Post: Governor Nyong’o Flags Off Sh25 Million Food Consignment to Support ECDE Learners

Kisumu: 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.According to Kenya News Agency, 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 during the flag-off ceremony. The consignment included rice worth Sh16.3 million, beans valued at Sh6.5 million, and cooking oil worth Sh2.2 million.Nyong'o stated that the initiative targets retaining learners in the institutions and boosting the quality of education in the area. This supply follows an earlier disbursement in the 2024/2025 financial year that included 3,500 bags of rice, 1,080 bags of beans, and cooking oil, with the Governor stating that the food would benefit over 40,000 children enrolle d in public ECDE centres across the county.Additionally, the Governor announced that learning materials worth Sh19 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.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.Nyong'o highlighted that this intervention addresses food insecurity, malnutrition, and stunting-key barriers to learning-and aims to ensure a 100 percent t ransition rate through proper nutrition that complements early education. 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.