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Post Reply: President Ruto Signs Social Protection Bill 2025 to Expand Welfare for Vulnerable Kenyans

<blockquote><div class="quotetitle">Quote from <a class="profile-link highlight-moderator" href="https://lawguide.co.ke/understanding-law/legal-forum/profile/lawyer/">Lawyer</a> on July 31, 2025, 7:55 am</div><div id="pl-7331"  class="panel-layout" ><div id="pg-7331-0"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-7331-0-0"  class="panel-grid-cell"  data-weight="1" ><div id="panel-7331-0-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="0" data-style="{&quot;background_image_attachment&quot;:false,&quot;background_display&quot;:&quot;tile&quot;,&quot;background_image_size&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;background_image_opacity&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;border_thickness&quot;:&quot;1px&quot;}" ><div
			
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	<p dir="ltr" data-pm-slice="0 0 []">On Wednesday, July 30, 2025, President William Ruto signed the Social Protection Bill 2025 into law at State House, Nairobi, marking a significant step toward enhancing social welfare for vulnerable Kenyans. This landmark legislation, passed by the National Assembly on April 30, 2025, and approved by the Senate on July 23, 2025, without amendments, replaces the outdated Social Assistance Act. The new law introduces a comprehensive, life-cycle approach to social protection, aiming to provide financial and non-financial support to citizens facing economic hardship, disability, job loss, or natural disasters.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Social Protection Bill 2025 expands the scope of Kenya’s social safety net, moving beyond the previous focus on the elderly, orphans, and persons with severe disabilities. It now includes individuals affected by pandemics, economic downturns, and environmental crises, ensuring a broader and more inclusive framework. The law establishes a National Board for Social Protection, tasked with coordinating the registration and distribution of benefits. This board will oversee a central digital registry designed to streamline applications, track services, and identify vulnerable households, particularly during emergencies.</p>
<p dir="ltr">A key feature of the new legislation is the digitization of the registration process. Previously, applicants had to queue at Huduma Centres or local offices to access social assistance. The new system allows Kenyans to apply for benefits online, improving accessibility and efficiency. The law also introduces a Social Protection Fund, to be financed by both national and county governments, which will pool resources for cash transfers, rehabilitation programs, home-based care, and food assistance. Non-financial benefits, such as psychological counseling, foster care support, and medical services, are also included to promote a holistic approach to welfare.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The bill, sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, emphasizes dignity and equity in delivering social services. It includes clear eligibility criteria and grievance redress mechanisms to ensure transparency and fairness. Both state and non-state actors are assigned roles to enhance collaboration, ensuring that no eligible Kenyan is left behind. County governments are now legally obligated to contribute resources and play an active role in decentralizing welfare support across all 47 counties.</p>
<p dir="ltr">President Ruto’s assent to the bill follows its introduction in April 2025, when it was proposed to provide monthly stipends to workers affected by economic disruptions, such as job losses due to recessions or environmental challenges. This marks a shift from earlier proposals, like the unemployment insurance fund, which required contributions from employers and workers. Instead, the Social Protection Bill 2025 adopts a non-contributory model, meaning beneficiaries receive support without prior payments, funded directly through the national budget.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The signing of the bill comes at a time when Kenya continues to recover from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges. With approximately 31.3 billion Kenyan shillings allocated to social protection programs in the financial year ending June 2025, the new law aims to build on existing efforts to reduce poverty and improve livelihoods. By addressing vulnerabilities across different stages of life, from childhood to old age, the legislation seeks to provide a lifeline to millions of Kenyans facing financial instability.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Social Protection Bill 2025 has been hailed as a transformative step toward a more inclusive and responsive welfare system. As the National Board for Social Protection begins its work, Kenyans across the country can expect improved access to essential services and financial support, fostering resilience in the face of economic and social challenges.</p>
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