Thousands of Inua Jamii beneficiaries in Kenya will not receive their next payment in 2023 after failing to renew their bank accounts.
The government’s cash transfer program is aimed at providing support to vulnerable groups in society such as the elderly, orphans, and people living with disabilities.
According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, beneficiaries who had not renewed their bank accounts by the end of January 2023 will be purged from the payroll.
The renewal process required beneficiaries to open bank accounts with one of the six contracted Payment Service Providers (PSPs) – KCB, Equity, Cooperative, KWFT, National Bank, and Post Bank – starting from November 2021.
The Ministry has indicated that beneficiaries who missed out on the renewal process will have to wait until the next verification exercise in June 2023 to be reinstated back into the program.
This means that those who were expecting to receive their next payment in 2023 will not be able to do so.
The Inua Jamii program was launched in 2017 by the government to provide a social safety net for vulnerable groups in society.
The program has been a lifeline for many beneficiaries who rely on the cash transfers to meet their basic needs.
The payments are usually made on a bi-monthly basis, and any interruption in the payments could have a significant impact on the beneficiaries.
The failure by some beneficiaries to renew their bank accounts could be attributed to various reasons, including lack of awareness, mobility challenges, and difficulties accessing banking services in rural areas.
The government has, however, been keen to ensure that all beneficiaries are aware of the renewal process and has been conducting public sensitization campaigns to encourage compliance.
In conclusion, the exclusion of some beneficiaries from the Inua Jamii program is a setback for the government’s efforts to support vulnerable groups in society.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection has urged all beneficiaries to renew their bank accounts promptly to avoid being purged from the payroll.
It is essential that the government continues to enhance public awareness and improve access to banking services to ensure that no one is left behind
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