Factors Affecting Performance of Small Business Enterprises Owned by Women in Ongata Rongai, Maasai Lodge Village, Kenya

This study sought to find out the factors affecting performance of small business enterprises owned by women in Ongata Rongai, Maasai Lodge Village.  It also sought to document the measures considered important in solving the factors which may be affecting these enterprises.    To achieve the objective of the study, primary data was collected from 26 businesses in Ongata Rongai Maasai Lodge Village.   The research adopted quantitative and qualitative research design and used descriptive survey method.  Purposive sampling methods was used to select the samples from the target population. Questionnaires and personal interviews was used to collect primary data. The research findings revealed the problems experienced by small businesses enterprises in Ongata Rongai were of two categories.  That is, internal problems that were considered as directly associated with the business persons themselves and within their control.  This category includes problems like not giving the business adequate time, engaging in other activities e.g. being employed elsewhere and being members of community groups which were interfering with the successful running of the business and also lack of collateral for obtaining loans.  The second category involved external problems that originate from the environment and as such the women entrepreneurs have nodirect control over them.  The conclusion made from the study is that women entrepreneurs need to be assisted by being empowered through training and having access to finance.  Gender empowerment need to be carried out to educate the women that they are the same match with men and are therefore able to do equally good as men.  Structures and systems need to be put in place to ensure that the business environment is favourable to entrepreneurs.