Government Disburses Sh4.6 Billion for Inua Jamii Stipends After Delay
Quote from Lawyer on August 8, 2025, 7:00 amThe government has released Sh4.6 billion to support over 1.1 million vulnerable citizens enrolled in the Inua Jamii Cash Transfer Programme, covering delayed stipends for June and July 2025. The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, through the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, announced that payments commenced on August 7, with each beneficiary receiving Sh4,000, comprising Sh2,000 per month for the two-month period.
The Inua Jamii programme, a cornerstone of Kenya’s social protection strategy, targets senior citizens aged 70 and above, orphans, vulnerable children, and persons with severe disabilities. The initiative aims to alleviate poverty and enhance the well-being of the country’s most vulnerable populations. The recent disbursement of Sh4,607,668,000 benefits 1,151,917 individuals, primarily older persons and those living with severe disabilities, providing critical financial support to cushion them against economic hardship.
The delay in the June payment cycle stemmed from a comprehensive data cleanup exercise undertaken by the Ministry to address irregularities in the programme’s beneficiary database. A recent audit revealed significant issues, including payments being disbursed to deceased or ineligible recipients. Over 100,000 individuals who had left the system, either due to death or other disqualifying factors, were still listed, prompting a temporary pause in payments to ensure funds reached only those who truly qualified. The Ministry issued an apology for the inconvenience caused by the delay, emphasizing the necessity of the cleanup to enhance accountability and efficiency.
Principal Secretary for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, Joseph Motari, addressed the issue during a press briefing in Nairobi. He highlighted that the data cleanup was critical to restoring public confidence in the programme. The audit uncovered patterns of "clawback" funds, payments sent to inactive or untraceable accounts, which triggered a nationwide review by social development officers. Motari stressed that stricter vetting processes are being implemented to prevent future irregularities, including integrating the Inua Jamii system with the Civil Registration Services database to automatically flag deceased beneficiaries.
In January 2025, the government transitioned Inua Jamii payments from bank disbursements to the e-Citizen mobile payment platform, enabling beneficiaries to receive stipends directly via M-Pesa. This shift has streamlined access, particularly for elderly beneficiaries who faced challenges visiting banks. Beneficiaries can now access funds by dialing *222# or visiting M-Pesa agents. The Ministry has assured those yet to transition to the mobile payment system that their funds remain secure for three months, urging them to register promptly to avoid disruptions.
The government also encouraged Inua Jamii beneficiaries to enroll with the Social Health Authority (SHA) to access affordable healthcare services, aligning with Kenya’s universal health coverage goals. Over 90,000 beneficiary names have been shared with the SHA for onboarding, with social development officers collaborating with National Government Administration Officers across sub-counties to assist with registration. Motari emphasized the importance of healthcare access, stating that the SHA initiative aims to ensure vulnerable Kenyans receive medical services without financial strain.
The Inua Jamii programme, launched in 2007 with just 300 recipients, has grown significantly, now supporting over 1.76 million people, including 833,129 elderly individuals. The government plans to expand coverage to 2.5 million beneficiaries by 2027, following President William Ruto’s directive to upscale the programme. In the 2024/25 financial year, the Treasury allocated Sh47.8 billion to the initiative, with an additional Sh12.5 billion injected in June 2025 to address a Sh16.9 billion shortfall that threatened payment disruptions between March and June.
Despite its successes, the programme faces challenges. A parliamentary committee warned in March 2025 of potential payment interruptions due to the funding gap, driven by the rapid expansion of beneficiaries without corresponding budget increases. The National Assembly’s Labour and Social Protection Committee noted that the number of elderly beneficiaries grew by 65 percent between 2021/22 and 2023/24, from 756,935 to 1.25 million, with projections estimating 1.89 million by mid-2027. The Treasury’s recent funding boost has mitigated these concerns, ensuring continued support for vulnerable Kenyans.
Motari also condemned rising cases of violence against elderly beneficiaries, particularly in Kilifi and Kisii counties, calling for increased protection for senior citizens. The Ministry is working to strengthen oversight and accountability mechanisms to safeguard the programme’s integrity, including addressing issues like caregivers collecting funds for deceased beneficiaries. Plans to link the programme’s payment system with civil records aim to eliminate such fraud, ensuring funds reach intended recipients.
The disbursement of Sh4.6 billion underscores the government’s commitment to its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which prioritizes empowering grassroots communities through financial support. The Inua Jamii programme remains a vital lifeline for millions, providing regular and reliable cash transfers to uplift lives and reduce poverty across Kenya.
The government has released Sh4.6 billion to support over 1.1 million vulnerable citizens enrolled in the Inua Jamii Cash Transfer Programme, covering delayed stipends for June and July 2025. The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, through the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, announced that payments commenced on August 7, with each beneficiary receiving Sh4,000, comprising Sh2,000 per month for the two-month period.
The Inua Jamii programme, a cornerstone of Kenya’s social protection strategy, targets senior citizens aged 70 and above, orphans, vulnerable children, and persons with severe disabilities. The initiative aims to alleviate poverty and enhance the well-being of the country’s most vulnerable populations. The recent disbursement of Sh4,607,668,000 benefits 1,151,917 individuals, primarily older persons and those living with severe disabilities, providing critical financial support to cushion them against economic hardship.
The delay in the June payment cycle stemmed from a comprehensive data cleanup exercise undertaken by the Ministry to address irregularities in the programme’s beneficiary database. A recent audit revealed significant issues, including payments being disbursed to deceased or ineligible recipients. Over 100,000 individuals who had left the system, either due to death or other disqualifying factors, were still listed, prompting a temporary pause in payments to ensure funds reached only those who truly qualified. The Ministry issued an apology for the inconvenience caused by the delay, emphasizing the necessity of the cleanup to enhance accountability and efficiency.
Principal Secretary for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, Joseph Motari, addressed the issue during a press briefing in Nairobi. He highlighted that the data cleanup was critical to restoring public confidence in the programme. The audit uncovered patterns of "clawback" funds, payments sent to inactive or untraceable accounts, which triggered a nationwide review by social development officers. Motari stressed that stricter vetting processes are being implemented to prevent future irregularities, including integrating the Inua Jamii system with the Civil Registration Services database to automatically flag deceased beneficiaries.
In January 2025, the government transitioned Inua Jamii payments from bank disbursements to the e-Citizen mobile payment platform, enabling beneficiaries to receive stipends directly via M-Pesa. This shift has streamlined access, particularly for elderly beneficiaries who faced challenges visiting banks. Beneficiaries can now access funds by dialing *222# or visiting M-Pesa agents. The Ministry has assured those yet to transition to the mobile payment system that their funds remain secure for three months, urging them to register promptly to avoid disruptions.
The government also encouraged Inua Jamii beneficiaries to enroll with the Social Health Authority (SHA) to access affordable healthcare services, aligning with Kenya’s universal health coverage goals. Over 90,000 beneficiary names have been shared with the SHA for onboarding, with social development officers collaborating with National Government Administration Officers across sub-counties to assist with registration. Motari emphasized the importance of healthcare access, stating that the SHA initiative aims to ensure vulnerable Kenyans receive medical services without financial strain.
The Inua Jamii programme, launched in 2007 with just 300 recipients, has grown significantly, now supporting over 1.76 million people, including 833,129 elderly individuals. The government plans to expand coverage to 2.5 million beneficiaries by 2027, following President William Ruto’s directive to upscale the programme. In the 2024/25 financial year, the Treasury allocated Sh47.8 billion to the initiative, with an additional Sh12.5 billion injected in June 2025 to address a Sh16.9 billion shortfall that threatened payment disruptions between March and June.
Despite its successes, the programme faces challenges. A parliamentary committee warned in March 2025 of potential payment interruptions due to the funding gap, driven by the rapid expansion of beneficiaries without corresponding budget increases. The National Assembly’s Labour and Social Protection Committee noted that the number of elderly beneficiaries grew by 65 percent between 2021/22 and 2023/24, from 756,935 to 1.25 million, with projections estimating 1.89 million by mid-2027. The Treasury’s recent funding boost has mitigated these concerns, ensuring continued support for vulnerable Kenyans.
Motari also condemned rising cases of violence against elderly beneficiaries, particularly in Kilifi and Kisii counties, calling for increased protection for senior citizens. The Ministry is working to strengthen oversight and accountability mechanisms to safeguard the programme’s integrity, including addressing issues like caregivers collecting funds for deceased beneficiaries. Plans to link the programme’s payment system with civil records aim to eliminate such fraud, ensuring funds reach intended recipients.
The disbursement of Sh4.6 billion underscores the government’s commitment to its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which prioritizes empowering grassroots communities through financial support. The Inua Jamii programme remains a vital lifeline for millions, providing regular and reliable cash transfers to uplift lives and reduce poverty across Kenya.