Governor Johnson Sakaja appeals for funds to sustain ‘Dishi na County’
Sakaja urged the national government to prioritise Nairobi, warning that the current school infrastructure is “far from adequate” for the city’s growing population.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has appealed to the Ministry of Education to release Sh2 billion to maintain and expand the city’s subsidised school feeding programme, Dishi na County.
Speaking before the Senate Education Committee, Sakaja said the national government has not met its promise to co-fund the programme despite a formal agreement.
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“There was an undertaking that the Ministry would match a shilling for every shilling we spend. We have already invoiced the national government Sh2 billion, but they have not given us the money,” he said on Thursday.
The governor noted that the ministry was expected to contribute through the school feeding fund managed from Jogoo House.
At present, more than 316,000 learners in Nairobi benefit from the programme, each paying Sh5 per meal. About one in ten children eats for free because their families cannot afford the daily fee.
“We have instructed our officers not to turn away any child who lacks the Sh5. The county is covering the cost for them,” Sakaja added.
Plans are underway to extend Dishi na County to learners in informal schools. The county is mapping public schools close to informal settlements so children can access meals during lunchtime.
“In our 230 public schools, we run 17 central kitchens feeding 316,000 learners. To include all informal schools, we would require 69 additional kitchens,” he explained.
“Budget constraints are a challenge. In the meantime, we’ve identified nearby public schools where children from informal settlements can come for lunch.”
Sakaja stressed that expanding the programme would need more financial and infrastructural support.
“If it were up to me, every single child in Nairobi would be part of Dishi na County, including those in informal schools,” he said.
Launched by Nairobi City County, Dishi na County provides daily meals to learners in public primary and ECDE schools across the city.
Senators pressed Sakaja on how the county plans to reach thousands of learners in informal settlements who have yet to benefit.
The governor also highlighted broader educational pressures in Nairobi, including insufficient public schools and rising demand for bursaries.
“Our 210 public schools cannot serve the needs of a population exceeding seven million. Land for new schools is scarce and expensive. The county is building 1,500 ECDE classrooms, while the national government is adding 5,000 more to ease the gap,” he said.
Sakaja urged the national government to prioritise Nairobi, warning that the current school infrastructure is “far from adequate” for the city’s growing population.
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