Social Protection is a human right based approach to poverty reduction that uses provision in law, policy and programmes to protect people from the effects of chronic poverty as well as a range of risks and shocks” (Oxfam Social Protection Policy Guidelines 2010). Social protection needs a long term commitment to social assistance, legislation and social insurance. Governmental support is essential. In February 2009, the Kenyan Cabinet recommended the creation of a cross-ministerial Task Force to design and pilot a food subsidy intervention for the urban food insecure. The Oxfam/Concern Consortium was critical in the discussions and decisions that ensued. In November, the Honourable Prime Minister announced in the media that the pilot ‘Sadia Jamii’ would be launched for the urban population with the Oxfam/ Concern Consortium and the World Food Programme acting as the implementing partners. In February 2010, the Government of Kenya signed an Agreement to implement the Saidia Jamii pilot in urban settlements of Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
From the outset, Oxfam in Kenya designed the project to provide basic food needs for the vulnerable, to promote independent and self-sustaining livelihoods and to support the development of a government backed long-term social protection programme.