Nairobi MCAs Defend Johnson Sakaja's Dishi Na County School Feeding Programme: "Ignore Cartels"

• Nairobi's school feeding programme dubbed, Dishi Na County, is so dear to Governor Johnson Sakaja
• The governor has come under attack from several Nairobi leaders who have raised accountability queries about the implementation of the multi-million-shilling project
• Sakaja said the programme benefits 184,000 students daily and is determined to reach 250,000 learners through upscaling it
• MCAs inclined towards the programme have dismissed claims of misappropriation of funds and challenged those questioning it to offer viable alternatives

A section of Members of County Assembly (MCAs) allied to Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja have come out to support the county's chief's school feeding programme dubbed "Dishi Na County".

How much do parents pay for Dishi Na County food?

This comes after the health committee of the County Assembly questioned the utilisation of a KSh 140 million donation to help 25,000 learners pay KSh 5 for daily meals while at school.

Every meal costs KSh 45, parents are required to pay KSh 5 as the county, and donors contribute KSh 25 and KSh 15, respectively.

France's Minister of State for Development, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, donated 1 million Euros, approximately KSh 144 million, to the county when she joined Sakaja to feed pupils at Olympic Primary School in Kibera.

Now, MCAs inclined towards the implementation of the project defended Sakaja's administration against the mismanagement of funds as raised by the committee after grilling Health County Executive Committee Member Susan Silantoi.

Dishi Na County faces criticism

The MCAs claim that the programme was being fought by cartels and businessmen who were benefitting from parallel school feeding programmes which were overcharging the county.

Led by Majority Whip Mark Mugambi (MCA Umoja One ward), the legislators called for patience and maximum support for the programme, which they say has improved school enrollment.

The proponents of Dishi Na County even challenged those criticising it to give viable options instead of just pouring cold water on a programme whose positive impact was evident to all.

"When you say it's an avenue to swindle funds give us the alternative on how you want the children to eat. What is important is to ensure the children in school don't go hungry and young Kenyans don't miss school because of hunger," Mugambi said.

MCAs defending Sakaja's Dishi Na County

The second time legislator who addressed the media alongside other MCAs defended the quality of meals being served.

"You are saying they are eating rice and beans, yet it was not even there. You realise we have schools that already had feeding arrangements through their respective Boards of Management, and perhaps they were making something out of it and feel threatened by this programme that kicks them out of business," Mugambi stated.

The Dishi na County Programme came under sharp scrutiny on May 2, when Silantoi was asked to explain how the county used donor funds from the French government to implement the programme.

Silantoi admitted that the County Assembly had not put in place regulations to manage the funds but explained that the implementing partner, Food4Education Foundation, was ably running the programme on behalf of the county.

Following this revelation, Mugambi said the Assembly would fast-track the establishment of regulations after returning from recess.

"From where I seat as a leader I will do a follow up with the office the clerk to see if it's laxity on our part so that when we come from recess we can see what to do," added Mugambi.

He assured the public that issues related to transparency and oversight would be addressed, emphasising the Food4Education Foundation's commitment to ensuring the well-being of school children.

How pupils are benefitting from Sakaja's school feeding programme?

Under the programme, 120,000 children are benefiting from lunch meals, and the county aims to cover 250,000 within the next two years.

According to Sakaja, school enrollment has grown from 250,000 to 310,000 pupils since the programme's inception in October 2023.

Besides the KSh 144 million funding by France, the county government has pumped KSh 623 million into the project in the past two financial years.

MCAs in support of the program said it would be difficult for the county to have successfully implemented the programme to this end if the allegations of financial misappropriation were true.

" Producing 184,000 meals per day, building kitchens, paying the staff and transport costs involved, and all this can be proved. It is questionable that you are questioning the functionality of a programme that has results," Mugambi told TUKO.co.ke after the interview..

Sakaja's dear programme received support from President William Ruto, who said the national government would work closely with other countries to support it.

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Mr Ibu: Details Emerge As Nollywood Star Set To Be Buried Months After His Death
Simple Low-budget Modern 3-bedroom House Designs To Choose From
NGOs Seek Climate Trial Of French Oil Giant TotalEnergies

Mark Mugambi, Member of County Assembly Umoja 1.

Nairobi MCAs Defend Johnson Sakaja's Dishi Na County School Feeding

TheStarKenya on Twitter: "President William Ruto and Nairobi Governor