Influence Of Cash Coordination On Efficacy Of Cash Transfer Programmesin Turkana County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Coordination of Cash Transfer Programmes (CTP) is very important in achieving better

humanitarian assistance in times of disasters and emergencies because it saves resources,

avoids conflicts, evades duplications and gaps, minimises the difference between programs

as well as thwarts inflation to local markets. The use of CTP to provide humanitarian

assistance so that people access goods and services they need before, during and after crisis

has been gaining momentum particularly since 2010. However, absence of a structured

coordination framework of CTP has created lapses in the initiative thereby resulting into

duplication of interventions, resource gaps, fragmentation and mismanagement of resources

in quality service delivery. This study is an empirical attempt to fill this lacuna with regard

to structured cash transfer focusing on Cash coordination within Turkana County which in

spite of Cash Transfer Programme has historically remained the poorest county in Kenya

characterized by high vulnerability to all forms of disasters besides dependency on in-kind

assistance. The overall objective of the study was to examine influence of cash coordination

on efficacy of cash transfer programming in Turkana County. The study was guided by three

specific objectives that seek to: determine strategies that support institutionalization of cash

and voucher initiatives in humanitarian actions in Turkana County; examine opportunities

and challenges available for future cash transfer coordination to vulnerable groups within

Turkana County and evaluate mechanisms employed in coordination of CTP in Turkana

County. The study adopted evaluation research design. Sampling strategy incorporated four

techniques: multistage, proportionate, purposive and simple random sampling methods. A

sample size of 382 was used in this study. Data was collected using questionnaires,

interview guides, FGD, key informant interviews (KII) and direct observation (DO). The

data collected was coded and analysed by both descriptive and qualitative methods using

Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 23. The study found out that strategies

for institutionalizing CTP included establishment and use of CTP legal and regulatory

framework, advocacy and lobbying for the use CTP by CaLP, role of Cash Working Groups

in CT coordination and research and advocacy for CTP. Cash Transfer Programmes in

Turkana County faced numerous challenges inter alia insecurity, poor infrastructure

network, inadequate funding, mobility of populations, lack of MOU with key stakeholders

and harmonization of CTP processes and procedures. The study also identified opportunities

available for future expansion of CTP namely enhancing coordination across sectors, joint

monitoring responses, increased involvement of private sector financial service providers

and social safety nets. The study concluded that cash transfer coordination in Turkana

County has not been institutionalized and thus cash coordination has less influence on

efficacy of Cash Transfer Programming in Turkana County, Kenya. Therefore, the study

recommended that Turkana County should prioritize formulation of Social Protection policy;

enhance coordination across sectors; Strengthen joint monitoring responses and increase

partnership of private sector in CTP. The study further recommended that the role of key

coordination mechanisms(CSG, KFSSG and CWG) should be well stipulated in the County

legal and regulatory frameworks for well regulation of Cash Transfer Programmes in

Turkana County, Kenya.