Elderly people follow proceedings during the launch of the electronic cash transfer. [Photo/ nation.co.ke]
Beneficiaries of the monthly cash stipend in Kinango Sub County in Kwale have cried foul over delayed payments.
They said there was no point in the government introducing the elders’ scheme if it knows it cannot implement it.
The elders said they had waited for payment for three days to no avail.
Francis Nzau from Ndavaya location said some of the elders were weak because of lack of food and some had to be carried back home after lining up for three days waiting to be paid.
Government currently pay elders over the age of 65 Sh2,000 every month to help them buy basic commodities particularly food.
Koki Munywoki, at a press briefing criticized government over delayed disbursement of the funds.
During his budget speech in Parliament on March 30, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich said Kenyans above the age of 70, besides receiving the monthly stipend would get medical cover irrespective of their incomes status.
Rotich said the annual payment- Sh7.4 billion- would also see elderly people get National Health Insurance Fund covers.
The cash introduced in 2012 targeted individuals above the age of 65 living in extreme poverty.
The 2015 World Health Organization report put life expectancy in Kenya at 63.