Wamuchomba Flags Inconsistencies in Inua Jamii Mobile Money Payments

Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba has raised the alarm over irregularities in the disbursement of Inua Jamii stipends to elderly and vulnerable citizens in her constituency.

In a statement shared on Monday, August 25, Wamuchomba claimed that a significant number of beneficiaries had not received their monthly allocations since the government switched from direct bank deposits to mobile money transfers.

“This government is now famous for depriving the sick, the disabled, the youths, and now the elderly,” the legislator lamented. She argued that while beneficiaries consistently accessed their Ksh2,000 monthly stipend through bank accounts in the past, the transition to mobile money had “overshadowed accountability,” leaving many without support.

Wamuchomba further revealed she had compiled a list of affected individuals from her constituency to back her claims. “Depriving such needy groups is subscribing to a curse as a nation,” she cautioned.

Her concerns came weeks after the Ministry of Labour announced the disbursement of Ksh4.6 billion to cover payments for June and July. Beneficiaries were expected to receive Ksh4,000 each in a lump sum, following delays that had seen them miss the June payment.

While the shift to mobile money was designed to streamline access, given the wider reach of local agents compared to banks, the transition has been marred by challenges. Beneficiaries have reported discrepancies in personal data, particularly identification details, which are required for withdrawals.

“They are saying I was born in 1922, yet I know I was born in 1942. I have been using my ID for years without issues,” one elderly citizen complained. Another added, “Before, we used ATM cards. Now, they tell me my ID age does not match. How are we going to get help?”

Critics argue that the new system also exposes funds to a higher risk of fraud due to the ease of access through local mobile money agents.