More than 9,500 kilograms of fortified porridge flour have been dispatched to Mt Elgon Sub-county, marking a major step forward in Bungoma County’s Uji feeding programme aimed at enhancing school attendance and nutrition among learners in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres.
The initiative, championed by Governor Kenneth Lusaka, is a key pillar of his administration’s broader education reform agenda. It seeks to improve learning outcomes by addressing nutritional deficiencies that often hinder concentration and attendance among young pupils.
The Uji programme has already been rolled out in five sub-counties in Kanduyi, Kabuchai, Bumula, Webuye East, Kimilili, and Mt. Elgon becomes the sixth to benefit. The distribution targets learners in Pre-Primary 1 (PP1) and Pre-Primary 2 (PP2) levels, many of whom come from households experiencing food insecurity.
Speaking during the flag-off event, County Executive Committee Member for Education, Eng. Agnes Wachiye underscored the programme’s impact. “The Uji feeding programme is not just about feeding children—it’s about giving them a chance to focus, learn, and succeed in school,” she said.
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She called on parents and community members to remain supportive as the county implements the programme in phases, noting that the current distribution is part of a pilot initiative. “This is the beginning of a long-term investment in our children’s education and well-being,” Wachiye added.
The fortified flour has been rigorously tested and certified by county nutritionists to meet the dietary needs of growing children, helping close nutritional gaps that impact early learning.
Governor Lusaka’s administration views the Uji programme as a cornerstone of inclusive and equitable ECDE, aligned with the county’s constitutional mandate to provide key devolved services, including education.
“As we expand this programme across the country, we’re laying a solid foundation for a more educated and empowered generation,” said Wachiye.
The county government reaffirmed its commitment to scaling up the initiative to reach all corners of Bungoma, ensuring that no ECDE learner is left behind.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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