Self Help Groups and Household Asset Acquisition and Income Among Women Group Members in Kisumu East Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

Many studies covering Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have delved extensively on their impacts on food security, livelihoods, socio-economic empowerment, and enterprise enhancement. However, little attention has been paid to the impact of SHGs on household assets acquisition. Traditionally, SHGs are formed by people (mainly women) who are not in formal employment and who are unable to acquire credit or loans from financial institutions. Thus, it is interesting to enquire whether membership of SHGs can enable credit asset acquisition. The purpose of this study was to establish the impact of SHGs on asset acquisition among women group members trading in open air markets in East Kolwa location of Kisumu East Sub County, Kenya. Specific objectives of the study were to establish the status of household assets of members before joining SHG; assess the nature of assets acquired after joining SHG; to determine the level of household income due to asset acquisition after joining SHGs. The target population was 25 market trader groups operating in East Kolwa location, comprising 375 members. Through simple random sampling 30% of the membership (113 women from 8 SHGs) were selected for questionnaire administration.One official of each group was also selected for interview. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse data. The study found that all the respondents (100%) of the SHG members had received at least one type of asset through membership to a SHG; 80% reported an improvement in asset acquisition; Moreover, those with income between 2000 and 3000 Shillings increased from 19.47% to 37.17%; those with income of between 3000 and 4000 Shillings also increased from 7.08% to 15.04%; those with monthly income of between 4000 and 5000 Shillings increased from 2.65% to 3.54%; and those with monthly income of between 5000 and 6000 Shillings increased from 0.88% to 1.77% after acquisition of household assets. The study recommended that assets that enhance agricultural production to SHG members need to be encouraged to boost household food security. Further, studies should also be done on the effect of SHGs members’ supervision on repayment of loan obtained through credit among women market traders.

Keywords: Self Help Group; Household Asset Acquisition: Household Efficiency; Market Traders