UASIN GISHU, Kenya – Uasin Gishu’s parents have received a reprieve after the county government announced plans to allow them to pay school fees in kind.
The Governor Jonathan Bii-led administration is set to roll out an ambitious initiative dubbed “Maziwa Ni School Fees” designed to ease the financial burden on parents while boosting the local dairy industry.
Y News understands that the program, currently piloted at the Tuiyo Farmers’ Cooperative Society, is set to expand to other cooperatives across the North Rift region county.
Under this initiative, cooperatives will establish 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.
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.
How the milk program will empower local farmers
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.
Why the county is partnering with other stakeholders
County Executive for Trade and Cooperatives Martha Cheruto told Y News the county administration is working with various partners in the dairy value chain to ensure that dairy farmers increase milk production and ensure economic viability for farmers.
“We will continue training you on various aspects to maximize the production of high-quality milk,” said Cheruto.
The New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) factory manager, Silvia Koech, affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the dairy sector remains profitable.
Maziwa Ni school Fees ProgrMme. Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya will be in the City. With as low as 2 litres of your milk you can pay fees to your son and daughter. Governor Bii Chelilim bii has brought up a programme to Uplift the peasant families.
Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya is set to launch the program on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Tuiyo Farmers’ Cooperative Society.
How many schools will benefit from the milk program
The county government has rolled out a school milk distribution program targeting 40,000 ECDE learners across 673 public schools.
The milk programme will be facilitated through a collaborative effort with the New KCC, which will handle the packaging of the milk.
KCC Managing Director Nixon Sigey has thanked the county government for initiating the program citing the benefits it’ll bring to the dairy farmers.
Already, the 8 counties under the North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB) have endorsed the initiative ahead of its launch.
