Effect of Risk-Taking Propensity on Entrepreneurial Intentions among Students Undertaking Entrepreneurial Course in Universities in Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties

The concept of entrepreneurship has received increasing attention in various countries globally, especially in developing countries which suffer from several problems that hinder economic growth. Entrepreneurship is essential in addressing economic problems, such as unemployment, new wealth creation, stabilizing society, increasing industrial competition and economic development. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of risk taking propensity on entrepreneurial intentions among students in universities in Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties. This study was conducted among university students since the students had undertaken entrepreneurial training to become future entrepreneurs. Descriptive research was adopted. The target population of this study was 800 students and a sample size of 267 respondents who were in third and fourth years and had undertaken entrepreneurial studies as a unit or major course at the universities. This study was anchored on theory of planned behavior and entrepreneurship event model of entrepreneurship. A questionnaire was used to guide in collecting primary data. Data obtained from this study was interpreted using descriptive statistical methods including tables, mean, median, mode and simple percentiles. Data was analyzed using inferential statistics with help of SPSS. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between variables using confidence level of 95%. The study found a regression coefficient of risk taking propensity was 0.187 and a p-value of 0.000