Safaricom to facilitate transfer of relief funds
The government has partnered with Safaricom to facilitate transfer of Sh1 billion through M-Pesa to drought-stricken households in 23 Arid and Semi-Arid Lands.
In a statement posted on the telco’s website, Safaricom said the collaboration with State Department of Public Service, Gender, Senior Citizen Affairs and Special Programmes will see the first cohort of 360,696 beneficiaries receive Sh1.1 billion through M-Pesa, with each household getting Sh3,000 monthly until the rain situation improves.
Beneficiary households are those with the elderly, sick and persons with disabilities, malnourished children and those headed by a single parent or children.
“Cash transfers have proven to be the most effective way to reach vulnerable persons in times of emergency. Including real time receipt of assistance, value for money as the beneficiary has choice of purchase, safeguards the dignity of beneficiaries as well as stimulates local economy.
We are happy that Safaricom has come on board to support this endeavour,” said the ministry’s Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia.
She said use of digital financial systems such as M-Pesa will also continue to support cashless transactions as a recommend measures in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic while also enhancing efficiency and accountability
Over 2.5 million people are currently experiencing food insecurity with the situation continuing to deteriorate following the below-average long rain season and further compounded by the damage caused by the desert locust invasions, especially in the northern pastoral areas.
