Kakuma, May 7, 2024

Stakeholders in the Social Protection sector are meeting in Kakuma to kickstart a review of the Turkana County Social Protection Policy and Bill that is currently in force.

The four-day meeting, supported by the World Food Programme (WFP), aims to provide a platform for the sector players to openly air proposals that will inform changes and eventual amendments to the crucial document.

“The review intends to align the Policy and the Bill with Governor’s Nine-Point Agenda and the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) III,” County Executive for Education, Sports, and Social Protection Elizabeth Loote stated.

In her remarks, CECM Loote said that the dynamics in the field of Social Protection occasioned by the emergence of new shocks exposing more people to vulnerabilities further justified the need for a continuous review.

While emphasising the need for an up-to-date Policy and Bill, She said plans are underway to update the number of all intended beneficiaries of the Policy in their respective categories.

WFP Lodwar field office lead, Sarah Ayodi, described WFP as a major player in the social protection sector owing to their role in safeguarding vulnerable populations in crises that require the distribution of relief food.

Sarah added that WFP had also supported the County Disability Act of 2021 and would build from the experience.

The initiative paves the way for a County Social Protection Bill and Policy that lays out a better strategy for rolling out programs relating to cash transfers, protection of existing beneficiaries, and financial support for Orphans Vulnerable Children (OVC), and Persons With Disabilities (PWD).

The Director of Social Protection Mark Amiyo divulged that the outcome of the forum will be shared with members of the County Assembly Committee on Education, Sports and Social Protection.

On his part, the Deputy Director for Social Protection Hebrew Idoka urged the stakeholders to consider the classification of the Ilimanyang Community as both vulnerable and marginalized owing to their skin condition and the disadvantage of residing in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

Deputy Director Idoka explained that the inclusion of the Ilimanyang as both vulnerable and marginalized in the final edition of the document would permit the county to initiate more interventions aimed at alleviating the livelihood of the initially neglected community through a sound legal infrastructure.

The attendees were drawn from Humanity and Inclusion, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, the United Nations Children’s Fund, RCK, and State Department of Gender, Social Services, and, National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO).

The officials from the Office of the Governor, and Office of the County Attorney, and the PWD Board were present.