Abstract:
The promotion of women participation in economic activities is perceived as a primary
means of attaining economic growth and at the same time improve the standard of living
of many Kenya's poorest, who are mainly women.
Studies on micro-enterprises suggest that only a small percentage is able to grow (Band
and Bruijne, 1993). There are a number of factors that contribute to this slow growth.
The suggested factors include lack of working capital, location of the enterprises,
marketing, pricing, poor record keeping, lack of relevant training, multiple roles, socio-
economic activities that women entrepreneurs engaged in, inadequate managerial
experience and low levels of formal education.
The objective of this study, therefore was to investigate into the causes of slow growth of
women-owned registered vegetable vendors in Nairobi's Eastlands Area. The study shall
consider women vegetable vendors in this area.
A descriptive survey method was be used and also simple sampling techniques was
applied. A simple random sampling method was applied. The sample was comprise 10%
of women vegetable vendors in each market. These markets include Jericho, Uhuru,
Mutindwa, Kariobangi, Umoja, Eastleigh and Kariobangi South and have a population of
513 registered women vegetable vendors. The sample size was 55 women vegetable
vendors.
Data was collected using a semi -structured questionnaire which was administered by the
researcher on a face-to-face interview. The data was analysed using cross tabulation and
tables to show the percentages and frequencies of the findings.
