Kang’ata eyes launch feeding programme in 418 primary and 650 nursery  schools

The Mountain Journal 

More than 215,000 learners in Murang’a will be placed on a school meal programme subsidized by the local county government at Sh 200 million starting January next year.

In the roll out, the  learners in 418 primary, JSS and 650 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) will get a subsidized meal price of Sh 15 per plate.

Governor Irungu Kang’ata made the announcement on Monday when he toured Food for Education headquarters in Ruiru and visited two primary schools in Kiambu county  for benchmarking purposes.

 He said the county government has committed an investment of Ksh 200 million to support the programme, with 67 kitchens under construction.

The initiative rests on a solid legal framework that includes an Intergovernmental Partnership Agreement with the National Government Ministry of Education, the County Assembly’s approval of the School Meals Policy and Budget, and a Memorandum of Understanding between the County and Food for Education.

“The programme , in partnership with Food for Education (FFE), targets learners in primary schools, JSS, and 650 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres,” said Kang’ata.

The governor added that the County Assembly approved the School Meals Policy and Budget, and a Memorandum of Understanding between the County and Food for Education.

The programme entails providing the farmers a reliable market for Murang’a farmers with 200,000 packets of processed milk per month from Murang’a County Creameries Union (MCCU) supplied to the learners.

“During the mango season between January and March, the programme will purchase a  million mangoes per month to distribute  to the learners,” said Kang’ata..