The Government has released ksh.8.5 billion to more than 1.1 million beneficiaries under the Inua Jamii Cash Transfer programme.
Making the announcement, Labour and Social Protection CS, Amb. Ukur Yatani said the payments will cover the months of March-April and May-June 2019 cycles, where each beneficiary will receive ksh.8000 for those two cycles.
“The payments will commence late June throughout the country through the four contracted service providers which include Co-operative bank, Equity bank, KCB and Post Bank.
The Social Protection CS made the announcement at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) Thursday when he launched the Strategic Plan for the National Council for Persons with Disability (NCPWD) 2019-2022.
He said that the exercise has helped to do a thorough payroll-cleansing. “This has helped the Ministry in authenticating the rightful beneficiaries in the programme”. Said Amb. Yatani.
The CS assured beneficiaries that the programme has gone through radical re-engineering aimed at making its implementation more credible, transparent and more dignifying.
He added that the system is more secure enabling beneficiaries to withdraw from several outlets.
He appreciated efforts made by stakeholders very supportive particularly in rolling out the programme; the National Treasury for releasing the required Exchequer on time; Ministry of interior and coordination of National Government for continued support in community and provision of security.
He assured Kenyans that by their concerted efforts they are determined to ensure that Inua Jamii as one of the strategic interventions remains a model project in the regime.
Meanwhile, The CS congratulated NCPWD for coming up with an elaborate Strategic Plan which will move the disability sector to high levels of prosperity.
“I have perused through the plan and I am satisfied that the strategy was well thought through and clearly outlined the strategies the Council will use in realizing its mandate in the next five years.” said CS Yatani.
He noted with gratitude that the Strategic Plan is aligned to key policy instruments such as the Vision 2030 and the Third Medium Term Plan (MTP III), the “Big Four Agenda”, Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s).
“This indeed is a clear demonstration that the Council is responsive to the dynamic changing needs of the society.” said the CS.
He said the plan provides a road map for the Council to promote and protect equalization of opportunities and realization of human rights for persons with disabilities to live decent livelihoods.
“It is my hope that the Council will be able to seize any available opportunity to realize its vision of creating a barrier free society for persons with disabilities,” said Amb. Yatani.
He assured members of the Board, staff and the disability fraternity that his Ministry’s will support the Council in delivering its mandate.
He said that his Ministry will fast track the finalization of the enactment of the Persons with Disabilities Amendment Bill 2019 which proposes some far reaching measures to ensure inclusion of persons with disabilities.
CS Yatani said that funds will be administered prudently so as to respond to the expressed needs of persons with disabilities in all counties without any discrimination.
“I urge the Council to give special considerations to those persons with disabilities who are poor and vulnerable and those in the marginalized areas.” he said”
In attendance were Labour and Social Protection CAS, Hon. Abdul Bahari, Social Protection PS, Nelson Marwa and Parliament representative for persons with disability, Hon. David Ole Sankok.
By Joseph K. Mwangi
