Implement free feeding programs for ECDE learners - Raila urges counties

ODM party boss Raila Odinga has challenged county governments to implement school-feeding programs for Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) centers to encourage enrollment and retention.

Odinga said that children have been missing school due to hunger because most Kenyan families are struggling to even put one square meal on the table.

"Getting one square meal a day goes a long way in improving the health of our children and performance in learning," Odinga said.

He was speaking in Mombasa Tuesday afternoon after joining Governor Abdulswamad Nassir to mark one year since the Food 4 Education program for ECDE learners was launched.

Since its inception last year, Mombasa has recorded a 20 per cent enrollment rate and retention across the 95 public ECDE centres spread across the six sub-counties of Nyali, Kisauni, Mvita, Likoni, Changamwe and Jomvu.

The program is so far being implemented in Mombasa, Nairobi and Murang'a.

"Education is key to success in any nation, when we empower our kids we empower the nation"

"Starting this early is good because we help them develop strong organs for better health."

"I am happy to see this happening in Azimio County. I would like to see this rolled out in all counties so that we build a healthy nation," said Odinga.

Nassir lauded the program saying that it has been a success as enrollment in all ECDE centers has increased significantly.

"When we started one year ago, we had 8,400 students in our ECD centres. One year later, we have served a cumulative 1.5 million meals, feeding 10,000 children daily working hand in hand with Food 4 Education."

"This program has made a huge impact on education in the county of Mombasa," said Nassir.

The governor said that the county was currently constructing eight new ECDE centres to accommodate the growing demand for enrollment.

The governor is expected to later in the afternoon launch the 'Governor's Scholarship' program for bright needy Mombasa children.

Food 4 Education founder Wawira Njiru said that the program has seen kids get excited to go to school as they are assured of a meal once in school.