School feeding plan in Asal suffers Sh6.6bn budgetary shortfall

Vulnerable school-going children from arid and semi-arid areas now face the risk of dropping out of school.

 This follows a Sh6.6 billion funding shortfall that threatens the government’s feeding programme.

 MPs on Thursday heard that the National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya (NACONEK) requires Sh8.3 billion annually to sustain its feeding programme but has only been allocated Sh1.7 billion in the current budget.

 NACONEK was appearing before the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education to respond to audit queries.

 The agency’s chief executive officer Harun Yussuf told the committee chaired by Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka, that the funding gap had significantly affected service delivery.

 “We have a serious gap in the school feeding programme. The cost of feeding a child is Sh22 per day for about 51 days, requiring approximately Sh8.3 billion, but we have only been allocated Sh1.7 billion,” Yussuf said.

 He told MPs the council is working with the National Treasury to streamline capitation. He added that the programme will, for now, focus on providing porridge to learners as a stop-gap measure.

 The council, which supports education for children from nomadic and marginalised communities, also faces challenges in infrastructure development, particularly the construction of modern school kitchens.

 Yussuf said while parents in many parts of the country support school feeding initiatives, communities served by NACONEK often lack the capacity to build proper kitchens.

 “It is the responsibility of government to establish kitchens at school level, but we do not have the budget for that,” he said.

 “We have only piloted clean energy cooking in six schools and are expanding to 14 more, but funding remains inadequate.”

 Committee members acknowledged the unique challenges facing the council and called for increased funding and policy support.

 Narok Woman Representative Rebecca Tonkei emphasised the vulnerability of the communities served by NACONEK, urging the government to adopt a progressive approach in addressing their needs.

 “These are very poor communities. If you ask parents in such areas to build modern kitchens, children will drop out of school,” she said.

 “We must support them to ensure learners can eat in a clean and safe environment.”

 Sotik MP Julius Sigei echoed her sentiments, noting that marginalised communities require affirmative action.

 “These are people who have been neglected for a long time. We must enhance resources to uplift them while ensuring safety standards are not compromised,” he said.

 Lunga Lunga MP Chiforomodo Mangale Munga cautioned against lowering standards, insisting that all children deserve access to quality facilities.

 “We should not compromise quality. These are Kenyan children and must have access to clean, modern kitchens. The council should seek more resources to meet these standards,” he said.

 The committee also questioned the irregular disbursement of funds flagged by the Auditor General, which reportedly led to delays in the delivery of food supplies in some regions.

 MPs noted that in some instances, schools went for months without receiving food, undermining the programme’s effectiveness.

 Kasipul MP Boyd Were, who chaired the session, assured the council that the committee would make recommendations to address the funding and operational gaps.

 “This matter is before the committee, and we will make recommendations to ensure you receive adequate funding to resolve these challenges,” he said.

 Kilome MP Thaddeus Nzambia sought clarification on the council’s funding model and sustainability.

 “I think the issue of resources is critical. As a committee, we can recommend increased funding and even involve the Education CS and Principal Secretary to ensure these concerns are addressed,” added Bomachoge Chache MP Alpha Miruka.

 Lawmakers further called for a holistic government approach, warning that budget cuts at various levels continue to undermine efforts to support vulnerable learners.

 The revelations came as the committee also examined NACONEK’s financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2025.

 The MPs are pushing for reforms to ensure consistent funding, improved infrastructure and better oversight of the programme.

 If unaddressed, MPs warned, the funding gap could reverse gains made in improving access to education among children in marginalised and nomadic communities, where school feeding programmes remain a critical incentive for enrolment and retention.