Over 2,500 children from Kajiado County under the age of 3, are set to benefit from a Cash Transfer Program to cushion them from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Universal Child Benefit program which is spearheaded by the United Nations Children’s’ Fund (UNICEF), Save the Children and the World Food Programme will be implemented through the State Department for Social Protection.
The program which is being piloted in three counties; Kajiado, Embu and Kisumu seeks to protect children under the age of 3 from severe malnutrition and poverty.
According to Kajiado County Children Services Coordinator, Samwel Manoti Masese, the program targets vulnerable families and those whose bread winners might have lost their sources of income as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic.
It is aimed at improving food security and increasing the number of children accessing health services, immunizations and schools.
Speaking during the launch of the pilot program in Kajiado, Masese noted that the cash transfer program would help alleviate poverty, protect children and improve nutrition.
He said the unconditional cash transfers allow poor households the choice and flexibility of allocating resources to meet the needs they find most pressing be it food, medicine or clothes.
“The money will enable a parent to decide what their child needs the most be it food, medicine or clothes thus supports the children,” said Masese. The officer revealed each child would receive Kshs800 monthly with the amount paid after every two months.
He added that the registration of children in Idamat and township wards in Kajiado Central would run from 4th-9th November and enumerators will be going round the households to register the beneficiaries.
He called on parents and guardians with children under the age of 3 to register them so as not to be left out.
“The Universal Child Benefit program is targeting all children under the age of three in Kajiado Central. I want to urge all parents to ensure that their children are registered so as to benefit,” said the officer.
By Rop Janet
