COVID-19 and Vulnerable, Hardworking Kenyans: Why it's time for a strong social protection plan
Author(s)
Gikandi, LeviPublication date
2020-11-10Keywords
Cash transfersCOVID-19
Food security
Informal sector
Sexual and gender-based violence
Social protection
Country
KenyaMetadata
Show full item recordPublisher(s)
OxfamKenya Red Cross Society
Concern Worldwide
ACTED
IMPACT Initiatives
The Centre for Rights, Education and Awareness (CREAW)
Wangu Kanja Foundation
Document type
Briefing paperDescription
Seven NGOs, the Kenyan government, the European Union and the Danish and German governments are working together to implement a ’Safety Nets’ programme targeting Kenya’s millions of informal workers. With rising food insecurity and sexual and gender-based-violence, mounting job losses, poor access to water and sanitation, and a lack of formal safety nets, the Kenyan informal sector has suffered the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Safety Nets programme has revealed that cash transfers which support the most vulnerable people, and are implemented safely, transparently and accountably, have the potential to help vulnerable households stave off starvation, infection and eviction. They can also help reduce the vulnerability of survivors and those at risk of sexual and gender-based violence. The results of this programme demonstrate that nascent Kenyan ‘social protection’ programmes should be 1) immediately extended and expanded to the many vulnerable Kenyans currently not enrolled in any social protection programme; and 2) strengthened long-term to make them more effective, sustainable and accountable.