Govt Warns Kenyans Against Inua Jamii Foundation Scam on Social Media: "Wishes to Alert"
- The government, through the Ministry of Labour, asked Kenyans to be vigilant when using social media platforms
- They flagged a fraudulent scheme dubbed the Inua Jamii Empowerment programme that exists on WhatsApp
- Kenyans were issued with a Gmail account and a toll-free number that they can use to report such incidents
Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya
The government has advised Kenyans against falling prey to an Inua Jamii Foundation scam on social media platforms like WhatsApp.
Source: Getty Images
In a statement dated Tuesday, July 29, the Ministry of Labour warned that the fraudulent scheme is falsely operating under the name Inua Jamii Empowerment.
Is govt issuing money through Inua Jamii Empowerment?
The ministry affirmed that an organisation under such a name does not exist currently in the country
"The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection wishes to alert the public about a fraudulent scheme currently circulating. No such organisation exists under the Government of Kenya, " the statement read in part.
According to the ministry, the scam operates in a manner that promises fake financial support to Kenyans, asserting that it is not sanctioned by the state.
In a bid to emphasise more on their statement, the government notified Kenyans that all official communication about the Inua Jamii Cash transfer is only passed through the official channels of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs.
"The public is urged to ignore any messages or links shared via WhatsApp or other platforms purporting to offer Inua Jamii Foundation empowerment funds," the ministry added.
Efforts to bring the perpetrators behind the WhatsApp groups are currently underway. The ministry is working with the police and the cybersecurity to ensure that it happens.
Kenyans were also issued with a Gmail account and a toll-free number that they would use in case they found themselves victims of the group.
"To report any suspicious activity, please contact inuajamii@socialprotection.go.ke, call Toll-Free 1533, or visit your nearest police station," they added.
Govt releases KSh 3.5 billion for Inua Jamii
The Kenyan government released KSh 3.5 billion to approximately 1.75 million beneficiaries for the December 2024 payment cycle.
Following the official communication made from the Inua Jamii, payments were processed through services like the Co-operative Bank, Kenya Women Finance Trust Plc, National Bank, Mpesa Sure Pay platform, Equity Bank, and KCB Bank.
Source: Facebook
In a bid to enhance the efficiency of the programme, the state began piloting a payment system that leveraged M-Pesa through e-citizen.
The move was meant to allow beneficiaries to get funds directly from the government. The pilot phase was conducted in Murang'a and Marsabit counties to determine its effectiveness.
What is Inua Jamii?
In a previous article, TUKO.co.ke reported that the Inua Jamii is a national social protection programme that was aimed at improving the lives of the vulnerable in th society by making them consistent cash transfers.
It was launched in 2004 in a pilot programme that was designed to assist 500 houses in 3 districts.
The program has since increased the number of beneficiaries to more than one million.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
