Contribution of Self-Help Groups to Economic Empowerment in Mombasa County, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65336/WJEBM.2026.31101Keywords:
Self-help groups; economic empowerment; access to credit; capacity development; income-generating activities; group governance; Mombasa County; Kenya.Abstract
Self-help groups (SHGs) are well known as community organizations through which people save money, borrow money, develop skills and engage in income generation activities together. It is possible that their role in economic empowerment is not only dependent on the services they offer but also depends on the governance structure within them and assistance from the government and other development partners. This study sought to determine the role of self-help groups in economic empowerment in Mombasa County in Kenya with particular focus on borrowing of funds, development of skills and capacities, income generation activities, governance and assistance from external stakeholders. This study used cross-sectional survey research design, collecting 351 usable questionnaires out of 384 sampled questionnaires giving a response rate of 91.4%. The proportionality of odds assumption was tested using the Brant test, and the results were not significant (χ² = 8.57, df = 10, p = 0.574). The ordinal logistic regression was statistically significant (LR χ²(5) = 178.63, p < 0.001), with a pseudo-R² of 0.274. Access to credit (β = 0.624, p < 0.001), skills and capacity development (β = 0.531, p < 0.001), income generating activities (β = 0.718, p < 0.001) and governance of the SHGs (β = 0.417, p < 0.001) were positively associated with economic empowerment. Stakeholder support was also positively associated with economic empowerment (β = 0.463, p < 0.001). Moreover, the moderation analysis results indicate that there were positive interaction effects between the support by stakeholders and the four mechanisms of the SHGs. This paper comes to the conclusion that self-help groups ensure economic empowerment through availability of credits, skill enhancement, generation of incomes, and good governance. It is recommended that members should be provided with cheaper funding, capacity building, market linkages, and strong institutional support.
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