County distributes Sh.14 million worth of food to ECDE centers

Jun 15, 2023 - 07:04

Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili flags off rice worth Sh14 million to ECDE centres in Kisumu. Photo by Chris Mahandara.

Kisumu Wednesday June 14, 2023

KNA by Edwin Odhiambo/Levina Odongo

The County Government of Kisumu has embarked on distribution of Sh14 million worth of food rations to Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres.

Some 50,784 learners at the 685 ECDE centres spread across the county will benefit from the food rations in an effort to enhance retention and transition rates.

Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili said the programme which was rolled out in 2015 has impacted positively on the education sector with the bulk of learners transitioning to primary school.

Speaking during the flagging off of 2,112 bags of rice to the centres, Owili said the programme which is a lifeline for learners from informal settlements and disadvantaged backgrounds shall be sustained to boost the quality of education in the area.

“Nutrition is very key in early education,” he said adding that the consignment will go a long way in addressing gaps in ECDE which have a big impact on the quality of education.

"This initiative targets to address disadvantages in education due to food insecurity as well as high malnutrition and stunting growth rates among others," he said.

"The county government will maintain this support by supplying rice and oil to all our centres to compliment the efforts of our parents," he added.

Owili said the County government was committed to improving ECDE through expansion of facilities to create a conducive environment for learners.

“The department of education has set aside Sh20 million in the 2023-2024 financial year budget to procure learning materials for the centers,” he added.

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Education John Awiti underscored the importance of the programme adding that stringent measures have been put in place to ensure the food gets to the centres.

The teams distributing the food, he said, shall be issued with receipts which must be signed by the receiving centres and returned to the county headquarters.

According to the distribution schedule, Seme Sub-County will receive 1,600 kgs, Kisumu East and Nyando Sub-Counties 10,000 kgs, Muhoroni Sub-County 22,000 kgs, Kisumu West Sub-County 1,200kgs, Nyakach Sub-County 16,000kgs, Kisumu Central Sub-County 7,000 and Kadibo Sub-County 9,000 kgs.

Courtesy ; K. N. A