International Journal of Commerce and Management Research

Authors
Muchika Philip Wafula, Henry Bwisa

Abstract
Women entrepreneurs and their businesses constitute a rapidly growing segment of the business population in Kenya creating a variety of new ventures and contributing to the development of a range of services and products. Nevertheless, the share of women participation in entrepreneurial activities in Kenya is still significantly low when compared to their male counterparts. Interestingly, little research has been undertaken to determine factors that affect participation of women in entrepreneurial activities. Based on a study conducted by the authior in Kimilili Sub-County in Bunogma County of Kenya, this paper assesses how access to entrepreneurial training affects participation of women in entrepreneurial activities in micro small enterprises. The human capital theory has been used in the paper to underscore the relationship of training with business activity among women. The study targeted 200 women who owned and operated MSEs in Kimilili Sub-County and were also registered with the Ministry of Trade of Bungoma County. Both stratified and random sampling techniques were used in determining the sample size of 60 women in MSEs. A questionnaire was used for data collection and data analysis was conducted via descriptive statistics. Inferential statistics was used to measure relationships between the variables of the study. A multiple regression model was applied to examine the relationship between independent variables and dependent variable. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was also to analyze the data. The study established that inadequate entrepreneurial training hindered participation of women in entrepreneurial activities in MSEs. The study recommends that women should engage in formal entrepreneurial education and training to help them get the prerequisite skills to effectively participate in entrepreneurial activities and that the County Government of Bungoma, through the Department of trade, should initiate the training programmes.