Gatanga: The Gatanga National Government - Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) has launched a free feeding programme aimed at boosting academic performance in local public primary schools. In collaboration with the Food 4-Education organization, the initiative, named "Dishi ya Wakili Tap to Eat," will provide free lunches to thousands of school-going children in the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, parents are required to contribute only Sh 20 daily for their child's lunch, with the NGO and NG-CDF covering the additional costs. Each participating pupil will receive a wristband for scanning before receiving their meal. The programme is set to be implemented across all 87 public primary schools in the Gatanga Constituency, with 60 schools already benefiting from it.
Area MP Edward Muriu, who launched the programme at Ngaatho Primary School, highlighted hunger as a significant barrier to good academic performance. The initiative aims to alleviate this challenge by providing nutritious meals, allowing learners to concentrate better on their studies. Muriu emphasized that while school infrastructure has improved, hunger remains a pressing issue.
Parents can easily manage payments through a paybill number, receiving notifications when funds are low. The Food 4-Education organization has established 22 centralized kitchens in the constituency for meal preparation, employing 52 riders and cooks for distribution. Muriu expressed a commitment to covering all primary schools by year's end, expecting improved academic outcomes as a result.
The feeding programme will include a balanced menu of rice, protein, and vegetables. It is intended to run for approximately 10 years, with hopes that the government will eventually assume responsibility for feeding learners. Elton Albert Nyangoka, the programme assistant in Murang'a County, praised the initiative's impact on academic improvement, providing meals as free samples initially, followed by regular provision with a weekly fruit.
Nyangoka noted that financial constraints might prevent some parents from affording the daily charge, particularly in semi-arid regions like Ithanga/Kakuzi Sub County. The organization identifies and supports about 10 percent of the most vulnerable learners with free meals, though 20 percent still face difficulties. Nyangoka appealed for support from well-wishers to assist disadvantaged learners.
Currently, the organization feeds over 600,000 learners daily in 10 counties, including Murang'a, Kiambu, and Kisumu, with plans to expand to millions by 2027. The initiative has also created employment opportunities for riders, cooks, and servers in Murang'a County, supporting 658 Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres. Nyangoka called for assistance in providing clean water and improved roads to facilitate meal distribution.