All beneficiaries of the Inua Jamii cash transfer programme have been given an additional five days to withdraw any uncollected funds.
Principal Secretary for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs Joseph Motari warned that any unclaimed monies would be reclaimed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
This directive follows the government’s transition of Inua Jamii payments from banks to the e-Citizen mobile payment platform in January 2025. The shift allows beneficiaries to receive their stipends directly on their phones via the e-Citizen M-Pesa system.
“Those who have not claimed their Inua Jamii funds have five more days to do so. If they do not claim by the 15th of this month, we will assume that the person does not exist,” said Motari.
Speaking Tuesday on the KBC news show #The Shift, Motari highlighted that the programme had been streamlined since the Kenya Kwanza administration took over.
He noted that the programme had been in shambles, with arrears and payments being made to 194,000 deceased beneficiaries who have since been removed from the system.
“When we took over from the previous administration, we brought the EACC on board for assessment and to identify any existing graft loopholes. They discovered payments were being made to 194,000 deceased individuals. The programme was in shambles. We brought some sanity to it, clearing arrears of Ksh 16.7 billion in two tranches,” said Motari.
“With support from the President, I submitted a cabinet memo that was approved for monthly payments, and this is the system we have been following to date,” he added.
The government, through the Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizens, is currently running three key cash transfer programmes: the Persons with Severe Disabilities (PWSD-CT), Orphans and Vulnerable Children (CT-OVC), and Older Persons (OP-CT).
So far, 1.76 million beneficiaries have been reached, with plans to increase the number to 2.5 million by 2027.
Regarding M-Pesa payments, Motari assured that senior citizens who have not yet complied need not worry, as their funds are intact for the next three months.
“It has been two months since we moved the cash transfer payments to M-Pesa. Senior citizens should not panic their money is secure. They just need to register and will receive all their funds.”
He refuted claims that some elderly persons with 7-digit IDs are facing challenges enrolling in the Inua Jamii cash transfer programme.
“No one has been denied money because of the 7-digit IDs. My team is on the ground investigating the issue. I urge those facing challenges to visit the nearest M-Pesa agent for assistance,” he said.
Terming the social protection programme as a “superhero” and a powerful initiative, he stated that it is sustainable and had made a significant impact in arid and semi-arid areas.
“The Inua Jamii programme is going to be sustainable because every government must take care of its people. We must support those who are unable to care for themselves,” he emphasized.
When asked about plans to increase the Ksh 2,000 stipend, Motari said, “It is anticipated, but the funds come from the exchequer. With many Kenyans evading taxes, it would be difficult to increase the stipend.”
The Ministry works closely with the Interior Ministry, with officers in every sub-county submitting monthly reports to track the number of beneficiaries, including those who may have passed away.
“In the case of deaths, we receive reports every month and remove the deceased from the system. The toll-free helpline 1533 operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for further assistance,” he noted.
On the NSSF, the PS hailed the doubling of contributions as a step in the right direction, adding that the processing time for benefits had been significantly reduced to just 10 working days.
Photos by Jackson Mnyamwezi
