According to President William Ruto's announcement, the government will begin paying out Inua Jamii social protection money before public employees' paychecks on June 1, 2023.
President Ruto said on Tuesday in Nairobi at the Kenya Social Protection Conference 2023 that it is abhorrent to ignore poor persons since doing so undermines the country's bottom-up approach to an economic transformation.
The disbursement, which the Cabinet and the Treasury have approved, would help to protect the fund's recipients, the Head of State underlined.
"It is fundamentally unjust to wait even one instant for whatever reason," he added. "Older residents, orphans and vulnerable youngsters, as well as persons living with significant disabilities, have a right to receive care today."
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"For this reason, the cabinet has recently authorized that starting on June 1, social protection cash transfers would be paid out ahead of public employees' salaries."
President Ruto stated that the consequences if the latter is not followed, will result in the government being severely held accountable.
He continued that the government has set aside Ksh. 28 billion to assist the scheme.
He said, "I know for a very long time we have had the cash being distributed 3,4,5,6 and sometimes 7 months after they are due."
"I believe it will be the right thing to do, as if we don't take care of the weak, we will be a society that is evaluated extremely harshly," the speaker said.
President Ruto expressed confidence that the action would help the country's economic development.
Currently, 16.1% of Kenyans, who peaked at 8.9 million during the AIDS outbreak, live below the poverty line, according to President Ruto.
Since 18.26% of Kenyan children under five are stunted, undernutrition prevents them from achieving their full potential and from growing and developing typically.
President Ruto urged pertinent partners and stakeholders to "join in this noble endeavour and speed our path to full social protection cover in Kenya," President Ruto urged relevant stakeholders and partners.
The Social Protection Support, Cash Transfer Program, includes Inua Jamii, which assists older adults, orphans, vulnerable children, and those with severe disabilities.