Mombasa County rolls out free lunch programme for KCSE candidates
By Farhiya Hussein |
The programme which begins Monday, is set to benefit approximately 11,000 students from both public and private schools across the county.
Mombasa County has announced a free lunch initiative for all students sitting for their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, a move aimed at ensuring no candidate goes hungry during the period.
Spearheaded by Governor Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, the programme, supported by the Shariff Nassir Foundation and various partners, begins Monday and is set to benefit approximately 11,000 students from both public and private schools across the county.
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“To make a real impact in our society, we need to ensure that every child is well-cared for, especially during exams,” Governor Nassir said.
“No student should have to sit a paper on an empty stomach.”
The initiative will provide both food and water to students throughout the exam period, with meals delivered directly to schools.
Nassir noted that the schools would be serviced simultaneously to ensure all candidates receive lunch without disruptions. “We’ve arranged the logistics to ensure that food and water are delivered to every school promptly. This is not just about feeding students; it’s about showing them that the community cares about their success,” he explained.
Coast Girls High School students in Mombasa ahead of sitting KCSE exams on November 4, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein, EV)
Unlike the current KCSE programme, the lunch initiative was not rolled out for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams, as those exams typically end around midday.
Nassir emphasised that the government is committed to offering opportunities regardless of their economic background. Through initiatives like the No Child Left Behind Programme, every student in Mombasa is eligible for a stipend aimed at covering school expenses, thus removing barriers such as the need for connections to access help.
The governor also revealed plans for expanding educational support.
He mentioned that last year, under a scholarship programme he introduced while serving as MP for Mvita, 400 students received full sponsorship to attend university.
The programme, he stressed, is designed to support the county’s most vulnerable students.
Additionally, Nassir said another project, Skillz Mtaani, aimed at offering vocational training to young people who may not pursue university education, further underscoring his administration’s dedication to educational access and skill development for all.
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