The government has been asked to ensure the beneficiaries of Inua Jamii cash transfer programme get their stipend on monthly basis.
Ahadi Trust Kenya Executive Director Stanley Kamau on Saturday observed that disbursing the funds in lumpsum has increased attacks on the aged as some of their family members want to confiscate the money.
Kamau, speaking when his organization donated foodstuff among other personal items to aged persons drawn from Kahumbu ward in Murang’a, said disbursing the Sh. 2, 000 stipend to the aged on monthly basis will reduce cases of attacks on elderly persons.
He divulged that there have been many cases where the aged are denied the money by their caregivers and also exposed to theft by goons.
Kamau’s sentiments comes a week after an aged person from Githembe Sub location in Kigumo sub county was attacked and his Sh. 8, 000 stipend recently paid by the government stolen.
Kamau reiterated that if the money is paid on a monthly basis it will be of greater benefit to the aged considering some are on medication.
“It’s a shame for one to take advantage of the aged people. Security agents should apprehend those mistreating them and also robbing them of their stipend,” he added.
Towards the end of last month, the government released Sh. 16.7 billion cash transfer funds for the aged, vulnerable children and persons with disabilities.
Each beneficiary was to get a total of Sh. 16, 000 to cover for eight months from November last year to June this year.
“Chiefs and their assistants can know the aged people who have been mistreated by their people due to the Inua Jamii money, I appeal to the security apparatus to take legal actions of those robbing our aged parents of their money,” he further said.
The anti-jigger campaigner further asked the aged who are robbed their money to report to chiefs’ offices saying there are cases where the affected are scared to make reports.
Kamau also appealed to the government to register more beneficiaries in the fund observing some aged people are neglected by their families and thus depend on well-wishers to get food among other basic necessities.
“In this region, we have cases where the aged are left on their own, without food among other basic needs. Let the government enroll these aged people to the cash transfer programme so they can get the monthly stipend.
He further regretted that some young people leave their children under care of their aged grandparents.
“If you have children make sure you provide for them instead of adding a burden to aged grandparents of taking care of children,” remarked Kamau.
Area assistant Chief Lewis Kimani on his part confirmed that one of the local residents was attacked by some young people and stole the stipend he had received.
Kimani noted they are pursuing the matter and those behind the attack will face the law calling upon the locals to take care of their aged parents.
“The aged people need to be taken care of not only by their people but by the entire community. It’s wrong to attack and steal from an aged person. The security team is investigating the incident and soon those behind the attack will be apprehended,” vowed the chief.
By Bernard Munyao
