The National Government has embarked on enhanced upscaling and proof of life biometric verification in the process of cleaning the register of the Inua Jamii Cash Transfer programme.
This, according to the Principal Secretary for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs Joseph Motari, is taking place across the country.
The clean-up exercise is taking place after the EACC noted that some Inua Jamii beneficiaries are deceased recommended verification for those still living.
The government notes that all beneficiaries are required to undergo the verification exercise or else they will be expunged from out of the programme
It targets over 1.2 million beneficiaries as at now, and according to the PS who spoke in Ol-Kalou town during the exercise, the government is paying over Sh. 156 million in Nyandarua County alone. Ol-Kalou Constituency is getting over Sh. 13 million.
The biometric “Proof of Life” exercise for beneficiaries of the Inua Jamii programme is part of efforts to curb fraudulent payments and enhance accountability in the management of social protection funds.
It targets beneficiaries under the Older Persons Cash Transfer (OPCT) programme and caregivers enrolled in the Persons with Severe Disabilities Cash Transfer (PWSD-CT) programme.
During the exercise, beneficiaries will undergo fingerprint and facial recognition registration to verify their identities and confirm continued eligibility for government cash transfers.
Director, Inua Jamii Cash Transfer programme Moses Kamau who accompanied The Principal Secretary in Ol-Kalou said the exercise is intended to ensure that only genuine beneficiaries continue receiving support under the programme.
According to the government officials, the exercise is free of charge and mandatory for all beneficiaries wishing to continue receiving Inua Jamii support, while warning members of the public against fraudsters demanding money or spreading false information regarding the exercise.
By Kimani Tirus
