Table-Banking Skills and Livelihood Outcomes among Young Widows in Yatta Sub-County, Machakos County, Kenya
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the association of table-banking skills and livelihood outcomes among young widows in Yatta Sub-County. Young widows experience socioeconomic related challenges that affect their ability to sustain better livelihood outcomes. Some of the challenges include low and irregular incomes and limited financial resources especially in the semi-arid rural areas. Therefore, the study sought to assess the association of table-banking skills and livelihood outcomes among young widows in Yatta Sub-County, Machakos County, Kenya. Sustainable livelihood framework and capability approach underpinned the study and applied convergent mixed methods design. The target population consisted of 461 young widows and 12 Key informants who included Lower Eastern Women Cooperative Society officers, chiefs, assistant chiefs, and community health assistants. A sample of 217 was drawn from a target population using Yamane formula. Questionnaires and Interviews were used to collect data. Qualitative analysis used thematic approach while quantitative used descriptive analysis and inferential statistics. Descriptive findings indicated that respondents had positive experiences with table banking skills, particularly financial record keeping, savings, financial management and decision making. The correlation analysis indicated moderate positive correlation between table banking skills and livelihoods outcomes( r = 0.355, P < .001). The study concluded that better table banking skills were associated with better livelihood outcomes such as financial inrement, diversification of income opportunities and ability to meet basic household needs. This was through gaining financial skills, savings practices, loan access, record keeping, and financial management practices to build sustainable livelihood outcomes. The study recommends that table banking groups among young widows should be capacity built through financial support and continuous financial literacy training. Development partners, banking industry, government and non-government organization should support widows groups with entrepreneurship training and agriculture related programs.
Key words: Table-Banking, Skills, Livelihood Outcomes, Young Widows, Yatta Sub-County
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