Gender Differentials in Access to Loans and Effects of the Loans on Households' Livelihood outcomes in Kenya

The thrust of this study was to investigate gender differentials in access to loans from Sidian Bank in Kenya, in relation to improvement of livelihoods. The study specifically set out to establish the amounts of money accessed by any one gender from Sidian bank from 2013 to 2019; find out how men and women have utilised the borrowed money from Sidian Bank; investigate the relationship between access and livelihood improvements of households. This study was guided by the capability theoretical approach and the Gender-Related Development Index (GDI). The study adopted mixed method approach, convergent design. The target population was men and women borrowers of Sidian Bank; their spouses; government officials and Sidian Bank staff. The research targeted 324 borrowers, 51 men and 273 women. The researcher used systematic sampling to classify the subjects into men and women as individuals and also as members of joint liability groups. Research was conducted using hybrid questionnaire; semi structured questions consisting of both open and close ended questions, observation schedule and interview guides to collect data. Secondary data was collected from, articles, and websites of microfinance banks and institutions. Quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Program for Social Scientists (SPPS) and presented in simple statistics using graphs, charts, tables, percentages, while qualitative data was reported in prose. The study found out that there was a gender dimension in the amount of loans borrowed from Sidian bank with fewer men than women borrowers but with most men borrowing bigger loans. Differentials in utilisation of loans between men and women were also noted with most women spending their money in the consumables while men invested in income generating projects and permanent investments. The study established that the effects of loans on livelihoods were greatly affected by the structure of a house hold due to different gender roles in households. It concluded that though there are more ...