Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

President William Ruto has announced that vulnerable groups such as the elderly will now be paid their stipends ahead of civil servants’ monthly pay.

Speaking on Tuesday, April 2023, during the official opening of the Kenya Social Protection Conference at the Kenya School of Government in Lower Kabete, Ruto stated that the move will cushion and enhance their sense of belonging in society.

Under the new scheme, the Government has allocated KSh28 Billion to support cash transfer programmes.

“Such an intervention will address exclusion by increasing the social protection cover of the vulnerable besides,” the President said.

He noted that this will also support their economic empowerment to enhance resilience.

Ruto told the meeting that social protection is as urgent as the country’s economic development.

“It cannot wait until 2030 when we will have achieved our economic vision; we can simultaneously pursue them.”

He said the drive behind the urgency is that “too many people cannot afford a decent living, are vulnerable, marginalised and at the risk of being left behind”.
 
“Empowering the millions at the bottom of the wealth pyramid will eliminate poverty, reduce inequality and enhance our momentum towards shared prosperity.”
 
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua observed that the Government is investing in people to enable them to participate meaningfully in the economic transformation of Kenya.

Council of Governors Chairman Anne Waiguru said there is increasing momentum towards the expansion of social protection in Kenya in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

“This is a key step towards eradicating poverty and enhancing prosperity for all,” she said.