The elderly in Vihiga County who benefit from the elderly fund from the national government have been advised to use the money to better their lives. Speaking when he released the names of those who had been registered for the elderly program in Vihiga County at Edereri Friends Church in Vihiga Sub County, the area County Commissioner John Chelimo advised those who are going to benefit to utilize the funds well.
He said in the New Inua Jamii program for the elderly only 13,000 elderly people were registered, but only 11,951 were eligible for the program. Chelimo reiterated that those above 70 years and above and non-pensionable are the once that are going to benefit from the program. “If one is on the pension roll, the government has your details and that’s why your name is not on the list for those who are going to benefit from this program,” he said.
Vihiga Sub County has 1934 elderly people who are going to benefit from the program, Sabatia Sub County-1782, Hamisi-3435, Emuhaya-2310 and Luanda-2230.
He advised them to go for Health Insurance cover noting that it will enable them to access better health services. “We are encouraging the elderly in the County to take National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) this will help them get improved health services across the County,” said Chelimo.