The World Bank (WB) will spend Sh.25 billion under the Kenya Social Economic and Inclusion Project in the next five years, to uplift living standards of poor people in five counties across the country.
The WB Social Protection and Jobs Officer, Ms. Giulia Parzani said her organization will use existing structures to reach the targeted beneficiaries in Kisumu, Marsabit, Taita Taveta, Makueni and Murang’a counties, where the project will be carried out through the State Department of Social Protection.
“The people to benefit are expected to be either under cash transfer programme, self- help groups and community groups that already exist and can easily be supervised,” said Parzani while speaking to the media in Wote town Tuesday.
The WB official, who was accompanied by the Deputy Director Social Development Officer, Winnie Mwasiaji, said that the programme will deal with economic inclusion and nutrition intervention in the identified areas during the period under review.
The team is in the county to establish profile, livelihood situation, market analysis and county stakeholders among other issues.
On her part, Mwasiaji disclosed that 1,500 beneficiaries have been identified to benefit from the programme in Mbooni and Kibwezi sub-counties.
At the same time, she said the beneficiaries whether individual groups or those in cash transfer programme, will be trained and mentored to ensure that they are able to start income generating projects, by even using their caregivers.
Therefore, the deputy director said that this venture will help the beneficiaries graduate from poverty and improve on their living standards.
“We will do this targeting and identify people who are benefitting under the cash transfer programmes or self-help groups and were poor and vulnerable. Each person will be given Sh.30, 000 that will be invested in an income generating project for sustainability,” said Mwasiaji.
However, she did not disclose whether the monies to be advanced to the beneficiaries would be a grant or a loan.
Speaking at the same briefing, the County Director Social Development, Daniel Mulonzi said that they are yet to identify the specific wards where beneficiaries will be drawn, from the two sub-counties.
By Patrick Nyakundi
