Economy

Elderly people get Sh1bn for basic items

This year’s cash stipend for the elderly has been launched and up to 105,000 people are expected to benefit across the country.

The Older Persons Cash Transfer Programme is a Sh2,000 bi-monthly fund set up in 2007 by the State to boost their spending power. They are paid through the Postal Corporation of Kenya (Posta).

Labour secretary Kazungu Kambi said the initiative would reduce poverty.

“Today we have disbursed Sh1 billion to directly help elderly persons put food on the table and meet the basic necessities,” said Mr Kambi.

Nairobi County has registered 4,690 new beneficiaries with a total allocation of Sh46, 900,000.

Every two months, the elderly, the disabled and orphans receive the cash designed for the poor and vulnerable.

Last month, the cost of living measure climbed to a seven-month high of 7.39 per cent.

The Bureau of Statistics linked this to a rise in prices of power, kerosene, and wheat and maize flour.