The Role of Cash Transfer Program in the Well Being of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in Kibera

Abstract

The focus of this study was to examine the role of cash transfer program in the wellbeing of OVCs in Kibera. The study was guided by two objectives; to determine the influence of Cash Transfer (CT) program on the health of OVCs in Kibera, and, to establish the influence of CT program on education of OVCs in Kibera. The study used a descriptive survey design and adapted a multi-stages sampling technique. The quantitative data obtained were analyzed using SPSS and has presented in tables, frequencies and percentages. The data collected were presented in form of frequency tables, percentages, mean and standard deviation to present data. From a sample of 102OVC caregivers, the study found that majority (69.61) could now access health facilities and health carefacilities. The findings of the study also found that the nutritional status on the OVC under the CT program had improved. The children now have accessibility to healthier foods. , Further, the study found that orphans and vulnerable children benefit from cash transfer program since they attend school more as compared to before. However only 19.61 of the respondents felt that the CT is adequate to buy schools books while the majority 80.39% indicated that the CT was not adequate for the purchase of school books. The study concludes that health and education has improved after the enrolment of the cash transfer program The study recommends that intervention efforts is needed to focus on challenges and the exploitation faced by orphaned and vulnerable children. It also recommends that the community be sensitized on the programme, including objectives, and enrolment criteria to reduce ill feelings against beneficiaries. It was further recommended that opportunities for community participation in the programme implementation and evaluation be provided to ensure open and transparent enrolment of beneficiaries to mitigate negative perception.