As schools prepare to close this week, the Nairobi County Government is racing against time to complete seven new state-of-the-art kitchens, part of an ambitious initiative to feed the city’s growing number of school going children.

Marking one year since the first meal was served in August 2023, the program has successfully provided hot, nutritious meals to over 180,000 pupils across Nairobi daily.

Governor Johnson Sakaja confirms that the new kitchens will be located in Dandora 1 Primary School (Embakasi North), Donholm Primary School (Embakasi East), Mutuini Primary School (Dagoretti South), Uhuru Gardens Primary School (Langata), Ndururuno Primary School (Mathare), Umoja 1 Primary School (Embakasi West), and Zawadi Primary School (Kamkunji) adding to the 10 already commissioned and running kitchens in Racecourse Pry (Starehe), Baba Dogo Pry (Ruarakà), Roysambu Primary (Roysambu), Njiru Primary (Kasarani), Bidii Primary (Makadara), Kayole 1 Primary (Embakasi Central), Mukuru kwa Njenga Primary (Embakasi South), Farasi Lane Primary (Westlands), Muthangari Primary (Dagoretti North) and Toi Primary (Kibra).

Highlighting the County’s commitment to eradicating hunger among school children.

“Upon completion, each sub-county in Nairobi will have its own central kitchen,” Sakaja stated

The Dishi na County Programme, launched in June 2023, began with the establishment of ten central kitchens, with the first meals served on August 28, 2023.

By January 2024, the second phase had seen an additional ten kitchens operational, catering to 184,000 children from 106 public schools daily.

The initiative has since expanded, now feeding 310,000 pupils, with numbers expected to rise further in third term.

“This initiative has significantly reduced dropout rates by ensuring that children receive at least one nutritious meal per day,” Sakaja confirmed.

Governor Sakaja also emphasized the program’s role in tackling food insecurity among students.

“No child should miss school due to lack of food. One in every four children used to miss school. I am glad that this will soon be a thing of the past,” he affirmed.

With these new facilities, Nairobi County will boast a total of 17 modern kitchens, reinforcing its position as a leader in innovative solutions to educational and nutritional challenges.