Transforming Cash Transfers: Beneficiary and community perspectives of the Cash Transfer for Orphans and Vulnerable Children Programme in Kenya

There is international consensus that social protection (SP) is a powerful way to fight poverty and promote inclusive growth among vulnerable populations. In Africa also, there is growing interest in SP as a means of providing predictable social assistance to poor and vulnerable populations. Cash transfers (CTs) are regular and predictable transfers provided by the state and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as part of a social contract with citizens, and may include child support grants, orphan care grants, disability grants, social pensions and transfers to poor households. There is evidence that CTs can help tackle hunger, increase living standards and improve the education and health of the poorest families (Adato and Basset, 2008). New research in Kenya further suggests CT programmes not only improve nutrition, education and health benefits for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), but also can significantly reduce risky sexual behaviour and HIV infection (Handa, et al. 2012).