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The preserving effect of social protection on social cohesion during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from Kenya

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  • Strupat, Christoph

Abstract

This paper examines empirically whether social protection in the form of adapted social assistance programmes are affecting social cohesion during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using unique primary data from nationally representative, in-person surveys from Kenya allows for the exploration of the effect of social protection on attributes of social cohesion (trust, cooperation and identity). The analysis employs a difference-in-differences approach that compares households with and without social assistance coverage before and after the first wave of the pandemic. The findings suggest that social assistance programmes have a preserving effect on social cohesion. Attributes of social cohesion remain stable for beneficiaries, while they decline for non-beneficiaries due to the pandemic. This result is pronounced in regions that faced larger restrictions due to government lockdown policies. Overall, the results suggest that existing national social assistance programmes and their adaptation in times of large covariate shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, can be beneficial for social cohesion.

Suggested Citation

  • Strupat, Christoph, 2021. "The preserving effect of social protection on social cohesion during the COVID-19 pandemic: Evidence from Kenya," MPRA Paper 111501, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:111501
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    File URL: https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/111501/1/MPRA_paper_111501.pdf
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    Cited by:

    1. Stefan Beierl & Marina Dodlova, 2022. "Public Works Programmes and Cooperation for the Common Good: Evidence from Malawi," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(3), pages 1264-1284, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social protection; social assistance; social cohesion; COVID-19; Kenya;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F63 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Economic Development
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development

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