More than 500,000 senior citizens aged 70 and above have not received their bimonthly pension from the government through the Inua Jamii Program since November 2018.
Through the program, the government committed to remit 4,000 shillings that were to be paid every two months to help the elderly in society take care of their needs.
The program was launched on 5th of July 2017 under the Ministry of East African Community, Labor and Social Protection in what was termed as “unconditional cash transfer to the elderly aged 70 and above.”
In 2017, Kenya was estimated to have at least 1.2 million elderly people who needed urgent financial help and who lived in abject poverty.
The cash had managed to help thousands of the elderly especially in the rural areas, though little, but enough to handle some of their financial needs as well as those of their families.
Irregular Flow of Cash
According to most elderly under the Inua Jamii Program, there has been an irregular flow of cash from the government since the kick off in January 2018.
Some elderly said they received no cent for the first six months, only to receive 4,000 shillings in July 2018 instead of the accumulated 12,000 shillings.
Some officials charged with the disbursement have also been accused of demanding a cut from the amount every elder receives.
In Tongaren Constituency, Bungoma County, for instance, old men and women under the Inua Jamii Program are forced to part with half the amount they receive, as “tea for the officials” to be “assured of the next disbursement.”
“The program is about scratching one’s back so that yours can also get scratched. It is about using the plight of the poor to enrich the already filthy rich,” said one of the elderly from Tongaren Constituency, Bungoma County.
No Cash since November 2018
There has been no cash for the elderly since November 2018 with no communication from the authorities to explain to them what is happening.
The ministry says the Treasury has failed to disburse the funds meant for the program leading to immense suffering for those who already were relying on the funds to change their lives.
The National Treasury has remained mute about the matter and now the elderly feel the government is abandoning them, leaving them to wallow in poverty like before.
It is in the Constitution of Kenya
The Inua Jamii Program was in line with what is stated in the Constitution about the responsibility of the state towards older persons.
Article 57 of the Constitution of Kenya states that; The State shall take measures to ensure the rights of older persons – (a) to fully participate in the affairs of society; (b) to pursue their personal development; (c) to live in dignity and respect and be free from abuse; and (d) to receive a reasonable care and assistance from their family and the State.