Inua Jamii funds to be disbursed before public servants' salaries starting June - President Ruto

Speaking during the Kenya Social Protection Conference 2023 in Nairobi on Tuesday, President Ruto stated that it is appalling to neglect vulnerable citizens which impairs the nation's bottom-up approach to an economic transformation.

The Head of State, therefore, noted that the disbursement, which has received a green light from the Cabinet and the Treasury, will aid in protecting the fund's beneficiaries.  

"Older citizens, orphans and vulnerable children, as well as people living with extreme disability, have a right to receive support now, and it is grossly unjust to wait even one moment for any reason," he said.

"That is why cabinet has now approved that from June 1 the social protection cash transfer money will be disbursed before salaries of public servants is disbursed."

The ramifications if the latter is not followed, President Ruto added, will see the government being harshly held to account.

He added that the government has allocated Ksh.28 Billion to support the programme. 

"I know for a very long time we have had the money being disbursed 3,4,5,6 and sometimes 7 months after they are due," he stated. 

"I think it will be the moral thing to do because if we don't look after the vulnerable we will be a society that will be judged very harshly."

President Ruto expressed optimism that the move will propel the nation in achieving its economic transformation.

"We are confident as a nation and as a government, that we can simultaneously pursue rapid economic transformation and social protection and that ultimately, we shall achieve them both," he stated. 

According to President Ruto, 16.1% percent of Kenyans currently live below the poverty line as the number peaked during the covid pandemic, reaching 8.9 million people.

A total of 18.26% of Kenyan children under 5 are stunted hence undernutrition is depriving them of normal growth and development and robbing them of their full potential.

President Ruto called on relevant stakeholders and partners to "join in this noble undertaking and hasten our progress to full social protection cover in Kenya."

Inua Jamii is under the Social Protection support cash transfer programme and benefits Older citizens, orphans and vulnerable children, as well as people living with extreme disability.