Kenya: Drought-Stricken Tana River County Residents Benefit from Cash Transfer Interventions

Tana River County in Kenya has been experiencing drought for three consecutive years, affecting thousands of residents who rely on farming and livestock rearing for food and income. The Kenya Cash Consortium, led by Acted, has implemented a cash-based assistance project to support acutely food-insecure households. The project has provided cash transfers to vulnerable families, enabling them to meet their basic needs and improve food security. Beneficiaries have used the cash to buy food, pay school fees, and invest in their businesses. The project has also helped to settle debts and improve the local economy. The use of a single registry ensured that the right beneficiaries were identified and supported by the cash-transfer assistance. Community-led beneficiary targeting and a seven-member verification committee made the process more credible. The project has been successful in preventing further food security deterioration and contributing to the stabilization of food-insecure communities.