Editor's Review
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has moved to dispel claims that he intends to scrap the Dishi na County school feeding programme should he be elected Nairobi governor.
He insisted that the initiative will remain in place under his leadership.
Babu, who seeks to unseat Governor Johnson Sakaja in the 2027 general election, announced that no learner will be made to pay any amount of money to sustain the programme, suggesting that it will be a function of the county government.
"Dishi na County is here to stay. It will NOT be removed, and no parent will pay a single cent for their child to benefit from the programme," Babu said.
Dishi na County is a school feeding initiative by the Nairobi City County government that provides affordable, nutritious meals to public primary school and ECDE (Early Childhood Development) children.
Read More
The programme is meant to benefit learners in public primary and ECDE schools.
According to City Hall, the programme would increase enrollment to schools, attendance, performance and transition to the next level, besides being of good nutritional status.
The target is to feed all learners a balanced hot meal of 650 grams each school day, supported by more than ten kitchens and a completed Giga Kitchen located in Industrial Area, with the Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company committing to supplying adequate water to all kitchens under the programme.
To ensure ownership, Sakaja previously announced that each pupil would pay Ksh5 and those that are less fortunate are considered.
Pupils with disabilities are also considered case by case.
Babu's remarks came as Dishi na County marked three years since its launch on Friday, August 28.
The programme was serving 190,000 learners when Sakaja introduced it, and now feeds more than 324,000 learners across 230 public schools in all 17 sub-counties.
Speaking on the milestone, Sakaja said the programme had served over 85 million meals and was on course to hit the 100 millionth meal this term.
"We have now served over 85 million meals and are on course to hit the 100 millionth meal this term. With chapati now on the menu, we are also giving our children more variety and something extra to look forward to," Sakaja said.
He described the initiative as extending beyond a feeding programme.
"Despite the politics, doubts and court challenges, we stayed focused on delivery. As we enter our fourth year, we are taking Dishi na County even further by preparing to expand to public day secondary schools," he said.
Sakaja recently unveiled a chapati-making machine at Toi Primary Kitchen, capable of producing up to 2,000 chapatis every hour.
