Effectiveness of Hunger Safety Net Programme on Beneficiary Households’ Food Security in Turkana West Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

In response to the increasing extreme poverty and hunger among the most vulnerable populations, the debate in favor of social safety net programmes has gained prominence across countries in the global south. One such programme being implemented in Kenya is the Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP). The objective of this study was to determine how the hunger safety net programme impacts beneficiary households’ food security. The study utilized the sustainable livelihoods approach as a theoretical framework. The sustainable livelihoods approach focuses on various factors, at different levels, that directly or indirectly determine or limit poor people’s access to resources/assets of different kinds and why it is appropriate. A concurrent mixed-method design was used to collect data from 365 HSNP beneficiary households’ and 30 key informants. A questionnaire was used to collect data from the households’ heads while an interview guide was utilized to gather data from key informants. The survey gathered data on providing a clear description of the effectiveness of the Hunger Safety Net Programme on household food security. The results of the study indicated that a majority of the respondents agreed that the HSNP has improved food security in recipient households. The study recommends that the government enhance the HSNP program as an effective tool in the mitigation of food insecurity not only in Turkana West Sub-County but in the entire Arid and Semi-arid Lands. The results are expected to be of great importance to funding agencies and other development partners, as a tool for learning, accountability, designing of food security projects, programmes and policies that are evidence-based. Key Words: effects, Hunger Safety Net Programme, social safety nets, cash transfers, food security, Turkana County.