement of the two goals the country has embarked on major programmes key among them being the Economic Stimulus Programme. Women entrepreneurship is an important source of this economic growth and its potential should be fully exploited. Women entrepreneurs (WEs) create new jobs for themselves and others and by being different also provide society with different solutions to management, organization and business problems as well as to the exploitation of entrepreneurial opportunities. However, they still represent a minority of all entrepreneurs.

This situation can be attributed to existing factors that possibly discriminate against the women's possibility of becoming successful entrepreneurs. Since micro and small enterprises (MSEs) are an important sector of the economy, factors that influence their performance need to be established. This research set out to study the factors influencing the performance of Small arid Micro-level women entrepreneurs in Nyeri County.

The research adopted a descriptive survey design involving a target population of 130 women entrepreneurs from whom a sample of 98 was selected using stratified sampling procedures. The data collected was analyzed by the aid of Excel spreadsheet. One of the major findings of the study was that majority of the WEs were motivated by the need to increase their income. The study recommended that there is need for the government through the Ministry of Education to consider the incorporation of entrepreneurial educational at all levels of education. The findings of the study will add to the body of knowledge on the understanding of the pre-requisites for women entrepreneurs to succeed in their businesses.