IOSR Journal of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 25, Issue 8, Series 1 (August. 2020) 57-65 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845. www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0837-2508015765 www.iosrjournals.org 57 |Page Entrepreneurial Skills for Women Business Operators inNyambene, Kenya: The Enablers of Rural Development IBUATHU C. NJATI*, Karwitha, D.N., Omae, H.N. P.O BOX 972-60200 MERU School of Education, Meru University of Science & Technology ABSTRACT This study explored entrepreneurial skills for women business operators in Nyambene region as the main enablers of rural development. The specific objectives were to: examine the entrepreneurial awareness; establish entrepreneurial capabilities and provide way forward in improving women entrepreneurial activities. The studyutilized descriptive research with mixed methods of interview schedules, questionnaires, and observation schedules. The sample consisted of 142 women business entrepreneurs. Participants admitted (mean =5.0; std. dev = 0.604) that crucial ideas are a capability used in running business ventures.Majority, 92.9% viewed training in entrepreneurial skills and competencies as an enabler with multiplier effect in improving their entrepreneurial ventures. Correlation between entrepreneurial capabilities of womenin enhancingbusiness ventures was significant (F = 13.24; p < 0.05). The correlation between improving entrepreneurial activitieson women entrepreneurs inenhancingbusiness ventures at (t = 2.378; p < 0.05) was evidently self-assuring at 95%. The study concluded that less than two fifth of the informants were unfamiliar with record keeping, managerial skills, planning and research in business, value addition and technological skills, therefore pointing to grey areas of training. Key words: Entrepreneurial skills; entrepreneurial capabilities, enablers and entrepreneurial awareness -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 18-07-2020 Date of Acceptance: 03-08-2020 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. BACKGROUND Social entrepreneurshipis where entrepreneurial ventures are driven by solving social- cultural issues, as opposed to financial income; green entrepreneurshipis where environmental problems are explored to result in a net positive impact on the natural environment using sustainable processes; while digital entrepreneurshipis where digital products and services are created, marketed, delivered and supported online. The European Investment Bank in 2016 approved the EIB Group Gender Strategy entitled „Protect, Impact, and Invest. The strategy aims to mainstream gender equality and women‟s economic empowerment by providing entrepreneurial interventions throughout the Group‟s activities both inside and outside the EU (European Investment Bank Group, 2016). In particular, the strategy targeted promotion of women‟s economic empowerment as well as support for female entrepreneurship‟ besides women‟s increased access to credit - financial services among others. The Strategyhas been in place since January 2016. In this way, women entrepreneurial skills are nurtured and developed to build more business for increased production and service delivery. Badi and Badi (2010) and Omunjalu and Fondo, (2014) observed that an alternative view based on interactions at the local level, and ideas and policies are shaped by everyday practice rather than by the ruling dominant development theory. The local people know their interests and needs and therefore are capable of promoting their own development if their initiatives are recognized and supported through relevant entrepreneurial skills. Further, OECD (2016) reiterates that in spite of extensive development policies and programs mounted by countries, poor women benefit most from their own development efforts. At the local level, when women come together to form a group, they are able to identify their needs and find ways to help themselves. Such economic occurrences precipitated the Kenyan Government think tanks to initiate Uwezo fund through a legal notice No.21 of the public finance management act, 2014 (RoK, 2008). The Uwezo Fund, a flagship program for Kenya‟s vision 2030 aimed at enabling women, youths and persons with disability access to finances to promote businesses and enterprises at the constituency level (Omunjalu and Fondo, 2014). It is noteworthy that policies that promote economic development among women but do not respond to the structural inequalities at the basis of their exclusion may bring growth gains, but will not necessarily bring gender equality gains such as nurturing women entrepreneurs.