Budgeting Skills and the Sustainability of Table Banking in Mixed-Gender Self-Help Groups in Karai Ward, Kiambu County - Kenya

Financial literacy plays a vital role in ensuring sound financial management and the sustainability of community-based economic initiatives. In mixed-gender self-help groups (SHGs), diverse perspectives can influence financial decisions, making financial knowledge even more critical. This study examined how budgeting skills affect the sustainability of table banking projects among mixed-gender SHGs in Karai Ward, Kiambu County, Kenya. Guided by the Resource-Based View, Social Capital, and Behavioural Finance theories, the research employed a convergent parallel mixed-method design using a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Out of a target population of 854 members, 269 respondents were sampled through stratified sampling, and data were gathered using questionnaires and key informant interviews. Quantitative analysis involved descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, and ANOVA, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. Findings revealed that budgeting skills (β = 0.256, p < 0.01), along with saving skills, debt management skills, and knowledge of financial service providers, significantly influenced project sustainability. Collectively, these financial literacy components explained 56.6% of the variance in sustainability (R² = 0.566). The study recommends implementing tailored financial training programs, fostering partnerships with financial institutions, and enhancing policy support to strengthen the sustainability of table banking projects among mixed-gender SHGs in Karai Ward. Keywords: Budgeting, Skills, Sustainability, Table Banking, Self-Help Groups