The government has announced plans to increase funding for cash transfers to elderly citizens by Ksh 15 billion over the next three years. This will raise the budget from Ksh 30 billion in the 2023/24 financial year to Ksh 45 billion by June 2027.
The move aims to provide financial relief to more senior citizens who rely on these funds for basic needs such as food, healthcare, and other daily expenses.
With this increase in funding, the number of beneficiaries is expected to grow significantly. Currently, 1.25 million elderly Kenyans benefit from the program, but the government is targeting an additional 638,386 people.
This will bring the total number of beneficiaries to 1.89 million by 2027. To achieve this, a recruitment drive will be carried out to register more eligible senior citizens who have not yet been included in the program.
The expansion of the cash transfer program follows a previous presidential directive that added 500,000 new beneficiaries. The government believes that increasing the number of recipients will improve the quality of life for many elderly Kenyans who depend on these funds for survival.
Women will make up a majority of the beneficiaries, with 61% of the recipients expected to be female. This translates to over 1.18 million women who will benefit from the program. The higher percentage of female beneficiaries reflects the reality that many elderly women face greater financial struggles compared to men.
In many cases, women outlive their spouses and may not have a stable source of income. In addition to increasing the budget and the number of beneficiaries, the government also plans to update its register.
This process will involve verifying the details of current recipients while also identifying more elderly citizens in need of support. The government aims to ensure that only those who genuinely qualify for the program receive assistance and that cases of fraud or mismanagement are minimized.
The cash transfer program has been a crucial source of income for many elderly Kenyans, especially those living in poverty. The additional funding is expected to reduce suffering among the elderly and help them live more dignified lives.
However, concerns remain about the efficiency of the program and whether the funds will reach the intended recipients without corruption or delays.
The success of the expansion will depend on how well the government manages the recruitment process and ensures that all eligible elderly citizens receive their rightful payments.
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