Garissa Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane speaking. /STEPHEN
ASTARIKO
Garissa county has officially launched its Social Protection Policy 2026.
The landmark framework aims to protect vulnerable individuals and households from poverty, social exclusion, economic hardship and climate-related shocks, while promoting inclusive and sustainable development.
The policy was developed through a comprehensive multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder process involving the county government, national government agencies and development partners.
They include UNICEF, the World Food Programme, the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office and the Partnership for Governance Initiative. The framework seeks to address Garissa’s unique development challenges, including unemployment, poverty, climate-related vulnerabilities and shrinking economic opportunities.
Speaking during the official launch, Deputy Governor Abdi Dagane described the policy as a transformative step towards improving the welfare, dignity and resilience of Garissa residents.
“This policy is a landmark step in our journey towards building a more inclusive, equitable and resilient Garissa,” Dagane said. “It provides a strategic roadmap to strengthen social assistance programmes, expand access to essential services and empower vulnerable members of our society to live with dignity and hope,” he said.
“This policy is aligned with the Constitution of Kenya, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals and the County Integrated Development Plan.”
He noted the policy specifically targets children, older persons, persons with disabilities, women, youth and marginalised communities who continue to face multiple social and economic challenges.
Dagane emphasised that addressing poverty and vulnerability requires collective action from all sectors of society.
““The challenges facing our communities cannot be solved by government alone. We must strengthen collaboration between the national and county governments, development partners, civil society organisations, the private sector, religious institutions and our communities to ensure no one is left behind,” he said.
Dagane said the administration will allocate adequate resources, strengthen institutional capacity and establish robust monitoring systems to ensure the intended benefits reach vulnerable households across the county.
“Together, we can build a Garissa where every child has an opportunity to thrive, every older person lives with dignity, every person with a disability enjoys equal opportunities and every household can withstand economic and environmental shocks,” he added.
Garissa county chairperson for PWDs Aden Bille welcomed the policy and described it as a major milestone in advancing social justice and inclusion.
“On behalf of PWDs in Garissa county, we sincerely appreciate the county government for developing and launching the Social Protection Policy 2026,” Bille said.
“This marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to build a county where every resident, regardless of their circumstances, enjoys dignity, equal opportunities and protection from poverty and vulnerability.”
He observed that many PWDs in the county continue to face challenges such as poverty, unemployment, limited access to education and healthcare, climate-related shocks and social exclusion, which often undermine their ability to participate fully in economic and social life.
“For many PWDs, these barriers increase dependency and limit our ability to contribute fully to the development of our county. This policy offers hope by providing a framework through which vulnerable populations can access support, services and opportunities that enhance resilience and well-being,” he said.
Bille particularly welcomed the policy’s commitment to strengthening social assistance programmes, improving access to healthcare, education and livelihood opportunities and promoting disability-inclusive planning and budgeting.
However, he stressed true inclusion must go beyond policy commitments.
“Meaningful inclusion must go beyond recognition. It requires deliberate action to ensure accessibility, participation and equal opportunities in all sectors. We look forward to seeing the policy translated into practical programmes that improve the lives of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups,” he said.
During last year’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities celebrations, Governor Nathif Jama reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring PWDs are adequately represented within county structures and development programmes.
“My administration has made a deliberate effort to create a department specifically for PWDs, which is charged with the responsibility of addressing their needs,” he said.
“We have also continued to support them through employment opportunities, empowerment programmes and resources that restore dignity and independence.”
Other initiatives already being implemented by the county include the distribution of mobility aids such as wheelchairs, economic empowerment programmes and targeted support for learners with disabilities.
Ahmed Mohamed, a PWD speaking at the forum./STEPHEN
ASTARIKO
Stakeholders during the launch of the Garissa County
Social Protection Policy booklet 2026./STEPHEN ASTARIKO
