Official warns against 'ghost beneficiaries' of stipend for elderly citizens

Authorities in Webuye have warned about “ghost beneficiaries” allegedly getting cash from the Inua Jamii programme.

The programme targets beneficiaries enrolled under the three Inua Jamii cash transfer programmes which include, orphans and vulnerable, elderly persons, and persons with severe disabilities.

Bungoma East Deputy County Commissioner Chaka Nyamawi said the intricate syndicate involves local bank officials, chiefs and social service officers.

Mr Chaka said, some names enrolled in the programme belong to people who died long again, and they are still being paid the money.

He added than many people on the payroll cannot be traced.

“The list has about 250 people who pocket money for elderly yet they are not known and cannot be traced," he said.

The official said he wondered why the contracted banks were releasing money to 'ghost beneficiaries'

"In my sub-county there are four banks sub-contracted by the government to transfer money to the elderly people, they are KCB, Equity, Post Bank and the Co-operative Bank," he said.

Mr Chaka said detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations are investigating the alleged scandal.

Peter Mukite, a victim of the fraud, said he last received the cash from government in 2018.

"Upon making enquiries at the social services offices, I was told that records show my father has been receiving the money,”Mukite’s son Daniel Matasi said.

“We were told to report that his card was lost and get an abstract from police," said Matasi.

When they tried to inquire who withdraws the money, they did not get any help.  

Another victim of the fraud Khasandi Kwamwombe Lusia said she has received the money only once since she enrolled in the programme in 2016.