Loima MP Protus Akujah has said banks and their agents are exploiting beneficiaries of the Hunger Safety Net Programme in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands.
The lawmaker said the funds do not achieve their intended objectives because of unscrupulous agents, subcontracted by banks, to pay beneficiaries.
He said the agents have monopolised the machines for cash withdrawals and also force the beneficiaries to buy and borrow goods from their shops at exorbitant prices.
HSNP is one of the cash transfer programmes implemented by the National Drought Management Authority under national safety net programmes collectively called Inua Jamii.
It is aimed at ensuring well-targeted use of cash transfer programmes to support some of the most vulnerable and poor households in the country.
The MP, who is seeking a statement from the Departmental Committee on Social Protection, wants the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection to state measures put in place to protect the beneficiaries from exploitation by the banks and their agents.
“What plans has the Ministry put in place to ensure accessible services by the targeted beneficiaries, located in far-flung areas like Kibish, without them accruing extra costs?” he said.
Akujah also wants the ministry to state measures put in place to ensure a transparent process of recruiting new beneficiaries, which guarantees inclusiveness of the majority of the eligible vulnerable groups.
He further regretted that NDMA offices are located in Lodwar town in Turkana county and the beneficiaries incur high traveling costs from far-flung areas, to raise concerns and access basic services like applying and replacing ATM cards.
“Beneficiaries who include the disabled and elderly, lack the capacity to participate in income generating activities. They are forced to borrow heavily and engage in other maladaptive coping strategies such as selling of livestock to access NDMA services at the headquarters,” the MP said.
He added that the situation has caused a state of widespread destitution yet the funds are meant to avert such.
