New proposal seeks to extend Inua Jamii benefits to those aged 60 and above
By Maureen Kinyanjui |
The programme offers a monthly cash transfer of Sh2,000 to around 1.07 million beneficiaries nationwide. The government plans to expand this reach to 2.5 million people in three years.
A new proposal is gaining momentum at the National Assembly to lower the eligibility age for the Inua Jamii cash transfer programme from 70 to 60 years.
Kabuchai MP Majimbo Kalasinga has tabled a motion arguing that the current age requirement is discriminatory and unfairly excludes many elderly citizens who should benefit from the government's initiative.
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Kalasinga's motion calls for revising the program's eligibility criteria, citing Article 260 of the Constitution, which defines an "older member of society" as anyone aged 60 or above.
According to Kalasinga, the current cutoff of 70 years contradicts this constitutional provision.
"Concerned that capping the eligibility for enrolment to the Inua Jamii Programme at the age of 70 years is discriminatory to the older members of society and negates the spirit of the constitution entitling support to older members of the society," he argued.
Although motions at the National Assembly are not legally binding, they often set the stage for future legislation.
In his proposal, Kalasinga urges the national government, through the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, to revise the age requirement for the Inua Jamii Programme, making those aged 60 and above eligible for the monthly benefits.
The Inua Jamii Programme was introduced in 2015 to financially support the elderly, orphans, vulnerable children, and individuals with severe disabilities.
It aims to improve the lives of those excluded from the civil service pension and ensure they can live with dignity and receive adequate care and assistance from the government.
The programme offers a monthly cash transfer of Sh2,000 to around 1.07 million beneficiaries nationwide. The government plans to expand this reach to 2.5 million people in three years.
The need for such support is expected to grow. According to a 2019 census, the number of elderly people in Kenya stands at 2.7 million, a figure anticipated to rise significantly to 10.3 million by 2050.
To enhance the efficiency of the programme, the government is also looking at ways to cut down on the costs and time involved for beneficiaries in accessing their funds.
Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua revealed that the government plans to roll out a mobile money solution for cash transfers by December 1, 2024.
This system will allow beneficiaries to receive their monthly payments directly into mobile accounts, such as M-Pesa, without the need to travel to a bank or payment centre.
"We are rolling out a programme by December 1, 2024. We are going to ensure that all the money will be transferred directly to the phones or designated M-Pesa accounts of the recipients so they don't have to leave the comfort of their homes, spend some money to go and wait a whole day to receive the Sh2,000," Mutua explained during a Senate appearance in September.
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