Nairobi: In a move to strengthen Kenya's social safety net and reaffirm the government's commitment to inclusive welfare, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has released Sh4.6 billion to beneficiaries of the Inua Jamii Cash Transfer Programme. The funds channelled through the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs cover arrears for June and July 2025 and target over 1.1 million vulnerable Kenyans, including senior citizens aged 70 and above, orphans, vulnerable children, and persons living with severe disabilities.
According to Kenya News Agency, Principal Secretary, State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs Joseph Motari confirmed during a press briefing in Nairobi that each enrolled beneficiary will receive Sh4,000, comprising two months of stipend payments. Motari stated, 'We have today commenced disbursement of the stipends, and this marks a critical step in restoring public confidence after the delay.'
The delay in June payments was attributed to a comprehensive data clean-up exercise to streamline the beneficiary list and eliminate ineligible recipients. 'We discovered over 100,000 cases where funds were being sent to people no longer active or in the system. This prompted a deep dive to ensure accuracy, transparency, and compliance with mobile money transfer platforms,' Motari explained.
The government has now transitioned the cash transfers from bank-based models to the e-Citizen platform, enabling recipients to receive payments directly on their mobile phones. 'Elderly Kenyans are no longer queuing at banks for hours. They get their money in the comfort of their homes,' Motari added.
Highlighting the broader social protection agenda, Motari urged all Inua Jamii beneficiaries to enrol with the Social Health Authority (SHA) to access affordable healthcare, in line with the government's universal health coverage programme. 'SHA is working, and our goal is to see every vulnerable Kenyan enjoy medical access without financial strain,' he said.
The PS assured that his department, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has initiated targeted advocacy to support SHA enrolment, with over 90,000 names already shared for onboarding. Social development officers across all sub-counties are working with the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) to sensitise and assist the elderly during the process.
While affirming the government's resolve to protect elderly citizens, Motari condemned rising cases of violence against senior beneficiaries, particularly in Kilifi and Kisii counties. 'There have been unfortunate incidents where elderly people are harmed over these stipends. The government will not hesitate to take firm action against such acts,' he warned.
Motari also lauded President William Ruto for recently assenting to the Social Protection Act 2025 and the Disability Act 2025, saying the two pieces of legislation aimed at institutionalising welfare protections. 'These are not decorative laws; they are designed to serve and protect the most vulnerable among us. And they will be enforced,' he noted.
Emphasising that not all elderly citizens automatically qualify for support, Motari explained that new targeting criteria will focus on individuals who are both aged and economically disadvantaged. 'We've seen cases where beneficiaries own luxury vehicles or run businesses. This programme is strictly for the neediest,' Motari affirmed.
The Inua Jamii initiative remains a key pillar in Kenya's bottom-up economic transformation agenda, empowering grassroots communities and uplifting lives through financial support.