Why Senator Onyonka Wants Kisii ECDE Milk Programme Serving 68,000 Learners Audited

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has called for a detailed audit of the county government’s Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) milk programme, seeking scrutiny of its procurement, expenditure, suppliers and delivery records.

The programme was launched in January 2026 and is designed to benefit approximately 68,000 learners enrolled in 697 public ECDE centres spread across Kisii County’s 45 wards. 

Under the initiative, each learner is expected to receive 200 millilitres of milk three times every week.

Onyonka wants the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Nominated Senator Betty Montet, to investigate the suppliers contracted since milk distribution started in February. 

He has asked the committee to establish the contracts awarded, the companies involved and whether the procurement process followed the applicable laws and regulations.

Onyonka has also sought a breakdown of the programme’s finances, including the budget set aside, funds released and expenditure incurred. 

He wants the committee to examine the cost of milk per unit, transportation and distribution expenses, as well as payments made to suppliers.

Another area Onyonka wants investigated is the actual reach of the programme. He has asked the committee to verify the number of ECDE centres and learners receiving milk, the quantities supplied and the distribution schedules. 

The exercise would also involve comparing the current figures with previous county planning records to identify and reconcile any inconsistencies.

Onyonka has further raised questions about the source and quality of the milk supplied to learners.

He wants the committee to establish whether the products meet the required standards and possess the necessary certifications from the Kenya Dairy Board and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).

Onyonka is also seeking information on efforts to increase purchases from local dairy farmers and measures put in place to strengthen oversight of the programme. 

He wants safeguards that would promote accountability while ensuring that milk is distributed fairly to the targeted learners.

He has specifically asked for an update on the reported re-advertisement of the two-year framework agreement for supplying the milk. 

The committee is expected to establish the outcome of the tender, the successful bidder or bidders, the total contract value, the agreed price per unit and the date when supply under the new agreement is expected to begin.

Elsewhere, this comes months after Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi called for a statement on the implementation of the government's compensation and reparations programme for victims of protest-related violence and enforced disappearances.

Speaking on Tuesday, July 14, the senator asked the Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights to explain how the compensation fund is being administered.

While acknowledging the government's decision to allocate Ksh2 billion towards compensating affected families, Osotsi questioned whether the programme was being managed fairly and whether all deserving victims would benefit.

"While the recent allocation of Ksh2 billion has offered hope to affected families, many continue to grapple with loss, trauma and uncertainty. Concerns have been raised about transparency, accountability and whether the programme will adequately address the plight of all victims, underscoring the need for clarity and justice in its implementation," he submitted.

Osotsi also urged the Justice Committee to explain the criteria being used to identify beneficiaries of the compensation programme. 

He requested details on the verification process, the categories of victims eligible for compensation, the number of claims received, and the timelines for disbursing the funds.

In addition, Osotsi sought an update on the status of compensation and other forms of support for the families of those killed, people injured during the demonstrations, and victims of torture and other human rights abuses. 

He said the committee should also clarify measures being taken to address the victims' medical, psychological, legal and socio-economic needs.