The Contribution Of The Youth Enterprise Development Fund In Transforming The Youth In Nandi County

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study aimed at establishing the contribution of the Youth Enterprise Development Fund in transforming the youth in Nandi County. Three research objectives guided the study. The study sought to investigate and determine the contribution of the type of project on youth transformation in Nandi County, establish the contribution of accessibility to the Youth Enterprise Development Fund on Youth Transformation in Nandi County and establish the contribution of training on youth transformation in Nandi County. A review of literature was conducted to determine the existing knowledge gap on the contribution of YEDF in transformation of the youth. The study was guided by the Grameen Bank model which enables for financial assistance even to the poorest member of the society and Maslow’s theory of hierarchy of needs which offers an explanation on what motivate people to do things they do. These two theories complement each other for the purpose of this study. The study employed descriptive survey design which was preferred for its effectiveness in describing situations. The design made the study efficient and effective in gathering maximum information. A sampling frame of 214 respondents was obtained from which a sample size of 132 was randomly selected. The researcher obtained a complete list of group leaders (Chairpersons and Secretaries) from the Credit Officer in Nandi County and used simple random sampling to select the sample size. All these numbers were written in small papers which were folded and put into a basket. The researcher then picked a piece of paper from the basket at random and after contacting the respondent this was returned into the basket to allow all the leaders equal opportunity to participate in the study. The sampling was done differently for both chairpersons and secretaries. Data collection was done by use of a questionnaire which contained both open – ended and close – ended questions. The questionnaire was preferred for its effectiveness in gathering data from a large sample over a short period of time and in a cost – effective way. After collective data, all items were coded and analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative data analysis. The Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze all closed ended items while the open – ended items were analyzed through descriptive analysis. The study established that more males than females had benefited from YEDF at 58.5% and 41.5% respectively and that YEDF had funded 63.6% agricultural projects. The study also revealed that 54.2% of the respondents had been trained prior to receiving the loans while 45.8% got their loans without any form of training.. The study conclude that the Fund was not achieving the goal of creating employment for the youth and as such is not empowering them as it should. The study recommends that youth are trained before receiving loans, collateral be minimized and that the youth take initiative to design self-sustainable projects. Further research should be carried out to establish how the fund can be made more beneficial especially to females.