Elderly people in Sipili set to receive monthly stipend

By Bob Aston 

President Uhuru Kenyatta this month launched a Sh12 billion cash transfer programme for the elderly, orphans and vulnerable. The fund which will cater for the elderly above 65 years is now set to benefit the elderly in Sipili Division, Laikipia County. Government officials and elderly people drawn from the two locations of Sipili Division met on February 12, 2014 at the Sipili District Officer’s (DO) office to select the elderly people who will benefit from the cash transfer programme.

Wangwaci chief addressing elderly people at Sipili

The more than 200 elderly people who were present during the meeting were taken through the various requirements for one to be a beneficiary by Peter Kulei from the Department of Social Development, in the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Services.

Kulei informed the elderly people that for one to be considered for the cash transfer programme, the person should meet the following requirements: Be above 65 years, should be a resident of Sipili Division for a period of not less than one year, should not be a beneficiary of any other government initiative, the person should not have been a former government employee who is receiving pension, should be from a poor background and finally should be a Kenyan citizen.

“We will not include anyone in the cash transfer programme without holding a consultative meeting. We have come here for targeted groups. Those who will benefit will have the funds backdated to July 2013,” said Kulei.

Some of the elderly people being addressed

Each of the two locations of Sipili Division presented a list of 20 names. Thirteen (13) elderly people from each location will benefit from the cash Transfer program while the remaining seven (7) will be in the waiting list.

“It is important to note that not everyone can benefit from the programme. We will be back again in October to select another group,” said Kulei.

The programme was first mooted in 2007. It targets people above 65 years who cannot cater for their basic needs. Beneficiaries will receive a monthly stipend of Sh2,000.

“This project is yours. You are the ones who will decide those who will benefit from the programme. This is the first time that we are going to take such a huge number of beneficiaries,” said Kulei.

Kulei also informed those living with disability to forward their names to the ministry. He said that a picture of the disabled person should be taken then the persons details written at the back of the picture.