[01] Aaron Mwayi, Department of Health Promotion, Faculty of Community Health and Development, Great Lakes University of Kisumu, Kisumu, Kenya. [02] Samuel Jerry Odindo, Department of Health System Management, Faculty of Community Health and Development, Great Lakes University of Kisumu, Kisumu, Kenya. [03] Dan O. Odindo, Department of Health System Management, Faculty of Community Health and Development, Great Lakes University of Kisumu, Kisumu, Kenya.

Introduction: Most residents in Nyalenda work as petty traders and hence contributing to low income, and therefore, as a tool in poverty reduction there is need of SMIE women to access loan as their major source of capital. The study was a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design which involved qualitative and quantitative data collection methodologies by administering to eleven sub units in two of the sub locations in West Kolwa location in Kisumu County in Kisumu Town East constituency. The findings was analyzed and used to determine KAP factors influencing access to loans for women SMIEs in Nyalenda. Methods: The study employed stratified random sampling and cluster sampling technique to come up with a sampling size of 399. For the quantitative data, Frequencies were run using SPSS and Chi –square test was used to determine the association. Findings: The study established that 15.6% of the women SMIEs secured loans from banks, followed by 3.2% who secured loans from SACCOs. However, only 0.3% of the women SMIEs secured government loans. The study established that 12.4% of the women SMIEs secured individual loans, while 6.7% of the women SMIEs secured group loans. The study established that of the 20 women SMIEs who knew KCB, 60% had secured loans. This was followed by 6 women SMIEs who knew KREP, of whom 50% had secured loans. The study established that of the 4 women SMIEs who knew Faulu ltd, 75% of them secured loans, followed by 5 who knew Adok Timo, of whom 60% secured loans. Among the SACCOS, Adoktimo is highly known. Conclusion: Lending NGOs, Banks and SACCOS in Kenya known by women SMIEs, have an association with ability to access loan.

KAP, Knowledge, Attitude, Practices, Entrepreneurship, SMIEs, Loans for Women

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