The beneficiaries, aged 70 years and above, were drawn from across the constituency. They received blankets, maize flour, cooking fat, salt and soap

Elderly residents receive food and blankets in Ndia /HANDOUT

More than 1,000 elderly residents of Ndia constituency in Kirinyaga county received food items and blankets during Mashujaa Day celebrations in recognition of their sacrifices in the struggle for Kenya’s independence.

Speaking shortly before the distribution, Comfort Homes founder and director Hezekiah Kariuki praised the elderly residents for their contribution to the struggle against colonial rule.

Kariuki, who hails from the region, said the initiative was aimed at honouring those who had sacrificed for the country’s liberation.

He also called on the national government to streamline the payment of Inua Jamii stipends to elderly people, citing complaints about delays in receiving the funds.

Kariuki said timely payments were important to beneficiaries who depend on the stipends to meet their needs.

He further urged local constituency leaders to prioritise the interests of residents, saying excessive politicking was taking attention away from development and service delivery.

Kariuki, who is also a director of Together as One Investment, said leaders should focus on addressing the needs of the people they represent.