Inua Jamii is the Government of Kenya’s flagship National Safety Net Programme (NSNP) designed to support poor and vulnerable citizens through regular cash transfers.
Managed under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Inua Jamii provides financial assistance every two months to eligible households across the country.
Here’s everything you need to know about the programme — including eligibility, payment amounts, and how to apply.
What is Inua Jamii?
Inua Jamii brings together four major cash transfer programmes:
- Cash Transfer for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (CT-OVC)
- Older Persons Cash Transfer (OPCT)
- Persons with Severe Disabilities Cash Transfer (PWSD-CT)
- Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP)
The main objective is to uplift vulnerable households by providing reliable bi-monthly financial support.
How much money do beneficiaries receive?
- KSh 2,000 per month (paid as KSh 4,000 every two months) for:
- CT-OVC
- OPCT
- PWSD-CT
- KSh 5,400 paid every two months for HSNP households.
Payments are deposited directly into an Inua Jamii bank account.
Who qualifies for Inua Jamii?
1. Cash Transfer for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (CT-OVC)
Eligible households must:
- Be extremely poor.
- Have one or more orphaned or vulnerable children.
- Not benefit from another social assistance programme.
- Have a caregiver who may be chronically ill or unable to work.
2. Older Persons Cash Transfer (OPCT)
Applicants must:
- Be Kenyan citizens aged 70 years and above.
- Not receive a pension.
- Not be enrolled in another cash transfer programme.
- Have lived in the same location for more than one year.
3. Persons with Severe Disabilities Cash Transfer (PWSD-CT)
The household must:
- Be extremely poor.
- Include a Kenyan citizen with severe disability.
- Not be enrolled in another cash transfer programme.
- Have resided in the same location for more than a year.
4. Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP)
This programme targets vulnerable households in four arid counties:
- Turkana County
- Marsabit County
- Mandera County
- Wajir County
How to apply for Inua Jamii
The identification and registration process follows a transparent and community-based approach:
Step 1: Community Sensitisation
Local chiefs and officials conduct public meetings (barazas) to inform residents about eligibility criteria.
Step 2: Registration
Eligible individuals are registered and validated at the sub-county level.
Step 3: Enrolment
Approved beneficiaries are enrolled into the programme and invited to an Inua Jamii Mobilization Centre.
Step 4: Open a Bank Account
At the Mobilization Centre:
- Beneficiaries must present their original National ID.
- They choose one of four authorised banks:
- Co-operative Bank
- Equity Bank
- Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB)
- Post Bank
A personal Inua Jamii bank account is opened and a payment card issued.
How are payments made?
Money is deposited every two months into the beneficiary’s Inua Jamii bank account.
Beneficiaries can withdraw funds through:
- ATMs
- Bank agents
- Over-the-counter at bank branches
- Mobile banking (if registered)
Two withdrawals every two months are free of charge.
What if you have a complaint?
Inua Jamii has a structured grievance system. Beneficiaries can:
- Call the toll-free helpline 1533
- Speak to a Chief or Assistant Chief
- Contact a Beneficiary Welfare Committee (BWC) member
- Visit the County or Sub-County office
- Email: inuajamii@socialprotection.go.ke
Offices operate Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm.
Why Inua Jamii matters
Inua Jamii plays a critical role in poverty reduction, social protection, and economic stability for vulnerable populations. By providing predictable income support, the programme helps households meet basic needs such as food, healthcare and education.
For more information, Kenyans are encouraged to contact the Inua Jamii Toll-Free Helpline 1533 or visit their nearest Sub-County Social Protection Office.
