Banu, FazeelaBore, Magdalene2024-08-062024-08-0620191941-9406 (Print)1941-9414 (CD)https://repo.pacuniversity.ac.ke/handle/123456789/4420The development of any economy requires financial services especially credit services. Saving facilities are also key in the generation of a start capital for small business. Many financial institutions have tried to bring the money lending business and services closer to the customers but the rate of taking loans among the micro and small enterprises owners has not been as per the expectation with many business owners preferring the informal money lending institutions than the convectional banks or microfinance institutions. The study explored the Micro and Small business Characteristics which influenced the access to loans by the enterprise owners form money lending institutions. The study was guided by the following study objective; - To determine the Micro and Small enterprise characteristics which influence business loans access in a case study of Gikomba Market. The study was carried out in Nairobi biggest open market Gikomba. The study used descriptive research design and a sample size of 370 business owners since the market has over 10,000 business owners. The target population was divided into strata of wholesalers, retailers, service delivery and restaurants. The sampled respondents were selected randomly from each strata giving all the participants equal opportunity of participation. Data collection was done through questionnaire and interview guides. The gathered data was analyzed and presented in pie charts and frequency distribution tables and conclusion and recommendations were made based on the analyzed data.enArticle