Nairobi County has announced plans to institutionalize the Dishi na County Feeding Programme through the proposed School Feeding Policy (2025). The initiative, if approved, will guarantee every child in a Nairobi public school a safe and nutritious daily meal, aimed at improving education, health, and social protection outcomes.
In a notice dated September 25, Godfrey Akumali, Head of County Public Service, confirmed that the policy seeks to anchor the programme into law. “The Policy seeks to institutionalize the School Feeding Programme to ensure that every learner in Nairobi City receives a safe, nutritious daily meal,” the notice read.
Cost and Financing
Introduced in mid-2023, the Dishi na County model allows all students access to meals at a nominal fee of Ksh5, paid via a Tap2Eat NFC-enabled watch. The Nairobi County Government spent Ksh1.7 billion on the initiative in the 2023/24 financial year, with an additional Ksh400 million set aside in the 2024/25 supplementary budget.
If the policy is passed, both the county and national governments will be required to invest over Ksh2 billion annually to sustain and expand the programme.
Public Participation
To shape the policy, Akumali has invited parents, guardians, school administrators, teachers, student representatives, civil society groups, religious leaders, NGOs, and private sector stakeholders to a public participation forum. The session will take place on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at Charter Hall, City Hall Buildings, from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm.
Written memoranda can also be submitted to the Public Participation Offices at City Hall or via email before the same date.
Constitutional Backing
The exercise is in line with Article 10(2)(a) of the Constitution on national values, Article 196(1)(b) on public participation, and Section 115 of the County Governments Act, 2012.
By institutionalizing this feeding programme, Nairobi County aims to create a sustainable framework that not only supports learners but also strengthens the education system.
