Effect of Micro Insurance by Microfinance Institutions on Women Empowerment: A Case of Nakuru CBD, West Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

The evolution of  microfinance institutions in Kenya is seen as a catalyst for promoting women empowerment. One of the services provided by microfinance institutions is the micro insurance. Micro insurance refers to low premium, low coverage insurance services provided to low income clients excluded from commercial insurance schemes. In Kenya, already some insurance and non insurance  institutions have welcomed micro insurance by introducing products such as Afya Bora by CIC and Salama Sure by UAP with Faulu Kenya offering Faulu Afya. Most of these products focus on primary risks such as Livestock and Crop , Health , Funeral and Life insurance. Scarce studies have devoted to the topic as many  have relied to micro credit as overall microfinance institutions services here in Kenya. Hence the study sought to assess the effect of micro insurance by microfinance institutions on women empowerment in Nakuru CBD, West Sub County, Kenya. The study was guided by an objective namely to assess the effect of micro insurance by microfinance institutions in Nakuru CBD, West Sub County, Kenya. This study adopted the descriptive research. A sample of 127 respondents were selected from a population of 293 using simple random technique. The study adopted the use of a questionnaire as the primary data collection instrument that was constructed on a five point Likert scale. The data collected was analyzed using  Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and tools such as frequencies, percentages and Chi Square test of good fit were used. Inferential statistical analysis was done by use of Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient to establish the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Analyzed data was presented inform of  statistical tables. Results show that micro insurance is statistically insignificant and negatively affect women empowerment. This study concludes that penetration of micro insurance services should be able to reach women. Some of the recommendations  made included; the need to a further study to distinctively identify the effect of micro insurance by MFIs in group lending on women empowerment, further understanding the effects of new areas of microfinance such as that of micro-insurance services to help design better products, gain a competitive edge and stimulate the market in the long term for sustainable development.

Keywords: Micro insurance, Women Empowerment

DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/11-18-08

Publication date:September 30^th 2020