National

State releases Sh3.2 billion for June cycle of Inua Jamii initiative

Beneficiaries of the Inua Jamii programme receive their funds in this file picture. (Photo: X/Inua Jamii)

By Lucy Mumbi | Monday, July 1, 2024

CS Bore announced that as of June 2024, the ministry had enrolled 570,263 more beneficiaries, raising the total number to 1,607,996.

More than 1.6 million Inua Jamii beneficiaries are set to benefit from Sh3.2 billion funds released by the government to cushion them from hunger and poverty and improve their lives.

On Monday, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection announced that Sh3,215,992,000 had been released for the June 2024 payment cycle of the Inua Jamii programme.

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This follows a directive from President William Ruto to expand the programme to eventually reach 2.5 million people, a project that the Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore would be phased.

Bore announced that as of June 2024, the ministry had enrolled 570,263 more beneficiaries.

“The total of beneficiaries in the June payroll is 1,607,996 up from 1,037,733 in May 2024. Payment will commence on Wednesday, July 3, 2024,” she said.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection today released Kshs.3,215,992,000 for June 2024 payment to beneficiaries enrolled in the Inua Jamii programme.

Following His Excellency President Dr. William Ruto's directive to upscale the programme to 2.5M beneficiaries which will… pic.twitter.com/qIjHuwZmVm
— Hon. Florence Bore, EGH (@WaziriBore) July 1, 2024

Each person will receive Sh2,000 each month, with priority given to those with active bank accounts.

Inua Jamii, part of the National Safety Net Programme, aims to alleviate poverty and improve the living conditions of the most vulnerable populations in Kenya.

The programme covers older persons, orphans and vulnerable children, and persons with severe disabilities, as well as the poorest populations in eight arid counties - Turkana, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Garissa, Tana River, Isiolo, and Samburu.

For six years, the older persons received a monthly tax-financed pension of Sh2,000 every two months. The funds have been disbursed every month since January on President Ruto's order.

By offering a regular stipend, the programme seeks to alleviate the harsh conditions faced by these groups and enhance their living standards.

Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs Principal Secretary Joseph Motari described the disbursement as a testament to the government’s dedication to social protection and poverty alleviation. He emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting the needy and ensuring the sustainability of such vital programmes.

In the 2024-25 budget, the Treasury proposed an allocation of Sh31.3 billion for social protection and affirmative action to cater for vulnerable members of society.

Out of the total allocation, Sh18.6 billion was allocated to cash transfers to elderly persons, Sh7.9 billion to orphans and vulnerable children, and Sh1.2 billion to persons living with severe disabilities.

The proposed allocation also included Sh1.5 billion for the Kenya Hunger Safety Net Programme and Sh1.9 billion for the Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project.

Treasury CS Njuguna Ndungu said Sh815 million would go to the Child Welfare Society of Kenya, Sh400 million to the presidential Bursary for orphans, Sh600.1 million to the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, Sh100 million to the National Albinism Support Programme, and Sh100 million to the National Autism Support Programme.