The Government has disbursed a total of Sh 93,314,000 to 26,879 elderly beneficiaries under the Inua Jamii social protection programme in Kericho County.
Mr. Davies Ngeno, the Senior Development Officer, said that each registered individual under the programme receives Sh 2,000 per month, a stipend that is aimed at supporting the elderly persons and at the same time is meant to improve their living conditions.
Mr Ngeno, while speaking to the Kenya News Agency KNA in his office Thursday, said that though the initiative was noble and had assisted many elderly persons in the Country, some unscrupulous individuals, some of whom are the caregivers of the elderly, were diverting the funds for other uses instead of using the money to support the beneficiary.
“Despite the success in reaching thousands of beneficiaries, there are concerns over the lack of oversight regarding how the money is used once disbursed,” Mr Ngeno added.
Mr Ngeno emphasized that, The Inua Jamii programme, a government social protection initiative, continues to provide financial assistance to the elderly while at the same time supports them through consistent financial aid to meet the daily needs and medical assistance.
Initially, the funds were disbursed through banking systems, which allowed the department to monitor the process more closely. However, the new method posed challenges for many elderly individuals, especially those living in remote areas.
To make the programme more accessible, the mode of disbursement was changed to the mobile payment system, the ‘M-Pesa’, which has proven to be more convenient.
“Many of the elderly are more familiar with mobile money services, and it has made the disbursement process easier,” noted Mr. Ngeno.
However, this convenience came at a cost. The shift to mobile money disbursement eliminated the department’s ability to track down whether the beneficiaries received the funds directly or if intermediaries misused them.
To address such issues, Mr. Ngeno stated that elderly persons or their caregivers are encouraged to report any grievances to the Department of Social Services.
“If any beneficiary feels they are not benefiting directly from the funds, they have the right to raise a complaint,” Mr Ngeno said.
Once complaints are received, they are forwarded to the area chief of the beneficiary for proper follow-up and action. This system aims to ensure that the elderly are not exploited and receive the support intended for them.
Another challenge facing the programme is the irregular registration process for Kenyans who have attained the age of 70 years and above. He said that registration of the beneficiaries who have attained the age 70, occurs when funds are available, leaving many eligible individuals unregistered for long periods.
The most recent registration exercise was conducted in 2023, meaning that a significant number of newly qualified elderly persons are yet to be captured in the system. This delay denies them access to much-needed support.
Fortunately, the registration process itself is relatively straightforward. Beneficiaries are not required to own smartphones but are only required to have a registered SIM card and a Safaricom line, which are sufficient for enrolment into the programme, making it accessible to most elderly citizens.
Despite the hurdles, the Inua Jamii programme remains a critical support system for thousands of elderly people in Kericho County. Mr. Ngeno reiterated the government’s commitment to improving and expanding the programme to reach more qualified individuals.
By Dominic Cheres and Elizabeth Amondi
