Sakaja speeds up the completion of Dishi Na County kitchens as schools go on break.

As schools prepare to close this week, the Nairobi County Government is racing to complete seven new state-of-the-art kitchens. This effort is 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 announced on Wednesday that the new kitchens will be located at Dandora 1 Primary School (Embakasi East), Donholm Primary School (Embakasi North), Mutuini Primary School (Dagoretti South), Uhuru Gardens Primary School (Langata), Ndururuno Primary School (Starehe), Umoja 1 Primary School (Embakasi West), and Zawadi Primary School (Kamkunji).

These new kitchens add to the ten already commissioned and operational at Racecourse Primary School (Starehe), Baba Dogo Primary School (Ruaraka), Roysambu Primary School (Roysambu), Njiru Primary School (Kasarani), Bidii Primary School (Makadara), Kayole 1 Primary School (Embakasi Central), Mukuru kwa Njenga Primary School (Embakasi South), Farasi Lane Primary School (Westlands), Muthangari Primary School (Dagoretti North), and Toi Primary School (Kibra).

Highlighting the County’s commitment to eradicating hunger among school children, Governor Sakaja stated, “Upon completion, each sub-county in Nairobi will have its own central kitchen.”

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 saw an additional ten kitchens become 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 the third term.

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

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

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