KDF officers to start paying for lunch as government ends free meal programme

Starting Tuesday, July 1, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers will no longer receive free lunch, as the government shifts from the exchequer-funded meal programme to a self-funded pay-as-you-eat system.

The new policy replaces the long-standing lunch subsidy that many junior officers relied on. From now on, soldiers will either pay in cash for meals at military facilities or have the cost deducted from their monthly salaries.

A directive from the Kenya Army headquarters, dated June 23 and signed by Chief of Logistics, Brigadier Eric Nzioki Kitusya, officially outlined the implementation plan. The letter, titled "Implementation of Pay-as-you-eat (PAYE) Programme", stated:

“The implementation of the subject program is scheduled to commence on 01 July 2025. In this regard, authority is granted to you to demand for Ration Scale Four (4) for fourteen (14) days with effect from 1st July 2025 for use as seed capital for the program. Your demands to reach this Headquarters not later than 25th June 2025.”

The directive further clarified that the funds generated from the 14-day ration demand would be used to establish a revolving fund to sustain the new meal system.

“Please note that it is envisaged that the proceeds of the seed capital will form a self-sustaining revolving fund to be administered by the pay-as-you-eat management committees to oversee the operation of the messing facilities,” reads the letter.

Military units have been instructed to utilise their existing kitchens and dining facilities for the implementation.

“Further, you are advised to utilise the existing messing infrastructure/facilities/amenities to support the Pay-As-You-Eat program. Additional requirements will continue to be considered progressively on a case-by-case basis in the 2025/2026 Financial Year,” the letter states.

Improve efficiency

The Ministry of Defence has defended the policy, citing the need to improve efficiency and align with best military practices.

“The decision to transition from the exchequer-funded lunch program for service members to the pay-as-you-eat system has been necessitated by the need to streamline budgetary allocation, efficiency in use of government resources, facilitating access to a variety of meals that suit individual preferences, and alignment to best military practices both regionally and internationally,” the ministry said.

It also noted inefficiencies in the current arrangement.

“The exchequer-funded lunch system has proved non-cost-effective. It does not offer flexibility of time, nor does it provide the convenience of a feeding place, and has been faulted for loss of working hours due to long queues and duplication of ration scales when service members are assigned to different camps,” the ministry added.

Shrinking payslips

The switch has sparked concern and murmurs within the ranks, particularly among lower-ranked officers who say their shrinking payslips cannot support the new model.

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Previous efforts to introduce the system were abandoned due to pushback from within the force. However, the intention to revive it was revived in January 2025, when the Ministry of Defence issued a memo informing KDF officers to prepare for the transition.

Ration cash allowance, which currently covers lunch, was introduced in 2000 after the government stopped providing breakfast and dinner. That allowance has been reviewed periodically to cushion service members against inflation.

With the new system set to be fully rolled out, all KDF officers will have to adjust to the new cost-sharing model for daily meals, effectively bringing the era of free lunch to an end.