May 2, 2025, Mulembe times
Parents and guardians across Bungoma County have reason to celebrate following the launch of a bold new initiative aimed at improving early childhood education. On April 30, 2025, Governor Kenneth Lusaka officially unveiled a county-wide free school feeding programme targeting over 90,000 children enrolled in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres. The launch event, held at Masinde Muliro Stadium in Kanduyi, marked a significant milestone in the county’s efforts to enhance both the health and academic outcomes of young learners.
Under the new programme, each ECDE child will receive 40 grams of fortified porridge three times a week. The porridge, specially formulated to meet children’s nutritional needs, will be served in all 820 ECDE centres across the county. According to county officials, the initiative will benefit 41,794 learners in PP1 and 48,956 in PP2, ensuring that a total of 90,750 children access reliable, nutritious meals throughout the school term.
Governor Lusaka, while addressing the gathering, underscored the importance of nutrition in early learning. “A hungry child cannot concentrate, cannot play, and cannot learn. But a nourished child? That child can dream, thrive, and grow into a leader of tomorrow,” he said. “We are not just feeding children. We are building the future of Bungoma.”
A Strategic Investment in Education
To support the feeding programme, the Bungoma County Government has allocated KSh 30 million for implementation in the current fiscal year. The move comes at a time when many families are grappling with the high cost of living and food insecurity, issues that disproportionately affect rural and low-income households.
In addition to the feeding programme, the county has committed KSh 23 million towards the procurement of ECDE teaching and learning materials, further boosting the learning environment in local classrooms. A separate allocation of KSh 25 million has been dedicated to equipping vocational training centres with modern tools and resources.
“This is a holistic investment,” said County Education Executive James Barasa. “We are not only feeding children but also empowering them with learning materials and ensuring our vocational trainees are well-equipped to transition into the job market.”
The county has procured 141,570 kilograms of porridge flour, enough to sustain the programme through the school term. County nutritionists have vetted the porridge recipe to ensure it meets the dietary needs of young children, while school staff have received basic training on preparation and hygiene standards.
Expanding Access Through Digital Learning
Bungoma is also leading the way in educational innovation. Through a strategic partnership with German-based EdTech company EIDU, the county is rolling out a digital learning programme in 135 ECDE centres, with plans to expand to 450 centres by the 2025/2026 financial year.
The EIDU platform provides interactive digital content designed to improve literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills. Tablets and learning devices are being distributed to both teachers and pupils, supported by a robust monitoring and evaluation system.
Governor Lusaka emphasized the importance of blending nutrition with modern education. “We are not content with just feeding our children. We want to empower them to compete globally by embracing technology in learning,” he noted.
Parents, Educators Welcome the Move
The initiative has been widely welcomed by parents, teachers, and local leaders, many of whom see it as a game-changer for the county’s education sector.
Margaret Wafula, a mother of three from Kabuchai, expressed her gratitude: “There are days I’ve had to send my child to school without breakfast. This programme lifts a huge burden. Now I know my child is learning and has something to eat.”
Teachers have also observed immediate benefits. “We’ve already seen better attendance and more energetic pupils,” said Ms. Beatrice Wanjala, an ECDE teacher in Webuye. “Children are happier and more focused in class.”
The launch also included the distribution of ECDE books to 41,974 PP1 learners and new training tools to 4,715 trainees from 89 vocational centres, reflecting the county’s broader commitment to educational equity.
A Model for Other Counties
With Bungoma taking the lead, there is growing hope that similar programmes will be adopted in other counties to address the widespread challenges of child hunger, poor school attendance, and under-resourced ECDE centres.
As Governor Lusaka put it: “This is just the beginning. Bungoma will continue to invest in the minds and futures of our children.”
