Ndunge Kiiti , Houghton College Jane MutindA , Kenyatta University December 6-7, 2011

1. The Use of Mobile Money Services Among 21 Women’s Groups in Eastern Kenya: Preliminary Research Findings NdungeKiiti, Houghton College Jane MutindA, Kenyatta University December 6-7, 2011

2. Map of Kenya

3. Kenyan Context • Kenya signed onto to the Millennium Development Goals • In 2002-2003, an estimated 56% of population was below poverty line • Projections report 65.9% could be below poverty line in 2015 (Source: Government of Kenya, 2005)

4. Implications for Rural Context • 82% of poor live in rural areas (Government of Kenya, 2005) • Agriculture Production key source of economic growth (e.g. coffee, tea, flowers) • 95% of land owned by men; 5% by women (UNDP & UNIFEM, 2005, p.11) • Eastern Province is one of poorest in Kenya • Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, and Mwingi districts have high prevalence of poverty

5. Vinya wa Aka (VWAG)—’Strength of Women’

6. VWAG Mission • To strengthen Kenyan women’s groups to mobilize their resources for development and support them to build assets for sustainable and holistic change. • Framework: Individual>Family> Community>Nation • African Proverb: “A human becomes a human because of other humans.”

7. Training/Workshops

8. Training of Women’s Groups • 21 women’s groups in Eastern Kenya • NEPAD Partnership and Vision • Framework: Dialogical--Paulo Freire • Curriculum Focus: • Integrated Approach to Development • Organizational Management Skills • Resource Mobilization—investment, savings, loans • Philanthropy & Social Support—Community Building

9. Literature Review: Mobile Money Services • M-PESA has 9 million registered users or 40% of Kenya adults (Mas & Radcliffe, 2010)—now over 12m • Clearly builds on urban-rural linkages in Kenya (Mas & Morawczynski, 2009) • Tremendous movement to urban centers for employment • Caters to large population with no access to banking industry • Money’s social role in facilitating a process of engagement or interaction (Maurer, 2006)

10. Research Process

11. Study Methodology • Primary Methods • In-depth Interviews • Focus Group Discussions • Participatory Observation • Secondary Methods • Literature Review • Synthesis and Initial Dissemination • Workshop • Policy Implications • Access to Services

12. Research Assistants

13. Data Collection: In-depth Interviews

14. Data Collection: FGD

15. Observation of MPESA Usage

16. Emerging Themes for Benefits: Service • Background—Initial Money Service • Security & Safety • Privacy and Confidentiality • Convenience • Access at many outlets • Time Management • Efficient & fast service • “Delays are losses!” (Women’s Group Interview, 2011)

17. Emerging Themes for Benefits: Usage • Facilitates Group Payments • Promotes Rural Development • Assists in Business/Microfinance • Creates Employment • Encourages Good Record Keeping • Other Benefits: • Purchase of Airtime • Bonga Points

18. Access to Service & Employment

19. Intersect of MPESA and Poverty Reduction • Socio-economic Support for the Individual, Family and Community • Health (Hospital Bills) • Agricultural Projects • Micro-finance/Business • Food Security—Famine • Emergencies • Education (Fees)

20. Key Challenges/Opportunities for M-PESA • Fraud • Facilitates robbery & corruption • Immoral behavior • Network Connectivity Problems • No Network • Cost • Service Charges

21. Key Challenges/Opportunities for M-PESA • Debt • Easy Access to Resources • Limited Services for Special Populations • Elderly/People with Disabilities • Audible Phone System • Group Communication Dynamics • Lack of Accountability • Poor Group Meeting Attendance

22. Selected Quotes from the Field • “Many people feel that they can fail to attend the group meetings and they send the money and it’s fine with them” (Group Leader, Personal Communication, 2011) • “On the negative side, eh sometimes now because of this challenge of being visually impaired, most of the times.. the phones which are available nowadays, they are not audible, they don't talk” (Member of Women’s Group, Personal Communication, 2011)

23. Group: Cheerful Sisters

24. Dissemination Workshop

25. Implications for Policy

26. M-PESA Services

27. Appreciation of M-PESA Service as a Potential Poverty Reduction Tool

28. Further Research/Investigation • Link between M-PESA Usage and Poverty Reduction • Mobile money services for special populations • Link between policy and grassroots realities • Link of M-PESA with Philanthropic Initiatives • ECO-PESA • Sociological Understanding of Group Names • Kujitoa (Commitment) • Wendo; Mendene; Mwende (Love) • Pamoja (Unity) • Wanawake Wanawaka (Women Shining)