Government releases Sh4.6b for Inua Jamii cash stipends
BY NAIF RASHID (KNA)
The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has released Sh4.6 billion to beneficiaries of the Inua Jamii Cash Transfer Programme.
The funds, channeled through the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, cover arrears for June and July 2025 and target more than 1.1 million vulnerable Kenyans, including senior citizens aged 70 and above, orphans, vulnerable children, and persons living with severe disabilities.
Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi, Principal Secretary for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, Joseph Motari, confirmed that each enrolled beneficiary will receive Sh4,000, representing two months of stipend payments.
“We have commenced disbursement of the stipends, and this marks a critical step in restoring public confidence after the delay,” Motari said.
According to the PS, the delay in June payments was due to a comprehensive data clean-up exercise aimed at streamlining the beneficiary list and eliminating ineligible recipients.
“We discovered over 100,000 cases where funds were being sent to people who were no longer active in the system. This prompted a thorough review to ensure accuracy, transparency, and compliance with mobile money transfer platforms,” he explained.
Motari disclosed that the government has now transitioned the cash transfers from a bank-based model to the e-Citizen platform, enabling recipients to receive payments directly on their mobile phones.
“Elderly Kenyans are no longer queuing at banks for hours. They get their money at the comfort of their homes,” he added.
Highlighting the broader social protection agenda, Motari urged all Inua Jamii beneficiaries to enroll with the Social Health Authority (SHA) to access affordable healthcare, in line with the government’s universal health coverage programme.
“SHA is working, and our goal is to see every vulnerable Kenyan enjoy medical access without financial strain,” he said.
The PS assured that his department, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has initiated targeted advocacy to support SHA enrollment, with over 90,000 names already shared for onboarding.
Social development officers across all sub-counties are working with the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) to sensitize and assist the elderly during the process.
Affirming the government’s resolve to protect elderly citizens, Motari condemned the rising cases of violence against senior beneficiaries particularly in Kilifi and Kisii Counties.
“There have been unfortunate incidents where elderly people are harmed over these stipends. The government will not hesitate to take firm action against such acts,” he warned.
The PS also lauded President William Ruto for recently assenting to the Social Protection Act 2025 and the Disability Act 2025, saying the two legislations aim at institutionalizing welfare protections.