The potential for complementarity between formal and informal social protection programmes in Kenya: A case study

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Date

2022

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

University of the Western Cape

Abstract

Expanding social protection coverage is imperative in low-resource contexts such as Kenya where poverty is widespread. Alongside efforts to increase state capacity, alternative strategies for the expansion of social protection need to be explored. To this end, the potential of linking formal and informal social protection systems has been highlighted. Yet, research exploring this possibility is limited. Through the use of a single country case study, namely, Kenya’s old age grant, Inua Jamii Pension, this thesis explored interfaces between formal and informal social protection systems, to uncover the potential for establishing complementary linkages between them. A qualitative research design was adopted. Semi-structured in-depth individual interviews were conducted with grant beneficiaries from an urban study site - Kibera, and a rural study site - Malava. Four focus group discussions were conducted with beneficiaries. Ten key informants involved in formal and informal social protection systems were interviewed.

Description

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD

Keywords

Social grants, Social security, Kenya, Poverty, Social development

Citation