Remarks by Hon. Florence Bore, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection
Remarks By the Cabinet Secretary for Labour and Social Protection, Florence Bore, During the Official Closing Session Of the 3rd Social Protection Conference Week On 6th April, 2023
Hon. Musalia Mudavadi,
Principal secretaries Present
Amb. To Sweden, Ms Annika Otterstedt
Country representative from UNICEF, UNHCR, WFP,
Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen
Good Morning
For the last four days, we have congregated together as social protection policy makers, practitioners, researchers, Governments, development partners, civil society, the private sector and representative of communities; to share experiences, exchange ideas, discuss challenges, opportunities and propose strategies that will stimulate thinking in designing and strengthening programmes within the social protection sector. It is my sincere hope that you have gained enough to revitalize responsive social protection interventions in the medium term.
I am quite grateful that we have exceeded our expectations in all aspects during the plenary sessions, break-out meetings, in the exhibition areas, and during the interactive health breaks. I truly hope that all participants were able to experience various best practices that can inspire inclusive and sustainable social protection programming.
As a Ministry we commit to providing the requisite leadership and coordination to the sector in the quest to realizing an integrated approach to social protection system for Kenya, to enable us address the multifaceted nature of poverty and vulnerability. My Ministry will continue to leverage on existing coordination arrangements including the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) of the UN agencies in which my Ministry co-chairs.
During my opening remarks, I noted the huge responsibility that continue to weight us down as a Sector- the extent of poverty and vulnerability that continue to affect a sizeable section of our population coupled by emergencies and existing national and global economic challenges. We need to continue to invest on national social protection systems that are responsive to shocks. I am happy that you have received diverse experiences that can help us rethink our programming.
I have listened to the content of the Call for Action which is a sure testament to the level of dedication that has gone into this conference. The smallest commitments start from the grassroots levels where the social protection actors will change the narrative of business as usual to new sustainable and resource-efficient solutions. Equally, the policymakers at the highest decision-making level have obtained important takeaways from the discussions and are now better equipped to introduce life-changing policies that can enhance social protection investments.
Allow me to appreciate the speakers, the moderators, the panellists who have contributed so much to make the output of this conference possible. To all the Participants, this conference could not be complete without your presence and your immense contributions in the different conference sessions.
To the Conference Organizing Committee drawn from Government, Development partners, Civil Society and the Private sector with the leadership of the State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizens Affairs, you have done us proud by making this conference a success.
Finally, Distinguished conference Delegates, Every Beginning Has an End And Every End Has A Beginning. Let the value of this event not only be the knowledge gained during the four days’ sessions but may it translate to positive results in improving the livelihoods of the people that we serve. As we get back to our organizations let’s remember the two questions posed to us by his Excellency the President during the Official opening session
- What are we doing to accelerate the development of an inclusive and integrated social protection system in Kenya and;
- What are our strategic options for the expansion of coverage and improvement of shock responsiveness, in order to leave no one behind?
Wishing you journey mercies and the very best as we embark on actualizing our commitments.
Asante Sana.