Wajir county has launched an Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) school feeding programme aimed at improving access to education and enhancing the nutritional status of pre-primary school children.
Speaking during the launch held in Wajir town on Tuesday, Governor Ahmed Abdullahi said the initiative targets over 28,000 learners in 362 ECDE centres across the county’s 14 sub-counties.
Governor Abdullahi said the programme, which consists of a daily serving of fortified corn-soya blend (CSB) porridge, is designed to support both physical and cognitive development among children in their formative years.
“This programme is a renewed commitment to improving the health, education and future prospects of our young learners,” said the Governor.
The Governor noted that the ECDE feeding initiative was first introduced in 2016 following the devolution of the School Meals Programme from the World Food Programme (WFP) to county governments.
He said enrolment in ECDE centres in Wajir has increased significantly since the program’s inception, rising from 16,500 in 2016 to 28,686 in 2025.
Governor Abdullahi called for sustained support to ensure the continuity and expansion of the programme, which he termed essential in improving attendance and retention in early childhood education.
“We must work collectively to secure the resources required to strengthen and sustain this programme,” he said.
The county boss reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that no child misses school due to hunger, urging parents, education stakeholders and development partners to support the initiative.
By Hamdi Buthul
