The Government has launched a pilot biometric “Proof of Life” exercise for beneficiaries of the Inua Jamii programme in Kajiado County as part of efforts to curb fraudulent payments and enhance accountability in the management of social protection funds.
The exercise, which was launched in Ilbisil, Kajiado Central Thursday, targets beneficiaries under the Older Persons Cash Transfer (OPCT) programme and caregivers enrolled in the Persons with Severe Disabilities Cash Transfer (PWSD-CT) programme.
Beneficiaries will undergo fingerprint and facial recognition registration to verify their identities and confirm continued eligibility for government cash transfers.
Principal Secretary for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs Joseph Motari said the exercise is intended to ensure that only genuine beneficiaries continue receiving support under the programme.
“The exercise is aimed at confirming that all registered beneficiaries are alive and physically present in order to continue receiving cash transfers,” he said.
Motari noted that the Government has in the past lost millions of shillings through continued payments to beneficiaries who were already deceased, saying the new system will help seal loopholes in the programme.
“Millions of shillings have in the past been lost through continued payments to beneficiaries who are already deceased. This exercise will help safeguard public resources and ensure that benefits reach the rightful beneficiaries,” he said.
He said the pilot phase will help the Government assess the effectiveness of the biometric verification process before a nationwide rollout scheduled between June and July 2026.
The PS said all OPCT beneficiaries and PWSD-CT caregivers will be required to physically present themselves at designated registration centres with their original national identity cards. Registration dates and venues, he added, will be communicated through Social Development Officers.
He emphasized that 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.
Beneficiaries who participated in the exercise welcomed the initiative, saying the programme had transformed their lives and offered much-needed support to vulnerable households.
Elizabeth Yiapase, 79, from Il Bissil, said the monthly cash transfers had enabled her to care for her two grandchildren following the death of their parents two years ago.
She said the funds had also helped her buy medication and meet basic household needs.
“I am now able to provide for my grandchildren and buy medication. This support has really changed my life,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Josephat Lemomo, said the programme had improved the welfare of many vulnerable families and elderly persons in the area.
He called on the Government to sustain and strengthen the initiative, describing it as a lifeline for many households that depend on the monthly stipends.
by Rop Janet
