NAIROBI, Kenya – The government has announced a major shift in the disbursement of Inua Jamii funds, transitioning all beneficiaries to the eCitizen M-Pesa payment platform starting January 2025.
The move is aimed at improving efficiency and convenience for over 1.7 million Kenyans who rely on the monthly stipends.
Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs Principal Secretary Joseph Motari revealed the change on Thursday, emphasizing the simplicity of the new process.
Beneficiaries will now access their funds through M-Pesa agents by dialing the USSD code *222#.
The initiative is a collaboration between eCitizen, the government’s online service portal, and Safaricom, Kenya’s leading mobile service provider.
Government rolls out e-Citizen Mpesa payments for Inua Jamii beneficiaries starting January; Social Protection PS Motari urges beneficiaries to register Safaricom lines.
Safaricom customers with active M-Pesa accounts can continue using the service, while those without are encouraged to register.
The Inua Jamii programme provides crucial financial support to orphans, vulnerable children, senior citizens over 70, and individuals with severe disabilities.
Last month, the government disbursed Ksh. 3.517 billion, with each of the 1,758,735 beneficiaries receiving Ksh. 2,000.
Previously, only orphans and caregivers of persons with severe disabilities accessed their stipends via M-Pesa, while elderly beneficiaries traveled to banks for cash collection.
President William Ruto has lauded the shift to M-Pesa, noting it will spare recipients from the burden of long-distance travel and associated costs.
For beneficiaries needing further assistance, Motari advised visiting local Social Development offices, Children Services offices, Disability Offices, or calling the Inua Jamii toll-free line at 1533.
