Nairobi City Hall is set to enhance the Dishi na County school feeding program by establishing a dedicated board and secretariat to ensure its effective operation. Governor Johnson Sakaja made the announcement during the Global School Meals Coalition ministerial meeting in Nairobi, highlighting the importance of strong governance as the program enters its 15th month.
With a growing interest from parents and community members eager to contribute, Sakaja noted, “Nairobians are asking how they can pay by M-Pesa to support one child or five children.” He emphasized the program’s significant impact, which has led to a 34% increase in school enrollment.
The Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine are conducting a three-year study to assess the program’s effects. Sakaja celebrated the milestone of 30 million meals served in just over a year, nourishing over 310,000 students across 230 public schools in 17 sub-counties. He pointed out that the initiative aims to expand further, offering meals at an affordable cost of just five shillings each.
President William Ruto, who attended the event, praised the county’s efforts, emphasizing the critical role of school feeding programs in Kenya’s education strategy. He reiterated his commitment to implementing similar initiatives nationwide, as he had proposed during the 2022 pre-election campaigns.
Launched in June 2023, the Dishi na County program began with ten central kitchens, serving its first meals on August 28. These kitchens are strategically located in various sub-counties, including Dagoretti North and Kibra, and cater to primary schools like Baba Dogo and Njiru.
As the program expands, an additional ten kitchens are expected to serve 184,000 children daily by January 2024. Seven more kitchens are currently under construction, further increasing the initiative’s reach.
Sakaja remarked, “This initiative has significantly reduced drop-out rates by ensuring that children receive at least one nutritious meal per day.” The Dishi na County program continues to make strides in improving education and nutrition for Nairobi’s youth.
