Githunguri, Kiambu County — Wamuchomba Demands Audit of Inua Jamii Cash Transfers

Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has raised fresh concerns over irregular payments in the Inua Jamii cash transfer programme, accusing the government of neglecting elderly and vulnerable citizens.

In a statement on 25 August 2025, the lawmaker said many residents of her constituency had not received their monthly Ksh2,000 stipends since the government switched the payment method from bank accounts to mobile money earlier this year. She claimed to have compiled a list of unpaid beneficiaries, warning that the failures amount to deprivation of the sick, disabled, youth and elderly.

Complaints Over Mobile Money System

Under the old system, beneficiaries accessed funds through bank cards. Since January, they must withdraw cash using identity cards at mobile money agents. Wamuchomba argued that the change undermined accountability and has instead exposed citizens to fraud and inefficiencies.

She cited multiple complaints from residents, including mismatched identity details and errors in records. One beneficiary said her date of birth was incorrectly registered as 1922 instead of 1942, locking her out of payments. Others reported being blocked due to mismatched ID details, while some said the new system has exposed them to impersonation and theft.

Government Position

The Ministry of Labour recently announced that it had disbursed Ksh4.6 billion for June and July, assuring that each eligible beneficiary was entitled to Ksh4,000 following earlier delays. Officials have defended the mobile money model, saying it is intended to improve efficiency and reach.

But Wamuchomba insists the shift has widened the gap between urban and rural recipients, especially in areas with poor mobile infrastructure or limited access to agents. “Our elderly are suffering. What was meant to ease access has turned into another hurdle,” she stated.

Broader Challenges in Cash Transfer Programmes

Kenya’s social protection programmes have long faced scrutiny over delays, ghost beneficiaries, and system inefficiencies. Advocacy groups argue that while Inua Jamii has cushioned thousands of vulnerable households, weak monitoring and frequent disruptions undermine its impact.

Wamuchomba’s remarks add pressure on the government to conduct a full audit of the new payment system, resolve discrepancies, and reassure beneficiaries of their rightful support. Without urgent intervention, analysts warn, gaps in the programme risk eroding public confidence in one of Kenya’s key welfare safety