UASIN GISHU, Kenya – In a bold move to combat persistent child malnutrition and food insecurity, Uasin Gishu County is collaborating with partners to initiate and improve school feeding programs aimed at supporting its youngest learners.
According to the 2023 Uasin Gishu County Statistical Abstract, approximately 40,000 children are enrolled in about 674 public pre-primary schools. Despite this commendable enrollment rate, many of these young learners face the harsh realities of malnutrition and hunger—factors that threaten their growth, health, and academic potential.
Speaking this week during a multi-sectoral sensitisation meeting hosted by the Department of Health Services in partnership with Soy Afric Limited, Acting Director of Health Services Dr. Wenseslaus Kuria emphasised the importance of nutrition in early childhood development.
“A structured school feeding program can transform lives by ensuring that every child receives at least one nutritious meal daily. In doing so, we not only fight hunger but also boost learning outcomes and improve overall health,” said Dr. Kuria.
County Nutrition Coordinator Ann Susan Bett noted that, according to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022, Uasin Gishu’s stunting rate stands at 14%.
“Malnutrition—whether undernutrition or overnutrition—can be prevented at an early age through nutrition education and sensitisation on proper diets,” she added.
Who attended the malnutrition meeting in Uasin Gishu
The meeting brought together key stakeholders from the health, education, and agriculture sectors, marking a unified push toward sustainable interventions for child well-being. Other areas of collaboration identified included the development of ready markets for maize, sorghum, soya, and beans, as well as the need for high-quality raw materials for processing fish and dairy feeds (DOC and full-fat soya).
Winfred Kaptui, a representative from Soy Afric Limited, concluded the event by leading the team in cooking demonstrations using fortified food varieties that are highly recommended for children under five years.
This new development comes when parents in the county have received a reprieve after the regional government announced plans to allow them to pay school fees in kind.
The Governor Jonathan Bii-led administration has rolled out an ambitious initiative dubbed “Maziwa Ni School Fees” designed to ease the financial burden on parents while boosting the local dairy industry.
Under this initiative, cooperatives have established agreements with schools, allowing parents to pay school fees using milk.
Governor Bii said daily dairy milk deliveries made by parents will be recorded, and at the end of each month, the milk equivalent to prorated monthly school fees will be deducted and used to settle the school fees.
“To ensure transparency and minimise risks, the county has partnered with Space AI, a leading technology company, to provide visibility of milk deliveries from the farm gate to the processor. This advanced tracking system safeguards the integrity of the program,” said Governor Bii.
How the Uasin Gishu County will support local farmers
In cases where a farmer registered for the program does not qualify due to low milk supply, Uasin Gishu County, through its extension services, will provide support to help farmers increase their production.
The county boss revealed that the innovative program empowers farmers to pay their children’s school fees through milk supply, eliminating the need to sell their livestock for this purpose.
“It also strengthens the local dairy value chain, ensuring consistent productivity and economic growth for farmers,” said Governor Bii.
Governor Bii reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring access to education for all children in Uasin Gishu County, emphasising that the initiative not only reduces financial pressure on parents but also enhances the livelihoods of dairy farmers.
“The program is a testament to Uasin Gishu County’s dedication to community-driven solutions that foster economic empowerment and educational advancement,” said the first-term governor.
The county government has rolled out a school milk distribution program targeting 40,000 ECDE learners across 673 public schools.
