Access to Credit Facilities as a Major Factor Hindering Access to Public Procurement Contracts by Youth Entrepreneurs in Government Ministries in Ol Kalou Sub-County, Kenya

Despite the various efforts put by the Kenyan Government to encourage youth participation in public procurement, very few youth-owned enterprises have been able to access public procurement opportunities. There has been no systematic attempt to look at public procurement from a youth angle inspite of its increasing recognition as a source of job creation, employment and economic dynamism in a rapidly globalizing world. The study sought to determine how access to credit facilities by youth entrepreneurs hinders their access to public procurement contracts. The researcher used descriptive research survey method. A population census of 25 youth-owned enterprises registered and operating within Ol kalou Sub-County was used. The research adopted an interview schedule and interviewed proprietors of the 25 youth-owned enterprises in the Sub-County. Data analysis was conducted through content analysis of the communication and views of the interviewees. Results revealed that access to credit was hindering access to public procurement contracts by youth-owned enterprises by denying them a level playing field in bidding for the contracts. The research recommends increasing access to credit to youth entrepreneurs to enable them access public procurement contracts.