GiveDirectly

GiveDirectly is a nonprofit organization that provides unconditional cash transfers to individuals living in extreme poverty. In Kenya, the organization operates several impactful programs aimed at poverty alleviation and economic empowerment.

1. Poverty Relief Program

Since 2009, GiveDirectly has been implementing its flagship poverty relief program in Kenya. This initiative involves providing large, one-time cash transfers of approximately $1,000 USD to households in some of the country’s poorest regions, including Kilifi, Bomet, Baringo, Kisumu, Siaya, and Homa Bay counties. As of February 2024, the program has reached over 102,000 households in Kenya. The funds are delivered via mobile money platforms, ensuring direct and efficient transfers to recipients .

2. Universal Basic Income (UBI) Pilot

In 2017, GiveDirectly launched the world’s largest and longest-running universal basic income study in Kenya. This 12-year experiment involves approximately 23,000 individuals across 195 villages. The study includes four groups:

• Long-term UBI: $22.50 per month for 12 years

• Short-term UBI: $22.50 per month for 2 years

• Lump-sum payment: A one-time payment of $500

• Control group: No cash transfers

Preliminary findings indicate that long-term UBI recipients experience improved food security, mental health, and the ability to plan for the future. The study aims to assess the long-term impacts of sustained cash transfers on various aspects of recipients’ lives .

3. Refugee Cash Assistance Program

Piloted in 2022 and scaling up in 2024, this program targets vulnerable urban refugees in the Nairobi metropolitan area. The initiative provides large, unconditional cash transfers totaling $925 across two payments. Recipients also have the option to participate in additional services aimed at promoting long-term resilience and self-reliance. The pilot phase reached 1,182 households, with outcomes showing increased financial well-being, higher income levels, and greater access to financial tools .

4. Urban Youth Program in Mathare

GiveDirectly has implemented a program targeting urban youth aged 18–35 in Mathare, a low-income area in Nairobi. This initiative provides cash transfers to young individuals, enabling them to invest in education, start businesses, or improve their living conditions. The program aims to empower youth by providing them with the financial means to make choices that best suit their individual needs .

5. COVID-19 Emergency Relief

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, GiveDirectly launched emergency relief programs in Kenya, providing cash transfers to households affected by the crisis. The organization leveraged its existing infrastructure to deliver funds quickly and efficiently, helping recipients meet immediate needs such as food, healthcare, and shelter .

Impact and Effectiveness

Studies evaluating GiveDirectly’s programs in Kenya have demonstrated significant positive outcomes:

• Economic Improvements: Increased household assets, consumption, and food security.

• Psychological Benefits: Enhanced mental well-being, particularly among female recipients and those receiving larger transfers.

• Investment in Assets: Recipients invested in livestock, housing improvements, and small businesses.