Abstract:
In most countries, Government-subsidized funding to vulnerable members of the
community is increasingly becoming popular means in addressing the several
challenges in the community. One such funding in Kenya is the provision of Uwezo
fund with a hope that that the beneficiaries will be economically empowered and spur
development. This study aimed at establishing the effects of Uwezo fund on economic
empowerment of youth and women of Kibwezi West constituency, Makueni County.
Three specific objectives guided the study; the influence of Loan Access on
empowerment of Uwezo fund beneficiaries, the influence of Loan Conditions on the
empowerment of loan beneficiaries and the influence of Group Dynamics on
empowerment of the youth and women loan beneficiaries. Anchored on Empowerment
theory that encompasses both processes and outcomes. Relevant processes include
activities, structures, and actions that are empowering to someone or some group by
enabling them to develop skills and obtain resources to solve problems affecting them
and thus be economically empowered. The study adopted the descriptive research
design. Data was obtained from 341 youth and women groups that benefited from
Uwezo fund in Kibwezi West constituency in 2014-2019 period. The Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) aided in the data analysis in which the Chi-square
and Logistic Regression were the statistical analysis tools used. Based on the multiple
Linear logistic regression results, important findings were noted; it was established that
Loan Access has positive influence on the empowerment of youths and women
beneficiaries in Kibwezi West Constituency (β ACCESS =0.26, AOR=1.30, p<.001, CI;
1.02 1.89). also, the study found that Loan Access has positive influence on the
empowerment of youths and women beneficiaries in Kibwezi Constituency (
β conditions =0.45,AOR=1.57,P<.001,CI; 1.22 2.08) However, The result shows that
Group Dynamics has no significant influence on empowerment adjusting for Loan
Access and Loan Conditions,
(
. Sustainable strategies that
enhance Loan Access at favorable conditions is important for empowering the region’s
citizens so that they are more self-reliant and able to play a significant role in
development of their respective communities. Therefore, the Uwezo model should be
supported by all stakeholders and refined as a transformative tool of the community.
Further areas of research were also proposed.
