William Ruto Promises To Pay KSh 2.3b For Vulnerable Groups By End Of July 27

• Retired president Uhuru Kenyatta introduced social protection and affirmative action that has seen each beneficiary entitled to a monthly stipend of KSh 2,000
• Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ndung'u Njuguna said that out of KSh 38.2 billion, KSh 18 billion would be used for the cash transfer program of Pesa Kwa Wazee
• The CS said orphans and vulnerable children in the society would receive KSh 7.9 billion while KSh 1.2 billion was allocated to people living with disabilities

Lamu - President William Ruto's ruling Kenya Kwanza administration prioritised the vulnerable groups in society in the 2023/24 budget with an allocation of KSh 38.2 billion for social protection and affirmative action.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ndung'u Njuguna said that out of the amount, KSh 18 billion would be used for the cash transfer program of Pesa Kwa Wazee.

The orphans and the vulnerable children in the society Ndung'u said they would receive KSh 7.9 billion while KSh 1.2 billion was allocated to people living with disabilities.

The CS further said that the allocation would be ring-fenced to ensure that the intended beneficiaries have received their money in time.

Kenya's social protection program

On Thursday, July 27, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said that KSh 2.3 billion would be disbursed today to all cash transfer beneficiaries under the social protection program.

The monies are for July 2023 and are to be channelled to all the beneficiaries across the country.

“President Ruto promised that there’s no way his government can pay civil servants before paying stipends for the vulnerable,“ Hussein said in a statement posted on his official Twitter handle.

Hussein further said that Ruto, who spoke in Lamu, had announced KSh 32 billion shareable revenue for counties for July 2023, which is to be disbursed to counties today.

Boost for Lamu's fishing community

Meanwhile, the head of state issued cheques to the local fishing community at Mokowe in Lamu county.

"For various communities across Kenya, fishing is the dominant economic activity. Providing equipment, training, research and value addition to fishermen is a way of maximizing, the blue economy, boosting incomes and growing prosperity," Ruto said.

He also used his trip to the coastal county to the Lamu County Commissioner's Office in Mokowe.

"Government services are the right of every Kenyan. We are committed to ensuring access including online for all across every part of the country," the president further said.

Uhuru introduces social protection program

In January 2023, the government embarked on the disbursement of KSh 84.2 million to 10,534 senior citizens.

On Tuesday, January 10, Principal Secretary of State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizens Affairs Joseph Motari visited Kajiado county where he oversaw the disbursement of the funds.

Under the programme that was initiated by retired president Uhuru Kenyatta, each beneficiary is entitled to a monthly stipend of KSh 2,000.