Kilifi County, Kenya — First Lady Rachael Ruto has called on national and county legislators to increase funding for school nutrition programmes, urging the establishment of school kitchen gardens and the expansion of the National School Milk Programme.
Speaking during the distribution of milk to learners at Kachororoni and Gandini Primary Schools in Ganze Constituency, Kilifi County, the First Lady emphasised the importance of sustainable feeding initiatives in supporting children’s health and education.
“Let us make the National School Milk Programme not just a pilot, but a permanent pillar of a school feeding strategy,” Mrs Ruto stated.
The event marked a milestone in the Feed One, End Hunger initiative, under which the School Milk Pilot Project was launched last year. The project aims to improve child nutrition while supporting Kenya’s dairy industry. It provides a packet of milk twice a week to learners in 11 schools across five counties.
Mrs Ruto praised the programme’s early success but highlighted the need for sustainable investment to scale the initiative nationally.
“Our mission at Feed One, End Hunger is to empower schools to sustainably grow and produce their own food. We believe in harnessing the potential of every school compound to create a haven for learning and nutrition,” she said.
She also urged county leaders and community members to invest in sustainable water solutions to enhance food security in schools.
The First Lady was joined by key national and local leaders including Principal Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke, Kilifi Deputy Governor Florah Mbetsa, Ganze MP Kenneth Kazungu, and Kilifi Woman Representative Gertrude Mbeyu.
PS Mueke reiterated the government’s commitment to the programme.
“This is a bold step in securing the future of our children and building a healthy nation. I urge all stakeholders to support and expand this initiative,” he said.
Mr Kazungu welcomed the First Lady to Ganze, noting she was the first to visit the historically underserved constituency.
“This programme will not only keep our children in school but will also attract more learners. We thank the President and the First Lady for prioritising Ganze,” said the MP.
He credited the current administration with stabilising the economy, noting a sharp drop in inflation from 9.6% in 2022 to 3.8% this year and a strengthened shilling trading at KSh129 to the US dollar from a peak of KSh162.
Deputy Governor Mbetsa underscored the role of school kitchen gardens in achieving dietary diversity and economic empowerment for local farmers.
“We support school feeding programmes as well as initiatives that connect schools to our local agricultural value chains,” she said.
The Kenya Dairy Board and milk processors have been key supporters of the initiative. Acting KDB Managing Director Kimutai Maritim thanked processors for their commitment, while Meru Dairy Cooperative Union CEO Kenneth Gitonga emphasised the health benefits of milk in child development.
Mr Gitonga confirmed that Meru Dairy will supply milk to Kachororoni and Gandini primary schools for one year as part of the programme.
“Milk is not just a source of nutrition—it’s an investment in the cognitive and physical growth of our future generation,” he said.
With growing support from government, civil society, and private stakeholders, the School Milk Programme and school-based nutrition initiatives are shaping up to be a model for sustainable school feeding across Africa.
Mrs Ruto concluded her remarks with a passionate appeal for unity and long-term commitment.
“Together, we can end hunger and give every child the nourishment they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond.”
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