Impact of micro finance to financial independence of women living in nomadic communities in Kajiado county

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to examine the impact of micro finance to financial independence of women living in nomadic communities in Kajiado County, Kenya. In doing so, the study adopted the following objectives: to assess how access to micro finance has influenced the socio-economic empowerment of women and to examine the effect of microfinance to women in nomadic households in the reduction of poverty and improvement of livelihood in Kajiado County. The study adopted a survey research design method, the method was preferred because it allows for prudent comparison of the research findings. Coded data was then fed into the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation were generated. Standard deviation represented the degree of variability in the responses. The study found out that women credit-based economic activities have facilitated them to take decision for their personal needs independently as well as to participate in other aspects of household decision making. The study concludes that more self-help credit groups should be formed, which will be involved with the subsequent implementation of enterprises identified during participatory processes. Special focus should be given by the participatory development functionaries to motivate the women to form more sustainable and vibrant women credit groups. New women groups should be motivated to create revolving funds and accounts for sustainable development and future management of economic activities after the end of the project. The study recommends the need to critically examine the issues and self-help credit programme should incorporate necessary steps to enhance empowerment of the women irrespective of their duration in the programme, types of economic activities, and marital status.