President William Ruto has set a target to provide nutritious meals to 10 million school-aged children in Kenya by 2030.
He highlighted that ensuring accessible nutrition in schools will improve learning, create jobs, promote sustainability, and strengthen communities, particularly in drought-prone regions where hunger remains a critical issue.
To reach this goal, the government has significantly increased funding for the school feeding program, aiming to expand its reach from 2.6 million children to 10 million within the next six years.
This announcement was made at the second ministerial meeting of the Global School Meals Coalition, where President Ruto emphasized that Kenya is determined to take action on this front.
Earlier this month, an operational plan was launched to facilitate the program’s expansion, transforming school nutrition into a key element of Kenya’s national strategy for educational support.
Ruto noted the program has grown since 2018, now reaching over 2.6 million learners a marked increase from its modest beginnings with only 240,000 beneficiaries.
“The school meals initiative doesn’t just benefit education; it stimulates agricultural value chains and strengthens Kenya’s economy,” he said.
The President expressed Kenya’s long-standing commitment to boost school enrollment and retention rates, recognizing that nutrition plays a critical role in keeping children in the classroom.
The School Meals Program began in 1966, expanding nationwide in 1980 with support from the World Food Programme.
Today, the program includes climate-focused initiatives to promote resilience, such as local sourcing, clean cooking practices, and drought-resistant crops.
Through the “Call to Action for Climate-Friendly School Feeding,” Kenya aims to adopt sustainable, eco-friendly solutions in its meal programs.
President Ruto also urged other countries and partners to join Kenya’s National School Meals Coalition, aiming to ensure every child receives the nutrition they need to thrive.
“Kenya invites nations to join us in making sure no child is left behind,” he stated.
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