Elected leaders and managers of private and charitable institutions in Kisumu County have launched a campaign to abolish the mandatory school feeding fees charged in junior schools, arguing that the KSh3,000 levy per child is punitive and deepens the financial strain on already struggling families.
The leaders say the fee amounts to an illegal extra charge that should be scrapped immediately.
Seme MP Dr James Nyikal and St Jerome Emiliano Ramula Children’s Centre director Elly Opondo criticised the levy during the centre’s fifth anniversary celebrations in Alwala, saying it unfairly burdens families grappling with the high cost of living.
Dr Nyikal said he will table a motion in Parliament seeking to outlaw the mandatory feeding programme charges, insisting that the fees are untenable at a time when many parents are unable to meet basic needs.
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Opondo said the feeding programme should be optional, noting that some parents have up to five children in both junior and senior schools, making the cumulative cost overwhelming. He lamented that several schools have been sending home pupils who fail to pay the fee, while others who cannot afford lunch are forced to roam the streets during meal breaks.
The director urged the government to intervene, especially after projections indicated that more than two million Kenyans could face famine next year. He said vulnerable families need support, not additional financial pressure.
Opondo added that his centre has shifted from relying on corporate donors to individual contributions to sustain its operations, including sponsoring 250 bright but needy students from local schools.
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He revealed that plans are underway to drill a borehole and complete a dispensary within the centre to enhance community support services. Dr Nyikal pledged to assist the institution where possible through government resources.
The anniversary event was attended by Rev. Father Luke Bet and Reverend Father Peter Steve, who commended the centre’s efforts in supporting vulnerable children.
By Fredrick Odiero
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