The government has released Sh3.4 billion for payment of Inua jamii beneficiaries.

The August funds target 1,215,343 beneficiaries in the older persons cash transfer programme and 428, 421 others in the orphans and vulnerable children programme.

It also includes 59,637 for persons with severe disabilities cash transfer programme all totalling 1, 703, 401 beneficiaries.

This, according to Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs Principal Secretary Joseph Motari is an increase of 21, 778 from its number in July.

The rise, he attributed to the ongoing efforts by the ministry to enrol more deserving Kenyans into the programme.

“This follows the president’s directive last year to upscale the programme to 2.5 million beneficiaries which will be done in phases,” he said.

Payment, he has noted, will commence on September 6, 2024.

Inua Jamii programme is a government initiative that supports the most vulnerable members of the community by providing them with a stipend to cushion them from poverty and hunger and improve their lives.

Last year, Ruto also directed that the money for the programme be released on the 15th of every month.

He also committed that his administration would be diligent in ensuring the timely disbursement of funds.

“If there are people who deserve our support, it is vulnerable in society,” he said during a past event in Taita Taveta.

For one to access the Sh2,000 monthly stipends, he or she must have been registered.

They must also have an Inua Jamii payment card, an Identity Card and a caregiver national card every time they want to make a withdrawal.

Elderly persons also have the liberty to choose among six banks as their payment service provider.

They include Equity, Cooperative, National Bank, Kenya Women Microfinance Trust, Kenya Commercial Bank and Kenya Post Office Savings Bank (Post Bank).