The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has opened the door for public participation on the draft Social Protection General Regulations, 2025, a key framework meant to guide the delivery of non contributory social assistance across the country.
The proposed rules, developed under the Social Protection Act No.12 of 2025, are expected to streamline how support is planned, delivered and monitored, while ensuring fairness and accountability in reaching vulnerable groups.
In a public notice released on February 20,2026, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, Alfred Mutua, underscored the value of involving citizens and stakeholders in shaping policies that directly affect their lives.
“The Cabinet Secretary has developed draft Regulations to the Social Protection Act and now wishes to invite all members of the public and stakeholders to submit views or comments on the draft Regulations,” the notice read.
The draft regulations provide for the creation of a National Board for Social Protection, which will oversee the design, rollout and supervision of social assistance programmes. The Board will also set clear guidelines for identifying beneficiaries using a life cycle approach that targets children, youth and older persons at different stages of need.
The proposed framework outlines how individuals can apply for support, how assessments will be carried out and how successful applicants will be registered. It further grants applicants a 14 day window to appeal decisions made by the Board, offering a channel for review in cases of dispute.
To promote openness and better service delivery, the regulations propose the establishment of an interoperable social protection registry. This system is expected to improve coordination, reduce duplication and enhance transparency in the management of social assistance programmes.
The Ministry has published the draft Regulations, the Regulatory Impact Statement and a comments matrix on the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs website. Members of the public can access the documents through https://socialprotection.go.ke and review them before submitting feedback.
Submissions may be sent electronically to [email protected], with a copy to [email protected]. Hard copy submissions can also be delivered to the Principal Secretary at the State Department offices located at the NSSF Building, Block A, Nairobi.
The deadline for receiving comments is 6th March 2026 at 5:00pm, giving individuals, civil society groups and other stakeholders time to present their views.
In addition to written submissions, the Ministry has arranged physical public participation forums across six regional clusters to widen engagement. The meetings will be held on 5th March 2026 from 9:00am to 3:00pm at the Kenya Industrial Training Institute in Nakuru, Ronald Ngala Social Hall in Mombasa, Barsalinga Towers in Isiolo, The Grand Empire Hotel in Eldoret, Salvation Army Hall in Thika and Mama Grace Onyango Social Hall in Kisumu.
The regional clustering is intended to make it easier for residents from counties such as Nakuru, Nyandarua, Bomet, Narok, Mombasa, Kilifi, Isiolo, West Pokot, Kiambu and Kisumu, as well as neighbouring areas, to attend without travelling far.
Alfred Mutua called on all interested parties to take part in the process. “All stakeholders and members of the public are encouraged to attend as per the schedule and submit their comments to ensure their voices are heard in shaping the Social Protection (General) Regulations, 2025.”
