The government will from Monday, September 25, roll out a cash transfer program targeting over 111,000 vulnerable households in the country.
According to a statement from East African Community and Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, eligible households will receive Ksh2,700 each.
Further, the CS noted that counties selected to benefit from the program are Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, Turkana, Samburu, Isiolo, Garissa and Tana River.
In the statement seen by The Kenya Times, the Ministry noted that the listed counties were among the hardest-hit by the drought that lasted four consecutive failed rain seasons.
In total, the government has set aside Ksh338. 6 million under the program named the Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP).
“Each household will receive Ksh2,700 being routine and regular disbursements for the month of July,” the statement read in part.
According to CS Miano, the ravaging drought disrupted livelihoods and coping mechanisms of communities in the named counties hence making them vulnerable.
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Further, the counties have been ranked the poorest and most susceptible to drought-related shocks besides hence necessitating action to cushion them.
Beneficiaries, the Ministry notes, will access the disbursements through their registered bank accounts- adding that those with concerns including change of recipient and ID should visit the nearest banks.
In terms of distribution, Turkana County is poised to have 37,445 beneficiaries- the highest- with a total of Ksh 105.5 million allocation.
Following Turkana is Mandera County which according to the statement will have 20,407 beneficiaries and an allocation of Ksh 56,308,500.
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Cash Transfer Project
The cash transfer program is part of the larger Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project (KSEIP) implemented by the government.
Besides the ASALs fund, the government has also rolled out cash transfer programs including the Older Persons Cash Transfer (OPCT), and Persons with Severe Disabilities (PWSD) to cushion the nation from tough conditions.
Further, CS Miano noted that the government disbursed over Ksh 3.6 billion in cash transfers under HSNP in the last financial year.
