In Kenya, the government gives money and other help to people who are considered poor or vulnerable. This help can come as cash, food, or support for people with disabilities and the elderly. The idea is good, but in practice, sometimes it does not reach the people who really need it.
For example, in some villages, there are people who receive government help even though they own cows, goats, or land. Some even have rental houses in town, cars, or small businesses. There have been cases where people with “fat” bank accounts still get money meant for the poor. This happens because the government does not always check carefully what a person owns, as well as these social programs are used as political tools where numbers count without caring who deserves it. They do not have a system that can quickly know who really needs help.
In the United States, the government handles this differently. When someone asks for help, such as food stamps, housing support, or healthcare, they have to give full details about their money, property, and income. For example, the government can check; if the person owns a car, a house, or land. How much money they have in the bank. How much they earn from a job or business. Because of these checks, someone who owns a farm with cows, a car, and a house would not get money meant for poor people. Even small increases in income must be reported, and failing to do so can lead to fines or having to pay back the money.
In Kenya, this kind of system does not exist fully yet. Many people in rural areas rely on cash transfers, like the “Inua Jamii” program, meant for the elderly or disabled. But sometimes, wealthier families also get the money, this makes deserving individuals get too little support out of it as the available amount is divided among a large population.
The lesson from the United States is that having better records and checks can help money reach those who truly need it. For example, linking national ID numbers to property ownership, bank accounts, and business records can help the government know who is really poor.
For rural Kenya, this is important. Imagine a grandmother in your village who has no cows, no land, and no one to help her. If wealthy families take the help meant for her, she will continue to struggle. Making sure the help goes to the right people is not just fair—it can save lives.
In the end, helping people is good, but it works best when the money goes to those who truly need it. Kenya can learn from countries like the United States on how to check and protect these programs so that no one is left behind.
For example, in some villages, there are people who receive government help even though they own cows, goats, or land. Some even have rental houses in town, cars, or small businesses. There have been cases where people with “fat” bank accounts still get money meant for the poor. This happens because the government does not always check carefully what a person owns, as well as these social programs are used as political tools where numbers count without caring who deserves it. They do not have a system that can quickly know who really needs help.
In the United States, the government handles this differently. When someone asks for help, such as food stamps, housing support, or healthcare, they have to give full details about their money, property, and income. For example, the government can check; if the person owns a car, a house, or land. How much money they have in the bank. How much they earn from a job or business. Because of these checks, someone who owns a farm with cows, a car, and a house would not get money meant for poor people. Even small increases in income must be reported, and failing to do so can lead to fines or having to pay back the money.
In Kenya, this kind of system does not exist fully yet. Many people in rural areas rely on cash transfers, like the “Inua Jamii” program, meant for the elderly or disabled. But sometimes, wealthier families also get the money, this makes deserving individuals get too little support out of it as the available amount is divided among a large population.
The lesson from the United States is that having better records and checks can help money reach those who truly need it. For example, linking national ID numbers to property ownership, bank accounts, and business records can help the government know who is really poor.
For rural Kenya, this is important. Imagine a grandmother in your village who has no cows, no land, and no one to help her. If wealthy families take the help meant for her, she will continue to struggle. Making sure the help goes to the right people is not just fair—it can save lives.
In the end, helping people is good, but it works best when the money goes to those who truly need it. Kenya can learn from countries like the United States on how to check and protect these programs so that no one is left behind.
