SPEECH BY H.E.

PRESIDENT UHURU KENYATTA DURING THE OFFICAL LAUNCH OF INUA JAMII CASH PROGRAMME AT IHURA STADIUM IN MURANGA COUNTY ON TEUSDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2014 Fellow Kenyans, Thank you for joining me today as we launch an expanded key support pillar for the vulnerable members of our society. We take this step in the full knowledge that every Kenyan deserves a decent life, despite the circumstances of birth or life. ou will agree with me, poverty takes away people!s dignity and their ability to meaningfully enjoy life. "ur presence here today is a clear sign of our resolve to change this situation in our country. #t is in this context that we offer vulnerable sections of our society regular and predictable cash transfers. $adies and %entlemen, The expanded programme that we are launching today, has four components& support for orphans and other vulnerable children' those with severe disabilities' vulnerable elders aged more than () years' and the urban poor. $adies and %entlemen, *ocial support has been a policy of the Kenya %overnment for close to )+ years. ,s way back as -.(), the %overnment set up a /ational Famine0relief 1ommittee, the first of many efforts to defend our most vulnerable. #n 2++3, the first cash transfer programme to support orphans and other vulnerable children started. #t was a humble beginning, benefitting only )++ households. $adies and %entlemen, The 4ubilee %overnment promised the people of Kenya that it would expand the cash transfer programme. Today, we gather here to fulfill this pledge. ,lready, the %overnment has

allocated Ksh. -2 billion for the expanded cash transfer programme this financial year 52+-67-38. With this money, we expect the number of beneficiaries to increase to 3)3,+++ households. 9aving started with only )++ households -+ years ago, the programme has grown by a multiple of .+:. #ndeed, this is a phenomenal growth. #f this momentum is sustained, # can proudly say that the transformation the 4ubilee %overnment promised the people of Kenya will be achieved not in 2+6+, but much earlier. #ndeed, we see this happening by year 2+2+. $adies and %entlemen, The cash transfer experience has shown that the social safety programmes change the lives of the beneficiaries. #ndeed, the programmes have reduced poverty, met the basic needs of the beneficiaries and increased household savings. 1ash transfers have also helped in education, making it possible for the children to attend school consistently, and boost enrolment and completion. The children whose households have benefited return better results at end of term, end of year and even in national examinations. $adies and %entlemen, ,s # have already indicated, the 4ubilee %overnment has allocated Ksh. -2 billion to the social safety programme this year. This we have done because, as a %overnment that cares for the welfare of its people, elimination of poverty is number one priority in our development agenda. This programme must, therefore, succeed and no inefficiency or corruption will be tolerated. %overnment officials and grassroot leaders involved must protect the public purse and ensure fairness in the identification of beneficiaries and in the administration of the funds. ,ny malpractice will be punished severely. The beneficiaries must be identified fairly and registered according to need. ,nd the cash must reach them regularly and at the appropriate time.

Therefore, favouritism, theft or delay in making payments, will not be entertained. ,s a %overnment, we will jealously guard these resources because this is what the people of Kenya expect of us. They have hope in us' they expect us to deliver' we will not fail them. We must in this regard, create a better system to target, register and pay the beneficiaries. To prevent duplication, and to ensure that as many of the vulnerable benefit, # have directed that the four programmes be consolidated. $adies and %entlemen, ,s # conclude my remarks, let me reiterate that the 4ubilee %overnment is fully committed to making a difference in the fight against poverty. #n furtherance of this commitment, the success of the social and safety programme we are launching today is, therefore, a must. # am confident, ;Together We 1an <ake #t.= This way, the vulnerable members of our society will have reason to say, ;We are proud to be Kenyans=.