Beneficiaries of social protection programmes will be getting their money before public servants earn their salaries, President William Ruto has announced.
Addressing a social protection conference in Nairobi, Ruto said the new changes will take effect from June 1.
The President regretted that beneficiaries of social protection programmes have been getting their money late, sometimes upto seven months after they are due.
“I have given instructions that from June 1, before public servants earn their salaries, cash transfer money will be paid. It is the right and moral thing to do,” he said.
“If we do not take care of the vulnerable, we will be judged very harshly.”
Ruto spoke on Tuesday at the Kenya Social Protection Conference 2023 at the Kenya School of Government, Lower Kabete.
Present were Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretaries Florence Bore (Labour) and Adan Duale (Defence), Council of Governor chair Anne Waiguru, Cotu boss Francis Atwoli, and representatives of UN agencies among other guests.
Bore said the number of Kenyans needing social protection stands at about 20 million, who include the elderly, persons living with disabilities, women and children.
“We have 20 million people who require social protection but the allocation to this group is 0.7 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product,” she said.
“We appreciate that the government is making social protection a priority. We appeal for more support.”
Bore promised that her ministry efficiency and effectiveness in provision of social protection services.
Waiguru said the well-being of the disadvantaged members of the society is hinged on the availability of social protection.
She said counties have made strides in providing social protection through the provision of health services to vulnerable groups and improving access to safe water.
“The primary challenge is lack of coordination of such programmes. Counties also have limited resources,” she added.
Waiguru said the Ministry of Labour and CoG need to come together and design and implement social protection programmes and policies.
“Counties are committed to implementing social protection programmes,” she assured.
