Administrative factors influencing implementation of cash transfer for orphans and vulnerable children in Nyandarua South sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Due to threats of poverty, insecurity and HIV and AIDS, Kenya continues to experience increased numbers of orphans and vulnerable children that face poverty and despair. The government of Kenya has established a Cash Transfer Programme that delivers financial support directly to households having Orphans and Vulnerable Children. This study was meant to investigate administrative factors influencing implementation of CT-OVC in Nyandarua South. The objectives of the study were: to assess how human resource capacity in the Children Services Department influence the implementation of CT-OVC programme and to establish how coordination of work activities influence the implementation of CT-OVC programme. Other objectives were: to determine how payment mechanisms influence the implementation of CT-OVC programme; and to examine how complaint and grievance handling mechanism influence the implementation of CT- OVC programme. The study used descriptive survey design. Cluster and purposive sampling techniques were used to select a sample. The sample size consisted of 100 respondents, which comprised of 3 staff from Children Services Department, 80 beneficiaries, 3 BWC members, 10 LOC members and 4 CSAC members. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze data. Results were presented using tables and brief explanations. Majority of the respondents agreed that administrative factors significantly influenced the implementation of CT-OVC programme in Nyandarua South Sub-county. Administrative factors studied explained 73.8% on the influence on the implementation of the CT-OVC programme in Nyandarua South Sub-county. It is for the best interest of orphans and vulnerable children in Nyandarua south that CT-OVC programme is implemented effectively .Department of Children Services should build capacity of existing staff and stakeholders, recruit additional staff, collaborate more with stakeholders and increase finances required for the programme coordination. More convenient pay points should be established and payments be timely and regular. Department of Children Services should have a comprehensive data base allowed for efficient recording and tracking of complaints to resolve them in less than 30 days. Further research should be undertaken on the research topic elsewhere in Kenya, on other factors (26.2%) that influence effectiveness of the implementation of the CT-OVC programme in Nyandarua South Sub-county and on cultural factors influencing the implementation of CT-OVC programme in Nyandarua South