Abstract:
The role of micro and small-scale enterprises sector in the development process has been at the Centre of women entrepreneurship in Kenya. Women access to credit has been of concern but studies have not been conclusive creating a need for a study to be done. The purpose of this study was to investigate the socioeconomic factors influencing women’s entrepreneurship development in Turkana Central Sub-County. The objectives of the study
were to examine how access to credit influence women’s entrepreneurship development. The study was anchored on Liberal Feminist Theories. The study used descriptive survey research design. The study employed simple random and purposive sampling techniques. The target population was 39427. Krejcie and Morgan table of 1970
was utilized to determine sample size of 380 respondents. Questionnaire and Interview guide were used to collect data. Supervisors and peers from department of social work and Development studies ascertained validity of instruments. 10 % of the target population was used for the purpose of pilot study to ascertain the reliability of research instruments, by use of Cronbach Alpha, which was r=> 0.7. Quantitative data was analyzed using
descriptive statistics, while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis whereby qualitative data was grouped together, organized into emerging themes and reported. Findings were presented using frequencies distribution tables. Findings of this study indicate that 80% of the respondents agreed that women entrepreneurs
were facing challenges in accessing credit. The study concluded that access to credit, has an influence on women entrepreneurship development. The study recommends that the government should enhance women entrepreneurs access credit. The findings are useful to the national government, county government, financial institutions and the community in terms of policy formulation in promoting women’s entrepreneurship development.
