Mombasa Deputy Governor Dr William Kingi present to the world; the Mombasa County Social Protection Strategy at the Social Protection Conference 2018.
He disclosed that Mombasa County is the only county in the entire Country to successfully develop a workable Social Protection Strategy.
Kingi said the county government of Mombasa was prompted to develop the strategy by the need to close structural gaps for equitable economic growth, and social cohesion in an effort to domesticate the National Social Protection Policy and subsequently widen coverage of the population with the least minimum levels of protection and progressively ensuring higher levels of protection through improved County level coordination and financing for Social Protection.
"With this strategy we hope to implement a multi-sectoral, integrated set of core social protection programs aimed at reducing vulnerabilities throughout the life cycle of targeted populations."
He said they also aim to establish and strengthen a county level coordination mechanism to promote and nurture social protection synergies by ensuring effective linkages with all relevant ministries, departments and key stakeholders at the national and county level.
They seek to operationalize the County Level Information Management system for the effective implementation of social protection programmes as they also seek to increase budgetary allocations for social protection programmes.
Speaking on Friday, the DG indicated the County Government of Mombasa has also developed and operationalized several social protection intervention programmes such as the School Feeding programme, education Scholarships and Bursaries.
Others include County Health Micro Insurance scheme, Vocational Training, Social Housing Units, County Consolidated Revolving Fund, Modern Stalls in Kongowea open market, Cash transfers for older persons(65-69yrs), School Transport for Children with Special Needs and promoting Urban Food Security.
Kingi emphasised that the County Government of Mombasa reiterates its commitment to the implementation of all provisions of the Mombasa County Social Protection Strategy.
"We urge all actors in this field including the Development Partners in Mombasa County to align their social sector programming and funding to the strategy."
He requested all line departments, development partners, all stakeholders involved at both national and sub-national level, to support the comprehensive implementation of the strategy as part of the larger process of growing the economy of the county, and of Kenya.
He also thanked UNICEF for their financial and technical support in the development of the strategy.
"I also wish to extend my appreciation to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the Social Protection Secretariat in the Ministry, NSSF, NHIF and the many NGOs which offer valuable technical assistance. Lastly a hand of appreciation to the County Social Protection Secretariat and the people of Mombasa."