Universal Child Benefits (UCB), a cash transfer program, is now being introduced with the goal of cushioning children from low-income families.
The cash transfer initiative, which is in its pilot phase in Kajiado, Embu, and Kisumu counties, is currently benefiting over 8,300 children.
UCB, which is on its third payment cycle, ensures that children under the age of three get a monthly stipend of Sh 800.
Peter Ombasa, Assistant Director of the Children Service, stated that poverty levels have a negative impact on children’s ideal growth, which could hinder their productivity.
“The majority of our communities, including by and large, our children, live in low-income areas and are quickly impacted by financial failures and consequences,” Ombasa explained.
Save the Children and UNICEF are funding a program coordinated by the State Department of Social Protection that aims to protect children from harmful poverty situations.
Ombasa noted during a media workshop that the majority of the problems caused by high poverty levels are irreversible and cost a society.
“We recognized that nourishment is vital, and that if you stunt before 1000000 days, you would die.” “This program promotes good nutrition,” he explained.
The scheme, which began in early 2021 and will finish in 2022, will be examined to see how well it serves children and how it affects the local economy.
According to data, at least 42% of children under the age of 18 are financially poor, with 52.5 percent being multi-dimensionally poor.
Every kid has a constitutional right to social protection, according to Ombasa, who said that the program aims to ensure that the country invests in future generations while also boosting the country’s human capital development.
Poverty has a negative impact on children’s physical, cognitive, and social development. Poverty can also start youngsters on a lifelong path of poor education and productivity, as well as wreak havoc on their physical and emotional health.
Poverty-stricken youngsters are more likely to grow up to be poorer adults who have poor children, perpetuating poverty intergenerationally.