From Policy to Performance: Examining the Role of Government Credit Strategies in SME Development in South Rift, Kenya
Abstract: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in Kenya?s economic development, contributing to job creation, innovation, and the country's gross domestic product. However, access to affordable and sustainable credit remains a persistent challenge, limiting their growth and competitiveness. This study, titled ?From Policy to Performance: The Effect of Government Credit Access Strategy on SME Performance in Kenya?s South Rift Region,? examined how government-sponsored credit initiatives influence the performance of SMEs within the counties of Baringo, Bomet, Kericho, Laikipia, Nakuru, Narok, and Nyandarua. The study adopted a positivist philosophy and employed a correlational research design using a quantitative approach. The target population comprised 939 SME owners registered and certified by the Kenya Bureau of Standards, from which a sample of 280 respondents was drawn using stratified and simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS. The descriptive results revealed moderate access to government credit facilities, with an overall mean score of 2.77 and a standard deviation of 1.213, suggesting mixed perceptions among SME owners regarding the ease and effectiveness of government-sponsored credit programs. Inferential analysis revealed a positive, statistically significant correlation (r = 0.512, p
Keywords: Government Credit Access Strategy, SME Performance, Policy Implementation, Financial Inclusion, South Rift Region, Kenya
How to Cite?: Lucy Muthoni Mbogori, Simon K. Kipchumba, Nehemiah Kiprop Kiplagat, "From Policy to Performance: Examining the Role of Government Credit Strategies in SME Development in South Rift, Kenya", Volume 14 Issue 11, November 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 207-215, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251029125912, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251029125912