By John Mwilwatsi, DevReporter, Nairobi County
Key Highlights
- The 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI) indicates that Kenya is experiencing a serious level of hunger.
- Nairobi County’s Food-for-Education programme aims to support over 300,000 students in public schools.
- There is a call for the programme to be implemented in private and informal schools in Kibra as well.
According to the 2024 Global Hunger Index (GHI), Kenya faces a serious level of hunger.
The country’s GHI score is derived from four component indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting, and child mortality.
The Constitution of Kenya 2010 guarantees the right to adequate food in Article 43 (1), which states that everyone should have access to clean and safe water in sufficient quantities.
Article 53 (1) (c) further asserts that every child has the right to basic nutrition, shelter, and healthcare.
Balanced Diet
Magdalene Ng’ang’a, a beneficiary of the Dish na County Programme in Kibra, is grateful for the assistance it provides in ensuring her son receives a balanced diet.
“Even when I lack money, I know my child will eat at school. Oftentimes, my son comes back home satisfied,” Magdalene expressed.
“Food for Education should be a long-term programme so that children can fully enjoy the learning process,” she added.
Ahmed Musa has called for the programme to be extended to private and informal schools in Kibra.
“The programme is beneficial, but it should be expanded to meet the needs of all children, regardless of the type of school they attend,” Musa stated.
Francis Waswa, however, has criticised the programme, arguing that it lacks legal backing. He warned that it could collapse at the end of the governor’s tenure.
“This programme is merely an appreciation from the governor to Nairobians for electing him; once he leaves office, it will cease to exist,” he explained.
Waswa emphasised that such programmes are essential for encouraging children to remain in school, as informal settlements like Kibra often experience high dropout rates due to hunger.
The Dishi na County programme aligns with Vision 2030 agenda for ending hunger and achieving food security.
Partnership Between County and Ministry of Education
The Dishi na County programme is a partnership between Nairobi City County and the Ministry of Education, executed by the Food for Education Foundation.
The programme aims to ensure that every child in public primary schools and Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres in Nairobi receives a nutritionally balanced meal every school day.
Suzanne Silantoi, Nairobi’s County Executive Committee member in charge of Health, Wellness, and Nutrition, reiterated that the food provided is safe for consumption.
“Nairobi County has invested in 10 kitchens across different sub-counties, with a capacity of about 10,000 meals a day,” she added.
The programme aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 2 on Zero Hunger.
“We are committed to accommodating more learners in our public schools due to increased enrolment resulting from the Dishi na County Programme,” stated Governor Sakaja during a stakeholders and media roundtable forum in Nairobi.
