Activists threaten to hold demos over feeding program scrappping

By Catherine Muema Last updated May 17, 2024

Tunza Watoto Executive Director Muthoni Ouko. Photo/Courtesy.

By Antynet Ford

Education activists have threatened to hold demonstrations against proposal by the national government to scrap off school feeding programme in Asal and informal settlements.

Tunza Mtoto Coalition Executive Director Janet Ouko said the fact that the National Treasury has not allocated any funds for the programme in the next financial year is a big red flag and will not be accepted.

Ouko cautioned the government against undoing programmes that have worked.

“Since 1980, all feeding programmes for Asal and marginalised regions have existed. Research backing such targeted programmes is available.“This is not acceptable and we are organising protests to protect the programme.” Ouko said.

“Denying those children food will seriously affect their existence in schools and education.” She added.

She said moving the programme to another ministry will also not work.

According to the education activist, the Kenya Kwanza regime is obsessed with cutting down education funding, which started with capitation.

North Eastern Kepsha chairperson Hassan Farah also added that the proposal is as good as closing the schools.

“The nomadic child is currently attracted and retained in school to school by the feeding programme. Many children in Asal areas will not attend school if there is no lunch.”Farah said.

The National Parents Association chairperson Silas Obuhatsa said the proposal will affect the 100 per cent transition; adding that when children drop out of school, they are exposed to societal vices such as crime and drug abuse and cultural vices such as early marriages.

He urged the government to reconsider the proposal and retain the feeding programme.

KUPPET secretary general Akelo Missori said Kenyans are currently witnessing the biggest rollback in social spending in history; faulting the government for increasing school fees for universities, delaying Helb loan disbursements and doing away with EduAfya health insurance.

Akelo also accused the state of remitting inadequate capitation to schools.

“The most disheartening in the scrap of the feeding programme which is the latest in a long list of austerity measures by the government, disadvantaging Kenyans, particularly learners in Asal regions and informal settlements.” He said.

The feeding programme was allocated Sh4.9 billion in the 2023/24 financial year which was inadequate.

Permanent Secretary for Basic education Belio Kipsang sought an additional Sh1 billion in the supplementary budget for the programme.