An Assessment of the Opportunity Component of Entrepreneurship Policy in the Youth, Women, and Uwezo Funds in Kenya

Abstract

Following the recognition of self-employment in small enterprises as a partial solution to unemployment in Kenya, a number of government funds aimed at generating sustainable employment creating growth firms (otherwise called gazelles in economic jargon) have been established. They include Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF), Women Enterprise Fund, and Uwezo Fund. However, the unemployment levels still remain high, and this could be a clear indication that these institutions have had very little or no effect on the unemployment situation in Kenya. The major concern then is whether the funds are founded on an entrepreneurship policy. This study sought to assess the opportunity component of entrepreneurship policy in the funds and adopted an exploratory case study research design. Out of the eight items on opportunity component under consideration, the funds scored 58.375% which is slightly above average. The study concluded that there are policy objectives and measures in the funds that are geared towards addressing the opportunity component of entrepreneurship policy. As a result, there may be higher chances of survival given the right support but the motivation and skills components need to be addressed too.