NAIROBI, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Kenya has released 8.74 billion shillings (87.4 million U.S. dollars) for payment to beneficiaries including elderly, orphans and people with disability who enrolled in the cash transfer programs.

Nelson Marwa, principal secretary for social protection in the labor ministry said that those to benefit will be beneficiaries who successfully opened bank accounts.

"In the new payment model, beneficiaries and caregivers can access their funds within six months after the money is credited to their accounts," added Marwa.

According to Marwa, the government has taken time to audit the system. "We have taken time to clean up the payroll and we are sure that only genuine members are benefiting under the scheme," added Marwa.

He added that the new system will ensure only genuine beneficiaries receive the cash and that it will weed out any bogus people.

"The new system is expected to be efficient to enable beneficiaries of the program receive their stipend through bank accounts only," added Marwa.

Beneficiary or caregiver will require to produce their payment cards and identity card to receive the payments but those going for payment for the first time must transact biometrically.

The government has also removed retirees from the program because they are receiving pension.

"Civil servants earning pension should not receive the 2,000 shillings ( 20 dollars) since they are under pension," added Marwa.

He added that the reason for the government to go electronic was to remove bogus people who used to benefit unnecessarily.

" Some 60,000 beneficiaries don't have bank accounts so far because the names they were using are shared," said Marwa.

He concluded that all government Transfers will be paid through beneficiaries, bank accounts to guarantee accountability and transparency. Enditem

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