- Sifuna said public schools in Nairobi cannot accommodate all learners forcing some parents to resort to private schools in slums.
- He undertook to audit the programme to make sure all children benefit.
Image: FILE
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has called for the inclusion of private school learners in informal settlements in the county-sponsored feeding programme.
The senator said there is no justification for why children in private schools in informal settlements should be left out of the programme.
According to the lawmaker, public schools in Nairobi cannot accommodate all learners forcing some parents to resort to private schools.
"School feeding programme should not discriminate. It is not by choice that they are in private schools. Public schools are not enough. You will find that there is no public primary school in a whole ward," Sifuna said.
"It must be extended to children in private schools in informal settlements because there is no justification why they should not be left out."
Sifuna was speaking when he met stakeholders in the informal education in Nairobi on Tuesday.
He undertook to audit the programme to make sure all children benefit.
In August last year, the Nairobi County government launched an ambitious school feeding programme that aims to provide nutritious meals to more than 250,000 learners in public primary schools and early childhood development centres.
In September, Sakaja refuted claims that his school feeding programme had failed in some schools.
He said the reports were propaganda spread by his enemies and that the programme was right on course.
"A few people are against our feeding program for nefarious reasons. Resorting to propaganda won’t work. Using children for politics won’t work.
According to Sakaja, the allegations are meant to elevate some politicians ahead of the 2027 General Elections.