Embu: Tens of public schools in the arid Mbeere South constituency, Embu, have received a shot in the arm after receiving food donations from a well-wisher to cushion learners from the effects of a prolonged drought. The donations came a few days after the government distributed 2,800 bags of relief food to all public schools in the area, spearheaded by Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programmes Geoffrey Ruku.
According to Kenya News Agency, the donations including maize, beans, rice, and cooking oil, come as a relief for the school's feeding programme after long rains and crop failure in the area. The well-wisher, Humphrey Njiru, who hails from the area, said his objective was to supplement the government's effort towards attainment of universal primary education and education for all.
Speaking while handing over the donations at Karwigi primary school on Wednesday, Kariuki said the programme that mainly targets marginalized areas has helped to increase enrolment and retention rates. 'We are supplementing what the government is doing in its policy of 100 percent transition in our school support program that has been running for the last three years,' he said.
Gachoka Sub-Location Assistant Chief Jane Njomo hailed the initiative and called for its continuity and more players to supplement the government's effort to ensure children are able to achieve their education goals. She said through the support, parents have been able to free up money they usually pay to schools to run the feeding program for their children and direct it to other uses.