The Ministry of Labour has announced that Ksh3.5 billion will be disbursed to 1,758,735 beneficiaries enrolled in the Inua Jamii programme.
According to a statement released on January 8, Social Protection Principal Secretary Joseph Motari confirmed that beneficiaries started receiving their monthly stipends on January 7.
In a bid to improve payment efficiency, two counties will pilot a new method of payment via the E-Citizen platform, directing funds straight to beneficiaries’ mobile money accounts.
This pilot programme will begin in Murang’a and Marsabit counties for the December payments. Subsequently, the new payment system will roll out in the other 45 counties starting from the January payment cycle.
“The pilot phase is currently being implemented in Murang’a and Marsabit Counties. Starting from January 2025, all beneficiaries under the programme will receive payments through the new platform,” part of the statement explained.
For now, beneficiaries in the remaining 45 counties will continue to receive payments through the usual six contracted commercial banks.
This new system aims to streamline the payment process, particularly for elderly and vulnerable individuals, as mobile money agents are more accessible and widespread, ensuring quicker and more convenient disbursement of funds.
The Inua Jamii programme is a Government initiative designed to provide financial support to the most vulnerable members of society, offering monthly stipends to help alleviate poverty, hunger, and other harsh conditions. Each beneficiary receives Ksh2,000 every month.
This announcement comes just weeks after the High Court temporarily halted President Ruto’s directive for 34 parastatal chiefs to have their services onboarded onto the e-Citizen platform.
In a ruling made on December 10, 2024, Justice Bahati Mwamuye ordered that the directive be suspended until further hearings could take place.
The ruling read, “Pending the inter partes hearing and determination of the Application dated December 5, 2024, a conservatory order be and is hereby issued suspending the implementation and operation of the directive issued on November 28, 2024, compelling the 1st to 34th Interested Parties to compulsorily onboard and/or migrate to the eCitizen Services Platform.”
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