Government Disburses Sh294 Million to Vulnerable Households in Arid Counties

The government has released Sh294,494,400 to support 109,072 vulnerable households across eight arid counties under the Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP). The initiative, which is part of efforts to cushion communities facing food insecurity, will provide each registered household with a monthly stipend of Sh2,700.

Mandera County received the highest allocation, with Sh59.6 million directed to 22,102 households. Marsabit County followed closely, securing Sh55 million for 20,388 households, while Wajir County was allocated Sh51.7 million to cover 19,162 households. In Turkana, 16,142 households will benefit from Sh43.5 million disbursed through the programme.

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Other counties covered include Garissa, where Sh24.8 million will reach 9,214 households, and Samburu, which has been allocated Sh21.9 million for 8,115 households. Tana River received Sh19.7 million to support 7,326 households, while Isiolo was allocated Sh17.8 million for 6,623 households.

The HSNP provides regular cash transfers to vulnerable families in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands as a way of addressing persistent food insecurity and enhancing resilience among communities. Officials say the programme is critical in bridging gaps during periods of drought and other shocks that threaten livelihoods.

For ordinary citizens, the cash transfers offer a direct lifeline, enabling families to purchase food, pay school fees, or meet basic health needs. In regions where poverty levels are high and climate shocks frequent, the stipends can mean the difference between going hungry and maintaining a stable household.

With each household set to receive Sh2,700 monthly, the government hopes to provide a safety net that reduces dependency on emergency food relief and strengthens community stability in the long term.