Government releases Kes28Billion for Cash transfer programmes

By Victor MUJIDU

The Government continues to put a heavy premium on addressing the plight of the needy and vulnerable populations in our country through mounting various safety net interventions to cushion citizens from extreme poverty.

As part of the measures, vulnerable groups such as the elderly will now be paid their stipends ahead of civil servants’ monthly pay after the government set aside Ksh28 billion to support the cash transfer programs.

During an official opening of the Kenya Social Protection Conference at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Lower Kabete, President William Ruto said the move will cushion and enhance their sense of belonging in society.

“Such an intervention will address exclusion by increasing the social protection cover of the vulnerable besides,” said President Ruto.

He noted that this will also support their economic empowerment to enhance resilience.

The President told the meeting that social protection is as urgent as is the country’s economic development.

“It cannot wait until 2030 when we will have achieved our economic vision; we can simultaneously pursue them,” he said.

He said the drive behind the urgency is that “many people who cannot afford a decent living, are vulnerable, marginalized, and are at the risk of being left behind”.

“Empowering the millions at the bottom of the wealth pyramid will eliminate poverty, reduce inequality and enhance our momentum towards shared prosperity.”

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua observed that the Government is investing in people to enable them to participate meaningfully in the economic transformation of Kenya.

Prior to Ruto’s government, former President Uhuru Kenyatta made a similar contribution to the vulnerable by adopting biometric registration to secure Sh13.6billion that was set aside for the disadvantaged under the Inua Jamii cash transfer program as a model for other national projects supporting 25 million poor Kenyans.

During Uhuru’s era, more than 200,000 elderly people received the monthly stipend while the orphans and vulnerable children numbered 253,000.

People living with severe disabilities, also received the money in the program, standing at 27,000.