SPaN (2019) Case Study: Kenya - Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP)

This case study on Kenya provides an overview of the Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP), focusing on the alignment of social protection mechanisms with humanitarian assistance in response to the recurrent drought crises in Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).

Context and Challenges Approximately 80% of Kenya’s land mass, predominantly in the ASALs, faces routine exposure to drought, affecting nearly one-third of the population. The increasing frequency of these droughts severely impacts livelihoods, particularly livestock production, leading to chronic food insecurity and negative coping strategies. Historically, the region has relied on unpredictable, food-based humanitarian aid, which often arrives late and is inefficient.

Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP) The HSNP was established by the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) in partnership with humanitarian actors and the private sector to provide a more predictable and sustainable safety net for chronically vulnerable households. The first phase (2007-2013) reached 69,000 households in four northern counties with regular cash transfers of Ksh 2,550 every two months. The programme was managed by multiple institutions, with distinct roles for registration, payment delivery, and rights components.

Phase 2 and Emergency Scale-Up Phase 2 of the HSNP, launched in January 2013, expanded the programme's coverage to 100,000 households and incorporated a scalable emergency response to drought, allowing rapid expansion to additional households during crises. This phase aimed to provide up to 180,000 households with emergency payments, triggered by the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) data, which assesses drought conditions through satellite imagery.

Operations and Challenges The HSNP’s emergency payments have been praised for their speed and efficiency, with funds reaching beneficiaries within two weeks of the drought trigger being activated. However, challenges remain, including issues with targeting accuracy, the sufficiency of cash transfers, and communication with local communities about the programme’s operations.

Impact and Lessons Learned The HSNP has demonstrated that leveraging existing systems and institutions can enable rapid and large-scale humanitarian cash transfers. However, further improvements in communication, targeting accuracy, and flexibility of payment mechanisms are necessary to enhance the programme's effectiveness, particularly during emergencies.

This case study highlights the need for ongoing refinement of social protection systems in response to the increasing severity and frequency of droughts in Kenya. The HSNP serves as a model for integrating humanitarian response with long-term social protection, but challenges remain in scaling and optimizing the system to meet the needs of Kenya's most vulnerable populations.