Today, the Departmental Committee on Labour and Social Protection chaired by Mwea MP Hon Josephat Kabinga Wachira held a meeting with the Ministry of Public Service, Gender, Senior Citizens Affairs and Special Programmes.
The Ministry which was represented by Nelson Marwa (Principal Secretary, Social Protection), told the committee that the Ministry is working hard to ensure that all elderly persons eligible to benefit from the Inua Jamii fund are all registered, further giving notice of until 3rd of December 2021 for all to open functional bank accounts in order to receive the money given by the Government.
The Ministry stated that it is in the process of completely migrating beneficiaries from the card-based payment system to account-based payments due to several gaps noted in the card system.
The PS, also issued a comprehensive response to a statement sought by Hon Dr Jacqueline Oduol, MP on the Recognition and Protection of family units by the State.
Accompanied by his team of directors, PS Marwa highlighted the measures that the ministry has taken to ensure the protection of families from challenges currently faced like insecurity, severe mental health issues, parenting, indiscipline, among others.
PS Marwa told the committee that to mitigate the situation, the Ministry has among other measures ensured the:
i) Development of a national family promotion and protection policy
ii) Implementation of family promotion and strengthening programmes focussed on empowering families
iii) Initiation of the process of developing a national parenting programme, in collaboration with UNICEF aimed at preparing caregivers and parents for parenting roles and responsibilities
iv) Development of the Kenya National care reform Strategy which seeks to provide policy direction to guide the protection and prevention of children from separation with their families
v) Provision of care and support for vulnerable older members of the society through setting up of rescue centres.
vi) Implementation of the Inua Jamii Cash Transfer programme to cushion the vulnerable families against adverse economic shocks
vii) Developed a National Prevention and Response plan on Violence against children 2019-2023, aimed at accelerating evidence-based multi-sectoral actions to protect children from violence.
viii) Rolled out a national campaign on Violence against children dubbed ‘Spot it, Stop it’ aimed to raise awareness.
