MPs reject re-introduction of 'Maziwa ya Nyayo' to schools
By Judy Jerono
Members of the National Assembly have rejected a Bill tabled by Nominated Senator Beatrice Kwamboka, proposing the re-introduction of free milk to all primary schools in the country.
The National Assembly committee on education rejected the Bill saying it would affect other school meal programs.
The committee further stated that, before the proposal is taken to Parliament as legislation, it needs to become a policy first before it can be legislated.
“The implementation of the amendment would amount to expanding the current school meals programme. In seeking to provide milk for learners, other meals would be affected owing budgetary shorts,” the committee says
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File image of Nominated Senator Beatrice Kwamboka. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
While tabling the bill last year in July, Senator Kwamboka said that, apart from contributing to the growth of the dairy sector, the school milk programs will also improve nutrition and increase school attendance.
“School health and nutrition programs, particularly when embedded within broader child development strategies, are an integral part of the long-term development of a child," further reads the Bill.
The Bill which originated from the senate was first sent to the National Assembly for concurrence before being sent to President Uhuru Kenyatta to assent to it.
“By supporting this Bill, we will not only increase enrolment of children to schools but also increase the literacy levels on a gender basis. We will also benefit in terms of equity of health nutrition,” Nominated Senator Naomi Shiyonga said during the debate of the Bill in the senate.
After the National Assembly opposes the Bill, it is now taken back to the Senate and If Senators agree with the observations of the National Assembly, then it will be the end of it but if they reject the reasons advanced, then the Bill heads to the mediation committee, where the committee will have 30 days to thrash out the divisive clauses.
The Maziwa ya Nyayo programme was introduced by late President Daniel Moi but was cancelled after it proved too costly and unsustainable for successive governments.
File image of Nominated Senator Beatrice Kwamboka. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
While tabling the bill last year in July, Senator Kwamboka said that, apart from contributing to the growth of the dairy sector, the school milk programs will also improve nutrition and increase school attendance.
“School health and nutrition programs, particularly when embedded within broader child development strategies, are an integral part of the long-term development of a child," further reads the Bill.
The Bill which originated from the senate was first sent to the National Assembly for concurrence before being sent to President Uhuru Kenyatta to assent to it.
“By supporting this Bill, we will not only increase enrolment of children to schools but also increase the literacy levels on a gender basis. We will also benefit in terms of equity of health nutrition,” Nominated Senator Naomi Shiyonga said during the debate of the Bill in the senate.
After the National Assembly opposes the Bill, it is now taken back to the Senate and If Senators agree with the observations of the National Assembly, then it will be the end of it but if they reject the reasons advanced, then the Bill heads to the mediation committee, where the committee will have 30 days to thrash out the divisive clauses.
The Maziwa ya Nyayo programme was introduced by late President Daniel Moi but was cancelled after it proved too costly and unsustainable for successive governments. What's Your Reaction?
