A bank agent lost over Ksh1.4million that was meant to be distributed to the elderly people after thugs allegedly broke into his car and made way with the cash.
The incident raised concern from the beneficiaries who had already lined up to receive their accumulated stipend as they also were worried about their own security.
The money was to pay the elderly aged over 70 under the Inua Jamii Cash Transfer Program run by the government.
The county coordinator for social development, Dominic Oyaya stated that the bank involved had to call in another agent who paid the waiting beneficiaries and the process ran on smoothly.
He went ahead to warn the banks contracted by the government to run this program that if their agents fail to deliver, they will be held responsible.
"It is the banks and not the agents who entered into the agreement with the Government to do the job, we shall go for the institutions' branch managers in case something goes bad," he stated.
"Using agents is a good idea because it reduces the distance covered by the elderly people to the banks. The policy requires paying points to be at least 6km away. Besides, it helps in spreading out paying points to avoid crowding at one spot, which can be a security danger," Oyaya continued.
He confirmed that 70 per cent of the beneficiaries received Ksh12,000 each an accumulation of the last 4 months that they never received anything.
The remaining 30 per cent are yet to open bank accounts but once they do that, they will receive Ksh16,000 each in May.
Oyaya urged the banks to ensure there was no congestion at pay points as crowding would attract thugs and put the lives of the beneficiaries at risk.
