Mobile payments bring major relief to elderly Inua Jamii beneficiaries

 

Inua Jamii beneficiaries in Ngong, Kajiado North Constituency, have praised the government for ensuring they can access their funds in an easy, fast and convenient way.

 

Addressing the media in Ngong, the elderly persons said since the government introduced the payment of the funds through E-Citizen, they are able to save on transportation costs which they would have used to access the banks.

 

“We used to travel for long distances to access the banks in addition to spending the money on transport but we thank the government for introducing E-Citizen which makes access to funds easier as M-pesa agents are everywhere,” said Ann Njoki, a beneficiary.

 

Another beneficiary, Agnes Maina said that due to health complications, she is not able to travel for long distances to access the funds in the bank and has had to depend on her caregiver but she now is thankful that the funds are easily accessible.

 

Principal Secretary for Social Protection Joseph Motari, who conducted spot checks at Ngong to monitor the ongoing Inua Jamii cash transfer payments also reiterated that the new payment will enable the beneficiaries to access their payments in a more convenient way.

 

“The president directed us to ensure that the elderly are paid through their mobile phones. In some cases, the elderly used the Sh1,000  for transport thus remaining with Sh1,000  and that is why the president said that they be paid via M-pesa and E-Citizen platforms,” PS Motari said.

He emphasised that the government remains committed to ensuring the seamless disbursement of cash transfers to enhance the well-being of vulnerable citizens.

 

Earlier, the State Department for Social Protection disbursed Sh3.52 billion to 1,760,074 beneficiaries under the Inua Jamii programme for the January 2025 payment cycle. Each beneficiary received Sh2,000.

 

The government is transitioning Inua Jamii payments from bank accounts to M-pesa agents via the E-Citizen to enhance service delivery.

 

The move was necessary to make the payments closer, easier and faster through the wide network of MPESA agents.

 

The pilot phase began in November 2024 in Murang’a and Marsabit Counties. The funds can be accessed through the M-pesa platform via E-Citizen by dialing *222#.

 

Beneficiaries or caregivers may visit any M-pesa agent with their national ID to withdraw the full amount without transaction charges, or transfer the funds to their M-pesa wallets for flexible use.

 

Those without registered Safaricom lines are required to purchase one, have it registered with their identity cards and activate M-pesa.

 

Though M-pesa agents are not usually allowed to register a line if anyone is 60 years and above, Safaricom has made an exception for Inua Jamii beneficiaries or caregivers whose identity cards have been validated by Safaricom.