Ministry of Education Targets 10M Children in Expanded School Feeding Program.
The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Julius Migos Ogamba, on Thursday outlined the Ministry’s ambitious plan to scale up the school feeding program.
The goal is to expand the current reach from 2.5 million children to 10 million daily, utilizing strategic partnerships to achieve this milestone.
During a meeting with the World Food Programme (WFP) delegation led by Country Representative Lauren Landis, Ogamba emphasized the importance of collaboration with partners like WFP.
He stated that these partnerships are critical to the success of the expansion. He pointed out that under the leadership of President William Ruto and with the active involvement of First Lady Rachael Ruto, the government is on track to ensure no child experiences hunger while attending school.
Benefits Beyond Food Provision
Ogamba highlighted that the school feeding program’s impact goes beyond merely providing food. He stressed that it improves children’s overall health, boosts their concentration levels, and increases school retention rates, which is crucial for their long-term development.
WFP Representative Lauren Landis acknowledged the Ministry’s leadership in advancing the school feeding program and reaffirmed WFP’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s efforts. She indicated that WFP would continue to mobilize international resources to assist Kenya in meeting its objectives.
Additionally, she praised Ogamba for his selection to host the Universal School Meals Summit in October, a recognition that draws global attention to Kenya’s progress in this area.
Present at the meeting were key figures such as the Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Dr. Belio Kipsang, and the CEO of the National Council of Nomadic Education in Kenya (NACONEK), Harun Yussuf. Their attendance emphasized the broad governmental support for the program’s expansion.
Free School Lunches for 25,000 Learners in Kiambaa, Kiharu, and Mukurweini
A total of 25,000 students from 95 secondary day schools in Kiambaa, Kiharu, and Mukurweini constituencies will benefit from free lunches provided by the Child Welfare Society of Kenya (CWSK).
The initiative is part of the CWSK emergency school support programme, sponsored by the State Department for Social Protection.
The phased rollout targets schools not covered by the government’s feeding program and aims to fill gaps at the beginning and end of school terms.
The program is intended to enhance student retention and improve academic performance, especially as national exams approach.
School principals in the affected areas have welcomed the initiative, emphasizing its positive impact on student outcomes. By ensuring that students are well-fed, the program seeks to reduce absenteeism, increase enrollment, and lower dropout rates—issues often linked to food insecurity.
The program also addresses indirect consequences of food insecurity, such as child labor, commercial sexual exploitation, drug abuse, child trafficking, teenage pregnancies, and forced marriages, which violate the basic rights of children.
Progress and Distribution
The program has already made a significant impact during the third term of this school year. A total of 14,192 students in 60 schools in Kiharu, Murang’a, have received food supplies, including maize, beans, green grams, cowpeas, rice, and cooking oil.
Additionally, 6,399 students in 13 schools in Kiambaa, Kiambu, and 4,509 learners in Mukurweini, Nyeri have also benefited from similar provisions.
The areas selected for the initiative are characterized by high poverty levels and dry conditions, which exacerbate food insecurity. By alleviating the burden of lunch fees on parents, the meal plan has significantly contributed to improving learning outcomes.
For instance, parents who would have been required to pay up to Ksh4,000 per term for lunch levies are now only required to pay Ksh900.
School officials have reported improvements in retention and exam preparedness. Lydia Mwangi, the Deputy Principal of St John Thunguri Secondary School in Nyeri, explained that the program ensures candidates can fully concentrate on their examinations without worrying about food.
Stephen Kiiru, Principal of Karindi Secondary School, echoed these sentiments, noting that the feeding program has been a relief for parents and has enhanced retention, particularly among the 2024 Form Four class.
Future Expansion and Community Impact
Looking ahead, CWSK plans to expand the support programme to other regions, including Baringo, Nyandarua, and Elgeyo-Marakwet. The society is targeting 44,368 students across seven counties. CWSK CEO Irene Mureithi stated that the free lunch initiative is expected to improve both attendance and academic performance in public schools, with Kipipiri, Mogotio, and Elgeyo-Marakwet constituencies next in line for support.
Testimonials from Beneficiaries
Students have expressed their gratitude for the program, noting its positive impact on their ability to focus in class. For instance, Teresa Wangui, a student at Ngoru Orthodox Secondary School, shared that having a guaranteed daily meal makes learning much easier. A Form Four candidate from Mirira Secondary School, which has 359 students, mentioned that timely deliveries of food have improved attentiveness and class participation, boosting their confidence in achieving good results in the upcoming KCSE exams.
Nairobi’s School Feeding Program
The Nairobi school feeding program is set to significantly influence education within the county, improving both children’s health and their academic performance.
The Food for Education Programme, a key player in this initiative, believes the Dishi Na County program, launched by Governor Johnson Sakaja, will boost school attendance and ensure students receive vital nutrition. This nutrition plays a critical role in enhancing cognitive function and learning capacity.
Wawira Njiru, founder and CEO of the Food for Education Programme, highlighted the importance of the school feeding programs, noting that they alleviate classroom hunger and eliminate learning barriers, making the partnership with Dishi Na County essential.
Milestones and Achievements
Wawira emphasized that the completion of 17 kitchens across all Nairobi sub-counties represents a significant milestone. The program’s goal is to provide every child with access to a hot, nutritious meal while at school, aiming to serve one million school children daily in Kenya by 2027.
The centralized kitchen system implemented by the Food for Education Programme allows the production of over 10,000 meals per day. This capacity enables the organization to serve more pupils, including those in Alternative Provision of Basic Education and Training (APBET) schools.
The collaboration with the Nairobi County Government showcases the success of this public-private partnership, making a substantial difference in the lives of Nairobi’s children.
Expanding the feeding program to reach more underserved communities is a primary objective. The organization plans to utilize its existing infrastructure to ensure that no child is left behind.
Addressing hunger, one of the greatest challenges African children face, remains a priority. Wawira stated that the program is committed to extending its reach to more learners across Nairobi.
Support for Farmers and Job Creation
In addition to feeding children, the program supports local farmers by sourcing approximately 80% of ingredients from them. This partnership, spanning 13 counties, has provided smallholder farmers with a stable market, directly improving their livelihoods.
The program has also created over 3,000 jobs, including opportunities for skilled workers in the jua kali sector. Wawira expressed pride in the workforce composition, noting that over 70% of the staff are from Generation Z, and more than 50% are women, contributing to the empowerment of the next generation.
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Wawira recalled that the program began with the modest goal of feeding 100 children. However, the magnitude of the problem quickly became apparent, prompting her to seek more comprehensive solutions and learn from successful models worldwide.
Looking ahead, the organization’s ultimate aim is to end child hunger. They continue to analyze data to refine and adapt their approach to meet the evolving needs of school children.
Ministry of Education Targets 10M Children in School Feeding Program.
