The government will distribute food worth Sh2.7 billion to learners in 26 Arid and Semiarid (ASAL) counties.
Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu said the disbursement is aimed at ensuring the enrolment, and retention of learners in school and improving learning outcomes.
Machogu said the ministry is working with development partners to provide additional food stocks to boost what the government has already provided from its budgetary allocations.
"Food will be availed in schools in ASAL areas, which suffer from prolonged drought, attracts and keeps children in school, thereby enabling them to learn comfortably," Machogu said.
Machogu spoke when he received Unicef country representative in Kenya, Shaheen Nilofer in his office on Wednesday.
University Education and Research PS Dr Beatrice Inyangala, Director General Elyas Abdi and Vocational and Technical Training PS Esther Muoria were in attendance.
Machogu thanked Unicef for the partnership it has had for many years, with Kenya on matters affecting children.
"We have received Unicef support in various ways including CBC, facilitating children access to and retention in school, provision of sanitary pads to school going girls," he said.
"Others include teacher capacity development, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects in schools among other areas."
Shaheen Nilofer thanked Kenya for the education reforms it was undertaking, saying the reforms will better prepare learners for the 21st century.
She thanked Kenya for the training and recruitment of teachers, especially for schools in ASAL areas.
“You cannot talk about learning outcomes without qualified teachers,” Shaheen said.
