Save the Children, through the Universal Child Benefit (UCB) project, is supporting the Government of Kenya through the State Department for Social Protection to generate evidence and conduct policy analysis for the sustainable expansion of child-sensitive social protection. The study will inform the Government onmpotential financing avenues and the fiscal space available to extend social protection coverage to all children in Kenya.
NAIROBI, KENYA 27TH February 2025, 1230Hrs - A new budget analysis provides insights into how universal approaches like Universal Child Benefits (UCB) can expand social protection schemes to benefit over one million children in Kenya by 2030.
About 52.5% of the children are multi-dimensionally poor, about 42% are monetary poor, and about 36.2% are food poor. Currently, at just 0.4% of GDP, the country’s social protection coverage lags the regional average of 2.1% - The Fiscal Space Analysis Report revealed. The Fiscal Space Analysis Report further highlights the urgent need for increased investment in innovative financing strategies, and the adoption of universal approaches like Universal Child Benefit (UCB) to ensure equitable and comprehensive support for all children in the country.
While the government has made progress in expanding social protection programmes through targeted initiatives like Inua Jamii, and promoting inclusivity, only 11% of children in Kenya are benefiting from social protection programmes. This coverage gap not only undermines the principle of universality but also risks perpetuating the intergenerational cycle of poverty, inequality, and exclusion if not addressed systematically.
There is therefore an urgent need for transformative actions to bridge the gaps and secure a brighter future for Kenya’s children. One such action is expanding Universal Child Benefit (UCB) by boosting domestic revenue, strengthening partnerships, and exploring innovative financing. If successfully implemented, these strategies will ensure more children benefit from social protection, reduce poverty, and foster long-term economic growth for a brighter future.
"Investing in children today will not only create long-term economic and social benefit, but the government that implements such bold and transformative change will have a lasting impact on the lives of Kenyans in the immediate future and on the country's trajectory in the long term," notes Save the Children Kenya and Madagascar Country Director Pornpun Jib Rabiltossaporn.
The report also notes that the country has the potential to implement and scale up a Universal Child Benefit (UCB) programme, despite current budget constraints. It recommends a phased roll-out, beginning with the most vulnerable children, which offers a cost-effective way to address child poverty and promote long-term socioeconomic development.
“The Fiscal Space Analysis Report we are launching today illuminates possible revenue streams and cost-saving measures that the Country needs to adopt or consider to sustainably finance a UCB” noted Jane Muyanga-Kitili Director of the National Social Protection Secretariat giving remarks on behalf of Mr. Joseph Motari CBS, MBS, Principal Secretary for Social Protection.
Save the Children, through the Universal Child Benefit (UCB) project, is supporting the Government of Kenya through the State Department for Social Protection to generate evidence and conduct policy analysis for the sustainable expansion of child-sensitive social protection. The study will inform the Government onmpotential financing avenues and the fiscal space available to extend social protection coverage to all children in Kenya.
The report is an offshoot of the UCB pilot programme implemented by Save the Children (SCI) Kenya, UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the State Department for Social Protection. The pilot was undertaken in 3 selected Counties of Kajiado, Embu, and Kisumu, targeting a total of about 8,300 with a regular monthly stipend of Kshs. 800 per child per month for 12 months. This was accompanied by complementary health and nutrition services, positive parenting sessions in addition to disability inclusion interventions.
The pilot revealed reduced financial strain on families, allowing them to focus on essential needs like food, healthcare, and education, and notable improvements in child health indicators, as families utilized their cash transfers to address nutritional deficits. Additionally, the pilot revealed that every 1 Kenyan shilling invested generated a return of 2.85 Kenyan shillings. This strongly indicates the potential for improving economic security for children and their families.
