Patterns Of Utilization Of Uwezo Fund In Rongo Sub-County , Migori County , Kenya

Youth funds have been initiated by most governments in the world as a way of creating self-employment to the youths. ILO (2012) defined national youth funds as financial resources contributed by governments through annual budgets and NonGovernmental Organizations (NGOs) for supporting growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). They are normally in form of loans or grants depending on the objectives for which they were set up in different countries. Some of these funds include: Malaysian Young Entrepreneur Fund, Kurera Ukondla Youth Fund in Zimbabwe, Youth Development Fund in Zambia, Tunisian Youth Fund, Namibia Youth Credit Scheme and Umsobomvu Youth Fund in South Africa just to mention a few. Studies have confirmed that availing affordable funds to the poor youths can help them move out of poverty (Ashraf et al., 2010; Brune et al., 2013; Ellis et al., 2010; UNDP, 2013; Cull et al., 2014; Maigua and Mouni, 2016; Park and Mercado, 2015; World Bank, 2014). Kenya has also come up with strategies to support youth development. According to Omolo (2011), Kenya has consistently come up with interventions to ensure productive and sustainable engagement of the youth. Some of these interventions include: Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) which was initiated in the year 2006; Kazi Kwa Vijana (KKV) program that was initiated in 2011 by the then office of prime minister. KKV was meant to employ between 200,000 and 300,000 youths in Kenya both in rural and urban areas through different projects by different ministries and Uwezo Fund which was initiated in the year 2013. Despite the introduction of the youth funds by many countries all over the world, proper utilization is a major challenge. World Bank (2014) reported that utilization of youth funds by the youths all over the world is influenced by Abstract: Uwezo Fund has been provided to youths in Kenya to enhance self-employment among them. However, utilization of such fund remains a challenge. This study sought to assess the patterns of utilization of Uwezo Fund among youths in Rongo Sub-County, Migori County, Kenya. Specific objective of the study was to establish socio-demographic factors that influence the usage of the fund. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive survey design. It targeted youths who were recipients of Uwezo Fund in Rongo Sub-County. The target population was 1,296 youths from 108 youth groups and two government officials who were charged with a duty of implementing the fund. Cluster, Proportionate and Simple random sampling were adopted in which 125 youths were select for the study. Questionnaires, key informant interview and focus group discussion were used to collect data. The data was subjected to descriptive statistical analysis where frequency distribution and percentages were used to summarize data. Inferential statistics was used with Chi-squire and Cramer’s V Test employed to calculate and test association between study variables. Results were presented in tables, bar charts and pie charts. The study found that socio-demographic factors like age and marital status influence planned use of the fund. The study found no significant association between use of Uwezo Fund and gender and religion. The study recommends that Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs to consider socio-demographic factors of youths in distributing the fund.