Kibui, Susan Muringi2021-05-202021-05-202016http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/22196A Research Project Submitted to the School of Business in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Award of Degree of Master of Business Administration Kenyatta University, November 2016In an effort to stem out unemployment the Kenyan Government in 2006 established the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) aimed at facilitating the youth to start up income generating activities through provision of finances in form of loans. Despite the introduction of the YEDF, the youths in Olkalou Sub County are still faced with a lot of challenges in terms of the success of their projects. The study intended to establish the critical success factors in the implementation of youth enterprise development fund projects. It intended to determine the effect of entrepreneurial skills on the . implementation of project under youth fund. It also sought to establish the role of social networking in the successful implementation as well as the influence of awareness on the implementation of the youth fund. The study is of great importance to the policy makers in the matters of financing as well as to the youth as it provides insight on the critical factors to look out for to ensure successful entrepreneurships. The study location was in Olkalou sub county, Nyandarua county Kenya. The focus was on 173 youth funded projects in Olkalou Sub County. The sample size was 63 youth funded projects. The study was based on the entrepreneurship theory, human capital theory and social networking theory. Descriptive survey design was adopted in the study. Data was collected through the use of questionnaires, interviews and record analysis. The data was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis and results presented in tables and bar charts. The study findings showed that entrepreneurial skills and social network positively and significantly influence the implementation of the youth enterprise funds. However, awareness has no significant effect on the implementation of the youth enterprise funds. Thus, the. study concludes that entrepreneurial skills and social networking are key success factors in implementation of youth project under YEDF program. Thus, the study recommends that members of the youth enterprises need to undergo training through the YEDF program. They should have training on entrepreneurial and personal development and participate in global enterprise themes competition. It is crucial for members of youth enterprises to have good social networks so that they can share business ideas and consult on financial matters that are deemed important in running the business.enThesis