Social Protection (SP) refers to policies and actions, including legislative measures, which enhance the capacity and opportunities for the poor and vulnerable to improve and sustain their livelihoods and welfare; enable income-earners and their dependants to maintain a reasonable level of income through decent work; ensure access to affordable health care, social security and social assistance.

The overall objective of SP is to ensure that all Kenyans live in dignity and exploit their human capabilities for their own social and economic development.  Current delivery instruments of SP within the social assistance, social security and social health insurance sectors include Cash Transfers, Food Distribution, School Based Feeding Programmes, Social Health Insurance, Price Subsidies, Public Works and Microfinance amongst others.

The initiative to develop a National Social Protection Policy started in 2009, through a participatory process involving all stakeholders in the SP arena and was completed last year (2011). The policy together with a cabinet memorandum has been forwarded for cabinet approval. A Sessional paper on the policy will be forwarded to the National Assembly for debate and adoption in the first quarter of this year (2012).

The Social Protection Policy will provide for institutional arrangements and other reforms including the creation of the National Social Protection Council (NSPC) that will enhance collaboration, harmonization and coordination of activities among line Ministries, development partners and other key players.

The policy proposes the establishment of a Consolidated Social Protection Fund as envisaged in Vision 2030 to be administered by the NSPC.  This fund is critical to financing and sustainability of Social Protection in the country.