Govt disburses Ksh422M to 132,779 families
By Kenneth Mwenda, September 22, 2025The government has released Ksh422,458,200 as cash transfers to 132,779 households in eight arid counties. The funds, sent through the Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP), aim to support poor and vulnerable families facing the effects of drought and climate shocks.
The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) said the money covers stipends for August 2025 and part of July 2025 in Turkana County. Beneficiaries will access the funds through Kenya Commercial Bank and Equity Bank branches and agents in their regions.
August payments
For August 2025, the government disbursed Ksh358,503,300 to households across the eight counties. The distribution was as follows:
Turkana: Ksh107,543,700 for 39,831 households.
Mandera: Ksh59,688,900 for 22,107 households.
Marsabit: Ksh54,044,900 for 20,387 households.
Wajir: Ksh51,761,700 for 19,171 households.
Garissa: Ksh24,885,900 for 9,217 households.
Samburu: Ksh21,918,600 for 8,118 households.
Tana River: Ksh19,788,300 for 7,329 households.
Isiolo: Ksh17,871,300 for 6,619 households.
July arrears in Turkana
The release also included Ksh63,954,900 for 23,687 households in Turkana County. These were payments for July 2025, which had not been disbursed earlier. The breakdown was:
Turkana North: Ksh18,449,100 for 6,833 households.
Turkana South: Ksh18,227,700 for 6,751 households.
Loima: Ksh17,147,700 for 6,351 households.
Turkana East: Ksh10,130,400 for 3,752 households.
Monthly support
Each household under HSNP receives a monthly cash stipend of Ksh2,700. The money helps families buy food and meet other basic needs during times of hardship. NDMA noted that the programme provides a lifeline to households in areas most affected by drought.
Beneficiaries with pending issues related to payment service providers have been urged to visit their nearest bank branch to update their details. This will allow them to access their stipends without delays.
Part of Inua Jamii
The Hunger Safety Net Programme is part of the Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project (KSEIP). It is implemented under the broader Inua Jamii social protection programme, which seeks to reduce poverty and hunger while improving resilience in vulnerable communities.
According to NDMA, the targeted counties, Turkana, Mandera, Marsabit, Wajir, Samburu, Isiolo, Garissa, and Tana River, are among the hardest hit by drought. Repeated dry spells have disrupted livelihoods, reduced food security, and weakened coping capacities for many households.
HSNP is one of the government’s flagship initiatives in social protection. By providing regular support, it helps stabilise families’ consumption and prevents them from sliding deeper into poverty during difficult times.
The NDMA chief executive officer, Hared Adan, said the authority remains committed to ending drought emergencies. He noted that consistent support to vulnerable households is a critical step in strengthening resilience and reducing dependence on emergency food aid.