Struggles escalate among the elderly due to delayed disbursement of Inua Jamii funds
Delays in Inua Jamii Fund Disbursement for Senior Citizens in Bomet and Kericho Counties
Senior citizens in Bomet and Kericho Counties are facing delays in receiving their Inua Jamii funds, a government initiative aimed at supporting the elderly. The delays are due to a combination of factors, including nationwide challenges in the payment process, ongoing transitions to new payment platforms, data inaccuracies, and broader government financial pressures.
According to an official from the Social Services office in Bomet County, these delays are not isolated incidents but a nationwide concern. The official acknowledged the complexity involved in paying over a million beneficiaries across Kenya.
One of the contributing factors to the delays is the ongoing transition and implementation of new payment platforms. For instance, the move towards the e-Citizen mobile payment system, intended to reduce delays, has not yet fully resolved them. Additionally, systemic issues such as payments continuing to be made to deceased individuals reflect data management inefficiencies that complicate smooth disbursement.
The government’s financial processes and cash flow management under pressure from increased social welfare commitments may also affect timely transfers. The official did not wish to be identified due to restrictions on speaking to the press.
Despite these challenges, the government's budget for elderly cash transfers is projected to increase by Sh15 billion over the next three years, reaching Sh45 billion by June 2027. This expansion is expected to register an additional 638,386 elderly Kenyans.
The official clarified that the government's social fund has significantly improved the living conditions of many vulnerable families, enabling them to afford food and other basic needs. However, the current funding gap poses a threat to the continuity of payments, raising concerns about the sustainability of the program and the well-being of millions of Kenyans who rely on these stipends for their survival.
Beneficiaries have reported that payments, which used to be timely after switching to the Mpesa platform, are now delayed. Many have not received any payment since the June disbursement for the May payment cycle. The increasing pressure from beneficiaries who frequently visit their offices to inquire about the delayed payments has been noted by the official.
President Ruto has directed the Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary to expand the Inua Jamii program by an additional 500,000 beneficiaries in 2023. The number of elderly beneficiaries is expected to grow from 1.25 million in June 2024 to 1.89 million by mid-2027.
The delays in the disbursement of Inua Jamii funds have caused significant hardships for senior citizens in Bomet and Kericho Counties. As the government continues to address these challenges, it is crucial to ensure the timely and efficient distribution of funds to maintain the well-being of our elderly population.
The ongoing financial pressures due to increased social welfare commitments, such as the Inua Jamii program, could potentially impact the smooth disbursement of funds to senior citizens and other vulnerable families across Kenya. The delays in the disbursement of Inua Jamii funds may also affect the health of senior citizens in Bomet and Kericho Counties if they are unable to afford basic needs like medication and food.
