The Nairobi City County Dishi Na County initiative rolled out into the first school term of 2024 with renewed vigour as over 184,000 children across different schools in Nairobi were served with hot sumptuous meals on their first day of school, Tuesday.
Underscoring the zeal and determination put in by the county government, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja was on location to actualize the roll out as thousands of public primary school pupils wore more smiles and their fces and hundreds of families wowed by the initiave by the Nairobi city county government.
“Over 184,000 plus children served today! Thousands more smiles and happy families. Onward and Upward,” an elated Sakaja said.
Governor Sakaja made a reality the Dishi na County school feeding initiative with the roll out of the programme in September 2023 as he launched the initiative that is aimed at providing hot meals to all pupils in Nairobi’s public primary schools and ECDE schools.
More than 184,000 children have today had their lunch time meal as the program which was officially launched at the Baba Dogo primary school in Ruaraka constituency went into its second school term on the opening day of term one of 2024.
Brian Mulama, the Nairobi County Executive Committee member for Mobility and Works said that the dream that was conseptualised by the Nairobi Governor was now a reality rolling out across the county.
“Hii imeweza.It was a dream, today it’s a reality.You (Governor Sakaja) will be remembered for promoting equal opportunities in the Education System and Easing Business Practices and Licensing in Nairobi County. Lazima iWork,” Mulama said.
Mary Wakonyu Mwangi, a Nairobi resident and parent said; “God bless you our able Governor,our Kayole 1 pupils were more than happy.They have said the food was delicious. Wonderful job Inawork,”
Isaac Biosse noted, “Governor Sakaja Johnson, You have written your name on a sand of time, Kenya’s history will be kind to you and it will never forget you. This generation is blessed to have you in leadership. In full optimism, “ LazimaiWork. We are behind you today, tomorrow, come rain or shine”.
Sakaja said that through the initiative, the Nairobi county government aims at ensuring that no child will go to school and learn on an empty stomach or have to choose between going to school are staying at home for lack of lunch.
Acknowledging that Nairobi has more children out of school that far flung arid ares in Northern Kenya due to the acute urban poverty, Sakaja announced that his administrative will work with the national government to construct 5000 new classrooms tocater for the expected sharp rise in school enrollment.
Parents are only required to pay five shillings per day for their child’s lunch which will be done by the tap to eat system by use of technology.
Sakaja promised to ensure that the program is conducted above board and no public funds will be lost in the program.
“We will ensure that this program is conducted transparently and we will take care of your taxes. No public money will be lost anywhere.