Statement of the Problem
Rigorous empirical analysis in the issue of statistical impact of microfinance began in the 1990s. However, the studies so far remain few in addressing the effectiveness of microfinance in poverty alleviation (Adam & Von pische, 1992). The introduction of MFIs is seen as the best alternative source of financial services for low income earners in rural areas as a means to raise their income, hence reducing their poverty level. However evidence has shown that these MFIs are faced by a myriad of challenges which are not to limited coverage, poor organizational structures and some is donor driven. Strategies such as formation of microcredit programmes through churches for example, ECLOF of the Catholic Church, SMEP of NCCK and NGOs like Faulu Kenya, KWFT and government initiatives such as the youth and women funds have been formulated over time to transform the status of entrepreneurs in Kenya economically. Studies have been done for instance, a study by Aigbokhan and Asemota (2011) revealed that selected microfinance variables such as volume of loan last taken, cumulative loan, loan cycle, experience with the microfinance institution and education had positive significant impact on client’s poverty status. However, more research needs to be done in regard to whether micro financing, more people are still living with poverty. In Kenya over 50% of Kenyans live below poverty line (Kenya National Human development, 2007). For example, Kiambu County Strategic Plan 2005-2010 indicates that administrative unit contributes 1.48% of poor people to national poverty index and the absolute rural-urban poverty is 25.08% of which women are the majority.