The Inua Jamii cash transfer programme will be streamlined in order to increase coverage and accountability, Social Security and Protection Principal Secretary Joseph Motari has said. Motari said this was in line with the Kenya Kwanza Manifesto that seeks to improve the lot of vulnerable senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
Speaking in Kajiado during the monitoring of payments for July-August 2022 and September-October 2022 payment cycles to Inua Jamii beneficiaries, Motari assured the beneficiaries of timely and efficient payments noting that the delayed payment of the two payment cycles was occasioned by the transition from the previous administration to the Kenya Kwanza Government. “We wish to assure the beneficiaries of the Inua Jamii programme that the government will disburse their money at the appropriate time to cushion the vulnerable and elderly persons in the society against poverty,” said Motari.
The PS however urged the beneficiaries countrywide to use the stipends wisely in order to better their lives. Motari said that as part of enhancing efficiency, the six banks that have been contracted to pay the beneficiaries have committed to subcontract bank agents across the wards and sub counties to disburse the funds to the beneficiaries. This he said will save the beneficiaries from traveling long distances that come with attendant costs, fatigue and inconveniences. The PS urged all eligible beneficiaries of the programme to register with the relevant officers at the sub-county levels noting that registration of beneficiaries is a continuous process. Motari said the government was keen to have a single registry to address duplication of payment to beneficiaries.
He said that the government in conjunction with the World Bank to register all the beneficiaries of the programme with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in line with the Kenya Kwanza commitment of achieving 100% NHIF coverage for senior citizens within three (3) years. The government last week released Sh8.58 billion to 1.07 million beneficiaries of the programme countrywide. The programme targets orphans and vulnerable children, persons with severe disabilities and older persons.
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By: Odhiambo Omondi
