Government releases Sh3.4 billion for August Inua Jamii payments

The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has released a total of Sh3,419,699,500 for the August 2024 payments under the Inua Jamii programme.

According to Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs Principal Secretary Joseph Motari, the August payroll includes Sh1,215,343 beneficiaries in the Older Persons Cash Transfer Programme (OPCT), Sh428,421 in the Cash Transfer Programme to Orphans and Vulnerable Children (CTOVC), and Sh59,637 in the Persons with Severe Disabilities Cash Transfer Programme (PWSD-CT).

He noted that the payments will commence on Friday, September 6, 2024.

He also noted that the total number of beneficiaries has risen to 1,703,401, an increase from 1,681,623 in July 2024.

“This follows President William Ruto’s directive last year to upscale the programme to 2.5 million beneficiaries which will be done in phases,” he said.

Inua Jamii programme is a government cash transfer initiative that supports the most vulnerable members of the community by providing them with a stipend to cushion them from poverty, hunger and improve their lives.

The programme covers the older persons together with orphans and vulnerable children, persons with severe disabilities, and hunger safety net programme for the poorest in eight arid counties, including Turkana, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Garissa, Tana River, Isiolo, and Samburu.

In July, over 1.6 million Inua Jamii beneficiaries benefitted from Sh3.2 billion funds released by the government.

President Ruto, in January, directed that the cash transfers be disbursed every month, with the older persons receiving a monthly tax-financed pension of Sh2,000.

Motari emphasised the government’s commitment to supporting the needy and ensuring the sustainability of such vital programmes.

He reiterated that the disbursement is a testament to the government’s dedication to social protection and poverty alleviation.

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

Out of the total allocation, Sh18.6 billion was allocated to cater for cash transfers to elderly persons; Sh7.9 billion for Orphans and Vulnerable Children and Sh1.2 billion for persons living with severe disabilities.