Workshop: Promoting rights based social protection in Kenya.

FES Zambia’s and the Africa Platform for Social Protection are currently collaborating to promote the social protection rights in Africa, through the Rights Based Social Protection Project in Africa. In 2018, FES Zambia, under the Rights Based project, supported legal and advocacy activities in Kenya in the review of the Social Assistance Act 2013. The work in 2018 saw APSP review several emerging Bills on Social Assistance in Kenya, including the Social Assistance Act 2013 as well as the Social Protection Bill 2018. APSP conducted a legal analysis on the gaps in the two legislations and engaged with Members of Parliament in legal advocacy for rights based social assistance. During the engagement with members of Parliament a technical team consisting of a core group of lawyers and APSP secretariat was formed to spearhead further engagement in the legal advocacy process. APSP is the convener of the core group, and intends to continue support the process.

Kenya is in the process of reviewing the National Social Protection Policy 2012. Between 2012 and now there have been many changes within social assistance programming, including expansion of social assistance budget by the government. This workshop in Kenya brings together non-state actors, including civil society organizations, faith based organizations and trade unions among others. The aim of the workshop is to enhance the understanding of non-state actors on the draft policy. Additionally, since 2013, the new Constitutional dispensation saw the establishment of two levels of government – the national level and the county level. Country governments have also initiated social assistance programmes. APSP will in 2019 continue to support the review of emerging bills and support consultative forums between civil society organizations and policy makers.