Nairobi — September 24, 2025

The government has released Sh880 million to support some of Kenya’s most vulnerable families under the Inua Jamii cash transfer programme, in what officials describe as a renewed effort to safeguard children and strengthen struggling households.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services, a total of 440,020 beneficiary households will each receive Sh2,000 under the Cash Transfer for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (CT-OVC) programme. The payment covers the September 2025 cycle and will be disbursed through contracted service providers starting Tuesday, 24 September.

“The funds are meant to support the welfare of children and strengthen families’ ability to care for them,” the ministry said.

The statement further noted that the CT-OVC programme aims to keep orphans and vulnerable children within family and community care, rather than in institutional settings, while promoting their education, health, and long-term wellbeing.

“The programme supports increased enrolment and transition in education, improved health and nutrition outcomes, enhanced household food security, and better child protection,” the ministry added.

Officials said the initiative is part of Kenya’s broader social protection strategy, designed to reduce poverty and vulnerability among children and disadvantaged families.

The Inua Jamii programme, launched as the government’s flagship social safety net, provides regular bi-monthly stipends to three groups: orphans and vulnerable children, older persons aged 70 and above, and persons with severe disabilities.

For many recipients, the stipend — though modest — represents a critical lifeline. It helps pay for food, school fees, and healthcare in communities where economic opportunities remain scarce.

Social policy experts have long viewed Inua Jamii as a cornerstone of Kenya’s welfare framework. By combining direct financial support with community-based monitoring, the programme aims not just to alleviate poverty but to promote dignity and inclusion among those often left behind.

The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to expanding the programme’s reach, saying the government “remains dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of children and promoting inclusion through continued financial and social support to needy families.”