There are already existing banking platforms that the government uses to disburse funds to vulnerable groups like the pensioners and other senior members of the Kenyan population. Why couldn’t the politicians use any of these digital platforms to send relief to the vulnerable groups? However, a more motivating reason for politicians to go manual as opposed to using digital platforms is that digital platforms tend to have more transparency and accountability. That is not to say that existing digital platforms are devoid of corruption. The recipient simply sends their mobile token into the merchants account and collects the food items.

Source: Daily Nation April 15, 2020 11:37 UTC