Power of partnership conference: Presentation: Impacts of social pensions on multiple dimensions of poverty, subjective wellbeing and solidarity across generations

1. Impact of social pensions on multiple
dimensions of poverty, subjective wellbeing
and solidarity across generations
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Gloria C. Langat (PI)*; Nele Van Der Wielen*; Maria Evandrou*; Jane
Falkingham*; Isabella Aboderin**; Hilda Akinyi Owii**
*Centre for Research on Ageing, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Southampton (UK)
**African Population and Health Research Centre (Kenya)

2. Policy partners
• The Kenya Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Services (MLSSS)
• The African Union, Department of Social Affairs (AU DSA)
• The Africa Platform for Social Protection (APSP)
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3. Aims
• Generate understanding of lived experience and implications of
Older Persons Cash Transfer Programme (OPCTP) in urban slums:
 Use and allocation of stipend
 Impacts on multiple dimensions of poverty, wellbeing
 Impacts on intergenerational relationships
3Korogocho and Viwandani (informal settlements, Kenya)

4. Approach
Mixed methods:
• Quantitative secondary analysis of Nairobi Demographic and Health
Surveillance System (NUHDSS) and nested survey data; Kenya
Integrated Household Budget Survey
• In-depth qualitative investigation:
-Beneficiaries + members of their kin network
-Community representatives
-Role players in on-the-ground operation of OPCTP
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5. Findings
• Impact on poverty: reduced the poverty headcount
• Improved wellbeing: the programme helped to improve beneficiaries’
perception of having enough money to meet basic needs
• Multiple beneficiaries: the benefit of OPCTP extends well beyond the
primary recipient. Older people play a key role in supporting younger
generations.
• Successful targeting?
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6. Research impact
• Conceptual and Instrumental: evidence based insights on role of-,
and approaches to harnessing the OPCTP as a vehicle for poverty
alleviation across age-groups
• Networks and Connectivity: partnership of national (Kenya) and
regional-level bodies that are central in shaping agendas in old age
social protection
• Capacity Building: development of research capacity and skills among
post-doctoral fellows and research assistants in the UK and Kenya
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