Ndirangu, Grace W.2026-06-282025https://repository.kcau.ac.ke/handle/123456789/1176This study sought to assess how financial literacy and social capital influence the uptake of social protection programs among Boda-boda riders in Murangá County, Kenya. It specifically assessed how financial knowledge, financial behaviour, and financial attitude affect the uptake of social protection as well as determine the moderating effect of social capital on the relationship between financial literacy and the uptake of social protection schemes among the Boda-boda riders in Murang’a County. Boda-boda riders are among those who work in the informal sector. Despite increasing numbers of social protection programs in Kenya, contributory programs like health insurance and pension schemes have persistently excluded those in the informal sector, leaving them vulnerable to financial shocks and ultimately old-age poverty. This research targeted 56,211 Boda-boda riders in Murangá County, and a sample size of 397 was used. Applying descriptive design and cross-sectional explanatory design and using stratified sampling, data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods and binary logistic regression analysis to assess the relationship and interaction of the variables using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study established that financial attitude (OR = 2.160, P-value < 0.05 for health insurance; OR = 2.826, p-value < 0.05 for pension) and financial behaviour (OR = 1.978, p-value = 0.002 for health insurance; OR = 2.974, p-value < 0.001 for pension) were significant predictors of social protection uptake. However, financial knowledge, though it positively influences uptake of social protection, did not significantly predict uptake (p-value>0.05). Social capital independently and significantly predicted uptake (OR=2.56, P-value<0.001 for health insurance; OR=2.13, P-value=0.002 for pension. However, the interaction terms with financial knowledge, financial attitude, and financial behaviour were not significant, hence did not moderate the effect of financial literacy on social protection uptake. The study recommends developing targeted financial literacy programs that promote positive financial attitudes and behaviour. There should also be heightened awareness campaigns with great emphasis on the registration processes and benefits for both pension and health insurance. It further recommends collaboration between the government and Bodaboda associations for awareness and registration agents to promote accessibility and reduce barriers.enThesis