Editor's Review

  • He hit out at those opposed to the programmme saying that it has worked in other countries.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said that he did not lie about the Sh6,000 monthly stipend for unemployed youth and the poor.

Speaking in Bamba, Kilifi County on Saturday, the former Prime Minister said that he has previously served as premier and he knows what he should do.

"I know where the money is... I have been in government for five years. I will seal all the loop holes and I will have enough money to give to Kenyans,” said Odinga.

He hit out at those opposed to the programmme saying that it has worked in other countries.

"They say baba is lying to people. The social protection programme has worked in India, Egypt, Brazil, and in some European countries,” he said.

Last year, Raila said the initiative would be rolled out as a direct cash transfer programme, will be given out monthly to two million of the poorest households.

He said the programme will reach about eight million poor Kenyans, based on the average household size of four people.

The programme will integrate the current social protection programme, such as Inua Jamii, which Raila stated already consumes Sh37 billion annually.

“We will add about Sh100 billion to this and expand it to include the poorest of the poor. Nobody should lie to Kenyans that taxes would have to rise for this to be realised, far from it,” Odinga said.