DOI: 10.11648/j.jppa.20261003.12 ISSN: 2640-2696

Effects of Cash Transfer Program Attributes on the Wellbeing of the Elderly

Kelly Lunani, Anthony Odek, Peter Koome
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This study examined the effect of cash transfer programme accessibility on the wellbeing of elderly beneficiaries in Kawangware informal settlement, Nairobi County, Kenya. Despite the implementation of the Older Persons Cash Transfer (OPCT) programme under the Inua Jamii initiative, many elderly beneficiaries continue to experience barriers in accessing cash transfer services, limiting the programme's potential to improve their wellbeing. The study adopted a descriptive research design guided by the pragmatist research philosophy and employed a mixed-methods approach. The target population comprised 989 OPCT beneficiaries aged 60 years and above. A sample of 285 respondents was selected using stratified random sampling for the quantitative survey, while 25 key informants were purposively selected for qualitative interviews, of which 17 participated. A total of 224 questionnaires were successfully completed, representing a response rate of 80.6%. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression, while qualitative data were collected through interview guides and analysed thematically. The findings revealed that accessibility to cash transfer services had a statistically significant positive relationship with elderly wellbeing (p <.001). Easy access to payment points, manageable travel time, reasonable travel distance, affordable transport costs, convenient payment methods, and the ability to collect cash independently were associated with better wellbeing among beneficiaries. Qualitative findings further revealed that long travel distances, congestion at payment centres, high transport costs, and technological challenges reduced the effectiveness of the programme despite its contribution to beneficiaries' livelihoods. The study concludes that improving accessibility to cash transfer services is essential for enhancing the wellbeing of older persons living in urban informal settlements. The study recommends decentralizing payment points, expanding elderly-friendly digital payment systems, strengthening digital literacy support, and reducing transport and administrative barriers to improve the effectiveness of the OPCT programme.

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