Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening early childhood education by flagging off a Sh25 million consignment of food supplies to support the County’s school feeding programme for Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) learners.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Nyong’o described ECDE as the cornerstone of the education system, stressing that a strong foundation in early learning was essential for meaningful academic progress.
The consignment included rice worth Sh16.3 million, beans valued at Sh6.5 million, and cooking oil worth Sh2.2 million.
Nyong’o said the initiative targets retaining learners in the institutions and also boosting the quality of education in the area.
The supply follows an earlier disbursement in the 2024/2025 financial year that included 3,500 bags of rice, 1,080 of beans, and cooking oil with the Governor saying the food would benefit over 40,000 children enrolled in public ECDE centres across the county.
In addition, the Governor announced that learning materials worth Sh. 19 million will be distributed to all ECDE centres in the coming weeks.
Citing Article 53 of the Constitution, Nyong’o emphasized the County Government’s legal obligation to provide free and compulsory basic education, along with healthcare and nutrition, as part of a holistic approach to child development.
“We are gathered here once again to express our commitment to laying a firm foundation in education. I wish to reiterate that Early Childhood Education is the bedrock of learning across the world,” said Nyong’o.
Kisumu County currently has 653 ECDE centres, with 596 integrated within primary schools and 57 operating as stand-alone public facilities, serving a total of 43,549 learners—nearly evenly split between boys and girls.
The ECDE school feeding programme, launched in 2015, aims to improve access, retention, and completion rates in early learning, particularly among children from vulnerable households in rural and informal urban settlements.
“This intervention addresses food insecurity, malnutrition, and stunting—key barriers to learning—and aims to ensure a 100 percent transition rate through proper nutrition that complements early education,” he said.
He called on political leaders, religious organizations, civil society, and individuals to collaborate in supporting early learning initiatives in the county.
The governor further reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to early childhood development, noting that the early years were critical for brain development and long-term success.
“Early childhood is when the brain develops most rapidly. We must ensure our children receive adequate nutrition, healthcare, stimulation, and education to secure their future,” he stated.
By Joanne Moraa
