The government has released Sh2,08 billion to pay beneficiaries of the Inua Jamii Programme for January.
A further Sh5.9 million was disbursed for Nutrition Improvement through Cash and Health Education (NICHE), Principal Secretary, State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizens Affairs Joseph Motari said.
In a statement, Motari said payment to beneficiaries commences on February 7, 2024.
“Following a presidential directive, Inua Jamii beneficiaries will be receiving their stipends through Mpesa. This will start with orphans and vulnerable children and persons with severe disabilities caregivers,” he said.
He said caregivers will enroll for Mpesa payment by dialing *222#.
The PS noted that so far, 207,000 beneficiaries have enrolled for the Mpesa payment and have received their December payment.
“However, we note that there are around 100,000 beneficiaries who have not enrolled through *222#. These caregivers will be paid through the bank account for the last time and they have only this month to enroll to Mpesa payment. The caregivers must register to continue receiving their Inua Jamii stipends,” the PS said.
In his address during Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens last year, President William Ruto said Inua Jamii beneficiaries would start receiving their Sh2,000 monthly stipends from Mpesa agents.
He said the programme has had challenges where the beneficiaries have been travelling long distances just to get the money.
"This programme has had challenges with the beneficiaries travelling long distances and spending considerable portions of their stipend on logistics. Working with Safaricom, we have structured a new delivery mechanism for beneficiaries to receive their stipends from Mpesa agents in their localities," he said.
He said the Inua Jamii beneficiaries have always incurred costs and other inconveniences when collecting the money.
