Kenyans are still reeling from the havoc wreaked by Covid-19 and the pandemic appears to be rearing its ugly head in the sixth wave. This has been exacerbated by high inflation and the attendant hike in prices of essential commodities in the face of salary cuts and job losses which have dealt a double blow for Wanjiku, Achieng, Namukhula, Kadzo and Jepchirchir.

This is especially so for those from the middle and lower-middle income groups and below poverty line (BPL) segments of society. Adding salt to injury is the skyrocketing fuel prices petrol breaching the Ksh. 160 /litre-mark for the very first time and diesel creeping up, at over ksh 140 while kerosene is at 127 per litre.

Different political actors have responded to this national conundrum. The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party ticket of Raila Odinga and Martha Karua, in their 10-point agenda have promised a social protection programme dubbed Inua Jamii, Pesa Mfukoni.  They observe that a nation’s greatness is judged by how it treats its poor and vulnerable. Inua jamii is a social protection programme that promises to deliver Ksh6, 000 per month to two million of the country’s most vulnerable families.