Kenya has an estimated population of 47.6 million people.1 The country is classified as a lower Middle Income Country (LMIC) with a national poverty prevalence rate of 36.1%. However, some parts experience higher poverty rates. Evidence from across the world shows the potential of Social Protection Systems to prevent poverty, reduce social and economic inequality and improve levels of health and education. In spite of this, even in countries where Social Protection is guaranteed by law, not all segments of the population are reached effectively. Discrimination, socioeconomic disadvantage and the way in which policies are designed and implemented play a role in keeping Social Protection out of reach of some individuals and groups. Understanding the challenges that potential beneficiaries face in obtaining access to Social Protection is necessary if equity is to be achieved among segments of society. In view of this, the Africa Platform for Social Protection (APSP), with funding support from the Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa (OSIEA) and the Open Society Foundations’ Economic Advancement Programme, carried out a study in Kenya in the period May –June 2019 using Makueni County as a case study. The aim was to gain an understanding of how exclusion in State cash transfer programmes affects these households, identify coping strategies and come up with recommendations to ameliorate the situation. The study used government data obtained from the single registry, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and two validation meetings.