The County Government of Murang’a is set to roll out a county-wide school meals programme targeting more than 215,000 learners in public primary schools, Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres.
The programme, to be implemented in partnership with Food for Education (FFE), follows a successful two-year pilot conducted in 90 schools across the county.
In a public notice, Governor Dr Irungu Kang’ata said the programme would be expanded to all public schools, with the county government taking measures to ensure vulnerable learners are catered for while supporting local farmers.
“Following a successful two-year pilot in 90 schools, the County Government of Murang’a in partnership with Food for Education (FFE) will roll out the School Meals Programme to all public schools,” said Kang’ata.
The notice stated that the pilot demonstrated that the vast majority of parents could afford to contribute towards the cost of school meals.
However, about 20,000 of the most vulnerable learners will have their meals paid for by the county administration.
The programme is expected to benefit approximately 215,000 learners in primary schools, JSS and 650 ECDE centres.
The initiative will also provide a ready market for agricultural produce from Murang’a farmers.
The programme will purchase approximately 200,000 packets of processed milk every month from the Murang’a County Creameries Union (MCCU), alongside other farm produce.
During the mango season between January and March, the programme is expected to purchase up to one million mangoes per month, creating an additional market for farmers.
Parents will also benefit from a reduction in the cost of school meals, with their contribution set to fall from Sh20 to Sh15 per child from January next year.
Kang’ata indicated that in the current financial year, the county government has committed Sh200 million towards the programme.
The initiative is also expected to create employment opportunities through the recruitment of school coordinators and election of food champions by parents during community barazas.
Meanwhile, 67 new kitchens are under construction and are expected to be ready by October this year. Kitchens constructed during the pilot phase will continue to operate.
The county government has scheduled training for headteachers and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) chairpersons on September 14, 15 and 16, followed by community barazas in the 418 schools that were not part of the pilot programme between September 21 and 24.
The notice stated that kitchen launches will take place between October 15 and December 15, 2026.
The programme will culminate in a grand launch at Ihura Stadium on January 3, 2027, followed by a refresher course for kitchen staff on January 4 and 5.
The official commencement of meals in schools is scheduled for January 11, 2027.
The county government said the programme is anchored on an Intergovernmental Partnership Agreement with the Ministry of Education, the School Meals Policy and a budget approved by the County Assembly, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding between the county government and Food for Education.
By Bernard Munyao
