By Issa Hussein - Reporter
June 09, 2026 -Garissa County has launched its Social Protection Policy 2026, a framework aimed at strengthening support for vulnerable populations and enhancing resilience against poverty, climate shocks and economic hardship.
The policy was officially unveiled on Tuesday, with Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane speaking on behalf of Governor Nathif Jama. He described the policy as a major milestone in the county’s efforts to improve the welfare, dignity and economic security of residents.
According to the county government, the policy provides a roadmap for expanding social assistance programmes, improving access to essential services and protecting vulnerable groups including children, older persons, persons with disabilities, women, youth and marginalized communities.
“The policy provides a strategic roadmap to strengthen social assistance, expand access to basic services and build resilience among vulnerable members of our society,” the Deputy Governor said during the launch.
The initiative comes as Garissa continues to grapple with high poverty levels, recurring droughts, unemployment and other socio-economic challenges that disproportionately affect vulnerable households.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Garissa remains among the counties with the highest poverty rates in the country. The county has also experienced repeated climate-related shocks, including prolonged droughts and floods, which have undermined livelihoods and deepened vulnerability among pastoralist and low-income communities.
Many households in the county rely on livestock production as their primary source of income, making them particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Recent droughts across northern Kenya led to significant livestock losses, pushing thousands of families into food insecurity and dependence on humanitarian assistance.
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County officials said the new policy seeks to address these challenges through coordinated interventions aimed at strengthening social protection systems and improving the capacity of households to withstand economic and environmental shocks.
The policy was developed through a consultative process involving the county government, national government agencies and development partners including UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) and other stakeholders.
It is aligned with the Constitution of Kenya, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Garissa County Integrated Development Plan.
The Deputy Governor emphasized that addressing poverty and vulnerability requires collective action involving government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations and local communities.
County officials expressed optimism that the framework will help improve coordination of social protection programmes while ensuring support reaches the most vulnerable residents more effectively.
The launch reflects a growing recognition among county governments that long-term economic resilience requires stronger social safety nets, particularly in regions frequently affected by climate shocks and economic instability.