Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka has commended the county’s free uji (porridge) programme, saying it has significantly improved school attendance and retention among Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) learners.
Addressing residents during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Bokoli Boys High School, Lusaka said the initiative, rolled out by his administration, has ensured that thousands of children continue to attend school without being hindered by hunger.
“Thousands of our ECDE learners continue to benefit from our free uji programme, ensuring that no child drops out of school due to hunger,” said the governor
Lusaka noted that the feeding programme has been particularly impactful in rural areas, where poverty and food insecurity often prevent children from attending school regularly. He said the county government remains committed to expanding the initiative to all public ECDE centres to ensure every child gets a fair start in education.
The governor added that the porridge programme is part of a wider effort to improve the learning environment in Bungoma, which also includes the construction and renovation of ECDE classrooms, provision of learning materials, and recruitment of additional teachers.
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“Education remains at the centre of our development agenda. We are not only feeding our children but also investing in the people who teach and train them,” Lusaka said.
He announced that the county government will soon promote Vocational Training Centre (VTC) tutors and ECDE teachers, a move aimed at motivating the workforce and improving service delivery in the education sector.
“We are also set to promote our VTC tutors and ECDE teachers soon. They have worked tirelessly to nurture our children and equip our youth with practical skills,” he added.
Governor Lusaka emphasized that empowering tutors and teachers is key to ensuring that young people acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to compete in a dynamic job market.
The Mashujaa Day celebrations were attended by local leaders, education stakeholders, and residents, who praised the county’s continued investment in education and youth empowerment.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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