70-year old Kenyan Man Dies After Queuing for 2 Days in Garissa Bank

A elderly man died after queuing for two days at a local bank in Garissa County while waiting to receive cash from the Government's fund programme for the elderly, poor and disabled.

70-year old Hassan Haji Keinan had reportedly travelled to Garissa to seek his four months stipend only to find long queues which forced him to queue for two days.

The family explained that the late Mzee Haji, who was physically challenged and suffering from hypertension, remained patient only for him to reach the counter and be turned away on grounds that his name was not on the list of the beneficiaries. The shocking news caused him to suffer an attack that led to his death.

"After reaching the counter, the cashier told him that there was no money to be paid to him since his name was not on the list.

"The old man started sweating profusely, collapsed and died on his way o the Garissa level 5 hospital," Mzee Haji's son stated.

Meanwhile, other elderly men also suffered numerous challenges in their attempt to get the stipend with a majority being turned back after their fingerprints could not be recognized by the digital cash transfer system at the bank.

The local chairperson of people with disabilities in the area, Mr Abbas Haji Shurie, condemned the incident and accused the government of frustrating beneficiaries of the social welfare fund by forcing them to travel long distances to get the cash.

A spot check by a government agency revealed that many old people were exposed to harsh conditions when following up on the funds, where they have to queue for long hours and walk long distances.

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