Unicef Cash Transfer Programme for Orphans' and Vulnerable Children: a Case Study of Its Effectiveness in Kilifi County, Kenya.

Abstract

The study was conducted to establish and analyze the effectiveness of the Unicef Cash Transfer Programme for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Kilifi County, Kenya. The study was motivated by the fact that the County continues to perform dismally in national academic examinations despite the presence of the CT OVC programme as a way of improving the children academic, health and economic status. The study employed systematic sampling method to sample five schools from Magarini and Malindi Division and this gave a sample size of 10 schools, 13 pupils from each school were sampled giving a sample size of 130 pupils and 20 key informants comprising class teachers and caregivers. The study used questionnaires with both closed and open ended questions and structured interviews. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Based on the analysis the study concludes that the program has not fully achieved its objectives of ensuring the children are fully engaged in their academic programs. The study further concludes that the cash transfer amount provided by the program is not enough to cater for subsistence, education and health care needs for the assisted OVCs and their siblings. The study also concludes that the beneficiaries of the CT -OVC program were generally aware of the program. It is evident there is need to have a comprehensive sensitization of the beneficiary households in administration of the fund hence making the program effective. To ensure effectiveness of the programme, the study recommends that the UNICEF CT-OVC safety net program should adjust its approach to transform the lives of the OVC in the county. The programme is small and fragmented focusing on many issues among others health, nutrition (school feeding programme) and education. This result to ineffectiveness of the programme. The study established that spending on the program is relatively low (0.22 per cent of ODP) and it cannot afford to adequately support its registered beneficiaries. There is need for an increased financing through a pool of donors if it is to have an impact at scale. The program should comprehensively streamline and use modern payment and management information systems to make it cost-effective and robust. The cash transfer should be electronically sent to the caregivers through M-Pesa which has wider agent grass roots spread in the rural areas.This will cut on costs of programme administration.