Implementers' Experiences and Perceived Impacts on Nutritional Intake of Unconditional Cash Transfers in Turkana County, Kenya.
Abstract
Background: Adequate nutrition is one of the most important determinants for the development and health well-being of children 6-23 months and pregnant and lactating women. Malnutrition remains a persistent problem in Turkana County, Kenya, exacerbated by food insecurity, drought, poverty, and conflict-related shocks. To address these challenges, the humanitarian sector is increasingly transitioning from commodity-based assistance to unconditional cash transfers (UCTs) enabling households to meet their basic needs. Objectives: The overall aim of this study was to explore implementers’ experiences with UCTs, the perceived impact on nutritional intake, and the barriers, particularly in Turkana County, Kenya.Methodology: The study used qualitative research design to gather implementers’ opinions on UCTs in Turkana County. It utilized purposive sampling for the recruitment of participants with different roles in the administration of the UCT initiatives. Transcription of the individual interviews occurred verbatim, and analysis utilized NVIVO 14 with a hybrid of both inductive and deductive thematic approaches. Ethical Considerations: Ethical approvals were obtained from the Sikt in Norway and a research permit was obtained from the National Commission for Science, Technology & Innovation (NACOSTI) in Kenya, where data was collected. Results: Data analysis revealed seven themes including; Experiences with cash transfers; Perceived impact of UCTs on nutritional intake; Barriers related to unconditional cash transfer programming; Enhancing capacities of communities; Significance of societal norms, values, and beliefs; Program monitoring and evaluation; and Future prospects of unconditional cash transfer programming. The interviews help us understand the UCT implementation process and the positive contribution to dietary diversity and food security. Implementers also express the programming and contextual barriers encountered.Conclusion: Kenya's vulnerable communities could benefit from UCT programs informed by the experiences of those directly implementing them. Findings align with the reviewed literature on cash transfer interventions’ impact on maternal and child nutrition, dietary diversity, and household food security. Finally, the study outlines numerous recommendations for future program actions and policy development in UCT programming within similar settings.