The County Government of Kajiado will use a “non-touch” relief food programme to feed more than 30,000 families to cushion them against COVID 19.
The first phase which kicked off today in Ngong town will take in 10,000 families with the rest being considered in due course.
More than 100 local shops have been enlisted across the County to sell the relief food which includes 8 kg of maize flour: 3 kg of cereals, 2 liters of cooking oil and 4 kg fortified porridge oil.
The hamper also has 5 face masks made by the County’s Vocational Training Centers and one bottle of sanitizer, also made by the County.
The new digital system developed in a partnership with two communication and ICT firms ( Empiris Creative Communication Ltd and Fashionaire Corporation Ltd), issues a special PIN to selected beneficiaries through SMS who in turn present it to a local shop that has been issued with an App (M-Riziki).
The SMS is followed by a personalized call sending them to their nearest retail outlet.
The App is used to verify the identity of the beneficiary through use of their Identity Cards and registered home areas and once verified, they receive the hamper.
The PIN number is then invalidated immediately and an e- receipt issued simultaneously to the retailer, County Government, and the ICT system administrator.
Governor Lenku said the new system is meant to boost the local economy by promoting local shopkeepers who are promptly paid by the County Government via MPESA.
ALSO READ : Lenku askaris now raid trading areas to enforce social distance