Govt Disburses Kh3.5 billion to Inua Jamii Programme Beneficiaries

The Labour Ministry has announced the release of Ksh3.5 billion to 1,758,735 beneficiaries enrolled in the Inua Jamii programme.

In a statement dated January 8, the Social Protection Principal Secretary (PS) Joseph Motari revealed that beneficiaries had already started receiving their stipends on January 7.

However, two counties will see beneficiaries receive their payments via the E-Citizen platform directly to their mobile money accounts in a pilot programme seeking to increase efficiency.

The roll-out will kick off in Murang’a and Marsabit counties for their December payments and transition to the other 45 counties for the January cycle.

“The pilot phase is currently being implemented in Murang’a and Marsabit Counties. Effective January 2025 payment cycle, all beneficiaries under the programme will be paid through the new payment solution,” part of the statement read.

In the meantime, all beneficiaries in the other 45 counties will receive their payments through the usual six contracted commercial banks.

The new payment system seeks to make the payment process more efficient for the elderly and vulnerable as mobile money agents are more convenient due to their extensive reach.

Inua Jamii is a Government Cash Transfer Programme designed to support the most vulnerable members of society by providing monthly stipends to cushion them against poverty, hunger and other extreme conditions.

Each beneficiary receives a total of Ksh2000 per month.

This development comes barely a month after the High Court suspended President Ruto’s directive to 34 parastatal chiefs over onboarding their services on the e-Citizen platform.

In the December 10, 2024 ruling, Justice Bahati Mwamuye told the parastatal chiefs to suspend the implementation of Ruto’s orders.

”Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the Application dated December 5, 2024, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued suspending the implementation and operation of the directive issued on  November 28, 2024, compelling the 1st to 34th Interested Parties to compulsorily onboard and/or migrate to the eCitizen Services Platform,” read part of the ruling by Mwamuye.