Government disburses Sh3.5 billion to Inua Jamii beneficiaries

The government has released Sh3.5 billion for payment to 1,759,656 beneficiaries enrolled in the Inua Jamii Programme.

The State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs noted that payment has commenced, with each beneficiary set to receive Sh2,000 covering the month of May.

“The Inua Jamii Cash Transfer Programme remains a cornerstone of the government’s social protection strategy,” Principal Secretary Joseph Motari said in a statement.

The programme aims to alleviate poverty and promote the well-being of society's most vulnerable members, including older persons aged 70 and above, orphans and vulnerable children, and persons living with severe disability.

The government is transitioning Inua Jamii payments from bank accounts to M-Pesa agents via the E-Citizen to enhance service delivery.

The move was necessary to make the payments closer, easier and faster through the wide network of MPESA agents.

The pilot phase began in November 2024 in Murang’a and Marsabit Counties. The funds can be accessed through the M-Pesa platform via E-Citizen by dialing *222#.

Beneficiaries or caregivers may visit any M-Pesa agent with their national ID to withdraw the full amount without transaction charges or transfer the funds to their M-Pesa wallets for flexible use.

The government is working to streamline the program and increase coverage, according to the State Department for Social Protection.

Inua Jamii is managed from the national level under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) and the Ministry of Devolution and ASAL (MoDA). It mainly works through the staff of local County and Sub-County offices and a network of Beneficiary Welfare Committees (BWCs) in each location.

Additional support is provided by the local administration, including Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs and community members.

Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs act as ‘Inua Jamii ambassadors’ and ‘information resource persons’ for beneficiaries and their caregivers. They regularly hold ‘Barazas’ to provide information on the cash transfer programme.

Inua Jamii cash transfer beneficiaries are identified through an objective and transparent process.