We noted on these pages in April that the government had taken its first steps toward guaranteeing a basic income for the poor and vulnerable population. At the time, each family were to receive Sh1,000 weekly to enable them to meet their basic needs during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic. UBI, Universal Basic Income, has swept the headlines around the world as rising unemployment and inequality, coupled with low wages, have increased poverty to the extent that many cannot afford even Sh20 for face masks, nor have water to wash them. The UNDP has just come out with a Report on TBI (Targeted Basic Income), where they advocate it to be “unconditional in terms of not imposing behavioural conditions such as job-search or use of the cash benefits”. The universality aspect of UBI is frowned upon, both by us and by the UN, simply because of the expense involved and as richer households also benefit.

Source: The Star July 28, 2020 00:56 UTC