| dc.description.abstract | This study sought to investigate factors influencing the performance of Youth Enterprise
Development Fund Projects in Kiambaa Sub-county of Kiambu County in Kenya.
Unemployment is the single most significant challenge facing the young people in this
County today. For a developing Country like Kenya with a rapid growth rate, lack of
adequate opportunities among the youth is a matter of great concern. In addition youth
unemployment creates dependency syndrome, vicious cycle of poverty, social upheavals
such as insecurity and risky behaviors. This coupled with economic and political
malpractices, lack of dignity and self esteem among the youth has worsened over the
years. In it in regard that this study sought to assess how access to credit, presence of
market infrastructure, enterprise-based training and levels of formal education, influenced
the performance of youth funded initiatives.The study documented best practices in the
utilization of the fund, attempted to point out lessons learned as well as the strengths,
general weaknesses and areas of concern with a view to strengthening the management
and the subsequent utilization of the fund. The study entailed a descriptive survey design
in which data was collected using questionnaires with both open-ended and close-ended
questions. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple
regressions. Results were presented in percentage frequencies and cross tabulations. To
increase the reliability of the data collected, reliability of the research instrument was by
Cronbach method, where a Cronbach Alpha coefficient of 0.75 was derived after
examining validity of the questionnaire. Pilot testing of the questionnaire was done on 10
respondents 2 weeks prior to the main study. Validation of the data was done using
content-related validity. The study results obtained indicates that there was a highly
significant relationship (with t statistic p value <0.001 < 0.05) between entrepreneurial
skills training and perforamnce of the youth enterprise development fund. There was no
significant relationship between highest level of formal education (p = 0.485 > 0.05),
business support services (p = 0.364 > 0.05), consultation with large organization (p =
0.220 > 0.05), access to adequate finances (p = 0.451 > 0.05) and performance of the
YEDF projects. On this basis, the researcher recommends that future programs should
inculcate training before funding for business ventures. Capacity building and other non
financial services ranging from literacy classes, developmental leadership, financial
management, community development and market-based business development services
will greatly help the young entrepreneurs. | en_US |
