Theses and Dissertations
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Item Perceptions of agency banking, financial literacy, and Financial inclusion of small and medium-sized enterprises in Bungoma county, Kenya.(Kca University, 2025) Katiech, Blasio J.The main aim of the study was to examine the relationship between small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs) perceptions of agency banking, financial literacy, and financial inclusion in Bungoma County, Kenya. The general objective was to assess how agency banking and financial literacy influence SMEs’ financial inclusion. The study was guided by five specific objectives: to examine the effect of agency banking perceived accessibility on financial inclusion, to determine the effect of perceived cost of agency banking services on financial inclusion, to establish perceived liquidity of agency banking on financial inclusion of SMEs, assessing the effect of perceived security of agency banking services on financial inclusion, and examining the role of financial literacy in influencing financial inclusion of SMEs in Bungoma County. A descriptive research design was adopted, and primary data was collected from SMEs owners and managers using structured questionnaires. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the reliability and validity of the research questionnaire. The target population was 22,450 SMEs, of which a sample of 393 respondents was selected through cluster and stratified random sampling. 357 usable questionnaires were returned, yielding a response rate of 90.8%. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis. SPSS software version 26 was used for data analysis. All five null hypotheses were rejected, indicating that agency banking dimensions and financial literacy both independently and interactively significantly influence the financial inclusion of SMEs in Bungoma County. Overall, the study concludes that financial inclusion among SMEs in Bungoma County is largely shaped by agency accessibility, liquidity, cost of services, security, and financial literacy, while the role of cost remains marginal. The study recommends strengthening liquidity management, enhancing security measures, expanding accessibility of agency outlets, rationalizing transaction costs, and promoting continuous financial literacy programs for SMEs to deepen financial inclusion in the county.Item Financial inclusion and sustainability of women-owned enterprises in Kibera informal settlement, moderating role of financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills(KCA University, 2025) Mwirigi, Polly K.This study examined the relationship between financial inclusion and the sustainability of women-owned enterprises in Kibera, Nairobi moderated by financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills. Findings indicate that entrepreneurship skills have the strongest positive impact on business sustainability while financial access, depth and quality also significantly support resilience, survival, growth and profitability. In contrast, financial usage, digital literacy and financial management skills alone showed no significant effect. Qualitative data revealed low adoption of budgeting, limited strategic planning and minimal innovation, which restrict business growth despite access to financial resources. In conclusion, sustainable women-owned enterprises in informal settlements depend not only on access to quality and comprehensive finance but on the effective application of entrepreneurial and financial competencies. Inclusive financial services enhance sustainability when combined with practical business skills and strategic practices. Financial inclusion and literacy without actionable application is insufficient for sustainability. The study recommends increasing awareness of budgeting, strategic planning, and innovation as essential business practices. Financial literacy initiatives should be integrated with entrepreneurial skill development to ensure knowledge translates into action. Policy interventions should emphasize not just access to financial services but also their quality and depth, tailored to the challenges of women entrepreneurs in marginalized urban contexts. These measures can strengthen the resilience, competitiveness and sustainability of women-led informal enterprises, supporting broader economic empowerment and inclusive development.Item Fintech and financial inclusion among households in Kibera slums, Kenya(KCA University, 2025) Sugow, Nafisa A.This study investigated the influence of financial technology on financial inclusion among informal households in Kibera slums, Nairobi County. The focus was on three fintech dimensions: mobile banking, digital credit, and digital payments. The specific objectives of the study were: (i) to examine the effect of mobile banking on financial inclusion; (ii) to assess the influence of digital credit on financial inclusion; and (iii) to determine the contribution of digital payments to financial inclusion. The study was guided by Financial Intermediation Theory, Diffusion of Innovations Theory, and Social Capital Theory, which collectively provided a conceptual foundation for understanding how technology-driven financial services can bridge access gaps in marginalized urban settings. A descriptive and explanatory research design was adopted, and data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to a randomly selected sample of 400 households. Out of these, 328 responses were deemed valid and subjected to quantitative analysis. Diagnostic tests confirmed that the regression model met key assumptions, including linearity, normality, homoscedasticity, and absence of multicollinearity. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the individual and joint effects of the fintech variables on financial inclusion. The results revealed that mobile banking had the strongest positive effect, accounting for 48 percent of the explained variance in financial inclusion (β = 0.693, p = .000). Digital credit showed a moderate but statistically significant contribution, explaining 22 percent of the variance (β = 0.466, p = .000). Digital payments had a weaker yet significant effect, accounting for 6 percent of the variance (β = 0.246, p = .000). The combined model explained 51.2 percent of the variation in financial inclusion (R² = 0.512, F = 113.239, p = .000), confirming that all three fintech dimensions contributed meaningfully to financial access among informal households. The study concluded that mobile banking and digital credit are the most effective fintech tools for promoting financial inclusion in informal settlements. Mobile banking was found to be widely adopted due to its accessibility, affordability, and ability to facilitate savings and transfers without requiring formal banking infrastructure. Digital credit, while impactful, was constrained by limitations in borrower profiling and financial literacy. Digital payments contributed positively but had limited standalone influence, suggesting that their effectiveness depends on integration with other financial services. Based on these findings, the study recommends that policymakers prioritize the expansion of mobile banking infrastructure and enforce regulatory safeguards to ensure responsible digital credit provision. Financial institutions should invest in adaptive credit scoring models that reflect informal income patterns and design user-friendly platforms to accommodate low-literacy populations. Efforts should also be made to increase merchant acceptance of digital payments and integrate them with broader financial products. The study further recommends targeted financial literacy programs to enhance user understanding and responsible usage of fintech services. Finally, the study calls for future research to explore the long-term effects of fintech adoption on financial resilience, savings behavior, and economic mobility. Comparative studies across different regulatory environments and mixed-methods approaches would enrich understanding and inform policy design. The findings contribute to both theory and practice by quantifying the differentiated impact of fintech modalities and offering actionable insights for inclusive financial development.Item Effects Of Socio-economic Barriers and Women Financial Empowerment in Kenya - A Case of Businesswomen in Kajiado County, Kenya(KCA University, 2016) Gathua, Jedidah W.Social-economic issues have barred rural women to access finance there by limiting their ability to improve in financial empowerment. Such issues include collateral, financial information and financial inclusion. Majority of rural women are illiterate and lack the voice to procure loans for business development and growth. This is likely to affect their accessibility to finance for their financial empowerment. However, the studies reviewed failed to comprehensively address factors influencing access to finance by rural women from their empowerment as; collateral, financial information and financial inclusion jointly. This is to say that there is a knowledge gap that; collaterals, level of financial information and financial inclusions jointly affect access finance by rural women. This motivated the need to conduct the present study to fill the knowledge gap. This study used descriptive survey in soliciting information. The target population was the 98 women in business in Sultan Hamud Town of Kajiado County. Since the population was small and easily accessible, the study adopted a census design, where the entire target population participated as respondents. The study collected data from primary sources using a structured questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and it was represented in tables and figures. Thereafter the study estimated a model using multiple regressions. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to assist in data analysis. The study established that businesswomen in Kenya were not accessible to financial services for their financial empowerment and found out that requirements for collaterals, which are essential to access financial services, are major hindrances to access finance for Kenyan businesswomen for their empowerment, the study also concludes that access to financial information highly influences access to financial services of Kenyan businesswomen, and there is low level of women financial inclusions in Kenya, which is a major hindrance of business women from accessing the financial services. The study concludes that; collaterals, access to financial information, and women financial inclusion could significantly predict dependent variable; accessibility to financial services. The study recommends that financial lending institutions should simplify their ways of women accessing the financial facilities, by developing women friendly lending environment to enable these entrepreneurs to access finance for their empowerment. The study further recommends that non-governmental agencies, human rights bodies, Kenyan governments and stakeholders should provide relevant training and education in entrepreneurship, financial matters and on their rights for their empowerment to significantly influence the business success of women entrepreneurs in the country and equipped to manage business.Item Digital Financial Transformation and Financial Inclusion by Mobile Service Providers in West Pokot County, Kenya(KCA University, 2023) Selevani, Laban K.The primary objective of this study was to investigate the influence of digital financial transformation on financial inclusion within West Pokot County, Kenya. In particular, the research focused on evaluating how digital payment systems, digital credit facilities, digital insurance products, and digital investment products impact financial inclusion within the county. The study was supported by the technology acceptance model, the systems theory of financial inclusion and the diffusion of innovation theory. A descriptive research design was adopted to elucidate the attributes associated with the digital financial transformation contributing to financial inclusion among West Pokot County residents. The target population encompasses 56,000 mobile users within West Pokot County. To create a representative sample, a stratified sampling approach was employed, followed by the application of a simple random sampling technique, resulting in the selection of 384 residents. Structured questionnaires served as the primary data collection instrument, utilizing the drop-and-pick method and email for distribution. Subsequently, the collected data underwent analysis employing both descriptive and inferential statistics, facilitated by SPSS Version 25.0. The study findings show that there is a positive and statistically significant correlation between financial inclusion and various digital financial services, namely digital payment systems, digital credit facilities, digital insurance products, and digital investment products. Further, regression analysis results show that digital payment systems, digital credit facilities, digital insurance products, and digital investment products demonstrate statistically significant positive relationships with financial inclusion. These findings emphasize the importance of digital financial services in promoting greater financial inclusion in West Pokot County. The study recommends that efforts should continue to promote and expand the use of digital financial transformation products, given the overwhelmingly positive attitudes and the perceived benefits of convenience and improved financial access. Mobile service providers and relevant stakeholders should prioritize the development and accessibility of user-friendly digital payment, digital credit, digital investment, and digital insurance solutions. Additionally, policymakers should consider regulatory frameworks that promote responsible and inclusive lending through digital channels.