Policy Brief on Inua Jamii

Abstract

This policy brief is the outcome of research conducted by the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) HUB, African Women Studies Center, the University of Nairobi in four Counties namely: Nairobi, Nakuru, Kiambu, and Kitui. The research aimed at using the example of Kazi Mtaani and Inua Jamii programs to evaluate the lessons that can be learned from social protection safety nets for future disaster preparedness for WEE. This policy brief distills the key findings, policy implications, and recommendations related to Inua Jamii. Data collection entailed both qualitative and quantitative methods. The quantitative study involved 994 participants from the four Counties out of which 180 participants were Inua Jamii beneficiaries.

On the other hand, in order to collect qualitative data, a total of 19 Focus Group Discussions and 77 Key Informants interviews were conducted. The findings revealed that the Inua Jamii program has had an impact on the lives of the beneficiaries with more than 95% of the beneficiaries reporting that they use the cash transfer on food. Another greater percentage of the beneficiaries (47.8%) reported that they use cash transfers on medical expenses. However, about 73.9% of the beneficiaries noted that the cash transfer is not enough because their expenses exceed the amount they receive.

In addition, the beneficiaries noted that the program has had some challenges, especially relating to access to information some research participants noted that the mode of communication is not satisfactory and recommended that the means of communication used should be one that reaches a large group target group and on time. They added that they have had issues with inconsistency in the cash transfer disbursement which makes it hard to predict when they will receive the amount and this, in turn, affects their financial decisions and their credit ability