Elders in Siaya are appealing to the government to peg the monthly pension and elders’ stipend on the inflation trends to save them from sliding into poverty.
According to the elders, the high cost of living and the weakening strength of the shilling, reducing its purchasing power made them unable to meet their basic needs hence the need for a review.
Speaking at Bar Olengo sub location in South Alego during a dissemination forum for a recent study on the challenges facing the older persons in access to social programmes offered by the government, they called for a review of the pay points to enable them access the money with ease.
A programme officer of the Kenya Society for People Living with AIDS (KESPA) Daniel Odipo, whose organisation was the lead agency in the study that was conducted by the Help Age International said most of the beneficiaries were spending a big chunk on transport while going to collect the money.
Odipo said there was need for the government to leverage technology to save the elders, adding that the amount spent on transport could be used to finance other crucial basic needs.
“In Inua Jamii, most elders are complaining of the distance they have to cover” said the programme officer.
He said that the older persons were also concerned over the difficulty they encounter while trying to register for the social health insurance fund and called for urgent steps to have the project running smoothly.
A recipient of the Inua Jamii programme, Francis Obiero said that out of the Sh 2,000 monthly stipend, he spends Sh 600 to travel to Siaya town to access the money.
“My family always raises issues, thinking that I have misused the cash whenever I tell them that I spent the amount of transport,” he said adding that there was need to review the amount.
His sentiments are supported by Felista Anyango Okoth, also from Bar Olengo sub location who says that the high cost of living has made it impossible to use the money to venture into any income generating activity.
“I once tried using the money on agriculture but I could not go beyond tilling the land” she said adding that the money should be raised to at least sh. 10,000 monthly.
KESPA programme officer, Mr. Odipo said the outcome of the study will be shared with relevant government agencies so that they could adjust their programmes to suit the needs of the older persons.
By Philip Onyango
