Busia County targets to enlist 6902 Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) during the second phase of registration of the Inua Jamii programme.
Speaking to the press during the official launch of the exercise at Kaliwa Chiefs Camp in Teso South Sub County on Monday, Busia County Commissioner Kipchumba Ruto said that another 760 persons with disabilities will also be registered during the exercise.
“For the elderly aged 70 years and above, we are going to register everybody except those who have pensions,” he said, adding that the exercise is free and fair, devoid of any malpractice.
Ruto added that his office is ready to address any grievances that might be raised by the beneficiaries of the programme.
“This second Inua Jamii programme was brought in because during phase one, a number of deserving cases were left out, but now we are going to mop up and register those who did not benefit,” he said, expressing confidence that the exercise will be successful.
He urged potential beneficiaries to come out in large numbers, armed with the relevant documents.
“The registration officers have been well trained, and they are going to do the right thing,” he said, adding that any complaints will be sorted out by the government.
The CC urged the beneficiaries to be careful not to be defrauded by their caregivers including close relatives.
“The successful applicants will be paid Sh2,000 each on or before the fifteenth day of every month,” he said, adding that the government has directed that no beneficiary should travel for more than seven kilometres from their place of residence.
Ruto further stated that beneficiaries will be paid through M-Pesa within the vicinity so that the Sh2,000 is not wasted on transport.
Busia County Coordinator of Children Services, Esther Wasige, said that agents will be available to assist in enlisting persons with severe disabilities from their homes.
Wasige cited the high number of applicants as a challenge in the exercise, adding that a number of persons with disabilities were not registered with the National Council for Persons with Disability.
“You find that some people are not eligible as beneficiaries, but they insist on being enlisted because they need money,” she said.
A section of caregivers of OVCs in the first phase requested the government continue supporting orphaned children who are pursuing post-secondary school education.
By Salome Alwanda
