President William Ruto’s recent pledge to introduce chapati in Nairobi schools has sparked debate over the glaring disparities in Kenya’s school feeding programs. While the move appears generous, it underscores the deep inequalities in how school meals are distributed across the country.
In Nairobi, the government plans to roll out a chapati-making machine as part of the city’s school feeding initiative. Meanwhile, in arid and semi-arid regions, many children struggle to access even basic meals of maize and beans.
In drought-affected counties, school feeding programs remain unreliable, forcing children to endure hunger or drop out altogether. Similarly, in informal settlements such as Mathare, parents rely on the Nairobi County feeding program to ensure their children get at least one daily meal.
David Karani, a human rights defender and member of the Elimu Bora working group, questions why a costly and labor-intensive meal like chapati is being prioritized for Nairobi children while others face food insecurity. “Shouldn’t the focus be on ensuring that all Kenyan children have access to nutritious meals before introducing what is considered a luxury item?” he asks.
The government’s decision reflects a broader issue in Kenya’s leadership—grand promises that often benefit select groups while neglecting systemic problems. According to Karani, school feeding programs should not be political gestures but sustainable initiatives that ensure no child is left hungry.
He argue that if the government can afford chapati machines for Nairobi schools, it should also be able to ensure that children in marginalized areas receive at least one guaranteed meal per day. “Hunger should never be a barrier to education, and addressing this crisis requires more than symbolic pledges, it demands long-term, equitable solutions that prioritize the welfare of all Kenyan children” he added
