Influence Of Services Offered By Microfinance Institutions On The Performance Of Micro And Small Enterprises: A Case Of Bungoma South District, Kenya

Abstract

This study was about the influence of the services provided by microfinance institutions on the performance of micro and small enterprises. The study was guided by the following objectives. Assess how the provision of micro loans influences the performance of micro and small enterprises, Examine how the provision of micro insurance influence the performance of micro and small enterprises, Assess how the provision of micro savings influence the performance of micro and small enterprises and Examine how the provision of business training influence the performance of small and micro enterprises. The conceptual framework explains the relationship between the services provided by micro finance institutions and the performance of micro and small enterprises. The area of study was Bungoma South District, Bungoma county. The researcher concentrated on three large markets in the county; these are Bungoma town, Kanduyi and Bukembe markets. Clients from four microfinance institutions based in the area participated in the study; these institutions were Equity bank, Opportunity micro loans, Faulu Kenya and Kenya Women Finance Trust. The researcher employed descriptive research design. Stratified random sampling was used to sample out 302 respondents from the four microfinance institutions. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. The collected data was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative approaches.The research found that the four categories of services provided by microfinance institutions, if well utilized, can lead to high performance by the micro and small enterprises. The findings of the study further revealed that good loan management, which can be enhanced by provision of business training can lead high performance. On the other hand, the study revealed, a lot more needs to be done to promote a savings culture among the micro and small enterprise. The area of insurance is also wanting; a lot of sensitization needs to be done to make the entrepreneurs embrace insurance as an important part of any business venture. The finding of the study will help in filling the identified knowledge gap. The findings are also expected to fulfill the wishes of most entrepreneurs through legislation that can improve this sector. The findings can also be used by the government through the department of planning to formulate policies that can lead to positive performance of micro and small enterprises.