Mombasa, KENYA: More than 50 per cent of the elderly in Mvita and Changamwe sub counties in Mombasa have benefited from the Inua Jamii Cash Transfer Programme according to HAKI YETU organization, a Mombasa based human rights crusader.
Speaking to Baraka FM on Wednesday at the organizations offices’ in Jomvu Sub -County, Jullie Akinyi, a programmes officer in the organization, noted that the government commenced the project as a pilot programme in some parts of the country and evenly spread most parts of the country including among others the six coastal counties.
“Our reports indicate that more than 50 per cent of Mvita and Changamwe sub-counties elderly receive the cash. But despite being around for more than 10 years the project still faces a lot of challenges.” She insisted.
She however said that some of the elderly have been complaining of being sidelined on claims of not hitting the required age bracket.
The official however claimed some of the local administrators including village elders and assistant chiefs have been selective on who is to benefit from the national kitty or not and added that they have been vested with so much powers when it comes to allocation of money to the aged.
On the other hand, Warda Zighe an assistant programmes officer in the organization urged the government to ensure that there is fairness in the disbursement of the funds to all regions of the country; after receiving complaints from some of the elders aged above 70 years in various areas of Mombasa County.
She however pointed out most Kenyans live below the poverty line and should therefore be prioritized in the nationwide scheme.
“I urge the government to ensure that there is fairness in the allocation and disbursement of the funds. Most of the Kenyans are living below the poverty level and must therefore be considered.” She said.
The Inua Jamii Cash Transfer Programme is a National programme under the Ministry of East Africa Community, Labour and Social Protection seeking to directly protect and reduce vulnerability of Kenyans in the age bracket of 70 years and above.
In the 2017 budget, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich announced the intent of government to enhance and expand the existing older persons cash transfer programme into a more inclusive programme that provide transfers to all older persons aged 70 years and above.
The vast majority of Kenyans face an uncertain future characterized by high risk of disability and ill health and reduced capacity to earn a living.
