By James Munyua
At least 80 percent of Kenya’s workforce operates without formal social security, health insurance, or pension plan, exposing them to serious life threats such as diseases and poverty.
To address this gap, the ministry of Labour and Social Protection, through the National Social Protection Secretariat (NSPS) has developed a “national strategy for the extension of social protection coverage to workers in the Informal and rural economy.”
The strategy also supported by other development partners such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), aims to create a framework that will bring onboard millions of workers in the informal and rural economy who have remained outside the national safety net.
The National Social Protection Secretariat (NSPS) held a two-day stakeholders’ engagement forum in Nakuru County to draft an Action Plan.
The draft will be a localized strategy designed to streamline the registration of informal workers into essential schemes like the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) and the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Speaking during a courtesy call from the technical team, Nakuru County Deputy Governor H.E. David Kones emphasized the economic necessity of the initiative.
“The informal sector is the primary driver of Nakuru’s economy. Securing the future of this workforce through health and pension coverage is not just a social duty, but an economic priority,” he stated.
ILO Senior National Project Coordinator Dr. Hellen Amakobe emphasized the critical need for expanding social protection and occupational safety.
“Significant portion of the Kenyan workforce specifically small-scale farmers and informal traders remains outside the traditional social security net,” Ms Amakobe stated.
“We are working together with the national and county governments to offer technical capacity that will assist to strengthen work based programs that integrate health services with financial security to build resilience for vulnerable groups.”
The forum brought together various groups of stakeholders, including representatives from:
National Government Agencies such as NSSF and SHA., Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) and the Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), farmers’ associations, market vendor groups, and representatives of People with Disabilities (PWDs).
The draft Action Plan marks a major step toward achieving universal social security in Kenya, ensuring that no worker is left behind in the country’s journey toward socio-economic transformation.
County officials present during the forum includes CECMs Elga Riaga (Youth Gender Culture Sports and Social Services) Ambrose Ngare (Public Service management) and Chief Officer Resource Mobilization Dr. Victor Achoka.
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