Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo has launched a porridge feeding programme for learners in Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) centres across the county, in a move aimed at improving child nutrition, health and school attendance.
The programme, dubbed Ujiafya Masomo Bora, was officially launched at Riomoro Primary School in Kemera Ward on Thursday.
Speaking during the event, Nyaribo said the fortified porridge initiative is intended to complement the nutritional needs of young learners and enhance their cognitive development while motivating them to remain in school.
The governor observed that the programme has already started yielding positive results since its introduction, especially in improving enrollment and reducing absenteeism among ECDE learners in the county.
“Since the initiation of the Ujiafya programme, ECDE centres have registered improved enrollment from 30,000 learners to 34,000 this academic year. It has also drastically reduced absenteeism, enabling the learning and teaching experience for both learners and teachers to be more wholesome,” said Nyaribo.
According to the governor, the fortified porridge programme is part of the county government’s broader strategy to improve the welfare and educational foundation of children at an early age.
Nyaribo further disclosed that the county government, in partnership with EIDU, has also introduced digital learning programmes in ECDE centres to equip learners with basic digital education skills from an early stage.
The digital learning programme enables teachers to integrate structured teaching methods and technology-assisted learning into daily classroom routines to improve learning outcomes among children.
The governor noted that the programme was piloted in 120 schools last year, before being expanded to all 408 ECDE learning centres in Nyamira County this year.
He commended development partners for supporting the county government in implementing programmes aimed at improving the quality of education and the wellbeing of children.
“We greatly appreciate Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute for ensuring a regular and timely supply of fortified flour for the UjiAfya porridge programme and EIDU for supporting digital-assisted learning.
These programmes have greatly improved the growth and development of our learners in all spheres,” he said.
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling his development agenda, saying his administration would continue implementing projects, aimed at transforming the lives of Nyamira residents.
He cited ongoing initiatives in agriculture, transport, health and education as key pillars of his administration’s development programme.
By Deborah Bochere and Annete Omoke
