School feeding programme is not going anywhere, MP Ndindi Nyoro assures learners

The National Assembly's Budget and Appropriations Committee Chair Ndindi Nyoro has downplayed assertions intimating that the school feeding programme has been scrapped due to its absence in the proposed budget for the 2024/25 fiscal year.

Nyoro's remarks come amidst concerns raised by citizens and stakeholders regarding the future of the school feeding programme that has been operational in 26 marginalised counties

Speaking on Citizen TV's ‘The Explainer’ show on Tuesday, Nyoro insisted that while the programme's allocation has not been explicitly outlined in the budget, it has not been abandoned by the State.

According to Nyoro, the programme's budget of approximately Ksh.4 billion has been re-allocated to another State department which will now assume responsibility for spearheading the project previously overseen by the National Council for Nomadic Education in Kenya (NACONEK).

"Education seems to have lost but if you look at the school feeding programme you'll realise that there is a re-allocation. Previously, the school feeding programme has been a under NACONEK. The ministry is reallocating the same for the department to handle the roles and therefore I want to assure the people that this will continue," he said.

The Kiharu MP further elaborated on the broader restructuring underway within various ministries, highlighting a shift in responsibilities across multiple sectors, including Regional Development Authorities (RDAs).

He added that such re-allocations are not uncommon and are part of the State's ongoing efforts to streamline operations.

"The school feeding programme is there. For example you find many things in the budget around Regional Development Authorities, that are not allocated budgets because the roles are changing," said Nyoro.

"This is not the first time; It's happening across the ASAL ministry where if you check the budget of Ewaso Nyiro North and South, Coast development, TARDA, and all agencies that deal with regional development they have also been changed to different areas. It is a normal thing and I assure you that the school feeding programme is there." 

IBP Kenya Country Manager Dr. Abraham Rugo however argued that it is essential for the government to transparently communicate the reallocations to the public.

This, he said, will ensure that Kenyans are informed about the destinations of the newly allocated budgetary funds.

"We need information on what is being re-allocated to what and the rationale. Without a clear rationale, the Regional Development Authorities have been performing devolved functions. They have been playing a role between counties and therefore when you re-allocate from those, part of it is rationalising," he said.

"Think about the agriculture sector that has a significant allocation. Does it mean for instance that the allocation removed from the sector...livestock, for instance, has actually been moved to increase the allocations to county governments because they are responsible for that function? That is information we do not have."