Participation of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Cash Transfer Programme and its Implications for Social Protection in Kenya

Abstract

The situation of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Kenya has been of national and international concern. The Cash Transfer Programme for OVC (CTP- OVC) is currently the largest in the country having been established in 2004 as a response strategy to address the OVC situation. In spite the presence of policy framework and guidelines about involving children at all levels of programme planning, there is no evidence to show that interventions such as the CTP-OVC are designed and implemented with the participation of children who are the intended beneficiaries. The participation rights of the OVC in this programme are yet to be clearly understood. The aim of this study was to assess the nature and extent of OVC participation in CTP-OVC and its implications for social protection. The study was guided by the concept of children's agency which recognizes the autonomy of children as competent actors. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design with mixed methodology. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection were employed. Data was presented using descriptive statistics, reports and verbatim quotations. The study findings indicate that the CTP-OVC does not involve the participation of OVC to a large extent. Cultural beliefs and values were found to play a significant role in hindering children's participation. However, it was realized that involving OVC in the CTP-OVC has far reaching benefits both for the users and programme implementers. Based on the findings, the study concludes that child participatory approaches should be included at all levels of OVC programming. The study recommends that there is need to work on strategies that can remove cultural and social stereotypes that encourage common perceptions and/or unproven hypotheses regarding children.