EACC exposes payouts to dead people in yet another cash transfer scandal

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has exposed serious flaws in Kenya’s social protection system, revealing that millions of shillings meant for vulnerable citizens were being channelled to deceased individuals.

The audit, which targeted the Older Persons Cash Transfer Programme, highlighted payments to pensioners and dead beneficiaries, overshadowing more deserving cases.

Startling findings from the report show that in some instances, withdrawals were made from the accounts of deceased beneficiaries nearly three years after their passing.

“In some instances, withdrawals were made from the accounts of deceased beneficiaries nearly three years after death,” EACC disclosed in its scathing report.

Furthermore, the EACC raised alarms over the lack of proper systems to identify pensioners within the programme, warning that this could result in genuine recipients being sidelined.

"No mechanisms have been put in place to identify pensioners among existing and eligible Older Persons Cash Transfer Programme," the anti-graft body reported.

The audit was conducted between 5th April and 22nd May 2024, aimed at sealing systemic loopholes that could perpetuate corruption within the program.

EACC presented its findings to the Ministry of Social Protection in an effort to encourage reforms and prevent the exploitation of funds meant for vulnerable populations.

Principal Secretary for the State Department for Social Protection, Joseph Motari, welcomed the report, acknowledging that several of the issues highlighted had already been raised in the department’s external audit.

He reassured that steps were being taken to address these gaps, pledging to use the report as a guiding document.

Motari also promised to use the Report as his Department’s working tool and asked his staff to study and internalize it.