Publication: Hunger safety net programme and the socio-economic well- being of vulnerable groups during the covid-19 pandemic in Loima – Turkana, Kenya
| dc.contributor.author | Namuya, Jeremiah Lokitoe | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-09-16T11:59:10Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-09-16T11:59:10Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-06 | |
| dc.description.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. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://erepository.mku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6908 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Mount Kenya University | |
| dc.subject | emergency | |
| dc.subject | Kenya's Hunger Safety Net Program | |
| dc.subject | beneficiaries | |
| dc.subject | COVID-19 | |
| dc.title | Hunger safety net programme and the socio-economic well- being of vulnerable groups during the covid-19 pandemic in Loima – Turkana, Kenya | |
| dc.type | Thesis | |
| dspace.entity.type | Publication |