NAIROBI: The Office of the Government Spokesperson has announced a significant change in the disbursement process of the Inua Jamii Programme stipends, following a directive from the President to shift payments to mobile money.

According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Isaac Mwaura, the government spokeswoman, stated that this decision aims to address fraud cases that previously occurred when funds were distributed through banks. Beneficiaries will now require only a mobile money-enabled SIM card to access their monthly stipend of Kshs. 2,000.

The programme currently benefits approximately 1.7 million people, including elderly citizens over 70 years, the severely disabled, and orphans and vulnerable children. Since the implementation of mobile transfers on February 11, 2025, about 1.4 million beneficiaries have accessed their funds.

Dr. Mwaura acknowledged that some beneficiaries might not own mobile handsets. However, a SIM card and an identity card are sufficient for accessing funds at a nearby mobile money agent. In support of this initiative, Safaricom has made SIM cards accessible to these individuals.

The transition to mobile money aims to reduce travel distances for beneficiaries, who previously spent a significant portion of their stipend on travel expenses. This new method allows beneficiaries to access funds conveniently from their homes.

The government anticipates a seamless and timely payment process, ensuring inclusivity. It plans to increase disbursements from the current Kshs. 3.52 billion to Kshs. 15 billion by June 2027.

The current registration drive aims to increase the number of beneficiaries from 1.7 million to a projected 2.5 million by 2027. Payments are made promptly, ahead of civil servant salaries, to ensure beneficiaries lead meaningful lives.

Mobile money usage has grown in recent years, with M-Pesa reaching 34 million subscribers and over 381,116 mobile money agents nationwide. This network facilitates easy fund access for beneficiaries.