The Kenyan government has announced plans to expand the Inua Jamii programme to 2.5 million households, up from 1.7 million currently. This move aims to enhance social assistance and establish a Social Protection Fund to provide predictable financing for vulnerable households. The programme has grown significantly, with annual domestic spending on social protection increasing from Sh4.3 billion to nearly Sh40 billion.
Principal Secretary for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs Joseph Motari stated that the next phase of social protection will focus on helping households move from vulnerability to resilience and economic opportunity. He emphasized the need to link cash transfers to skills, savings, financial inclusion, and market access, enabling beneficiaries to build sustainable livelihoods.
Motari highlighted the importance of developing a social protection system capable of responding to economic and climate-related shocks. He stressed the need to connect early warning systems, vulnerability data, financing, and delivery systems to mitigate the impact of climate risks. The government aims to safeguard social protection financing during crises to ensure timely support for vulnerable households.
The proposed Social Protection Fund has received backing from Parliament, with Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a pledging support for the allocation of budgetary resources needed to capitalize and operationalize the fund. The Departmental Committee on Social Protection will work with the government and stakeholders to ensure the fund's operationalization.
The reforms aim to build a more integrated social protection system covering risks across the life cycle. Kenya has recently adopted several policies, including the Social Protection Policy 2023, Persons with Disabilities National Policy 2024, Social Protection Act 2025, Persons with Disabilities Act 2025, and Social Protection Regulations 2026.
Principal Secretary for Children Services Caren Ogonga called for stronger child protection systems and coordinated action to protect children from violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. She emphasized the need to strengthen child protection as part of broader efforts to ensure vulnerable children and families access appropriate services and support.
The government is also working to enhance opportunities for persons with disabilities, with a focus on productive participation and access to employment and livelihood opportunities. The regulations required to operationalize the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025 are currently at the public participation stage, with Parliament pledging to expedite the process once formally presented.
Key points
- The Inua Jamii programme is set to expand to 2.5 million households.
- The government aims to establish a Social Protection Fund to provide predictable financing for vulnerable households.
- The reforms aim to build a more integrated social protection system covering risks across the life cycle.
