The plight of Elderly Kenyans Deepens as Inua Jamii Stipend Delays Persist
Due to delays in the monthly disbursement of the Inua Jamii government stipend, tens of thousands of senior citizens face starvation.
The last time the elders received their monthly allowance was at the beginning of the year. In Tambaya village, Mukurwe ini Nyeri county, we visited Mary Wanjiru’s home, who had just returned from the hospital.
And here the family explained their struggle to care for her without the government’s monthly stipend, with her elderly sister-in-law also feeling the effects of the delayed payment.
“Kama saa hii nimetoka hospitali, nimenunua dawa ya 2600, na hatukuwa na pesa, gari ni ya kukomboa, tunaomba ata serikali ikuwe ikiwapewa hii pesa Kila mwezi ndio ikuwe ikiwasaidia,” said Virginia Wangeci, Wanjiru’s helper.
Leah Mumbi’s condition necessitates that she take different medications.
“Mwili iko na shida nyingi na ukashindwa kununua dawa, na hatuna kadi ya NHIF itupeleke hospital,” she said.
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And in the neighboring village of Gakindu, we visited the residence of Karanja Theuri, aged 79.
The retired hotelier says he now spends the majority of his time with his grandchildren and receives a portion of his income from the Inua Jamii fund. His life has not been the same without it.
“Maisha imekuwa mzito sana maana hiyo pesa sasa Sina nguvu ya kufanya kazi na wale watoto nimezaa saa ingine wanakosa pesa juu hakuna kazi, kwa hivyo hiyo pesa nilikuwa nilipata inanisaidia sana,” he said.
Samuel Mburu, his helper, said, “saa yenye pesa haijatoka Kuna changamoto, juu Kuna dawa anafaa ajibuiye, so kunakuwa na challenge.”
The elderly Kenyans and their caregivers say that when they receive the 2,000 shilling monthly stipends. It is a lifesaver because it allows them to eat better and access healthcare. As the majority of them do not have health insurance.
They want the government to send them their dues and register any elderly person who is not part of the program.
“Inanisaidia kununua chakula, mafuta ya kukaanga mboga sikosi kwa hivyo ilikuwa inanisaidia sana,” Theuri said.
On the phone with Citizen TV, Social Protection Principal Secretary Joseph Motari acknowledged that there has been a delay, but he stated that he is in discussion with the Treasury Principal Secretary about the issue and that the beneficiaries will soon receive their funds.
Over one million Kenyans rely on the Inua Jamii program.
The plight of Elderly Kenyans Deepens as Inua Jamii Stipend Delays Persist
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