Older persons in Kiambu County are set to benefit from Inua Jamii funds from June 2024 as the government begins opening bank accounts for those registered last year.
The exercises which started in Kiambu Sub County will be taking place in all the sub counties for five days.
The funding targets legible senior citizen aged 70 and above who will be receiving be Sh2, 000 every month from the national government through the Department of Social Protection
The Social Development Officer in charge of Kiambu Sub-County Rose Kanyutu said they had invited the six contracted banks to pitch tent in selected locations in the sub counties to ensure a smooth operation of the exercise
“Today is the first day of the account opening exercise for the older persons, happening here at Ndumberi stadium. We have six banks participating in this exercise which include, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), Co-operative Bank of Kenya, Equity Bank, Post Bank, National Bank of Kenya and the Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT),” Kanyutu said.
She added that about 1200 legible older persons will be opening new bank accounts in Kiambu Sub- County alone.
“Account opening is a continuous process which will be going on in our offices, even after the five days planned for the exercise have passed,” said Kanyutu.
The social development officer further encouraged the beneficiaries to take note of the place and dates when the exercise will be taking place in their locations to avoid crowing and long queues in the banks
Kanyutu said that the account opening exercise will only be restricted to the older persons as the government is yet to conduct validation tests for people living with disabilities, Orphans and vulnerable children.
“Plans are underway to ensure that validation tests are conducted to the registered persons with disability, orphans and vulnerable children to ascertain their legibility for the funds before they can also open their bank accounts” stated Kanyutu
She added that they will soon release a time table indicating when the door-to-door visit will be conducted in all the sub counties for the validation tests.
Martha Gakuo, a beneficiary of the Inui Jamii program in Ndumberi ward lauded the government for ensuring the banks came to them as the process is much faster and easier.
“I am glad because I am able to choose from any of these banks here without being influenced by anybody, the process has taken me less than 10 minutes and I am now ready to go back home” said Gakuo.
Last year, President Dr. William Ruto committed to increase the number of those under Social Protection from the current 1.2 million beneficiaries to 2.5 million in phases.
By Grace Naishoo
