The government through a partnership with the World Bank will give Ksh2,000 to over 15,000 individuals from five counties initially with the program expected to be rolled out in more counties later.
This will be an addition to the Kenyans who are already receiving monetary benefits from the government aimed at cushioning them against hard economic times.
The government will also issue Ksh30,000 as capital for business startups to ensure the beneficiaries get economic freedom for sustainability.
“The programme will select 1,500 persons per county during the testing period,” said the Deputy Director at the State Department of Social Development Winnie Mwasiajishe while speaking at Wote town in Makueni County.
The Ksh2,000 monthly allowance will run for 12 months after which the government will expect the beneficiaries will have established a group to venture into business.
Mwasiajishe said the program dabbed Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project (KSEIP) will help the beneficiaries participate in the building of the economy.
The program targets those that come from extremely poor households across the country. The initial phase will be enrolled in five counties before taking it to other parts of the country.
Mwasiajishe said the program will be rolled out in Makueni, Muranga, Kisumu, Taita Taveta and Marsabit counties targetting 7,500 individuals.
The monthly allowance beneficiaries will be selected by looking at their poverty levels, the prevalence of vulnerabilities like HIV/AIDs and possibilities of productive activities.
The government through its Inua Jamii program has been giving out allowances to Kenyans aged above 70 years. The allowance is usually Ksh4,000 after every two months.
The National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani set aside Ksh27 billion for the Inua Jamii Programme in the 2020/21 budget.
However, the current Inua Jamii cash transfer beneficiaries will not be re-enrolled for the planned project because the government expects that they have created sustainable livelihood.
Mwasiajishe, however, said that they will be directed to other similar programs to ensure sustainability and economic survival.
