Thursday, 20 March, 2025
CS Mutua briefs Senate Committee on Social Welfare Programmes and Regional Integration Impacts
๐๐๐ซ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐
In a pivotal appearance before the Senate Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration, chaired by Senator Mohamed Chute (Marsabit), Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Hon. (Dr.) Alfred Mutua, addressed the progress and challenges facing social welfare programs in Kenya. This session focused on the critical role of regional integration, particularly within the East African Community (EAC), in shaping social welfare policies.
CS Mutua highlighted the ongoing implementation of the Inua Jamii Cash Transfer Programme, a nationwide initiative designed to uplift vulnerable populations across various communities and counties. He emphasized that the programme not only addresses poverty but also fosters community cohesion and equitable intervention among beneficiaries.
โThe frameworks established by the State Department, particularly the Beneficiary Welfare Committee, are instrumental in integrating diverse tribes, cultures, and religions to ensure comprehensive outreach. Furthermore, the Community Groups Registration Act 2022 facilitates organized collaboration, even including integrated refugee groups,โ CS Mutua explained.
Turning attention to regional integration, CS Mutua reaffirmed the Ministryโs commitment to the EACโs collaborative efforts in solidifying social welfare frameworks. The Ministry, in partnership with EAC member states, is currently validating the Draft East African Community Social Protection Policy. This initiative aligns with Article 120 of the EAC Treaty, which advocates for cooperative social welfare and Article 39 of the Protocol on the Common Market, promoting the harmonization of social policies to enhance work conditions and living standards.
โThrough the State Department, we have led significant ratification processes of crucial protocols focused on the rights of older persons and persons with disabilities,โ he noted, also mentioning the implementation of the African Charter on Rights and Welfare of the Child, ratified by Kenya in July 2000.
CS Mutua also informed the committee about the Ministryโs alignment with regional frameworks, such as the African Union Agenda 2063 and the East Africa Community Vision 2050. Notable policies and bills approved by the cabinet in the last two years include the Kenya Social Protection Policy 2023, Family Promotion and Protection Policy 2023, the Social Protection Bill 2024 and the Persons with Disability National Policy 2024.
However, CS Mutua acknowledged challenges hindering the effectiveness of these social welfare programmes. He pointed out that budget cuts and insufficient funding are significant barriers to service delivery, particularly at the field level, with some sub-county offices receiving as little as Ksh. 13,000 per quarter.
The Minister also voiced concerns regarding staffing shortages and inadequate training for personnel, stating that the current in-post staffing is below authorized levels and that there is a limited number of officers trained for promotional courses. The weak institutional capacity, coupled with inadequate legislative frameworks, hampers the Ministry's ability to respond effectively to emerging challenges and emergencies.