Kilifi,KENYA:The national government through Children Welfare Society of Kenya has rolled out a school food distribution program in Kilifi County.
The program is aimed at ensuring students and pupils stay in school as they sit for the national examinations set to begin at the end of October.
Speaking during the launch at Dida primary school on Monday, water and irrigation principal secretary Zainab Hussein, said that the government is well informed on the hunger situation in the country.
“The national government is really concerned by the current hunger situation in Kenya,” Zainab said.
“That’s why the president sent me to bring food stuff and the program is in 17 counties which are worst hit by drought. Our aim is to make sure children sure do not miss school,”the PS added.
The program is targeting 26, 000 children in 750 households and 41 schools.
She was accompanied by officers from the Children welfare society of Kenya and Kilifi County nominated Senator Christine Zawadi.
Meanwhile, Children welfare society of Kenya head of emergence response Irene Mureithi said 978 bags of maize and 200 bags of beans will be distributed in the three days exercise.
“Each student in the 41 schools will get maize and beans to take home,” Ms. Mureithi said.
“We will also give them some clothes and a bar soap each. We will also issue out 13 water tanks to schools and the community. Each tank will hold 10 litres of water. We will also give 100 water troughs for livestock,” she added.
The program also includes the distribution of sanitary towels to girls in the 41 schools and education materials.
The PS is expected to inspect several water projects being undertaken by the national government in the county.
