Beneficiaries of the elderly cash transfer program will now access their funds at M-Pesa points in their localities following the government’s promise to channel the monies via the electronic platform.
Speaking on Wednesday, January 15 2025, during a visit to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party headquarters, Social Security and Protection PS Joseph Motari explained that the process will commence at the end of January 2025.
The move is aimed at enhancing the streamlining of operations in the department and is in line with President William Ruto’s pledge to digitize the payments made during the 2023 Jamhuri Day celebrations.
Moreover, it will lessen the burden of travelling long distances to access the cash benefits. Previously those on the program’s payroll were required to avail themselves at the designated collection centres.
Speaking after paying a courtesy call to UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar at the party headquarters, Motari revealed that the service will also be extended to other members of the vulnerable groups under the social protection programs.
M-Pesa platform
“Cash transfers to the elderly citizen will be channelled through the M-PESA platform This will also ensure they earn more as they will not be paying fares to get the money. Our Ministry is the epicentre of the implementation of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformational Agenda.” the PS posed.
“We are open to new ideas to improve this programme,” Motari added.
During the meeting, the UDA Secretary General who was in the company of Nicodemus Bore, an executive director of the party, encouraged the Ministry to look at ways of enlisting more members into the scheme, expressing the need to take maximum care of the elderly and other targeted Kenyans.
Kenya has a number of social protection programs including the Cash Transfer for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (CT-OVC), the Pension with Severe Disabilities Cash Transfer, The Hunger Safety Net Programme, Older Persons Cash Transfer, Inua Jamii Senior Citizens Programme among others.
Re-adoption
Inua jamii beneficiaries receive a total of Ksh2000 per month.
Launched in 2015 by President Uhuru Kenyatta, the program has been targeting orphans and vulnerable children; older persons, and persons with severe disabilities.
A year after ascending to power, President Ruto directed the re-adoption of the program in July 2023.
