Contribution of youth self help group initiatives to socio-economic wellbeing of youth in Dandora, Nairobi City County, Kenya
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Date
2016-11
Authors
Masila, Doris Ndinda
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Estimates reveal that 1.2 billion (17%) of the world population is youth aged 15 to 24 years
who constitute 40% of the world’s unemployed. While the developed world has some
strategies to cushion youth against unemployment, the developing and underdeveloped
world are struggling with this phenomenon. Approximately 36% of Kenya’s population are
youths who remain marginalised and unable to contribute to their full potential in national
development. Whereas numerous studies have been conducted on youth issues, a review of literature reveals a gap of information on how Youth Self Help Group (YSHG) initiatives
transform the youths’ socio-economic wellbeing. This study sought to assess the
contribution of youth self help group initiatives to socio-economic wellbeing of youth in
Dandora, Nairobi County, Kenya. Objectives of this study were to: examine whether
initiatives undertaken by youth in registered YSHGs in Dandora contribute to their socioeconomic
wellbeing, evaluate the influence of key challenges facing registered youth self
help groups on socio-economic wellbeing of youth in Dandora, assess the influence of key
opportunities available for registered youth self help group initiatives on socio-economic
wellbeing of youth in Dandora, examine the influence of sustainability strategies adopted by
registered YSHG initiatives on socio-economic wellbeing of youth in Dandora and assess
the socio-economic wellbeing of YSHG members before and after joining YSHG. The
hypotheses of the study were there is no significant relationship between the YSHG
initiatives, challenges, opportunities, sustainability strategies adopted and contribution of
YSHG to the social economic well being of youth in Dandora. The study used the crosssectional
survey research design. The target population was all the 16 registered YSHGs in
Dandora. Dandora was purposively sampled. YSHGs groups registered with Youth
Initiative Kenya (YIKE) were also purposvely sampled. Proportionate random sampling was
used to acquire the number of items to be incuded in sampling frame proportionate to the
number of members in each group. Simple random sampling was used to acquire the
respondents for the study. The findings of this study indicated that some of the reasons for
starting YSHGs was to create job opportunities, increase personal income, and gain new
skills. Key initiatives undertaken by YSHGs included running cyber café,electronic & retail
shops and initiatives geared towards environmental conservation such as garbage collection
and tree planting. Findings indicated improved socio-economic wellbeing among the YSHG
members. Indicators with greatest improvement in economic wellbeing were savings (63%),
income (62%) and asset acquisition (47%). Leading social indicators of wellbeing included
access to training (73%) and opportunity for apprenticeship (63%). Chi-square tests revealed
significant relationship between social-economic wellbeing and the YSHG factors
(initiatives undertaken (p=0.015), financial challenges facing registered YSHG initiatives (
p=0.034), financial opportunities available to YSHGs (p=0.041), collaboration and
partenership opportunities (p=0.013)sustainability strategies adopted by YSHG in terms of
opportunities for collaboration( p=0.048). Z-Test revealed significant difference in socioeconomic
wellbeing of YSHG members before and after joining YSHG (p=0.016). Multiple
regression analysis revealed that key challenges was the most predictive variable at
(p=0.000) followed by opportunites at (p=0.001) and initiatives (p= 0.019) to social
economic wellbeing. From the research findings, it was concluded that YSHGs are a good
platform via which development programs can target youth to improve their social
economic well being. It was recommended that youth in self helps groups be provided with
financial training, formal education, psycho-social support and training in project
management and proposal writing. There is need for government to streamline financing
mechanisms for access to devolved funds particularly Youth Enterprise Development Fund
and Uwezo Fund by the youth.
Description
A research thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Science (Community Resource Management) in the School of Applied Human Sciences of Kenyatta University. November, 2016