Turkana Older Persons Call for Inclusion in Inua Jamii Cash Transfer Programme
Older persons in Turkana County have called for people aged 60 years and above to be included in the Inua Jamii cash transfer programme and for the amount paid to beneficiaries to be increased.
The calls were made during celebrations to mark the International Day of Older Persons at Lodwar Mixed Primary School, where Deputy Governor Dr John Erus led the county in recognising the contribution and needs of older people.
The event brought together older persons, members of the public, government agencies and development partners for activities aimed at promoting their wellbeing and social inclusion.
With support from Echami Aito, participants took part in tree planting and a procession from the County Commissioner's office to Lodwar Mixed Primary School.
Representatives from banking institutions, hotels, humanitarian and disaster response organisations, as well as healthcare providers, also joined the celebrations.
The event provided an opportunity for older persons to access several services, including psychosocial support, assistive devices and free medical check-ups.
Some older persons were also registered into the cash transfer system as part of efforts to connect them with available social protection services.
The calls for expanded access to the Inua Jamii programme come amid concerns over the financial needs of older people, particularly those who depend on limited family support or have difficulty meeting their daily needs.
Participants said expanding the programme to cover people aged 60 and above, alongside an increase in the cash transfer amount, would provide additional support to older persons and help them meet basic household and healthcare needs.
The International Day of Older Persons is observed globally to raise awareness of the rights, needs and contributions of older people and to promote their inclusion in society.
In Turkana, the celebrations also provided an opportunity for county officials and partners to highlight the importance of healthcare, psychosocial support, social protection and community participation in improving the welfare of older persons.
