ABSTRACT
The study sought to find out the constraints faced by women in small-scale enterprises in Arid and Semi-arid areas (ASALs). The study was carried out in Central location, Central division, lsiolo district in Eastern Province The variables under investigations were inaccessibility to credit facility, poor infrastructure, low level of education and lack of family support. The main respondents for the study were women in small-scale enterprises. Sixty five respondents formed the sample size of the study. Three micro-finance officers were interviewed to give supportive information. The study utilized sample survey design. The respondents for the study were drawn through stratified sampling, simple random sampling and purposive sampling. The data collected were analyzed using simple frequency distribution tables, percentages, graphs and pie charts. Descriptive analysis was also given to explain the information. The findings of the study indicated the following: The amount of loan given to women by micro-finance institutions were generally small and therefore could not help them stait viable business enterprises. Also, the micro-finance institutions were taking long time in approval of the loan for the women. It was also found that lack of electricity led to the inability of the small-scale enterprises to store perishable items. Inadequate water supply led to unhygienic business environment while poor road network increased the cost of transportation. Most of the women entrepreneurs in Isiolo central location were illiterates. 33.7% left school at primary level. This inturn affected their record keeping skills which led to the mismanagements of the business enterprises. The main recommendations of the study were as follows: i. The micro-finance institutions should increase the amount of loan offered to women entrepreneurs in order for women to establish a viable business enterprise. The approval of the loan should not take long time as this would delay the activities of the business enterprises. 11. The government actors should provide and maintain the basic infrastructure at reasonable cost to consumers. 111. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology together with Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOS) should organize capacity building on entrepreneurial skills for small-scale women entrepreneurs. X iv. Women should be given support by the society in general and their spouses in particular in respect of finances, motivational encouragement, advice and actual involvement in the running of the enterprises.
