Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s subsidized school meal initiative received a huge boost following President William Ruto’s pronouncement to procure a chapati-making machine.
Speaking during the second day of his high-impact development tour in Mathare, the head of state asked Sakaja to implore avenues to procure the machine, where he committed to buy.
“The governor has asked me that in order to add chapati to Nairobi’s dish, I should buy a chapati-making machine. I have agreed to buy the machine for him. Now, Governor, find a place to buy a chapati-making machine that makes one million chapatis,” said Ruto.
The governor said the county government is feeding over 300,000 school children every day, with over 214 public schools enrolled to benefit from the program.
“I am feeding 300,000 children in Nairobi, and now I will need to make one million chapatis. I will ask the president to help me with a chapati-making machine.” said Sakaja.
The Dishi na County school feeding program was launched on June 20, 2023, to enhance student health, improve academic performance, and encourage school attendance by addressing classroom hunger.
The county government constructed 17 modernized central kitchens across the 17 sub-counties.
The kitchens prepare meals that are distributed to schools, ensuring that students receive hot, balanced meals daily.
The program is designed to be affordable, with children contributing only Ksh5 per meal through a tap-to-eat system.
For those unable to afford even this nominal fee, the county government covers for them.
