Publication: Hunger safety net programme and the socio-economic well- being of vulnerable groups during the covid-19 pandemic in Loima – Turkana, Kenya
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2024-06
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Mount Kenya University
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Abstract
Established in 2009, Kenya's Hunger Safety Net Program (HSNP) plays a pivotal role in providing
unconditional income support to vulnerable households, especially during severe droughts.
Notably, amidst the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, the HSNP
successfully maintained its crucial functions. The pandemic had a profound impact on Kenya's
economy, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups, with the National Drought Management
Authority (NDMA) reporting a 90% increase in individuals requiring urgent assistance from
August 2020 to February 2021, particularly in Turkana County. Throughout this period, the HSNP
continued its core mission of delivering regular and emergency cash transfers to vulnerable
Kenyans without modification. However, the lack of adaptability, including unchanged payment
cycles, household cash value, and targeted beneficiaries, posed a significant risk of exacerbating
poverty and food insecurity for the 7117 households registered under the HSNP program. The
limited research on the HSNP program's effectiveness during the COVID-19 pandemic
emphasizes the need to address this knowledge gap. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness
of the Hunger Safety Net Program (HSNP) in enhancing the economic and social well-being of
vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three specific objectives guided the
research: evaluating the impact of the HSNP program on the food security of vulnerable
households, examining its influence on the health outcomes of beneficiaries, and investigating its
effect on the education of beneficiaries during the pandemic. Social Capital Theory and Human
Capital Theory were employed as theoretical frameworks to analyze the relationship between the
HSNP Program and its socio-economic outcomes on beneficiaries. Adopting a mixed-methods
approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods, the study utilized a descriptive survey
design to collect data on various characteristics, attitudes, beliefs, and opinions related to primary
beneficiaries of the HSNP program in Loima sub-county. Self-reported data were gathered through
semi-structured questionnaires and interviews from HSNP beneficiaries. Quantitative data were
analyzed using SPSS, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. The analysis revealed
that the HSNP program had a limited influence on improving the food security of vulnerable
households during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study concluded that the HSNP program had a
positive influence on the health outcomes of beneficiaries in Loima sub-county during the COVID-
19 pandemic. The investigation into the HSNP's influence on education revealed a significant
positive influence on school enrollment rates, attendance, and access to basic education services
for children in beneficiary households during the pandemic. Recommendations to strengthen
HSNP include program flexibility, expanded coverage, digital payment solutions, and sustainable
partnerships. For food security, suggestions include enhancing program communication, targeted
interventions, and sustainable food practices. In the education sector, proposals comprise increased
parental engagement, addressing technological barriers, and fostering collaborations.
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Keywords
emergency, Kenya's Hunger Safety Net Program, beneficiaries, COVID-19