14 Legit Ways to Get Free Kenya Government Money

If you live in Kenya, you probably like most of us are feeling the economic crunch lately.

So we could all do with some intel on “how to get free money from the government in Kenya without paying it back“.

If you read further along, you will soon learn that the Kenyan government has several programs where it gives away ‘free money’.

But kindly note that the Kenyan government is not going to literally give you money in all of the scenarios listed. For some such as the items on the list tax exemptions, insurance reliefs, etc, its more of the government saving you costs that you’d have incurred or costs/expenses that other ineligible Kenyans currently incur. Furthermore, for others such as disability benefits, it is pegged on one’s individual prevailing situation.

Here are legitimate ways to get free money from the government in Kenya:

But first, a disclaimer 🙂 

I don’t work for any of the government agencies mentioned here. I am simply sharing with you information based on either my personal experience or that of others who were gracious enough to share their experiences with me. I have however tried my level best to keep the information as accurate as possible and even included the various government institution’s links. Please visit the links, verify the information and check for any updates post this article as I assume no responsibility for any mistakes or. Besides, Kenya government policies and regulations are constantly changing and some of the information here may not be valid by the time you read this article. 

• What's Covered in This Article

  Claim Money Owed to You or Your Next of Kin

Where to find it: https://www.ufaa.go.ke/

If you’re looking for “free money now, no payback” in Kenya manenos , this is for you.

Remember that pension money which you or your dad left uncollected, while you worked with East Africa Community in 1970s before it collapsed?

What about that retirement benefit you haven’t been paid up to date?

And the points you used to earned on your Nakumatt Smart Card each time you shopped at Nakumatt before it collapsed?

Many of us don’t remember much of this stuff.

And the above listed ones aren’t the only ones.

There are many many more similar instances where people are owed money but don’t remember to claim it.

You’d be shocked at how much unclaimed money both The Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA) in Kenya and many companies are sitting on waiting for their rightful owners to claim.

According to a National Treasury report, about two million Kenyans had their money idle in an account at the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) as unclaimed assets.

As at the time, 60 companies had so far surrendered Kshs. 3.3 billion. Safaricom gave the highest number of accounts, handing over about Kshs.176 million for 1.5 million account holders in unclaimed M-Pesa accounts.  The highest amount was about Kshs.500,000 belonging to a single individual.

As per this 2017 Business Daily report, the UFAA held about Sh13.1 billion in cash surrendered by banks, corporate firms, insurance companies among others with 1,451 safe deposit boxes containing jewelry, cash and firearms while custodial registrars surrendered 555.5 million shares, thought to be worth about Sh40 billion.

Many other companies are still yet to submit their unclaimed assets.

Kenya Power, for instance, had failed to submit cumulative uncollected dividends and other financial assets amounting to Sh1.7 billion in the year ended June 2018.

Procedure for filing a claim

People, here’s the thing…

Simply log on to the The Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA)website.

The Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA) has put the names of beneficiaries on its websites for their relatives and next of kin to query and file for claims.

On the top left corner, enter your name (or the name of anyone you could be a potential heir to like your spouse, your parents, your children, etc), and click on search to find out whether or not you have money sitting there.

A new tab will open with your name if there are unclaimed funds belonging to you.

What you’re likely to find listed for you to claim on the UFAA website includes: bank cash balances, cheques, insurance policies, utility deposits, court awards and credit or safe deposits boxes abandoned for between two to five years.

While this money is technically yours, I call it free government money because the monies you’ll find listed here is monies that had been abandoned for between two to five years. So its money that you most probably would have lost had you not remembered and has the government not taken it away from the organizations and kept it for you at the Treasury.

You can also search names of people known to you and advise them in case they have unclaimed funds.

UFAA shall consider each claim within 90 days after it is filed and shall give a written notice to the claimant of its decision.

Where a claim is allowed, UFAA shall pay over or deliver to the claimant the assets or the amount UFAA actually received or the net proceeds if it has been sold by the Authority.

Kenyans seeking reimbursement of less than Sh500,000 from the UFAA can now apply for payment through the deputy county commissioner’s office.

Visit www.ufaa.go.ke for more information and to initiate a search.

How to know if you own an Unclaimed Financial Asset in Kenya

– Are you a bank customer in Kenya who has not updated your contact information and has not operated your bank account for more than one year?
– Do you have shares in a listed company in Kenya and are yet to claim your dividends?
– Are you a beneficiary of an insurance policy of which funds matured and payable more than two years ago?
– Are you an employee who has unpaid wages in the form of payroll cheques you haven’t presented to the bank?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, then you own an Unclaimed Financial Asset.

• Claim your unclaimed customer loyalty loyalty points

Have you ever ask yourself what happened to the loyalty points you had accumulated with that supermarket you shopped at  years back before it went under?

Every year, tens of business in Kenyan collapse for one reason or another.

Meanwhile, thousands of loyal shopper forget about the loyalty points they acquired each time they shopped at these establishment now that they out of business.

If you used to swipe your loyalty card each time you shopped at an establishment that went bust, you may be owed money if you never redeemed your points.

Case in point is the Nakumatt smart card holders. As at 2014 300 million points worth Sh600 million were yet to be redeemed by Nakumatt customers. Now that it has gone under I can’t wrap my head around how much it went down with….

• Mortgage interest expenses assistance

Wouldn’t it be nice if the government could help pay towards your mortgage?

Well, effective 1 January 2017, an employee in Kenya  can claim a deduction against taxable income in respect of interest payments on loans borrowed for the purposes of improvement or construction of residential premises are deductible, subject to a limit of KES 300,000 per annum (or KES 25,000 per month).

• Contribute to a Kenya-registered retirement benefit scheme

Another legitimate way of getting  “free money now, no payback” from the government of Kenya is by contributing to a retirement benefit scheme registered in Kenya and then claiming a deduction against taxable income in respect of your annual contribution to the scheme.

This relief is limited to the lowest of the following:

• Actual contributions during the year.
• 30% of the employee’s pensionable (taxable) income during the year.
• KES 240,000 per annum (equivalent to a maximum monthly contribution of KES 20,000).

To benefit, simply forward you scheme details to your payroll accountant and she/he will deduct accordingly.

• Claim insurance relief

As a Kenyan resident individual, you are entitled to an insurance relief of 15% of the amount of insurance premiums paid for yourself, your spouse or your children.

Now, they do have several eligibility requirements the biggest one being that your claim shall not exceed Kshs. 60,000 per annum.

As with retirement benefits scheme above, simple contact your payroll accountant for details.

You can also visit the KRA website for updates and additional information.

• Get your tax refunds

There are 2 main ways the government may owe you a tax refund:

Undelivered KRA Tax Refunds: This is a case whereby you claim a tax refund and KRA mails or wires the refund to you but for one reason or another you don’t receive it. Either you gave the wrong address or wrong banking details, etc. In such a case, the funds will be returned to KRA.

Unclaimed KRA Tax Refunds: This happens when you don’t file a return even though you are eligible or you file a return but fail to complete the process of requesting for the refund. Your refund in such instances basically goes unclaimed.

Be sure to check out both situations to make sure you’re not leaving any money on the table for the government to chew.

•  Import your used personal effects as a returning Kenyan citizens:

Eligibility

• Must have proof of living abroad for two years and have their effects imported within 3 months of arrival.
• Original Valid passport used for the last 2 years or any previous passport other than the current passport.
  • The entry and exit stamps are used by customs to check the compliance of the
    regulation.
• Returning national must not have visited Kenya for a sum of more than 90 days in the last 2
  years prior to last date of arrival into Kenya.
• Used personal effects older than 1 year can be imported to Kenya duty free provided goods have been owned and used by the client for a minimum of one year and goods are imported within three months of the Work Permit being issued.
• Goods can be moved into a Customs bonded warehouse pending arrival of the owner; storage should not exceed 12 months.
• Documents must be expressed mailed to Destination Agent 15 days prior to arrival to arrange for
  the duty-free certificate.

Required Documents to process Kenya import duty-free certificate for returning citizens:

•  Passport – original, (if issued within last 2 years, the old passport is also required)
• Residence Visa/Work Permit – original
• Insurance Certificate
• PIN Certificate – obtained through the Kenya Revenue Authority
• Bill of Lading/Air Waybill – original
• Comprehensive Valued Inventory – 3 copies, detailed per box w/boxes numbered, signed by owner
• Pack List
• Power of Attorney – giving authority for Destination Agent to arrange customs clearance
• Bank Release
• Form C-18 Declaration – signed by returning citizen

• Replace Damaged / Mutilated Money

Have a ripped 50 bob or 100 bob note that the makanga or mama mboga gave you but you didn’t know how to reject and ask for a new one?

If yes, this is for you.

The Kenyan government considers currency as damaged or unfit when it is mutilated, torn or has ink marks.

If you have a Kenyan note that is mutilated, torn, or damaged, simply return it to your nearest commercial bank or to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) offices along Harambee Avenue and get it replaced with a new one.

Requirements to have a mutiliated Kenya shilling note replaced at the bank

For your torn or damaged Kenya shilling not to be replaced it must meed the following conditions:

1. It was not deliberately mutilated
2. The bank note must be genuine
3. The bank note must be more than half and continuous
4. The bank note must bear at least one complete serial number

Get your free credit report in Kenya

As at the writing of this post, under Kenya government laws, Kenyans can get a free copy of their credit report from each credit reporting company, every 12 months.

• Where to find it:

  Transunion:
  Register for 50/= and get your first credit report for free.
  How to Access: SMS your name to 21272
  Online: https://www.transunionafrica.com/

  Metropol
  Register for 100/= by dialing *433# and get your first credit report for free
  How to access: http://www.metropol.co.ke/crystobol/

  CreditInfo
  Register for 50/= and get your first credit report for free
  How to access: http://creditinfo.co.ke/individual-solutions/consumer-report-self-report-2/

• From Collapsed Banks

Did you know that you can claim back your funds from a collapsed bank or any other Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) – governed financial institution?

Currently, the Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation (KDIC) Act, 2012 governs a deposit protection fund that compensates depositors in each of its member banks that collapses.

This means that if you had money deposited in a bank that collapses, then you could claim it!

Oh, and while we’re at it, The Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) already finalized the process of settling claims by depositors of the failed Imperial Bank Limited (In Receivership) (IBLR) and depositors can access 12.7 per cent of their eligible deposit balances remaining at IBLR beginning from December 20, 2018, at any of the KCB branches countrywide.

What’s Covered?

Under the KDIC, all types of deposit accounts are insured to a prescribed maximum of KShs. 100,000.00  to each depositor of a KDIC- member institution.

For up to date information on collapsed banks and how to claim unclaimed deposits funds, from failed banks such as Chase Bank (now SBM bank), Imperial Bank Under Receivership, etc, please visit the KDIC website.

You can also find the claim forms on the KDIC website here.

• From SACCO Failures

Similar to banks above, you can also get back your SACCO contributions should the SACCO in Kenya collapse.

How to claim your money from a failed SACCO in Kenya

To claim you money lost to a failed SACCO in Kenya, present your complaints to the Cooperatives Tribunal, under the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives.

The Tribunal is a quasi-judicial body established under the Co-operative Societies Act, No.12 of 1997 as amended by the Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act, 2004 which operates like a court and whose key mandate is fair and just settlement of co-operative disputes among new, current and past SACCO members.

The Cooperatives Tribunal has the power to order the SACCO officials who mismanage members’ funds to refund the money. And if the assets of the officials who mismanaged the SACCO can be identified, then the tribunal court has the mandate to attach them.

How to bring a case to the cooperative tribunal

1. Simply obtain an application form free of charge from from the Nairobi Tribunal Headquarters if able; or at any of the Cooperative registries across the Kenya, namely Mombasa, Kisumu, Embu, Nakuru and Kakamega.
2. Fill the form upon payment of a filing fee and submit for review.

The fees for filing a case at the Cooperative Tribunal in Kenya are calculated on the following formula:

Principal Amount Claimed- (6,000)*2%+780+100 provided that whatever the claim, the fees do not exceed Kshs. 70,000

The Co-operative tribunal headquarters is located at Re-insurance Plaza, 11th & 12th Floor on Taifa Road, Nairobi.

For further updates and latest news on the cooperative tribunal, kindly visit the website by clicking on this link here.

• Claim your senior citizen benefits

There are several benefits available to senior citizens in Kenya.

So, if you’re above the age of 65 and in Kenya, there is free money from the government waiting for you to claim through The Government of Kenya’s OPCT/pesa kwa wazee program that caters for needy elderly persons.

The programme focuses on providing cash transfer to poor households who have at least one member above the age of 65 years. In the Financial Year 2015/2016, the total number of beneficiaries was 325,000 according to the Ministry of Labor.

It was anticipated that by the beginning of January 2018, all persons above the age of 70 years would receive a cash transfer in the form of a monthly stipend and National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) cover that would be paid for by the Government. I am not sure if this ever took off but if you have any info, kindly share with us in the comments below.

If you or an elderly member of your community qualifies for this stipend, kindly make sure to enrol.

Currently, those over 70 years of age receive a stipend of Ksh 2000 ($200) a month.

However, one of the main challenges faced by the ‘pesa ya wazee’ program in Kenya is the increasing uncollected amounts by the beneficiaries.

‘Pesa ya wazee’ payments are made to beneficiaries on a bi-monthly basis beginning the first week in the months of September, November, January, March, May and the last week of June in each financial year.

If you or someone you know is already enrolled in the ‘pesa ya wazee’ program, be sure to look out for the disbursement schedule to make sure you’re not leaving any money out there.

• Get free government money if you’re disabled

By definition a Person with Disabilities is person with a physical, sensory, mental or other impairment, including any visual, hearing, learning or physical incapability, which impacts adversely on social, economic or environmental participation.

There are several ways to get money from the government in Kenya if you’re living with a disability.

One way is through Inua Jamii, a Kenya government program started as a pilot scheme in 2010 and fully launched in 2014.

Through the program, the government provides a monthly cash stipend of Kshs 2,000 (about $20) to elderly people over the age of 65 years, people living with disability, Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and extremely poor people in Kenya.

• Claim individual income tax exemption as a Person with Disability (PWD)

Additionally, you can get money from the government of Kenya as a person living with disability in Kenya through tax exemption on your monthly or annual income.

Although this exemption is only granted to the first KShs. 150, 000 of your earnings per month or for the first KShs. 1.8 M of your earnings for the year, it adds up to a tidy sum.

So take advantage of it.

Now, this too has several eligibility requirements to qualify.

What documents are required to for an individual tax Exemption Certificate for PWD in Kenya?

According to the KRA website, these are the eligibility requirements to benefit fro the tax exemption as a person living with disability in Kenya:

1. Disability Medical Assessment Report that stipulates the nature of disability and upholds the signature of the Director of Medical Services (AFYA HOUSE LG 29).
2. KRA Pin certificate (iTax).
3. National Identification Card.
4. NCPWD Disability card.
5. A certificate copy of the latest pay slip where applicable.
6. A letter from the employer where applicable, clearly stating the nature of disability and how it affects the employee?s productivity at place of work.
7. Tax compliance certificate.
8. Applicants to physically appear for interviews before Domestic Taxes Department officers in the nearest KRA offices for an Acknowledgement Slip.

To renew an exemption certificate, attach the same documents for application together with a copy of the expired exemption certificate.

• Import a car to Kenya as a Person with Disability

A third way to get “free money from the government in Kenya without paying it back“ is by importing a car into Kenya if you’re living with a disability.

According to the KRA website, following are the disabled persons car import tax exemption requirements:

Disabled Persons Car Import Tax Exemption Requirements

• Application letter addressed to the commissioner of customs services
• Original medical certificate from a registered doctor from any government gazetted hospitals that indicates that you have a disability or disabilities.
• Original letter of recommendation from the Association for the physically Disabled Of Kenya or The National Council of People with Disabilities
• Copy of driving license with class ?H? endorsement
• Bill of lading for the vehicle
• Invoice/proforma invoice for the vehicle
• Tax compliance certificate/Tax exemption certificate
• Cash remittance transfer slips used to pay for the vehicle (i.e. proof that payment for the vehicle was made by the applicant)
• Bank statement for the last six months
• Test drive in using the modified vehicle (specially designed to suit the nature of the disability) in the presence of a customs officer
• Where the applicant has previously been granted exemption on a vehicle under this category, subsequent exemption shall not apply unless such person has used the motor vehicle so imported on exemption for a period of 4 years and tax has been paid for the vehicle upon which exemption had been previously granted

Kabete Orthopedic Compound

Opposite ABC Place

Waiyaki Way,

Nairobi.

Address: Box 66577-00800, Nairobi

Telephone: 020 2375994/ 020 2314621/ 0709 107 000

Toll Free: 0800 724 333

Email: info@ncpwd.go.ke

Website: National Council of People with Disabilities

How to Register as a Person with Disability in Kenya

Apply In-Person
Step 1: Obtain prerequisite documents

• Obtain a medical report from any government gazetted hospitals that indicates that your have a disability or disabilities. The report is to ascertain the type of disability, severity and major cause of disability.
• Persons with disabilities above 18 years of age, who have been granted new citizenship status in Kenya, should then obtain a certificate of good conduct.

Step 2: Make applications in the Sub-County Gender & Social Development Offices

1. Visit the Gender & Social Development Offices in the sub county to make the application. Individuals who qualify as per the definition of a PWD are registered at the sub county level.
2. The Sub-county Gender & Social Development Officer (SCGSDO) will issue you with an Individual registration Form
3. Complete the form and present the registration form together with the medical report and all required documents (listed below) to the Sub-county Gender & Social Development Officer (SC GSDO).
4. The Sub-county Gender & Social Development Officer (SCGSDO) will then register you and forward your registration form to the council by SCGSDOs.
5. Your PWD registration details will be available on the day of application.

The documents to submit with your PWD application include:

i. Medical Assessment report from the Government Gazetted Hospitals

ii. Copy of Passport/ ID card

iii. Copy of Birth Certificate

iv. Proof of lawful residence in Kenya

v. Copy of parent’s/legal guardian certificate of registration

vi. Certificate of good conduct for children above 18 Years

vii. Copy of the Police Clearance Certificate

Apply Online:

You can also submit your application online as a person with disability.

Step 1: Make Online Application

1. Create a log in account within the Government of Kenya Single Sign On portal.eFNS portal
2. Log in using the account you have created above to access eFNS portal
3. Once logged in the eFNS portal, select the “Apply now” Link.
4. Click on the “Submit Applications” tab and select the Application by persons with disability tab.
5. Verify that you have the required document/pre-requisites and you meet the relevant criteria before you apply. Click on the “Apply Now” button on your right to apply.
6. Fill in the required information and upload your passport photo picture and police clearance certificate. Click on the ’’continue’’ button to proceed to print your application.
7. You should then print your filled application and present to the immigration department offices or Kenya missions abroad.

Step 2: Visit immigration offices or Kenya missions abroad to complete application

1. After printing the application and invoice you are required to visit an immigration office in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu or Kenya missions abroad for collection for the processing of the application.
2. You must present the following documents to the offices

   i. A printed online application form 12 (Print the form after completing your application)

   ii. Copy of Passport

   iii. Copy of Birth Certificate

   iv. Proof of lawful residence in Kenya

   v. Copy of parent’s/legal guardian certificate of registration

   vi. Medical certificate on disability

   vii. Certificate of good conduct for children above 18 Years

   viii. Applicants must ensure that they are lawfully present in the country as they wait for application to be finalized

   ix. Copy of the Police Clearance Certificate

3. After lodging the registration application, you will get your PWD details immediately.

Your turn

Have you ever gotten free money from the Kenyan government using any of the ways listed above?

What other ways, if any, have you used to get totally free money from the government? (Tenderpreneurs I am not addressing you)

Leave a comment below and let me know.