NSPS, ILO and FAO lead initiative to extend social protection to informal and rural workers in Kenya

On April 25-26, 2024, the National Social Protection Secretariat (NSPS), with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), organized a pivotal workshop to discuss the implementation of Kenya's National Strategy for the Extension of Social Protection to workers in the informal and rural economy. This event, held under the auspices of 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," was funded by the Government of China as well as PROSPECTS.

Kenya's informal and rural economy plays a significant role in the country's socioeconomic landscape, providing livelihoods for about 84% of the population. However, workers in this sector often lack access to adequate social protection, leaving them vulnerable to economic shocks and social risks. Recognizing the need to address this challenge, the Government of Kenya developed a national strategy to extend social protection coverage to workers in the informal and rural economy.

The workshop brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including 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 representing the informal economy, 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).

© ILO

© ILO

The primary objective of the workshop was to facilitate 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 bringing together representatives from government agencies at both national and county levels, as well as treasury officials, employers, union representatives, and development partners, the workshop aimed to generate a detailed and actionable roadmap. This roadmap seeks to enhance social protection coverage for the target group and to identify a short-term and long-term strategy for its implementation.

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

• Provide clear guidelines to extend coverage and ensure the adequacy of social protection programmes that are inclusive for workers in the informal and rural economy.
• Outline specific steps to address major barriers faced by workers in the informal and rural economy when accessing social protection schemes.

During the workshop, participants engaged in extensive discussions on the specific steps required to implement this strategy effectively. They collaboratively developed an actionable roadmap designed to ensure comprehensive social protection coverage for workers in the informal and rural economy. This roadmap includes initial implementation in selected counties, while concurrently engaging at the national level to extend social protection benefits across the country.

The collaborative effort during the workshop reflects a strong commitment to transforming the landscape of social protection in Kenya. The strategic involvement of diverse stakeholders underscores the importance of a unified approach in overcoming the barriers faced by informal and rural workers.

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