Nairobi’s flagship school feeding initiative, Dishi na County, has reached a major milestone, having served over 50 million meals since its inception two years ago. Launched by Governor Johnson Sakaja, the program has become a cornerstone of the city’s education and social protection strategy.
Currently, the initiative feeds over 316,000 learners daily across 230 public primary schools in the county. The program was introduced to tackle food insecurity among schoolchildren and improve attendance in public schools, particularly in low-income areas.
Governor Sakaja hailed the achievement as a defining moment for his administration, noting the program’s far-reaching impact. “When we launched Dishi na County, one in four children in Nairobi were going to school hungry. Today, that number has dropped significantly,” he said. “We’ve not only managed to keep learners in class, but we’ve also seen enrolment double in many schools.”
According to Sakaja, the provision of meals has led to improved academic performance and reduced absenteeism. “This program is about more than just food—it’s about giving children a real shot at a better future,” he said.
The initiative is powered by 17 central kitchens—one in each of Nairobi’s constituencies—that prepare and distribute thousands of meals every day. This decentralized system ensures efficiency and timely delivery of food to schools across the city.
County Executive for Health and Nutrition Suzanne Silantoi emphasized the effort behind the scenes. “Our team works daily to ensure that no child studies or sleeps on an empty stomach. This is about dignity, hope, and giving every child a fair chance,” she said.
Buoyed by its success, the county government is now planning to expand the program to include informal schools, which cater to some of the city’s most vulnerable children.
With the 50 million meal milestone achieved, Dishi na County is gaining recognition as a national model for linking education, health, and social protection through a unified, impactful initiative—paving the way for a healthier and more educated generation.
