The Ministry of Education has reported to the National Assembly committee on implementation that the National Treasury has reduced funding for the school feeding programme by Ksh.2.3 billion for the 2024-2025 Financial Year.
Speaking before the committee chaired by Budalangi MP Raphael Wanjala, Education PS Belio Kipsang revealed that while the programme had received increased budget allocations in previous years, this trend has been reversed. “In the school feeding, we received Ksh.1.96 billion in the 2022/2023 Financial Year. We also received Ksh.5.4 billion in the 2023/2024 Financial Year. But this time around we have a reduction and now we have been allocated Ksh.3 billion,” PS Kipsang informed the MPs on Tuesday.
Marakwet West MP Timothy Kipchumba raised concerns about the impact of the budget cut, questioning whether it would lead to food rationing for learners. “PS, can you tell this committee if the budget cuts will now see our learners put under food rationalisation,” posed Kipchumba.
In response, the Ministry of Education assured the committee that discussions are ongoing with the Treasury to review the allocation under the supplementary budget. “We are not going to withdraw any benefit (food) from our learners,” PS Belio reassured.
Currently, the school feeding programme supports 2.6 million children, primarily from arid and semi-arid areas as well as urban slums.
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