President William Ruto has announced plans to launch a nationwide school meals programme across Kenya's 47 counties in the first term of the 2027 school calendar. The programme aims to enhance social safety nets and support vulnerable households. Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua delivered the President's statement at the Fourth Kenya Social Protection Conference in Kabete. The initiative targets learners in lower primary, upper primary, and junior secondary schools.
The proposed rollout builds on a homegrown model that sources produce from local smallholders, circulating public funds within domestic agricultural markets. According to Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Kenya's target is to expand school feeding coverage from 2.6 million learners to 10 million by 2030. The programme's implementation framework and scaling goals are expected to be developed by a joint task force comprising the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, the National Treasury, and relevant stakeholders.
The expanded scheme will be capitalised through a dedicated Social Protection Fund aimed at cushioning citizens against climate shocks, disability, and economic distress. President Ruto outlined plans to expand innovative coverage under this initiative to 2.5 million households. The government also plans to address operational changes under the Inua Jamii cash transfer program, which has seen monthly disbursements grow to Sh3.5 billion, benefiting 1.7 million active recipients.
Social Protection Principal Secretary Joseph Motari confirmed that transitions to mobile money platforms like M-Pesa have streamlined distribution. Executive compensation, including the President's salary, remains tied to safety net disbursements. Cabinet Secretary Mutua emphasized that Inua Jamii recipients receive their monies before government officials, including the President.
The nationwide school meals programme is expected to be allocated approximately Sh40 billion annually, with an estimated Sh20 per child per day for 200 days. The programme's implementation will be rolled out in phases, although it is unclear whether every individual institution within the 47 counties will participate initially.
The initiative has been welcomed as a move to enhance social safety nets and support vulnerable households. By expanding school feeding coverage, the government aims to improve the well-being and education outcomes of learners across the country. The programme's success will depend on effective implementation, coordination, and funding.
Key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury, will play a crucial role in the programme's implementation. The government's commitment to progressive establishment of a national schools needs programme is seen as a step towards achieving sustainable and impactful social protection initiatives.
Key points
- President Ruto pledges free school meals programme for 47 counties starting 2027
- Kenya targets expanding school feeding coverage to 10 million learners by 2030
- Government to capitalize a dedicated Social Protection Fund to cushion citizens against climate shocks and economic distress
