Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has announced that more than 200,000 learners are set to receive meals under the Dishi na County Initiative as schools reopen on Monday.
He also said that the devolved unit is anticipating increased demand linked to the impact of floods on households.
Speaking during the opening of the Lenana School Primary in Dagoretti, he said tha the government had increased meals supported under the initiative by 20,000.
The county only provided 180,000 meals daily during the First Term.
On his part, Food For Education Senior Community Manager Vincent Muiruri said the initiative has been a catalyst for increased pupil enrolment and retention in public primary schools, hence the need to keep enhancing it.
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"Last Term, we had around 184,000 learners; this term, we expect the number to increase. However, we have made enough preparations to ensure that they get meals.”
He also revealed that 1,586 workers under the Dishi na County initiative working in twelve kitchens strategically set up across Nairobi prepare meals and transport them to various schools before 11:30am.
‘’Preparing meals starts the day before and the food is cooked overnight then transportation starts before 10:00am to various schools’’
Food cooked is sourced from different parts of the country by nongovernmental organizations, empowering farmers financially.
‘’We get rice from Mwea, beans from central and ndengu (green grams) from West Kenya,’’ Muiruti reiterated.
Dishi na County was launched in 2023 with the groundbreaking ceremony of ten kitchens across the county. The first meal was served on August 28.
The program's second phase was launched in January 2024, increasing the number of children receiving school meals to 184,000, up from 80,000 meals.
