Kenya

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Situation et prioritiés

Situation de la protection sociale

The social protection sector has seen considerable progress, with policies shifting towards universal programmes with a lifecycle approach. Spending has increased year-on-year, although there are still significant coverage gaps in numbers and types of benefits, particularly within the informal economy which forms 83.6% of the workforce (2019).

Contributory social protection is administered through the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) and the National Social Security Fund, which provide access to health care and pensions (old-age, survivors, invalidity) respectively. Coverage of social security and benefit levels remain limited, as well as adequacy of benefits need to be addressed. (In 2019, NHIF has 11 million members; NSSF has 4.2 million) with 460,406 members being newly registered in 2021. In 2018, Kenya introduced a universal social pension for persons over the age of 70, the first such scheme in the East African region. Other targeted social assistance programs for orphans, drought affected household and people with severe disabilities reached 1.2 million households in 2019. New benefits are being designed to benefit workers in the informal economy, such as a maternity income benefit and the voluntary contribution options of NSSF (Haba Haba) launched in 2019 and NHIF supa cover. A strategy for extending social protection to the informal and rural economy is being developed.

COVID-19 and other crises

The economic impact of the coronavirus exposed the gaps within Kenya’s social protection system, where only 10.1% of the population is covered in at least one area. Approximately 1 million social assistance beneficiaries received a one-off payment of 8,000 Kenyan shillings (US$74). However, approximately 1.7 million Kenyans lost their jobs through June 2020, which hastened the demand for the establishment of an unemployment insurance fund, which will benefit formal sector workers. Overall, the effects of COVID-19 has increased the awareness of the importance of a comprehensive social protection system and has presented opportunities for progress in an already conducive political environment.

Priorités du gouvernement

The Government of Kenya is playing a proactive role in the development of social protection. The revised National Social Protection Policy and the Social Protection Investment Plan have not yet been formally adopted (as of February 2022), however they will be aligned with ILO Recommendation 202 and Convention 102 and take a universal approach. Priorities include:

  • Extension of NHIF to currently uncovered groups (NHIF became mandatory in 2023)
  • Transition the NSSF from a provident fund into a full pension fund with higher contribution levels
  • Introduction of a universal child grant and disability benefit
  • Introduction of a maternity income benefit for women in the informal economy
  • Extension of social protection to the informal and rural economy workers
  • Extension of the Enhanced Single Registry and associated social assistance programs
     

Projets et programmes de l'OIT

Resultats

Over the past 5 years, the ILO has provided technical guidance during the development of the Social Protection Investment Plan (2018), for the development of the National Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Social Protection (2019), and the development of the National Social Protection Policy. The ILO has also engaged in advocacy efforts around the extension of social protection to the informal economy.

Déficits de financement / Soutenir l'OIT

US$ 200 000

Support to NHIF on the extension of coverage to currently uncovered populations

US$ 150 000

Support to Government on the implementation of the maternity income benefit

US$ 500 000

Continue work in extending social security to the informal economy, and including ensuring programmes are HIV and disability-sensitive

US$ 300 000

Continue work on enhancing social security benefits – Old age, work injury, maternity protection

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Experts de l'OIT

IMG
Jasmina Papa
Social Protection Specialist
IMG
Shana Fabienne Hoehler
Technical Officer, Social Health Protection
IMG
Ricardo Irra
Social Protection Officer
IMG
Hellen Magutu
National Project Coordinator