INFLUENCE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ON YOUTH EMPOWERMENT: A CASE OF KAPTEMBWO WARD OF NAKURU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

This study sought to determine the influence of entrepreneurial training, mentorship, financial assistance and infrastructure on the youth development. It employed descriptive survey research design and the population of the study was the 520 registered youth enterprises in Kaptembwo ward in Nakuru County in Kenya. Stratified sampling technique was used to select five stratas of youth enterprises in the five villages of Kaptembwo Ward. The same technique was also applied within the five clusters to ensure that all the youth enterprises in the sub county were included in the sample and to ensure representativeness. A sample size of 221 youth enterprises was arrived at using the normal approximation to the hyper-geometric distribution. A self-administered questionnaire was used as the research instrument. Both qualitative and quantitative data was collected and analysed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer programme. The study found that majority of the youth were inadequately trained in entrepreneurial skills hence could not effectively engage in profitable economic activities. Most of the youth did not access sound mentorship, leading to business challenges. There were also poor roads, frequent power outages, limited affordable stalls, lack of transport means, and lack of running water; significantly affecting entrepreneurship.  The study recommended that the government builds technical facilities across the country to equip youths with basic business skills. The support agencies were encouraged to identify well established business owners and match them with the youth business owners for mentorship and coaching, which would develop skills and confidence in running the later businesses. Financial institutions should also come up with more flexible lending policy to assist the youth. It was further recommended that both the national and county governments should improve on the roads, power grid, water supply as well as build affordable stalls for young entrepreneurs in the area