Lubao FM News 
A total of 40,320 households in the western Kenya region have been enrolled in the Inua Jamii cash transfer program, according to Duncan Ng’eno, the Coordinator of Children Services. Each household receives a monthly stipend of Sh2,000 in Kakamega, Bungoma, and Busia counties. Ng’eno also reported that an additional 34,039 households have recently been registered in the region, with validation processes underway to confirm their eligibility for the program.
The government’s cash transfer initiative currently supports over one million beneficiaries nationwide, amounting to Sh30 billion annually. The program aims to provide financial assistance directly to the most vulnerable households, particularly orphans and vulnerable children. Following a successful scale-up launched in September, the program is expected to benefit an additional 500,000 individuals.
Despite the program’s positive impact, challenges with beneficiaries acquiring Safaricom mobile lines for funds transfer have been noted by Ng’eno. Additionally, delays in the disbursement of bursary funds for 3,353 secondary school students under the Presidential bursary scheme have been highlighted, alongside concerns about insufficient funding for repatriating children to their homes and understaffing issues.
Ng’eno stressed the need for increased resources and collaboration with stakeholders to enhance the effectiveness of these cash transfer programs. He urged beneficiaries to employ the received funds responsibly to enhance their livelihoods. Ng’eno assured them of the government’s unwavering commitment to assisting the most vulnerable members of society and encouraged active participation in programs that aim to uplift their well-being.
