Frustration grows as delayed Inua Jamii funds leave elderly struggling

PS for Social Protection Joseph Motari with E-Citizen DG Isaac Ochieng during a media briefing on the Inua Jamii mobile payment rollout, January 23, 2025. [Benard Orwongo, Standard] Senior citizens in Bomet and Kericho Counties have expressed their frustration over the delayed disbursement of Inua Jamii funds for the June payment cycle. They report that inconsistencies in the distribution of funds are causing significant hardships. The elderly beneficiaries are now urging the government to ensure timely transfers of financial assistance. Many have stated that the last payment they received was in June for the May payment cycle, and they have been waiting for an extended period since then. "We used to receive our payments on time after the government switched to the Mpesa platform, but now the money has been delayed," shared one beneficiary. An official from the Social Services office in Bomet County, who wished to remain anonymous due to restrictions on speaking to the press, noted the increasing pressure from beneficiaries who frequently visit their offices in the subcounties and county to inquire about when the National Government will release their funds. The official acknowledged the delays, clarifying that it is not just an issue in Bomet County but a nationwide concern. "We know there is a delay, and we are aware that paying all the beneficiaries across the country is a process," she stated. She emphasized that the government's social fund has significantly improved the living conditions of many vulnerable families, enabling them to afford food and other basic needs. In 2023, President Ruto directed the then-Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore to expand the program by an additional 500,000 beneficiaries, reaffirming the government's commitment to alleviating poverty and enhancing the livelihoods of vulnerable groups. Government projections indicate that the budget for elderly cash transfers will increase by Sh15 billion over the next three years, reaching Sh45 billion by June 2027. The number of elderly beneficiaries is expected to grow from 1.25 million in June 2024 to 1.89 million by mid-2027, with an additional 638,386 elderly Kenyans anticipated to be registered. Between the 2021/22 and 2023/24 fiscal years, the government has expanded the elderly cash transfer program, increasing the number of beneficiaries from 756,935 to 1.25 million, which reflects a 65 percent growth over three years. Despite this expansion, the current funding gap poses a threat to the continuity of payments, raising concerns about the sustainability of the program and the well-being of millions of Kenyans who rely on these stipends for their survival.

Frustration grows as delayed Inua Jamii funds leave elderly struggling

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Frustration grows as delayed Inua Jamii funds leave elderly struggling

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