IJMT Volume 4, Issue 3 ISSN: 2249-1058 ______________________________________________________________________________ A Monthly Double-Blind Peer Reviewed Refereed Open Access International e-Journal - Included in the International Serial Directories Indexed & Listed at: Ulrich's Periodicals Directory ©, U.S.A., Open J-Gage, India as well as in Cabell’s Directories of Publishing Opportunities, U.S.A. International Journal of Marketing and Technology http://www.ijmra.us 123 March 2014 CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF YOUTH ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT FUND IN EMPLOYMENT CREATION IN KISUMU WEST SUB-COUNTY Tom Mboya Awiti * Adrian Mukhebi* Maria Onyango* N. B. Okelo ** , ABSTRACT This paper establishes the challenges and opportunities of youth enterprise development fund on employment creation for youths in Kisumu West district. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. A sample of 30 youth groups was selected out of 45 groups in the district through random sampling technique. Three hundred and eighty four (384) youths have been sampled by the study that was also picked randomly to ensure that everybody had a chance to be selected for the study. Stratified random sampling was used to select clusters which include youth groups, youths and government officers. The study found out that YEDF led to growth of business enterprises, creation of employment, improved livelihood, efficiency in financial management through checks and balances. In addition, YEDF was found to face challenges such as inadequate funding, lengthy disbursement procedures, and inability of youths to pay back loans among others. The study recommended that the disbursement process be shortened, funding be increased and more awareness be created to sensitize youths on the importance of the fund. * School of Business and Economics ** School of Mathematics and Actuarial Science Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology. P.O. Box 210-40601, Bondo, Kenya.