Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang has said the ministry will ensure prudent spending of Sh2.4 billion allocated to school feeding programme after it took over from the World Food Programme (WFP).
The government started the process of taking over the feeding programme from WFP in 2009, when it initiated the national home grown school feeding programme, to provide a meal to learners hence stimulating local agricultural production through purchase of food from smallholder farmers and local food suppliers.
HANDING OVER
Speaking at Aremiet Primary School in Isiolo County, during the handing over of the school feeding programme to the government by WFP, Dr Kipsang said the ministry had put in place sufficient measures to provide meals to more than two million children.
He said the initiative dubbed ‘home grown school meals programme’ will see schools given money by the government to buy food from local communities.
“This year, we have set aside Sh2.4 billion towards the school feeding programme where a large amount will go to the home grown programme with Sh10 per pupil. Schools working with local communities will ensure the initiative is a success. The government will only procure food for four counties where food production is low,” Dr Kipsang said.
He added: “We shall make sure our children get value for money in the way the food is procured. We will also ensure the food is procured in time.”
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
The programme which was being run by WFP has been reaching 1.6 million pupils in arid and semi-arid counties.
The PS said the ministry would work with county governments to ensure the feeding programme is extended to the early childhood development education centres.
While handing over the programme, WFP Country director Annalisa Conte lauded the government for taking over the initiative saying the programme is designed to support local agriculture.
“The number of children under the feeding programme has grown from 500,000 in 2009 to 1.6 million currently. Despite WFP exiting, we will continue to provide technical support to the government of Kenya to ensure its success,” Ms Conte said.
BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
According to Isiolo Governor Mohamed Kuti, the school meals programme has not only increased enrollment in the county but also boosted brain development.
“Isiolo is one of the 25 counties where 26 percent of the under five children are malnourished and stunted. Stunted growth affects brain development and performance in school. But the feeding programme will help address these conditions and improve our children’s academic performance,” Dr Kuti said.
He urged the government to ensure the programme does not fail following the exit of the WFP