| dc.description.abstract | Youth are the foundation of a society. Their energy, inventiveness, character and orientation define the pace of development and the security of a nation. Through their creative talents and labour power, a nation makes giant strides in economic development and socio-political attainments. In Kenya today the youth form about 60% of the total active labour force in the country in both formal and informal sector (Kenya Population Census Report, 2009), but many of them have not been absorbed in the job market owing to the country's high unemployment levels (National Youth Policy, 2007). In recent years, the promotion of entrepreneurship as a possible source of job creation, empowerment and economic dynamism in a rapidly globalizing world has attracted increasing policy and scholarly attention.
The purpose of this study was to establish if the uptake of Youth Enterprise Development Funds influences the growth of youth businesses among youth groups in Subukia District. The study was guided by these research objectives; to assess the influence of the amount of loan borrowed by youth groups on the growth of businesses; to establish the influence of entrepreneurship trainings on the growth of businesses; to assess the influence of Business Development Services on the growth of businesses and to assess the influence of entrepreneurship information on the growth of businesses among youth groups projects in Subukia district.
Descriptive research survey design was used on a population census. Questionnaires were administered to 2 youth group members for each of the 52 youth groups. Data was collected and was analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20 computer program and Microsoft Excel 2007. Descriptive statistics (means, frequencies) and inferential statistics (Pearson's product moment correlations and chi- squares) were computed to show the relationship between variables. The findings were presented in the form of tables.
The study findings revealed the that there was positive influence of YEDF loans and entrepreneurship training on the increase in number of customers, market expansion, opening of new branches and on business expansion of the youth groups businesses. BDS services provided had a positive influence on increase in number of customers, on the profits made, on business expansion, market expansion and a negligible influence (a positive correlation at 0.003) towards the opening of new branches by the youth group businesses.
Interestingly the entrepreneurship information received from Youth fund agents had no influence on the youth groups' business growth at all. Chi-Square Computations revealed that there was no significant difference in business growth on the aspect of business financial status improvement, profit making, business expansion, market expansion and increase in number of customers but there was a significant difference in business growth in the aspect of opening new branches between the YEDF funded groups and the non-funded groups in Subukia district. Following these findings the study recommended that MOYAS through use of existing local infrastructure and machinery should ensure that YEDF funds reach all the eligible youth in the rural areas.
A comprehensive curriculum for out of school youth involved in entrepreneurship should be developed and be rolled out periodically and in known phases by YEDF and all other stakeholders. Business mentors should be identified from the local community so as to motivate and guide the youth through business processes and also provide professional BDS services. MOYAS through the YEDFB should roll out Comprehensive campaigns on YEDF services and effective entrepreneurship both in the media and public forums so as to improve on the access to information. It is hoped that the findings in this study will be relevant not only to those interested in youth entrepreneurship development through financing entrepreneurship but also to those concerned about the cost-effective use of taxpayers' money in the area of enterprise. | en_US |
