Kwale-based Australian mining firm Base Titanium has launched a cash transfer programme with biometric identification verification dubbed ‘Elders Empowerment Programme’.
Base Titanium in partnership Kenya Red Cross Society Kwale Branch and Equity Bank Kenya launched Elders Welfare Programme to cushion 500 vulnerable elders with monthly cash voucher assistance of Sh2,000 for the next 12 months, effective November 2023 to November 2024.
According to Base Titanium’s External Affairs General Manager (GM) Simon Wall the development is part of the commitment and good will of Base Titanium towards supporting the host community.
Mr Wall says the Economic Empowerment Programme seeks to support the elderly and vulnerable persons in the community as part of the elderly inclusion in Base Titanium’s social development programmes.
He says the initiative will see older persons from villages across Msambweni and Lunga-Lunga Sub-Counties impacted by mining activities receive a monthly stipends of Sh2,000, similar to the national government’s Inua Jamii Cash Transfer Programme steered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection.
The top mining official says the money meant to cushion the elders against the tough economic times occasioned by the high cost of living will be disbursed electronically by Equity Bank through their contracted agents.
He says the mining firm recognises and upholds the importance of social protection mechanisms aimed at promoting human development and social equity.
The launching ceremony was attended by Base Titanium’s External Affairs Manager Dr. Melba Wasunna, Kenya Red Cross Red Cross Society Coast Regional Manager Hassan Musa, and Equity Coast Region General Manager Joseph Ndungu, among others.
Mr Wall says the beneficiaries identified through the Kwale Kenya Red Cross branch are persons aged above 60 years and not receiving any other pensions.
“The launch of this programme allows the elderly to directly benefit and be part of Base’s projects. The youth have benefited through scholarships and jobs, women have livelihood enhancement projects and now it’s time for our fathers to also feel the benefits,” Wall said.
Mr Wall says the new social protection system represents a significant shift towards a comprehensive and holistic approach to social protection across the company’s mining life cycle.
“We wish to assure the beneficiaries of the vulnerable and older persons support project that the mining company will disburse their money at the appropriate time to cushion them against poverty,” said Wall.
He further urged the beneficiaries of the comprehensive, integrated, and progressive cash assistance scheme to use the stipends wisely in order to better their lives.
Hassan Musa of the Red Cross says the high level of extreme poverty and vulnerability associated with the perennial effects of droughts and floods provide a strong justification for the need for a social protection scheme to households with little or no self-help potential.
He says the pilot cash transfer scheme aims to assist the most destitute and incapacitated households in society to meet their basic needs, particularly health, food, and shelter.
On his part, Joseph Ndungu of Equity Bank hailed the use of biometric ID verification system for the cash transfer programme saying it will reduce cases of fraud.
Base Titanium that commenced production in 2013, operates on the South Coast of Kenya, extracting minerals mainly ilmenite, rutile, and zircon and is accredited as a Vision 2030 flagship mining project.
By Hussein Abdullahi
