Elders and vulnerable Kenyans cried out to President William Ruto following a delay of the Inua Jamii fund, which they depended on.
On Wednesday, December 14, the fund beneficiaries lamented that Ruto’s government forgot about them as they were yet to receive the Ksh2,000 monthly stipend issued under former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure.
Martha Wangari from Gikomo village, in Kieni, Nyeri, explained the difficulties she has been going through since Ruto took over.
“Uhuru Kenyatta would give us money. It helped a lot in buying food. When Ruto came in, we have not been receiving any amount. Please Mr President, help us, we are grappling with hunger,” she urged.
She further added how she reared chickens during Uhuru’s tenure, with the project benefiting her and many more.
“The amount of money I would receive used to help me a lot. I would eat eggs because I had bought hens,” she cried out.
Her grandson, Anthony Kanduthu, echoed her words and urged the president to act swiftly.
"We are pleading with Ruto to give the elderly and those living with disability the required money as it helps them a lot. We also benefit because we will not bother them with demands,” he announced.
The aged have been struggling even to access medical services, lamenting that their health statuses were deteriorating.
Ministry of Labour's department of social protection clarified that the delay was occasioned by the Treasury which was yet to disburse funds.
Treasury cabinet secretary, Njuguna Ndung'u, pledged to look into the matter and solve the elder's plight.
On December 8, the National Assembly Social Protection Committee, chair Alice Ng’ang’a, announced plans centred around tabling a new bill to increase the Inua Jamii Cash Transfer program from Ksh2,100 to Ksh3,500 monthly.
Speaking during the distribution of foodstuffs to residents of Community, Ofafa and Starehe estates, Ng'ang'a noted that the current disbursements were not proportional to the country’s economic situation and that many elderly persons were still suffering despite receiving the money.
Opposition leader, Raila Odinga, on December 7, urged Ruto to restore and enhance cash transfers to the elderly and vulnerable.
He also demanded enhancement of the Linda Mama Programme to protect pregnant mothers.
