Influence of community empowerment fund on the performance of women enterprises in Kenya : a case of Bungoma South Sub County

Abstract

This study attempts to investigate the influence of Community Empowerment Fund (CEF) on the performance of women enterprises in Bungoma south Sub-County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: To establish how loans offered by Community Empowerment Fund; training offered by CEF influences; how sourcing of market by CEF and to establish how networking provided by CEF influences the performance of women enterprises. The research questions included the following: How does loan offered by community empowerment fund influence the performance of women enterprises in Kenya, how does training opportunities offered by community empowerment fund influence the performance of women enterprises in Kenya, how does sourcing of market by community empowerment fund influences the performance of women enterprises in Kenya, and how do networking opportunities provided by community empowerment fund influences the performance of women enterprises in Kenya. This study utilized descriptive survey research design and targeted all the 144 women beneficiaries of CEF in Bungoma south sub County. Census sampling method was used because of small number of participants. A questionnaire with closed-ended items was used. The questionnaire items had five-point likert rating scale of the range of (1-5 for example 1- strongly agree; 2 agree; 3- undecided; 4-disagree; 5- strongly disagree). Questionnaire was administered personally by the researcher. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics that involved frequent distribution and percentages. The study concluded that women continue to perform poorly. Despite their attempt to engage in entrepreneurial activities as it has been noted in the study, myriad of challenges face them. This study concluded that although CEF provides finances in terms of loans to women entrepreneurs, this fund was not sufficient. It was also concluded that entrepreneurship training is required for women in business to improve in performance. Market information and networking was considered an important aspect in the performance of women entrepreneurs