Spokesperson for the ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare Fred Simwaka says instead, the government has expanded the Social Cash Transfer Program (SCTP) with a 15% increase and older citizens are covered by this program.

“We have prioritized the expansion of SCTP to reach out to many beneficiaries and it should be noted this program is for vulnerable people including the elderly,” said Simwaka.

According to Simwaka, currently, SCTP is covering 293, 000 households in all 28 districts and if adjusted the number of households will be around 400, 000.

72-year-old Odinga Chief who is also Executive Director Association of Veteran Politicians (AVEPO) expressed worry that the government is failing to implement the older persons’ pension scheme which it promised.

“While we applaud government for scrapping off Value Added Tax (VAT) on water and cooking oil, we would have loved if the older citizens’ pension scheme was included in this year’s budget,” said Chief.

However, Executive Director of the Malawi Network of Older Persons (MANEPO) Andrew Kavala said they still have confidence that long it may take the government will implement the scheme.

“We will continue negotiating with ministries of finance and gender, community development and social welfare on this important scheme,” said Kavala

During the campaign period, the Tonse Alliance promised a pension scheme for older persons to cushion different sufferings they face.