The government has officially transitioned Inua Jamii Programme payments to mobile money platforms, a move aimed at curbing fraud and increasing accessibility for beneficiaries. Speaking at the KICC Tower, Government Spokesperson Hon. Sen. (Dr.) Isaac Mwaura, CBS, confirmed that President William Ruto’s directive ensures that the Kshs. 2,000 monthly stipend reaches the elderly, severely disabled persons, and orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) more efficiently.
Dr. Mwaura revealed that since payments for January 2025 commenced on February 11, about 1.4 million of the 1.7 million beneficiaries have already received their funds via mobile transfer. To ensure inclusivity, the government has partnered with Safaricom to facilitate SIM card access for beneficiaries without mobile phones. Those without handsets can visit mobile money agents with their SIM cards and identification cards to withdraw their funds.
Additionally, the government has integrated the service with the e-Citizen platform, where beneficiaries can access payments by dialing *222*3#.
“With mobile money, we are cutting down long distances beneficiaries previously traveled to access their stipends. Now, they can receive funds within their locality, reducing expenses and enhancing their welfare,” stated Dr. Mwaura.
The government plans to increase the Inua Jamii budget from the current Kshs. 3.52 billion to Kshs. 15 billion by June 2027, with the number of beneficiaries projected to grow to 2.5 million within the same period.
Tourism Sector Rebounds
Dr. Mwaura also reported significant growth in Kenya’s tourism sector, with the country recording 7.5 million tourists in 2024, a 14.6% increase from 2023. Domestic tourism also surged, with bed occupancy rising by 12% to 5.1 million.
Inbound tourism earnings reached Kshs. 452.20 billion, reflecting a 19.79% growth. The United States remained Kenya’s top source market, accounting for 12.8% of total arrivals, followed by Uganda (9.42%), Tanzania (8.49%), and the United Kingdom (7.5%). Other key source markets included India, Italy, China, and Germany.
The primary purpose of travel was holiday and leisure (44.2%), followed by business and conferences (26.9%), and visits to friends and relatives (22%).
With continued improvements in infrastructure, including increased immigration booths, personnel, and e-Gates at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the sector anticipates welcoming 3 million tourists in 2025.
“The tourism sector has made a strong recovery under President Ruto’s leadership, and we expect this upward trajectory to continue,” Dr. Mwaura stated.
The government remains committed to strengthening both social welfare programs and economic sectors as part of its broader development agenda.
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