OLDER PERSONS’ CASH TRANSFER (OPCT) AND THEIR SOCIAL WELL-BEING IN KIAMBU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

ABSTRACT A cash transfer scheme was seen to be liberating, especially for older persons and disadvantaged people. Yet, new information about the difficulties this programme, particularly for the older persons, presents is constantly emerging. This study aimed to explore the effect of OPCT the social well-being of older persons in Kiambu County, Kenya. It was influenced by the following specific goals: To establish the effect of OPCT disbursement procedure on social well-being of older persons, to determine the contribution of OPCT in access to healthcare services by older persons, to establish the role of OPCT on nutrition security of older persons, and to assess the effect OPCT‘s on housing for older persons in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study used a concurrent mixed methods methodology that emphasized mixed techniques. The study targeted 88,892 older persons aged 65 and over, from which 385 were selected as a sample using Cochran's criteria. Using probability sampling methods, namely simple random sampling, participants are chosen. The main instruments for gathering data were questionnaires, interview questions, and focused group discussion topics. While qualitative data was evaluated conceptually and presented in narrations, quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS Version 25 and presented in descriptive and inferential statistics. The results of the analysis revealed a wide range of abnormalities in the disbursement of OPCT monies. The study's findings showed that participants did not agree that OPCT fully covered the costs of healthcare services. Participants concurred that people who received financial transfers had access to adequate nourishment. It was also discovered that the OPCT funding were insufficient to support older persons housing improvements. Based on the study's findings, it was determined that cash transfer programmes needed to have clearly defined policies that allowed recipients to diversify and secure their income sources if they were to help older people improve their social welfare. The results of the study showed that social workers needed to be included in the planning and execution of OPCT among the older persons. If the older persons are to see an improvement in their social well-being, this study suggested increasing the monetary transfers to them.