World Bank Approves $127.5M Social Protection Project to Help 12 Million Kenyans

The World Bank Board of Directors has approved the Second Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project (KSEIP2), a $127.5 million initiative aimed at strengthening Kenya’s social protection systems and expanding safety net support to twelve million vulnerable citizens. The project targets elderly people, women, adolescents, children, and other at-risk groups, focusing on advancing human capital development and economic inclusion.

Building on the success of the first Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project (KSEIP), KSEIP2 will enhance delivery systems for inclusive social and economic support. The project will scale up cash-plus programs targeting specific age groups, complementing existing cash transfers under the government’s National Safety Net Program (NSNP). It will also promote climate-resilient income-generating activities and link beneficiaries to government social insurance schemes to foster long-term savings and resilience.

Recognizing Kenya’s vulnerability to recurrent droughts, particularly in the North and Northeastern counties, KSEIP2 includes measures to modernize social protection systems and provide emergency social assistance during crises to help offset adverse impacts.

Qimiao Fan, World Bank Division Director for Kenya, emphasized, “Inclusive growth and poverty reduction are realized when there are more and better jobs, as well as more accessible jobs for the poorest and most vulnerable populations. This project will prepare children and adolescents for healthy and productive adulthoods, assist poorer families in building sustainable livelihoods, and protect gains during food insecurity and drought.”

Shubha Chakravarty, Senior Economist and Task Team Leader for the World Bank, noted, “The Government of Kenya is committed to supporting opportunities for every family to sustainably exit poverty and vulnerability. KSEIP2 supports this ambition by focusing on investments in children, adolescents, and productive households, working closely with other government programs to disrupt the cycle of poverty.”

KSEIP2 aligns with the World Bank Group’s FY23-FY28 Country Partnership Framework priorities, including increasing household resilience, enhancing national preparedness for shocks, and advancing human capital development and employment. The project also supports Kenya’s Vision 2030 and its constitutional commitment to provide social security for all citizens unable to support themselves.