Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura/HANDOUT
Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura has said that the government is committed to increasing the Inua Jamii disbursement funds from Sh3.52 billion to Sh15 billion over three years to June 2027.
Mwaura said the ongoing registration drive for new beneficiaries will see the 1.7 million beneficiaries grow, to a projected 2.5 million by 2027.
The spokesman said the disbursement has always been done promptly and way ahead of the payments of salaries to civil servants.
“This trend is expected to continue to afford the beneficiaries a meaningful and decent livelihood,” he said.
President William Ruto recently directed that payment of Inua Jamii Programme stipends be done through mobile money going forward.
Mwaura said the decision was well thought out given the alleged fraud cases that marred the disbursement of the funds through banks.
He said Kenyans only need a mobile money-enabled SIM card to access the Sh2,000 monthly stipend.
“These funds have benefitted about 1.7 million beneficiaries, including the elderly citizens above 70 years; the severely disabled; as well as Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs). Since, February 11, 2025, when the January 2025 payment began, about 1.4 million beneficiaries have already accessed their funds, through mobile transfer,” he added.
“We are aware that some beneficiaries do not own handsets, but all they need is a sim card and an identity card while visiting a Mobile-money agent near them, and they will be assisted.”
Following the directive, Mwaura said Safaricom has also allowed for the demographic to access sim cards as a way of ensuring all beneficiaries get their share of the fund.
The same services can be accessed on the e-citizen platform where beneficiaries dial *222*3# and follow prompts available in both English and Kiswahili.
He said that with mobile money, the government intends to cut down on the long distances the beneficiaries have had to travel, which sometimes meant that they spend almost everything and just a handful is left for their upkeep.
Mwaura added that now the beneficiaries can access their funds in the comfort of their homes and locality.
“Going forward, we anticipate a seamless and timely payment process that ensures no one is left behind.”
On the tourism sector, the government spokesperson said Kenya's tourism is thriving again.
He said in 2024, Kenya welcomed 7.5 million tourists, both international and domestic. This translated to a 14.6 per cent growth, compared to the 2 million received in 2023.
In 2024 Kenya recorded 5.1 million domestic bed occupancy, up from 4.6 million in 2023 marking a 12 per cent.
“Noted that this did not capture bed occupancy in unregistered accommodation facilities and homestays, which are estimated to account for 10 percent of the bed occupancy. Combined bed occupancy grew by 16 percent from 8.6 million in 2023 to 10 million in 2024,” Mwaura added.
According to the government spokesman, inbound tourism earnings rose to Sh452.20 billion, reflecting a 19.79 per cent growth compared to 2023.
He said the United States remained Kenya’s largest source market accounting for 12.8 per cent of the total arrivals, followed by Uganda at 9.42 per cent and Tanzania at 8.49 per cent and the United Kingdom at 7.5 per cent.
India 5.5 per cent, Italy 3.8 per cent, China 3.8 and Germany 3.7 per cent among other foreign nations that visited the country.
