First Lady urges MPs, MCAs to fund schools kitchen gardens and milk programmes
She also called on leaders, communities and county governments to implement sustainable water solutions
First Lady Rachel Ruto has called on national and county legislators to provide more funds for nutrition among children.
Mrs Ruto urged the leadership to set aside funds to establish schools kitchen gardens and milk programmes.
She made the remarks during the distribution of milk to learners of Kachororoni and Gandini primary schools in Kilifi County.
“Let us make the National School Milk Programme not just a pilot, but a permanent pillar of a school feeding strategy,” she said.
The First Lady launched the School Milk Pilot Project last year, whose aim is to boost children’s nutrition and support the dairy industry.
The pilot project, part of the Feed One End Hunger initiative, will provide learners with a packet of milk twice a week for a year in 11 schools in five counties
“This pilot has already shown early success. But to reach all children, we need sustainable funding,” she said.
This initiative is a collaboration with the Kenya Dairy Board and is supported by milk processors.
“Our mission at Feed One, End Hunger is to empower schools to sustainably grow and produce their own food. We believe in harnessing the potential of every school compound to create a haven for learning and nutrition,” Mrs Ruto said.
She also called on leaders, communities and county governments to implement sustainable water solutions.
The First Lady was accompanied by Agriculture and Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke, MPs Kenneth Kazungu (Ganze), Gertrude Mbeyu (Kilifi) and Deputy Governor Florah Mbetsa (Kilifi).
Mr Mueke said the ministry, the First Lady and other partners are working together to ensure successful implementation of the school milk programme, kitchen gardens and women empowerment projects.
“We thank you for your support. You are an inspiration to all of us,” he said.
The PS explained the programme as a bold step in securing the future of children and a healthy nation.
“I urge all stakeholders, including county governments, to support and expand the initiative,” he said.
Kazungu said Mrs Ruto was the only First Lady who has ever visited Ganze Constituency, which is considered one of the poorest in the country.
He said the school milk programme will ensure that students remain in class and also attract more learners.
The MP rallied the residents for continued support of President William Ruto and the government, saying many programmes are underway in the region and cited the ongoing construction of roads and electrification projects, among others.
He said the President has stabilised the economy, with inflation falling to 3.8 per cent from 9.6 per cent in 2022 and the consequent fall in prices of basic goods.
The exchange rate has also stabilised at Sh129 to the dollar from a high of Sh162.
Kazungu dismissed those spreading propaganda against the government and urged the residents of Ganze and Kilifi to rally behind the President.
Ms Mbeyu, the Kilifi Women’s Representative, said high poverty levels and hunger were affecting school attendance, leading to poor grades and few students joining institutions of higher learning.
She explained that Ganze has untapped natural resources which, if exploited, can transform the economy of the constituency.
Deputy Governor Mbetsa said the establishment of kitchen gardens would ensure healthy diets in schools.
She said the county government supports school feeding programmes and local farmers in profit-making ventures.
Acting Kenya Dairy Board Managing Director Kimutai Maritim thanked milk processors for supporting the national school milk pilot project.
Meru Dairy Cooperative Union CEO Kenneth Gitonga said milk was a healthy component in the growth of children.
Gitonga announced that Meru cooperative will supply milk to Kachororoni and Gandini primary schools for a year.
