Effects Of Older Persons Cash Transfer Funds On The Well-Being Of The Elderly In Kibera, Nairobi County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

This study was an assessment of the effects of older persons cash transfer funds on the well-being of the elderly in Kibera informal settlements,Nairobi County,Kenya.The study was guided by the following objectives: to establish the recipients of OPCT program in Kibera informal settlements; examine the different implications of OPCT funds on the well being of the elderly;establish challenges that OPCT program face in addressing the needs of the elderly; and identify the best strategies of improving the OPCT program for the benefit of the eldery in Kibera informal settlements. The study was guided by resilience theory.The exploratory design was considered appropriate for this study where probability and non-probability sampling procedures were used to identify 75 respondents to participate in the study.The targeted population was the OPCT beneficiaries in Kibera informal settlements;however the data was validated by key informants selected from among the sampled population.The study found out that there were more women compared to men in the OPCT program.The study noted that the OPCT beneficiaries were 65 years and above,which showed adherence to the objective selection criteria.It was observed further that majority of the elderly OPCT beneficiaries also suffered from chronic diseases such as tuberculosis,high blood pressure and diabetes.The study established that the OPCT beneficiaries tend to use cash for the most pressing needs such as food, rent, school fees for their grandchildren, and debt repayment. The effects of OPCT funds were felt at individual, family and community levels.The study revealed the following as critical challenges affecting OPCT program namely;inadequate funding amidst competing needs of the beneficiaries;the disbursement is irregular hence one cannot make meaningful plans with the money,extensive bureaucracy in the registration process coupled with ethnicity issues and corruption.In addition there are cases of fingerprints failing, omission on the payroll and amount inconsistencies. The study also established that interventions that could address the challenges facing OPCT program were at two levels, namely; community and NGOs; and the government. The study further recommends an increase in the amount of funds being disbursed to the elderly in line with their economic needs; make regular payments so that the beneficiaries are enabled to make meaningful plans; and ensure the right criteria in the recruitment of the OPCT beneficiaries.