The Office of the Government Spokesperson has addressed the situation surrounding the payment of Inua Jamii Programme stipends, which the President recently directed be done through mobile money going forward.
According to the government spokeswoman, Dr. Isaac Mwaura, this decision was well thought out, given the fraud cases that marred the disbursement of the funds through banks, as originally planned.
All one needs now, he said, is a mobile money-enabled SIM card to access the Kshs. 2,000 monthly stipends.
“These funds have benefitted about 1.7 million beneficiaries, including the elderly citizens above 70 years, the severely disabled, and orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs),” said Dr. Mwaura.
Since February 11, 2025 when the January 2025 payment began, Dr Mwaura disclosed that about 1.4 million beneficiaries have already accessed their funds through mobile transfers.
“We are aware that some beneficiaries do not own handsets, but all they need is a SIM card and an identity card while visiting a mobile money agent near them, and they will be assisted,” he noted.
Following this directive, the government spokesperson added that Safaricom has also allowed this demographic to access SIM cards as a way of ensuring all beneficiaries get their share of the fund.
He at the same time stated that the same services can be accessed on the e-citizen platform where beneficiaries just dial *222*3# and follow prompts that are easy and available in both English and Kiswahili.
“With mobile money, the government intends to cut down on the long distances the beneficiaries have had to travel, which sometimes meant that they spend almost everything and just a handful is left for their upkeep,” affirmed Dr. Mwaura, stressing that beneficiaries can now access their funds at the comfort of their homes and locality.
He continued, “Going forward, we anticipate a seamless and timely payment process that ensures no one is left behind.”
Dr. Mwaura maintained that the government remains committed to increasing the disbursements that now stand at Kshs 3.52 billion to Kshs.15 billion over three years to June 2027.
He further pointed out that the ongoing registration drive for new beneficiaries will see the 1.7 million beneficiaries grow, to a projected 2.5 million by 2027.
“This disbursement has always been done promptly and way ahead of the payments of salaries to civil servants. This trend is expected to continue to afford the beneficiaries a meaningful and decent livelihood,” asserted the government spokesperson.
Dr. Mwaura on the other hand mentioned that mobile money has proliferated the country in recent years, with the current M-Pesa reach, standing at 34 million subscribers, in addition to other mobile money platforms.
He announced there are currently over 381,116 mobile money agents, down to the villages, that will ensure these funds reach the beneficiaries with ease.
By Michael Omondi
