FACTORS HAMPERING UPTAKE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP AMONG PERSONS WITH IMPAIRMENTS IN KENYA: A SURVEY OF ENTREPRENEURS WITH IMPAIRMENTS IN NAIROBI COUNTY

Pheline Achieng’ Odoro

Department of Entrepreneurship and Procurement, School of Human Resource Development

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya

Pheline Achieng’ Odoro

Department of Entrepreneurship and Procurement, School of Human Resource Development

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Bringing persons with impairments (PWIs henceforth) at par with the rest of society is a commitment enshrined in the constitution and efforts are being made by the Government to achieve this endeavor. The most suitable and effective strategy of economically empowering PWIs is encouraging them to become entrepreneurs. Despite entrepreneurship being the most suitable way of including PWIs in National development and self-reliance only a small fraction (one third) of this group of people are undertaking some form of business. This is due to the argument that, Entrepreneurship is not an easy activity especially with PWIs because they face various problems at the time of establishing the business. The main objective of this study was to identify factors hampering uptake of entrepreneurship among persons with impairments in Kenya. The study population was entrepreneurs with impairments in Nairobi Kenya.  The research adopted a descriptive research guided by survey research design.  The ideal sampling technique was stratified random sampling with a sample size of 50 respondents. Questionnaire was used for data collection. The findings shows that Most of PWIs  entreprenuers have low level of education with no business training, and that most EWIs source their capital from personal savings followed by family and friends. Lack of acceptable collateral is a major obstacle in accessing credit to impaired entrepreneurs.  Further, the study found that most EWIs had accessed mentorship programmes because they considered it important for business start up. Finally the study found that EWIs Have difficulties in accessing transport facilities affecting their mobility which further adversely affects their marketing and networking efforts. The study recommended for stakeholders involvement in all aspects including but not limited to education, access to finance, mobility and mentorship to increase awareness and entrepreneurial culture among PWIs.

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