Murang’a:More than 60,000 Inua Jamii beneficiaries in Murang’a County are undergoing biometric verification in a government initiative aimed at eliminating ghost beneficiaries and ensuring cash transfers reach the intended vulnerable households.
According to Kenya News Agency, the ‘Proof of Life’ exercise began on September 21 and is scheduled to continue until the end of October. Beneficiaries are required to present themselves for biometric capture to confirm their identities and update government records. The exercise is being conducted across Murang’a’s nine sub-counties through National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) offices, as stated by County Social Services Coordinator Ms. Lucy Gakere.
Gakere explained that the verification was necessary due to instances where beneficiaries who have passed away continue to receive government cash transfers via active mobile phone lines. This situation has arisen because the shift from bank-based payments to mobile phone transfers makes it challenging for the system to automatically verify if a beneficiary is still alive. The verification process allows the government to confirm identities, remove falsely registered individuals, and identify deceased beneficiaries.
The initiative targets beneficiaries enrolled under various components of the Inua Jamii programme, including older persons, people living with severe disabilities, and caregivers of individuals with severe disabilities. Eligible older persons and persons living with disabilities receive Sh. 2,000 per month or per household, respectively.
Gakere emphasized the programme’s importance for vulnerable individuals without retirement benefits or a history of formal employment and urged beneficiaries to participate in the verification to avoid disruptions in their payments. Failure to appear for verification could result in beneficiaries being deemed ineligible or nonexistent in government records.
The exercise has generally received a positive response, with local administrators assisting elderly beneficiaries and other vulnerable groups in accessing verification points. Nonetheless, logistical challenges such as transport and limited resources have slowed the movement of biometric equipment to some remote areas. Efforts are being made to ensure the equipment reaches all targeted areas.
The biometric exercise is part of a nationwide effort to clean up the Inua Jamii beneficiary database, improve accountability in the cash transfer programme, and prevent public funds from being paid to ineligible recipients. It is also expected to help maintain accurate records of beneficiaries as the government continues to use digital systems for social protection payments. Gakere encouraged prompt participation from beneficiaries and caregivers, highlighting that the verification aims to both detect irregularities and ensure genuine beneficiaries remain in the programme.
