Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has spoken out against complaints from Nairobi parents that their children are being served raw or poorly cooked chapatis through the county's school feeding initiative. A concerned parent shared photos online of what appeared to be undercooked wheat served to learners, sparking widespread concern. The parent also reported that children had been complaining of stomach upsets following the meals.
Babu Owino responded via Facebook, stating that reports of substandard meals were reaching him from multiple schools across the city. He emphasized that children deserve safe, nutritious, and properly prepared meals, and that it is unacceptable for them to be served raw and poorly cooked chapatis. The MP called for improved meal quality to prevent health problems among children.
As part of his future plans for Nairobi's school meals, Babu Owino pledged to expand the feeding programme to high schools and make it entirely free if elected governor. He stated that no parent would have to pay a single shilling for the meals, prioritizing the well-being of children. This move aims to ensure that all students have access to nutritious food, regardless of their financial background.
The Dishi na County programme was launched on August 28, 2023, under Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja. As of August 2026, it reaches more than 324,000 learners across 230 public schools in all 17 sub-counties. The programme had served more than 85 million meals, with a target of reaching its 100 millionth meal during the third term of that year.
Chapati was introduced to the Dishi na County menu to offer greater variety to learners, with schools allocated specific days on a timetable when the item would be supplied. Parents contribute KSh 5 per meal, paid through the Tap2Eat digital system, which uses wristbands to record each meal transaction. Children from families unable to afford the contribution are still entitled to receive meals under the programme's subsidy arrangement.
The chapati supply follows the installation of a high-capacity machine at the Toi Primary Kitchen in Kibra in August 2026. The machine is capable of producing up to 2,000 chapatis per hour. President William Ruto had promised the equipment during a March 2025 visit to Nairobi and tasked Sakaja with procuring it, with the governor later confirming its installation.
Babu Owino's intervention highlights the need for improved meal quality in Nairobi's public schools. The Dishi na County programme aims to provide nutritious meals to learners, but allegations of substandard food have raised concerns among parents. The programme's expansion to high schools and the proposed free meal initiative could significantly impact the well-being and education of Nairobi's students.
Key points
- Babu Owino pledges to extend the school feeding programme to high schools and make it free if elected governor.
- The Dishi na County programme serves over 324,000 learners across 230 public schools in Nairobi.
- A high-capacity machine has been installed to produce up to 2,000 chapatis per hour for the programme.
