Effect of M-Pesa usage dimensions on household resilience among women vegetable vendors in Westlands Constituency, Nairobi County

Abstract

Women vegetable vendors constitute a substantial share of Kenya’s informal sector, with estimates indicating that women account for approximately 50–60% of all fresh produce traders in urban markets. Despite their significant contribution to household welfare and local food systems, many operate under precarious economic conditions that limit their ability to withstand shocks and build long-term resilience. Mobile money platforms such as M-Pesa have become central to daily financial transactions, presenting an opportunity to strengthen household resilience among women engaged in informal trade. Nevertheless, there was inadequate empirical evidence on how different dimensions of M-Pesa usage contribute to household resilience among women vegetable vendors. This study examined the effect of M-Pesa usage dimensions on household resilience among women vegetable vendors in Westlands Constituency, Nairobi County. Specifically, the study investigated the effects of M-Pesa payment services, M-Pesa savings functionalities, M-Pesa digital credit access, and M-Pesa group contribution platforms on household resilience. The study was anchored on the Diffusion of Innovations Theory and the Resilience Theory. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to women vegetable vendors actively using M-Pesa services within the five wards of Westlands Constituency. The collected data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques with the aid of SPSS. The findings established that all four dimensions of M-Pesa usage positively influenced household resilience. The study further found that M-Pesa savings functionalities had the strongest influence on household resilience, followed by digital credit access, group contribution platforms, and payment services. The study concluded that M-Pesa usage plays a significant role in enhancing household resilience among women vegetable vendors by improving their ability to manage daily expenses, respond to emergencies, and sustain income-generating activities. The study recommends that policymakers and mobile financial service providers strengthen access to mobile savings products, enhance digital credit solutions tailored for informal-sector users, expand financial literacy programs, and support the development of digital group-based financial platforms. Future studies should adopt longitudinal research designs and incorporate additional variables such as financial literacy and income levels to provide deeper insights into household resilience.

Keywords: M-Pesa, Mobile Money, Household Resilience, Women Vegetable Vendors, Digital Financial Services, Financial Inclusion, Westlands Constituency, Nairobi County.