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NSPS and ILO lead initiative to secure social safety nets for informal workers in Kenya

At a recent workshop Kenya advanced social protection for informal and rural workers, developing a roadmap for enhanced coverage. Supported by the ILO and funded by China, this initiative aims to secure economic security for 84% of Kenya's population.

12 June 2024

Participants of the workshop on implementation of Kenya's National Strategy for the Extension of Social Protection to workers in the informal and rural economy © ILO

Nairobi, Kenya (ILO News)  -  The National Social Protection Secretariat (NSPS), Kenya, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), convened a pivotal workshop on 25-26 April 2024 to discuss the implementation of Kenya's National Strategy for the Extension of Social Protection to workers in the informal and rural economy. This significant event was organized under the project "Extending Social Protection Coverage to Workers in the Informal Economy in Lao PDR and Kenya and Leveraging Digital Transformation: through South-South Cooperation," funded by the Government of China and Partnership for improving prospects for forcibly displaced persons and host communities (PROSPECTS).

Kenya's informal and rural economy, which supports approximately 84% of the population, is a critical component of the nation's socio-economic framework. However, workers in this sector frequently lack adequate social protection, rendering them vulnerable to economic and social risks. Addressing this challenge, the Government of Kenya has developed a comprehensive national strategy to extend social protection to these workers.

The workshop, hosted by NSPS and supported by the ILO, gathered a diverse array of stakeholders. Attendees included representatives from NSPS, the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), The National Treasury, the Central Organization of Trade Unions, Kenya (COTU-K) and its affiliate unions, the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), informal economy associations, the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS), ILO, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the World Food Programme (WFP).

group of people in kenya © ILO
Participants of the workshop on implementation of Kenya's National Strategy for the Extension of Social Protection to workers in the informal and rural economy

The primary goal of the workshop was to foster collaborative efforts among key stakeholders to develop an actionable roadmap for extending social protection to workers in the informal and rural economy in Kenya. By uniting representatives from various government agencies, employers, union representatives, and development partners, the workshop aimed to craft a detailed and actionable plan. This roadmap is intended to enhance social protection coverage for the target group and identify both short-term and long-term implementation strategies.

Launched on 12 October, 2023, the Strategy for Extension of Social Protection Coverage to Workers in the Informal and Rural Economy in Kenya aims to:

  • Provide clear guidelines for extending coverage and ensuring the adequacy of inclusive social protection programs for workers in the informal and rural economy.
  • Outline specific steps to address major barriers faced by these workers when accessing social protection schemes.

For more detailed information on the strategy, visit the ILO publication here.

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