Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi has criticised the National Treasury's decision to scrap the Sh4.9 billion budget allocated to the school feeding programme.
Speaking at the 37th birthday celebration of the Nairobi Yearly Meeting of Friends Church on Ngong Road, where he was the guest of honour, Wanyonyi emphasised the critical role the school feeding programme plays in malnutrition among school children.
He expressed deep concern over the potential impact of the National Treasury's withdrawal of funds.
"The removal of the school feeding program from the budget is a move that will cause immense harm to a generation. In some areas, children attend school because of the food provided; it can be their only meal for the day," Wanyonyi stated.
The decision, outlined in the proposed budget estimates for the 2024/2025 financial year, will adversely affect approximately 4.5 million students who depend on the programme for their daily meals.
The school feeding programme had initially received a Sh4.9 billion allocation for the current financial year. The Ministry of Education had sought an additional Sh1 billion in the supplementary budget to bolster this vital initiative.
However, the recent budget proposal for 2024/2025 sees the complete withdrawal of the funds.
Wanyonyi underscored the importance of the programme, not only for nutritional support but also for encouraging school attendance and improving educational outcomes.
"As members of Parliament, we will ensure the school feeding programme remains in the budget," he pledged. "We can reject the entire budget if necessary because, without it, many functions of the government cannot operate."
Wanyonyi further criticised the government's taxation policies and the mismanagement of collected taxes.
"The problem is that even the taxes collected are not made to good use by the government. There is a lot of wastage, with officials moving in a fleet of cars when one would suffice," he pointed out.
Addressing the economic crisis, Wanyonyi encouraged Kenyans to speak out against oppressive measures and call for accountability among leaders.
He used the platform to urge prayers for Kenyan leaders, hoping they would prioritise the welfare of citizens over self-interest.
