State releases Sh1.78bn Inua Jamii cash stipend to orphans, vulnerable children

The government, through the State Department for Children Services, has released Sh1.78 billion for payment to 445,940 orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) enrolled in the Cash Transfer for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (CT-OVC) Programme under the Inua Jamii initiative.

The funds are meant to support increased enrolment and transition in education, improved health and nutrition outcomes, enhanced household food security, and better child protection

According to a statement released on Monday by the Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services,  the disbursement will cover stipends for both the month of June and July 2025 payment cycles, with each beneficiary household receiving Sh4,000.

“Each beneficiary household will receive Sh 4,000, representing Sh 2,000 per month for the two (2) months. Payments have commenced today through the contracted Payment Service Provider,” read the statement.

The CT-OVC Programme was transferred to the newly created State Department for Children Services through Executive Order No. 1 of 2025 to centrally streamline and mainstream all child protection programmes and interventions of the government.

The ministry apologised for the delay of payment, noting that the delay was due to the realignment processes.

“The State Department apologises to beneficiaries for the inconvenience caused by the delay,” read the statement in part.

The CT-OVC programme aims to streamline and mainstream all child protection programmes and interventions of the government.

“The CT-OVC Programme aims to encourage fostering and retention of orphans and vulnerable children within their families and communities, while promoting their human capital development,” read the statement in part.