Over 1 million elderly Kenyans have not received Inua Jamii funds for 6 months

For close to six months now, over one million beneficiaries of the Inua Jamii Fund programme are yet to access the Ksh.2,000 monthly stipend given by the government to support the elderly and the vulnerable in society.

A spot-check by Citizen TV in Nyeri and Kisii counties revealed that most of the elderly have turned to well-wishers to support them as they wait for the National Treasury to release the funds.

Bertha Wangari sings as she sweeps her compound in Gikomo village, Kieni in Nyeri County. Wangari's grandson Anthony Kanduthu joins his 77-year-old grandmother in making sure the compound is clean.

Wangari, who lost her right-hand, goes about her business with so much ease, but she is worried that the Ksh.2,000 monthly stipend given by the government to her and her friends around the village has not been forthcoming since July.

"Mimi Uhuru wa Kenyatta alinipatia pesa najisaidia nazo na iko Ruto ameingia kazini hakuna pesa anatusaidia…atupee pesa sisi watu wakoro tunakufa na ngarangu...pesa ya mwisho mwezi wa sita," Wangari explains.

Wangari says the Inua Jamii funds used to support her purchase of food and other essential items.

"Mimi hii pesa napatiwa inasaidia; nakula, nanunua kuku nakula mayai na hii leo nakufaa na 'ngaragu'," she stated.

Her grandosn Kanduthu added: "Tunaomba William Ruto awapatie wale wazee ama walemavu hizo pesa sababu huwa zinawafaidi sana kwa maisha yao na hata sisi huwa tunasaidikia hapo juu huwa hawatusumbui."

A few meters from Wangari's home, Elizabeth Wanjiru walks with the help of a walking stick due to sickness. Her wish is that the cash will be released soon to allow her to seek treatment.

"Nikipata hiyo pesa nilikuwa na ugonjwa wa Cancer. Nilitibiwa Nyeri na nikaenda Kenyatta...Leo siezi enda kwa sababu ya kukosa pesa," Wanjiru laments.

For Muthoni Wangondu, who was abandoned by her family in the village, the delay in processing the funds is a big blow as she has to depend on well-wishers for her upkeep.

"Ikiwa ni shida ya maji anaendea kwa moto kwa sababu hana pesa ya kununua maji ... Ni sisi tunamsaidia," said Racheal Wagaki an official at the Hope for Elderly Foundation.

"Hapa hakuna pesa tunapata, chakula hakuna, tuna mashida mingi hapa hata wakati ingine unaeza kosa mahali ya kuenda unakaa hapa tu…watoto walienda shule na wengine hawana kazi," Ndegwa Ndirangu, another Inua Jamii beneficiary, said. 

Joyce Kairu, the CEO of Hope for Elderly Foundation, on her part noted: "The cash transfer programme is not a right but it is a privilege, but give it with dignity…the elderly suffer a lot."

Another 85-year-old Mzee Ondieki Omenyi, who lives alone in Kisii County, has lost hope of getting the funds and has been forced to seek assistance from neighbours and well-wishers.

"Nikiwa mgonjwa nasumbuka nikienda kwa hospitali…nasumbuka nalia, saa ingine jamaa ananisaidia pesa inisaidie kwa ugonjwa…kama pesa hakuna mimi nasubiri tu kukufa," Mzee Omenyi stated.

Catherine Moraa, Mzee Omenyi's neighbor, added: "Pesa zilikuwa zinawasaidia kukula, kuendea hospitali…kupata pesa ya kutumia mahitaji ni mengi." 

The department of social protection says the delay has been occasioned by the National Treasury which is yet to disburse the Inua Jamii Fund close to four months after the Kenya Kwanza administration took over office.

For the over one million elderly persons, orphans and vulnerable children, a word from Treasury Cabinet Secretary Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u will help resolve their plight even as small business operators enjoy the Hustler Fund.