The role and sustainability of cash transfer programmes in poverty reduction on female-headed households in Mukuru slums of Nairobi City County

Abstract

This project presents the findings of a study on the role and sustainability of cash transfer programs in poverty reduction on female-headed households in Mukuru slums of Nairobi City County. The aim of the study was to explore the role of cash transfer programs in addressing poverty and to examine the role of cash transfer programs in reducing poverty and also to analyze the sustainability of cash transfer programs in poverty reduction. The theory used in the study was the anti-poverty approach. It advocates for the redistribution of goods, and is embedded in the concept of growth, provision of basic needs, and ensuring an increase in the productivity of poor women. The findings related to the objectives whereby, it was established that the cash transfer programmes had succeeded to a great extent to achieve their purpose. The beneficiaries used the cash they received to provide basic needs such as to pay school fees for their children, buy food for their families, and maintain their micro businesses as well as for paying rent. In addition other programmes within the cash transfer programmes saw children that had completed primary education trained in vocational skills such driving, hairdressing and beauty and tailoring so as to provide more livelihood options for the households. Beneficiaries were taught on how to save, as well as how to live positively and eat healthily for them that had acquired HIV and AIDS. Based on the findings, the study recommends that the cash should be increased to ensure that these female headed households benefit holistically, that the cash programmes targeting food security and poverty reduction be targeted to women directly, and that these cash programmes be accompanied by other programmes like cash for work, and also that the government and NGO’s giving these cash programmes should sensitize people about sustainable livelihood options, and for a study to be conducted on other programmes other than cash that can be used in reducing poverty in female-headed households in Mukuru slums and measures put in place to ensure that only the rightful people benefit