Enlisting of the elderly kicks off in Kiharu

Murang’a,

Monday, September 4, 2023

KNA by Purity Mugo

Registration of beneficiaries for the Inua Jamii cash transfer program has successfully kicked off in Kiharu constituency, Murang’a County.

Inua Jamii is a government-funded initiative designed to provide monthly stipends of Shs2000 to vulnerable citizens including orphans and vulnerable children, elderly persons, and persons with severe disabilities.

Speaking at the township chief's camp, Kiharu Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) Esther Mwoto said the exercise run to September 15, as the government seeks to update the list of beneficiaries.

“The registration exercise has started well and in spite of the short notice, the turnout has been very good,” Mwoto said.

The ACC explained that for the elderly the beneficiary should have an original identity card, must have been born before 1953, hence over 70 years old and should have a caregiver who is not a beneficiary of the program.

“For the elderly, the program targets Kenyan citizens aged 70 years and above who do not receive a pension and are not beneficiaries of any other government cash program,” she said.

In regards to orphans and vulnerable children, the ACC said that children from poor households were eligible, adding that they need a caregiver who is not a beneficiary of any other government cash transfer program.

“For the orphans, further evaluation is going to be conducted to ensure credibility,” she said, noting that the caregivers will be expected to present the deceased parent's death certificates for verification

Mwoto further said that people with disabilities are expected to present their disability cards.

The beneficiaries of the program are expected to receive cash in their respective bank accounts every month, instead of every two months as was previously the norm to cushion them from the tough economic times.

Mwoto urged all eligible citizens and caregivers to ensure they are registered at the various registration centers in the division as early as possible so as to avoid long queues towards the end of the exercise.

Courtesy ; K. N. A