Gov't disburses Ksh.3.5 billion to Inua Jamii beneficiaries

The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has released Ksh.3.517 billion as payments to 1,758,735 beneficiaries enrolled in the Inua Jamii programme.

State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs Principal Secretary Joseph Motari announced on Wednesday that each beneficiary would get Ksh.2,000.

The PS, in a statement to newsrooms, said the amount is meant for December 2024.

“Payment commenced yesterday, 7th January 2025, with each beneficiary set to receive Kshs. 2,000 covering the December 2024 cycle,” he stated.

PS Motari at the same time revealed that the government had already rolled out a new payment method where beneficiaries would access their cash using MPesa through the e-Citizen platform effective this month.

As per the current December pay, the PS noted that only those in Murang’a and Marsabit counties would be paid through M-Pesa.

“To enhance service delivery, the department is piloting a new payment solution using M-Pesa through the e-Citizen platform. The pilot phase is currently being implemented in Murang’a and Marsabit Counties,” PS Motari stated.

“Effective the January 2025 payment cycle, all beneficiaries under the programme will be paid through the new payment solution. Beneficiaries from other counties will access their December 2024 stipends through the usual six contracted commercial banks.”

According to the PS, the new system of payment aims to improve efficiency in cash delivery. Initially, beneficiaries were required to go to the banks every month to collect their monthly stipends.

The Inua Jamii programme, which was rolled out by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2015, seeks to support society's most vulnerable members by providing monthly stipends to cushion them against poverty and hunger.