Kenya's Dishi na County School Feeding Program Faces Audit Queries

The Dishi na County school feeding program, launched in August 2023, aimed to address hunger-related absenteeism among public school students in Nairobi. Three years in, the program serves over 324,000 students daily, providing more than 85 million meals. However, an audit by the Office of the Auditor General, led by Nancy Gathungu, has uncovered several issues with the program's management, including irregularities in tendering, fund utilization, and food preparation facility quality.

The audit, covering the financial years 2024 and 2025, identified several companies that received tenders for building large kitchens in various schools. These companies include Najile Services, Glomag, Pemu Engineering, Blue Pacific Agency, Elitova Markers, Corporate Transfer Solutions, Cantam Investment, County Builders, and Pinnie Agency. For instance, Najile Services was awarded a Sh32.37 million contract to build a kitchen at Kayole 1 Primary School, while Glomag received a Sh32.96 million contract for Njiru Primary School.

The audit report highlighted several instances of poor construction, including cracks in walls, poorly built floors, and unconnected gas pipes and cooking equipment. In some cases, essential infrastructure, such as water tanks and parking lot lighting, was not installed as specified. The auditor general's report also noted that some contractors received payments without proper documentation or justification, with Sh160 million paid upfront without a clear work plan.

Further irregularities were found in the payment process, with Sh118.63 million disbursed without adequate documentation. The audit also revealed that the county government was paying Food 4 Education Sh30 per meal, instead of the agreed-upon Sh25, resulting in an additional Sh72.8 million in payments. The program's digital payment system, "Tap to Eat," was also criticized for lacking adequate controls over contribution collection and accounting.

Despite these challenges, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has emphasized that the program has increased student enrollment by over 40%. The governor plans to expand the program to day secondary schools. Under the current arrangement, parents contribute Sh5 per meal, while the county government and partners cover the remaining costs.

However, the audit report cautions that the program's digital system lacks sufficient controls over contribution collection and accounting. Additionally, there is no robust mechanism to ensure that students from poor families are not denied food. The report recommends that the county government address these issues to ensure the program's effectiveness and transparency.

The Dishi na County school feeding program has faced criticism for its management and implementation. While the program has made a positive impact on student enrollment, the audit report highlights the need for improved oversight and accountability in the management of public funds. The county government has yet to respond to the audit findings and recommendations.

Key points

• The Kenyan auditor general's report highlights irregularities in the management of the Dishi na County school feeding program, including tendering, fund utilization, and food preparation facility quality issues.