First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto has officially launched the National School Milk Program pilot project at Bondo Kosiemo Primary School in Nyatike Constituency, Migori County.
The initiative, a partnership between the Kenya Dairy Board and the Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union, aims to improve child nutrition while strengthening the local dairy industry.The program will be piloted in five counties, ensuring that learners receive a packet of milk twice a week for a full year.
Speaking at the launch, the First Lady reiterated her commitment to increasing school enrollment and enhancing child nutrition, calling on Members of Parliament to allocate sufficient funding to the National School Meals Program. “Education opens doors to endless possibilities. Hunger should never stand in the way of this great opportunity,” she stated.
Despite ongoing government and partner efforts, only 2.5 million children currently benefit from school meal programs, leaving 7.5 million without food support. Ruto stressed that hunger significantly hinders children’s growth and development, affecting their ability to focus and learn.
To ensure long-term food sustainability, the initiative will collaborate with 4K Clubs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to promote kitchen gardens, maximizing small land spaces for food production in schools.
Accompanying the First Lady, Principal Secretary for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke highlighted the government’s strategy to enhance dairy production by introducing improved livestock breeds. He noted that over-reliance on indigenous breeds has contributed to low milk yields, failing to meet the rising demand for dairy products.
The school milk program is expected to combat malnutrition while fostering a culture of dairy consumption. Additionally, it will support millions of smallholder farmers across the country, reinforcing the role of dairy farming in Kenya’s economy.
