Nairobi: The national government has officially launched the Kenya National Ultra-Poor Graduation (UPG) Strategy in Nairobi, a landmark programme designed to lift the most vulnerable households out of extreme poverty through structured and sustainable interventions. Speaking during the launch, the Principal Secretary (PS) for Social Protection and Senior Citizens Affairs, Joseph Motari, hailed the initiative as a transformative step in Kenya’s fight against chronic poverty.
According to Kenya News Agency, the UPG strategy provides ultra-poor households with a sequenced support package that includes consumption support, asset provision, skills development, mentorship, and access to financial services. Further, it aims to build household resilience, strengthen adaptive capacity to climate shocks, and empower participants to achieve economic independence over time.
Further, Motari noted that the programme aligns closely with Kenya’s broader social protection agenda and the Sustainable Development Goal 1, which seeks to end extreme poverty. He underscored the importance of coordination among national and county governments, development partners, and community-based organisations in ensuring the programme’s success.
Meanwhile, the launch comes amid persistent poverty challenges in several counties, and according to recent national statistics, approximately 39.8 percent of Kenyans live below the poverty line, with 7.1 percent experiencing extreme deprivation. In this regard, the PS highlighted that programmes such as the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, the Subsidised Fertiliser Programme, and cash transfers under the Indo-Pacific Transfer Programme have previously helped households improve food security, generate income, and gain access to basic services.
During the launch, Motari also stressed that the programme prioritises inclusivity, targeting women, youth, and persons with disabilities, who are disproportionately affected by extreme poverty. County representatives attending the event, including deputy governors and social protection officials, pledged to collaborate closely with the national government to ensure that resources reach intended beneficiaries.
Several counties, including Makueni and Taita Taveta, have already piloted similar programmes with encouraging results, demonstrating improved household income, food security, and access to education. Similarly, Motari called on development partners and civil society organisations to actively engage with the programme stating, ‘The government cannot achieve these ambitious goals alone. Partnerships with NGOs, community groups, and private sector actors are crucial to ensure that no household is left behind’.
The PS at the same time pointed out that the UPG strategy also incorporates a robust monitoring and evaluation framework, enabling the government to track progress, identify challenges, and scale successful interventions across the country. The launch was attended by county representatives, development partners, and officials from both the national and county levels, signaling a unified commitment to tackling poverty and building inclusive economic growth across Kenya.