The Kiambu Sub-County verification exercise, which began on September 21, 2026, aims to establish the eligibility of beneficiaries and update their payroll. The exercise requires elderly beneficiaries aged 70 and above to present themselves physically with their original national identity cards. Caregivers of beneficiaries with severe disabilities are required to appear for verification on their behalf.
Monicah Wanjiru, a 76-year-old beneficiary, welcomed the exercise, saying the monthly stipend has become a crucial source of support since age has made it difficult for her to work on her farm. Wanjiru emphasized the importance of not missing the verification process to continue receiving her monthly stipend.
The verification exercise is part of a nationwide programme covering 33 counties, with subsequent phases to be rolled out later. According to Sub-County Social Development Officer Dinah Juma, the exercise is necessary to eliminate deceased beneficiaries who remained on the government payroll following the last verification exercise in 2021.
In Kiambu Sub-County, there are approximately 3,000 Inua Jamii beneficiaries, comprising 2,776 elderly beneficiaries and 224 persons with severe disabilities. They receive KSh2,000 monthly under the programme. Juma warned that beneficiaries who fail to undergo verification within the stipulated period risk being automatically removed from the payroll.
The department has partnered with churches, National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO), and beneficiary welfare committees to sensitize beneficiaries about the exercise. The Deputy County Commissioner is engaging assistant county commissioners, chiefs, and sub-chiefs to ensure the information reaches beneficiaries at the grassroots level.
The verification process takes less than two minutes per beneficiary, with officers using alternative verification methods in cases where fingerprint recognition proves difficult. The Social Protection Office has been conducting the exercise at its Kiambu Town offices and will introduce mobile verification services in different areas, starting with Ndumberi.
The exercise follows the Government’s efforts to strengthen accountability in the Inua Jamii programme after concerns over payments to deceased beneficiaries. Principal Secretary for Social Protection Joseph Motari stated that the biometric proof-of-life exercise aimed to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries continued receiving support.
Key points
- The verification exercise aims to eliminate deceased beneficiaries from the government payroll.
- Beneficiaries who fail to undergo verification risk being automatically removed from the payroll.
- The exercise takes less than two minutes per beneficiary and uses alternative verification methods where necessary.
