Exactly one year ago, during this season, Governor Arthur Johnson Sakaja launched the Dishi Na County program.
This initiative was born from the stark reality that 1 in 4 children in Nairobi used to attend school on an empty stomach.
Today, the food-for-education program has grown to support over 310,000 pupils across all public schools in Nairobi’s 17 sub-counties.
Governor Sakaja, who once attempted to introduce a bill as Nairobi’s Senator to provide meals for schoolchildren, is now celebrating the fulfillment of his vision.
Reflecting on his journey, Sakaja remarked, “As a Senator, I visited many schools, and whenever I asked the children what they needed, they always said food. It was a shocking revelation, but it made me determined to one day make this dream a reality.”
Upon taking office as Governor, Sakaja prioritized the food-for-education initiative. The Dishi Na County program, a collaboration between the Nairobi City County and the Ministry of Education, executed by the Food For Education Foundation, ensures that every child in public primary schools and Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers in Nairobi receives a hot, nutritionally balanced meal every school day.
“We have established systems across all sub-counties to ensure that, by next term, all registered public schools will provide nutritious meals,” Sakaja confirmed.
To facilitate this, 17 kitchens have been completed, one in each sub-county, with seven set to be inaugurated by President William Ruto this coming week.
The program is designed to be affordable, with children paying just 5 shillings per meal through a tap-to-eat system.
For those unable to afford even this nominal fee, the county steps in to cover the cost. Sakaja emphasized, “Our motto, ‘Watoto wakule washibe ile wasome,’ reflects our commitment to ensuring education is supported by proper nutrition.”
The Dishi Na County program has also created employment for over 5,000 people, both directly and indirectly. As it marks its first anniversary, Governor Sakaja celebrates the realization of what was once just a dream.
