Abstract

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are pivotal drivers of Kenya's macroeconomic objectives, playing a critical role in accelerating economic growth, generating substantial employment opportunities, and sustaining livelihoods across the nation. In response, the government has continually implemented robust policy interventions designed to create an enabling environment where MSMEs can thrive and contribute even more effectively to Kenya’s socio-economic development. Despite the numerous intervention initiatives, the performance of the MSME sector has been steadily declining. The persistent lack of operating funds remains a major obstacle, stifling business growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability. This study’s objective is to find out the determinants of accessing credit and its effects on the performance of MSMEs in Nandi County. The study uses primary data collected by interviewing 370 individuals who own MSMEs. The MSME owners were selected through a stratified sampling technique according to their type and a structured questionnaire administered. Descriptive statistics and probit regression model were used to investigate various determinants of accessing credit and to investigate the effects of credit accessibility on performance of MSMEs.The study found that gender, tertiary education, perception to credit and registration of business are significant determinants of credit access among MSMEs. Further findings indicate that gender, tertiary education, perception to credit, transport cost, size of the business and distance from the business premise significantly affects the performance of MSMEs.The study concludes that strengthening education and promoting gender equity are crucial to improving credit access for MSMEs, which in turn will significantly boost their performance and long-term success.