Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Speech by Hon. Simon K. Chelugui, Cabinet Secretary, during the Official Launch of the UK's Urban Digital Cash Transfer Programme in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kenya (November 11th 2020)
Summary
A speech by Hon. Simon K. Chelugui, Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, at the official launch of the UK's Urban Digital Cash Transfer Programme in response to the Covid-19 pandemic in Kenya. Chelugui says the Inua Jamii Programme has disbursed Kes.166.9 Billion to 1,233,129 poor households, and that the government allocated Kes.10 billion in Financial Year 2019/2020 for an emergency cash transfer reaching 333,200 households with Kes.1000 a week. The UK government granted 5 Million Sterling pounds, approximately Ksh 680 Million, for a Digital Cash Transfer Programme implemented by GiveDirectly. It is expected to cover 52,700 vulnerable people in urban informal settlements in Nairobi and Mombasa for three months.
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- 2026-10-14
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Full text
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL PROTECTION
OFFICE OF THE CABINET SECRETARY
SPEECH BY
HON. SIMON K. CHELUGUI
CABINET SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND
SOCIAL PROTECTION
DURING THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE UK’S URBAN
DIGITAL CASH TRANSFER PROGRAMME IN RESPONSE TO
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN KENYA.
ON NOVEMBER, 11TH 2020
Her Excellency, the British High Commissioner to Kenya, Ms. Jane Marriott,
The Country Director for GiveDirectly, Ms. Lydia Muya,
The Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social protection,
Hon Patrick Ole Ntutu
Principal Secretary State Department for Social Protection Mr Nelson Marwa
Social Protection Practitioners joining us virtually,
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good Morning
It gives me great pleasure to join you today, to officiate the launch of the UK’s
Urban Digital Cash Transfer Programme in response to the Covid-19 pandemic
in Kenya.
Let me start by recognizing the continued support your government has given
to the Government of Kenya, especially in the implementation of Social
protection programme which have continued to improve the livelihood of poor
and vulnerable households.
Over the years, the Government of Kenya has continued to implement various
social protection interventions that support the poor and vulnerable
households in the community. In particular, my Ministry implements the Inua
Jamii Programme which consist of three programmes; the Cash Transfer
programme for Orphan and Vulnerable Children, Older Persons and Persons
with Severe Disabilities, to enable them meet their daily basic needs. These
programmes provide safety nets in form of monthly stipend of Kes. 2,000 per
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beneficiary household, paid every two months to enable the beneficiaries meet
their basic needs and to live a dignified life.
The Inua Jamii programme is a Flagship Project under the Social Pillar of the
Kenya Vision 2030 and pursuance to Article 43(3) of Kenya Constitution. So
far, this programme has disbursed a total of Kes.166.9 Billion to 1,233,129
poor households. These households include 353,000 Orphans and Vulnerable
Children, 833,129 Older Persons and 47,000 Persons with Severe
Disabilities.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The current Covid-19 pandemic has caused numerous challenges in the society
and if one is not infected then they are affected. This pandemic has led to loss
of lives, jobs, and slowed down economic performance, making millions of
poor and vulnerable people across the globe to lose their livelihood. Like the
rest of the family of nations, Kenya has suffered the adverse effect of the
pandemic, especially among the poor, unemployed and those in informal
employment.
In order to cushion the poor and vulnerable members of our society, who are
currently not beneficiaries of the Inua Jamii Programme, the Government
allocated Kes.10 billion during the Financial Year 2019/2020, through
which, an emergency cash transfer programme was started in April 2020, to
mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic among the vulnerable
households. Through this funding, a total of 333,200 beneficiary
households from the 47 counties have been supported with each household
receiving Kes.1000 on a weekly basis through mobile money transfer. In
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addition, Kes.1billion was allocated to the Ministry under Economic Stimulus to
support more poor households.
While we recognize that it is our mandate as a government to support the less
fortunate in our society, the government of Kenya appreciates the partnership
and assistance that it has continued to receive over the years from the UK
government in support of its various programmes. As a testament of this
cordial relationship, in June, 2020, the Ministry was informed of the intention
of the UK Government’s to supplement our Government efforts in providing
cash transfer in response to Covid-19 pandemic in the country.
I am glad to note that the UK government availed a grant of 5 Million Sterling
pounds (Approximately Ksh 680 Million) to finance a Digital Cash
Transfer Programme. This programme currently ongoing, is expected to cover
52,700 vulnerable people living in urban informal settlements, in Nairobi and
Mombasa. The programme planned to run for three months, will go a long way
in improving their livelihood and wellbeing, and enable them to participate in
rebuilding of our economy.
I commend GiveDirectly, the organization implementing this programme,
for working closely with our Community Based Organizations, in identifying
the beneficiaries and for leveraging on innovative technology that has ensured
effective and efficient disbursement of funds to the recipients.
To echo the words of the former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, “At a
time of global economic turmoil and uncertainty, investment in social
protection is necessary, feasible and effective’’. Today, we have heard from
beneficiaries and witnessed the transformation this programme has had in
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their lives. It is therefore evident that cash transfer demonstrates a caring
culture and has empowered families, saved livelihoods and restored dignity
among the disadvantaged, the elderly, People with Disability and Orphaned
Children in the society. Let us always remember that all men and women are
created in the image of God and, their potential with the right support is
unlimited
With those few remarks, it is now my honour to officially launch the UK’s
Urban Digital Cash Transfer Programme.
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL
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