County governments are urging the national government to expand Kenya’s school feeding program to include learners at all education levels, especially in vulnerable and food-insecure regions.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ forum, education executives from Makueni, Embu, and Isiolo counties emphasized that broadening the program beyond Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) would significantly boost the government’s ambition to reach 10 million children with daily meals by 2030.
The push comes as the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) launches a three-year research initiative aimed at promoting healthy and sustainable diets in schools across Embu, Makueni, Isiolo, and Nairobi counties.
According to AATF Executive Director Dr. Canisius Kanangire, the project will support not only schoolchildren but also local farmers, food aggregators, and processors. “We are creating sustainable procurement structures that link school feeding programs with local food systems. This initiative is not just about nutrition—it’s about transforming communities,” Dr. Kanangire said.
The research initiative is designed to develop a resilient and inclusive food system that enhances nutrition while creating economic opportunities for rural populations.
County education officials from the four pilot counties echoed the importance of aligning education with food security, calling for enhanced funding to ensure that all learners—from ECDE to tertiary institutions—benefit from the school feeding program.
“There is a direct link between nutrition and academic performance. Extending school meals to all education levels will not only improve learning outcomes but also increase school retention and completion rates,” said one county official.
Counties and partners hope that the national government will prioritize school feeding as a cornerstone of both the education and food security agendas, especially in light of the growing challenges posed by climate change and economic instability.
