Slum dwellers to benefit from Sh1,500 stipend

Business

By Ramadhan Rajab

A proposal to have the poor on a Sh1,500 monthly cash allowance is still awaiting Cabinet approval, Gender, Children and Social Development Minister Esther Murugi has stated.

Ms Murugi has exuded confidence Cabinet will adopt the proposal.

Last year the Government launched the pilot food-security program using cash transfers, to transform lives of country’s poor families.

Speaking in Korogocho slums, yesterday, Murugi praised the initiative, saying it would address the nutritional needs of targeted families.

Minister for Gender Esther Murugi speaks to Lillian Gacheri in Korogosho, Nairobi, Tuesday. [PHOTO: JOHN MUCHUCHA/STANDARD]

Fighting poverty

Global humanitarian group Concern Worldwide is funding the programme being rolled out in informal settlements in Nairobi.

"One of our major goals, is fighting poverty, disease and getting decent education for our children. We cannot reach them without empowering our people. Such initiatives should be applauded as they act as pacesetters," Murugi told The Standard.

According to Concern Worldwide Country Director Anne O’Mahony, the project targets 41,000 families in informal settlements in Nairobi with each household receiving a Sh1,500 monthly stipend.

"We initiated this project in partnership with the Kenya Government last year in November with 2,000 households in Korogocho on target. Our focus was to enable them put a meal on the table. Now we are rolling out to other slum areas," Mrs O’Mahony said.

She said the initiative was born after a study established economic hopelessness had pushed some poor families to desperate measures like commercial sex, crime, illegal brewing and child labour to feed themselves.

Kasarani MP Elizabeth Ongoro who was at the function said the monthly cash allowance had improved the living standards of the beneficiaries. But she warned landlords against hiking rent fees because of the subsidy.

"We will not allow landlords to raise rent fees because their tenants are getting a subsidy. The cash is not for paying rent but catering for food needs," she said.

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