Hundreds of elderly people aged seventy years and above assembled at Tendere grounds in Gucha subcounty, Kisii County, marking a significant step in the government’s ongoing efforts to support vulnerable populations through the Inua Jamii Scale-Up program.
This initiative, spearheaded by the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, aims to provide monthly stipends to the elderly, ensuring they have the financial means to sustain themselves.
The event saw a substantial turnout of senior citizens, eager to open bank accounts necessary for receiving the Old Persons Cash Transfer (OPCT) funds. According to Faith Kemunto, the Gucha sub county children officer, these newly registered individuals are expected to start receiving their funds from the beginning of July.
“The people will be receiving monthly stipends of 2000 shillings from the beginning of the new financial year,” Kemunto announced, bringing hope and relief to many elderly attendees.
Kemunto also highlighted the parallel efforts being made to register orphans and people with disabilities (PWDs). “We are still continuing to register the orphans and people with disabilities, and so far, we have registered 1298 across the subcounty,” she noted, adding that this registration drive involves enumerators visiting households to ensure no eligible person is left out.
The Subcounty Children’s officer emphasized that for registration, the beneficiaries must have the original National Identification Card for the elderly, and for the orphaned children, birth certificates and death certificates of their deceased parents.
“We intend to ensure that all elderly people in the subcounty who have attained the set age benefit from the program fully,” Kemunto stated, adding that the initiative is designed to supplement the support already provided to current recipients, expanding the reach and impact of the program.
The registration phase is set to run up to June 2024, after which the registered individuals will start receiving their funds. Kemunto recommended banks that are easily accessible.
She stressed the importance of cooperation from beneficiaries in providing the required information to enumerators, with the assistance of local chiefs, to ensure the operation’s success.
Assistant Chief Timothy Onsongo shared insights into the challenges previously encountered during the registration process singling out people attempting to forge documents to meet the age requirement and the elderly arriving without the necessary documentation.
“There is therefore a need for civic education,” Onsongo remarked, underscoring the importance of public awareness in facilitating smooth registration.
Onsongo also pointed out the problem of age disparity among applicants, where the ages stated by applicants did not match government records. “Some of the beneficiaries do not have the identification cards necessary for the activity,” he added. To address this, Onsongo suggested that age amendment could be made at the Registrar’s office upon providing sufficient evidence.
The event was marked by expressions of joy and anticipation among the elderly attendees with Mericella Nyambeki, a 72-year-old participant, sharing her excitement: “I am delighted that now, after opening a bank account, I will be able to receive the funds. I will be able to buy some household items and food to sustain me and my orphaned grandchildren, and if possible, pay school fees for them.”
Her sentiments were echoed by many others who praised the process for being simple, quick, and efficient.
A toll-free line 1533 was given to beneficiaries and or caregivers and members of the public to use to engage with the programme. The toll-free line operates from Monday to Friday between 8.00 a.m. and 5 p.m.
By Wilfred Ochoti
