Empowering the Vulnerable: Kenya Boosts Mobile Money Roll‑Out in Inua Jamii Disbursements
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By James Nyaigoti,
In a bid to enhance efficiency and accessibility for its most vulnerable populations, the Kenyan government has just released Ksh 4.607 billion under the Inua Jamii Cash Transfer Programme.
These funds cover stipends for June and July 2025, benefitting 1,151,917 senior citizens and individuals living with severe disabilities enrolled in the programme, translating to Ksh 4,000 per beneficiary (Ksh 2,000 per month).
This disbursement comes amid a broader shift from traditional bank payments to mobile money-based transfers. Beginning in early 2025, the government—under directives from President Ruto—transitioned stipend payments to M-Pesa via the e-Citizen platform. This approach was prompted by recurring fraud and inefficiencies linked to bank-based payments.
Under this system, beneficiaries need only a mobile money-enabled SIM card and a valid ID to receive their stipend. Safaricom has partnered by ensuring SIM access and facilitating mobile money agent services across the country. Over 1.4 million beneficiaries have already accessed their funds via mobile money since the transition began in January 2025.
Prior to this transition, many elderly recipients were forced to travel long distances to the nearest bank, often using most of their stipend on transport alone. The move to mobile money has significantly reduced this burden, allowing more recipients to keep their full allowance.
However, it’s not without challenges. Delays in disbursement especially for the June cycle have sparked frustration in regions like Bomet and Kericho, where some beneficiaries still await payment and continue to face hardships.
The government plans to scale the programme significantly: funds are expected to grow from the current Ksh 3.52 billion to Ksh 15 billion over three years (by June 2027), while increasing beneficiary coverage from about 1.7 million to 2.5 million individuals.
Inua Jamii Programme Highlights
Feature detail recent Disbursement Ksh 4.607 billion for June–July 2025 (Ksh 4,000 per beneficiary)Beneficiaries1,151,917 seniors & persons with severe Disabilities payment Method: Mobile money via e-citizen M‑Pesa platform Rationale improve access, reduce fraud and transport burdens ChallengesDelays in certain regions causing beneficiary hardshipFuture PlansScale to Ksh 15 billion & 2.5 million beneficiaries by 2027.
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