Sh1bn disbursed to the elderly in transfer plan
Labour cabinet secretary Kazungu Kambi speaks to the press at his office in the past. Former Westlands MP Fred Gumo has defended Central Organization of Trade Unions (Cotu) Kenya boss Francis Atwoli against claims by Mr Kambi, that he has a hand in the murder of former Kabete MP George Muchai. FILE PHOTO | PHOEBE OKALL |
What you need to know:
- Labour and Social Security Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi said government records showed that households with older persons experience a higher poverty rate than the national average of 46 per cent.
- The programme was started in 2007, with an allocation of Sh2.4 million to three districts – Busia, Thika and Nyando – where beneficiaries collected a monthly stipend of Sh1,000 each.
- The government plans to reach 46,000 more people, bringing the number of beneficiaries to 210,000 by June 2015.
Over Sh1 billion has been disbursed to the elderly across the country, with Nairobi getting the highest share of the cash meant for the poor.
The city county, with 4,690 beneficiaries, received Sh46.9 million. Isiolo has the least, with only 308 people who will receive Sh3.08 million.
Starting Thursday, 99,966 elderly people above the age of 65 years will each collect Sh10,000 from their nearest Post Office, as the payments have been backdated to cover February to June.
The monthly allocation for the beneficiaries is Sh2,000.
The monies will reach 164,000 households, with the aim of making lives easier by meeting some of their needs.
BASIC NEEDS
Other counties that were allocated big chunks of the money include Kiambu, Kakamega, Nakuru, Meru and Kisii, with each getting over Sh35 million.
While launching the programme for new beneficiaries in Mathare, Nairobi, Tuesday, Labour and Social Security Cabinet Secretary Kazungu Kambi said government records showed that households with older persons experience a higher poverty rate than the national average of 46 per cent.
This, he added, had motivated the Jubilee government to expand the Cash Transfer Programme.
The programme was started in 2007, with an allocation of Sh2.4 million to three districts – Busia, Thika and Nyando – where beneficiaries collected a monthly stipend of Sh1,000 each.
“The programme targets households that contain among others, the orphaned and vulnerable children, persons with severe disability, the urban poor and persons about the age of 65 years,” he said.
In the 2013/14 financial year, the programme was allocated Sh2.4 billion.
Tuesday, 333 people collected their stipend from the Mathare Valley Post Office.
“The amount will help the elderly put food on the table and meet basic necessities of life that will help them lead a decent and dignified life. I expect the funds to create vibrancy in the local economy,” Mr Kambi said.
The government plans to reach 46,000 more people, bringing the number of beneficiaries to 210,000 by June 2015.
“This will not meet the required target and cover. Therefore, I wish to appeal to respective county governments to chip in by setting aside some cash to support more vulnerable cases,” the CS said.
Labour Principal Secretary Ali Noor explained that age is not the only qualification for getting the regular payments.
“We are targeting elderly people who cannot meet their needs. The poorest of the poor with no one to take care of them,” he said.
ELECTRONIC CARD
The government has been running a similar programme for orphans having set aside Sh7 billion .
Postmaster General Enock Kinara said plans were underway to introduce an electronic card payment system for beneficiaries, instead of them collecting cash from the post offices.
