Here is where poverty bites the hardest in Kenya

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The Government has intensified efforts to tackle poverty in Kenya, but new data shows that some counties are still bearing the brunt.

Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury, Mr John Mbadi, told Senators on Wednesday that the 2022 Kenya Continuous Household Survey put the national poverty rate at 39.8 percent.

He noted that 22 counties record poverty rates above the national average, with Turkana, Mandera, Samburu, Garissa, Tana River, Marsabit, Wajir, West Pokot, Kitui, Isiolo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Busia and Kwale seeing more than 50 per cent of residents living in poverty.

“We are committed to eradicating poverty in all forms,” Mr Mbadi said. “Targeted measures are being rolled out to support the most vulnerable.”

Where poverty bites hardest

• Turkana: Reliant on drought relief and food rations.
• Mandera: Many households depend on water trucking and social transfers.
• Samburu: Limited access to healthcare and schools.
• Garissa & Wajir: High unemployment; children face school shortages.
• Marsabit & Tana River: Poor infrastructure and limited markets.

Government response

Mr Mbadi highlighted key interventions:

• Equitable Share Allocation: Revenue shared among counties considers poverty, population, and land area. Poorer counties get relatively higher allocations.
• Conditional and targeted grants:  Boost health, urban development, road maintenance, and basic services.
• Social protection programmes: Cash transfers and food distribution during droughts.
• Support for co-operatives and transport infrastructure: Expand economic opportunities.

“We are strengthening beneficiary identification using the Single Registry,” he added.

“Digital payments and verification systems will ensure support reaches the intended households.”

Progress in other sectors

• Education: Secondary school enrolment rose from 3.26 million in 2019 to 4.32 million in 2024.
• Economic empowerment: Lower interest rates improve access to credit for SMEs and households.
• Food security: Relief food and nutrition initiatives are ongoing in the ASALs.

CS Mbadi assured  that transparency and accountability are central to all programmes.

“We have enhanced grievance mechanisms for citizens to report exclusion errors or misuse of funds,” he said.

While challenges remain, the Government says targeted measures are helping households survive and gradually improve livelihoods across Kenya.