Kenyan government releases cash for households caring for orphans

The Kenyan government released Sh1.69 billion to 423,520 households that care for orphans and vulnerable children.

This funding comes through the Cash Transfer for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (CT-OVC) programme, which operates under the Inua Jamii social protection initiative. The Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services announced that each household will receive Sh4,000 to cover the payment period from September to October 2026. Payments began on November 11 through a contracted payment service provider.

The ministry says the programme aims to improve health, nutrition, and food security while encouraging families to keep orphaned children within their communities. The CT-OVC programme started in 2004 as the country's first cash transfer initiative to help families affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. To ensure the money reaches the correct people, the government now uses biometric checks to verify beneficiaries. The Inua Jamii initiative also provides separate cash transfers to support elderly people and those with severe disabilities.