- Governor Simba Arati says the expansion follows the programme’s rollout in public ECDE centres earlier this year.
- The county hopes its upcoming dairy processing facility will eventually support a wider school milk programme.
- Officials and boda boda riders say distribution arrangements are ready as schools reopen for third term.
Kisii County Governor Simba Arati has announced that learners in Grade 1 and 2 in all public primary schools will start receiving milk under the county school milk programme, following the success of the programme in nursery schools.
Speaking while addressing former councillors, he promised to talk to President William Ruto to consider giving them some allowances that could keep them going and support them and their children.
“You did great work for this county and hope such work has to be rewarded,” he said.
Governor Arati said that the programme started with all nursery schools at the beginning of the year, but now, since it has succeeded, he has decided to extend it to Grade 1 and 2 and expressed hope that the programme will expand and cover the whole primary section gradually.
“With the soon completion of the dairy factory, we are going to get enough supply for all of our children,” he said.
Milk programme expands beyond ECDE
Since the beginning of the year, nursery school pupils in public Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres across the county have been receiving fresh pasteurised milk during break time. The programme targets young learners who often come to school without breakfast, to boost their health, concentration and class attendance.
According to county education officials, the milk is sourced from dairy suppliers and distributed to schools through the county programme. Each ECDE centre keeps a register, and a teacher in charge records the supply to ensure every child gets their share.
When he met Ward ECDE curriculum support officers and boda boda riders on Friday, they assured him that all logistics for transporting the milk for use on Monday as schools reopen have been put in place.
The Governor warned anybody who will be found misdirecting the milk that they will face the law and imprisonment. He said the milk is meant for children and not for sale or for personal benefit, and that strict monitoring will be done in all wards to ensure accountability.
Parents welcome expansion
Parents and former councillors who attended the meeting welcomed the move, saying enrolment in ECDE centres has increased and cases of children fainting or dozing in class due to hunger have reduced.
They said extending the milk to Grade 1 and 2 will further reduce absenteeism and improve performance because children in lower primary are still very young and need nutritional support for growth and brain development.
A section of former councillors from Kisii County who met Governor Simba Arati on Friday. Photo: Enock Okong’o
Governor Arati concluded that education remains a key pillar of his administration and that investing in the health of young children is investing in the future of Kisii County.
By Enock Okong’o
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