Factors Influencing Slow Growth of Small and Micro Enterprises: | The Case of Hair Salons in Kisumu City of Kenya

This study sought to determine factors influencing the growth of small and micro enterprises (SMEs) in Kisumu city of Kenya. The case study was beauty salons. Salons provide employment, contribute to entrepreneurship and innovation,and foster competitiveness. However, they have continually faced difficulties resulting in slowed growth of the sector. Some of the difficulties they face are high taxation, lack of credits, inadequate capital and poor book keeping, stiff competition, poor policies, bad politics, lack of adequate infrastructure, insecurity, bad management, in appropriate personal factors and superstitious beliefs. To this end the study summarizes these factors as monetary, environmental and internal. The study concludes that monetary factors are most critical to the growth of the salons. Finally the study recommends that the government of Kenya should create an enabling financial environment for salons as well courses on business management particularly in book keeping.