Sakaja denies allegations of mismanaged funds in Dishi na County programme

Nairobi County Governor Johnson Sakaja refuted claims reported in a section of the media that the County had lost Ksh 144 million donated by the French Government to the Dishi Na County Programme.

Speaking before the Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations in Machakos, Governor Sakaja clarified that the donation was made to Food4Education to support their school feeding program, including in Nairobi, and emphasized that the money was not paid directly to the Nairobi City County Government as alleged by some media outlets.

Governor Sakaja further reaffirmed that the money in question had been used for food subsidies to support 25,000 learners who were unable to afford the Ksh5 required per child.

He explained that Dishi na County currently provides 184,000 meals per day to students, covering over half of the 360,000 enrolled children.

Governor Sakaja anticipated an increase in the number of children receiving meals under the program when schools reopen this term, with the addition of eight new schools.

Governor Sakaja emphasized, “Let us not politicize the Dishi na County school feeding program. This program continues to improve the nutritional status of the children and also encourages students to attend school, leading to an increase in enrollment, performance, and transition to higher levels of education.”

The Dishi na County initiative was launched in 2023 with the groundbreaking of 10 kitchens across the county, with the first meal served on August 28, 2023.

Subsequently, in January of this year, the program’s second phase was launched, increasing the number of children receiving hot nutritious meals to 184,000 from 80,000.

In March 2024, the groundbreaking for seven new kitchens was conducted. Upon completion, the Dishi na County Programme aims to provide meals to over 300,000 students in public primary schools and ECDs across Nairobi County.

Governor Sakaja assured parents of the County’s commitment to ensuring the success of the Dishi Na County program once schools reopen.

Nairobi County partnered with Food4Education, a non-profit organization, to implement the program, which also operates in other counties, including Muranga and Mombasa.