Strengthening social protection to protect children in Kenya’s tea and coffee value chains

NAIVASHA (ILO News) - From 4 to 7 November 2025, leading Kenyan institutions from the social protection, labour, agriculture, and child welfare areas came together for a workshop focused on strengthening social protection for tea and coffee producers and workers in Kericho, Kisii, Meru, and Nyeri. The workshop was organized by the ACCEL Africa project financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The event brought together national and county authorities, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and key service providers committed to improving the resilience and well-being of communities at the heart of Kenya’s agricultural value chains.

United behind a shared goal, participants explored how stronger and more inclusive social protection systems can help reduce vulnerabilities and create sustainable pathways to eliminate child labour. During the workshop, participants learned about ILO social protection standards and the linkages between the lack of social protection and child labour. It was a valuable opportunity for participants to align their mandates and identify areas for coordinated action.

The workshop focused on practical challenges within the target counties. Through open dialogue, participants assessed the barriers that limit enrolment in social protection schemes, including irregular incomes, limited access to digital services, and gaps in service delivery. This exchange provided a clear view of the realities faced by producers and workers in the tea and coffee sectors.

The workshop concluded with the development of concrete recommendations and county-level action plans. These include, for example, joint awareness using local radio and community gatherings; targeted training and registration for cooperative leaders and workers; and mobile registration services and improved compliance monitoring. These plans outline priority measures to address the identified barriers and will be implemented in close partnership with the International Labour Organization.

In the coming months, counties will move into implementation, including pilot activities with cooperatives, community sensitisation sessions, mobile outreach, and the establishment of coordination mechanisms to monitor progress. By bringing together government institutions, employers, unions, and local authorities, the workshop marked an important step toward expanding effective and inclusive social protection coverage in Kenya's tea and coffee sectors.