• The clerics also urged the government to increase the cash transfer allocation for the elderly.
• They said the Sh2,000 monthly stipend they receive is insufficient to cater to their needs.
Image: JOHN KAMAU
Image: JOHN KAMAU
Clerics in Kiambu have urged the government to pay NHIF for senior citizens.
The clergymen under the Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Kenya raised concerns that most elderly people are not covered by the fund.
They said most of those enrolled in the programme can hardly raise the Sh500 monthly payments.
Federation general secretary, who is also Glory Outreach Assembly church's presiding bishop David Thagana, said most of our elderly persons hail from humble backgrounds and have been struggling to pay their monthly NHIF contributions.
“We appeal to the government to consider rolling out a programme where all senior citizens will be covered by the fund for free,” he said.
Thagana said medical cover is important for the elderly since old age comes with a myriad of health complications that require frequent medical attention.
“Most of them [the elderly] do not have any source of income and yet they are required to contribute monthly to the fund. It’s high time the government chips in and pays the monthly contributions for all of them,” the bishop said.
Thagana was speaking while disbursing food rations to elderly persons in Kahawa Wendani, Ruiru constituency.
The clerics also urged the government to increase the cash transfer allocation for the elderly.
They said the Sh2,000 monthly stipend they receive is insufficient to cater to their needs, especially during this difficult economic period.
“The cost of living has skyrocketed to alarming levels and most senior citizens can hardly cope with the harsh economic times. It’s apt for the government to consider increasing their monthly stipend, which will go a long way in catering to their basic needs like food and medication,” Thagana said.
He also raised concerns about delays in disbursement of monthly stipends.
“We wonder why the money takes more than five months to be released. There is a need for a thorough audit of the cash transfer programme,” Thagana said.
Rev Joyce Njeri Munyiri urged the state to ensure that all deserving senior citizens who are yet to be enrolled in the programme are included.
“We are aware that there are many deserving elderly persons who are yet to be enlisted in the programme. We plead with the relevant state agencies to enrol them so they can benefit from the programme,” she said.
She also urged the government to ease the hustle of elderly persons travelling long distances to the banks to get the cash and send the money through mobile transfers.
Theresa Muraya, 81, a Kahawa Wendani resident, said they are facing a myriad of hardships and have been greatly affected by the high cost of living.
“It’s our wish that the government will hear our cries and come to our aid, pay for our health cover and increase our monthly allowances because the cost of living is very high,” she said.
Edited by A.N