World Bank lauds cash transfer programme

The cash transfer program established by the Kenyan government has worked well in cushioning vulnerable people in the society.

This is according to the latest World Bank economic update released in Nairobi Thursday morning.

‘They are extremely important to support poor Kenyans, and protect vulnerable households,’ the institution said in the 18th Kenya Economic Update dubbed In Search of Fiscal Space; Government Spending and Taxation: Who Benefits?

Designed to protect the old and poor in the society, the bank further says more than 60percent of direct cash transfer currently benefits at least 40percent of the poorest population.

By April 2018, Kenya had registered over 1.2 million people to the programmed it calls ‘inua jamii’. Beneficiaries must be 70 years and above and receives Ksh2,000 monthly.

“We are glad to see that Kenya continues to invest in social protection programs. They are extremely important to support poor Kenyans, and protect vulnerable households,” says Utz Pape, World Bank Senior Economist of and lead author of the economic update.

The report also recommends for the expansion of the program to cover more Kenyans. This it says will however require an enhancing of revenue mobilization to fund the cash transfers.